John, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From John

John

Only Sen. Anderson demands Senate expel 3 disgraced members

A lone Republican lawmaker is calling on the California State Senate to expel three of its Democratic members that are facing criminal charges. State Sen. Joel Anderson, R-Alpine, the lone dissenter in Friday’s vote to suspend with pay three members of the state

10 quotes from indictment against Sen. Leland Yee

John March 28, 2014

This week State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, was arraigned in federal court on charges of working with Chinatown gangsters and brokering arms deals with a Muslim rebel group based in the Philippines. Although a leading proponent of gun control, the investigation involved accusations of arms dealing, murder-for-hire money laundering and

Rebels in Leland Yee case make peace with Philippine government

John March 27, 2014

A separatist Muslim rebel group in the Philippines, and the alleged supplier of weapons to State Senator Leland Yee, has signed a peace accord with the government of the Philippines Thursday, just one day after the San Francisco Democrat was arrested

Sen. Leland Yee allegedly brokered arms deals

John March 27, 2014

A prominent San Francisco Democrat, who has been one of the state’s leading proponents of gun control, is accused of working with Chinatown gangsters and brokering arms deals with a Muslim rebel group based in the Philippines, according to court

Leland Yee becomes 3rd Democratic state lawmaker to face criminal charges

John March 26, 2014

A prominent Democrat state lawmaker and candidate for Secretary of State was arrested Wednesday morning as part of a massive federal investigation into corruption and gang activity in Northern California. State Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco became the third

SD26: Coastal Los Angeles state Senate race tests non-partisan brand

John March 24, 2014

Political analysts say it’s too soon to evaluate the impacts of California’s top-two election system. But this year a coastal Los Angeles state Senate seat will provide a vital case study on the effects of the new system. In the 26th Senate district,

CA GOP convention reached ‘whole new level’ of inclusiveness

John March 19, 2014

At last weekend’s spring convention in Burlingame, California Republicans promised an effort to “Rebuild, Renew, Reclaim.” “We’re pushing the party outside of its comfort zone,” California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte said in advance of the convention. “And we’re already

CA Republicans seek return to Reagan Blue

John March 11, 2014

At this weekend’s state party convention at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, a group of influential California Republicans has an odd request for delegates: help turn California blue. “Around the globe, blue is identified with conservative, free market parties,

State Convention: Democrat Betty Yee calls out hypocrisy within her own party

John March 10, 2014

Betty Yee, who has developed a reputation as an honest and effective numbers-cruncher at the state tax board, delivered a stinging critique of her party Sunday at its annual convention. She said California Democrats have become disconnected from the party’s

CA Democrats mismanage campaign war-chests

John March 8, 2014

California Democrats converge on the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend for the party’s annual state convention. Although Democrats face two scandals involving members of the state Senate, the party is well positioned for the 2014 campaign cycle. The party