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Could this be the beginning of substantive business-friendly reforms around here? We fervently hope so.

Contrary to what you might’ve heard, I have nothing against California. In fact, I think it’s a beautiful state filled with creative people and a vibrant culture.

At the urging of Gov. Jerry Brown and major business groups, some of the most influential legislators in Sacramento are trying to fix the California Environmental Quality Act. Lots of luck with that.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel recently joined a growing chorus of newspapers throughout California that believe it’s time to modernize the California Environmental Quality Act. Fortunately, our elected leaders in Sacramento also seem to be responding to the call.

The siege of the Alamo, which occurred this month 177 years ago, lasted 12 days. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who would have you believe he’s laid siege to California’s business community, was here for only four days this week.

There’s no doubt about it—the competition is fierce. States like Texas and Nevada are openly trying to lure away business from California. The debate about how effective they are is still going. But with a PR push highlighting lower taxes and easier environmental regulations, moving out sounds tempting.

TULARE — Faced with continued low milk prices and high feed costs, California dairy operators are increasingly being wooed by states offering cheaper costs and expanding markets.

Gov. Rick Perry’s latest attempt at luring businesses from California to Texas is a 30-second radio ad where he says, “Building a business in California is next to impossible.”

After California voters approved a multibillion-dollar increase to sales and income taxes in November to help fund education, Democratic legislative leaders promised restraint, saying they would not be seeking additional tax increases any time soon.

The good news is California’s economy will keep growing this year. The bad news is it will be more of the same lackluster growth the state has seen since the recession ended in 2009.

(Reuters) – Texas Governor Rick Perry’s latest sales pitch to California businesses boils down to four words: Texas is no California.

Gov. Jerry Brown ought to cut his Texas brother, Rick Perry, a little slack. Texas Gov. Perry arrived in the Golden State this week trolling for California businesses he could poach and carry home with him in his saddlebags.

What some see as California’s most important environmental law, others see as an economic impediment. The 43-year-old California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, guides almost every development project in the state.

SACRAMENTO – Although many of California’s legislative Democrats are eager to “test drive” the new two-thirds majorities their caucuses hold in the Assembly and Senate – i.e., pushing the limits of their power to advance their progressive agenda – others are focusing on a sensible reform that almost everyone knows is slowing job growth.

Some are calling it a bold, aggressive action. To me, it’s simply an act of desperation. The governor of Texas has been creating a little media buzz with his latest effort at poaching California businesses. After first buying airtime for a radio spot in a few media markets, he’s now following up with personal visits to businesses in some key California markets, including Orange County.