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Back to homepageNo spare change under the dome
May 20, 2013 By Katy Grimes During his press briefing last week while discussing the state’s lack of budgeting flexibility, Gov. Jerry Brown said, “Anyone who thinks there’s spare change around here, they haven’t read the budget.” Brown released his
Read MoreSix bills would make it easier to pass tax increases
MAY 17, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — The Senate Governance and Finance Committee on Wednesday passed six constitutional amendments to make it easier for local voters to pass various tax increases on property owners. “California didn’t knowingly vote for
Read MoreAssembly members objecting to corruption exemption in AB 173
May 16, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — A corruption exemption remains in Assembly Bill 173, by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego. But calls I made to all the members of the Accountability and Administrative Review committee, which had reviewed the bill, indicated
Read MoreBill advances ‘civil rights’ claims on gender-neutral bathrooms
May 16, 2013 By Katy Grimes As if plucked right out of the silly book, “There Oughta Be A Law,” San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has been pushing a bill through the Legislature which has the potential of turning all
Read MoreCollective bargaining behind the scenes
May 15, 2013 By Katy Grimes Government employees’ salaries and benefits, and in particular, pensions, are financially unsustainable in California. It is clear that collective bargaining reform is needed. But in a state run by politicians elected largely with the
Read MoreGov. Brown’s May budget revision balances only by ignoring unfunded liabilities
May 14, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — Balancing the economic realities of the state budget with political influences surely is a challenging task. Unfortunately, in California it is a task which few administrations have managed in recent state history.
Read MoreObama administration taps AP phone lines
May 14, 2013 By Katy Grimes The Associated Press found itself in an interesting juxtaposition yesterday when it had to report that the Obama Justice Department secretly obtained two months of AP’s own employees’ phone records. In what can only be called
Read MoreAssembly budget secrecy ahead; 37 empty budget bills passed
May 14, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — Another secretive budget is in the near future as Democrats passed 37 empty budget “spot bills” Monday. It was business as usual in the Assembly. Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-Los Angeles, the author of
Read MoreBill would strip corruption protections from university employees
May 13, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — Public contracts should always be subjected to stiff scrutiny. Without public scrutiny and oversight, spending other people’s money is too easy. But a new Assembly bill would not only increase the amount
Read MoreLawmakers learn what farmers already know about sustainable agriculture
May 10, 2013 By Katy Grimes SACRAMENTO — During two hours of expert testimony Wednesday, California Assembly members learned future commercial and housing developments should not be built on prime agricultural land, which should continue to be used for farming. The
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