Sakura — Straight-Up Japanese

Sakura, the menu informs, is the name of the ornamental cherry tree so beloved in Japan.

There’s nothing ornamental about this no-nonsense eatery located on the J St. side of the 920 9th St. office building.

Seventy-some sturdy chairs are tucked under solid tables whose edges are numbered with street address stick-em dealies from ACE hardware.    Read more »

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March Badness

While not one of California’s big revenue-generating months, comparing this year’s March collections with prior years offers further evidence that when lawmakers and the governor revisit the state budget after the May 19 special election the situation will be worse, not better.

Because of taxes due on the 15th, April is the state’s biggest revenue generating month and balances on hand on the 30th will reveal a lot more about California’s fiscal condition.    Read more »

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Historic First — No Legislative Fundraisers Scheduled in April

Not since the Legislature went full-time in 1966 has there been an April without a single fund-raiser scheduled by any of California’s 120 state lawmakers.

As if.

April Fools.

And that’s pretty much what anybody is who drops $3,900 for weenies and a cocktail. 

Actually, spring break makes April a relatively light fundraising month with somewhere around 30 scheduled so far, a handful of which are for statewide office holders or candidates.      Read more »

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John K. Geoghegan dead at 75

John K. Geoghegan, former state cabinet secretary and business lobbyist, has died fighting prostate cancer. He was eight days shy of his 76th birthday.

Genuine and generous, Geoghegan was s principled straight-shooter both as a state official under Governors Ronald Reagan and George Deukmejian and as an advocate for the California Manufacturers Association and, later, the oil industry.    Read more »

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Attention Businesses and Consumers

It begins April 1. The sales tax increases by 1 percent. It is the first of the $12.5 billion in tax increases contained in the budget signed into law February 20 to take effect.

With the tax hike, the average sales tax rate in California’s 58 counties is just short of 9 percent.    Read more »

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Break Out the Brooms and Dustpans…

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Assemblyman Mike Feuer announce sweeping legislation….    Read more »

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How California’s New Bond Proceeds Will Be Put To Work

The record purchase of $6.5 billion in state bonds during the week of March 23 will allow California to continue, restart or begin construction on hundreds of public works projects, Schwarzenegger administration officials said March 30.

Of the $6.5 billion in bond proceeds – the largest transaction of its kind in the nation’s history — $3.8 billion will be used to address state cash flow needs, one of the functions of the Pooled Money Investment Account in which the bond proceeds are deposited.    Read more »

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Nearly $1 Billion in Budget Cuts Won’t Be Rescinded

Nearly $1 billion in spending cuts that fall hardest on the poor, disabled and home care workers will take effect next year after state officials concluded March 27 there will not be at least $10 billion in federal economic stimulus funds that can be used to staunch the red ink in the state’s general fund.    Read more »

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News Would Be If the Committee Sought Opaqueness

Headline:

Assembly Accountability Committee Seeks Transparency in Stimulus Implementation    Read more »

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Toxic Assets

Other than a macabre sense of gallows humor, what would possibly cause the taxpayers of the United States to be eager about owning something so named? A better title might lead to a higher level of excitement about ownership.

For example, is there any doubt that more headcheese would be consumed were it instead called Cranialetti?    Read more »

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