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CA pot faces bureaucratic, corporate future

With legal recreational marijuana potentially around the corner in November, California’s public and private sector has scrambled to keep up. In both cases, observers have suggested, the likely result will be increased centralization of what was once a scattered, underground industry.

Assembly panel kills bill to shift costs of special elections away from taxpayers

Matt Fleming April 13, 2016

A bill that would have shifted the costs of most special elections away from the taxpayers and onto the outgoing legislator died in committee on Wednesday. Since 2013, counties have spent around $21.7 million on special elections, according to a

How much taxpayers lose in special elections

Matt Fleming April 13, 2016

Henry T. Perea’s decision to vacate his Assembly seat early cost Fresno County a half-million dollars — enough to pay for four sheriff deputies — and has reignited a discussion on the cost of special elections. The Fresno Democrat announced

CA sues Morgan Stanley over public pension funds

James Poulos April 12, 2016

The State of California has sued investment bank Morgan Stanley, filing a complaint in San Francisco Superior Court, seeking redress for what officials said was massive harm to its public-sector workers. “Public employees in California, including peace officers, firefighters,

Pro-biz group releases “job-killer” and “job-creator” lists

Matt Fleming April 11, 2016

The annual “job-creator” and “job-killer” lists are out — 31 top priorities of the California Chamber of Commerce. The pro-business group, which spent nearly $4.3 million in 2015 on lobbying in the Capitol, is primarily focused on reducing “meritless” litigation for job creation.

Judge rejects legalizing prostitution in CA

James Poulos April 11, 2016

A push by current and former sex workers in San Francisco to legalize prostitution has been rebuffed by a California judge. “Erotic Service Provider Legal, Education & Research Project — a San Francisco-based advocacy group — sued Attorney General Kamala Harris

Bill blocking law enforcement from seizing property without convictions nearing return

Matt Fleming April 11, 2016

Lawmakers and civil-liberty groups are ratcheting up public support for a bill that closes a loophole allowing local law enforcement agencies to seize citizens’ property without a criminal conviction — a practice dubbed “policing for profit.” Current California law already bars the practice

Federal oversight of U.S. security dominated by California lawmakers

James Poulos April 9, 2016

California lawmakers have emerged as pivotal players in the state’s struggle over cyberlaw — and the country’s. In Sacramento and Washington, D.C., elected officials have placed themselves at the forefront of disputes over the intersection of technology and national security,

New reports shine light on opaque carbon tax program

Matt Fleming April 8, 2016

As fast as California drivers will spend an extra $2 billion at the pump this year to fund the controversial cap-and-trade program, state lawmakers are finding ways to use it, according to two reports released Thursday. Cap and trade was implemented by a state regulatory

Brown: Klamath dam removal deal about “correcting mistakes”

Matt Fleming April 7, 2016

KLAMATH – California, Oregon, the federal government and local interests have finally agreed to remove four dams along the Klamath River, Gov. Jerry Brown and other officials announced on Wednesday. The dams have been around for a little less than