Posts From Anthony Pignataro
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Anthony Pignataro
Building Ivory Fortresses
JAN. 12, 2011 By the now, the important details are well known: on Saturday, Jan. 8, Jared Lee Loughner, for reasons only he knows, allegedly walked up to Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a public gathering in front of a
Read MoreCalifornia's Hidden Dynasty
JAN. 6, 2011 Here’s a fun fact from the 2010 General Election you may not have heard: the candidate who received the most votes in the entire nation was none other than Bill Lockyer, state Treasurer. According to the final
Read MoreThe California Players
DEC. 28, 2010 It’s the end of the year, which means it’s time for nostalgic looks back and fond retrospectives on 2010’s most memorable events and personalities (this is due, in great part, to the fact that nearly everyone in
Read MoreBrown Turns Blind Eye To Waste
DEC. 23, 2010 I know you’re busy and all setting up a new administration and picking curtains for your hip, new Midtown digs, but I just wanted to drop you a brief note saying Thanks for getting rid of Laura
Read MorePaper Campaign Records Doomed
DEC. 15, 2010 Yesterday marked the final formal hearing of the Political Reform Act Task Force. Since early September, I’ve watched the 25-member panel, convened by Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Chairman Dan Schnur, thrash out ways to improve, tighten
Read MoreAnother Reason Pringle Should Resign
DEC. 8, 2010 It’s always tough to get back into the reporting grind after a week’s vacation. Well, nearly always – when the California High-Speed Rail Authority is one of your beats, it’s actually quite easy. Waiting for me in
Read MoreBlack Friday At Capitol Store
NOV. 26, 2010 It being Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, I decided to check out the place where the real power-brokers, the legislative aides and staffers who write the bills and reports that keep the state
Read MoreWatching The Schlackman
NOV. 22, 2010 Contrary to popular belief, spending a couple hours in a hearing room listening to 20 political consultants, analysts and bureaucrats talk about something called “The Political Reform Act” isn’t my favorite way to spend afternoon. But, truth
Read MoreFPPC Not Totally Wed To Gift Bans
NOV. 15, 2010 The traditional start of the Christmas shopping season is just around the corner, so I guess it makes sense that the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has decided to redo some of its gift-related regulations. Unfortunately,
Read MoreUnlikely Activists Against Rail
NOV. 5, 2010 Elizabeth Alexis and Nadia Naik were lost. Their arms wrapped around folders and laptop computers, they were trying to find Room 447 in the state Capitol. That particular room is in the “old” wing of the Capitol,
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