After a short and relatively predictable debate, five revised Indian gaming agreements were ratified by the state Senate this morning. But as they head to the Assembly, their fate remains much more uncertain. None of the five compacts signed by … Continue reading »

New life is being breathed into efforts to take political map drawing powers out of the hands of the Legislature, with a suggestion to give that power over to state government's existing watchdog commission. This morning, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez … Continue reading »

One of two Indian tribes looking to build a casino in Amador County has lost an appeal in court– an appeal that they hoped would keep alive a controversial agreement between the tribe and the tiny city of Plymouth. As … Continue reading »

There was a lot of online chatter last week about one GOP lawmaker's alleged attempt to force legislative Democrats to choose between affordable housing and environmental protection. This afternoon, the Republican legislator agreed to consider an alternative. The story involves … Continue reading »

Some quick hits on items of interest as the new week begins… * Constitutional Revision: So what do you do if you can't get consensus on redistricting reform AND term limit reform AND campaign finance reform? How about… lump them … Continue reading »

There are about two dozen pending proposals for new Indian casinos in California. And a pair of them are both planned for a foothills community where the historic quest for gold may soon be replaced by a new one. The … Continue reading »

It's been pointed out to me by a sharp-eyed watcher of campaign finance reports that seed money for the term limits initiative campaign has, indeed, been provided. Over the last two weeks, the new "Committee for Term Limits and Legislative … Continue reading »

The political chattering class' favorite initiative has just been cleared for signature gathering– the proposal to modify California's 17-year-old term limits law, a measure which would probably also lengthen the terms in office of the powerful leaders of the Legislature. … Continue reading »

That's Governor Schwarzenegger's take on the past image of environmentalists, in a Washington, DC appearance that gave him the chance to do what he likes best: play the part of salesman. The governor's speech today came at a Georgetown University … Continue reading »

Upping the ante on a plan he announced last week, the leader of the California Senate says that the ballot of every state holding an early presidential primary should also include a referendum on ending the war in Iraq. Senate … Continue reading »