State's health-mandate miasma

Feb. 2, 2010 By JOHN SEILER The victory of Scott Brown in Massachusetts prevents Democrats from enacting a universal health-care reform bill. Something likely will be enacted. But the lack of universality means the states will continue to play a

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Did car tax drive deficit?

Feb. 1, 2010 By JOHN SEILER As negotiations get under way on the California State Budget – especially its $20 billion deficit – numerous remedies are being advanced, including tax increases. One old idea is to bring the car tax,

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Is California a "failed state"?

Newsweek just ran a debate, California: America’s First Failed State,” among six people. The most humorous part involved Bobby Shriver, described as “a Santa Monica city councilman, activist and brother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.” Also, rich, pampered scion of

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No cussing? Hell yeah!

As if we needed more evidence as to why the latest Field Poll shows a scant 16 percent approval rating for the California State Legislature, we have ACR 112, a new bill before the Assembly that would, I kid you not,

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Why Sen. Lou Correa voted against SB 810

Jan. 29, 2010 by KATY GRIMES Yesterday the state Senate passed SB 810, the single payer health care bill sponsored by Senator Mark Leno (D, San Francisco) by a 22-14 vote. Today I spoke with Senator Lou Correa (D, Santa

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Nature violates Clean Water Act

Jan. 27, 2010 By WAYNE LUSVARDI The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently issued a stop order to the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority in Southern California delaying construction of a water treatment facility to clean up contamination

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