Investigation

Refinery ‘safety’ bill could reduce safety

Never let a refinery disaster go to waste. That’s what Sen. Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, is doing with Senate Bill 54, according to critics of her bill. Hancock and fellow Democrats say SB54, which passed the Legislature last week, will improve

CA electricity duel pits imports against mass battery storage

Wayne Lusvardi September 11, 2013

how to get a girlfriend There's an old California saying, “Water runs uphill toward money.” Now California also wants electrons to flow against the laws of economics and possibly local environmental standards and neighborhood values. The California Public Utilities Commission

Audit uncovers embers in Cal Fire slush fund

Katy Grimes September 10, 2013

A new state audit shows that in 2005 a secret, $3.66 million off-the-books account was established by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Wildlife Fire Investigation Training and Equipment Fund, a private, nonprofit account, was filled through

Report: CalVet 'must do better' to help veterans

Adam O'Neal September 5, 2013

Many California military veterans are hurting. blackberry spy software In its recently released report, “An Agenda for Veterans: The State’s Turn to Serve,” the bi-partisan Little Hoover Commission critiques the California Department of Veterans Affairs for its “inconsistent leadership” and

Enviro policies spike CA electricity prices 70 percent

Wayne Lusvardi September 5, 2013

Californians are starting to pay for the cost of the state's Draconian environmental laws. Wholesale electricity market prices spiked about 70 percent over last year. So reports the Independent System Operator that manages California’s electric transmission and distribution line grids. The reasons given

Audit: Secretary of State wastes $22 million on voting machines

Dave Roberts September 3, 2013

When Debra Bowen was a candidate for California secretary of state in 2006, two of her top three priorities, according to SmartVoter.org, were to: Ensure that the state’s voting systems are accurate and secure by introducing strict auditing requirements so

Is California the next Detroit?

Robert J. Cristiano, Ph.D. August 27, 2013

Editor’s Note: CalWatchdog.com has been following Detroit’s economic situation for several years, and in light of its recent filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, we are re-releasing a series of articles detailing the city’s challenges. This piece was originally posted on CalWatchdog,

Will California become Detroit on the Pacific?

Robert J. Cristiano, Ph.D. August 26, 2013

CA Assembly pays women less; fewer in top staff positions

John Hrabe August 23, 2013

The state Capitol remains a good old boys’ club. Women who work for the California State Assembly face a glass ceiling, substantial pay inequities and limits to their career advancement. Female employees are paid less than their male counterparts, are

Campaign committees fund life of luxury

John Hrabe August 19, 2013

The political chicken dinner has gone upscale. In the first half of the year, legislative leaders, political parties and political action committees lured campaign contributors with limousine rides, gourmet meals and swag bags loaded with booze and iPad Minis, a