Regulations

Federal judge moots CA casino oversight

In what amounted to a tart reminder to California voters that they have limited authority over sovereign Indian tribes, a federal judge has ordered Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration to renew negotiations with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians officials over

Sen. Hertzberg praised for bills that can’t get votes

Chris Reed November 7, 2015

State Sen. Bob Hertzberg, the San Fernando Valley Democrat who aspires to higher office, is being honored by NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) — a group devoted to improving the economy while staying true to progressive values. Two measures introduced

Lawsuits up as state implements regs to stem slave labor

Steve Miller November 5, 2015

California is becoming ground zero for lawsuits seeking class action status that allege companies are, somewhere along the line, misrepresenting their supply chain and using slave labor abroad. Plaintiffs claim the companies — which are not necessarily based in the

CA sheriffs sue on L.A. gun magazine law

James Poulos October 29, 2015

With gun rights and regulations emerging as a hot-button issue in California politics, the city of Los Angeles has provoked a high-profile lawsuit against a recent prohibition on so-called high-capacity magazines. “This summer, the City Council banned possession of magazines that

Whale-sex ban spurs mockery of Coastal Commission

Chris Reed October 18, 2015

The release of a 2013 documentary, “Blackfish,” that accused SeaWorld theme parks of treating their captive killer whales cruelly put a big dent in the company’s revenue in 2014. Thanks to CNN’s repeated airings of the documentary, anti-SeaWorld sentiment gets

Did 2006 cellphone law cut CA traffic deaths or not?

Chris Reed October 16, 2015

When California approved a law in 2006 requiring that drivers could only use their cellphones hands-free beginning on July 1, 2008, state leaders patted themselves on the back for pioneering legislation that would inspire the rest of the nation and

CA forges ahead with new animal laws

James Poulos October 14, 2015

Not only humans were affected by the spate of new bills signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. From pigs to whales, lawmakers succeeded in changing the way animals are treated in California. Strengthening antibiotics Just seven lawmakers voted against a bill

Future of CA marijuana still hazy

James Poulos October 11, 2015

The biggest of the California marijuana initiatives has at last been unveiled. But it has yet to lock up enough support to wipe out the competition. Striking a balance “The Control, Regulate and Tax Cannabis Act of 2016 would allow

Brown vetoes numerous curbs on drone use; approves one

James Poulos October 8, 2015

Despite shooting down a series of bills intended to restrict the private use of drones in public airspace, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a fourth bill that restricted the use of drones around and above private property. “The law expands the state’s definition of invasion of privacy

Anti-vax referendum push falls short

James Poulos October 5, 2015

The drive to restore California’s vaccination exemptions through the state referendum process has failed. At stake was Senate Bill 277, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on a wave of concern that “herd immunity” among California children was compromised by a growing