Posts From Chris Reed
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School lead contamination standards seen as weak, but safer rules would have huge cost
After reports of problems with lead contamination of water at schools around California, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill in October of 2017 meant to address the problem. The measure by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego, mandates that every school test
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San Jose struggles to meet ambitious housing goals
Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the state’s housing crisis, with even run-down older homes routinely selling for nearly $1 million and with apartment rent averaging over $3,400 in communities within a 10-mile radius of Mountain View. With some exceptions,
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Unions pass on battle with business over Prop. 11
What shaped up as another bruising ballot battle between union and business coalitions over worker pay, benefits and obligations has fizzled with Proposition 11. The measure was funded by the companies which provide the private ambulance services which provide the
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Massive new K-12 report offers downbeat findings in four areas
In 2007, researchers associated with Stanford University released “Getting Down to Facts” – a massive compilation of studies of the California K-12 public school system. The hundreds of pages of voluminous research allowed both the state education establishment and its critics
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9th Circuit: California cities must let homeless sleep on streets
A ruling this month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which holds it is unconstitutional to ban homeless people from sleeping on the streets is likely to complicate the attempts to crack down on homelessness problems by local
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Bill to stop ICE arrests at state courts on Brown’s desk
A bill with the potential to worsen California’s already-frosty relationship with the Trump administration passed the Legislature on a near-party-line vote in late August and was presented to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature last week. Senate Bill 349, by
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Far-reaching state housing law gets nowhere in Berkeley
As CalWatchdog reported July 2, the city of Cupertino’s decision to stop fighting a massive mall makeover project enabled by a far-reaching 2017 state law meant to promote more housing construction could someday be seen as a milestone in state
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9 Assembly Democrats opposed 100% renewable energy bill
The California Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 100 – committing the state to have an electricity grid powered by 100 percent renewable energy in 2045 – was billed by Sen. Kevin De León, D-Los Angeles, (pictured) as another landmark triumph for the
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Bill to limit effect of GOP tax overhaul on governor’s desk
Gov. Jerry Brown will have to decide soon on whether to once again put California in direct conflict with the Trump administration – this time with a newly passed bill which has the near-unanimous support of Republican as well as Democratic
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Despite indictment, Rep. Hunter holds 8-point lead in House race
The 60-count indictment issued Aug. 21 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego targeting Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and wife Margaret Hunter for allegedly spending $250,000 in campaign funds for personal uses, then trying to cover up their actions,
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