Free Republic

Saying he questions a sovereign Indian tribe’s role in a local government process, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late on Friday vetoed the bill that would have made the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians an official partner in managing Conaway Ranch, if Yolo County officials acquire it through eminent domain. The legislation, AB 1747 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, would have made the tribe a member alongside Yolo County officials and others of the joint powers authority created for Conaway Ranch. The tribe has offered to loan the county money for the acquisition. The county and tribe say the veto does not...

Legislation by Assemblywoman Wolk, D-Davis, to authorize the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians to participate in a Joint Powers Authority with Yolo County and other local governments and agencies was passed by the Assembly Wednesday with a 43-22 vote. Last year, Yolo County initiated efforts to acquire public ownership of the Conaway Ranch property in order to preserve the important natural resources on the property for public benefit. Assembly Bill 1747 would authorize the Rumsey Band to participate in a JPA with Yolo County, the cities of Woodland, West Sacramento, Davis and Winters, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water...

Assemblyman Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach, says he wants to professionalize and standardize the state's byzantine tax system, but the results of a bill he co-authored would be ominous to small business owners who are disputing the taxes levied on their firms. Introduced by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, and similar to legislation introduced by John Burton, D-San Francisco, in the Senate, AB 2472 claims to make the state's tax system fairer and, thereby give California taxpayers more confidence in the state's tax system. It is billed as a "good government" measure, but that's true only if one believes the best government...