Tag "patrick o’donnell"

Back to homepage

Pressure mounts on Gov. Newsom to fix education funding for English learners

A scathing audit on school funding that found the state did not meet promises made six years ago to help English language learners, foster children and students from poor families sets up a 2020 test of the clout of the

Read More

Charter critics have potent new tool to block approvals, renewals

In an effort to portray a far-reaching bill as a compromise between charter schools and teacher unions, Gov. Gavin Newsom invited leaders of both groups as well as state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurman to recent signing ceremonies for

Read More

Poor test scores raise new doubts about landmark 2013 school finance law

Five years after Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature passed a sweeping new school finance law meant to provide extra help to struggling students in poor, minority communities, new federal test scores raise difficult questions about the effectiveness of the

Read More

Despite several big environmental wins during last days of session, one big bill got away

Democrats will walk away from the two-year legislative session that ended Thursday morning with a long list of environmental accomplishments — but still one got away.  A bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, would

Read More

Bill threatens religious freedom, critics say

Robert Lauten didn’t come waving a neon sign, but his grievances with Senate Bill 1146 were highlighted in bright yellow. His red pen and marked-up copy stood out as he and fellow protester Mike McGetrick reached the sixth floor of

Read More

Accusations of political retaliation against a fellow Democrat, as told by Twitter

A bill to expand parental leave was killed in committee Wednesday, leaving the Twitterati to speculate there was an appearance of retaliation by the chairman, Assemblyman Roger Hernández.  The perceived retaliation came two months after the West Covina Democrat was asked

Read More