Tag "Kevin de Leon"

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Electric car sharing program rolls out in L.A.

As many as 7,000 low-income Los Angeles residents could eventually take part in a state-funded electric car sharing program that rolled out last week. State and city officials celebrated the soft launch of the endeavor — which aims to improve

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Brown pushes climate policy with Pope Francis

This week, Gov. Jerry Brown drew global headlines as one of the most outspoken officials at a world conference on climate change and slavery hosted in Vatican City by Pope Francis. A play for leadership Gov. Brown was intent on taking the

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CA Democratic Convention: Women seek to “Close the Gap” in California politics

Women remain the stars of the California Democratic Party. This past weekend, Sen. Elizabeth Warren received top billing as the convention’s keynote speaker. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi earned rounds of applause from committee and caucus meetings. And, of course, the convention buzz

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Brown debuts big budget revision

Gov. Jerry Brown has unveiled the highly-anticipated revision to his annual state budget, teeing up final spending negotiations in Sacramento — largely with his fellow Democrats. Despite a resurgence in California’s fiscal fortunes, including tax receipts some $2 billion in

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Senate committee OKs increased energy regulation

A bill that ratchets up energy restrictions in California passed a Senate policy committee last week, despite concerns from business representatives and Republican legislators that it will drive up energy costs, cost jobs and place too much power in the

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Pension funds’ goal: High returns or symbolic stands?

Government pension funds around America have for years been pressured to take stands on political issues by investing or not investing in particular companies or industries. Pension fund managers bent on maximizing returns typically push back, especially in an era

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State officials report expensive gifts and luxury trips

State lawmakers and constitutional officers accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in international travel, fine wines, rounds of golf and expensive meals in 2014, according to annual financial disclosure reports filed this week with state ethics officials. Among the top

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‘Wet reckless’ perp Sen. Hueso gets tax-funded car

Last December, state Sen. Ben Hueso pleaded guilty to driving “wet and reckless” and received probation. Now he’s being gifted a new car — paid for by taxpayers. As CalWatchdog.com reported last Aug. 25: “State Senator Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, was arrested

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New York Times’ brutal take on CA green jobs revisited

The promises of Gov. Jerry Brown and predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger that green jobs and the green economy would be the backbone of California’s economic comeback seem all but forgotten. Brown didn’t even mention all his 2010 promises in his successful

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Veteran lawmakers embrace new committee assignments

As the new class of state lawmakers settles in to their jobs, Sacramento’s old hands are getting a jump start on the 2015-16 legislative session. Each session brings a biennial reshuffling of committee assignments. But some lawmakers aren’t waiting to get acquainted with their new perches. New

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