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Feds fluster Brown on Delta pump plan

Gov. Jerry Brown suffered another setback in his effort to gain the upper hand over California’s persistent drought. New details on alterations to his massive pumping plan, which would change the way the Delta region distributes the water that flows

CA Dems push ambitious energy bill

James Poulos July 24, 2015

A bold and controversial new bill, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore and leading Democrat Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, advanced through the Assembly on the strength of Gov. Jerry Brown’s vociferous rhetoric on climate change. As CBS Los Angeles reported,

Brown pushes climate policy with Pope Francis

James Poulos July 23, 2015

This week, Gov. Jerry Brown drew global headlines as one of the most outspoken officials at a world conference on climate change and slavery hosted in Vatican City by Pope Francis. A play for leadership Gov. Brown was intent on taking the

Bill could make it easier to increase transportation taxes

Dave Roberts July 22, 2015

A bill that a taxpayer group is calling an attack on Proposition 13 and which the California Chamber of Commerce has dubbed a “job killer,” was approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee last week. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 4

Uber expands CA access despite fines

James Poulos July 22, 2015

For ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft, California’s roller-coaster ride has only just begun, with recent developments underscoring high demand among the public and high levels of discomfort among public officials. As regulators have cracked down in some places —

Bill gives illegal immigrants access to Medi-Cal

James Poulos July 21, 2015

California Democrats have ramped up their push to extend health benefits to in-staters who immigrated unlawfully. High-stakes legislation Sacramento Democrats have advanced a piece of legislation, authored by State Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, that would grant access to Affordable Care Act benefits to unlawful immigrants. SB4, which would

Pro sports nonprofits seek special exemption from state raffle rules

John July 20, 2015

Professional sports franchises have a track record of securing special exemptions from environmental regulations, landing sweetheart bond financing deals and collecting direct government subsidies for stadiums. Now, the nonprofit arms of these billion-dollar businesses are looking to gain a special exemption

State-funded disabled care center settles assault case with paltry $400,000

Steve Miller July 19, 2015

A care-giving facility for disabled adults and the taxpayer-funded groups that oversee it have settled a 2011 lawsuit that accused the center of numerous instances of abuse and violent attacks on patients. The incidents include the sexual assault of several

Trump incites divisive opinions in CA

James Poulos July 18, 2015

On the strength of an explosive presidential campaign that has pushed him out to an early lead in some polls of Republican contenders, Donald Trump has changed the political conversation in California, where members of both political parties have not hesitated

Referendums on passed legislation gain steam

Joel Fox July 18, 2015

Referendums on legislative actions may be making a comeback in California. Earlier this week, opponents of Senate Bill 277, the mandatory vaccination measure, began their quest to refer that legislative action to the voters for the November 2016 election. Already