John, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From John

John

Lawmakers dismiss efforts to protect property rights from high-speed rail

State lawmakers are forcing property owners “all aboard” the state’s high-speed rail project – whether they like it or not. This month, two state legislative panels blocked efforts by Central Valley Republican lawmakers to guarantee the property rights of those

After industry compromise, lawmaker pursues more ride-sharing regulations

John April 20, 2015

Just four months after a new state law on ride-sharing took effect, California lawmakers are once again considering more regulations on the thriving industry that has made it easier to get around town. Today, the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee is

Asm. Lorena Gonzalez proposes labor protections for cheerleaders

John April 20, 2015

Legislative committee hearings aren’t known for their heart-pounding excitement. But, you might hear a round of cheers to excite the crowds at this week’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee. On Tuesday, the committee is scheduled to consider

CalChamber plans another successful year of defeating “job killer” bills

John April 14, 2015

Sacramento’s been taking care of business. Last week, the California Chamber of Commerce, known simply as CalChamber, announced a preliminary draft of its “job killer” bills, an annual list of proposed legislation that will hurt the state’s business community and

Lawmakers embark on high-speed journey through Japan

John April 11, 2015

As California moves forward with the state’s first high-speed rail system, questions remain about the viability of the $68 billion transportation project. In an effort to better understand the challenges posed by high-speed rail, a delegation of three state Senators spent the

Hertzberg seeks permanent extension to taxpayer relief program

John April 8, 2015

As California taxpayers brace for another round of tax increases this session, they’ve found an unlikely ally in the state Legislature. State Senator Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, who has ruffled the feathers of taxpayer groups with his proposal for a $10

Desalination gaining support as long-term response to CA drought

John April 2, 2015

With California’s snowpack at the lowest level in a century, Governor Jerry Brown announced Wednesday the first mandatory water reductions in state history. “Today we are standing on dry grass where there should be five feet of snow,” Governor Brown said at a

Bill could halt Airbnb, vacation rentals in some CA cities

John March 31, 2015

Travel has never been easier or more affordable — thanks to the proliferation of online accommodation marketplaces. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip to Napa Valley or the family’s spring getaway to Disneyland, non-traditional accommodation services, such as Airbnb, provide travelers with a range of

CA campaign reporting threshold could double

John March 27, 2015

It could soon be harder to follow the money in California politics. A state lawmaker wants to double the reporting threshold for political campaigns in California — allowing major donors to contribute more money and campaigns to spend more money

ACLU lawsuit challenges secret phone-tracker programs

John March 23, 2015

Police departments may have been tracking your every move without a warrant. But the full extent of the program — and its total cost to California taxpayers — has been kept secret. A year ago the American Civil Liberties Union of