Articles for Lapsley

NATO will start an annual nuclear exercise as Russia threatens Ukraine's Western backers
2 months, 2 weeks ago

NATO will start an annual nuclear exercise as Russia threatens Ukraine's Western backers

The Independent  

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Exercise Ukraine Russia Nuclear Threat West Putin
Measure to restrict tax increases cannot appear on November ballot, California Supreme Court rules
6 months ago

Measure to restrict tax increases cannot appear on November ballot, California Supreme Court rules

LA Times  

The California Supreme Court, pictured in December, ruled unanimously that the “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Initiative” shall not appear on November ballots. A ballot measure that would have required voter approval for any future state tax increases violates the state Constitution and will not be allowed to appear on November ballots as planned, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday. …

Supreme Court Constitution Tax Democratic California State Vote
Secret negotiations heat up in Sacramento as budget, ballot deadlines loom
6 months, 1 week ago

Secret negotiations heat up in Sacramento as budget, ballot deadlines loom

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom is in private negotiations with legislative leaders over how to close the budget deficit. “We’ve had 72 public hearings,” Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel said after the vote. “One of the things I’ve learned the hard way is talking too publicly about a process that’s unfolding in real time,” Newsom said at his budget presentation in May. Gabriel, …

Insurance Budget Negotiations Legislation Democratic Healthcare Workers California
Is California’s film and TV tax credit in danger? Unions say so
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Is California’s film and TV tax credit in danger? Unions say so

LA Times  

Eager to negotiate off the 2024 ballot a measure that would make it harder to raise taxes, unions are alleging that the initiative would end a California program that awards hundreds of millions of dollars annually in tax credits to television and film studios. The measure would have a “chilling effect on government’s ability to invest in services and infrastructure …

Film Credit Hollywood California State Vote Ballot
California Supreme Court to rule on high-stakes battle over ballot measure restricting tax increases
7 months, 2 weeks ago

California Supreme Court to rule on high-stakes battle over ballot measure restricting tax increases

LA Times  

The California Supreme Court in December held court for the first time in Los Angeles since before the pandemic, in the North Tower of the Ronald Reagan State Office Building. The battle between business and labor is headed for a high-stakes showdown at the California Supreme Court this week over a ballot measure that would tip the balance of power …

Business Constitution Tax Court Taxes California Ballot Measure
Despite all the critics, California could soon rise to the world’s 4th-largest economy
2 years, 1 month ago

Despite all the critics, California could soon rise to the world’s 4th-largest economy

LA Times  

With the help of California’s tech industry, the state is expected to surpass Germany as the fourth-largest economy in the world, experts say. “This is just a statement about the aggregate scale of the California economy,” Zeke said, noting the nominal GDP doesn’t look at inequality or wages. “We have strengths and a lot of different sectors, it’s not just …

Business Economy Germany Economic California State Bloomberg
Column: This ballot measure promises help for taxpayers, but it’s actually a handout to real estate developers
2 years, 9 months ago

Column: This ballot measure promises help for taxpayers, but it’s actually a handout to real estate developers

LA Times  

Jerry Brown Jr., left, and anti-tax crusader Howard Jarvis, after the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978. “It would undermine voters’ rights and create major loopholes for corporations to avoid paying their fair share,” Nicolas Romo, a revenue and taxation expert at the League, told me. If you’re adhering to the old investigator’s precept to “follow the money,” it certainly …

Business Local Taxes Campaign Voters Measure Estate
De Klerk’s death sparks debate over his role in apartheid
3 years, 1 month ago

De Klerk’s death sparks debate over his role in apartheid

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Liberator of Nelson Mandela? “I, without qualification, apologize for the pain and the hurt and the indignity and the damage that apartheid has done to Black, brown and Indians in South Africa,” said de Klerk, an apparition emaciated by mesothelioma cancer who nonetheless chose his words carefully. Some South Africans were moved by de Klerk’s final appearance, but …

Africa South Africa Black South African South African Nelson Mandela