James Poulos, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From James Poulos

James Poulos

Pension spikes crumbling CA roads

From roads to bridges and well beyond, California’s neglected infrastructure won’t receive relief this election cycle. For years, the state has lavished money on other projects — especially public pensions. Despite a flurry of bad press surrounding the crushing burdens those pensions

Democrats divided on big issues in CA

James Poulos October 30, 2014

Although Democrats in California are eager to celebrate major victories next Tuesday, political fault lines lie under their party. From anti-rape legislation, to education reform, to health costs and beyond, an anticipated left-leaning consensus has failed to materialize in the

Rail court decision could run over future bonds

James Poulos October 29, 2014

Is there a cow catcher on the front of the California high-speed rail project? One that pushes away future bond measures on everything from water to parks? That’s the unasked question as voters head to the polls next Tuesday to

Deasy resignation continues LAUSD turmoil

James Poulos October 24, 2014

John Deasy’s recent resignation as the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District ends three years of controversy. But a cloud of chalk dust remains over the mammoth district’s future. Deasy conceded his policies sowed sharp disagreements. And a conciliatory statement by

Campaign to rebrand CA GOP defines Nov. 4

James Poulos October 23, 2014

With less than two weeks to go before the November election, the hottest race in California doesn’t have to do with a single candidate, measure or issue. Instead, all eyes are on race to define the state’s Republican Party. The development has

CA advances driver’s licenses for illegals

James Poulos October 22, 2014

Despite incomplete approval from the federal government, California has begun forging ahead with driver’s licenses for immigrants who are illegally present in California. A bill signed into law last year, Assembly Bill 60, was subject to additional requirements by the Department

Covered CA caught in Prop. 45 crossfire

James Poulos October 20, 2014

On Proposition 45, some Democrats are feeling as if they got a transfusion of the wrong blood type. The initiative would give the state insurance commissioner the power to approve changes in health-insurance policies, including those by Covered California, this state’s implementation

CA voters may upend national crime policy again

James Poulos October 16, 2014

Thanks to a new ballot measure, Proposition 47, voters in California could soon eliminate the last vestiges of the state’s tough-on-crime reputation. In a sea change from the 1990s, when high-profile, grisly crimes seized the state’s attention, Californians have helped drive the

Voters face pension-reform decisions

James Poulos October 14, 2014

In a series of contests playing out at the state and local levels, Golden State voters will cast votes this November that could reshape the pension landscape for years to come. Races have attracted attention for offices that exercise direct influence over the institutions

Covered CA blames cronyism on Obamacare scramble

James Poulos October 13, 2014

In an embarrassing new black eye for Covered California, the state’s implementation of Obamacare, the health exchange, has admitted it violated accepted practice by awarding $184 million in so-called “no-bid” contracts, according to a new report by the Associated Press.