Jon’s Weekend Political Reading Recommendations! Articles, Charts, Videos & More… And Happy Birthday To Benjamin Franklin!

I am perusing the web all week, and I write about some of the things I find. But I there is so much great stuff that I do not write about, but I collect for this Saturday column. Enjoy.

This Saturday feature, which is a labor of love for me, is packed with amazing content. It’s very popular. It is a thank you to our hundreds of paid subscribers. There are a couple items above the paywall and a bunch below.

THANK YOU for being a part of this project putting a spotlight on California politics!

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Reading/Watching Recommendations!

TWO COMPLIMENTARY CURATED LINKS FOR ALL READERS:

CALIFORNIA’S “BILLIONAIRE TAX” IS NOT GENUINE OR SMART TAX POLICY

In the Golden State Report, Matthew Klink argues that California’s proposed billionaire tax — a one-time 5 percent levy on residents worth over $1 billion — is fundamentally flawed policy. Far from being a targeted solution, he contends it would erode the state’s already-narrow tax base, accelerate the exit of high earners, weaken economic activity, and expand Sacramento’s taxing authority without addressing California’s underlying fiscal problems.

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NEWSOM’S FINAL BUDGET FACES POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL HEADWINDS

In CalMatters, Dan Walters examines Governor Gavin Newsom’s final budget proposal and the political and financial obstacles surrounding it. The spending plan reflects ongoing structural deficits, volatile revenue assumptions, and growing tension between the governor and lawmakers over fiscal priorities. Walters argues the budget underscores the long-term consequences of California’s boom-and-bust budgeting, even as Newsom looks beyond Sacramento to his political future.

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This Saturday compendium packed with things I enjoyed reading this week is a thank you to our paid subscribers. Charts, Quick Hits, Columns, Articles, A Video, and more… All are below the paywall or your weekend reading pleasure…