Clintons could influence Boxer successor

Through their political ups and downs, Bill and Hillary Clinton managed to steadily expand their network of professional and personal relationships. In addition to supplying them with a formidable base of loyalty and resources heading into 2016 and Hillary’s expected presidential

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UC president appears to cave in fight with Gov. Brown

Three months ago, University of California President Janet Napolitano triggered a fight with Gov. Jerry Brown and leaders of the Legislature when she persuaded the UC regents to commit to a five-year plan in which tuition was raised by 5

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Sen. Villaraigosa?

Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is looking for voters to promote him to U.S. senator in 2016. The Times ran an analysis of his pluses and minuses. Basically, his strength is that he’s a Latino candidate who could count on Southern

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Hertzberg proposes $10 billion sales tax on services

An influential state lawmaker is proposing a $10 billion sales tax on services that would include everything from accounting to yoga classes. State Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, says the changing global economy requires a reevaluation of what’s considered subject to

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Recreational pot’s hazy CA future

A majority of Californians now favors the legalization of marijuana — not just for medical purposes, but recreational use. The state’s voters legalized medical marijuana with Proposition 215 in 1996. But so far, the state has not followed Colorado, Alaska,

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Covered CA facing 2015 adjustments

After posting some of the biggest numbers in the Obamacare firmament, Covered California is putting the squeeze on Golden Staters. Amid concerns that bureaucratic and administrative rules will reverse initial gains, the statewide exchange is stressing the substantial increase in

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State of the Union won’t help shrinking CA middle class

California is a place where middle-class jobs are vanishing faster than a politician’s word of honor. But it’s not surprising President Obama discussed this problem in last night’s State of the Union Address. His solution has three parts: 1. Raise

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IRS now comes for Covered CA folks

The Grim Reaper — the IRS — comes for everybody in the end. Even if you get what was supposed to be “free” or at least “subsidized” medical insurance under Covered California, our state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act,

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Feds, CA clash over funding private water projects

  Last week, President Obama dumped a bucket of cold water over his fellow Democrats in California on water policy. He’s emphasizing private investment, while they’re trying to ban it. His Environmental Protection Agency announced on its website: “WASHINGTON — The

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Food stamps up in CA, down in Kansas

Despite the economic recovery, poverty is increasing in California. It’s one of the few states to see an increase in the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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