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Back to homepageCapitol Security Conundrum
Having been recently mugged downtown, I carry pepper spray. Last week, I forgot I had it in my pocket, and went through the security screening at the entrance to the State Capitol. The metal detector beeped, I blushed and handed
Read MoreLAO’s budget reality check
Jan. 13, 2009 By JOHN SEILER Time for a reality check on the budget. That comes from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office, a non-partisan oasis in the middle of the partisan desert of state government. The LAO’s January 12 analysis
Read MoreHelping Haiti
One thing right about California is we know how to deal with earthquakes. After the 7.0 temblor in Haiti that reportedly killed many thousands, California will be sending rescue teams to help dig people out from under the rubble. If
Read MoreOfficial state records are disappearing
Jan. 13, 2010 By ANTHONY PIGNATARO If there’s one thing our state government does exceptionally well, it’s the production of records. Every month, dozens of state agencies and departments — to say nothing of the Legislature itself — churns out
Read MoreVote by mail soars in 72nd race
Fred Smoller of Brandman University (and an advisor to CalWatchdog) made this observation regarding the 72nd Assembly District race: “With 197 of 197 precincts reporting, turnout for the 72nd special election was a dismal 14.8 percent. 81 percent of the
Read MoreWill Norby be the new McClintock?
Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby, a Republican from Fullerton, easily won the 72nd Assembly District seat vacated by a disgraced Mike Duvall. This was no surprise given that California’s heavily gerrymandered legislative districts assure that Republicans will win Republican seats
Read MoreCampbell shift helps DeVore
Tom Campbell is shifting his ambitions from the governor’s throne to the U.S. Senate. This obviously helps conservative Chuck DeVore in the race, as the third major person running is Carly Fiorina, another moderate. This analysis notes that. But the
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