Politics and Elections

After 13 months on job, UC President Napolitano already seems restless

It has been 13 months since Janet Napolitano took over as president of University of California system. The former homeland security chief for the Obama administration has just dropped her second big hint in as many months that she’s ready

Prop. 48: Pechanga opposes expansion of tribal gaming

John October 27, 2014

A Native American tribe is spending big bucks to limit the expansion of tribal gaming in California. The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians recently contributed $1 million to oppose Proposition 48, a controversial compact that would pave the way for off-reservation

AFT paper backs Torlakson

John Seiler October 24, 2014

One of the most influential campaign documents for the Nov. 4 election is seen by few people: “Perspective,” by the community College Council of the California Federation of Teachers; which is part of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. Physical

Unions, Santa Clara Democrats’ disclosure reports don’t match

John October 23, 2014

A Bay Area Democratic campaign committee, which has transferred tens of thousands of dollars to targeted legislative candidates, is facing questions about discrepancies found in its campaign finance disclosure reports. In at least two instances, the Santa Clara County Democratic

Campaign to rebrand CA GOP defines Nov. 4

James Poulos October 23, 2014

With less than two weeks to go before the November election, the hottest race in California doesn’t have to do with a single candidate, measure or issue. Instead, all eyes are on race to define the state’s Republican Party. The development has

VIDEO: Is California becoming the boring state?

CalWatchdog Staff October 20, 2014

Demographics are not on the side of the Golden State. The people we need to live here are leaving. Reason Magazine’s Editor Matt Welch joins CalWatchdog’s James Poulos to talk about his greatest fear of all: California gets boring.

Covered CA caught in Prop. 45 crossfire

James Poulos October 20, 2014

On Proposition 45, some Democrats are feeling as if they got a transfusion of the wrong blood type. The initiative would give the state insurance commissioner the power to approve changes in health-insurance policies, including those by Covered California, this state’s implementation

VIDEO: Can the GOP build a better brand by embracing unions?

CalWatchdog Staff October 18, 2014

We may be experiencing a libertarian moment, but are blue collar workers the secret to give this moment a lasting impact? The Heritage Foundation’s Stephen Moore joins CalWatchdog’s James Poulos to discuss a new political alliance to challenge the supporters

CA voters may upend national crime policy again

James Poulos October 16, 2014

Thanks to a new ballot measure, Proposition 47, voters in California could soon eliminate the last vestiges of the state’s tough-on-crime reputation. In a sea change from the 1990s, when high-profile, grisly crimes seized the state’s attention, Californians have helped drive the

Covered CA dissects Prop. 45, doesn’t oppose it

Dave Roberts October 15, 2014

Officials at the Covered California insurance exchange, the state’s implementation of Obamacare, worry passage of Prop. 45 could damage its operations, potentially affecting insurance coverage for millions of Californians. But the board has chosen not to notify California voters of