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Bill could double car registration fees

A bill that could double California counties’ vehicle registration fees has passed the Legislature, and is awaiting a signature or veto from Gov. Jerry Brown. Assembly Bill 2393, by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, authorizes counties to charge annual

CA Senate pushes $400M Hollywood tax credits

James Poulos August 19, 2014

A California Senate committee wants to quadruple the entertainment industry subsidies keeping production in Hollywood. With a unanimous vote, the appropriations committee passed a $300 million increase in tax credits for film and television, bringing the size of the controversial program

Prop. 1 bond funds non-water bureaucracy

Wayne Lusvardi August 18, 2014

Proposition 1, the new $7.5 billion water bond just passed by the Legislature, contains water storage in an statewide bond for the first time since 1965. It will go before voters on Nov. 4. The previous 21 water bonds

High-speed rail opponents file for rehearing

Kathy Hamilton August 18, 2014

On Aug. 14, the three litigants in the case to halt California’s high-speed rail project, Kings County and two local residents, filed a Petition for Rehearing. They challenged the July 31 ruling against them by Sacramento’s 3rd District Court

GOP’s Texas-California connection grows

James Poulos August 15, 2014

If present trends continue, California Republicans could set up a virtual government-in-exile in Texas. As is now well known, outmigration from California has reached historic highs. Although just 2.6 percent of the large Texas population is now Californian in origin, Texas has received the largest number

Judge OKs Gerawan worker suit against ALRB

James Poulos August 14, 2014

A historic lawsuit against California’s Agriculture Labor Relations Board is set to move forward. Brought by workers at Gerawan Farms, the suit alleged that the ALRB has violated the workers’ First Amendment right to freedom of association and their 14th Amendment right to

Legislature passes first water storage bond in 50 years

Wayne Lusvardi August 14, 2014

With the drought still drying up the state, the California Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown Wednesday poured out a $7.5 billion water bond that includes $2.7 billion for water storage. If voters give their approval this November, this will

Bill would allow liens for unpaid wage claims

Dave Roberts August 13, 2014

California labor law soon could become even more problematic for business. Assembly Bill 2416 is by Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Monterey Bay. It would allow employees with unpaid-wage claims to file liens on the property of business owners. Stone said it would thwart “wage

LAPD’s big data covered up big mistakes

James Poulos August 13, 2014

At the leading edge of the “big data” trend, the Los Angeles Police Department has found itself in hot water. From underreported murders to misclassified assaults, a fresh spate of scandals has started to brew, just as Police Chief Charlie Beck was

Did Caltrans cover up shoddy work on Bay Bridge?

Joseph Perkins August 12, 2014

Douglas Coe, an engineer under the employ of the California Department of Transportation, spent years working on the retrofit of the eastern span of the Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco. When the 25-year Caltrans veteran told his