22Mar

March 22, 2016

Political Stories Top stories Road to California tax checkoff paved by legislative connections — As Californians finish their state taxes each spring, they can choose to make donations tonearly 20 causes – ranging from protection of endangered species to arts education to maintenance for police officer and firefighter memorials near the Capitol – that are then deductible […]

21Mar

March 21, 2016

Political Stories Top stories Vaccine debate returns to California Capitol – One year after a debate over vaccinating public school children reverberated through California Legislature, a new proposal would protect doctors from discipline or liability for issuing students medical exemptions. Capital Public Radio report Trump bump could be good news for California Republicans – With no statewide officeholders, […]

20Mar

March 20, 2016

Political Stories Top stories Dan Walters: Expensive ballot measures are on tap for California ballot — California voters will be hammered by a perfect political storm this year, facing at least a dozen major, high-dollar ballot measures. Walters column in Sacramento Bee Thanks to Trump, these House Democrats from California can breathe easier — If Donald Trump or […]

19Mar

March 19, 2016

Political Stories Top stories  California’s pension debt puts it $175.1 billion in the red — Although its 2014-15 budget was balanced, California’s state government ended the fiscal year $175.1 billion in the red, thanks largely to state retirement obligations that had to be included in its balance sheet for the first time. Under new rules by […]

18Mar

March 18, 2016

Political Stories Top stories California initiative avalanche makes your signature more valuable — Signatures for Gov. Jerry Brown’s parole initiative are $5 apiece. For a measure to raise the tobacco tax, $4. For recreational marijuana legalization, $2. Petitions in a typical year may start at $1 and work their way up based on how they are […]

16Mar

March 16, 2016

Political Stories Top stories Tobacco industry’s threats: Provocative, but legal — If the anti-tobacco bills become law, the tobacco industry has reportedly warned it will use California’s referendum process to overturn at least some of them: most likely, the measure that would raise the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21; and the bill that would allow counties […]

15Mar

March 15, 2016

Political Stories Top stories California sheriffs oppose Gavin Newsom’s gun control initiative — California sheriffs announced Monday that they are opposing Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gun-control measure aimed for the fall ballot, arguing it would not prevent criminals from obtaining guns and ammunition via the black market or theft. Sacramento Bee article Dan Walters: California lawmakers finally […]

14Mar

March 14, 2016

Political Stories Top stories California’s next governor: Who’s running, who’s on the fence? – Welcome to your guide to the 2018 California governor’s race. The election may be far away, but listening tours are already underway, political consultants are doling out advice and pundits are handicapping favorites and wildcards. Here are the players to keep an […]

13Mar

March 13, 2016

Political Stories Top stories  Dan Walters: California prisoner count drops, spending increases – Americans of a certain age may remember the term “peace dividend.” It was uttered after the Vietnam War ended in the 1970s and the Cold War ended in the early 1990s – referring to an anticipated decrease in military spending. Something of a […]