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CA Dems balk at Cap and Trade cost

With gas prices soaring again, consumers are rebelling. And even liberal Democrats in California are seeking to help their constituents. Assemblyman Henry Perea, D-Fresno, spearheaded the writing of a June 16 letter signed by 16 Democratic assembly members to California

CA vs. FL dogfight over stealth plane subsidies

John July 3, 2014

Like a professional sports team in search of a new taxpayer-funded arena, two defense contractors are playing California and Florida lawmakers against each other in a bid to win more tax breaks and, in turn, a $55 billion federal contract. The

Supreme Court sticks Brown with county jails

James Poulos July 2, 2014

States’ rights won’t save Gov. Jerry Brown from getting involved in California’s county jails. Despite a forceful argument that federalism relieved the state of the added responsibilities, the U.S. Supreme Court persisted in making life more difficult for Brown. The justices refused to

Water shortage could bring electricity grid failure

Wayne Lusvardi July 2, 2014

California’s Big Three energy regulating agencies just warned in a joint letter to the California Water Resources Control Board that planned water curtailments for 2014 would present a danger to grid reliability and create “substantial potential for serious public health and

Betty Yee declares victory in controller race

John July 1, 2014

It isn’t over till it’s over, as Yoga Berra famously said. A recount still is possible. But Betty Yee has declared victory in her race for state controller over Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles. Entering the California Democratic Party’s spring

CA to reverse food glove law

James Poulos July 1, 2014

Say goodbye to California’s ban on bare hands for food and drink handlers. Set to be enforced beginning July 1, the measure — passed just this March — would have required all bar and restaurant employees who prepared meals or beverages to

Water bond drowns in Legislature

Wayne Lusvardi June 30, 2014

A $10.5 billion water bond apparently drowned in the California Senate this past week for the third time since 2010, even though the Central Valley faces a dire drought this summer. But the Legislature still might perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and waive the

East Bay proposal reignites minimum wage fight

James Poulos June 30, 2014

When a handful of corporations conspires to fix wages, they face legal action. But for several cities in the San Francisco East Bay area, the idea of a concerted effort to set pay has a newfound appeal. Rather than taking

Now legal: To sleep in your car in L.A.

James Poulos June 27, 2014

In a decision hailed as a human rights victory by homeless-rights activists, a federal court struck down a decades-old Los Angeles law prohibiting the use of vehicles as residences. The ordinance, Section 85.02 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, declared, “No person

Controller 2014: Why the cost of a recount favors Betty Yee

John June 27, 2014

The too-close-to-call race for state controller remained unchanged Friday morning — as Lake County has yet to count its 6,053 unprocessed ballots. San Mateo County, the only other county in the state with unprocessed ballots, has just four provisional ballots