Matt Fleming, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From Matt Fleming

Matt Fleming

Another state agency flaunting California’s environmental laws

The Department of Water Resources has been drilling for weeks in Yolo County without permits required by state law designed to protect against ground water contamination, under the belief its activities are exempt. Like other counties’ battles with Caltrans over the

CA Senate panel kills whistleblower protection bill for the third time

Matt Fleming August 12, 2016

For the third straight year, the Senate Appropriations Committee killed a bill on Thursday that would have extended whistleblower protections to legislative staff — a response to the unrelated legal troubles of three senators in 2014. There are already whistleblower

Bill removing tampon sales tax advances in Legislature

Matt Fleming August 12, 2016

A bill to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products came one step closer to becoming law on Thursday, ok’d by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Proponents have argued it’s a matter of gender fairness, as these products — including tampons,

Bill punishing Fentanyl kingpins dies in committee

Matt Fleming August 11, 2016

A bill that would have imposed mandatory sentences on large-scale dealers of a powerful opioid responsible for a rash of deaths and overdoses over the last few years died in committee Thursday. Fentanyl, an anesthetic said to cause a euphoric high

Gut and amend going nowhere, Assembly speaker says

Matt Fleming August 9, 2016

Even as a measure to end the most egregious offenses waits for voters in November, even as the procedure is discouraged by leadership and even as the move is prohibited by the Legislature’s rules, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon will continue

Assembly challenger tries to make campaign issue of unreleased tax returns

Matt Fleming August 5, 2016

The Democratic challenger in an Orange County Assembly race is going after the incumbent, Republican Young Kim, for not releasing her tax returns — just like Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, is doing to Donald Trump, the billionaire Republican presidential nominee.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate picks up another Republican endorsement

Matt Fleming August 4, 2016

In her gambit to ride largely Latino and Republican support to the U.S. Senate, Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez picked up another high-profile endorsement on Thursday: Buck McKeon, the former Republican Congressman from Santa Clarita. McKeon and the Orange County Democrat

Assemblyman goes reclusive after domestic violence allegations

Matt Fleming August 1, 2016

After being placed under a three-year restraining order from his wife over domestic violence allegations and subsequently stripped of his committee assignments, including a chairmanship, Assemblyman Roger Hernandez has become reclusive. First, the West Covina Democrat made his official Twitter

Four things to watch for in the Legislature in August

Matt Fleming July 29, 2016

August is sure to be a busy month in Sacramento, as legislators fight to get their priorities passed before the legislative session ends on August 31. While a large number of bills will be debated, there are four things to watch

Gov. Brown vetoes bill easing special election burdens on counties, voters

Matt Fleming July 27, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill on Monday that would have allowed him and his successors to cancel a special election if there is only one candidate. Brown was concerned that while there may be only one candidate officially running,