Rights and Liberties

SCOTUS could shake CA’s redistricting schemes

A pair of high-profile cases taken up by the Supreme Court could invalidate California’s redistricting system, scrapping citizen-led efforts to free it up from partisan wrangling. A tale of two controversies “The fate of the citizen redistricting commission hangs most directly in the

CA vaccination regulations gain more steam

James Poulos May 20, 2015

After a fractious debate, the California Senate passed a revised draft of the controversial bill that would largely eliminate the state’s religious and personal belief exemptions for child inoculation. With the bill on a likely track for passage in the Assembly,

CA Democratic Convention: Lorena Gonzalez leads party into workers’ comp fight

John May 19, 2015

Lorena Gonzalez doesn’t shy away from a fight. After less than two years in the state Assembly, the former San Diego labor organizer has established herself as the state’s leading advocate for workers. Last year, Gonzalez successfully authored legislation to force companies – large

Venice Beach proposal roils topless debate

James Poulos April 29, 2015

Inspired by a recent resurgence in partial nudity as a women’s rights issue, the Venice Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles recommended that topless sunbathing be permitted. In decades past, fully nude beachgoing had been tolerated. In a 12-2 vote, the VNC

Asm. Lorena Gonzalez proposes labor protections for cheerleaders

John April 20, 2015

Legislative committee hearings aren’t known for their heart-pounding excitement. But, you might hear a round of cheers to excite the crowds at this week’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee. On Tuesday, the committee is scheduled to consider

Study: Vast CA solar power possible using existing infrastructure

Chris Reed March 24, 2015

A new study for Nature Climate Central journal says California could have abundant solar power to meet all of its needs — and without building huge fields of solar arrays like the Tonopah facility by Interstate 15 near the Nevada

ACLU lawsuit challenges secret phone-tracker programs

John March 23, 2015

Police departments may have been tracking your every move without a warrant. But the full extent of the program — and its total cost to California taxpayers — has been kept secret. A year ago the American Civil Liberties Union of

Big twist in San Diego stadium saga

Chris Reed March 22, 2015

A stadium task force named by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has been holding a rapid-fire series of meetings with football, development and finance officials about the challenge facing California’s second-largest city in keeping the Chargers from bolting town for

LAO: CA housing costs likely to keep ‘rapidly rising’

Chris Reed March 21, 2015

The state Legislative Analyst Office’s new report on the high cost of housing in California got some coverage around the state, with a primary focus being its call for 100,000 additional housing units being built a year. The LAO says

Video: Scott Walker advances immigration plan

CalWatchdog Staff March 19, 2015

CalWatchdog.com Editor-in-Chief Brian Calle recently interviewed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. This is Part 4, on his immigration plan. Walker is a leading potential Republican candidate for president. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here.