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CA struggles to curb heroin spike

As loosening marijuana regulation and enforcement upends the drug culture in California, heroin use has become an increasing problem in the Golden State, new hospital data suggested. “The number of young adults admitted to California hospital emergency rooms with heroin

Legislative transparency bill shelved again

Dave Roberts May 19, 2015

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was mocked for saying about the Affordable Care Act, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it away from the fog of the controversy.” But that type of legislating-in-the-dark

Sanchez-Harris race makes national waves

James Poulos May 18, 2015

California’s battle between Democrats vying to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer took on national proportions at the state party’s annual convention, thanks to a heavyweight endorsement and a classic unforced misstep. Although the two did not directly trade barbs, Harris and Sanchez

CA Democratic Convention: Women seek to “Close the Gap” in California politics

John May 18, 2015

Women remain the stars of the California Democratic Party. This past weekend, Sen. Elizabeth Warren received top billing as the convention’s keynote speaker. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi earned rounds of applause from committee and caucus meetings. And, of course, the convention buzz

CA recycled water scheme a tough sell

James Poulos May 18, 2015

Looking for an edge in coping with California’s drought, officials around the state have embarked on a public relations campaign for recycled drinking water. Proponents of the new push hoped to capitalize on the bad publicity hitting the bottled water industry, where

Four business reform bills earn support of NFIB

CalWatchdog Staff May 18, 2015

Here’s the analysis of four bills in the California Legislature by the National Federation of Independent Business California. The NFIB backs all four bills. Two are by Democrats, two by Republicans. Assembly Bill 12: State Government: administrative regulations. Authored by Assemblyman Ken

CA Democratic Convention: Marginalized group challenges party to stand for “health choice”

John May 17, 2015

At this weekend’s state party convention, California Democrats went out of their way to acknowledge marginalized groups and affirm their commitment to a woman’s right to choose. “It’s a lack of respect,” House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said of why

CA Democratic Convention: Democrats divided on economic issues, trade pact

John May 16, 2015

Sen. Elizabeth Warren staked her claim as the progressive choice for president Saturday, with a rousing speech to delegates at the California Democratic Party’s state convention. The first-term Democratic Senator from Massachusetts earned a rousing applause and standing ovation from convention delegates

CA cops could get more mental illness training

James Poulos May 16, 2015

A recent pair of LAPD confrontations ending in death gave new life to a pair of state Senate bills that would increase mental illness training for California police. Introduced last year, Senate Bill 11, the first, has begun to gather steam as

Big water importers dealt minimal cutbacks

Wayne Lusvardi May 16, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown has mandated an overall 25 percent reduction in urban water usage over the next nine months – equivalent to 1.3 million acre-feet, or enough to supply 7.8 million people. But does Brown’s plan target where the most