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IRS now comes for Covered CA folks

The Grim Reaper — the IRS — comes for everybody in the end. Even if you get what was supposed to be “free” or at least “subsidized” medical insurance under Covered California, our state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act,

Food stamps up in CA, down in Kansas

John Seiler January 19, 2015

Despite the economic recovery, poverty is increasing in California. It’s one of the few states to see an increase in the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

9th Circuit throws out San Jose suit against MLB

John Seiler January 18, 2015

San Jose has been trying to snatch the A’s from Oakland. But Major League Baseball has said, “You’re out!” MLB also depends on a 100-year-old antitrust exemption that lets it control its teams more than is allowed in pro football,

UC budget fight: Brown playing 3D chess, Napolitano playing tic-tac-toe

Chris Reed January 18, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown has upped the stakes in his fight with University of California President Janet Napolitano over who is ultimately in charge of UC budget and tuition decisions. Napolitano’s success last fall in getting UC regents to approve a

Brown may hint at Vergara plans with state education board picks

Chris Reed January 17, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown has been vague about whether he agrees with the incendiary premise of last June’s decision in the Vergara case: that state teacher tenure and job protection laws are so likely to steer poor teachers to struggling mostly

Is climate a winning issue for Tom Steyer?

John Seiler January 17, 2015

Can the climate vote? According to National Journal, billionaire hedge-fund maestro Tom Steyer is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. In a discussion on Reddit, he said: Steyer defended his