Andy Vidak | CalWatchdog.com

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How much taxpayers lose in special elections

Henry T. Perea’s decision to vacate his Assembly seat early cost Fresno County a half-million dollars — enough to pay for four sheriff deputies — and has reignited a discussion on the cost of special elections. The Fresno Democrat announced

Brown warns climate fight will cost trillions, disrupt lifestyle

Dave Roberts October 12, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown warned at a recent climate change workshop that trillions of dollars, the transformation of our way of life and a worldwide mobilization on the scale of war will be required to stave off climate change’s “existential threat”

Cap-and-trade funds targeted for high-speed rail project

Kathy Hamilton July 18, 2015

Bills being introduced that monitor or change terms for the state’s high-speed rail project are a rarity. However, there are two bills brewing in the Legislature. One has a shot at passing. The other doesn’t. Senate Bill 400 would require

Lawmakers dismiss efforts to protect property rights from high-speed rail

John April 28, 2015

State lawmakers are forcing property owners “all aboard” the state’s high-speed rail project – whether they like it or not. This month, two state legislative panels blocked efforts by Central Valley Republican lawmakers to guarantee the property rights of those

Analysis: Which proposed bills help, hinder, small businesses

John Seiler March 23, 2015

Among the approximately 2,000 bills considered in the California Legislature this year, many affect small businesses. Here’s the analysis of four by the National Federation of Independent Business California: Assembly Bill 23 and Senate Bill 5, the Affordable Gas Tax for Families

GOP blocks super-majority in State Senate

John November 5, 2014

With impressive showings in Orange County and the Central Valley, Republicans have succeeded in blocking a Democratic super-majority in the State Senate. Republican Senators Andy Vidak and Anthony Cannella easily won reelection in their Central Valley districts, while Orange County Supervisor Janet

Election night: What to watch in CA election results

John November 4, 2014

The polls will remain open for a few more hours in California, but it’s already safe to call the winners for most statewide and legislative races. Even with the historically low voter turnout, Democrats are expected to once again sweep

Dems stop bills to ease gas price hike

Dave Roberts August 26, 2014

Perhaps the last chance to head off a California gasoline price hike that could exceed 50 cents per gallon by 2020 just was defeated on the state Senate floor. Sen. Andy Vidak, R-Hanford, offered amendments to a bill, AB2492,

Water fight: Now it’s four bonds

Wayne Lusvardi August 9, 2014

For California’s water, now it’s dueling water bonds — four of them. First bond: On Friday, Senate Republicans refurbished their own water-bond proposal, now for $8.7 billion. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Nearly a third of the money in the

GOP poised to reclaim 1/3 control in State Senate

John June 6, 2014

In recent years, California Senate Democrats have been their own worst enemy. In 2012, the Senate Democratic Caucus ran the tables, winning every contested race. With Fran Pavley, Richard Roth and Cathleen Galgiani added to his caucus, Senate President President Pro Tem Darrell