Political Stories Top stories These six major issues – and 1 unknown – will confront lawmakers returning to Sacramento — California’s two-year legislative session will come to a close at the end of August, which means the next few weeks will see a sprint of public policy infused with interest-group politics on as many as 1,500 bills. […]

Political Stories Top stories California initiative draws fire for opening door to TV ads that promote pot smoking — Nearly a half-century after tobacco ads were kicked off television in the United States, an initiative in California would take a first step toward allowing TV commercials that promote a different kind of smoking — marijuana. LA Times article  […]

Political Stories Top stories Jerry Brown offers 12 percent pay raises (over 4 years) to SEIU Local 1000 — The state has offered a nearly 12 percent general salary increase for SEIU Local 1000 employees spread out over four years, or a 9 percent increase over three years. Sacramento Bee article Two conventions, one vast gulf: Republicans […]

Political Stories Top stories  Dan Walters: Business-opposed ‘job killer’ bills will face final test next month — When the Legislature reconvenes next week for the final month of its biennial session, it will decide the fate of hundreds of bills ranging from game-changing to trivial. One question it will answer is whether the California Chamber of […]