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Races to decide California Democrat Supermajority

Brian Calle November 4, 2014

Nationally, Republicans have already taken the majority in the United States Senate and now the question is whether the Republican wave will hit California. In California, the GOP is attempting to block a Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature. To

Election night: What to watch in CA election results

The polls will remain open for a few more hours in California, but it’s already safe to call the winners for most statewide and legislative races. Even with the historically low voter turnout, Democrats are expected to once again sweep

Few donors, big support for Prop. 47

James Poulos November 4, 2014

With California’s Proposition 47, advocates of criminal justice reform have created a potent test case for national policy. But financial support for the measure has depended on a tiny handful of influential donors, creating unexpected and uncomfortable questions for both sides about

Dems bail out Assemblyman Adam Gray’s re-election

John November 3, 2014

When the FBI began its investigation last year into state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, one Central Valley Democratic lawmaker wasn’t surprised to get called in for questioning. “Obviously I wasn’t that surprised,” Asemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, a longtime aide to Calderon,

One year later, glitches still plague Covered CA

Joseph Perkins November 3, 2014

“Here we go again with the same nightmare as a year ago. [I’m] truly fed up with Covered California’s technical incompetency.” So complained Igal Koiman, a health insurance broker, in remarks published this week in the Sacramento Business Journal.

See tax increases, think pensions

Joel Fox November 3, 2014

Despite the ridicule heaped on bonuses offered public workers for simply doing their jobs – just one prime example: a librarian earning a bonus for helping members of the public find books – the California Retirement System board last

VIDEO: Would six Californias be better than one?

CalWatchdog Staff November 3, 2014

Is the Six Californias plan good for California? Reason Magazine’s Editor Matt Welch joins Cal Watchdog’s James Poulos and we find out what would be missed.

Pension spikes crumbling CA roads

James Poulos October 31, 2014

From roads to bridges and well beyond, California’s neglected infrastructure won’t receive relief this election cycle. For years, the state has lavished money on other projects — especially public pensions. Despite a flurry of bad press surrounding the crushing burdens those pensions

Assembly 65 swing-seat spending tops $5.2 million

John October 31, 2014

Two years ago, legislative Democrats pulled off an upset in the heart of conservative Orange County. “I was a surprise win in the last election,” Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, said in a recent interview of her four-point victory over Republican Chris

Democrats divided on big issues in CA

James Poulos October 30, 2014

Although Democrats in California are eager to celebrate major victories next Tuesday, political fault lines lie under their party. From anti-rape legislation, to education reform, to health costs and beyond, an anticipated left-leaning consensus has failed to materialize in the