Bummer Missed It! Maybe There’s Another This Summer? (Click Here)

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Should California’s Smallest School Districts Consolidate?

To save money, California should raise to 100 the minimum number of students to qualify as a school district, according to a study issued May 2 by the Legislative Analyst’s office.

As part of the budget for the current fiscal year, the analyst was required to study whether consolidation of smaller school districts into larger ones would improve student performance and reduce costs.    Read more »

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More Good News Than Bad as April Tax Collections Wind Down

With one day left in the month, April revenue forecasts have exceeded expectations – on both sides of the ledger.

Through April 29, income tax payments were $7.1 billion — $300 million more than projected in Gov. Jerry Brown’s January budget proposal, according to a Franchise Tax Board daily tally.

Bank and corporations tax collections for the month were $27 million short of the budget’s $1.6 billion estimate.    Read more »

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April Tax Receipts Bring Smallish Smiles to State Beancounter Faces

So far, April has brought largely good news to state budget writers.

Through April 27, income tax receipts were slightly above $6.8 billion, the level projected in Gov. Jerry Brown’s January budget proposal.

Requests for refunds, however, were slightly above the expected $2.5 billion, according to a Franchise Tax Board daily  tally.    Read more »

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Where Montalvo Gets Its Name…

Montalvo was once a city in Ventura County. Now its part of the City of Ventura.

It’s named after Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo, the author of  four books titled Amadís de Gaula.

The four volumes, published in 1508, are a “modern” rewrite of chivalrous tales from several centuries before. The books feature prominently in Miguel Cervantes’ Don Quixote and, given the title character’s fixation with Amadis’ exploits, is likely what drove him bonkers.    Read more »

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There Are Other Options Than Just Democrat, Republican and Decline-to-State

Among the 16 political parties vying for a spot on the 2012 ballot is the  “We Like Women” Party.” What candidate, male or female, could possibly find themselves opposed to the party’s central tenet? Indeed, as the website says: “We Are Proud to Like Women! And if they do not like women, they are the enemy!”    Read more »

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From the Desk of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones…

A few weeks ago we asked you to help pass AB 52 to give me the authority to reject excessive health insurance rate increases.

The hearing on AB 52 in the Assembly Health Committee was then postponed to Tuesday, April 26th.  The vote will be this Tuesday.  We need you to call members of the Assembly Health Committee  before the hearing.    Read more »

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The Story’s Lead is in the Third Paragraph. There Should Be a Video Game Called “Death Master.”

Insurance Commissioner Jones, Controller Chiang Launch Investigation Into Death Payment Practices Subpoena issued to MetLife; hearing to take place on May 23, 2011

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and State Controller John Chiang today announced the issuance of a subpoena and joint investigative hearing into the practices of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, also known as MetLife.    Read more »

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Guest Post: An Examination of the Origins of Easter

 

(Editor’s Note: Real Truth is published by The Restored Church of God which says it teaches “all the true doctrines of God, as taught to Christ’s Church by the original apostles” and traces its roots directly to the first-century Church. The article offers one of the better-researched, more neutral examinations of Easter’s origins on the Internet.    Read more »

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Drop in State Income Tax Collections for April 21

State income tax collections for April 21 were $528 million – a drop of almost $700 million from the previous day, according to a Franchise Tax Board tally.

The state budget proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown in January predicts income tax collections of $6.8 billion by the 30th.

If collections fail to reach that total, the state’s budget gap – estimated at $26.6 billion by the Democratic governor – will grow.      Read more »

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