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Rohrabacher spokesman: No plans to retire

A spokesman for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher confirmed on Monday that the Huntington Beach Republican has no plans to retire at the moment. On Friday, Scott Baugh — both a former state legislator and former chairman of the Orange County Republican Party

$Environmentalists use Porter Ranch disaster to target CA fracking$

Environmentalists use Porter Ranch disaster to target CA fracking

Chris Reed February 1, 2016

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering closing the massive 3,600-acre natural gas storage location in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles County, anxious that the Southern California Gas Co. has been unable to stop massive leaks of methane from the

Falling gas revenue sharpens CA infrastructure fight

James Poulos January 31, 2016

As revenues from the statewide gasoline tax tanked amid low prices, lawmakers in Sacramento faced a fiercer debate over how to fund California’s much-needed infrastructure improvements. In the meanwhile, Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration went ahead with huge cuts to the

County payroll hikes stay ahead of population increases

Steve Miller January 30, 2016

Sierra County, tucked in the foothills once traversed by the Donner Party along the Nevada border, has seen its population dip 7 percent since 2010 to 3,000 souls. Meantime, though, the county’s payroll increased from $7 million in 2013 to

Bullet train shifts focus from SoCal to Bay Area

James Poulos January 29, 2016

California’s beleaguered high-speed rail project has hit a new snag, likely shifting its proposed construction strategy away from the Southland-first plan it had initially adopted. “The state rail authority is studying an alternative to build the first segment in the

Hyperloop soon to break ground

James Poulos January 28, 2016

Despite a consistent chorus of criticism from naysayers, the Hyperloop ultra-fast rail project has broken new ground, with a rapid timetable in place for its California debut. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, one of the leading companies dedicated to taking SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s revolutionary

CA Dems face election year divides

James Poulos January 27, 2016

Conflicts over the spoils of Democratic leadership in California have come to define the party’s prospects and future in 2016 and beyond. Division and disagreement Falling victim to their extreme dominance in statewide politics, an increasing number of Democrats have sharpened their blades

“Tampon tax” cut earns big bump

Matt Fleming January 27, 2016

The state’s Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate unanimously voted to support a bipartisan bill cutting sales tax on menstrual hygiene products — like tampons and sanitary napkins — giving the effort a big boost. The bill’s primary author, Assemblywoman Christina Garcia, has

State may face $29-43 billion budget deficit in 2020

Dave Roberts January 26, 2016

In Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address last week, he noted that California’s budget has repeatedly failed to prepare for recession, resulting in “painful and unplanned-for cuts” to schools, child care, courts, social services and other programs. He

Sanders/Clinton split could sting CA Dems

James Poulos January 26, 2016

California Democrats divided amidst their own dominance — along lines of class, geography and spending policy — can add another fracture line to the mix: the race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for their party’s presidential nomination. “En route