CA fires could reshape pot landscape

As the smoke cleared from California’s wildfires, analysts agreed that the marijuana industry may never be the same. Legal, illegal and quasi-legal pot farms all faced an extraordinary risk from the blazes. And those which were wiped out were not expected

Read More

Sneak peek: 5 tax proposals you may see on the 2016 ballot

There has been some movement on the tax initiative front. In August, I offered the following list of the top five measures most likely to make the ballot: 1) Prop. 30 Extension, 2) Cigarette Tax, 3) Split Roll Property Tax,

Read More

Finance Department urges CalPERS to reduce risk

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is considering reducing its investment risk with a plan that would be so ineffectual it could lead to a “rate shock” when the pension bills come due, according to the California Department of Finance.

Read More

Some CA government jobs proving tough to fill

The cost of housing has been an increasingly hot topic in California political circles since late 2012. That’s when a new Census Bureau measure of poverty debuted, one that included the cost of living. It showed the Golden State had

Read More

CA sheriffs sue on L.A. gun magazine law

With gun rights and regulations emerging as a hot-button issue in California politics, the city of Los Angeles has provoked a high-profile lawsuit against a recent prohibition on so-called high-capacity magazines. “This summer, the City Council banned possession of magazines that

Read More

Hillary Clinton moves to consolidate support of CA Dems

Sensing an opportunity to shore up her base and fuel a resurgence, Hillary Clinton’s campaign has moved swiftly to consolidate support and spur new enthusiasm among friends and allies in California. Return visits An early November sweep through the Bay Area

Read More

Many CA English learners classified as learning disabled

A new study of how English-learner students are taught in California raises profound questions about how seriously the state and many school districts take their responsibility to these students. The study — prepared by researchers from Stanford, UC Santa Cruz,

Read More

Logistical woes mount for high-speed rail

A new special report conducted by the Los Angeles Times has thrown very cold water on the California High Speed Rail Authority’s plans for bringing a bullet train to the Golden State. Through an in-depth investigation, the paper revealed embarrassing

Read More

Congressional conservatives clash with CA GOP

In a broad turnabout, the fortunes of California Republicans in Congress have waned as conservatives on the Hill have gained the advantage. The shift, which began with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., withdrawing abruptly from a race for Speaker he had seemed certain

Read More