John, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From John

John

CA GOP preparing to keep gains in Legislature

Legislative Republicans claimed enough seats last November to block a renewed Democratic super-majority in both houses of the Legislature. But don’t think they’re resting on their laurels or savoring the victory. Republican lawmakers in swing seats along with party operatives and campaign consultants

iPoker: Tribal coalition not bluffing against opponents

John March 17, 2015

A powerful coalition of the state’s most prominent Native American tribes isn’t bluffing in its opposition to one proposal to legalize online poker in California. Led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, a half-dozen tribes have registered their opposition to

DeMaio, Reed team up for 2016 pension fight

John March 12, 2015

The dynamic duo of California pension reform are teaming up in 2016. Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio and former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, both of whom successfully passed pension reform in their respective cities during their time

CA GOP’s acceptance of Log Cabin Club a major culture war win — reflects 4-decade battle

John March 11, 2015

California’s gay Republicans, after four decades at the margins, finally have won recognition from their party. At this month’s state GOP convention in Sacramento, the California Republican Party approved the charter of the Log Cabin Republicans of California by an 861-293

Lawmakers seek soda warning labels

John March 9, 2015

A group of state lawmakers wants to single out “The Coke Side of Life” for a mandatory warning label that could send the Pepsi Generation to unhealthy beverages. State Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, and seven of his Democratic colleagues have proposed the Sugar-Sweetened

State officials report expensive gifts and luxury trips

John March 4, 2015

State lawmakers and constitutional officers accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in international travel, fine wines, rounds of golf and expensive meals in 2014, according to annual financial disclosure reports filed this week with state ethics officials. Among the top

Sen. Hernandez: Expand nurse practitioner duties

John March 2, 2015

An influential state lawmaker is once again seeking to expand the “scope of practice” for California’s nurse practitioners, despite strong objections from the state’s leading medical organization. State Senator Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, has reintroduced legislation that would allow nurse

Villaraigosa will not pursue 2016 Senate seat

John February 25, 2015

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced he won’t challenge state Attorney General Kamala Harris for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Barbara Boxer in 2016. That boosts the prospects of fellow Democrat Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Garden

Leg Analyst: Fix CA lost-and-found program

John February 24, 2015

California needs to find ways to improve its lost-and-found program. That’s the conclusion of a new report by Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor. He reviewed the state program for returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners. At the end of 2014, the state

Fellow Democrats attack Patty Lopez

John February 19, 2015

Time doesn’t heal all intra-party wounds. Last November, unknown community activist Patty Lopez defeated a fellow Democrat, incumbent Raul Bocanegra, in the 39th Assembly District. It is — without a doubt — the biggest upset in the history of California’s Top