‘Big Sis’ bad choice for UC

Editor’s note: This is Steven Greenhut’s final column for CalWatchDog.com, which he started in 2009. He is the new Sacramento columnist for the U-T San Diego. We wish him well in his new job. Feel free to contact him at: [email protected].

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Immigration bill laden with pork for La Raza

The purpose of the proposed immigration bill currently in Congress is to provide a “path to citizenship” for the 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. The “path” will come at a high price, with strict rules immigrants must

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CA school districts treat troubled kids like cash cows

The idea that the people running public schools are “all about the kids” is one of the great canards in California life. Among the many examples that show this is ridiculous: — Absurdly easy, undemanding tenure policies that allow horrible

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Vidak state Senate race could impact Dem supermajority

Central Valley Senate District 16 is a crucial one for Democrats in the Capitol. They need it to keep their two-thirds supermajority that allows them to raise fees and taxes without any Republican votes. Candidates Andy Vidak, a Republican, and

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CA take note: MI state judge tests federal bankruptcy law

For municipal bankruptcy, all eyes across the nation now turn to Detroit. The latest: Michigan Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Aquilina ordered Detroit’s bankruptcy filings be withdrawn because they violate state law guaranteeing that pensions must be paid to public employees.

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L.A. Times continues to keep pro-fracking news from public

The Los Angeles Times has somehow managed to write dozens of stories about hydraulic fracturing — the newly efficient methof of underground energy exploration — without noting the Obama administration says it is safe. This is diametrically opposed to the

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Does obstacle to one bullet train project apply to other, too?

The Obama administration continues to push California to build its $68 billion bullet train, a measly 5 percent of which ($3.5 billion) comes from the federal government. After the first segment is built in the Central Valley, however, there is

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Only farmers, not fish, can pay for the Central Valley Water Project

July 20, 2013 By Wayne Lusvardi For some time environmentalists and have been telling fish stories that Central Valley farmers are dodging timely repayment of the costs to build the massive Central Valley Project.  But it is the fish, not

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NIMBYism slams CA economy

July 19, 2013 By Joseph Perkins Chris Thornberg is one of the most astute analysts of the California housing market. Back in 2005, when he was senior economist for Anderson UCLA Forecast, he appeared on a San Francisco radio show

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