Tag "Richard Bloom"

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Bill blocking ‘rent gouging’ draws buzz in Capitol

Less than six months after voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have gutted a 1995 state law banning new types of rent control on all single-family homes and all rent control on apartments or condos built after the

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5 bills target consumption of sugary drinks

The California Legislature’s determination to lessen the amount of sugary drinks consumed by state residents may never have been greater than now – at least if the metric used is the number of bills introduced. This session, five will be taken

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Bill would revive California’s redevelopment agencies

  SACRAMENTO – California’s redevelopment agencies were a fixture on the local political landscape for six decades, as they guided development policies and grabbed “tax increment financing” that localities used to pay for infrastructure improvements, downtown renovations and affordable-housing projects.

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Confusion on CA housing market brings flurry of legislation

Debate over California’s housing situation ratcheted up amid conflicting data and a flurry of new legislation designed to mitigate high prices and low supply.  Analysts have separated into two camps around Golden State real estate, one more bullish than the

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Gov. Brown signs captive orca ban

  Capping off a protracted political battle focused around animal rights and aquatic entertainment at SeaWorld, the San Diego’s longstanding tourist attraction, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that will bring California’s iconic relationship with captive orcas to an end. Wave of criticism Authored by

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CalWatchdog Morning Read – August 26

Everyone is CA could have savings soon Farmworker overtime bill falls flat on its face Ferrets still illegal in CA Bill to lure low-income housing developments passes Senate Stanford rape case judge facing recall is no longer on criminal cases

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CA Legislature sends Brown microbead ban

After a roller coaster ride through the Senate, a bill enacting the nation’s toughest ban on so-called “microbeads” headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk for signature. Doubts overcome After sailing through the Assembly in May, AB888, introduced by Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica,

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Watchdog groups fight initiative fee hike

Unexpected bipartisan opposition has formed against a piece of legislation designed to cut down on California’s sometimes outrageous ballot initiatives. In addition to the left-leaning Consumer Watchdog organization, citizens’-rights groups like the California Taxpayers Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have mustered their

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CA legislators revisit microbead ban

After a near miss last year, a new push to ban so-called microbeads has gained momentum, clearing the California Assembly. The tiny plastic orbs, especially prevalent in cosmetics and personal care products, like facial scrubs, became the target of environmentalist scorn over recent

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CA Dems back tax cut

Will wonders never cease? Three years ago, Democrats in the Legislature were upset when Republicans denied them the two-thirds votes needed in the Assembly and Senate to put a tax increase on the ballot. Led by Gov. Jerry Brown, they

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