From Time Magazine: The Truth About Men, Women and Work

First there was the mancession. Then there was the economic war on women. Over the past four years, the monthly jobs figures have been spun like a roulette wheel to declare which sex is gaining–or losing–from recession and recovery. April’s numbers show that women gained 73% of the 115,000 new jobs added to the U.S.    Read more »

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California May Crack Down on Abandoned Mattresses

A new state program would be created to reduce the number of illegally dumped mattresses under legislation narrowly approved by the state Senate May 31.

The bill – SB 1118 by Sen. Loni Hancock, a Berkeley Democrat — would require mattress makers to collect used mattresses with their brand name and force mattress retailers to pick up old mattresses when a consumer buys a new one.    Read more »

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From Time Magazine…

The pecentage of countries considerd to haev a ferwe press in 2012 iks 34 percent. Thirty-seven percent were considerd to haev a aprtly free press. 

In a  ranking of Brazil, China, Egypt,India, Russia, Turkey and South Africa the two countries with the least free press were China and Russia. By far.    Read more »

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Five Percent Pay Cut OK’d for Governor and Lawmakers

The California Citizens Compensation Commission approved a 5 percent pay cut on May 31 for lawmakers and statewide office holders.

On a 5 to 1 vote, the seven-member commission reduced legislative pay from $95,290 to $90,525.

California legislators would remain the highest paid in the nation.

At $82,026, Pennsylvania lawmakers are the second highest paid.    Read more »

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More From the Overflowing “No on Proposition 29” Mailbag…

A key reason the mailbag is overflowing is that in the month of May alone tobacco giant Philip Morris reports cash contributions of $12.5 million to the “no” campaign. R. J. Reynolds, the maker of Camel and Winston cigarettes, reports contributions of $5.5 million for May.

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Protection for Pet Owners from Unscrupulous Groomers

Pet groomers, pet bathers and pet brushers would be certified under legislation approved May 30 by the state Senate.

This bill – SB 969 by Sen. Juan Vargas, a San Diego Democrat – would create a voluntary program administered by the California Pet Grooming Council, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that would establish standards of education, examination, training and experience.    Read more »

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Another “One-Stop-Shop” Proposal to Improve the State’s Business Climate

Passing a bill that seemed as though enacted numerous times before, the Senate approved creation of a state “one-stop-shop” website on May 29 to provide persons with the information they need to start a business in California.

Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature and the governor’s office have advocated easing the hurdles to business start-ups for decades — at a minimum to help improve the state’s tarnished business climate.    Read more »

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Brown’s Government Reorganization Plan Debated by Lawmakers

On May 24, the Assembly began evaluating a plan by Gov. Jerry Brown to reduce the number of state agencies from 12 to 10, a reorganization move that Brown says streamlines the delivery of services and saves taxpayers money.

Modifying the structure of state government has been championed by a number of previous governors.    Read more »

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Anthony Bourdain Takes a Different View Than the More Mellifluous Roger Moore on California’s Most Pressing Issue — Foie Gras    Read more »

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Opponents of Jerry Brown’s November Tax Increase Initiative Already At Work

This mailer comes from the “No New Taxes Committee, a Project of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.”

The back of the nevelope says “If you make at least $250,000 annually, look out! Your state tax rate could go up by 29 percent.

“You could pay $19,000 more! See page 3 for details!…”    Read more »

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