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CA property tax revenue surges despite Prop. 13

Proposition 13 — the 1978 ballot measure setting property taxes at 1 percent of assessed value and limiting annual increases in property taxes to 2 percent for homes and businesses which don’t change owners — is perhaps the most controversial

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 15

CalWatchdog Staff July 15, 2016

State senator’s death doesn’t give Democrats supermajority Water cuts hurt water districts Felons on the inside to vote soon? Donors flee assemblyman accused of domestic violence Teachers and hospitals aim to tax the rich Good morning! It’s Friday, phew. While

Environmentalists’ clout may be waning in CA Legislature

Chris Reed July 15, 2016

California environmentalists have long been one of the most powerful forces in the Legislature. But in 2015, the centerpiece of the green agenda — a provision in a broader measure that would have mandated a 50 percent reduction in gasoline

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 14

CalWatchdog Staff July 14, 2016

Sitting state senator passes Fresno PD releases body-cam footage of shooting of unarmed teen Congressional candidate accused of sexual harrassment Sending CAGOP to national convention costly and cumbersome New lawsuit over delta smelt Sad news today: State Sen. Sharon Runner

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 13

CalWatchdog Staff July 13, 2016

Law enforcement accountability measures stalling in Sacramento Californians dig Gov. Brown UC Berkeley’s chancellor under investigation SD mayor leads opposition to measure giving certain felons early release Cap-and-trade extension proposed Good morning! Happy Hump Day. “Against a national backdrop of

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 12

CalWatchdog Staff July 12, 2016

State’s largest pension fund down since last year San Diego congressman swapping donations State controller dinged for late contribution reporting Oakland firm fined over $100,000 for laundering campaign contributions Big spending by pharmaceutical Good morning! Lots of ethics and campaign

Police reform measures struggling in Sacramento

Chris Reed July 12, 2016

Against a national backdrop of discord over police killings of black men and deadly anti-police violence, state lawmakers who back law enforcement conduct and transparency reforms are making little progress in Sacramento. Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, introduced Senate Bill

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 11

CalWatchdog Staff July 11, 2016

Senate race competitive, but… VP Biden may be about to endorse the frontrunner More on lawmaker giving Veteran of the Year award to her BF Dark money dip in CA AG wins big settlement against for-profit university Good morning! Happy Monday.

Riordan, Hewitt, endorse Sanchez for Senate

James Poulos July 11, 2016

Signaling the depth of California’s uncharted political waters this election season, Richard Riordan, the Republican ex-Mayor of Los Angeles, endorsed Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Calling her an “independent thinker,” as the Sacramento Bee

CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 8

CalWatchdog Staff July 8, 2016

Judge rules against Hayward’s exorbitant public records fees Hugh Hewitt endorses Democrat in U.S. Senate race That Democrat is still trailing in the race Dems run from lawmaker under restraining order for domestic violence Political Reform Act to soon get