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Campaign records contradict lawsuit against top lobbyist

John January 6, 2014

Never let the facts get in the way of a good lawsuit. In a wrongful termination lawsuit filed on Christmas Eve, Rhonda Smira, a former employee of the powerhouse lobbying firm Sloat Higgins Jensen and Associates, claims that her former

How will Brown budget proposal address pensions, taxes, debt?

California's budget battles will begin on Friday when Gov. Jerry Brown releases his proposal for fiscal year 2014-15, which begins on July 1. The media and political buzz in the Capitol building is that the state has a surplus — and

Discrepancies found in Brown aides’ FPPC reporting

Katy Grimes January 6, 2014

Several recent CalWatchdog.com stories about some of Gov. Jerry Brown’s appointees have looked at reports filed on conflicts of interest and financial disclosure. Specifically, Form 700 is a Statement of Economic Interests required of “designated” government employees, meaning the governor’s

Gerawan Farming files constitutional challenge against ALRB

Katy Grimes January 2, 2014

Gerawan Farming is fed up. On Dec. 16, Gerawan filed a constitutional challenge against the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, with the United Farm Workers of America as a “Real Party of Interest.” It was filed with the California Court of Appeal, Fifth

2014 brings new laws regulating CA businesses

Katy Grimes January 2, 2014

In 2013, California’s Legislature busied itself passing more than 800 new laws. In the coming weeks, CalWatchdog.com will report on the many affecting businesses in 2014. Overtime for nannies and domestic workers The “Domestic Workers Bill of Rights,” Assembly Bill 241,

Covered California stumbles into new year

Joseph Perkins January 2, 2014

Manuel Arriola, co-owner of an Oxnard insurance broker, spent three hours and 15 minutes on the phone this past Monday with customer service representatives for Covered California. He needed to find out whether or not insurance applications he forwarded to

Now New York fires a shot across California’s bow

Joseph Perkins December 31, 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown was not amused this past February when Texas Gov. Rick Perry made a four-day recruiting trip to California, hosting meet and greets with CEOs and other business executives in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles and

NRC leaves lump of coal in San Onofre’s stocking

Joseph Perkins December 27, 2013

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission this week cited Southern California Edison for failing to check the design of steam generators that led to the permanent shutdown of its San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Chaired by Allison Macfarlane, the five-member commission

Tesla gets first taste of tax break

Adam O'Neal December 27, 2013

Last week, the state of California gave Palo Alto-based electric vehicle maker Tesla a tax break valued at more than $30 million. SF Gate first reported the news. Ostensibly, the tax break will help the automaker build more cars and

Sacramento arena lawsuit dribbles forward

Katy Grimes December 26, 2013

There was no fast break at a recent court date concerning a suit by Sacramento activists opposed to tax subsidies for a new arena. The activists are Issac Gonzalez, James Cathcart and Julian Camacho. CalWatchdog.com attended the Dec. 19 hearing before