Releases and Articles

Six Moorlach Bills in Assembly

July 18, 2019
Six of Senator John M. W. Moorlach ’s bills are making their way through the Assembly. All have passed their first committees and head to either the Assembly Appropriations Committee or the Assembly floor for a vote. Senate Bill 359, Municipal Referendum Petitions , passed in the Assembly Elections...

Moorlach Names Mark F. Wille, C.P.A. Small Business of the Year

June 19, 2019
Today, Senator John M. W. Moorlach (R- Costa Mesa) presented the Small Business of the Year Award to Mark F. Wille, C.P.A., A Professional Accountancy Corporation for the 37th Senate District. “Mark F. Wille, CPA has become a recognized personal and business advisor for the Orange County community...

Moorlach's Reaction to 2019-2020 Budget Adopted by Senate

June 13, 2019
California State Senator John M. W. Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) issued the following statement regarding the 2019-2020 budget adopted by the Senate in Assembly Bill 74: “I voted against the budget today because it falls short of what is frustrating Californians and their needs. It is the largest budget...

Moorlach Names Mind OC Nonprofit of the Year

June 5, 2019
Today, Senator John M. W. Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) recognized Mind OC as the Nonprofit of the Year for the 37th Senate District with the California Association of Nonprofits. Moorlach was pleased to present Mind OC a Resolution on the Senate Floor for their outstanding record of community support. “...

Moorlach Thanks pro Tem for Conference Committee Appointment

May 25, 2019
Yesterday, the Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) appointed Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) to the 2019-20 Budget Conference Committee. The full makeup of the bipartisan committee is: Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), Chair Senator John M. W. Moorlach (R-Costa...

Senate Bill 598 Passes Senate with Unanimous Support

May 25, 2019
Late yesterday afternoon, the California State Senate voted unanimously to approve SB 598, the Open Financial Statements Act , to create the Open Financial Statements Commission, and take the first steps to transition state and local financial statements to a machine-readable format. SB 598 is...

Sen. John M. W. Moorlach on Gov. Gavin Newsom's New Position on the Death Penalty

March 13, 2019
In unilaterally giving reprieves to the 737 murderers on California’s death row, Gov. Gavin Newsom is further delaying the wishes of the majority of California’s residents. In recent years, California voters rejected two initiatives to overturn the death penalty, while passing one initiative to...

Senator John M. W. Moorlach Reacts to California Supreme Court Pension Decision

March 4, 2019
State Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, has been closely monitoring the arguments in CalFire Local 2881, et al. v. CalPERS before the California Supreme Court. Here is his comment on the ruling: “Today, the Court missed a major opportunity to resolve an inferred untenable doctrine that has become...

California Attorney General Fails to Meet Own APPS Program Deadlines, Yet Asks for More APPS Money

March 1, 2019
SACRAMENTO - The annual report by the California Department of Justice outlining the status of the state's Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS) was released today by Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and it reflects a systematic failure in the program to remove firearms from individuals who are...

Sen. John M. W. Moorlach Introduces Bill for Dedicated California Highway Lanes Without Speed Limits

February 19, 2019
Sen. John M. W. Moorlach introduced Senate Bill 319, which would provide additional dedicated lanes without speed limits northbound and southbound on Interstate Route 5 (I-5) and State Route 99 (SR 99) without speed limits using existing cap and trade revenues. Replacing the defunct High-Speed Rail...

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Senator Moorlach Will Monitor California Supreme Court Pension Hearing

December 5, 2018
State Senator John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, will be monitoring the California Supreme Court online tomorrow listening to the oral arguments in CalFire Local 2881, et al. v. CalPERS. He is willing to provide his impressions on the possible outcomes of cases dealing with the California Rule and how it...

Sen. John Moorlach Cautions Legislature on Projected Surplus

November 16, 2018
Sen. John M.W. Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, comments on the Legislative Analyst’s (LAO) new report, “The 2019-20 Budget: California’s Fiscal Outlook”: The LAO is optimistic about nearly $15 billion in additional resources to allocate after putting another $15 billion into the Rainy Day fund. The report...

Moorlach Report Finds 2/3 of California's 944 School Districts Bleed Red Ink

October 3, 2018
Sen. John Moorlach today released his latest fiscal report, “ Financial Soundness Rankings for California’s Public School Districts, Colleges & Universities. ” SEE REPORT HERE . It follows his March 2018 reports on the state’s 482 cities that found 2/3 of them in the red; of 58 counties , 55...

Mercy House selected Nonprofit of the Year

September 27, 2018
On June 6, Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, took great pleasure in issuing a resolution selecting Mercy House of Santa Ana as the 37th Senatorial District’s 2018 Nonprofit of the Year. The Resolution commends Mercy House “for providing invaluable services to the people of the local area, and...

Is Caltrans Campaigning on Your Dime?

September 4, 2018
Since being elected to the State Senate in March 2015, I have tried to shine a light in California’s vast bureaucracy to see if we can get better services for the hard earned taxes the people of California are paying. Unfortunately, the California Department of Transportation – or Caltrans – has...

Sen. John Moorlach Explains California Pension Crisis at Huntington Beach Town Hall

July 24, 2018
On July 12, state Senator John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, took part in a panel discussion on social investing for our state pension system at a Town Hall in Huntington Beach. You can view the video here . Also participating were Mayor Mike Posey and two executives from the California Public Employees...

Californians SHOULD NOT FUND Hollywood's Toxic Culture

October 19, 2017
I write to you today in your role as the chief administrator of the California Motion Picture and Television Production Credit’s allocation, assignment, purchase, sale and application of credit against income or franchise tax at the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). As I am sure you have seen, Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been caught in abhorrent and disgusting behavior that not only looks immoral and unethical, but likely is illegal. While we hope that law enforcement is investigating the claims, it is our responsibility as elected officials to make sure that state tax dollars and credits are spent in accordance with our values.

Public Resources and Information Available to Southern California Residents Affected by Canyon Fire 2

October 10, 2017
Insurance information: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/res-ins-guide.cfm#somefinal or call California Department of Insurance Hotline: (800) 927-4357 Individual Insurance Company Phone Directory AIG Property Casualty Company: (888) 760-9195 Allstate: (800) 547-...

Sen. Moorlach Has Invited Ben Shapiro to Senate Hearing on First Amendment

October 2, 2017
Tomorrow, I will participate in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing called by Senate Pro Tem Kevin De Leon and chaired by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson in our State’s Capitol. The hearing is titled, “Combatting Hate While Protecting the Constitution.” As Vice Chair, I invited noted political...

SB 742, SB 671, SB 665 Signed By Governor Brown

July 18, 2017
SACRAMENTO -- Yesterday, Governor Brown signed three key pieces of legislation I introduced that are designed to make state government processes more transparent, efficient, and effective. Senate Bill 665 Citizens deserve the transparency and reputable information from their local governments. This...

Cap-and-Trade Letter Stating Concerns Sent to Governor Brown

July 13, 2017
SACRAMENTO, CA -- After a whirlwind of discussions thanks to Gov. Brown's legislative cram down, the Senate Republican Caucus delivered him a letter voicing concerns about the detrimental effects of his proposed cap-and-trade policy. Below are excerpts: Preserving quality of life for all...

Bill clarifying arguments in ballot measure submissions headed to governor

June 30, 2017
“For future elections, SB 665 will hopefully prevent the confusion we saw over ballot argument selections for a local measure in the 2016 election.” ~ Senator Moorlach SACRAMENTO, CA – Senate Bill 665, Sen. John Moorlach’s bill clarifying potential signatories for the arguments in ballot measure...

HomeAid Orange County Recognized as Non Profit of the Year

June 29, 2017
Yesterday I had the opportunity to recognize HomeAid Orange County as a part of California Nonprofits Day organized by CalNonprofits . HomeAid does excellent work in my district dealing with a cause I've long fought for: ending homelessness. The award was accepted on behalf HomeAID by Scott Larson...

California Budget Act 2017-18: Largest annual budget disregards future consequences

June 16, 2017
Governor Jerry Brown has openly stated that a recession is coming and that budget cuts are inevitable. So I began my comments on the final budget acknowledging the uncomfortable fact that – at $125 billion – this is California’s largest general fund budget ever. It is difficult to reconcile the...

Response to May Budget Revision

May 11, 2017
"If managing the budget is 'like riding a tiger,' looking out ahead ten years from now is like standing on the deck of the sinking Titanic."

Senator Moorlach seeks to protect students during budget shortfalls

May 5, 2017
Since 2014, there have been several attempts to repeal a cap that prohibits school districts from saving for a rainy day. Senate Bill 590, introduced by Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa), aimed once again to repeal the burdensome cap. Sacramento Democrats killed SB 590 in the Senate Education Committee last week.

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California Drivers Pay for Underfunded State Patrol Pension

December 21, 2016
Californians in April will start paying more to register their cars -- not to help maintain roads, but to keep the pension checks rolling for the motorcycle cops who policed them.

Pensions: Employee's rights vs. Taxpayers

December 14, 2016
Senator Moorlach joins Studio SoCaL to interview Rick Reiff and Elizabeth Espinosa to discuss Pensions: Employee's rights vs. Taxpayers.

Op-Ed: State must tackle debts

December 13, 2016

California's Unfunded Pension Liabilities: Why We Should All Pay Attention

December 13, 2016
Charter Local Edition’s Leslie Leyton interviews Senator John Moorlach about the possibility of how unfunded pension liabilities could become our next fiscal calamity.

Prop 47 & 57 Event: What is the future of crime in California?

December 13, 2016

State must tackle its debts

December 3, 2016
The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently announced that it is forecasting a $2.8 billion budget surplus for the state of California next year. As the SNL Church Lady would say, “Isn’t that special?”

Expanding county supervisor boards: What exactly are we trying to solve?

November 20, 2016
There’s a basic truth worth remembering whenever someone proposes new legislation: What problem is it attempting to solve? This political guidepost came to mind in the last session when reviewing State Constitutional Amendment 8, which would have forced several counties in California to increase the number of seats on their boards of supervisors.

Jerry Brown touted his pension reforms as a game-changer. But they've done little to rein in costs.

November 1, 2016

ICYMI: Unfunded Public Pension Liabilities Near $5.6 Trillion

October 18, 2016
"The metrics are in and others are beginning to recognize how deep the pension liability hole is for not only California, but the entire nation. It's time for the public employees and Legislature to work together to develop a long-term solution for these public pensions that are currently...

Senator John Moorlach on Thisday in Laguna Woods

October 17, 2016
Last week I had the pleasure of joining Laguna Woods, California "Thisday" for an interview to discuss my efforts to reform our state's severely flawed transportation department & a pivotal victory for mental health care services.

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2016 Legislative Priorities Town Hall Presentation

December 1, 2015
On December 1, 2015, my staff and I gave a first look at my priorities for the 2016 legislative session in Sacramento.

In 6 Years Following Great Recession, Gas Tax Revenue Grew by $1.75 Billion; Road Spending Remained Stagnant

September 9, 2015
A fresh review of post-recession California budget data revealed that California’s road spending remained stagnant at roughly $10 billion per year over the past six years, while revenues from gas and diesel taxes and fees grew from $6.9 billion to $8.7 billion.

Senator Moorlach Responds to Governor's Revised Transportation Tax Plan

September 3, 2015
Today, Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) issued the following statement regarding Governor Brown’s revised transportation tax plan: “Californians already pay the nation’s 4th highest gas tax. And, California’s transportation spending is already three times the national average per-mile of...

New Poll: Large Majority of Californians Say "NO" to Gas Tax Hike

September 2, 2015
According to a newly released poll by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Government Studies, Californians oppose a gas tax hike by a large 63 percent to 37 percent margin and oppose raising the vehicle registration fee “car tax” by a 74 percent to 26 percent margin.

In Wake of Employee Golfing Scandal, Caltrans Top Management Scheduled To... Play Golf!

August 28, 2015
This Monday, August 31st, Malcolm Doughtery, Director of Caltrans, Ryan Chamberlain, Director, Caltrans District 12, John Bulinski, Acting District 8 Director and others will be golfing at Dove Canyon Country Club in Orange County . “Is Caltrans management that arrogant and tone-deaf?” asked State...

CA Nonpartisan State Auditor Report Finds Caltrans Engineers Playing Golf for 55 Workdays While "On The Clock"

August 27, 2015
Today, the California State Auditor released its findings of an audit of Caltrans, showing that Caltrans approved the time sheets of an engineer who played golf for 55 workdays from August 2012 to March 2014. After being reassigned in April of 2014, supervisors continued to fail to directly...

CA Nonpartisan State Auditor Report Finds Caltrans Engineers Playing Golf for 55 Workdays While "On The Clock"

August 27, 2015
Today, the California State Auditor released its findings of an audit of Caltrans, showing that Caltrans approved the time sheets of an engineer who played golf for 55 workdays from August 2012 to March 2014. 
After being reassigned in April of 2014, supervisors continued to fail to directly...

Unprecedented Senate Hearing Exposes Caltrans for Mismanagement and Lack of Budget Transparency

August 19, 2015
In a rigorous discussion today during the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Development over Senator Moorlach’s SBX1-9 (Responsible Contacting for Caltrans), the discussion quickly shifted focus to Caltrans’ lack of transparency, poor budgeting and mismanagement of funds.

Caltrans needs to go on a staffing diet

August 7, 2015
This year, the majority Democratic Party found new ways to spend the $6 billion to $9 billion in additional tax revenue, passing the largest state budget in California history. Funding to fix our roads and bridges, however, was woefully inadequate.

7 Key Measures of California's Transportation Challenges

August 6, 2015
1. CA's gas taxes are the 4th highest in the nation. According to the American Petroleum Institute, California's 61-cent-per-gallon gas taxes are the 4th highest in the nation, behind only Pennsylvania, New York and Hawaii. This does not include the recent addition of extra cap-and-trade taxes...

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