Inside Government

Average Joe seat on state commission filled by the well-connected

Stockton’s Anthony and Rima Barkett were hosting a fabulous party in Rome in 2007 to discuss what the world could do to stop the Darfur killings. The party’s guest list included actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney, two Nobel Laureates

State’s top cyberdefender steps down after months of criticism over security lapses

Matt Fleming March 16, 2016

Michele Robinson, the state’s top officer in charge of cybersecurity, stepped down last week after spending the last seven months under fire for widespread lapses in the state’s safeguards against hacking. In an email to colleagues, Robinson was vague about her reasons, mentioning some

State auditor warns government agencies in danger of hacking

Chris Reed March 13, 2016

State Auditor Elaine Howle, who issued a report last year warning of cybersecurity problems at dozens of state agencies, says the problems remain mostly unaddressed. Testifying at a recent hearing of the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection and

Rendon’s Assembly speakership sweeps in change

Matt Fleming March 8, 2016

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon’s swearing in as speaker on Monday signaled a fresh start as optimism warmed over the Capitol. At the swearing in, the paramount Democrat drew a standing ovation from the crowd and an impassioned introduction in both English and

Bauman has large lead in race for CA Democratic Party chair

Matt Fleming February 29, 2016

SAN JOSE – The widespread support for Eric Bauman at the state Democratic Party convention last weekend made it seem as though he were running uncontested for party chair. Bauman was everywhere. He introduced past Assembly speakers at one party

Some legislators proudly refuse pay increases

Matt Fleming February 26, 2016

Only in public office could the distinction of lowest paid be worn as a badge of honor. But Richard Roth, a Riverside Democrat, has refused every pay increase since being elected to the state Senate in 2012, making $90,526 per year

Assemblymember to consider value of breasts in workers comp

Matt Fleming February 23, 2016

Asm. Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, will hold an informational hearing on Tuesday titled “Establishing the Evidence Based Value of Women’s Breasts in Workers’ Compensation.” While details are sparse, the explanation in the hearing’s notice — a copy of which was

Kamala Harris not likely to be Supreme Court nominee

Matt Fleming February 16, 2016

While Kamala Harris has a good shot at becoming the next U.S. senator from California, she has little shot of becoming the next Supreme Court nominee, despite multiple media outlets floating her name as a possibility. Harris, California’s Democratic attorney

Green targeting of dissident CA Dem off to bad start

Chris Reed February 5, 2016

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, a moderate African-American Democrat from San Bernardino seeking her third term, has brushed back the first challenge to her re-election by Eloise Reyes, a Colton attorney strongly backed by environmental groups. Brown easily won her local party

New regulation fights shadow lobbying

Matt Fleming January 22, 2016

The state’s political watchdog agency unanimously approved a new regulation on Thursday making it harder for lobbyist groups to conceal influence peddling activities, known informally as “shadow lobbying.” Currently, anyone who spends $5,000 or more to influence legislative or administrative action is