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Advancing bill would upend CA religious schools

California legislators could soon wipe out the social and cultural exemptions afforded to state religious schools that they depend upon for their identity. Senate Bill 1146, now moving through committee in the Assembly, “aims to include all colleges and universities

Speaker, initiative committee spar over transparency measure

Matt Fleming June 28, 2016

A war of words erupted in recent days between the proponents of a transparency ballot measure and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, after members of the Legislature and legislative counsel dismissed the measure as full of “ambiguities” and introduced their own

Middle class squeezed in Bay Area

James Poulos June 27, 2016

Driven by shifting economics, demographics, and changing definitions of moderate prosperity, middle class Californians in areas once rife with new arrivals — and dominated by Democratic voters — have begun looking for the residential exits. Statewide struggle Both the Bay Area

Last CA nuke plant to close

James Poulos June 27, 2016

California regulators have made preparations to close Diablo Canyon, the state’s last remaining nuclear power plant, in a move quickly characterized as a turning point in the nation’s approach to energy production and use. “Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced

Dislike of Clinton, Trump creates third-party moment

Matt Fleming June 27, 2016

If there was ever an opportunity for a third-party run, now would be it. Unfavorable opinions among voters of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — the presumptive presidential candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively — create a

Accusations of political retaliation against a fellow Democrat, as told by Twitter

Matt Fleming June 23, 2016

A bill to expand parental leave was killed in committee Wednesday, leaving the Twitterati to speculate there was an appearance of retaliation by the chairman, Assemblyman Roger Hernández. The perceived retaliation came two months after the West Covina Democrat was asked

Legislature advancing bill to stop license suspensions for unpaid fines

Matt Fleming June 22, 2016

A bill to stop automatic suspensions of driver’s licenses for unpaid fines is only a few votes and one signature from becoming law. Senate Bill 881, sponsored by Sen. Bob Hertzberg, has cleared the Senate already and is working its

Congressman Darrell Issa faces tough political fight for re-election

Matt Fleming June 21, 2016

Is Congressman Darrell Issa really in reelection trouble? Not that long ago, the Vista Republican was on top of the political world. Through his former perch atop the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Issa stood as the face of GOP opposition

Debate over gun-control laws grips CA

James Poulos June 20, 2016

A wave of violence, legislation and litigation fueled the latest acrimonious phase of the debate about guns in California. While the issue had risen near the top of the political agenda following shootings that intensified the immigration debate, an apparently close call with

Study: Auto voter registration adds 2 million voters in first year

Matt Fleming June 15, 2016

California’s electorate could grow by more than 2 million voters once a new law implementing automatic registration through the DMV starts working in 2017, according to a new study. The study, conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, predicts that