30Nov

November 26, 2015

Political Stories Top stories  George Skelton: Despite California’s budget surplus, unions eye tax hikes – A proposed ballot measure to continue the so-called temporary tax hike 12 years beyond its scheduled Dec. 31, 2018, cutoff was cleared by the secretary of state for signature collection. The initiative’s sponsors are the California Teachers Assn. and the state […]

30Nov

November 25, 2015

Political Stories Top stories  Sanchez picks up local endorsements for U.S. Senate – Sarah Reyes wasn’t Sanchez’s only recent local endorsement. Former Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante – a Valley native who now lives in Elk Grove – and Sanchez’s House colleague, Fresno Democrat Jim Costa, have also endorsed her over Harris. Fresno Bee article California bill would require […]

30Nov

November 24, 2015

Political Stories Top stories Dan Walters: Cowardice helps pass refugee bill – It was a profile in cowardice, not courage. On Thursday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 289-137 for a bill the GOP leadership admitted was “quickly cobbled together” to tighten up procedures for admitting refugees from Syria.  Walters column in Sacramento Bee Gov. Brown When […]

23Nov

November 23, 2015

Political Stories Top stories  Gavin Newsom making overtures to San Joaquin Valley – might go duck hunting — Three years before the next gubernatorial election, Newsom and his rivals are making inroads into inland California, touring farms, holding receptions and speaking to small crowds. In addition to Newsom, two other Democrats who are expected to run, […]

23Nov

November 22, 2015

Political Stories Top stories  Lawmakers missed reserve requirement by about $2.2 billion, estimates suggest — Budget experts warned early on that any new rainy-day reserve reliant on volatile capital gains revenue would be difficult to manage. They were right. Less than six months after lawmakers approved the first deposit into the reserve approved by voters last […]

23Nov

November 21, 2015

Political Stories Top stories Big government borrowing means payback time – someday – A huge new set of government borrowing data from the California Treasurer’s Office for the first time details how government entities – from the state on down to counties, cities and special districts – planned to repay $1.5 trillion in bonds sold since […]

20Nov

November 20, 2015

Political Stories Top stories Dan Walters: Business does well in Capitol – The Capitol’s longest running conflict, as often noted in this space, pits business and employer groups against labor unions, environmentalists, consumer advocates and personal injury attorneys. Each year, the latter four introduce their agendas in a Legislature dominated by Democrats, and the former gear […]

20Nov

November 19, 2015

Political Stories Top stories California analyst predicts strong economy, more state budget surpluses — California’s economy will stay strong through the decade, allowing the state budget to ring up a series of surpluses, the Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst projected Wednesday. Sacramento Bee article; LA Times article CD 21: Gonzales will not run for Valadao’s congressional seat — Bakersfield City […]

18Nov

November 18, 2015

Political Stories Top stories Kamala Harris changes campaign managers, moves to cut costs – U.S. Senate frontrunner Kamala Harris is changing campaign managers and making moves to reduce costs, her campaign said Tuesday, after unusually heavy spending in recent months. Sacramento Bee article; LA Times article U.S. officials defend decades-old refugee resettlement program — Obama administration officials pushed back […]

18Nov

November 17, 2015

Political Stories Top stories Accept Syrian refugees but screen carefully, California Gov. Jerry Brown says — Breaking with other governors who have warned that admitting Syrian refugees would undermine American security, Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday advocated preserving “America’s traditional role as a place of asylum” but stressed the need for thorough vetting. Sacramento Bee article; AP article  […]