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The California Legislature’s Joint Committee on Rules’ Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response is on track to keep its earlier promise to unveil new sexual harassment guidelines for both chambers by the end of June, according to an update

Soaring prices at pump may boost gas-tax repeal

Chris Reed May 31, 2018

With polls suggesting California voters are ready to scrap fuel tax hikes approved by the state Legislature last year at his behest, Gov. Jerry Brown may be forced to spend his final months in office raising funds to bolster his

Chief justice continues bail reform push

Chris Reed May 30, 2018

Seven months after her office released sweeping recommendations for reform of California’s bail system, state Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye may have a chance to force changes without going through the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown. Last week, the state

Poll: Newsom retains strong lead; Obamacare and taxes big issues for voters

Avery Bissett May 29, 2018

According to the most recent USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll, Gavin Newsom’s lead in the gubernatorial race appears secure in the final stretch before California’s June 5 primaries, despite a plurality of voters still undecided. The poll was based on 691

Not just Seattle: Tech backlash roils San Francisco politics

Chris Reed May 23, 2018

The Seattle City Council’s interest in imposing an unusual “head tax” on large employers based on their number of employees won international headlines this month after giant online retailer Amazon protested by freezing a plan to add 1 million square

Steve Poizner’s independent bid for state office finds traction

Chris Reed May 14, 2018

Is California now a deep blue state in which moderate conservatives no longer have a chance of victory in statewide elections? Or do such candidates still have hopes if they pass on the two-party system and run as independents apart

Progressives look to shame Gov. Brown over high rate of child poverty

Chris Reed May 8, 2018

When Jerry Brown returned to the governor’s office in 2011, Democrats largely accepted his argument that with revenue down and deficits high because of a deep recession, the state budget needed to be as lean as possible. But since revenue

Assembly speaker’s defense of accused harasser could haunt him

Chris Reed May 7, 2018

With six months to go until the gubernatorial election and the beginning of a new era in California politics, state lawmakers are prepping for one last round of pitched fights with Gov. Jerry Brown – who has for years defined Sacramento

Gov. Brown seeks to use budget to force community college reforms

Chris Reed May 4, 2018

Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to force far-reaching reforms on the California Community College system in his final state budget could lead to fireworks as the Legislature moves to adopt a 2018-19 spending plan by the June 15 deadline. Brown wants

Rent-control push surges to forefront of state housing debate

Chris Reed May 2, 2018

A ballot measure that would repeal California’s 1995 state law limiting what properties can be subject to rent control seems certain to be on the November ballot after proponents submitted more than 565,000 signatures to state authorities last week, far