Affordable housing may be limited by new state environmental rules

A new rule designed to promote urban development and curb both car usage and greenhouse gas emissions may end up making cities less affordable and more congested, critics say. The rule would modify how traffic is evaluated during a critical

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Bauman has large lead in race for CA Democratic Party chair

SAN JOSE – The widespread support for Eric Bauman at the state Democratic Party convention last weekend made it seem as though he were running uncontested for party chair. Bauman was everywhere. He introduced past Assembly speakers at one party

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Did fear of political Waterloo spur bullet-train switch?

Earlier this month, in one of the biggest changes in the history of the state’s bullet-train project, California High-Speed Rail Authority officials announced they had changed their mind on where the first segment of the now-$64 billion project would be built. Instead

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CA Democrats endorse Harris for Senate

SAN JOSE – Attorney General Kamala Harris secured the California Democratic Party endorsement for U.S. Senate Saturday night over Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Both women are vying to replace retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. The endorsement seemed inevitable for Harris,

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Protester booted from Biden speech

SAN JOSE — Barely through his introduction, Vice President Joe Biden was interrupted by a protester who was screaming that Beau Biden died from cell phone complications. Beau Biden, the vice president’s late son, died last may of brain cancer.

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Steyer, CA Democrats denounce money in politics

SAN JOSE – California Democrats decried the influence of money in politics at their convention on Saturday as they introduced Tom Steyer to speak. Steyer is a wealthy hedge fund manager and top-Democratic donor who runs an environmental group called

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Loretta Sanchez: Don’t touch the filibuster

SAN JOSE, CA- Loretta Sanchez, a candidate for U.S. Senate, says she does not support reforming or eliminating the filibuster, a tactic senators can use to single-handedly block or prolong a legislative action. It is said that the filibuster — a

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New influx of federal funding for CA mortgage relief

  The federal government has supplied California with additional funds and time to continue its multi-year foreclosure relief program. The effort “intended to prevent home foreclosures that was expected to shut down next year is instead being expanded and extended following a new influx

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Some legislators proudly refuse pay increases

Only in public office could the distinction of lowest paid be worn as a badge of honor. But Richard Roth, a Riverside Democrat, has refused every pay increase since being elected to the state Senate in 2012, making $90,526 per year

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California readies for contested presidential primary

As the GOP field consolidates in a bitterly contested election season, California Republicans brace for an uncertain but likely bruising state primary. Though small, California’s mainstream conservative establishment has a degree of power that appears to be unusual this election cycle, coalescing

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