February 2015 | Page 9 of 11

Archive

CA bill would snuff smoking until age 21

Smoke ’em if you got ’em — maybe. A new wave of anti-smoking legislation is wafting through the halls of the state Capitol. And it’s been more than four years since former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger folded his cigar “smoking tent”

Why doesn’t GOP follow the Gipper, 104 today?

John Seiler February 6, 2015

Today is Ronald Reagan’s 104th birthday. He died in 2004 at age 93. He has become a beloved figure for most Americans, even Democrats, much as President John F. Kennedy has for different reasons, including for Republicans. JFK is remembered

Upbeat S&P report on CA also has CalSTRS warning

Chris Reed February 6, 2015

The recent Standard & Poor’s report upgrading California’s credit rating prompted headlines not just in the Golden State but in Washington and on Wall Street, where it was depicted as part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s narrative of the state’s continuing

Physical education settlement gives slacking CA schools a workout

James Poulos February 6, 2015

Faced with an embarrassing lawsuit over physical education requirements, California schools have opted to settle with the Golden State parent spearheading the case. Marc Babin, who created an organization called Cal200 to further his aims, sued California in 2013 to enforce

CalPERS reacts to Anthem security breach

John Seiler February 5, 2015

The hacker attack on health insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross announced last night in particular affects hundreds of thousands of members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. But a security expert told CalWatchdog.com the breach is not critical —

CA DNA database does not compute

James Poulos February 5, 2015

A new bill seeks to eliminate the California “biobank” created last year over strenuous objections from privacy advocates and some judges. Assembly Bill 170, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, aims to curb the broad and longstanding practice of acquiring

Car-mileage fee debate accelerates

Joel Fox February 5, 2015

The debate over gas taxes or mileage-based user fees to fund road construction and maintenance is accelerating. Proponents of gas tax increases argue now is the time to proceed because lower gasoline prices would lessen the blow on consumers and

CA spends more than other states

John Seiler February 5, 2015

How does California government spending, state and local, compare to that of other states? On average, it’s more. That’s according to a new study by the U.S. Census Bureau, “State Government Finances Summary: 2013. Economy-Wide Statistics Briefs: Public Sector.” According to

Direct democracy abuses: Both parties have dirty hands

Chris Reed February 5, 2015

Over the past 14 months, San Diego voters have repudiated the decisions of the Democratic majority on the City Council three times. The most influential Democrat on the council thinks he knows why: San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria will

CA stricken with vaccine controversy

James Poulos February 5, 2015

As a rash of measles outbreaks raises health alarms, Californians are caught in a national crossfire of controversy over a new trend against vaccinating children. Thanks to relatively lenient laws, the Golden State has been caught flat-footed as over 100 residents have contracted the