Never-ending deficits and unemployment at 12-percent-plus are just two illustrations of a seriously sick California economy. Many sensible solutions have been discarded out of hand because of the power of public-sector unions. The challenge for state leaders is to make these unions part of the solution instead of the problem.

Anyone who has dealt with a loved one deeply involved in some destructive behavior understands that there is only so much you can do until the person hits whatever low point is necessary to spark a commitment to turn around their life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just announced that 59.1 million Americans went without health insurance for at least part of this year — an all-time high. The CDC estimate comes on the heels of a report from the Census Bureau that arrived at a similar conclusion.

The Transportation Security Administration obviously knows with 100 percent certainty that John Tyner, the 31-year-old Oceanside man who refused to submit to one of those embarrassing body scans or be searched by TSA groin-checkers during his recent attempt to fly from San Diego to South Dakota, poses no security threat to the United States or anywhere else. He is not a terrorist, but a citizen frustrated by the growing intrusiveness of TSA screening procedures.

To balance the state budget, more than $20 billion in the red, California legislators are fighting over spending cuts. Legislators also disagree whether California government is too big. Fortunately, there is a way to quantify the size of government, and all Californians will find it illuminating.

Almost eight months in and the overhaul is as unpopular as ever. Polls show that 58 percent of voters still favor repeal.  Voters also sent a resounding message to Democrats during the midterm elections this month, rebuking those who played a role in passing President Barack Obama's health care plan.

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) just invested $500 million in market-traded green energy firms, which brings the agency’s investments in clean energy stocks and funds since 2006 to $2.5 billion.

We're all familiar with the axiom that anything worth doing is worth doing well, and if you don't want to do it well, don't do it at all.

SACRAMENTO – As government costs soar, and revenue remains low because of the poor economy, some politicians and academics are trotting out an old idea that promises to increase efficiency and save money.

Breast Cancer Awareness month, which wound down last month, appeared to get plenty of government support.

California’s new education boss, Tom Torlakson, has his work cut out for him. He might start by explaining to parents why Florida, a demographically similar state, continues to outpace California in student achievement. On that score, the Golden State still sputters around the bottom of national rankings.

Lacking an official background in public education is different than a lack of knowledge of critical educational issues. An education leader can succeed without the former, but not the latter.

Let's say you're an elected leader faced with a tough decision about how to revive the lagging economy.

Buried under the political headlines in California, which largely focus on Jerry Brown's gubernatorial victory, Barbara Boxer's winning a fourth Senate term and the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives, lie two ballot decisions that will have serious long-lasting consequences for the California economy.

Obamacare is unpopular, unwieldy, expensive, likely unconstitutional, and will shortly be a prime target for repeal.

Last week, voters nationwide delivered a stinging rebuke of President Obama's big-government vision for the country.

The new federal health care legislation promotes consolidation among providers and insurers, yet its advocates touted their desire to reduce costs.

Republicans have been amused by President Barack Obama's thick-headed response to the Democratic Party's electoral defeat.

SACRAMENTO – President Barack Obama saved the Republican Party from itself.

California government can do more with fewer taxpayer dollars, according to a new study released today by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a free-market think tank based in San Francisco.

So American companies "are weighing the pros and cons of eventually forcing employees to strike out on their own" for health insurance.

The Constitution was written to protect individual rights from government power.

The Founders believed property rights to be one of the most important individual rights.

Eminent Domain is the concept of government taking private property for public use.

Fifth Amendment to the Constitution grants the power of eminent domain to government.

In instance after instance, Washington has mimicked the failed policies of the Golden State. For the sake of the nation, it’s time Washington stopped following California and started heading in a new direction.

With the gubernatorial election tomorrow, Jerry Brown appears to have opened up a sizeable lead. Women are emerging as a bulwark of support for Brown, as they favor him by 21 points, according to the latest Los Angeles Times/USC poll.