On February 7, 2014, the Rose Institute released the 19th annual Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey. The Rose Institute, in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Kosmont Companies, gathers business fees and a variety of tax rates from 305 western cities, focusing on states where business relocation is most active. The 2013 edition of the… Continue Reading
On November 29th, the San Bernardino & Inland Empire Sun published an article titled “Survey: San Bernardino taxes and fees mean city is one of California’s most expensive for business”. After stating that the Kosmont-Rose Cost of Doing Business Survey rates San Bernardino as among the state’s most costly cities to do business in, the article remarks that elected officials and business leaders in San Bernardino and “other cities” question the survey’s findings.
Continue ReadingOn November 29th, the Orange County Register ran an article titled “Cheapest O.C. cities for business”. The article discussing the low cost of conducting business in Orange County, relative to the high cost of other cities in CA, and the state as a whole; it uses the recently published Kosmont-Rose Cost of Doing Business Survey as its primary source. The article states, “The annual study helps companies that are contemplating a move or expansion to find the best location”
Continue ReadingOn November 29th, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune ran an article titled “La Puente selects former city manager to run city’s election” regarding the debate over bringing back a controversial city figure to conduct La Puente’s first city-run election. The article cites fellow Doug Johnson, referring to him as a “local government expert”.
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The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) started the California High-Speed Rail project after voters approved its funding in 2008. When complete, the project will consist of over 800 miles of track and up to 24 stations, in California cities such as San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, Palmdale, Anaheim, Riverside, and Irvine. Traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles would take 2 hours and 40 minutes, and from Los Angeles to San Diego would take 1 hour and 20 minutes. High-Speed Rail remains controversial, however. Proponents point to economic, environmental, and community benefits from the project, whereas opponents of the plan argue that it would be detrimental to all three. Despite initial excitement for this project, many cities claim that they cannot afford to build high-speed rail. Fresno officials stated that they cannot afford to help build rails in San Joaquin Valley. There is a growing movement to stop the high-speed rail project in California.
