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MAY 28, 2010 By KATY GRIMES Are transportation agencies selling California drivers’ personal information? Commuters on California toll roads and highways subscribe to a device kept in the car, allowing electronic toll collection as they pass through a toll booth. Payment
Read MoreState to foist inmates on counties
MAY 27, 2010 By LAURA SUCHESKI Although state legislators say that state-to-county unfunded mandates are illegal, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to use an exemption in sentencing laws to force counties to take title to state law offenders. On Wednesday, the
Read MoreCooley as pension-reform poster boy
MAY 26, 2010 By ANTHONY PIGNATARO Recent news reports have mentioned our state public employee pension liabilities topping half a trillion dollars. This is an astronomical figure, but one that’s pretty hard for most people to understand. One easy way
Read MoreWill initiative spur sewage spill?
MAY 25, 2010 By KATY GRIMES Cities all over California are attempting to “increase revenue” to make up massive budget deficits. “Revenue increase” is government code language for tax increases. But residents in some cities are doing something to prevent
Read MoreUnion bill would block city bankruptcies
MAY 25, 2010 By KATY GRIMES A union-backed Assembly bill, authored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, would potentially prevent financially destitute California cities from filing for federal bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Mendoza’s bill would give
Read MoreUC cops mum on fraud scandal
MAY 21, 2010 K. LLOYD BILLINGSLEY In late 2009, UC Davis officials launched an investigation into misappropriation of funds on campus. More than four months later, officials remain quiet about the results. Annette Spicuzza, chief of police at UC Davis,
Read MoreCA debates outsourcing inmates
MAY 21, 2010 By KATY GRIMES In what felt more like a night court at times than a Capitol hearing room,with scores of state employees noisily filing in and out during a budget hearing, the Department of Finance, and the
Read MorePolitical Posturing in Judiciary Committee
MAY 19, 2010 By KATY GRIMES In what appears to be political posturing, on May 18 the Assembly Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing titled, “Judicial Elections in California: Threats To The Perception of Fairness.” The committee heard three presentations.
Read MoreHealth cops halt free donuts
MAY 19, 2010 By TORI RICHARDS CAMARILLO, Calif. – A hardware store has been banned by county health officials from giving free coffee and donuts to customers unless extensive building upgrades are completed – a requirement that other businesses have
Read More'Charge It' to the state
MAY 18, 2010 By KATY GRIMES “Charge it on my State VISA card,” is not something you’d expect to hear from a state employee ordering office supplies, or from the Department of Transportation with the billions of dollars spent annually.
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