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McClintock's Unbroken Opposition to Stem Cell Research is Reason Enough to Vote for Garamendi for California Lt. Governor
Stem Cells, Democrats, and Moral Vision: California Election is Crucial to Medical Advances
IN CALIFORNIA, OUR "ELECTION DAY" IS UNDERWAY
Arguments Against Prop 87 (Oil Severance Tax) Crumble Under Analysis--Even That of a Conservative Economics Professor
California League of Conservation Voters 2006 California Environmental Scorecard is Very Revealing
California African Americans Organize Against Big Tobacco and for Prop 86
McClintock and Strickland - Too Extreme for California: The Record
Proposition 85: Parental Notification for Minors Getting Abortions – NO (Again)
California Political News and Opinion for Monday, October 30, 2006
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The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

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October 2006

Californians Need to Be Aware of Immediate Budget Cuts Proposed—There Are Some Real Shockers Here

By Frank D. Russo While there is a good deal of coverage of the budget and cuts proposed by...

» January 11, 2008 - 0 comments - California State Budget

“Governor Releases Proposed 2008-2009 Budget” from the California Budget Project is our site of the day

» January 11, 2008 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Why California Students are Drawn to Barack Obama and Why It Will Make a Difference

By Ryan McElhinney My generation has grown up in the era of highly partisan warfare in Washington. From the...

» January 11, 2008 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Schools Chief Says Schwarzenegger Budget Will Lead to “Year of Education Evisceration”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell released the following statement on Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget for 2008-09: At...

» January 10, 2008 - 0 comments - California State Budget

Schwarzenegger Cuts Funding for Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Californians in Proposed State Budget

$4 billion annual program currently serves 400,000 elderly, blind or disabled consumers; projected caseloads expected to reach 500,000 by 2012...

» January 10, 2008 - 2 comments - California State Budget

Proposition 93: Rejiggering Legislative Term Limits – YES

By Peter L. Stahl Pete Rates the Propositions “Throw the rascals out!” That was the rallying cry for Prop...

» January 10, 2008 - 3 comments - Props 94-97--Tribal Gaming

Execute Justice: The Time Has Come to End California's Death Penalty

Who is accountable for this broken system, what are we doing to repair it, and is it really worth the...

» January 10, 2008 - 0 comments - Criminal Justice

Before the California Budget Battles Begin

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Later today, this year's budget battles win begin in earnest....

» January 10, 2008 - 0 comments - Health Care

How Would Jesus Vote? An Interview With the Author of The Tumultuous Times of Jesus in the 21st Century

By Sara S. Nichols Democratic party environmental caucus chair, political consultant and poet Luke Breit is the author of...

» January 10, 2008 - 1 comments -

The “Bradley Effect” on Obama-Clinton Polling in New Hampshire May Be Overstated

By Frank D. Russo A number of pollsters and those who analyze them have been scratching their heads as...

» January 9, 2008 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

Schwarzenegger’s Spending Cap is Pure Bunkum – But It Gave the Press Corps Something to Write About in Otherwise Vacuous ‘State of the State’

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento With California facing a $14 Billion budget deficit,...

» January 9, 2008 - 13 comments - California State Budget

The Myths, Rhetoric, and Reality in Schwarzenegger’s State of the State Speech This Year

By Frank D. Russo This is the Governor’s week in Sacramento—from the State of the State speech delivered yesterday...

» January 9, 2008 - 3 comments - California State Budget

Schrag: Prop 92 Shortchanges California Community Colleges

By Peter Schrag It's no secret that California's community colleges are underfunded and have been for years. But the...

» January 9, 2008 - 1 comments - Prop 92- Community Colleges

Schwarzenegger State of the State Address Misses Environmental Opportunities

By Bill Magavern Senior Representative Sierra Club California While we had hoped that Governor Schwarzenegger would use the State...

» January 9, 2008 - 0 comments - Environment

Schwarzenegger Uses Address to Push for Fiscally Irresponsible Peripheral Canal, Dams, and Water Bond Proposal

By Dan Bacher Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his State of the State address yesterday, urged the public and legislators...

» January 9, 2008 - 1 comments - Water

The Seismic Shift: Clinton and Obama in New Hampshire

By Mary Lyon New Hampshire rocked our world this week. It sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party and through...

» January 9, 2008 - 2 comments - California Presidential Primary

Arnold's Year of Education: Defunding Students Who Need It Most

By Robert Cruickshank Education funding has been one of THE defining political issues of modern California. The struggle to...

» January 9, 2008 - 1 comments - Education

Complete Text of Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2008 State of the State Address, as Prepared

Lieutenant Governor Garamendi, Speaker Núñez, Senate President Pro Tem Perata, Senate Republican Leader Ackerman, Assembly Republican Leader Villines, my...

» January 9, 2008 - 1 comments -

California Has Its Work Cut Out on “Subprime” Health Insurance

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California It's an evocative term. In fact, "subprime" is the "Word...

» January 8, 2008 - 1 comments - Health Care

The Final California Delta Vision Document and Water For Fish Efforts

By John Beuttler Conservation Director California Sportfishing Protection Alliance In conjunction with his signing of SB 1574, authored by...

» January 8, 2008 - 0 comments - Water

The California Budget, Bankruptcy, Clinton, and Obama

By Rosemary Shahan, President Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger boasted about balancing California’s budget....

» January 8, 2008 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

One Californian’s Primary Season Crankiness

By Wu Ming Surf Putah Not that I don't enjoy watching Hillary Clinton and her phalanx of establishment hacks...

» January 8, 2008 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

Schwarzenegger’s Year of Education: Taking It Out on Teachers

By Robert Cruickshank As a teacher myself, from a family of teachers, I have never quite understood why so...

» January 8, 2008 - 6 comments - Education

Proposition 91: Made Superfluous by Prop 1A of 2006 – ABSTAIN

By Peter L. Stahl Pete Rates the Propositions Two years ago, while the Secretary of State was counting signatures...

» January 8, 2008 - 1 comments - Prop 91--Transportation Funding

Schwarzenegger’s “Year of Education”: Missing The Point at the Outset

By Robert Cruickshank The basic elements of Arnold's education reforms have begun to make their way into the press,...

» January 7, 2008 - 3 comments - Education

Vote-By-Mail Begins Today in California Presidential Primary

From the Office of California Secretary of State Debra Bowen The growing number of Californians who choose to vote...

» January 7, 2008 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Propositions 94–97: Indian Gaming Compacts – NO

By Peter L. Stahl Pete Rates the Propositions Props 94 through 97 would allow four southern California Indian tribes...

» January 7, 2008 - 19 comments - Props 94-97--Tribal Gaming

Robo-Cuts: California’s Budget and Health Care Intertwined

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Former Governor Pete Wilson gave the Governor's radio address over...

» January 7, 2008 - 1 comments - Health Care

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Happy New Year!...

» January 6, 2008 - 0 comments -

Tim Johnson of ABC News Won the Republican Presidential Debate on Healthcare Last Night

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California In the Republican presidential debate last night, Dr. Tim Johnson...

» January 6, 2008 - 1 comments - Health Care

Tribal Gaming Money Dwarfs All Other Contributions on California Ballot Propositions

By Frank D. Russo On Friday, the Pechanga Band of Temecula, one of the big four tribes who stand...

» January 6, 2008 - 9 comments - Props 94-97--Tribal Gaming

2008 Starts Off With Many Programs on California and the Environment

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League We’ve just returned from the winter holidays and we're...

» January 6, 2008 - 0 comments - Environment

Obama Victory Sends Resounding Message of Change

By Paul Hogarth Barack Obama’s victory in the Iowa caucus last night sent a powerful message of change –...

» January 5, 2008 - 3 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Needs More Vigilance on Hate Crimes Against LGBT Individuals

In this week’s Democratic weekly radio address, Mike Eng (D -Monterey Park) explains the need to be vigilant against...

» January 5, 2008 - 2 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Libertarian Party—Like the Prohibition Party--Demands Free Promotion of Candidates in California

But You Can’t Turn In Loser's Tickets At The Winner’s Window By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years...

» January 5, 2008 - 3 comments - Elections and Voting

Obama Grass Roots California Supporters Buoyed by Iowa Win

By Frank D. Russo A couple of hundred enthusiastic supporters of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama packed into the...

» January 4, 2008 - 4 comments - California Presidential Primary

California’s Nurse-Patient Ratio Law Saving Lives, Reducing the Nursing Shortage

By Zenei Cortez A California Registered Nurse Here’s a reason to celebrate the New Year – safer staffing in...

» January 4, 2008 - 1 comments - Health Care

A New Year Bring New Efforts In California Health Reform

• Governor, Speaker file initiative language to accompany reform package • Judge rules against employer contribution for Healthy San Francisco;...

» January 4, 2008 - 0 comments - Health Care

Iowa This Morning: America's Face to the World

By Mary Lyon It starts. Ronald Reagan once said - "it's 'Morning in America'." Well, maybe morning has not...

» January 4, 2008 - 4 comments - California Presidential Primary

The “2008 California Report Card: The State of the State's Children” is our site of the day

» January 3, 2008 - 2 comments - Site of the Day

A Novel Idea: States Sue Environmental Protection Agency to Actually Protect Environment

By Kia Franklin Civil Justice Fellow Drum Major Institute for Public Policy California is pressing on in its challenge...

» January 3, 2008 - 3 comments - Environment

States Call for Moratorium on Home Foreclosures

By J. Mijin Cha Policy Specialist Progressive States Network Not surprisingly, the Bush Administration's proposal for fixing the subprime...

» January 3, 2008 - 0 comments - Responsible Lending

California’s New Frontier and the Election of the President 2008

By Eric Garcetti President Los Angeles City Council In 2008, we Democrats will focus intensely on our nation’s most...

» January 3, 2008 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

Peter Schrag Calls Prop 93 “Slippery Too”--Damming With Faint Praise Personified

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Traditional liberal columnist, Peter Schrag, wrote a column...

» January 3, 2008 - 1 comments - Term Limits

Health Care Reform in California and the Nation: “All in, for 2008”

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California I typically write a Year in Review synopsis for Health...

» January 3, 2008 - 1 comments - Health Care

The Black Vote for President in 2008

By Sharon Kyle and Dick Price The presidential primaries for both parties could be all over but the shouting...

» January 3, 2008 - 5 comments - California Presidential Primary

Holiday Schedule and Resolutions for the California Progress Report

By Frank D. Russo Beginning December 26, 2007 and continuing until January 3, 2008, the California Progress Report will...

» January 3, 2008 - 0 comments -

Peter Schrag: Maybe the Problem in California is Us--Limiting Legislative Discretion and Accountability—Prop 93, a Case in Point

By Peter Schrag As a political villain, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez is a pallid substitute for his flamboyant predecessor...

» January 2, 2008 - 0 comments - Term Limits

2007 California Victories and 2008 Priorities from the Coalition for Clean Air

By Alberto B. Mendoza President & CEO Coalition for Clean Air As the clock ticks down on 2007, we...

» January 1, 2008 - 0 comments - Environment

The California Home Foreclosure Crisis Needs Action in 2008

By Don Perata President pro Tem California State Senate The United States is facing an unprecedented crisis in home foreclosures....

» December 31, 2007 - 2 comments - Responsible Lending

How to Become a California Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention

From the California Democratic Party Remember These 2008 Dates: January 15 • April 2 • April 13 If you want...

» December 30, 2007 - 0 comments -

Book Review: From the Barrio to Washington (Via Sacramento)

By Kenneth C. Burt Looking for a good book to start the New Year? Armando Rodriguez’s From the Barrio...

» December 29, 2007 - Immigration

What a 10% Cut Means to Health Care in California

By Hanh Kim Quach Health Care Policy Coordinator Health Access California Judy Lin at the Sacramento Bee describes the...

» December 29, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Prop 93 (Term Limits Change) Keeps Lead in Field Poll—(Props 94-97) Expansion of Indian Slot Machines Close

Most Likely Voters Have Not Seen, Read, or Heard Anything About Ballot Props--Campaigns Will Be Key By Frank D. Russo...

» December 28, 2007 - 2 comments -

California Prison Reform and the Progressive challenge for 2008

by Sharon Kyle Last month, in a piece I wrote on the unprecedented growth of the U.S. prison population,...

» December 28, 2007 - 3 comments - Prison Reform

The Post-Election Agenda By John L. Burton

(Excerpts from an essay written by Burton shortly after his 1964 election to the State Assembly) Selected by Bill Cavala...

» December 28, 2007 - 0 comments -

Year End Brings Reprieve for California Delta, Hopeful Vision for the Future

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League After years of bad news from the Delta, the...

» December 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Speak Out California Farewell 2007... Welcome 2008!

By Dave Johnson Speak Out California This is the final Speak Out California post for 2007. We're taking the...

» December 27, 2007 - 0 comments -

Rejection of California Clean Car Waiver Request Earns Bush Coal, Oil, Natural Gas for Christmas

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Last week, in a move that is sure to...

» December 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

The 2008 California Online Voter Guide by the California Voter Foundation is our site of the day

» December 26, 2007 - 1 comments - Site of the Day

Schrag: Republicans Play the Immigration Card in Presidential Politics

By Peter Schrag Who said this? "Immigration to this country is increasing and is making its greatest relative increase...

» December 26, 2007 - 0 comments - Immigration

California Patients ‘Dumped’ May Now Appeal to Juries Who May Impose “Punitive” Damages to Halt These Practices in the Future

Will Republicans Seek To Reverse This Landmark Consumer Decision? (You Can Bet On It!) By Bill Cavala A veteran of...

» December 26, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

California Delta: Assemblymember Wolk Demands Answers from Federal and State Agencies at Prospect Island Fish Kill Hearing

Jim Crenshaw, President of the California Sportfishing Sportfishing Protection Alliance, gives blistering testimony in the hearing as Dan Bacher,...

» December 26, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

It’s a Wonderful Life, but Mr. Potter is Winning

By Carl Luna San Diego CityBeat (I first laid fingers to keyboard on this piece four years ago when...

» December 25, 2007 - 0 comments -

A Californian to the Candidates: Leave Christmas ALONE

By Mary Lyon Guess what's been roaring through my head since "Campaign Christmas" really got rolling? It would, I...

» December 24, 2007 - 8 comments -

California Health Care Reform Legislation a Framework for Real, Positive Change

By Michael Russo Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) The long-gestating comprehensive health...

» December 23, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Bush in California at Lowest in Job Rating, Iraq, and Handling of Economy

Field Poll Records 67% of Voters Say U.S. is Seriously on Wrong Track By Frank D. Russo President Bush gets...

» December 22, 2007 - 2 comments -

Democratic Holiday Radio Address Touches on Health Care and Budget

In today’s Democratic weekly radio address, Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) explains why all Californians have reason to be thankful...

» December 22, 2007 - 0 comments -

Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez On the Assembly Passed Health Care Reform Bill

By Fabian Nunez Speaker of the California Assembly I first unveiled a health care reform plan one year ago...

» December 21, 2007 - 9 comments - Health Care

Nearly 3-1 Support for Health Care Reform Passed by Assembly in New California Field Poll

Broad Based Support Includes 2-1 Support for Cigarette Tax Hike to Pay for Plan By Frank D. Russo The California...

» December 21, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

California Labor Federation Votes to Support Health Reform Bill With Amendments

By Art PulaskiExecutive Secretary-TreasurerCalifornia Labor Federation As you may know, the California Labor Federation and its affiliates have been...

» December 21, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

“Tough on Crime” Republicans Propose Release of 22,000 Felons….Free To Kill Again?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento First the Governor does a 180 on taxation,...

» December 21, 2007 - 11 comments - Taxes

Cable Micro Targeting Presidential Primary in California and Earlier States

By Sam Rodriguez The battle to win the early primary states in Iowa and New Hampshire is now a...

» December 21, 2007 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Health Care Reform, as Seen from Progressive States Network

By Adam Thompson Policy Specialist Progressive States On Monday, the California Assembly passed a compromise health care reform measure...

» December 21, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

The California Budget Project’s “Quick and Dirty” Summary of the Health Bill Recently Passed by the Assembly is our site of the day

» December 20, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Linking California Air Pollution to Illness and Death--And Those Who Support Changes

By Jenny Oropeza California State Senator We are killing our children by poisoning the air they breathe. At the...

» December 20, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

California Strongly Democratic in Presidential Race—Clinton or Obama Beat Leading Republicans by Landslide Margins Per Field Poll

By Frank D. Russo The California Field Poll released today shows both leading candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama...

» December 20, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

Attorney General Brown and Governor Schwarzenegger to Sue Federal EPA Over Refusal to Allow California to Impose Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits on Vehicles

Waiver Denied to California and 16 Other States on Crucial Global Warming Initiative By Frank D. Russo Today the Bush...

» December 19, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Clinton Can No Longer Count on California Win in Primary as Race Narrows According to Field Poll

Some Very Interesting Numbers Indeed Below the Hood of This Survey By Frank D. Russo The California Field Poll has...

» December 19, 2007 - 4 comments - California Presidential Primary

Perata: Getting the Facts on Healthcare Reform

By Don Perata President pro Tem California State Senate As you know, we’ve been working for months to reform healthcare...

» December 19, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

California is Fighting an "Emergency" With One Hand Tied Behind Our Backs

By Dave Johnson Speak Out California Any discussion of the California budget is interrupted by an "emergency." With California...

» December 19, 2007 - 2 comments - California State Budget

Schrag: Books on California for the Holidays

By Peter Schrag A lot of recent California news has been some combination of tedious and grim, so at...

» December 19, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Must Take Strong Action in Face of Failure of Federal Reserve to Enact Meaningful Reform on Home Foreclosures

By Ted Lieu Chair California State Assembly Banking and Finance Committee The roots of the worst home foreclosure crisis...

» December 18, 2007 - 0 comments - Responsible Lending

The Speaker's and Governor's Healthcare Bill: Part of a Series of Essays by Sheila Kuehl

By State Senator Sheila Kuehl This is my seventh and last essay for 2007. As I write, the Assembly...

» December 18, 2007 - 11 comments - Health Care

‘Capitol Weekly’s “Big Daddy” Revealed to be Ann Landers

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Imagine my shock at seeing the pseudonym “Big Daddy”...

» December 18, 2007 - 1 comments -

Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, 2007 is our site of the day

» December 18, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Legal Efforts to Increase Working Class Voting Rates “Assailed” by an Overly Fastidious Press Corps--and the “Usually Reliable Sources”

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento In 1993 I managed a special election campaign...

» December 18, 2007 - 17 comments - Elections and Voting

Raucus Celebration in Rotunda of Capitol in Sacramento Brings Broad Coalition to Support Health Care Reform

All That is Needed is Senate Passage and the Governor's Signature for the Voters of California to Give Final Approval...

» December 18, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

California Assembly Passes Historic Health Expansion and Reform Proposal

• Agreement between Governor Schwarzenegger and Speaker Nunez passes 46-31 • Proposal would extend health coverage to nearly 4 of...

» December 18, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Health Reform in California is Like Threading a Camel Through the Eye of a Needle

By Frank D. Russo I’m skeptical there will be a California health care deal in 2007 or 2008. But...

» December 17, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Time to Pull the Plug on the Flawed California Health Care Deal

By Donna Gerber Director, Government Relations California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee Comprehensive healthcare reform is a dream that...

» December 17, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

On Filling Sieves With Water: Prop. 92 and the Value of Public Education

By Wu Ming Surf Putah A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across a brilliant metaphor for how the...

» December 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Prop 92- Community Colleges

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson While historically a...

» December 16, 2007 - 1 comments -

Rose Institute’s “Hall Of Shame” is Bogus Effort to Trick the Unknowledgeable Media on Redistricting

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The Rose Institute, whose purpose is to provide...

» December 16, 2007 - 14 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

More Details on Health Care Bill and Amendments California Assembly Will Vote on Tomorrow

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California To add to the article Friday that had our preliminary...

» December 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Should the Government Have Authority to Determine What a Campaign Spends Money On?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The Federal Constitution’s First Amendment prohibits the government...

» December 16, 2007 - 7 comments - Campaign Finance Reform

Fallout from the Subprime Mortgage Mess in California and What We Must Do

In this week’s Democratic weekly radio address, Ted Lieu, Chair of the Assembly Banking Committee, and Assemblymember Kevin de Leon...

» December 15, 2007 - 1 comments - Responsible Lending

Who Supported Workers in the California Legislature in 2007

By Frank D. Russo Think it doesn’t matter which party you vote for in the California State Assembly and...

» December 15, 2007 - 1 comments - Labor

Bay-Delta Ecosystem on Verge of Collapse--Judge Issues Final Order to Protect Delta Smelt

By Dan Bacher In light of the continuing collapse of the Bay-Delta ecosystem, a federal judge's written order this...

» December 15, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

New Amendments to California Health Reform Released

• Governor, Assembly Speaker Continue Negotiations on AB x1 1(Nunez) • Possible Vote Next Week; Deadline Nears for Going to...

» December 14, 2007 - 6 comments - Health Care

Thoughts on the California Budget Mess and Other Issues While Holiday Shopping

By Hannah Beth Jackson With the holidays coming (and going) fast and furiously, there is little time for deep...

» December 14, 2007 - 1 comments -

California Health Care Deal: So Close and Yet So Far

By Frank D. Russo After closed door meetings with Governor Schwarzenegger and a private meeting of the Democratic Assembly...

» December 14, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

California Cannot Afford the Budget Busting and Environmentally Destructive Water Bonds Proposed by the Chamber of Commerce

By Steven L. Evans Conservation Director Friends of the River Yesterday, Friends of the River denounced budget-busting and environmentally...

» December 14, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

A Legal Licking, Nobel Gesture, and a Planet Melting Faster Than Expected: Hot Week for Global Warming

By Gary A. Patton Yesterday, the state of California prevailed in a lawsuit filed by the Auto Industry which...

» December 13, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

"Privatizing in the Dark: The Pitfalls of Privatization & Why Budget Disclosure is Needed" is our site of the day

» December 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Individual Mandates on Health Care: The National Debate and California

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California In the national debate about mandates, many are making mountains out...

» December 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Furutani Victory in California Assembly Race a Big Step in Preserving Majority Support for Marriage Equality in Legislature

By Geoff Kors Warren Furutani, who has promised to co-author a marriage equality bill sponsored by Equality California, received...

» December 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

PPIC Survey: Clinton, Giuliani Ahead in California, Pessimism on Economy and Direction of State, Uptick in Approval of Governor and Legislature, and Term Limits Change Still Ahead

Subprime Mortgage Mess Weighing Heavily on Californians Along With State Budget By Frank D. Russo The Public Policy Institute of...

» December 13, 2007 - 1 comments -

Entire Pro-Blackwater Slate Loses Election in San Diego--Big Win for Grassroots

By Terry Williams Today's big terryfaceplace news is that the election to recall most of the members of the...

» December 13, 2007 - 0 comments -

Every Move of California Legislators Motivated by Term Limits Reform? Where's the Proof?

By Frank D. Russo I was taught in law school to treat with suspicion and closely examine any sentence...

» December 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Term Limits

Right Now, Consumer Attorneys May Be the Best Hope for Californians Stuck in Predatory Loans

By Michele Magar Nearly 500,000 California homeowners will face foreclosure due to predatory mortgage lending in the subprime mortgage...

» December 12, 2007 - 3 comments - Responsible Lending

Democrat Furutani Narrowly Misses Election Outright to California State Assembly--Will Prevail on February 5 Presidential Primary Ballot

By Frank D. Russo In a special election yesterday, Democrat Warren Furutani came tantalizingly close to winning outright the...

» December 12, 2007 - 0 comments -

Schrag: Do California Voters Want a Dysfunctional Government?

By Peter Schrag PPIC, the staid San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California, has been trying to make more...

» December 12, 2007 - 0 comments -

Levee Repair in California Delta Leads to Massive Fish Kill and Criminal Investigation

By Dan Bacher The Prospect Island Fish Kill is turning out to be one of the worst environmental disasters...

» December 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

Enforcing California's Gun Laws: Once Again Jerry Brown Shows Why He Was Elected Attorney General with Strong Law Enforcement Support

By Frank D. Russo Jerry Brown continues to drive the hapless and clueless legislative Republicans nuts in California with...

» December 11, 2007 - 4 comments - Gun control

On the Fight for Human Rights for Our Kids, Why Isn’t California Leading the Nation?

By Maya Harris Executive Director ACLU of Northern California In recognition of International Human Rights Day on December 10,...

» December 11, 2007 - 6 comments -

The Once and Future King of California?

By Bill Walker West Coast Director Environmental Working Group It’s no secret California Attorney General Jerry Brown wants to...

» December 10, 2007 - 2 comments -

Governor Poizner’s Interest in Redistricting Not the Same as Governor Schwarzenegger

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Insurance Commissioner Poizner has adroitly chosen Prop 93...

» December 10, 2007 - 6 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

California’s Presidential Primary Has 53 Separate Congressional District Races for Delegates—You Can Make a Difference

By Frank D. Russo Most political analysis on the Democratic Presidential race focuses on polls, either nationally or in...

» December 10, 2007 - 2 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Progress Report Steps Up Coverage of Presidential Campaign as February Primary is Closer Than You Think

By Frank D. Russo If Labor Day, as tradition has it, marks the beginning of the final days of...

» December 9, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

Schwarzenegger Redistricting Plan Could Cost Democrats Six Assembly Seats and Two in the Senate

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Today’s Contra Costa Times citing unnamed “observers”, fills...

» December 9, 2007 - 1 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Ballot Initiatives, the California Hall of Fame, and News of the Week from the State Capitol

By Hannah Beth Jackson With little of note happening on the water and healthcare negotiations, there has been a...

» December 9, 2007 - 1 comments -

Three Steps to a Better America: What Californians Can Do

By Bill Rumble President Northeast Democratic Club of Los Angeles Imagine the following scenario… On January 20, 2009, President...

» December 9, 2007 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

Mitt Romney is No Jack Kennedy on Religion: Consider the Historical Record

By Carl Luna San Diego CityBeat I didn’t know John Kennedy. John Kennedy was not a friend of mine. I’m...

» December 9, 2007 - 10 comments - California Presidential Primary

Warning Signs That Parts of California Face Danger From Tsunamis

By Jan Adams Happening Here Recently these signs have been turning up along one of my regular running routes...

» December 9, 2007 - 0 comments - Disaster Preparation

Protecting San Francisco Bay From Future Oil Spills

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Loni Hancock , Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, and Assemblymember...

» December 8, 2007 - 1 comments -

Billion in Bonds for Dumb Dams: California Chamber of Commerce Threatens Water Bond Initiative

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League While the State of California faces a multi-billion dollar...

» December 8, 2007 - 3 comments - Water

California Apartment Managers Should Have Duty to Report Child Abuse

By Pat Dazis A Mother In August of 2002 my 12 year old grandson Chris Cejas was murdered in...

» December 7, 2007 - 36 comments - Children and Families

Tribes Must Halt All Efforts to Add Illegal Slots in California

By Cheryl A. Schmit Founder and Director of Stand Up for California You may have read one of the...

» December 7, 2007 - 22 comments -

Protect Our State Budget, Protect Taxpayers, and Protect Vital State Services By Voting Yes On Props 94, 95, 96 And 97

By Ron Cottingham President Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) At a time when the political process seems...

» December 7, 2007 - 8 comments -

A California Initiative Process Turned on Its Head

By Hannah Beth Jackson On a recent trip to Chicago, I had the interesting good fortune of getting into...

» December 7, 2007 - 2 comments - Initiative Reform

Republicans Miss Deadline for June Ballot “Dirty Tricks” Change in Electoral College—But Are Now Planning on November Ballot Itself

By Frank D. Russo In what can only be described as bizarre, the Republican drive to change the Electoral...

» December 6, 2007 - 9 comments - Electoral College

“Ninety Years of Health Insurance Reform Efforts in California” from the California Research Bureau is our site of the day

» December 6, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

“Sound Bite” Politics: “Don’t Let The Politicians Pick The Voters”…

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The premise behind this sound bite is that...

» December 6, 2007 - 1 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Subprime Mortgage Crisis in California and the Nation: Broader Changes Needed from Industry and Policymakers

The last in a series of three articles Testimony of Paul Leonard California Office Director Center for Responsible Lending Bold...

» December 6, 2007 - 3 comments - Responsible Lending

Ballot Box Balancing Act in California Health Care Reform

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Mike Zapler of San Jose Mercury News has a downer...

» December 6, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

California Assembly Banking and Finance Chair: Bush Falls Short on Subprime Mortgage Crisis

By Ted Lieu Chair California State Assembly Banking and Finance Committee The mortgage foreclosure crisis is a rapidly accelerating...

» December 5, 2007 - 8 comments - Responsible Lending

Subprime Mortgage Crisis in California: Wide-Scale, Systematic Loan Modifications Hold Greatest Promise

The second in a series of three articles Testimony of Paul Leonard California Office Director Center for Responsible Lending Loan...

» December 5, 2007 - 1 comments - Responsible Lending

Schrag: Be Wary of Distorted Factoids in “California’s Year of Education That Probably Won’t Be”

By Peter Schrag As California approaches the "year of education" that won't be, what education consultant John Mockler calls...

» December 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

How Non-Citizens Became Eligible for Old Age Pensions in California

By Kenneth C. Burt The overheated national debate over immigration has obscured the fact that U.S. policy fluctuates between...

» December 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Immigration

Why America is Becoming a Second-World Nation and California is in the Crosshairs

Part 4 of a 4 Part Series By Marilyn Dudley-Flores, Ph.D CEO OPS-Alaska Moon Shot: Piercing the Corporate Academic Veil...

» December 5, 2007 - 0 comments -

“Legislative Reform” by the Public Policy Institute of California is our site of the day

» December 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

The Subprime Mortgage Crisis: California at the Epicenter of National Foreclosures

The first in a series of three articles Testimony of Paul Leonard California Office Director Center for Responsible Lending Before...

» December 4, 2007 - 1 comments - Responsible Lending

Report: Human Trafficking in California--Modern Day Slavery--Needs Action by California Government

Assembly Speaker pro Tem Lieber describes report as blueprint for legislation and action By Frank D. Russo The California Alliance...

» December 4, 2007 - 2 comments -

California Republican Legislators Just Don't Care About the Poor and the Rest of Us in Health Care

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blog's California Notes In a town hall meeting to discuss health care, Assemblymember...

» December 4, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Schwarzenegger's Redistricting Proposal Would Give Power to Unqualified People as a Matter of Law

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The people have imposed qualifications on public office...

» December 4, 2007 - 11 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

California Court of Appeals Forbids Schwarzenegger Workers’ Comp Law From Being Used to Discriminate Against Seniors and Women

Court agrees with AARP and civil rights groups Calls for legislation to fix law made By Frank D. Russo Yesterday's...

» December 4, 2007 - 5 comments - Workers' Compensation

Wolk to Hold Hearing Thursday into Delta Fish Kill

Why did California Department of Fish and Game sign off on levee repair at Prospect Island and respond slowly after...

» December 4, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

A Progressive Vision of Human Space Exploration--Important to California, a Leader in Aerospace and High Tech

By Thomas Gangale George W. Bush’s "Vision for Space Exploration" is well into its third year. While a welcome...

» December 4, 2007 - 2 comments -

Why America is Becoming a Second-World Nation and California is in the Crosshairs

Part 3 of a 4 Part Series By Marilyn Dudley-Flores, Ph.D CEO OPS-Alaska The Nature of Innovation and How It...

» December 4, 2007 - 1 comments -

The ‘Idle Hands’ of Journalists Produce the ‘Politicians’ Pay Raise’ Story

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento What do the journalists who cover the Capitol...

» December 3, 2007 - 1 comments -

New National Report on Sentencing Reform Should Be Applied to California Prisons

By Barbara Owen Professor Department of Criminology California State University-Fresno Introduction As California leads the nation in irrational prison...

» December 3, 2007 - 7 comments -

Oregon GOP Takes Dems off Crime List

By Thomas Gangale A few years ago, I remarked to a friend. "Blogs are the graffiti on the underpasses...

» December 3, 2007 - 0 comments -

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Efforts to try...

» December 3, 2007 - 0 comments -

Why America is Becoming a Second-World Nation and California is in the Crosshairs

Part 2 of a 4 Part Series By Marilyn Dudley-Flores, Ph.D CEO OPS-Alaska Sweatshop Universities – America for Dummies President...

» December 3, 2007 - 2 comments -

Why America is Becoming a Second-World Nation and California is in the Crosshairs

Part 1 of a 4 Part Series By Marilyn Dudley-Flores, Ph.D CEO OPS-Alaska In a series of four parts (I-IV),...

» December 2, 2007 - 4 comments -

Pending California Decision May Eliminate Drought Safeguard for Cities: Public Asked to Weigh In

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Next week the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will...

» December 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

California Government Surveillance Cameras Thrive Without Safeguards

By Stella Richardson California cities are moving quickly to install video surveillance cameras on public streets and plazas without...

» December 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Privacy

Assemblymembers Ma and Caballero Urge Parents to Protect Children from Unsafe Toys During Holiday Season

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Fiona Ma and Assemblymember Anna Caballero talk about the importance of toy safety...

» December 1, 2007 - 0 comments -

As Delta Crumbles, California Water Board May Review Whether Exports Are Consistent With Public Trust

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League As you may be aware, the California Bay Delta...

» December 1, 2007 - 2 comments - Water

Voting by Mail and Low Turnout Local Elections in California

By Doug Paul Davis Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Freddie Oakley has a legitimate concern about the low voter turnouts in...

» December 1, 2007 - 2 comments - Elections and Voting

A Sea Change in California on the Sub Prime Mortgage Crisis--Democrats and Governor Schwarzenegger Recognize the Problem and Pledge Action

Special Session Needed as This Affects All Other Issues the State Faces By Frank D. Russo There are a number...

» November 30, 2007 - 11 comments - Responsible Lending

Summary of California Assembly Democratic Legislative Proposals for Subprime Reform & Foreclosure Prevention

[Editor's note: This was handed out at yesterday's press conference by the Democratic leadership in the Assembly. If a special...

» November 30, 2007 - 0 comments - Responsible Lending

Big 4 Gambling Deals – A Bad Deal For Education And For California--“No” on 94, 95, 96 and 97

By Marty Hittelman President California Federation of Teachers Every once in a while voters get a chance to correct...

» November 30, 2007 - 35 comments -

Are California Progressives Blind to the Prison-Industrial Complex?

by Sharon Kyle Over the summer, my husband Dick and I attended one of the first meetings of the...

» November 30, 2007 - 3 comments - Prison Reform

Vote by Mail Has Big Implications for California Presidential Primary According to Field Poll

By Frank D. Russo The February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election could see a majority of those voting doing...

» November 30, 2007 - 0 comments - Elections and Voting

Out of State Interests Launder Big Bucks on California Ballot Props

Supporters of Electoral College Grab, Hidden Agenda Eminent Domain Measure, and Opposition to Term Limits Reform Don't Want You to...

» November 29, 2007 - 4 comments - Initiative Reform

Environmental Watchdog Group Asks Poizner to Reveal Source of $1.5 Million From Out-of-State Interests Opposing California Term Limits Reform Prop 93

[Editor's note: The following letter was sent to Poizner who heads the opposition to Proposition 93 from Susan Smartt, Executive...

» November 29, 2007 - 1 comments - Term Limits

Nestle Wants to Own Your Water: Time for Californians to Act

By Brian Stranko As part of the expansion of its bottled water business worldwide, the Nestle corporation has proposed...

» November 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

California Needs the Chiropractor Consumer Protection Act--Now More Than Ever

By Deborah Snow On October 11, 2007 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Senate Bill SB 801, the Chiropractor Consumer Protection...

» November 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Consumer Rights

California Must Start Now on School Finances if 2008 is to be the "Year of Education"

By John Affeldt, Jim Keddy, Solomon Rivera, and Corina Vasaure Now is the time to develop a roadmap for...

» November 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

California Infrastructure: Schwarzenegger's Privatization Push is a Dangerous Giveaway for California

By Robert Cruickshank The campaign to turn California's public infrastructure over to private profit is gathering steam. Yesterday's LA...

» November 28, 2007 - 2 comments - Privitization

Schrag: Race in California and the United States

By Peter Schrag As Ward Connerly prepares initiatives to abolish race-based affirmative action in five more states, New America...

» November 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Racial Disparities

In California and the Nation: Many in Middle Class Willing But Unable to Obtain Insurance

Two New Reports Document the Problem By Hanh Kim Quach Health Care Policy Coordinator Health Access California An article in...

» November 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

California Conservatives on Budget Balancing: Step One, Cut People

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blog's California Notes "Every business owner in America knows that when faced with...

» November 28, 2007 - 1 comments -

California's Under Funded Infrastructure: Feinstein Urges San Diego to Increase Funding of Fire Services

By Susan Duerksen, MPH Communications Director Center on Policy Initiatives US Senator Dianne Feinstein said in a hearing today...

» November 27, 2007 - 4 comments - Infrastructure

The California Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Hearing on the Legislative Analyst Report is our site of the day

» November 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

The Spoiled Sports in Congress as Viewed by a Californian

By Mary Lyon See how they run - with their ball, straight back home. The separate decisions by Senate...

» November 27, 2007 - 0 comments -

The Latest in a Tradition of Republican Obstruction in California and the Nation

By Joseph A. Palermo Wealthy right-wingers from out of state are flooding California with cash to try to change...

» November 27, 2007 - 13 comments - Electoral College

The California Green Innovation Index is our site of the day

» November 26, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

More Anti Prop 93 Propaganda Disguised As ‘Analysis’ By Dan Walters

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Dan Walters should have been a writer for...

» November 26, 2007 - 9 comments - Term Limits

The Betrayal of Trust for California's Children on Health Care

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Susan Brink at the LA Times has a lengthy overview...

» November 26, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson In keeping with...

» November 26, 2007 - 2 comments -

Did I drink the Kool-Aid?

By Eric C. Bauman Chair Los Angeles County Democratic Party We California Democrats have had quite a roller coaster...

Read More: Did I drink the Kool-Aid?

» November 26, 2007 - 0 comments - California Democratic Party

Lessons from the Cosco Busan Oil Spill

By Mark Leno Member, California State Assembly In the weeks since 58,000 gallons of toxic bunker fuel from the...

» November 25, 2007 - 9 comments -

Bayne on the California Democratic Party Meeting Last Week

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blog's California Notes Rather than write what would essentially be two similar articles,...

» November 25, 2007 - 1 comments - California Democratic Party

The Fear of Losing Control in the California Democratic Party

By Thomas Gangale I have spent several days turning over in my mind the events at the California Democratic...

» November 24, 2007 - 6 comments - California Democratic Party

Second Amendment Case Resolution by Supreme Court Will Be Unwelcome to Extremists on Both Sides of ‘Gun Debate’

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento At the time of the adoption of the...

» November 24, 2007 - 7 comments - Gun control

The California Homeowners Protection Act: Real California Eminent Domain Reform Without Hidden Agendas

A Million Signatures to be Turned in Next Week By Nan Brasmer President California Alliance for Retired Americans Rent control...

» November 23, 2007 - 2 comments -

Governor’s Impotence Revealed As G.O.P. Senators Torpedo Bond Agreement. No Republican Votes For Schwarzenegger-Perata Water Plan.

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The G.O.P. obstructionists have struck again. A tentative...

» November 23, 2007 - 5 comments - Water

Levee Repair in California Delta Results in Massive Fish Kill

By Dan Bacher I just got back from investigating an impending massive fish kill at Prospect Island in the...

» November 23, 2007 - 2 comments - Water

A Thanksgiving Day Message from the California Progress Report

From Frank D. Russo Publisher and Founder The California Progress Report This is a day to spend with family and...

» November 22, 2007 - 0 comments -

Schrag: Damage from Toxic Oil Spill Small Potatoes Next to Day-In, Day-Out Air Pollution from California's Major Ports

Consider When Negotiating Senate Bill 974 (Lowenthal) By Peter Schrag Had the container ship Cosco Busan run into a bridge...

» November 21, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

High Schools for Equity in California: A Progressive Education Agenda

By Susan Sandler Do you feel that enough attention is paid to racial justice in schools? Is education policy...

» November 21, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

Who's the Turkey Now?

By Mary Lyon I knew this would happen. On this week whem most of America sits down to a...

Read More: Who's the Turkey Now?

» November 21, 2007 - 1 comments -

Sonoma County Democratic Party Poopers

By Thomas Gangale If party organizations are "increasingly irrelevant," as the Santa Rosa Press Democrat claimed in its November...

» November 21, 2007 - 1 comments - Media and Communication

The California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice is our site of the day

» November 20, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

California Nuclear Initiative Withdrawn: A Victory for Environmentalists and Setback for Nuclear Revivalists That May Have National Implications

By Frank D. Russo California Republican Assemblymember Chuck Devore and other proponents of a ballot measure to repeal California's...

» November 20, 2007 - 5 comments - Energy

Dan Walter’s “Pop” Analysis Fails As History

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento In his column today, Dan Walters puts on...

» November 20, 2007 - 5 comments -

California Health Care Reform, Let's Hope--As Nation is Slipping Down a Slope

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California The number of small employers offering health coverage to their...

» November 20, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

California Attorney General Brown Sues to Get the Lead Out of Toys

By Frank D. Russo Over the last year our Attorney General Jerry Brown has filed a number of lawsuits...

» November 20, 2007 - 0 comments -

Our California Progressive Coalition

A Reason to Believe By Brad Parker When we were formulating our strategy timeline for the “Progressive Plan” – published...

» November 20, 2007 - 0 comments - California Democratic Party

“Termed Out: Reforming California’s Legislative Term Limits” by the Center for Governmental Studies is our site of the day

» November 19, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Journalistic Coverage of the ‘Term Limits’ Initiative Has Been Pitiful (and Irresponsible)

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The press corps in California deserves condemnation for...

» November 19, 2007 - 3 comments - Term Limits

Individual Health Care Mandates and the Problem of Affordability

By Adam Thompson Policy Specialist Progressive States Is an individual mandate to purchase health care insurance the solution to...

» November 19, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

It's Time to Bring the California National Guard Home

By Loni Hancock Member of the California State Assembly In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and exposed the...

» November 19, 2007 - 7 comments -

The Moral Imperative to Close California's Achievement Gap

By Jack O’Connell California Superintendent of Public Instruction [Editor's note: These are the remarks of California Superintendent of Public Instruction...

» November 19, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

Prediction: Hillary Clinton Will Not Win the California Presidential Primary

By Sara S. Nichols I'll let you in on an important political secret: my mother is the unit California...

» November 19, 2007 - 16 comments - California Presidential Primary

Pre-Kindergarten: A Popular Topic at California Achievement Gap Conference

By Catherine Atkin President Preschool California This week, nearly 4,000 teachers, principals, superintendents, school board members, policy-makers, education advocates...

» November 19, 2007 - 0 comments - Preschool

California Labor Federation Supports Health Care Reform Bill With Changes to be Negotiated

By Art Pulaski Executive Secretary-Treasurer California Labor Federation The California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, is strongly committed to achieving real...

» November 19, 2007 - 6 comments - Health Care

The California Democratic Party and Dianne Feinstein

By Frank D. Russo There are many different stories connected to the attempt yesterday to have the California Democratic...

» November 18, 2007 - 6 comments - California Democratic Party

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Last week we...

» November 18, 2007 - 0 comments -

California's Achievement Gap Needs Solutions Based on the Problem

By Duane Campbell The California Department of Education and Superintendent Jack O’Connell organized a Achievement Gap Summit in Sacramento...

» November 18, 2007 - 10 comments - Education

California Assembly Health Committee Chair Mervyn Dymally Discusses the Democrats’ Comprehensive Health Care Reform Bill

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assembly Health Committee. Committee Chair Mervyn Dymally talks about the new Democratic health...

» November 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Four Referenda Battle Royale Over Largest Slot Machine Expansion in U.S. History Likely--First Tribal Casino Compact Certified for the California February 2008 Ballot

By Frank D. Russo Late Friday, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen certified for the February 5, 2008 Presidential...

» November 17, 2007 - 1 comments -

Lieber to Introduce Legislation to Require Tugboat Escorts for Hazardous Shipments in California's Harbors

By Frank D. Russo California Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Sally Lieber has sent a letter to her colleagues indicating...

» November 17, 2007 - 0 comments -

Hillary Clinton a Good Fit for California's Environmental Concerns

By Tina Andolina In 2006 California’s environmental community worked hard to pass AB 32 – the Global Warming Solutions...

» November 17, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

Landlords' Hidden Agenda Scheme Being Circulated for California June Ballot Under the Guise of Eminent Domain Changes

By Ted Gullicksen San Francisco Tenants Union For more than 30 years, the San Francisco Tenants Union has defended...

» November 16, 2007 - 0 comments -

How Many Students Does It Take To Stop The California Fee Hikes?

By Hilda Morales These days the price of gasoline is about the only thing that rises as fast as...

» November 16, 2007 - 2 comments - Education

Optimism For Obama in California From the Grassroots

By Mitchell Schwartz California State Director Obama for President Campaign Since Barack Obama began his campaign for the presidency in...

» November 16, 2007 - 7 comments - California Presidential Primary

11 Winning Proposals in “There Oughta Be a Law” Contest Have Become California Law

By Joe Simitian California State Senator The local elections throughout our region last week were proof positive to anyone...

» November 16, 2007 - 0 comments -

Lessons California Can Learn from Oil Spills and Other Disasters

By Hannah Beth Jackson Clearly human nature is wont to ignore the obvious until it strikes us in the...

» November 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Disaster Preparation

Why I'm Asking You to Support Proposition 92--The California Community College Initiative on the February 2008 Ballot

By Valerie Novak San Joaquin Delta College student As a working, single mom, attending community college was my only...

» November 16, 2007 - 8 comments - Prop 92- Community Colleges

"Google Government"--New Report Calls for Greater Transparency in the California State Budget

By Emily Rusch Consumer Advocate California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) Especially in light of the difficult year ahead...

» November 15, 2007 - 0 comments - California State Budget

Garamendi Coy in Altadena About Gubernatorial Run in 2010

By Sharon Kyle and Dick Price Speaking before supporters in Altadena this week, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi tiptoed lightly...

» November 15, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Health Reform Bill Advances in Special Session

• Assembly Health Committee passes Democratic leadership’s health measure, ABX1 1 • 60 witnesses testify for over three hours •...

» November 15, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Censure Feinstein? Because She’s Not as Liberal as Governor Angelides or President Kerry?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento I know, I know. If the left doesn’t...

» November 15, 2007 - 14 comments -

Next Year's California Budget Deficit of $10 Billion and the Most Vulnerable in Our State

Major Impact On People With Disabilities, Seniors, Poor By Marty D. Omoto Director/Organizer California Disability Community Action Network The California...

» November 15, 2007 - 7 comments - California State Budget

The Perata-Nunez Health Bill: A Bridge Between Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Legislature

By Elizabeth M. Imholz Special ProjectsDirector Consumers Union Since our founding in 1936, Consumers Union has worked to attain...

» November 15, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

California's Oil Spill Eye Opener

By Mike Young It’s been almost a week since the Cosco Busan began spilling 58,000 gallons of oil into San...

Read More: California's Oil Spill Eye Opener

» November 15, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

The Year of Distraction: How the Environment Fared in California in 2007

Life in the post-election, post-bonds, post-AB 32, post-partisan world By Susan Smartt Executive Director of the California League of Conservation...

» November 14, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

Four Years Into the Arnold Era: Building Monuments in California with Borrowed Money

By Peter Schrag There are eerie echoes here, a strange familiarity. It will be four years Saturday that Arnold...

» November 14, 2007 - 3 comments - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Should the California Democratic Party Censure Dianne Feinstein?

By Terry Williams This coming weekend, the California Democratic Party executive board will be meeting in Anaheim, and among...

» November 14, 2007 - 12 comments - California Democratic Party

The "Insurmountable Opposition" to Democracy in California--Big Money

By Dave Johnson Seeing the Forest Why is it so hard to get things done for the people of...

» November 14, 2007 - 0 comments -

Does California Need a Crisis to Enact Major Public Policy?

By Sara S. Nichols Listening to an extensive series of interviews yesterday on the Forum show on KQED (Northern...

» November 14, 2007 - 0 comments -

A Modest Proposal to Balance California's Budget

By Thomas Gangale California's latest budget crisis is solved! It started with a discussion with one of the co-chairs...

» November 14, 2007 - 0 comments -

CLCV 2007 Environmental Scorecard for Schwarzenegger & Legislature Finds Heroes, Villains and Freshmen Hopefuls

• Schwarzenegger Scores Highest Rating of his Governorship – 63% • Senate Republicans’ average 9% while Senate Democrats averaged 89%...

» November 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Vote Hope Fills Void in Latino Political Media--in Particular in California

By Jenifer Fernandez Ancona Last Spring, America saw the potential power of the Latino community as a political force....

» November 13, 2007 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

New Experiments in Minority Voter Mobilization: A Report on the California Votes Initiative is our site of the day

The James Irvine Foundation has released a 44 page report, "New Experiments in Minority Voter Mobilization: A Report on the...

» November 13, 2007 - 1 comments - Site of the Day

Fighting the Anti-Immigrant Movement in the States

By Nathan Newman Policy Director Progressive States Network This week, the Progressive States Network is launching a new initiative,...

» November 13, 2007 - 6 comments - Immigration

The California Democratic Party and Freeway Connectors

By Babaloo On Highway 99, near Chowchilla, stands a vacant metal building with a canopy that shelters a large...

» November 13, 2007 - 0 comments - California Democratic Party

Feinstein Frees Fresno from Toyota Torture

By Thomas Gangale I have come to love Fresno. Some of my best friends are in Fresno, and they...

» November 13, 2007 - 5 comments -

Perata Blasts Schwarzenegger Administration for Failure of Response on San Francisco Oil Spill

By Frank D. Russo Backed by a phalanx of representatives of organizations who have worked for decades to prod...

» November 12, 2007 - 0 comments -

The 2007 San Francisco Bay Oil Spill: Lessons Learned, Questions, and Policies

By Warner Chabot Vice President Ocean Conservancy Today and this week the San Francisco Bay oil spill has moved...

» November 12, 2007 - 13 comments -

Looking Ahead to Wednesday's Hearing on California Health Care Bills

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Text of Legislation Including the Governor's Authorless Bill Now Available...

» November 12, 2007 - 41 comments - Health Care

Central Valley Democrats Laying Foundation for 2008 California Elections as Part of 58 County Strategy

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blog's California Notes Democrats from across the Central Valley gathered in Fresno on...

» November 12, 2007 - 1 comments -

The California February ’08 Ballot, From the Perspective of Working Families

By Art Pulaski Executive Secretary-Treasurer California Labor Federation Next year will be a complex year for California voters. In...

» November 11, 2007 - 3 comments -

Health Care, Water, and the Rest of the Week in California Public Policy and Politics

By Hannah Beth Jackson Although there isn't much frenzy in Sacramento these days, the Special Session is still technically...

» November 11, 2007 - 1 comments -

New Research: California’s School Readiness Gap and the Promise of Effective Pre-Kindergarten Programs

By Catherine Atkin President Preschool California New research released by the RAND Corporation this week makes the case for...

» November 11, 2007 - 1 comments - Education

Reflections on the Meaning of America and What Californians Want Our Representatives to Stand For in Our Nation's Capitol

By Mary Lyon I think maybe it's time to start asking the following question: What have we come to?...

» November 11, 2007 - 4 comments -

San Francisco Oil Spill Emergency Oversight Hearings Next Week by Assembly Natural Resources Committee

By Frank D. Russo Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-East Bay), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, will convene...

» November 10, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Veterans Deserve Our Thanks

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Mary Salas, Chair of the Assembly Veterans Committee, and Assemblymember Lori Saldaña remind...

» November 10, 2007 - 1 comments -

Civil Rights Organizations Question Legality of Schwarzenegger Administration Proposal to Remove Judges and Restructure the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission

By Frank D. Russo Yesterday, the California Coalition for Civil Rights (CACCR), on behalf of over 50 organizations, sent...

» November 9, 2007 - 1 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Election Night 2007: Progressive Gains but a Mixed Night on Ballot Initiatives Around the Country

Report from The Progressive States Network (PSN) While elections were held on Tuesday only in selected states, it confirmed...

» November 9, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Coastal Commission to Consider Staff Recommendation to Reject Proposed Harmful Ocean Water Desalination Facility

A Poseidon Adventure We Don't Need By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Kermit the Frog famously...

» November 9, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

Instant Runoff Voting a Winner on Election Day 2007

• Vote to approve IRV in Sarasota (FL): 78% • Vote to approve IRV in Aspen (CO): 77% • Vote...

» November 9, 2007 - 4 comments - Elections and Voting

California's Busted State Budget

By Hannah Beth Jackson With the national economy set to go in the toilet (if Wall Street is a...

Read More: California's Busted State Budget

» November 9, 2007 - 8 comments - California State Budget

Immigration Not a Deciding Issue in 2007 Elections-- but Economic Concerns Do Loom Large

By Joel Barkin Executive Director Progressive States Network In 2006, many analysts raised fears that anti-immigrant fervor would doom...

» November 8, 2007 - 11 comments - Immigration

Speaker's Plan a Big Step in the Final Push for California Health Care Reform

By Michael Russo Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) Governor Schwarzenegger called 2007...

» November 8, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Countdown to Election Day: College Students and Young Voters Will Keep California Blue!

By Morgan Lucas Southern California Vice President California College Democrats 4.3 million more voters under the age of thirty...

» November 8, 2007 - 0 comments -

2007 California Open Government Legislative Roundup: Successes and Failures

By Nick Rahaim Executive Assistant California First Amendment Coalition The 2007 legislative session started with a host of promising...

» November 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Open Government

An Intriguing Thought: Mayor Newsom, the Next Governor of California

By Randy Shaw “Gavin Newsom is the most progressive mayor in San Francisco history.” ----Newsom Campaign Chief Eric Jaye,...

» November 7, 2007 - 3 comments -

Schrag: Enlarging the Pool of Those Eligible for Admission to the University of California

By Peter Schrag Any plan to change the undergraduate admissions system at the University of California is likely to...

» November 7, 2007 - 2 comments -

New California Democratic Health Plan Would Significantly Expand Public Programs

• Comparison with Prior Democratic and Governor's Proposal • Would Require Californian to Have Health Insurance, But Conditioned on Affordability...

» November 7, 2007 - 5 comments - Health Care

California State Auditor Confirms Compensation Scandals at CSU

Recent legislation among the reforms needed at the university By Leland Yee, Ph.D. Assistant President pro Tem California State Senate...

» November 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

The Anti-Government Ideology that Left Orange County to be Inadequately Protected from the Southern California Firestorm

By Robert Cruickshank My article, "How Anti-Union, Anti-Tax OC Conservatives Defeated Adequate Fire Protection in 2005," seems to have...

» November 7, 2007 - 1 comments -

Wildfire and Population Growth Are On a Collision Course in the Sierra

[Editor's note: This is an introductory summary from Dangerous Development: Wildfire and Rural Sprawl in the Sierra Nevada, a report...

» November 7, 2007 - 2 comments -

Anonymous Speech is Mostly Digital Graffiti--Freedom of Expression Means Taking Responsibility for What You Write

By Peter Scheer Executive Director California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) A Chinese blogger, defying a government censorship decree, publishes...

» November 7, 2007 - 2 comments - Media and Communication

Today's press conference on the California compromise Democratic health bill is our site of the day

» November 6, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Get a Laugh Out of This Mailer I Got From Republicans Seeking Signatures for Their Electoral College Dirty Tricks!

By Dante Atkins Nom de Net "hekebolos" I opened my mailbox this afternoon to find something truly amazing--and something...

» November 6, 2007 - 8 comments - Electoral College

Claim of California Jobs Moving Out of State Shown by Study to be a Myth

"Hostile Business Climate" and "Job Killer" Frames Don't Match Reality of Economic Data By Frank D. Russo The Public Policy...

» November 6, 2007 - 3 comments -

Anti-Hillary Sentiment Tests Spiritual Principles of This Californian

By Sara S. Nichols In the past few months, I have moved from generally worried that Hillary Clinton will...

» November 6, 2007 - 3 comments - California Presidential Primary

Combating the New Jim Crow in California

By Shanta Driver National Co-Chair BAMN At UCLA, Ward Connerly and Richard Sander have the gall to "commemorate" the...

» November 6, 2007 - 17 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

California Takes First Step Towards Disenrolling Children from Health Coverage Because of Bush Veto of SCHIP

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California In the wake of President Bush's veto of SCHIP and...

» November 6, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Squeeze Play: The California Democratic Health Care Compromise to Be Unveiled Today

By Frank D. Russo At 10 a.m. this morning at a press conference in the Capitol in Sacramento, Fabian...

» November 6, 2007 - 6 comments - Health Care

The New and Free "Capitol Alert" from the Sacramento Bee is our site of the day

» November 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

California's Opportunity to Pass a Compassionate Choice Law on the Tenth Anniversary of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act

By Patty Berg Member of the California State Assembly The San Jose Mercury News marked the 10th anniversary of...

» November 5, 2007 - 2 comments - Death With Dignity

How We Think of the Striking Screenwriters Says a Lot About Us

By Glenn Smith Senior Fellow Rockridge Institutute Well, that didn't take long. No sooner did the writers grab their...

» November 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Media and Communication

California's Civil Rights Commission Caving to Pressure from Schwarzenegger Administration to Defend Itself from Planned Dismantlement

Fair Employment and Housing Commission Cancels Today's Meeting and Drops Planned Request for Attorney General Opinion By Frank D. Russo...

» November 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson This is usually...

» November 4, 2007 - 0 comments -

Big Tobacco Has Big Influence in California: Effective Anti-Smoking Advertising, Research, and Legislation All Blunted by Campaign Contributions and Lawsuits

• Report Criticizes Schwarzenegger and His Predecessors • 95% of Contributions to Parties and Candidates Went to Republicans in Last...

» November 4, 2007 - 3 comments -

California Senator Kuehl Receives Paul and Sheila Wellstone Leadership Award

By Judy Pope On October 18, 2007 a standing room-only crowd of 220 people rose to its feet and applauded...

» November 4, 2007 - 1 comments -

Ocean Water Desalination Promise of Carbon-Offsets Doesn't Hold Water at California State Lands Commission Hearing

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League This past Tuesday, the California State Lands Commission delayed...

» November 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

A Matter of Life or Death: Health Care Reform in California

By Heather Lacayo Secretary California Democratic Council (CDC) When Laurelyn found a lump under her arm, she didn't go...

» November 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

Saving the California Condor So It is Not Just on the Back of the Quarter

In this Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Pedro Nava talks about his legislation, signed into law by the Governor,...

» November 3, 2007 - 0 comments -

Red Flag Warnings for Southern California as Winds Forecasted to Shift and Two Fires Still Burning

Schwarzenegger Proactively Prepositions Staff and State Resources to Areas of High Fire Risk By Frank D. Russo Two fires are...

» November 2, 2007 - 0 comments -

Imminent Eminent Domain Rip-Off Threatens California's Environment

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Last year, Californians successfully fought off a statewide ballot...

» November 2, 2007 - 4 comments -

Is California Headed in the Right Direction? How the Media is Interpreting Today's Field Poll and How the Numbers Stack Up

By Frank D. Russo The California Field Poll released its latest data on whether California registered voters feel the...

» November 2, 2007 - 0 comments -

Physicians and Californians Support Aid in Dying, but the California Medical Association Doesn’t

CMA ignores evidence, experts, and physicians’ views By Richard Ikeda, M.D. When cure is no longer possible, the majority of...

» November 2, 2007 - 2 comments - Death With Dignity

Poizner Aide Secretly Helped Insurers in Lawsuit Against Commissioner, Should Be Fired

By Doug Heller Executive Director Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights A former insurance industry lawyer, whose appointment as...

» November 2, 2007 - 0 comments -

Republicans Violate the Law to Qualify Electoral Vote Scam--Break the Rules in Effort to Change the Rules?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento It’s a race against time and money as...

» November 1, 2007 - 1 comments -

Californians See College as Essential to Succeed in Workplace and Affordability as Main Issue in PPIC Survey

Clear Message That Changes Needed and Disapproval of Both Governor and Legislature in Handling This Issue By Frank D. Russo...

» November 1, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

Legislators and Stakeholders Grill Schwarzenegger Health Plan on Affordability and Financing in California Assembly Health Committee Hearing

• Assembly Speaker announces intent to vote on a new health care bill by Nov. 26 • Despite questions, many...

» November 1, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Halloween Theme Overplayed in Politics This Year

By Sara S. Nichols Is it just me or did all involved overplay the Halloween theme this year in...

» November 1, 2007 - 0 comments -

Californians' Attitudes on Hillary Clinton as President--Big News is Strong Independent Support--And That Bill Clinton is a Big Asset

By Frank D. Russo The Field Poll released an interesting set of numbers this morning showing that California registered...

» November 1, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Assemblymember Kevin De Leon Reflects on His First Year in Office

By Sharon Kyle and Dick Price As a first-time elected official, Assemblymember Kevin de Leon stepped into a big...

» November 1, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Statewide Poll Results--Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Electoral Power Grab Initiative

By Ben Tulchin Vice President Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research California voters overwhelmingly oppose the Republicans’ partisan effort to change...

» October 31, 2007 - 7 comments - Electoral College

Extremism In The Maintenance Of Power Is No Vice…

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Want to Vote? In Georgia, a law was...

» October 31, 2007 - 13 comments -

Today's Field Poll on California Term Limits and Tribal Casino Propositions: Is the Glass Half Empty or Full?

By Frank D. Russo The California Field Poll released results this morning on how likely voters in the February...

» October 31, 2007 - 1 comments -

When “Brownie” Meets “Jeffie”-- FEMA's Gaffe on the California Fires

By Mary Lyon As a retired journalist, let me just say – I’ve gotta hand it to these people....

» October 31, 2007 - 2 comments -

Schrag: Brace Yourself for Schwarzenegger's Ballyhooed "Year of Education" on the Horizon

By Peter Schrag Brace yourself: California is about to get another "year of education." It will almost inevitably come...

» October 31, 2007 - 0 comments - Education

Why the Consumer Federation of California Opposes Governor Schwarzenegger's Health Care Proposal

By Richard Holober Executive Director Consumer Federation of California The Consumer Federation of California regrets that we must oppose...

» October 31, 2007 - 8 comments - Health Care

California Delta Water Pumps Threaten Another Fish

By Dan Bacher The massive federal pumps that export water from the California Delta to agribusiness on the west...

» October 31, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Preschool and Fighting Crime in California

Catherine Hazelton with Professor David Kirp By Catherine Hazelton Associate Director Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California Preschool came...

» October 31, 2007 - 3 comments -

“FlashReport” Silent on Reported Indictment of Orange County G.O.P. Sheriff on Corruption Charges

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Sheriff Corona of Orange County faces federal corruption...

» October 30, 2007 - 10 comments -

As the Smoke Clears in San Diego: Republicans Complain About Imagined Complainers

By Lucas O'Connor As the smoke begins to clear in San Diego, the stories and reactions to the fire...

» October 30, 2007 - 0 comments -

Field Poll: Schwarzenegger Popular with California Voters, Including Democrats

• But Race for Senate in 2010 Against Boxer Would Be Too Close to Call • Californians Wouldn't Support Him...

» October 30, 2007 - 3 comments -

Son of Prop 90: A Wolf if There Ever Was One in Sheep's Clothing

By Vivian Kahn The folks who brought us Prop. 13 are at it again. Having made a mess of...

» October 30, 2007 - 4 comments -

The Differences Between ArnoldCare and the Presidential Candidates...

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California In defending the Governor’s proposal from criticism by consumer, labor,...

» October 30, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Rebuilding After the Southern California Wildfires: What Consumers Should Look Out For on Insurance

By Carmen Balber Consumer Advocate Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights As consumer advocates, the Foundation for Taxpayer and...

» October 30, 2007 - 4 comments -

Emergency Services Information: 2007 Southern California Wildfires is our site of the day

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

The Republican California Electoral Vote Scam – Method in Their Madness

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Jim Costa, then an Assemblyman and now Congressman...

» October 29, 2007 - 12 comments - Electoral College

A Call for California Legislation with Teeth to Protect Local Areas from Predatory Lending

Coalition Takes on Predatory Lenders and Oakland’s Foreclosure Crisis City Has Strong Laws, But State Needs to Step Up to...

» October 29, 2007 - 4 comments - Responsible Lending

Baseball and Global Warming

By Thomas Gangale With the long, long baseball season finally over, I now reflect on a visit to Washington,...

Read More: Baseball and Global Warming

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments -

Californians Can Learn from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Health Care

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California So I have a love/hate relationship with Massachusetts. I am...

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Farm Bill Bulletin – Time for Californians to Call Our U.S. Senators

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League If properly drafted, the federal Farm Bill could be...

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments -

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Last week we...

» October 28, 2007 - 0 comments -

Disturbing Reports That San Diego Sheriff is Using the Fire to Enforce Immigration Laws

By Brian Leubitz Founder and Publisher Calitics It would be odd, as that's you know, against the law. However,...

» October 28, 2007 - 21 comments - Immigration

How Democrat Phil Burton Saved the California Republican Party

By Bill Bagley [Editor's note: Bill Bagley was a liberal or at least moderate Republican Assemblymember in the 1960's...

» October 28, 2007 - 2 comments -

California Comeback Kids Fail to Come Back: Dismal Salmon Run on Yuba River

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League In their initial fish counts this season, the California...

» October 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Field Poll Shows Californians Disapprove of Congress--But a Look Under the Hood Shows Partisan Divide and Republicans Are Biggest Losers

Failure to End Iraq War is Probable Cause Pelosi, Feinstein, and Boxer Dip By Frank D. Russo The California Field...

» October 28, 2007 - 3 comments -

Victims, Heroes and Help: California Wildfires

In this Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) say their...

» October 27, 2007 - 2 comments -

Schwarzenegger Administration Proposes to Give Away State Water Resources

California Water Plan Amendments Released By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Despite the recent crisis in...

» October 27, 2007 - 2 comments - Water

California Fire Watch Update (October 26, 2007 5:00 PM) With Updated Contact Information

From the Office of Assemblymember Pedro Nava Chair Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security The following is...

» October 26, 2007 - 0 comments -

Calitics on the California Fires is our site of the day

Calitics, maintained by Brian Leubitz and Jeremy Woodburn, is a community blog site that focuses on California public policy issues...

» October 26, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

SCHIP and the Rigged Health Insurance Game

By Eric Haas Senior Fellow The Rockridge Institute The House on Thursday passed a modified version of the SCHIP...

» October 26, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

The Earth is Flat! Evolutionary Theory Contradicts the Bible’s Teaching. Man-Made Global Warming is Bunk?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento In the 1920’s, a Tennessee law that forbade...

» October 26, 2007 - 2 comments -

Clinton in California: Catch Her if You Can

Field Poll Results Show Strong Clinton Lead--Great News for Democrats in California in November--Hypothetical Gore Would Trail by 13% By...

» October 26, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

Join the California Wildfire Relief Effort

By Thomas Bates Executive Director and a co-Founder Democrats Work The wildfires in San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, and...

» October 26, 2007 - 0 comments -

On California Firestorms Ask: How Green is My Insurance Commissioner?

By Sara S. Nichols Although the job of (statewide elected California) Insurance Commissioner is not often associated with environmental...

» October 26, 2007 - 2 comments -

California Member of Congress Jerry McNerney: "Low Income Children in California and Our Nation Deserve Health Coverage"

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blog's California Notes Congress voted once again today to reauthorize the State Children...

» October 26, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

California Fire Watch Update (Late October 25, 2007) With Contact Information

From the Office of Assemblymember Pedro Nava Chair Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security October 25, 2007,...

» October 26, 2007 - 4 comments -

Yeah, But Democrats Stole the Election For Kennedy 47 Years Ago (So Anything Done by the G.O.P. is OK)

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento It’s urban legend. The father of Chicago’s current...

» October 25, 2007 - 13 comments -

Could Global Warming Melt the Insurance Glaciers in California?

By Sara S. Nichols Earlier this year, I had a snarky exchange with Pete at the annual Labor Day...

» October 25, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Healthy Families Program Considers Emergency Regulations in Light of SCHIP Veto by Bush and Override Failure

• Federal dollars for SCHIP will run out Nov 16 without Congressional action • Board will reconsider emergency regulations on...

» October 25, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

New California Field Poll: Giuliani Slipping With Republican Primary Voters Amidst Evidence that Democrats Are More Satifsifed with Their Candidates

By Frank D. Russo In the California Field Poll released today, leading Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani has dropped 10...

» October 25, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

As President Bush is About to Visit California, New Field Poll Shows only 27% Approval in State

Other numbers are even worse By Frank D. Russo The California Field Poll released the results this morning of a...

» October 24, 2007 - 11 comments -

New Redistricting Initiative Designed to Fail – Courts Would Redraw Districts for 2012

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Common Cause and AARP (??) have joined hands...

» October 24, 2007 - 6 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Denham Recall "Alive and Well" and Getting Signatures from Republicans!

By Randy Bayne The Bayne of Blogs California Notes Hank Shaw, reporter for the Stockton Record, in his blog...

» October 24, 2007 - 1 comments -

Schrag: Federal DREAM Act Up for Vote Today--Why Isn't Schwarzenegger Demanding Its Passage?

By Peter Schrag A bipartisan group in Congress has been struggling for years to pass the federal Dream Act,...

» October 24, 2007 - 26 comments - Immigration

Things We Saved in the Fire

By Mary Lyon As I write this, a press release for the new Halle Berry drama “Things We Lost...

Read More: Things We Saved in the Fire

» October 24, 2007 - 4 comments -

Schwarzenegger Regulations Won’t Stop Insurers' Illegal Cancellations of Health Policies and Will Compound Problems with His Mandatory Health Insurance Plan

By Jerry Flanagan The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) Proposed regulations released today by the Schwarzenegger Administration...

» October 24, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Draft Voter Guide for February Presidential Primary is Available for Public Inspection

Preview of Coming Attractions: Especially Pro and Con Arguments and Other Info on Ballot Props From the Office of Debra...

» October 24, 2007 - 2 comments - Elections and Voting

California Fire Watch Update

From the Office of Assemblymember Pedro Nava Chair Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security October 23, 2007,...

Read More: California Fire Watch Update

» October 23, 2007 - 2 comments -

"Migration, Health & Work-- Facts Behind the Myths" is our site of the day

» October 23, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

The Story Behind the Revival of the California Electoral College Scheme and the Dots That Connect to the Giuliani Campaign

Can You Believe "It's Back?" By Frank D. Russo In a scene reminiscent of a grade B horror movie, a...

» October 23, 2007 - 18 comments -

Feinstein Asked by Civil Rights Community to Oppose Southwick Confirmation to US Court of Appeals

By Doug Lakey On Tuesday October 9th, a group of more than 30 Californians gathered outside of Senator Dianne...

» October 23, 2007 - 1 comments -

"Would the Governor’s Proposed Tax Credit Make Health Care Affordable?" is our site of the day

» October 22, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Major Reforms Set to Hit California's Higher Education Systems

Higher Education Governance Accountability Act Signed Into Law By Leland Yee, Ph.D. Assistant President pro Tem California State Senate A...

» October 22, 2007 - 2 comments - Education

California Legislative Roundup: Legislature's Gains Muted by Governor Schwarzenegger's Veto Pen

By Adam Thompson Policy Specialist Progressive States The breadth of issues addressed by the California Legislature was impressive as...

» October 22, 2007 - 1 comments -

The Very Partisan Pattern to Schwarzenegger Vetoes in 2007

Democratic Authored Bills Vetoed Over 30% of Time Republican Bill Veto Rate Under 6% By Frank D. Russo For all...

» October 22, 2007 - 2 comments -

Differences Between the Parties in Sacramento Revealed in Consumer Federation of California 2007 Scorecard for Legislators

By Richard Holober Executive Director Consumer Federation of California The Consumer Federation of California released today its 2007 Scorecard...

» October 22, 2007 - 0 comments - Consumer Rights

Big Steps Forward on California Identity Theft Laws This Year--But Challenges Remain for Protecting Financial Data

My Social Security Number was Where? By Assemblymember Dave Jones Early this year my staff logged onto the Secretary of...

» October 21, 2007 - 3 comments - Privacy

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Now that the...

» October 21, 2007 - 1 comments -

Gerrymanders Cause Corruption – Unless Done by the G.O.P.

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The hypocritical editors of the San Diego Union-Tribune...

» October 21, 2007 - 3 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Campaign Contributions and Healthcare Legislation in California: What the Data Shows

By Dan Newman Healthcare is a critical issue to ordinary Californians, but it seems that voters have little say...

» October 20, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Why is the Governor Hiding the Cost of his Plan from California Families?

By Emily Clayton Over the last 48 hours, everyday Californians and community leaders joined together in front of the...

» October 19, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Recent California Registration Trends: Good News for Democrats, Bad News for G.O.P. in Districts Drawn by the Legislature

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Commentators have made much of the decline in...

» October 19, 2007 - 11 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

New California Figures Show Increase in Voters Registered Without a Party

Biggest Drop in Republican Figures, But Democrats and Minor Parties Also Lower By Frank D. Russo California Secretary of State...

» October 19, 2007 - 2 comments - Politics

How to Revive California Redistricting Reform

By Steven Hill Director, Political Reform Program New America Foundation In the movie Groundhog's Day, the Bill Murray character,...

» October 19, 2007 - 5 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Portantino Reflects on His First Year in the California Assembly

By Sharon Kyle and Dick Price In May 2006, our local club, the Northeast Democratic Club, endorsed Anthony Portantino...

» October 19, 2007 - 0 comments -

Planning and Conservation League 2007 California Legislative Wrap-up

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League This past Sunday was the deadline for Governor Schwarzenegger...

» October 19, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

A Day in the Life: Riverside Electrician Can't Get Medical Care Three Years After His Injury on Job--Asks California Insurance Commissioner to Investigate

Denial of Needed Care Leaving Family Destitute--Unfortunately is Typical By Frank D. Russo Greg Parr was injured over three years...

» October 18, 2007 - 9 comments - Workers' Compensation

"Shared Responsibility?" Doesn't Seem Like it From New California Labor Federation Report on Schwarzenegger Health Care Plan That Analyzes the Numbers

Governor’s Plan Likely to Cost the Average Middle Class Family Between $8,100 and $13,000 a Year By Frank D. Russo...

» October 18, 2007 - 7 comments - Health Care

Local Level Work in California is the Best Way to Have National Level Impact

By four waters Chair Take Back Red California We tend to have a resentful, but acquiescent relationship with our...

» October 18, 2007 - 0 comments -

A Missed Opportunity to Lead on Immigration and Education: The Veto of the California Dream Act

By Fabiola Inzunza As a witness to the diverse struggles, achievements, and potential of undocumented students, and as a...

» October 18, 2007 - 71 comments - Immigration

California Police Get an Important New Crime-fighting Tool

By Griffin Dix, Ph.D. Thanks to California’s 18 Brady/Million Mom March Chapters, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, California...

» October 18, 2007 - 33 comments - Gun control

Don’t Think of a Sick Child: Bush and SCHIP

By Eric Haas Senior Fellow The Rockridge Institute George Bush doesn't want you to think about sick children. He...

» October 18, 2007 - 13 comments - Health Care

Perata to Schwarzenegger: You've Failed Twice This Week on California's Water Crisis

By Frank D. Russo Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) sent a sharply worded letter to Governor Schwarrzenegger...

» October 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Tired, Old Pro-Gun Messages in Use Since Wyatt Earp’s Ban on Open Carrying In Tombstone…

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Recently I wrote to the effect that the...

» October 17, 2007 - 28 comments - Gun control

Schwarzenegger's Veto of the College Textbook Affordability Act: Where Do We Go From Here?

By Emily Rusch Consumer Advocate California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) We are deeply disappointed with Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto...

» October 17, 2007 - 2 comments - Consumer Rights

The California Nurses Association v. Nunez

By Sara S. Nichols If it wasn't clear before, the gloves are officially off in the relationship between California...

» October 17, 2007 - 6 comments - Health Care

"Making Ends Meet: How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Family in California?" a report by the California Budget Project, is our site of the day

» October 17, 2007 - 1 comments - Site of the Day

The "Job Killer" Frame Used by Schwarzenegger and the Chamber of Commerce

By Hannah Beth Jackson During my tenure in the California legislature, I found it somewhat humorous that every bill...

» October 17, 2007 - 1 comments -

Focus on the Policy Questions of California's Healthcare Proposals--Not the Political Spin

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California The recent spate of news stories about health reform have...

» October 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Schrag: Baseball and Immigration

By Peter Schrag There can't be many baseball fans who are still surprised by lineups of big leaguers whose...

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» October 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Immigration

California's Best Response to Al Gore's Nobel Prize: Assembly Bill 493, the Clean Car Rebate Bill

By Rosemary Shahan Board Member Speak Out California Amid all the well-deserved homage being paid to Nobel prize winner...

» October 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Delta Flows: Schwarzenegger Pushes Dangerous Amendments to Perata's Water Bond Proposal

By Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Campaign Director Restore the Delta Restore the Delta staff has been monitoring how the two special...

» October 17, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

"Mining Law Threatens California's National Parks; Other Areas at Risk" by the Environmental Working Group is our site of the day

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Site of the Day

Gore's Not the Only One Who Won

By Mary Lyon Pardon my cackling. I'm savoring my win. The man from whom the highest American honor imaginable...

Read More: Gore's Not the Only One Who Won

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments -

A Great Victory in the Battle for Clean Air in the Central Valley

By Michael J. Machado California State Senate On October 14, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill...

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

Making California’s State Fleet of Cars the Greenest in the World: Why I'm Glad Governor Schwarzenegger Signed AB 236

By Ted Lieu Member California State Assembly Like most environmentalists, I’m very proud of the leadership role that California...

» October 16, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

College Students See Veto of California Dream Act as Contrary to American Values of Hard Work, Achievement, and Reward.

Vow to continue efforts for access and affordability of higher education in California, including Dream Act in 2008 By Oiyan...

» October 16, 2007 - 19 comments - Immigration

Health Bills: Schwarzenegger Signs Insurance Rescission, Drug Labeling, LA County Hospital Funding--Vetoes Mental Health Parity, Working Disabled Coverage, Patient Dumping

ALERT: U.S. Congress, Child Health Insurance Veto Override Vote This Week By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California...

» October 16, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Californians Against Waste 2007 Legislation Wrap-Up

By Mark Murray Executive Director Californians Against Waste The 2007 legislative session is officially behind us, with mixed results....

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

How the Environment Fared: California 2007 Session, Signings, and Vetoes

Some Progress, But on Many Key Issues It’s “Wait ‘til Next Year” By Bill Magavern Senior Representative Sierra Club California...

» October 15, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

California Poll Shows Support for Clinton, Giuliani, Prop 93 (Term Limits), Legal Residency for Undocumented Immigrants, and Even a 1 Cent Sales Tax for Health Coverage

By Frank D. Russo The San Jose State Survey and Policy Research Center (SPRI) released today the second part...

» October 15, 2007 - 3 comments -

Much at Stake in California's Redistricting System

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento As the 1980’s began, Democrats controlled both houses...

» October 15, 2007 - 8 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Absentee Voting Killed in California

By Steven J. Ybarra, JD Good morning. As of October 11, "absentee voting" is no more. From now on...

» October 15, 2007 - 8 comments - Elections and Voting

Digging Through the Pile That Has Left Schwarzenegger's Desk: Bills Signed--And the 22% He Vetoed This Year

By Frank D. Russo By the time he put his pen down less than two hours before the midnight...

» October 15, 2007 - 1 comments -

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Pro-Family Bills as Corporate Interests Trump Family Values

By Julius Young The blizzard of vetoes issued by Governor Schwarzenegger this past weekend highlight the fact this is...

» October 15, 2007 - 0 comments - Children and Families

Bad Weekend for Migrant Farm Workers in California as Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bills

By Frank D. Russo Migrant farm workers--either seeking to join a union or working the fields through a labor...

» October 15, 2007 - 1 comments - Labor

Rubber Ducks in a Row as Schwarzenegger Signs Ma Bill to Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals in Toys

By Frank D. Russo This is a story of David defeating Goliath. A feel good moment in the midst...

» October 14, 2007 - 0 comments - Toxic Chemicals

Ham–Handed Pro-Gun Republicans Induce Anti-Gun Response From Governor Schwarzenegger

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Some 34 G.O.P. lawmakers (out of 46) signed...

» October 14, 2007 - 12 comments - Gun control

Flurry of 78 Schwarzenegger Vetoes in Last Two Days: Major Legislation Vetoed Includes Health Care Reform, California Dream Act, Gender Neutral Marriage, Wage Discrimination, Workers' Compensation, ID Theft, and Public Records

By Frank D. Russo Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed Friday and Saturday than he had for the entire rest of...

» October 14, 2007 - 8 comments -

Leno to Schwarzenegger on Veto of Marriage Equality Bill: "You're on the Wrong Side of History"

By Frank D. Russo Assemblyman Mark Leno, the author of AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection...

» October 14, 2007 - 8 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Against The Ropes, California Nuclear Power Proponents Put Up Their Nukes In New Fights

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League It's proving to be a bumpy year for opponents...

» October 14, 2007 - 9 comments - Energy

California Solar Water Heating Bill Signed into Law--Big Win for Fighting Global Warming, Reducing Dependence on Natural Gas, and Consumers

Bernadette Del Chiaro of Environment Californiawith Assemblymember Jared Huffman, and Don Miller of Conergy, a local installer and manufacturer...

» October 13, 2007 - 8 comments - Energy

Democratic State Senator Delivers Schwarzenegger's Radio Address on Flood Package on Governor's Nickel

• Evidence of Post Partisanship Between Governor and Legislative Democrats • But Reflects That Not a Single Republican Legislator Voted...

» October 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

Fact Check of Governor Schwarzenegger's Veto Statement on Health Care Bill

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Yesterday, the governor posted his veto message for AB 8,...

» October 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

An Expected but Disappointing Veto by Governor Schwarzenegger of the Democratic Health Care Bill

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California It's not often that any Governor has a chance to...

» October 13, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Expanding Opportunities for English Learners in California

In this morning's Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Jose Solorio talks about the critical importance of learning English in...

» October 13, 2007 - 0 comments -

New Hampshire's Peculiar Institution

By Thomas Gangale Two centuries ago, when southern statesmen wanted to defend the indefensible and mention the unmentionable, they...

» October 13, 2007 - 10 comments - Elections and Voting

Websites to find out which bills have been signed or vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger are our sites of the day

» October 12, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

There's a Buzz in the California Air About Al Gore

Thunderous applause and standing ovation at Barbara Boxer fundraiser--Before the Nobel Prize Petitions on the street to place him on...

» October 12, 2007 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

A Case from Oakland Demonstrates Why Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign Bill Requiring Recording of Police Interrogations

By Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger currently has a bill before him, Senate Bill 511 by Senator Elaine...

» October 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Criminal Justice

California Becomes First State to Prohibit Landlords From Asking About Tenants' Immigration Status

By Frank D. Russo Governor Schwarzenegger has just signed into law AB 976 by Assemblymember Charles Calderon that will...

» October 12, 2007 - 8 comments - Immigration

Lack of Action to Combat Marine Pollution Undermines Schwarzenegger’s Ocean Protection Effort

By Bryan Early Policy Associate Californians Against Waste Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week took several important steps to help...

» October 12, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger's Legislative Language on Health Care

• Essentially the January Proposal: Individual Mandate, Public Program Expansion • Some Changes Include: Tax Credit Intent; Revenues from Leasing...

» October 12, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Governor Schwarzenegger's Health Insurance Plan 2.0 From the Standpoint of a Negotiator

By Randy Bayne THE BAYNE OF BLOG'S CALIFORNIA NOTES One of the things I've learned through the years as...

» October 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Durst: Bush's Veto of SCHIP--Healthcare for Children--Like Throwing Shoes at States' Fontanelle

By Will Durst Oooh. He’s clever. And obviously knows exactly what he’s doing. This is all a set up,...

» October 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

The Senate Loses its Cool: The Undemocratic Ways States Fill Senate Vacancies

By Rob Richie Executive Director Fair Vote Facts in the Spotlight • Number of U.S. Senators appointed without election...

» October 12, 2007 - 1 comments - Elections and Voting

Bill Signings: A Flood of Cheers for Better Flood Protection in California

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Did you hear whoops of joy yesterday while walking...

» October 11, 2007 - 3 comments - Flood Control

Parolee ID Bill Should be Signed by Governor Schwarzenegger

Will Reduce Recidivism and Save Californians and Taxpayers Money By Loni Hancock Member of the California State Assembly Just think...

» October 11, 2007 - 9 comments - Prison Reform

Critical Toxic, Waste Prevention, and Recycling Bills on Schwarzenegger's Desk

By Mark Murray Executive Director Californians Against Waste Five priority bills passed by both houses of the legislature are...

» October 11, 2007 - 3 comments - Environment

Small Business for Affordable Healthcare is our site of the day

» October 11, 2007 - 2 comments - Site of the Day

Historic Package of California Flood Bills Becomes Law

Kudos to Schwarzenegger for Signing All Flood Bills and to Five Persistent Legislators Governor Schwarzenegger signing bills as Senator Machado...

» October 11, 2007 - 1 comments - Flood Control

Late Yesterday Another Dam Proposal Surfaced: Schwarzenegger Continues Push For Dams After Prior Package Defeated

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League This week the Senate rejected SB 3XX (Cogdill), the...

» October 11, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

University of California Students Active in Urging Schwarzenegger to Sign California Dream Act

By Aprille Espinueva Students are eagerly awaiting the next step in making a dream a reality. The California Dream...

» October 11, 2007 - 4 comments - Education

Fiscal Savings and Medical Release Bill Presents Schwarzenegger With Rare Opportunity

By Beatrice Smith-Dyer As Governor Schwarzenegger sifts through the bills before him the next few hours and days, he will...

» October 11, 2007 - 5 comments - Prison Reform

Protecting Our Children from Toxic Toys: Why Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign AB 1108 and Why There Was a 25 Foot High Rubber Duck in San Francisco

By Sarah Janssen, PhD, MD, MPH and Cynthia Li MD As expectant mothers, we have a lot on our...

» October 10, 2007 - 1 comments - Toxic Chemicals

Sexually Transmitted Infections Among California Youth: Estimated Incidence and Direct Medical Cost is our site of the day

» October 10, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Schwarzenegger Did a Bit of His Own Kabuki on Health Care Yesterday

By Frank D. Russo I'm glad I wasn't the only person who thought it was a bit strange to...

» October 10, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Schrag: California's Infrastructure and Growing Multibillion-Dollar Debt Must Be Repaid by Somebody

Meet the Debtors: It is Us By Peter Schrag Even if you ride blindfolded from Reno on westbound Interstate 80,...

» October 10, 2007 - 2 comments - Infrastructure

Why California Needs the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorized, Not Downsized

By Mike Thompson Member of Congress First District of California Occasionally, an issue comes before Congress that is so...

» October 10, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

Saving the Endangered Working and Middle-Class in California's Cities: Lessons to be Learned from What is Happening in San Francisco

First in a Two-Part Series By Randy Shaw Since gentrification hit San Francisco in the late 1970’s, progressives have raised...

» October 10, 2007 - 0 comments - Housing

“Battle of the Water Bonds” Ensues After Perata Bill Fails to Pass Senate in Special Session

By Dan Bacher The State Senate today (October 9) defeated legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland)...

» October 9, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Drama This Afternoon in the California Capitol--Senate to Vote on Water Bond; Governor Schwarzenegger to Speak on Health Care Special Session at Press Conference

By Frank D. Russo The California Senate Appropriations Committee late this morning passed a $6.8 billion water bond, Senate...

» October 9, 2007 - 2 comments - Water

Perata Makes His Case That the Time is Now to Get California's Water Plans Set From a Policy and Political Perspective

By Frank D. Russo Don Perata, the President pro Tem of the California State Senate, articulated at a packed...

» October 9, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

Are politicians really idiots?

By Thomas Gangale Mark Twain once said, "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of...

Read More: Are politicians really idiots?

» October 9, 2007 - 1 comments -

What's in Perata's Bill--"The Safe Drinking Water Act of 2008"--A $6.8 Billion Bond That Will Probably Be on the California Ballot in 2008 One Way or Another?

Roger Patterson of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California shares a light moment with Senate President pro Tem...

» October 9, 2007 - 3 comments - Water

HAPPY “COLUMBUS DAY”? (From Cavala and Russo)

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento [Editor's note: This Italian-American took a busman's holiday...

» October 8, 2007 - 3 comments -

"How Does California Compare? Funding California’s Public Schools" is our site of the day

» October 8, 2007 - 1 comments - Site of the Day

All Eyes Today Should Be on California Water Hearings

By Frank D. Russo The California Special Session on Water will see its first State Senate hearing today at...

» October 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Transparency in Local Government Bill Passed Overwhelmingly by Legislature

Candidate for a Veto Override? By Frank D. Russo In what she described as a blow to transparency in government,...

» October 7, 2007 - 2 comments - Open Government

While California Dreams: A weekly update on the goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Jackie Goldberg Teacher Former Member of...

» October 7, 2007 - 4 comments -

Governor Schwarzenegger Has Over 550 Bills to Sign or Veto in One Week

By Frank D. Russo By my count, the Governor had approximately 660 bills on his desk when the legislature...

» October 7, 2007 - 0 comments -

Californians Will Have 51 Presidential Candidates to Choose from in February 2008 Primary--As It Stands Now

More than double the number in 2004 By Frank D. Russo On Friday, Secretary of State Debra Bowen released the...

» October 7, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

California Must Continue to Lead the World, This Time It’s Water

By Daniel M. Curtin Director, California Conference of Carpenters Californians can be rightfully proud that strong actions taken by...

» October 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Do California Taxes 'Hurt'? Is California Government "Bad"?

By Dave Johnson Seeing the Forest As I read my Monday morning (Oct. 1, 2007) San Jose Mercury News...

» October 6, 2007 - 2 comments -

"Financing Water Projects" by the California Legislative Analyst's Office is our site of the day

» October 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Economics and the Complexity of the Science of Water May Be High Hurdles in the California Water Special Session

Phil Isenberg, Chair of the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force making a point to the Assembly Special Committee...

» October 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Fish Groups and Indian Tribes Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Bill to Empower California Department of Fish and Game on Dredge Gold Mining

By Dan Bacher A coalition of Indian Tribes, recreational fishing groups and conservationists is urging Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to...

» October 5, 2007 - 8 comments - Water

My California Family Leave Law on Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk

By Assemblymember Sandré Swanson Successful public policy should support building and maintaining strong families. That is why I am...

» October 5, 2007 - 2 comments - Children and Families

Schwarzenegger's Decision to Sign or Veto Oakland School Bill May Be Purely Political

By Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor The battle over Assemblymember Sandré Swanson's AB45 Oakland school local control bill has gone inside,...

» October 5, 2007 - 0 comments -

Why the Sierra Club Opposes New Dams in the Special Session on California Water

By Jim Metropulos Legislative Representative Sierra Club California SBX2 3 by Senator Cogdill is Governor Schwarzenegger’s recently introduced water infrastructure...

» October 5, 2007 - 3 comments - Water

California Health Care in the Special Session: An Analysis of the "Working Draft" of Legislative Language That No One Claims to "Own"

An orphan is born The mountain has labored and brought forth a mouse By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health...

» October 5, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

California State University Executive Pay Hikes--Illegal Gift of Public Funds--Another Reason AB 1413 Needs to be Signed by the Governor

By Lillian Taiz Two weeks ago, the CSU Board of Trustees approved 12% raises for executives while students have...

» October 5, 2007 - 2 comments -

Governor Schwarzenegger’s Desk Still Cluttered, Water Investment Principles Hearing Held

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League With just over a week left before the deadline,...

» October 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Something’s Happening on California Water Issues This Monday—Senate Staff Told to Report to the Capitol Even Though It’s a State Holiday

By Frank D. Russo The Assembly has just started a little after 1:30 p.m., its first committee hearing in...

» October 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

San Joaquin Valley Leaders Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign SB 719

Residents ask Governor Schwarzenegger to fulfill his commitment to the Valley By Sarah Sharpe On September 24th, 2007 Governor Arnold...

» October 4, 2007 - 1 comments - Environment

What Do Air Conditioners Have to Do With Identity Theft? Bills Schwarzenegger Should Sign to Protect Your Privacy

By Frank D. Russo A couple of days ago, we wrote about AB 779, a bill by Assemblymember Jones...

» October 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Privacy

Salvos Fired In California Water Wars--Assembly Hearing Tomorrow--Senate Hearing Postponed to Monday

By Frank D. Russo The California State Assembly will hold its first hearing of the special session on water...

» October 3, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

"Privacy Revolt," a web page and project of the Consumer Federation of California, is our site of the day

» October 3, 2007 - 2 comments - Site of the Day

Why California Law Must Protect Our Kids From Secondhand Smoke

By Jenny Oropeza California State Senator How many times have you ever had to hold your breath while walking...

» October 3, 2007 - 13 comments - Children and Families

Bush Vetoes Child Health Insurance: What This Means for California

• California's Healthy Families may have to disenroll hundreds of thousands of children • California delegation could be key for...

» October 3, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Expanding Family Leave in Today's California: Why Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign SB 727 and AB 537

By Kate Karpilow Two bills now sit on the Governor’s desk that would help California workers provide care for loved...

» October 3, 2007 - 0 comments - Children and Families

Former Gang Members Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB 1049 for Youth Parole Re-Entry Programs

By Frank D. Russo Former gang members, and youth leaders appeared in front of Governor Schwarzenegger's office in the...

» October 3, 2007 - 2 comments - Prison Reform

An Incumbent’s Age Eventually Makes a Seat ‘Competitive’

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento In the Spring of 1972 a Contra Costa...

» October 3, 2007 - 2 comments -

The California Budget Impasse: Political Chicanery or Democracy in Action?

By Bob Campbell Member of the California State Assembly, 1980-1996 I know that many of you who will be...

» October 3, 2007 - 1 comments - California State Budget

Schrag: The Zigs and Zags of Education Reform 50 Years After Sputnik

By Peter Schrag This week marks the 50th anniversary of the launching of Sputnik, the Russian space satellite that,...

» October 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Education

Leader in Opposition to California Term Limits Reform Indicted for Felony Campaign Fraud in Oklahoma

Paul Jacob of US Term Limits Could Face 10 Years In Prison By Frank D. Russo The biggest leader of...

» October 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Term Limits

Al Gore Could be on the Ballot in California

By Roy Gayhart Officially, Gore has made it clear, "I'm not a candidate and I'm not planning on being...

» October 3, 2007 - 10 comments - California Presidential Primary

Rush to Judgment (I Hope)

By Mary Lyon Sounds like this is WAR, Rush. At the very least, you deserve to have it declared...

Read More: Rush to Judgment (I Hope)

» October 3, 2007 - 8 comments -

"Looking Beyond the Horizon: Investment planning for the 21st century," issued by State Treasurer Lockyer, is our site of the day

» October 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Full Day of Special Session Hearings This Thursday on California Water Issues

By Frank D. Russo We have just received word that the California Assembly will hold hearings on water bonds...

» October 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Governor Schwarzenegger, Please Sign SB 936 for Me and Other Californians Injured on the Job

By Patricia Mendoza I’m 44 years old, and I live in Ontario. I worked as a Correctional Officer for...

» October 2, 2007 - 9 comments - Workers' Compensation

California Voters Have Right to Know Who Financed, Aided , and Abetted Attempt to Rig the Electoral College

By Frank D. Russo The proposal to change the rules of the 2008 Presidential Election in the middle of...

» October 2, 2007 - 2 comments - California Presidential Primary

Retailers and California Chamber of Commerce Lobbying Governor to Veto Bill Requiring Them to Act Responsibly in Protecting Credit Card Data

By Frank D. Russo The fate of AB 779 (Jones) lies with Governor Schwarzenegger. It is a commonsense measure...

» October 2, 2007 - 2 comments - Consumer Rights

Chevron’s New Coat of Lipstick

By Judy Dugan Research Director The Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayer Rights (FCTR) and OilWatchdog.org Project Chevron’s Hollywood-slick new...

Read More: Chevron’s New Coat of Lipstick

» October 2, 2007 - 0 comments -

Federal Elections Commission Asked to Investigate Role of Giuliani Campaign in California Electoral College Scheme--Referral to US Department of Justice Also Requested

"What did they know and when did they know it?" Does that sound familiar? By Frank D. Russo Attorney James...

» October 1, 2007 - 1 comments - California Presidential Primary

G.O.P. Electoral Vote Scheme Blows Up – Spreading Egg All Over Faces of Republican Operatives, Shills

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Willie Brown used to say that Republicans could...

» October 1, 2007 - 11 comments - Electoral College

Clinton Draws Huge Enthusiastic Crowd in Oakland; Obama Opens Headquarters

Palpable Enthusiasm for Democrats as Clinton Closes Doubleheader By Frank D. Russo You will read in today's papers bits and...

» October 1, 2007 - 10 comments - California Presidential Primary

As Libertarianism Reaches for the High Frontier--Let's Not Forget California's Aerospace Industry and Its Potential for Good or Evil

By Thomas Gangale No one who has read the opinion editorial I co-authored the day after Mike Melvill became...

» October 1, 2007 - 4 comments -

While California Dreams: A weekly update on the goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson With traveling...

» September 30, 2007 - 2 comments -

Governor Schwarzenegger's Historic Chance to Fight Crime and Gun Trafficking

By Griffin Dix, Ph.D. Governor Schwarzenegger has a historic chance to fight crime and gun trafficking by signing a...

» September 30, 2007 - 27 comments - Gun control

Dead or Still Crawling, Many Take Credit for Demise of Republican Electoral College Scheme

By Frank D. Russo After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, John F. Kennedy wryly noted "Victory has a...

» September 30, 2007 - 5 comments - Media and Communication

California Reading Scores Shameful- Again: National Scores Essentially Stagnant.

By Duane Campbell Governors, Senators, and Assemblymembers, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction have given many speeches, but...

» September 30, 2007 - 5 comments - Education

An “Extraordinary” California Idea About Water Policy: Put Principles First

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Until recently, water policy discussions underway at the State...

» September 30, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Assemblymember Laird Lays Out Democratic Principles on Water in California Legislative Special Session

In this week’s Democratic weekly radio address, Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Chair of the Assembly Working Group on...

» September 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Enabling New California Citizens to Vote as We Approach the 2008 Presidential Election

By Jenny Oropeza California State Senator As California begins to prepare for the 2008 Presidential Election, tremendous changes are...

» September 29, 2007 - 2 comments - Elections and Voting

"The Healthy Heart and Lung Act" Awaits Governor Schwarzenegger's Signature

By Bill Magavern Senior Representative Sierra Club California Sierra Club California and the American Lung Association of California have...

» September 29, 2007 - 3 comments - Environment

Governor Schwarzenegger: Protect Affordable Mobile Home Housing

By Noreen Evans Member California State Assembly Hundreds of thousands of seniors and working families who rent spaces in...

» September 28, 2007 - 9 comments -

G.O.P. Presidential Candidates Shun Minority Forum (And The South Will Rise Again?)

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento None of the major candidates for the Republican...

» September 28, 2007 - 3 comments -

Water Legislation Beginning to Boil in California Special Session

First Hearing on Water Special Session Bills Next Week in Senate Assembly Democrats Announce Water Bills By Frank D. Russo...

» September 28, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

I Sent the Wrong Man to Jail: Why Governor Schwarzenegger Should Sign SB 756

By Jennifer Thompson-Cannino March of 1995 began like any other month for me. The days were filled with chasing...

» September 28, 2007 - 7 comments - Criminal Justice

U.S. CONGRESS PASSES CHILDREN'S COVERAGE; SCHIP HEADS TOWARD VETO

• Senate passes SCHIP/Healthy Families expansion with veto-proof 69-30 vote • Follows House passage of SCHIP, 265-159, a majority but...

» September 28, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Breaking News: Republicans Give Up Scheme to Change Electoral College for California

By Frank D. Russo The Los Angeles Times will be reporting tomorrow that the somewhat mysterious group that has...

» September 27, 2007 - 3 comments -

Republican Mayor of San Diego's Principles on Gay Marriage Has Those Thinking of Politics Talking

By Carl Luna San Diego CityBeat The fallout from Jerry Sander’s gay marriage flip flop keeps falling as Jerry’s...

» September 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Family Planning Services Bill on Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk--"One of the Most Important of the Year"--The Cost of Doing Nothing is Too High

Perata Speaks Directly with the Governor on SB 94 Shannon Smith-Crowley of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, speaking...

» September 27, 2007 - 42 comments -

Premature Nomination Dysfunction: The Presidential Race that Started Too Early May Be Over Before We Know It

By Paul Fidalgo When Dick Gephardt eked out a win in the 1988 Iowa caucuses, no one was under...

» September 27, 2007 - 0 comments - California Presidential Primary

The Absurdity of Incarcerating the Incapacitated: California Prisons are Wasting Taxpayers’ Money and Endangering the Public

By Paul Krekorian Member California State Assembly California’s prisons are in crisis. The system is so grossly overcrowded that...

» September 27, 2007 - 31 comments - Prison Reform

Curbing California's Urban Heat Islands

The Temp’s Rising - Do you live in an Urban Heat Island? How to turn your ‘urban heat island’ into...

» September 27, 2007 - 3 comments - Environment

California Republican Congressional Delegation Disappointing in Vote on Children's Health Bill--With One Exception

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California It's disappointing SCHIP didn't get a veto proof majority. It's...

» September 27, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Robbing the Delta of Fresh Water and Delta Water Users of their Rights to Delta Water

“The robb’d that smiles steals something from the thief.” --from Othello by William Shakespeare By Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Campaign Director Restore...

» September 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

Will the California Building Industry Continue to Attack CEQA?

By Bill Allayaud State Director, Sierra Club California For a number of years, the California Building Industry Association (CBIA)...

» September 26, 2007 - 8 comments - Environment

Former California Attorney General Urges Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Public Safety Bills to Prevent Wrongful Convictions

By John Van de Kamp Health care reform hasn't made it to the Governor's desk this year, but 3...

» September 26, 2007 - 5 comments - Criminal Justice

Schrag: Why Does the University of California Keep Shooting Itself in the Foot?

By Peter Schrag The University of California is a big, complex operation, so maybe you shouldn't be surprised at...

» September 26, 2007 - 1 comments - Education

A Californian Looks at Mahmoud

By Mary Lyon Unfortunately, it’s come down to this. The American people are stuck in the middle, playing one...

Read More: A Californian Looks at Mahmoud

» September 26, 2007 - 8 comments -

The More Things Stay the Same: A Personal Story on Desegregation

by Sharon Kyle Fast forward 20 years after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and...

» September 25, 2007 - 5 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

The More Things Change: Remembering the "Little Rock Nine"

By Dick Price Northeast Democratic Club of Los Angeles For those of us of a certain age, the image...

» September 25, 2007 - 2 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Congressional Vote Today to Decide Direction Of Children's Coverage-- California's Healthy Families May Have to Disenroll Hundreds of Thousands

• State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expires in five days • President Bush has vowed to veto legislation to...

» September 25, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Federal Judges to California on Prisons: "How Do We Address Your Needs While People are Dying?"

Panel convenes, plans speedy trial, and admonishes intervenors that "This is a judicial and not a political process" in lengthy...

» September 25, 2007 - 100 comments -

Governor Schwarzenegger's Remarks to the United Nations on California's Role in Fighting Global Warming

[Editor's note: We are providing our readers with the complete prepared text of the Governor's speech yesterday at the...

» September 25, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Schwarzenegger on World Stage at U.N. Speaking on Climate Change While He Plans the Delta's Destruction in California

By Dan Bacher Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's address to the United Nations today about global climate change is one of...

» September 25, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

There He Goes Again – Dan Walters Invents a Rationale to Defend All G.O.P. Dirty Tricks

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Dan Walters wrote in yesterday's Bee that any...

» September 25, 2007 - 7 comments - Electoral College

California Energy Consumption Statistics & Maps from eredux.com is our site of the day

» September 24, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Don't Let "Signature Blockers" Intimidate You on California Tribal Casino Referendum

By Cheryl A. Schmit Founder and Director of Stand Up for California A little intimidation could go a long...

» September 24, 2007 - 12 comments -

Historic Federal Three Judge Panel to Hear Arguments Today on California Prison Overcrowding

May Consider Population Cap and Even Release of Prisoners as Remedy Health Care Receiver Sillen to Issue Quarterly Report to...

» September 24, 2007 - 39 comments - Prison Reform

Internet Second Only to TV for Where Californians Get Most of Their Information About Politics

Newspapers languishing and television declining as a source of news, while the internet is soaring and radio is creeping up...

» September 23, 2007 - 2 comments - Media and Communication

A Dozen Health Consumer Bills On Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California Even though most of the focus in the 2007 legislative...

» September 23, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

While California Dreams: A weekly update on the goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson Now that...

» September 23, 2007 - 1 comments -

Academic Freedom at the University of California in the Wake of Chemerinsky and Summers

By Peter Scheer Executive Director California First Amendment Coalition The best that can be said about the University of...

» September 23, 2007 - 2 comments -

California's Global Warming Challenges Come A Courtin'

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Advocates in the fight against global warming won a...

» September 23, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

A Life That Mattered: The Other Side of Public Policymaking in California

By Marty D. Omoto Director/Organizer California Disability Community Action Network I remember an enchanting photo of a young 4...

» September 22, 2007 - 0 comments -

Assemblymember Ma Urges Governor Schwarzenegger to Protect California’s Children from Cancerous Chemicals

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma and Assemblymember Anna Caballero explain why Assembly Democrats...

» September 22, 2007 - 0 comments - Toxic Chemicals

Water Soaks the Special Session in California

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League When Governor Schwarzenegger declared a special legislative session last...

» September 22, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

A Dam Deception: Schwarzenegger's Greenwashing Attempt All Wet

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League The Governor wants the Legislature to authorize a new...

» September 21, 2007 - 2 comments - Water

Clinton and Giuliani Lead in California Primary--Why Things Look Good for Democrats in November in California

By Frank D. Russo The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll released today shows Hillary Clinton in the...

» September 21, 2007 - 2 comments - California Presidential Primary

PPIC Poll: Californians Gloomy on Future--From Economy to State and Federal Government

By Frank D. Russo After a brief respite in January when attitudes were rosy with a housing market stronger...

» September 21, 2007 - 0 comments -

Californians Want Major Change in Health Care and Favor Elements of Schwarzenegger and Democratic Plans

Health Moves Up to Tie as Most Important Issue with Perennial Favorite Immigration By Frank D. Russo The Public Policy...

» September 21, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Insurers Oppose California Timely Access to Medical Care Standards in Regulatory Hearings

• Tuesday Hearing Brings Insurer and Provider Opposition to Consumer Protections • Consumer Groups Say Delayed Care is Denied Care;...

» September 21, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

A Hard Ball Response to the Republican Electoral College Plot in California

By Carl Luna San Diego CityBeat The California GOP’s plot to redistribute California’s crucial 55 electoral votes by congressional...

» September 21, 2007 - 8 comments - Electoral College

Diversity at the University of California

By Oiyan Poon President University of California Student Association [Editor's note: These are the remarks delivered by Ms. Poon...

» September 20, 2007 - 6 comments -

"Wrong Direction: One Out of Three Americans Are Uninsured" is our site of the day

» September 20, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Industry Looks to Federal Rules to Preempt State Regulation

By Nathan Newman Policy Director Progressive States Network Suddenly, the news is filled with stories about industry lobbyists marching...

» September 20, 2007 - 2 comments - Responsible Lending

So Now We Are in Special Session on California Health Care. What's the Next Step?

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California When the special session was announced, both the Speaker and...

» September 20, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Senator Kuehl Expresses Gratitude to Secretary of Consumer Affairs Rosario Marin, Author of a Proposal to Dismantle California’s Panel on Civil Rights, for Midnight Invitation

By State Senator Sheila Kuehl The office of State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-23) has, in response to recent events,...

» September 20, 2007 - 2 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

You Could Be Wrongfully Imprisoned Like I Was--Unless Governor Schwarzenegger Signs SB 511 and SB 609

By Harold Hall Last month, I celebrated an untraditional anniversary. August 17, 2007 marked my third year of freedom...

» September 20, 2007 - 3 comments - Criminal Justice

Immigrant Bashing in San Diego

By Carl Luna San Diego CityBeat What is it with San Diego politicians who build their early civic careers...

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» September 20, 2007 - 0 comments - Immigration

66 California Inmate Deaths Preventable According to Prison Receiver Robert Sillen

Analysis in letter sent to Governor and legislators may presage evidence before The Judge Federal Panel next Monday [Editor's note:...

» September 19, 2007 - 61 comments - Prison Reform

California Should Not Wait for More Deaths from E. Coli Before Policing Leafy Greens Industry

Time for California to Enter the 21st Century By Frank D. Russo Fortunately, as far as we know, no one...

» September 19, 2007 - 5 comments - Food Safety

A Californian Views With Alarm How Dissenters Are Treated in the Mainstream Media

By Mary Lyon The last few days offer a lesson in contrast in how dissenters in this country can...

» September 19, 2007 - 4 comments - Media and Communication

Schrag: The Insularity and Lack of Diversity of Elected California Republicans vs. Democrats Who Look Like the State

By Peter Schrag Earlier this month, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger chastised his fellow Republicans for their insularity and narrowness,...

» September 19, 2007 - 9 comments -

Blackwater: "Mafia-like"Mercenaries in Iraq and California: What We Can Do at Home About This

By Rick Jacobs Chair The Courage Campaign Did you read the news? From the top of yesterday's New York...

» September 19, 2007 - 3 comments -

Three Bills on Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk Can Safeguard Against Wrongful Convictions in California

By John F. Terzano President The Justice Project Health care reform may have stalled in California, but Governor Schwarzenegger...

» September 19, 2007 - 10 comments - Criminal Justice

Battle Lines Drawn Between Perata and Schwarzenegger on Water Bills in California Special Session

By Frank D. Russo This afternoon the Governor announced that he was proposing $9 billion in "comprehensive water infrastructure'...

» September 18, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

Schwarzenegger Proposes $9 Billion Water Bond Boondoggle

By Dan Bacher Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office today issued a press release for the $9 billion water bond boondoggle...

» September 18, 2007 - 7 comments - Water

"State of Lung Disease in Diverse Communities: 2007" from the American Lung Association is our site of the day

» September 18, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

While California Legislators Play Politics with Compassionate Choices Act, End of Life Consultation to Help Terminally Ill is Launched

Statement of Rev. Kristi Denham Delivered in Sacramento This Morning Good morning. My name is Reverend Kristi Denham, and...

» September 18, 2007 - 1 comments - Death With Dignity

The Price of ‘Cheating’? For Ballplayers--a Bad Media Story--For Trial Lawyers Who Have Successfully Sued Businesses and Who Have Contributed To Democrats? Jail Time

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Equal Justice? A Union-Tribune story reports that San...

» September 18, 2007 - 1 comments -

If I had a Hammer---Reflections on Peter Paul, and Mary in Santa Barbara and the Current California Scene

By Hannah Beth Jackson For those of us who remember the 60's (and yes, there are some of us...

» September 18, 2007 - 6 comments -

Proposed 12% California State University Executive Pay Increase Opposed by Lt. Governor Garamendi in Light of Student Fee Increases

Garamendi also calls for UC and CSU meetings to be scheduled on different days to allow for full participation by...

» September 18, 2007 - 7 comments -

Senator Sheila Kuehl: The Dismantling of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission

By State Senator Sheila Kuehl This is my sixth essay for 2007 and I’m departing from my essays on...

» September 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

California GOP's Election "Reform" Measure Reeks of Rove

By Mark Leno Member, California State Assembly This is one straight out of Karl Rove's political playbook. A group...

» September 17, 2007 - 9 comments - Electoral College

Justice Department Cover-Up of Republican Party Effort To Hinder Voter Turnout? More Dirty Tricks by the G.O.P

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Election Day 2002. The phone lines to the...

» September 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Elections and Voting

2007 California Legislative Session--Some Progress on Energy, Air and Flood Protection--But Important Work on Land Use, Ports and Toxics Will Have to Wait

By Bill Magavern Senior Representative Sierra Club California The California Legislature has sent to the Governor some important bills...

» September 17, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

This Article is Not About Erwin Chemerinsky

Academic Freedom and What the UC Regents Should Do By Susan R. Estrich Professor of Law and Political Science University...

» September 17, 2007 - 3 comments -

A Nunez-Schwarzenegger Compromise or Single Payer for California?

Don McCanne, M.D. Senior Health Policy Fellow Physicians for a National Health Program Last Tuesday's article from Health Access...

» September 17, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Redistricting ‘Reform’ Will Not Create a Party of Republican Moderates in California

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento An enduring myth based on pseudo-analysis is that...

» September 17, 2007 - 14 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

Major California Water Deal Could Come as Early as Wednesday

Outlines of a Possible Agreement Beginning to Emerge By Frank D. Russo No one knows for sure whether a massive...

» September 16, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

While California Dreams: The End of Session Week

By Hannah Beth Jackson The final days of this year’s regular session ended in the wee-hours of the morning,...

» September 16, 2007 - 2 comments -

Special Interests Spar with Condors and Kangaroos in California: Two Bills on Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk and the Resignation of a Fish and Game Commissioner

By Wayne Pacelle President and Chief Executive Officer Humane Society of the United States There is stench emanating from...

» September 16, 2007 - 8 comments -

California Condor Targeted For Extinction By National Rifle Association Policies? Will Schwarzenegger Provide an “Assist”?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Richie Feldman, a former lobbyist for the National...

» September 16, 2007 - 6 comments -

Federal Farm Bill Summit in Sacramento Cultivates Conservation Campaign

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Last week, the Planning and Conservation League and the...

» September 16, 2007 - 1 comments -

9 11 07: Something Wicked This Way Came

By Mary Lyon I was sitting here trying to work up a second-day lead on the David Petraeus report,...

» September 16, 2007 - 14 comments -

"Learning from California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Program" is our site of the day

» September 15, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Recycling Victories in California Legislature Highlight Session Wrap Up--Bills on the Governor's Desk

Local Action to Get Plastics Out of Ocean Continue By Mark Murray Executive Director Californians Against Waste The first year...

» September 15, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Refreshing News: Deluge of Strong Flood Policy Bills Heads to Governor Schwarzenegger

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Last week we reported that central elements of the...

» September 15, 2007 - 1 comments - Flood Control

Preventative Dental Care Legislation Will Not Just Help California’s Children Smile

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymembers Mary Hayashi (English) and Tony Mendoza (Espanol) talk about Assembly Bill 834,...

» September 15, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

California Legislature Demands UC Workers Get Voice On Pensions

Conflicts of interest prompt legislation to give workers vote on pensions By Leland Yee, Ph.D. Assistant President pro Tem California...

» September 14, 2007 - 1 comments -

California Legislature 2007: Some Hard Fought Wins in Air and Water--Toxics Measures Tank--Two of Biggest Environmental Bills Will Wait Until Next Year

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Two measures headed to the Governor’s desk are worth...

» September 14, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

Almost Paradise: If Only California Family Farms Survived

By Bill Rumble President Northeast Democratic Club of Los Angeles For the past several months, my daughter, Maya, has...

» September 14, 2007 - 0 comments -

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: California Fish and Game Commissioner Under Fire For Attempting to Do His Job

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Thirty-four conservative legislators have sent a letter to Governor...

» September 13, 2007 - 2 comments -

Will Special Session Yield California Health Care Reform?

Groups collectively representing millions of Californians appeared on the day before the end of the 2007 regular California Legislative...

» September 13, 2007 - 3 comments - Health Care

Speaker Nunez Names “Working Groups” of California Legislators to Advance Special Session Health Care and Water Issues

From the Office of Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Nunez Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) today announced...

» September 13, 2007 - 0 comments -

Stop the Republican "Steal the State" Plot is our site of the day

» September 13, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Tidal Wave of Resentment Could Wash Out G.O.P Chances as Republicans Shun Schwarzenegger’s “High Ground”

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento There could be a political tsunami approaching. It’s...

» September 13, 2007 - 2 comments -

Fear and Loathing of Honest Debate Behind the Loss of Chemerinsky at UC Irvine Law School

By Hannah Beth Jackson When I learned that UC Irvine had just hired Erwin Chemerinsky to become the first...

» September 13, 2007 - 3 comments -

The Worst Model for California Health Care Would Be Workers' Compensation "Reform"

By Gil Stein The Mercury News had an editorial suggesting that the governor and Legislature use the 2004 workers’...

» September 13, 2007 - 5 comments - Workers' Compensation

Threat to Civil Rights Enforcement in California from the Governor's Office

Legislators Steamed About Governor's Plans to Unilaterally Eviscerate California Fair Employment and Housing Commission

» September 13, 2007 - 4 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Fighting For Fair Wages: The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy

Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu and LAANE Board of Directors Chair Maria Elena Durazo at the LAX Hilton...

» September 13, 2007 - 2 comments -

Schrag: Reflections on the Iraq War Six Years After September 11, 2001

By Peter Schrag Six years after Sept. 11, 2001, a convenient moment for stock-taking, are we at war or...

» September 13, 2007 - 0 comments -

End of Session: California Legislation That Passed to the Governor's Desk--And Why You May See Some Zombies Today

By Frank D. Russo The California Assembly adjourned around 3:30 a.m. and closed out the 2007 part of the...

» September 12, 2007 - 1 comments -

Sex Offenders Shunted Into Small Republican Rural Towns – By Republican Lawmakers?

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Well, they insisted on it. Wanting to look...

» September 12, 2007 - 5 comments -

Democracy Under Attack Right Here in California by Those Who Block Ballot Petitions

By Candy Corbett There’s an army of people out there on California streets trying to stop you from voting...

» September 12, 2007 - 4 comments -

Schwarzenegger Vetoes California Ballot Proposition Vote on Iraq Withdrawal

No hint from Governor about his leanings on Iraq Vote Measure at this press conference hours before By Frank...

» September 12, 2007 - 3 comments -

California State Senate Adjourns 2007 Session While Bizarre Middle of the Night Hearing Held on Newly Minted Prison Guard Pay Bill

Committee hearing about to start at 2:27 a.m. By Frank D. Russo There were persistent rumors yesterday throughout the...

» September 12, 2007 - 1 comments -

Three Ring Circus in Sacramento: Special Session on Health and Water, Tonight is Deadline for Governor to Decide Whether to Allow Iraq Vote, A Flood of Bills Pass by the Hour Including More Flood Safety Legislation

By Frank D. Russo The news is not flowing out of Sacramento today, it is gushing—by the hour. Here...

» September 11, 2007 - 0 comments -

Senator Sheila Kuehl’s Floor Statement Health Care Reform and AB 8

[Editor’s note: Senator Kuehl is the Chair of the Senate Health Committee and the author of SB 840 to provide...

» September 11, 2007 - 6 comments - Health Care

Sentencing Commission Law Among Over 200 Bills Left for the Last Day of the 2007 California Legislative Session

Health Coverage for Children, Flood Safety, Electoral College, Air and Water Pollution, and Toxics Action at Stake Today By Frank...

» September 11, 2007 - 4 comments -

Recap and Analysis of Yesterday’s Legislative Floor Debates on California Health Care

By Hanh Kim Quach Health Care Policy Coordinator Health Access California The California Senate and Assembly passed historic health...

» September 11, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Perata on Health Care Bill Passed By California Legislature

By Don Perata President pro Tem California State Senate Yesterday, the Legislature took a giant step toward solving California’s health...

» September 11, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

California State Assembly Gives Final Passage to AB 8—Democratic Health Care Legislation Goes to Governor Schwarzenegger Who Will Veto It and Call a Special Session

Fact Sheet on Historic Bill Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez presenting AB 8 on the Assembly Floor By Frank...

» September 10, 2007 - 7 comments - Health Care

California State Senate Passes Nunez-Perata Health Care Bill: Assembly Debating AB 8 Now for Final Passage

Senate President pro Tem Don Perata presenting AB 8 on the Senate floor By Frank D. Russo This afternoon...

» September 10, 2007 - 5 comments - Health Care

Scientific Study Reveals That Conservatives Lack Brain Power – Unable To Break Bad Habits, Correct Mistakes

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Like others, I’ve always believed conservatives to be...

» September 10, 2007 - 1 comments -

California Democratic Health Bill Receives Broad Support from Labor and Consumer Groups—Will Be Voted on This Morning in Senate

California Nurses Association in Massive Demonstration Outside Packed Press Conference By Frank D. Russo Appearing with a broad coalition including...

» September 10, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

The California Legislature Must Act on Redistricting Reform NOW

By Janis R. Hirohama President League of Women Voters of California The Legislature has had sufficient time to consider...

» September 10, 2007 - 17 comments - Redistricting/Reapportionment

AB 8 Health Care As Amended: Calling the Question, Point of Information...

By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California With the positive amendments on affordability and cost containment, many...

» September 10, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Health Care: California Labor to Announce Support for Amended AB 8 Today--Senate Floor Vote Expected This Afternoon

By Randy Bayne THE BAYNE OF BLOG'S CALIFORNIA NOTES Satisfied with amendments to AB 8, the joint health care...

» September 10, 2007 - 1 comments - Health Care

Commonsense Bill to Prevent the Spread of AIDS and Other Diseases from Prisons to the California Public is on Governor Schwarzenegger's Desk

By Frank D. Russo With the California State Senate's passage of AB 1334 (Swanson), which would allow nonprofit organizations...

» September 10, 2007 - 4 comments -

Dividing California's Electoral Votes by Congressional Districts Would Increase the Chance of Electing a President Who Lost the Popular Vote

By Dr. John R. KozaCo-author of Every Vote Equal: A State-Based Plan for Electing the President by National Popular...

» September 10, 2007 - 1 comments - Electoral College

Truth in Advertising? Just Say No to New California Nuke Initiative

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League At its meeting last week, the PCL Executive Committee...

» September 10, 2007 - 7 comments - Energy

Charlie Brown: A Soldier of Peace Launches His Campaign for Congress

By Thomas Gangale Last week my friend Charlie Brown officially kicked off his second campaign to unseat John Doolittle...

» September 10, 2007 - 0 comments - California Congressional Races

California Republican Party: Dirty Tricks and "Four More Years"--In Iraq

By Rick Jacobs Chair The Courage Campaign As the Petraeus/Crocker show starts tomorrow, think about this: a Republican White...

» September 9, 2007 - 1 comments -

Covering the End of the California Legislative Session Has Many Challenges and Yet is So Important

By Frank D. Russo Trying to cover the final days of this year's California legislature with around 700 bills...

» September 9, 2007 - 0 comments -

Attorney Seeks Probe of California Electoral Vote Plan

By Terry Williams Attorney Barry Fadem has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request seeking information about contacts between...

» September 9, 2007 - 1 comments - Electoral College

While California Dreams: A Weekly Update on the Goings-on in Sacramento

Key bills and issues we’ve been following during the past week and beyond By Hannah Beth Jackson The first of...

» September 9, 2007 - 1 comments -

In Race For California Flood Policy Reform, One Horse Needs Your Help! Three Horses Already Dash Across the Line

High Drama in Final Days of Session By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League In the battles...

» September 9, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

Letters Project to Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB 43 for Gender Neutral Marriage

By Jim Smith My 'same-sex domestic partner' and I moved to California almost ten years ago and had twins...

» September 9, 2007 - 2 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

Air Pollution from California's Ports: A Serious Health Issue--Senate Bill 974 and the Art of the Possible

By Senator Alan Lowenthal With an Introduction by Hannah Beth Jackson Recently, we posted a piece by Senator Alan...

» September 9, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

La Jolla’s “Pool” Is Hardly Tranquil

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The “children’s pool” in La Jolla was originally...

» September 9, 2007 - 8 comments -

Republicans Are “Dying At The Box Office” Because, ”Saying No Is Not The Basis For A Healthy Political Party”

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento The words are those of Governor Schwarzenegger. Not...

» September 8, 2007 - 0 comments -

Assemblymember Lois Wolk on the California Comprehensive Flood Protection Package Passed This Week

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblywoman Lois Wolk talks about the comprehensive flood protection package Assembly Democrats are sending...

» September 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

California Health Reform Heats Up In Final Days of Legislature

• AB8 (Nunez/Perata) Amended with Additional Affordability & Cost Containment Measures • As Deadline Approaches, Options Include Special Session, Ballot...

» September 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Charlie Brown Launches Second Sortie Against Doolittle for California Congressional Seat

By Thomas Gangale He had a quiet, matter-of-fact, Iowa way of speaking, but from the first, I saw something...

» September 8, 2007 - 2 comments - California Congressional Races

Avoiding Another Katrina: Package of Three California Flood Protection Bills Go to Governor Schwarzenegger While Two Others Await Final Passage

By Frank D. Russo The last of a trio of truly historic legislation, part of a comprehensive move to...

» September 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

California Legislature Sends Gender Neutral Marriage Bill to Governor Schwarzenegger

By Frank D. Russo The California Senate, by a party line 22 to 15 vote, has just given final...

» September 7, 2007 - 4 comments - Discrimination and Civil Rights

The First Shall Be Last: The Dangerous Decline in Primary Turnouts

By Rob Richie Executive Director Fair Vote Facts in the Spotlight: • Voter turnout statewide primaries in 1966: 33.5%...

» September 7, 2007 - 7 comments - Elections and Voting

California Senate Passes Gun Microstamping--Governor to Get Prescription Labeling, Police Interrogation, College Textbook Bills--and Measure Gutting Local Campaign Finance Laws

And there's a lot more By Frank D. Russo The California Senate considered over 100 bills yesterday, passing most of...

» September 7, 2007 - 0 comments -

Major Breakthrough on California Flood Protection Legislation

By Frank D. Russo There was a dramatic development on the California Assembly floor as that body without a...

» September 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

Why the California Legislature Usually Gets It Wrong On Public Education

By Duane Campbell The California Legislature usually gets it wrong on public education because it listens to corporate sponsored...

» September 7, 2007 - 3 comments - Education

Schwarzenegger's Folly--That Reductions in Water Exports Can Be Offset by Water Delivery through a Peripheral Canal

“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving...

» September 6, 2007 - 1 comments - Water

Landmark Legislation to Ban Dangerous Chemical in Children's Toys Clears Legislature--Governor Expected to be Lobbied Heavily by Industry to Veto

Historic vote comes at time of increased scrutiny over toy safety By Frank D. Russo The California State Senate gave...

» September 6, 2007 - 0 comments - Toxic Chemicals

California Assembly Sends Governor Major Gender Pay Discrimination Legislation and a Slew of Other Bills

Electronic Waste Recycling, California Condor Lead Bullet Poisoning Protection,Vote by Mail, HPV Vaccine, and Family Leave Bills Also Receive Final...

» September 6, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Senate Sends Governor Bills Requiring Open UC and CSU Meetings on Executive Compensation, Banning Trans Fats in Schools, Fines for Voter Intimidation, Emergency Preparedness for Colleges, and Requiring Corroboration of "Snitch" Testimony

By Frank D. Russo The California Senate passed over 100 bills yesterday, many of them going to the Governor,...

» September 6, 2007 - 0 comments -

Cleaning Up Air Pollution from California's Ports Will Have to Wait Until Next Year

After threatening veto, Governor Schwarzenegger promises to work with Senator Lowenthal, author of SB 974, which would have imposed $30...

» September 6, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

The Truth About Brominated and Chlorinated Fire Retardants and Why They Should be Banned in California

By Arlene Blum, Ph.D [Editor's note: AB 706 (Leno) would ban the use of brominated and chlorinated fire retardants...

» September 6, 2007 - 4 comments - Toxic Chemicals

The Problem of Paid Canvassers in the California Referendum and Initiative Process

By Doug Paul Davis There is a thin line with paid canvassers between aggressive salesmanship and outright browbeating. Actually,...

» September 6, 2007 - 4 comments - Initiative Reform

Why “Vote Us Out of Iraq” on the California Ballot Makes Sense to Me

By Patrick Briggs Chapter Leader Pasadena Democracy for America The California State Senate last week approved an advisory measure...

» September 5, 2007 - 8 comments -

If Not Now, “When” is it Time for Unified Disaster Preparedness in California?

Passage of AB 38 Critical to Protect Our State By Pedro Nava Member, California State Assembly George Santayana said, “Those...

» September 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Disaster Preparation

This Year's California State Budget: Third in a Series of Essays by Sheila Kuehl--The Trailer Bills

By State Senator Sheila Kuehl This is my fifth essay for 2007 and the third of several on the...

» September 5, 2007 - 0 comments - California State Budget

End of Session Rush Begins as California Legislature Passes Bills on Toxics, Preservation of the California Condor, Voter Intimidation, Domestic Partners, Immigration, and Recycling

By Frank D. Russo There was a double header played yesterday in Sacramento with the California Senate and Assembly...

» September 5, 2007 - 1 comments -

Schrag: For $2 Million You Can Get Just About Anything on the Ballot--2008 with 3 Elections Will Have Plenty

By Peter Schrag In the words of the patron saint of political consultants, there's a sucker born every minute....

» September 5, 2007 - 0 comments - Initiative Reform

Term Limits Reform Proposition Qualifies for February 2008 Ballot

By Frank D. Russo It was close, but California Secretary of State Debra Bowen today certified that the Term...

» September 4, 2007 - 4 comments - Term Limits

Schwarzenegger Faces Defining Tests on "Post-Partisanship" With Decisions on Iraq War Vote and Last Minute Presidential Election Changes

By Frank D. Russo Arnold Schwarzenegger is facing two issues that will answer a large part of the questions...

» September 4, 2007 - 0 comments -

One Californian's Opinion on the War: "Everything But the Plastic Turkey"

By Mary Lyon The "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is bravely and boldly at it again. To show his mettle...

» September 4, 2007 - 1 comments -

Aquafornia, The Southern California Water Blog is our site of the day

» September 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Hold onto Your Hats: California Legislature Will Pass Hundreds of Bills in a Little Over a Week

Major Bills in Health, Flood Control, Environment, Prisons, Ports, to Name a Few By Frank D. Russo There are over...

» September 4, 2007 - 2 comments -

The Latest in California Water Wars: Federal Judge Order to State and Federal Governments to Reduce Pumping to Protect Delta Smelt--How Will We Respond?

By Dan Bacher In a landmark decision, a federal judge on August 31 ordered state and federal water project...

» September 4, 2007 - 0 comments - Water

California Health Care Reform by the End of Next Week?

By Hannah Beth Jackson The issue of health care in California boils down to whether we’re going to get...

» September 4, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

A Remembrance of Alameda County's Labor Day Picnics

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento In the 1960’s and ‘70’s, Labor Day was...

» September 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Labor

Don't Forget the Injured Worker on Labor Day in California

By Sam Gold A California Injured Worker The California insurance industry agreed to a social plan known as Workers...

» September 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Workers' Compensation

A Labor Day Call to Action for Healthcare in California

By John Garamendi Lieutenant Governor State of California Today is Labor Day, the day our nation sets aside to...

» September 3, 2007 - 0 comments - Health Care

Initiatives and More Initiatives Filling Up the 2008 California Ballot.

By Hannah Beth Jackson One initiative that won’t be cluttering up the ballot, at least not the June ballot,...

» September 3, 2007 - 1 comments -

Labor Day 2007 Thoughts From Davis, California

By Doug Paul Davis Labor Day dates back to the 1880s and was originally founded as a means to...

» September 3, 2007 - 3 comments - Labor

Job Killer or Opportunity to Help Clean Up L.A.'s Filthy Air?

By Senator Alan Lowenthal With an Introduction by By Hannah Beth Jackson Senator Alan Lowenthal has served in the...

» September 2, 2007 - 2 comments - Environment

The Salinas Californian and the Vegetable Industrial Complex

By Frank Pecarich Retired Soil Scientist In a recent editorial the Salinas Californian called California Senator Dean Florez "a...

» September 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Food Safety

California Flood Policy Is Like...Gymnastics?

By Gary A. Patton Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Negotiations are in full gear, primarily concerning the interim...

» September 2, 2007 - 0 comments - Flood Control

Remembering the History of Labor Day and Thinking of the Future of California's Workers

In this Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymembers Sandré Swanson Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, and Assemblymember...

» September 1, 2007 - 0 comments - Labor

A Tiny California Fish That Makes a Big Difference

By Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Campaign Director Restore the Delta A trial is unfolding this week in federal court in Fresno...

» September 1, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

"Final Review of 2007-2008 State Budget Act" by Assembly Budget Chair John Laird is our site of the day

Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird has just released the “Final Review of the 2007-2008 State Budget Act,” a 79...

» August 31, 2007 - 0 comments - Site of the Day

Health Reform and the Year of Magical Thinking in California

By State Senator Sheila Kuehl Chair Health Committee The Year of Magical Thinking is the title of a memoir...

» August 31, 2007 - 4 comments - Health Care

A Little Cold Water on Special Session of California Legislature to Deal with Bills Sidetracked by Extended Budget Imbroglio

By Frank D. Russo It's a bizarre way to do business, but the guy likes grand gestures and a...

» August 31, 2007 - 0 comments -

Yesterday was Judgment Day for Most Major Environmental Bills in the California Legislature

The Suspense Is Killing AB 224 and SB 375 For the Year--Other Bills Alive for Floor Votes By Gary A....

» August 31, 2007 - 0 comments - Environment

California Senator Dean Florez Questions Results of Leafy Green Industry Self-Regulation in Light of Salmonella Outbreak

By Frank D. Russo Senator Dean Florez answered questions by another persistent reporter yesterday about what the recent outbreak...

» August 31, 2007 - 2 comments - Food Safety

Perata Answers Questions on California Iraq Ballot Measure, Health Care, and Redistricting--Candid Comments as the End of Session Approaches

By Frank D. Russo As the California Senate was winding down early yesterday afternoon, Senator Perata appeared in the...

» August 31, 2007 - 0 comments -

California Health Care Reform Boiling Down to Deal Between Legislative Democrats and Governor--Nunez Optimistic About Health Care and Redistricting--and Term Limits

By Frank D. Russo In a hallway off the Assembly Floor yesterday, Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez met...

» August 31, 2007 - 2 comments - Health Care

Budget Cuts Only Deepen Our Resolve for a World-class Transportation System in California

By Steve Blackledge CALPIRG Legislative Director When Governor Schwarzenegger signed the state budget last week, we commented in

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October 2006