Regulations

Strikes for higher minimum wage hit CA, USA

Anti-Walmart protests struck across California and the rest of America on Black Friday. The protesters demanded that the giant retailer pay its worker higher wages and benefits. As part of the protests, Robert Reich is pushing a petition on Facebook. The former

Thanks, Dan: Cal Watchdog themes now Walters’ favorite talking points

Chris Reed December 2, 2013

For a year, Cal Watchdog contributors and staffers (and a Cal Watchdog alum) have been pretty much alone in pointing out two extremely relevant statistics that demolish Gov. Jerry Brown’s and the media’s narrative of the Golden State bouncing back

Critics say CARB botching key part of cap-and-trade program

Wayne Lusvardi December 1, 2013

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (Bloomberg NEF) has accused the California Air Resources Board of a serious problem: double-counting industrial pollution emissions under its cap-and-trade program. Bloomberg NEF, a media enterprise focusing on the energy sector, isn’t the only credible entity

CARB update: Powers expanding beyond AB32

Katy Grimes November 27, 2013

Irish wit Oscar Wilde once quipped, “The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.” He died in 1900, but he would have recognized the California Air Resources Board. Under AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of

Covered California unplugs most top hospitals from patients

Tori Richards November 27, 2013

President Obama has been claiming that people can keep their favorite doctors under the Affordable Care Act. But anyone who wants a premier hospital in California better do some homework before signing up. A survey of the state’s top hospitals

End game on bullet train: No $, no project — and no prospects for $

Chris Reed November 26, 2013

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny’s issued a double-whammy ruling Monday. He barred the use of bond funds for the state bullet-train project until it had adequate funding and complete environmental reviews for its first 300-mile segment. He also blocked

Would-be San Diego mayor plans to nullify reform approved by city voters

Chris Reed November 24, 2013

In 2006, San Diego voters took a bold and unprecedented step: They lopsidedly approved a “managed competition” process under which groups of city employees would bid against private companies for the right to provide certain city services. This modified form

Covered CA throws a party – only 10 sign up

Katy Grimes November 22, 2013

This week California’s Obamacare health insurance exchange, Covered California, rented the Sacramento Convention Center, and opened its doors to the public for a sign-up party, complete with balloons and press. CBS 13 reported 1,500 people showed up to apply and enroll in

Pressure grows for CA $15 minimum wage

Dave Roberts November 22, 2013

The California Legislature this year boosted California’s $8 per hour minimum wage to $9 in July 2014 and $10 in January 2016. But advocates for, and beneficiaries of, that 25 percent wage hike are not content. Pressure is building

Vidak warns: Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink

Katy Grimes November 21, 2013

The California Department of Water Resources announced this week that the Central Valley may only get five percent of the water it needs next year. The Central Valley, the heart of California, is the state’s top agricultural producing region, often called