Tag "John Hrabe"
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Gov. Brown pardons 105 ex-cons, rescinds one
Gov. Jerry Brown offered Christmas Eve pardons to 105 Californians. But before the paperwork reached the Secretary of State’s office, that number was reduced by one. After facing questions from the Los Angeles Times, Brown retracted the pardon of Glen
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CA Common Cause: State lawmakers accepted $844,000 in gifts in 2013
Let the good times roll! California lawmakers accepted $844,000 in gifts in 2013 — the majority of which came from special interest groups that routinely lobby the state Legislature. According to a new report released by the good-government group California Common Cause, gifts
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Gov. Brown appoints new chair to scandal-plagued CPUC
After months of damaging headlines and questions about its coziness with energy companies, the California Public Utilities Commission is getting new leadership. On Tuesday, Gov. Jerry Brown promoted Commissioner Michael Picker, a longtime Democratic political consultant and Brown’s former energy
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Are millennials being priced out of California?
Are millennials being priced out of California? A recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau analyzing statistics from the latest American Community Survey showed the Millennial Generation is struggling to find full-time employment, obtain affordable housing and reach financial independence. The problems
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After 2014 successes, CA GOP leaders seek second term
Two years ago, Jim Brulte chastised his party for losing seats to laziness. “There were three Assembly seats that were lost because we got lazy,” Brulte said shortly after taking the helm as chairman of the California Republican Party in March
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GOP lawmaker: fund schools with high-speed rail bonds
A Republican lawmaker wants to turn money for California’s high-speed rail project into funding for schools. Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, introduced Assembly Bill 6, which would cancel outstanding bond funds approved by Proposition 1A, a 2008 voter-approved initiative to fund the
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Lawmaker rejects per diem, tax-funded car
A newly-elected Bay Area lawmaker isn’t reveling in the perks of public office. She’s forgoing two of the best bonuses afforded to members of the California Legislature. As her first act in office, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, R-Pleasanton, has declined per diem
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Vacancies trigger 2015 state Senate elections
The Nov. 4 vote didn’t end this election cycle, but sparked a new round. Three sitting state senators won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives: Sens. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek; Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley; and Mimi Walters, R-Irvine. They will resign their positions in
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Chiang launches program to reclaim lost wages
John Chiang may be gearing up for his move to the state treasurer’s office. But that doesn’t mean he’s taking an early vacation from his job as state controller. Late last month, Chiang launched a new pilot program to aid victims of
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The upsides of low turnout
This election, your vote counted double. “When it’s 50 % turnout, your voting power is doubled #math,” Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., the state’s top political data firm, tweeted on Election Day. Increased voting power — it’s one of several
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