Posts From Matt Fleming
Back to homepageO.C. Congresswoman’s top aide resigns following eight-count indictment
The chief of staff to Rep. Mimi Walters resigned on Wednesday following an eight-count indictment related to his time in another member’s office, Politico reported. David Bowser was charged with using nearly $44,000 of congressional office funds of his former boss, former Georgia
Read MoreBrown: Klamath dam removal deal about “correcting mistakes”
KLAMATH – California, Oregon, the federal government and local interests have finally agreed to remove four dams along the Klamath River, Gov. Jerry Brown and other officials announced on Wednesday. The dams have been around for a little less than
Read MoreAfter rash of overdoses, Senate advances bill to punish Fentanyl traffickers
A Senate panel unanimously advanced a bill on Tuesday that would significantly increase the penalties for possession of large quantities of the powerful opioid Fentanyl, a drug that has led to a wave of overdoses in Sacramento recently. Fentanyl, which is reported to
Read MoreCritics demand accountability for education-funding tax prior to extension vote
Proponents of a 12-year extension of a temporary tax used to bolster education funding may ask voters to consider the measure prior to a full vetting, with critics demanding accountability. By law, the state Controller’s office is supposed to audit Proposition 30’s
Read MoreLawmakers OK state-wide $15 minimum wage
The Legislature passed it, the governor said he’ll sign it, and so a $15-per-hour minimum wage is all but a done deal. The measure, which raises the wage from $10 per hour incrementally until 2022 and 2023 (depending on the
Read MoreProposed pilot program could replace Caltrans with counties
Caltrans is on notice: A new bill looks at a life where counties would fix roads themselves. Responding to years of mismanagement and voter frustration with state roads, coupled with successful transportation programs administered in his home county, Sen. John Moorlach
Read MoreLawmakers take step toward retirement fund for all Californians
State policy makers on Monday inched closer to a state-run retirement system for workers who don’t have access to employer-run accounts. Secure Choice, if implemented, would require employers of five or more people to automatically enroll employees into portable retirement
Read MoreState leaders, labor groups announce deal on $15 minimum wage
Democratic lawmakers and labor groups announced on Monday a deal to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Gov. Jerry Brown and Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León of Los Angeles, joined by representatives of the Service Employees
Read More24 years of Caltrans well-drilling ignored laws; risked groundwater contamination
Sacramento County is threatening to fine Caltrans millions in taxpayer dollars for drilling hundreds of wells over a period of decades in violation of laws aimed at protecting groundwater, records show. The county set the possible fine at as much as
Read MoreMeasure diverting bullet train funds for water storage hits money shortage, eyes 2018
Proponents of a ballot initiative that would divert high-speed rail funds to water storage projects announced on Friday that the cost of signature gathering was too great for the November ballot and set its sights on 2018 instead. The measure would
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