Posts From James Poulos
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LAPD’s big data covered up big mistakes
At the leading edge of the “big data” trend, the Los Angeles Police Department has found itself in hot water. From underreported murders to misclassified assaults, a fresh spate of scandals has started to brew, just as Police Chief Charlie Beck was
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Uber mobilizes support against Sacramento regulations
In a fight, you go with your strengths. Uber is the social media site whose app connects drivers with riders. Taxis drivers and others don’t like it, and are trying to enact legislation to limit it. Uber now has responded by
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Cell kill-switch bill moves ahead
California could soon become the second state in the nation to force so-called “kill switches” into cellphones. The technology causes equipped devices to be disabled remotely, by a figurative flip of the switch. An owner might throw the kill switch
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CA bill aims at home guns
Proposed gun control legislation often appeals to a sense of public fear. Playing on worries about lone nuts and random killings, gun control groups like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown organization seek to tighten gun restrictions with
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McCarthy slams brakes on federal funding for high-speed rail
High-speed rail has a new obstacle: new House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield. McCarthy, who has long opposed the plan, has announced that he’ll block any new initiatives to direct federal funds toward the project. According to the Wall Street
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CA hits roadblocks in Obamacare implementation
It’s a bumpy road for the implementation of Obamacare through the Covered California exchange. Thanks to the cumbersome and convoluted nature of the process, state regulators are grappling with bad provider lists, limited plan acceptance and a host of complaints
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Schools case fuels Kashkari campaign
The historic Vergara school liberty ruling has handed a campaign issue to Neel Kashkari, Republican candidate for California Governor. In the ruling, as described by education reformer and former state Sen. Gloria Romero, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf M.
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Pot politics could inhale controller’s race
The California Republican party has a lot riding on Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. She’s the only prominent Republican who carried a strong lead into the recent “jungle” primary elections for statewide office, under which the top two candidates, regardless of
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Buzz builds for Brown ’16
Is the fourth time the charm for Gov. Jerry Brown’s presidential aspirations? The question may well have more to do with politics at the national level than the state level. Believe it or not, a fresh round of chatter and interest is
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‘Six Californias’ will go before voters
Its debut on a California ballot might still be two years away. But this month, supporters successfully verified the quixotic, Silicon Valley-powered Six Californias initiative obtained the necessary signatures to receive an up or down vote. As the Los Angeles Times reported,
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