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LA and SF dogfight over transport visions

In San Francisco, a bus project over a decade in the making finally receives its massive environmental impact report. In Los Angeles, the mayor announces his first executive directive, launching a “Great Streets” program. It’s a tale of two cities

Judge rules smelt can’t stop water sales

Wayne Lusvardi July 14, 2014

On June 13, a coalition of sports fishermen and Northern California groundwater users sued to stop water sales to the parched Central Valley. They contended conveying water through the Delta would kill Delta Smelt fish. But that didn’t convince

Brown signs defense industry tax break with hidden Tesla perk

John July 11, 2014

Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Thursday a special $420 million corporate tax break for defense contractor Lockheed Martin. If that wasn’t controversial enough, now word has surfaced that the bill also included a hidden perk for electric auto maker Tesla

Fresno water rate referendum headed for ballot

John July 10, 2014

Fresno residents will have the final say on the city’s controversial plan to double water rates in the coming years. On Tuesday, election officials certified that the petition drive spearheaded by former Fresno County Supervisor Doug Vagim has enough valid

CA economic ranking renews debate

James Poulos July 10, 2014

For those who put a lot of stock in statistics, it’s a good month for California. The Golden State has returned to take its former position among the world’s largest economies. World Bank calculations show California — if it were considered a country —

Smelt suit threatens water markets

Wayne Lusvardi July 9, 2014

On June 11, 2014, a coalition of sports fishermen and Northern California groundwater users filed a lawsuit to stop a water transfer from Shasta Lake to California’s parched Central Valley. The basis of the suit is to protect the

Legislature picks aerospace winner

Joseph Perkins July 8, 2014

An Air Force request for proposal (RFP) for the next generation stealth bomber is about to hit the street. The contract is worth an estimated $55 billion. Aerospace giants Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman – both of which

CA protests derail migrant transfers

James Poulos July 7, 2014

Recent days have seen the immigration issue intensify. At Murrieta’s Border Patrol station, protestors repelled a convoy of Department of Homeland Security buses carrying detained migrants who illegally crossed the U.S. border into Texas. Instead of dropping off 140 detainees every 72

Perez requests recount in controller’s race

John July 7, 2014

California’s never-ending race for state controller entered a new phase Monday, as election officials are expected to begin recounting ballots in at least two counties. On Sunday afternoon, Democratic Assemblyman John A. Perez, who finished just 481 votes behind Board

CA legislators threaten Uber, Lyft

James Poulos July 4, 2014

A new bill will determine whether California remains the world leader in innovative technology — or starts to block progress. Assembly Bill 2293, by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, would severely limit the ability of startup companies to use social networking technology