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Boy Scout tax exemption bill shelved
Senate Bill 323, a bill eliminating tax-exempt status for nonprofit organizations that don’t allow gay members to join, on Thursday was shelved for one year. The author of the bill, Sen. Rick Lara, D-Bell Gardens, decided to postpone the bill
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Legislature launches legislation frenzy
The California State Legislature, in a frenzy before recessing, considered about 400 bills in just four days this week. As CalWatchdog.com readers know, lawmakers weighed hugely impactful legislation. Among the most notable legislation: Gov. Jerry Brown’s prison plan; several gun
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7th legislator on Cuba junket identified
A seventh state lawmaker that participated in a spring break trip to Cuba has been identified. The office of Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, confirmed to CalWatchdog.com that the freshman legislator spent the spring break holiday in Cuba. “Please
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Trust Act headed to Gov. Brown's desk
An amended version of the Trust Act, a law that would dramatically alter the relationship between local and federal immigration enforcement in California, passed the State Assembly Tuesday 48-25. Gov. Jerry Brown will now consider signing the bill into law,
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Despite Colorado recall, CA Legislature passes gun control bills
SACRAMENTO — The surprising recall election of two Colorado Democratic lawmakers Tuesday for backing gun control laws was a warning shot for lawmakers across America eager for more gun control laws. Not for the Democratic supermajority in the California Legislature. More than two
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Critics charge AB 375 doesn't really protect students
SACRAMENTO –The Legislature still is working on teacher-discipline legislation. AB375 is by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo. It passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and is being heard Wednesday in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, all of the
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New PM Abbott dumps Aussie carbon tax
Last weekend Australians voted the ruling Labor Party from power. The Opposition Coalition led by Tony Abbott of Australia's conservative party, which is called the Liberal Party, defeated Labor Party candidate Kevin Rudd on promises to end the country's carbon
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SB 323 would yank Boy Scouts’ tax exemption
A bill to strip the Boy Scouts of their tax exemption if the organization refused to lift its ban on homosexual scoutmasters is the first of its kind in the country. The “Youth Equality Bill” is SB323 by Sen. Ricardo Lara,
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Dueling prison plans: Brown vs. Steinberg
SACRAMENTO — California continues to grapple with a 2009 federal court order requiring reductions in prison overcrowding. Two plans are before the Legislature: One by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento; the second by Gov. Jerry Brown. On Wednesday,
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Bill would allow AWOL state employees to keep jobs
SACRAMENTO — Imagine you miss work for five consecutive days and don’t call your supervisor to explain why. You probably wouldn’t have a job for very long. But employment conditions in state government are very different, and about to get
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