Breaking News

DMV truck-test backlog sparks bipartisan privatization bill

SACRAMENTO – California state officials are worried about a shortage of certified truck drivers to meet the state’s growing transportation needs, yet a reported testing backlog at the California Department of Motor Vehicles is undermining efforts to get more truckers on

Deferral of federal funds casts fresh doubt on California high-speed rail

James Poulos March 1, 2017

The new administration in Washington, D.C., has added another hurdle to California’s already difficult road to high-speed rail. Drawing fire from Democrats and cheers from Republicans, the Department of Transportation “has deferred a decision on a $647-million grant that

5 ways Donald Trump could block legal marijuana in California

Chris Reed February 27, 2017

The Trump administration has made clear that it will not look the other way when it comes to de facto state legalization of marijuana, as the Obama administration did. Instead, White House press secretary Sean Spicer last week said the

Bridge woes compound California infrastructure troubles

James Poulos February 26, 2017

Dams aren’t the only part of California infrastructure on the hot seat. Following a big-ticket Sacramento request for federal building funds, a new report has concluded that the number of state bridges in dangerously inadequate condition reaches into the

Republican state Sen. Nguyen silenced by Democratic lawmakers

James Poulos February 23, 2017

In an unusual scene playing against type for California’s legislative Democrats, a party leader in the state Senate ordered sergeants to remove his Republican colleague state Sen. Janet Nguyen, R-Garden Grove. Interrupting Nguyen’s remarks on the late Tom Hayden, state Sen.

California Democrats spend significant campaign cash fighting each other because of Prop. 14

James Poulos February 23, 2017

New figures on the November 2016 election cycle showed that Golden State Democrats continued to shell out substantial sums to compete with one another for elective office. Numbers taken from the California Secretary of State, and verified with Cal-Access campaign records, illustrate how

Congress could nix California retirement program

James Poulos February 23, 2017

The House of Representatives voted to axe California’s planned retirement savings program, throwing the future of it and similar efforts around the country into serious doubt. “Despite a plea from California Gov. Jerry Brown, the state’s GOP representatives voted

State watchdog agency points to flaws in bond oversight

Steven Greenhut February 22, 2017

SACRAMENTO – The Oroville Dam’s near disaster has ignited a long-overdue debate about the condition of California’s infrastructure, and the need for additional investments in its creaky system of dams, levees, freeways, bridges and schools. Democrats and Republicans agree on

California sees new ICE raids and immigration arrests

James Poulos February 21, 2017

New Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have rolled out across Southern California, roiling state officials and triggering rumors of broader actions. But though the Trump administration has focused on expanding the scope and strength of enforcement, the current raids trace back

Google takes lead on California driverless cars

James Poulos February 15, 2017

As Silicon Valley rushes to stake out a lead in what’s hoped to be a robust market for driverless cars, the company spun off of Google has established a clear lead — perhaps giving the competition a reason to consider focusing