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CA “community solar” fight looms on subsidy issue

Hawaii’s boom in residential solar power is inspiring advocates of the alternative energy resource to push hard in states across the U.S. for rooftop solar power, both for personal use and as part of the larger electricity grid. One in

New option could cut state retiree medical costs

John Seiler March 10, 2015

Fairly well known is California’s state and local pension problem, as much as $500 billion according to a 2011 Stanford University study. Less well known is the coming acute shortage in medical care for such retirees. Last December, Controller John

Is San Diego safest big city? Or having a police crisis?

Chris Reed March 9, 2015

This good news got prominent play in California’s second-largest city this weekend: For the fourth year running, San Diego had the lowest murder rate among the country’s ten largest cities. The department investigated 32 homicides, down from 39, giving San

Suh avoids high-tax CA, signs with Miami

John Seiler March 9, 2015

As the most talented NFL free agent this spring, former Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh had his pick of teams. In trouble often for his on-field antics, such as stepping on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers’ ankle in the playoffs,

Rocky Chavez: Can a Latino colonel beat Kamala Harris?

Chris Reed March 8, 2015

The decision of moderate-conservative Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, R-Oceanside, to explore a run for U.S. Senate in 2016 surprised quite a few people in San Diego County. Chavez appeared poised for a long stretch as an unbeatable, influential GOP state lawmaker

Seeking tuition hikes, UC blows millions on computer glitches

John Seiler March 8, 2015

Spurred by University of California President Janet Napolitano, the school’s Board of Regents last November voted for 28 percent tuition hikes over five years. But today, the Sacramento Bee reported on the school’s new Working Smarter computer system, which was supposed

Green cars could get sales tax cut

John Seiler March 7, 2015

Green cars could get a sales tax cut under Assembly Bill 945, by Assemblyman Bill Ting, D-San Francisco. According to his website, the bill is: “Aimed at boosting electric vehicle sales to meet California’s climate and air quality goals through

L.A. changes election dates

John Seiler March 6, 2015

Occasionally an election itself epitomizes a political situation. That was the case Tuesday with the Los Angeles primary. The main items on the ballot were Charter Amendment 1 and Amendment 2, which respectively changed the city and LAUSD elections to

Anti-GMO group can’t get labeling bill introduced

Chris Reed March 4, 2015

The perception that California is a world leader in far-reaching environmental laws has never been true when it comes to GMOs — genetically modified organisms, usually crops that have been altered and the food products they end up in. The

Another harsh audit targets state Dept. of Public Health

Chris Reed March 4, 2015

State Auditor Elaine Howle on Tuesday issued another scathing audit of the California Department of Public Health, declaring that it is doing a worse job than ever in responding to specific concerns about its struggling programs. “Public Health remains a