August 2014 | Page 6 of 10 | CalWatchdog.com

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GOP’s Texas-California connection grows

If present trends continue, California Republicans could set up a virtual government-in-exile in Texas. As is now well known, outmigration from California has reached historic highs. Although just 2.6 percent of the large Texas population is now Californian in origin, Texas has received the largest number

Moody’s raises questions about teacher pension funding fix

Chris Reed August 15, 2014

Soon after the CalSTRS funding fix crafted by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown took effect on July 1, Moody’s Investors Service raised CalSTRS’ bond issuer rating. But six weeks later, Moody’s has put out another release that examines how much

Judge OKs Gerawan worker suit against ALRB

James Poulos August 14, 2014

A historic lawsuit against California’s Agriculture Labor Relations Board is set to move forward. Brought by workers at Gerawan Farms, the suit alleged that the ALRB has violated the workers’ First Amendment right to freedom of association and their 14th Amendment right to

Legislature passes first water storage bond in 50 years

Wayne Lusvardi August 14, 2014

With the drought still drying up the state, the California Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown Wednesday poured out a $7.5 billion water bond that includes $2.7 billion for water storage. If voters give their approval this November, this will

LAUSD system does not compute

John Seiler August 14, 2014

You’d think a state that’s still by far the center of the global computer industry could produce government computer systems that work right. They don’t. From the Daily News: Ditching Los Angeles Unified’s new computer system, school counselors in the

Feds abdicate on own rules for CA bullet train $

Chris Reed August 14, 2014

The Obama administration has given the state $3.5 billion in funds for its bullet train project. But the 2009 stimulus funds that were the source of most of the federal bequest came with lots of strings attached, as is common

Water bond deal reached

John Seiler August 13, 2014

Writing Wednesday afternoon, a deal just was reached among Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic and Republican leaders in the Legislature on a water bond for the November ballot, costing $7.5 billion. It would replace Proposition 43, the $11.1 billion bond currently in place. The

Bill would allow liens for unpaid wage claims

Dave Roberts August 13, 2014

California labor law soon could become even more problematic for business. Assembly Bill 2416 is by Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Monterey Bay. It would allow employees with unpaid-wage claims to file liens on the property of business owners. Stone said it would thwart “wage

LAPD’s big data covered up big mistakes

James Poulos August 13, 2014

At the leading edge of the “big data” trend, the Los Angeles Police Department has found itself in hot water. From underreported murders to misclassified assaults, a fresh spate of scandals has started to brew, just as Police Chief Charlie Beck was

Did Caltrans cover up shoddy work on Bay Bridge?

Joseph Perkins August 12, 2014

Douglas Coe, an engineer under the employ of the California Department of Transportation, spent years working on the retrofit of the eastern span of the Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco. When the 25-year Caltrans veteran told his