Source: Niskanen Center
by Michele Evermore & Will Raderman
“When it comes to better understanding present labor market trends or catching unemployment benefit fraudsters, the devil is in the details. States collect quarterly unemployment insurance (UI) wage records from employers that can be applied for these analyses. However, most states do not request key categories of information — such as occupational details, work location, or hours worked — to make more comprehensive assessments possible. This dynamic is starting to change. A growing number of states are beginning to collect or expand use of enhanced wage records (EWRs), which include additional categories of data as part of employers’ quarterly UI wage record submissions.” (01/29/26)
“Why, oh why, is the city’s political elite obsessed with micromanaging food-delivery apps? So much so that it waxes indignant even when it’s simply reversing its own diktats to the (minor) industry. A new law now going into effect forces the apps to put the ‘option’ to tip your deliveryman before checkout. At least two main apps — UberEats and DoorDash — presented the gratuity screen after you got your food, a practice they adopted to comply with previous guidance from City Hall. (Not to mention: Tipping the delivery guy when he delivers worked just fine for decades.) And of course this follows years of City Council laws imposing a hefty minimum wage on this casual work.” (01/28/27)
Source: Orange County Register
by Cristine Soto DeBerry
“Federal agents have tear gassed peaceful protestors, detained individuals – including U.S. citizens – in horrific conditions, arrested children, assaulted the elderly, and threatened bystanders exercising basic First Amendment rights. According to recent reports, some ICE agents were even being trained to forcibly enter homes without warrants signed by judges – a blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment. If it feels like some of these federal agents act like the Constitution doesn’t apply to them, it’s because, in most cases, it doesn’t – at least not in a way that allows victims meaningful recourse. We’re fighting to fix that dangerous loophole in California by passing the No Kings Act (Senate Bill 747), authored by State Senator Scott Wiener.” (01/29/26)
“Gold is up at record highs and now silver is starting to make strides too. This is great. But just keep in mind that the government will try to control it as much as possible, especially in an economic ‘dollar crisis.'” (01/28/26)
Source: Orange County Register
by Jody Agius Vallejo
“Immigration has become a fundamental test of our democracy — of whether constitutional rights still limit government power to violate our civil liberties, and of whether that power can be turned inward against the very people it is meant to serve. When federal immigration authority is used to justify secrecy, militarization, and violence in everyday life, the question is whether our constitutional protections still hold at all. Recent events in Minneapolis make this painfully clear. … What is happening in Minneapolis matters because it reflects a broader pattern. It shows what it looks like when military-style federal power is turned inward.” (01/28/26)
“The terrorists are the ones without masks. They’re the ones yelling ‘No!’ or ‘Stop!’ or ‘Shame!’ or blowing whistles. Sometimes they brandish cameras at federal agents. Sometimes they wantonly swallow whole canisters of pepper spray. These are just some of their diabolical tactics. The terrorists are the ones who call this place home (that’s what makes it domestic terror). The terrorists are the ones who are dressed as clergy. Some of them, confusingly, are even ordained as clergy. As you look, ask yourself: Is that a Minnesota nice person (not even guaranteed to be ‘nice!’) or a Minnesota ICE person? (The former is a terrorist; the latter basically has total immunity.) Is he a nurse who works for the VA, or a masked man shooting him in the back? Remember, the terrorist is the one trying to protect his neighbor.” (01/28/26)
