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Industry confronts new CA computer energy regs

California’s massive computing industry faced the prospect of sweeping changes at the hands of Golden State regulators worried that idle devices are drawing too much power at too great a cost. “All computers sold in California could be required to

CA Senate panel kills whistleblower protection bill for the third time

Matt Fleming August 12, 2016

For the third straight year, the Senate Appropriations Committee killed a bill on Thursday that would have extended whistleblower protections to legislative staff — a response to the unrelated legal troubles of three senators in 2014. There are already whistleblower

Bill removing tampon sales tax advances in Legislature

Matt Fleming August 12, 2016

A bill to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products came one step closer to becoming law on Thursday, ok’d by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Proponents have argued it’s a matter of gender fairness, as these products — including tampons,

Cap-and-trade carbon tax showdown looms

James Poulos August 12, 2016

Despite years of success in doing what it was supposed to do — cut emission levels — California’s controversial cap-and-trade system has run up against opposition that could be strong enough to sink it. But with nothing to lose

Bill punishing Fentanyl kingpins dies in committee

Matt Fleming August 11, 2016

A bill that would have imposed mandatory sentences on large-scale dealers of a powerful opioid responsible for a rash of deaths and overdoses over the last few years died in committee Thursday. Fentanyl, an anesthetic said to cause a euphoric high

Controversial requirements dropped from Title IX, religious colleges bill

Hannah Niemeier August 11, 2016

After weeks of opposition from religious colleges and their supporters, Sen. Ricardo Lara announced he would drop provisions from a bill that would have made it more difficult for faith-based institutions to receive Title IX exemptions. The Bell Gardens Democrat said

CA poised to reform asset forfeiture by law enforcement

James Poulos August 11, 2016

After a failed attempt last year, so-called asset forfeiture — the controversial nationwide practice used by cops to permanently seize property belonging to individuals who have run afoul of the law but have not been convicted — could soon be reformed in California

Gut and amend going nowhere, Assembly speaker says

Matt Fleming August 9, 2016

Even as a measure to end the most egregious offenses waits for voters in November, even as the procedure is discouraged by leadership and even as the move is prohibited by the Legislature’s rules, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon will continue

Bay Area making life difficult for tech firms

Steven Greenhut August 9, 2016

SACRAMENTO – In most of the country, a region’s “big” industry – think automotive companies in Michigan’s heyday, the oil business in Houston and entertainment in Los Angeles – is treated with deference by locals. Sometimes that attitude morphs into

New bill rekindles old human egg payment fight

James Poulos August 8, 2016

California women interested in profiting from their eggs — often handsomely — have long availed themselves of private opportunities to do just that. Now, they could have another chance to do so on the medical research market. “Sponsored by the American