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CA lawmakers square off against drones

In an all-too-real conflict between man and machine, a string of high-profile clashes between drones and public servants has helped spur an effort to crack down on the airborne bots in California. But at the same time, civil libertarian concerns

Burning Man bests perk-hungry regulators

James Poulos August 15, 2015

A nerve-wracking negotiation with federal officials has been resolved in favor of the Burning Man festival, saving the organization behind the event from shelling out big sums for luxe accommodations. The controversy, which made national news, pitted festival organizers against the

Court weighs documents in high-speed rail case

Kathy Hamilton August 14, 2015

A court ruling is expected within weeks on whether certain documents should be considered in a lawsuit against California’s High-Speed Rail Authority. The state has argued for limiting the evidence to documents, such as business plans and environmental reviews, from

Boxer and Feinstein push homeless vet relief

James Poulos August 14, 2015

California’s two U.S. Senators have thrown their weight behind new legislation meant to get California veterans off the streets. Federal legislation At the center of the proposals is the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Los Angeles campus, located on the west side

Watchdog groups fight initiative fee hike

James Poulos August 13, 2015

Unexpected bipartisan opposition has formed against a piece of legislation designed to cut down on California’s sometimes outrageous ballot initiatives. In addition to the left-leaning Consumer Watchdog organization, citizens’-rights groups like the California Taxpayers Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have mustered their

UCs use Brown agreement for salary boost

James Poulos August 12, 2015

Its budgetary outlook finally clear, the University of California system has pivoted quickly from planning to spending. With negotiations concluded between UC president Janet Napolitano and Gov. Jerry Brown, the board of regents has ushered in a substantial salary hike for

CA regulators plot end to gas-fueled cars

James Poulos August 11, 2015

California officials have begun a massive effort to eventually eliminate gas-fueled cars from state roads, led by a powerful regulator with Gov. Jerry Brown’s unwavering support. Legislating the future Mary Nichols, head of the state’s Air Resources Board for the past eight years, “is pushing regulations

Developer fees targeted by legislation as cities battle housing costs

Steve Miller August 11, 2015

Rent control is on the march in California, addressing years of leases that have increased to as much as 43 percent over the national average for a one-bedroom apartment. In the last year, rent has increased 6.5 percent in the

CA Congressmen want federal pot probe

James Poulos August 8, 2015

The federal government’s understanding of its own marijuana regulations are willfully “tortuous” and “an obvious stretch,” warned a bipartisan duo of California Congressmen in a sternly-worded letter to the Department of Justice. An abuse of power In the letter, obtained by the Huffington Post, Reps. Sam

CA tax board owes 27,000 overcharged taxpayers

Dave Roberts August 7, 2015

The California Franchise Tax Board potentially owes millions of dollars to 27,000 taxpayers who were overcharged interest after applying overpayments from one year to estimated tax payments in the following year. Due to FTB interest miscalculations going back nearly two