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CA still struggling with unfunded liabilities

Despite a concerted effort from Gov. Jerry Brown to keep California from slipping back into the financial abyss, the state’s finances remain threatened by massive unfunded obligations. “It’s California’s debt and liabilities that are concerning financial analysts, particularly the state’s rapidly

High costs plague embattled high-speed rail

James Poulos February 20, 2016

Despite a major shift in its construction strategy, newly anticipated budget overruns hit California’s beleaguered high-speed rail project, as citizens and lawmakers mounted fresh challenges to the scheme. “California High-Speed Rail Authority employees are warning of possible cost overruns on the

Patterson bill: Pay for your own special election

Matt Fleming February 19, 2016

State legislators occasionally leave office early — often for higher office or to cash in as a lobbyist — sticking taxpayers with the hefty price tag of electing a replacement. But a bill introduced Friday would shift the costs from taxpayers to

Effort underway to require legislators wear emblems of top donors

James Poulos February 19, 2016

The movement to emblazon state legislators with the logos of their donors has collected tens of thousands of signatures for its would-be ballot initiative. “The measure, formally called the ‘Name All Sponsors California Accountability Reform (or NASCAR. Get it?) Initiative,’ would

UC Berkeley deficit crisis threatens its long-term stability

James Poulos February 19, 2016

Dramatically reopening what had seemed to be a settled matter, the University of California at Berkeley revealed plans for a sweeping spending reassessment due to vast deficits. Berkeley chancellor Nicholas Dirks said “the university had a ‘substantial and growing’ deficit that could threaten its

Race for CA Democratic Party chair heats up

Matt Fleming February 18, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO – Kimberly Ellis has spent the last eight years trying to get more Democratic women elected to office. And now she’s the latest woman she’s trying to elevate to a top post. She says the California Democratic Party needs

ICE raids face CA resistance

James Poulos February 18, 2016

Amid a fresh wave of immigration enforcement crackdowns, several powerful organizations in California have flexed their muscle to protect or benefit those present in the state illegally. The city of Los Angeles has become a focal point for several different efforts,

How to run a ballot initiative campaign

Matt Fleming February 18, 2016

The ballot measure process is simple, right? One citizen has a great idea about how to change our state. He or she gets a bunch of signatures, oodles of volunteers help out and BAM, the measure passes, democracy is served, and

Brown unveils governors’ energy accord

Matt Fleming February 16, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown announced on Tuesday that California joined a bipartisan, multi-state coalition promoting energy efficiency. Brown has long pursued environmental policies — like an executive order last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or entering a global pact to curb the

Kamala Harris not likely to be Supreme Court nominee

Matt Fleming February 16, 2016

While Kamala Harris has a good shot at becoming the next U.S. senator from California, she has little shot of becoming the next Supreme Court nominee, despite multiple media outlets floating her name as a possibility. Harris, California’s Democratic attorney