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State Controller Betty Yee to audit City of Industry

First, it was widespread corruption at the city of Bell. Next, came an even bigger embezzlement scandal in Pasadena. Now, it’s $326 million in cronyism at the City of Industry. This week, State Controller Betty T. Yee announced that her office

CA lawmakers taking on Bitcoin

James Poulos May 8, 2015

A bill bringing statewide regulations to Bitcoin and other digital currencies has cleared its first hurdle in Sacramento. AB1326, introduced by Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, D-Encino, received a majority vote in the Banking and Finance Committee. Crafting regulation According to Inside

All eyes on CA police bodycam policy

James Poulos May 7, 2015

Body cameras for police officers have reached the forefront of California’s legislative agenda. After a spate of enforcement scandals that raised the ire of many in Los Angeles, bodycams began to catch on as a policy measure that could shield police from wrongful litigation and protect citizens

East Bay runoff race splits CA Dems

James Poulos May 7, 2015

Facing a key special election in the 7th Senate District, California Democrats have been drawn into an intraparty conflict with a high profile and higher stakes. In the wake of a tight first-round vote, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord — the runner up

Mandated vaccination bill advances

James Poulos May 6, 2015

After a surprisingly fierce challenge from anti-vaccine advocates, Sacramento legislators worried about the language of the landmark new vaccination bill have succeeded in crafting a passable draft. As CalWatchdog reported previously, supporters of SB 277 discovered that its original wording

Hertzberg proposes plan to reduce traffic penalties, restore suspended licenses

John May 6, 2015

Drivers who’ve had their licenses suspended could soon get a reprieve. State Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, has introduced legislation that would reduce outstanding penalties and fines for drivers with a suspended license. In addition to reducing penalties, Senate Bill

UC endowments soar as tuition hikes continue

Steve Miller May 5, 2015

While families struggle to help students with tuition — and as student loan debt skyrockets — California universities continue to amass multimillion- and even billion-dollar endowments. Endowments at the state university system schools have seen massive increases since 2009, even

Officials eye statewide marijuana regs

James Poulos May 5, 2015

With marijuana legalization initiatives looming, Sacramento has turned its attention to standardizing regulations covering the popular decriminalized drug. Competing alternatives Legislators have advanced two different proposals, differing largely in how much regulatory control they leave to local government. The plan put forward by Assemblyman

Caltrans greenlights bike lane expansion

James Poulos May 4, 2015

Bending to legislative prodding from Sacramento, California’s transportation bureaucracy has moved ahead with statewide plans to standardize and expand the Golden State’s bike lanes. Despite persistent criticism from bike-friendly advocacy groups like the Green Lane Project, Caltrans opted against such sweeping measures.

‘Job killer’ employee schedule bill passes Assembly committee

Dave Roberts May 4, 2015

A bill that punishes businesses for changing employees’ work schedules recently passed the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, despite the California Chamber of Commerce warning that it’s a “job killer.” Assembly Bill 357 affects California food and retail businesses with