August 2014 | Page 4 of 10 | CalWatchdog.com

Archive

CA editorial boards cool to anti-Uber power play

The editorial pages of the state’s largest newspapers largely agree about Tom Torlakson’s being undeserving of a second term as state superintendent of public instruction. Given the breadth of ideological views among these papers, that’s pretty rate. Now, rarely enough,

Fed bills could be key to CA water storage

Wayne Lusvardi August 21, 2014

There was a lot of hoopla last week over the California Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown putting a bipartisan water bond on the Nov. 4 ballot that, for the first time in nearly 50 years, actually includes storage. Proposition 1 would

Groups try to quash cap-and-trade debate

Joel Fox August 21, 2014

In the war of words over an attempt to stall the extension of AB 32’s cap-and-trade to transportation fuels, liberal groups sent a public letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris asking her to keep an eye out for collusion by

Chart shows warning on economy, CA budget

John Seiler August 21, 2014

Since the 9/11 attack almost 13 years ago, the Federal Reserve Board has been inflating the dollar. Everybody has noticed the increases in food, gas and other prices. That’s why the supposed “records” set by the stock market are suspect.

New CA pot bill snuffed out

James Poulos August 21, 2014

Despite the backing of California cops, the latest effort to craft statewide rules on medical marijuana has stalled in Sacramento. Widely criticized as an imperfect bill, SB1262 nonetheless mustered support as a good faith attempt to bring order to the chaos

Poll: CA likes insurance price controls, Covered CA

John Seiler August 20, 2014

A new Field Poll shows strong support for Proposition 45, which will give the state insurance commissioner, Davy Jones, even stronger powers to regulate health insurance. The race is just heating up. And insurance companies are running ads against it.

Early release from CA prisons now a flood

James Poulos August 20, 2014

Spurred by a series of court decisions ruling the state’s prison crowding unconstitutional, Gov. Jerry Brown’s ongoing “realignment” effort sought to make adequate room for the state’s worst convicts by diverting lesser criminals to county jails. There, however, the changes have caused a snowball effect.

Bill could double car registration fees

Dave Roberts August 20, 2014

A bill that could double California counties’ vehicle registration fees has passed the Legislature, and is awaiting a signature or veto from Gov. Jerry Brown. Assembly Bill 2393, by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, authorizes counties to charge annual

Is Gov. Brown disinterested in pension reform?

Chris Reed August 20, 2014

Later today, the governing board of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System is expected to pass rules giving state employees 99 ways to spike their “pensionable pay.” Gov. Jerry Brown only objected to one of the 99 bonuses. This is

CA Senate pushes $400M Hollywood tax credits

James Poulos August 19, 2014

A California Senate committee wants to quadruple the entertainment industry subsidies keeping production in Hollywood. With a unanimous vote, the appropriations committee passed a $300 million increase in tax credits for film and television, bringing the size of the controversial program