Inside Government

Transparency initiative shaped nature of road-tax debate

It’s no secret that the state’s legislative leadership is less than thrilled about an open-government initiative that California voters passed in the November election, and are doing what they can to undermine its clear intent. Yet, it’s a testament

California high court says public records are public, even on a private email

Steven Greenhut March 7, 2017

SACRAMENTO – Earlier this month, the California Supreme Court unanimously overturned an appeals court decision that had provided a large loophole in the state’s public-records act. The case, City of San Jose v. Superior Court of Santa Clara County, revolves around

Brown’s State of the State address is both conciliatory and defiant

Matt Fleming January 24, 2017

Jerry Brown teetered between conciliatory and defiant in his annual State of the State address on Tuesday. The popular Democratic governor echoed other Democratic leaders in the state by taking shots at Republican President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans

Assemblyman: Is Legislature’s contract with former U.S. Attorney General legal?

Matt Fleming January 6, 2017

While the Legislature’s hiring of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made headlines on Thursday, the move may violate the state Constitution, according to an California assemblyman. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, a Rocklin Republican, asked the California attorney general’s office on Friday

State senator calls for peaceful transition of presidential power

Matt Fleming December 19, 2016

As the state’s 55 electors carry out their constitutional duty on Monday and cast their votes for president of the United States, one state senator is urging his colleagues and state to reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful transition of

LAO report: $1.3 billion state building plan lacks oversight

Matt Fleming December 16, 2016

The $1.3 billion first phase of a project to build and modernize 11 state office buildings lacks adequate accountability and oversight and is behind schedule, according to a report. The report, released by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office on Wednesday, identified three

Pentagon halts CA National Guard repayment demands

James Poulos October 27, 2016

Reeling from outrage over a costly bureaucratic misstep, the Pentagon has halted its efforts to force California National Guardsmen to personally repay salary bonuses that should not have approved in the first place. As some observers concluded that only Congress could clean up

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia: Queenmaker, powerbroker

Matt Fleming September 2, 2016

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia is mere months away from assuming the chairmanship of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. While her ascendancy will need to be formalized with a vote of caucus members after November’s election, the vice chair, which Garcia is, has

Assemblyman accused of wife beating receives awkward tribute from legislators

Matt Fleming August 31, 2016

Over the last few days of the session, legislators pay tribute for their fellows who will not be in the chamber next year. And while the tributes range in length and tone — one legislator joked (?) about his romantic

O.C. Congresswoman’s top aide resigns following eight-count indictment

Matt Fleming April 7, 2016

The chief of staff to Rep. Mimi Walters resigned on Wednesday following an eight-count indictment related to his time in another member’s office, Politico reported. David Bowser was charged with using nearly $44,000 of congressional office funds of his former boss, former Georgia