Infrastructure

Lawmakers embark on high-speed journey through Japan

As California moves forward with the state’s first high-speed rail system, questions remain about the viability of the $68 billion transportation project. In an effort to better understand the challenges posed by high-speed rail, a delegation of three state Senators spent the

Did Rail Authority flout sunshine law?

Kathy Hamilton April 9, 2015

At a recent meeting of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, a board member announced a closed executive session but provided no exception as required by the state’s sunshine law, citizen attendees said. State law requires government bodies to notify the

Hoover analyst: CA already met 50% renewable goal

Wayne Lusvardi March 30, 2015

Eureka! California already surpassed Gov. Jerry Brown’s 50 percent goal for renewable energy power by 2030. It did so, in fact, in 2011. That’s the conclusion of an article in the March-April issue of Eureka, a new periodical by the Hoover

Solar panels might not help home values

John Seiler March 30, 2015

Putting solar panels on home roofs is the rage in California with all our sunshine. But it might not help home values if the panels are leased. The problem is the new owner, in addition to qualifying for the mortgage,

Tax break could help quake-proof buildings

John Seiler March 28, 2015

Governments use tax breaks to encourage activity. In California, that includes driving electric vehicles and making movies. Now a 30 percent tax break might be given to those retrofitting older buildings to make them quake-proof. Assembly Bill 428 is by

Deal to send rice water to SoCal could dry up before summer

Wayne Lusvardi March 26, 2015

The Sacramento Bee recently reported it’s a done deal to transfer water from Central Valley rice farmers to Southern California. The transfer would alleviate curtailments of urban water allocations. But if California does not provide the full allocation to the owners

Housing report by Legislative Analyst raises affordability questions

Wayne Lusvardi March 24, 2015

The California Legislative Analyst’s new report on housing costs puts numbers to what housing-hunters know on the ground: affordable housing in the state’s coastal areas is scarce and getting scarcer. But the report itself raises new questions. According to the

Big twist in San Diego stadium saga

Chris Reed March 22, 2015

A stadium task force named by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has been holding a rapid-fire series of meetings with football, development and finance officials about the challenge facing California’s second-largest city in keeping the Chargers from bolting town for

LAO: CA housing costs likely to keep ‘rapidly rising’

Chris Reed March 21, 2015

The state Legislative Analyst Office’s new report on the high cost of housing in California got some coverage around the state, with a primary focus being its call for 100,000 additional housing units being built a year. The LAO says

Video: Scott Walker on Iran, Russia and Keystone XL

John Seiler March 17, 2015

CalWatchdog.com Editor-in-Chief Brian Calle recently interviewed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. This is Part 2, on Iran, Russia and Keystone XL. Walker is a leading potential Republican candidate for president. Part 1 is here.