On this week's Capital Notes Podcast, a look at the big week in Indian gaming agreements, a special election to Congress, and some early budget friction between Republicans and Governor Schwarzenegger. Our fellow podcaster Kate Folmar is on assignment covering … Continue reading »

Class is in session. Remember this rule: the one who seals a controversial political deal, and then gets it… * Quickly into print as a bill… * Approved by a hurriedly convened committee… * Moved from the floor of one … Continue reading »

After weeks of private meetings and negotiations, Governor Schwarzenegger has signed agreements with four politically powerful Indian gaming tribes that are effectively side deals to the formal casino compacts negotiated last year. The agreements, technically known as 'memoranda of understanding,' … Continue reading »

The long-running debate over plans for side-by-side Indian casinos in Barstow gets a new dose of PR later today at the state Capitol. Last month, we reported on the status of the tribal casinos proposed by San Diego's Los Coyotes … Continue reading »

Secretary of State Debra Bowen's new round of testing for voting machines in California has moved into one of the more controversial phases– a "red team"of would-be hackers trying to break into the systems and change the outcome of the … Continue reading »

Just a note to let you know that the Capital Notes Podcast is now fully up and running for those who want to subscribe. The podcasts are available every Friday midday on this site. But you can also subscribe to … Continue reading »

Some good news tonight for backers of a proposed ballot initiative to modify the existing term limits law for members of the Legislature. A new poll from the Survey and Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University finds 56% … Continue reading »

California's quirky constitutional ban on gubernatorial travel played out again this morning… with the first significant natural disaster that has landed on John Garamendi's plate since his election last November to the state's #2 job. Garamendi's title of "lieutenant governor" … Continue reading »

The latest poll shows California voters largely remain behind the same candidates in the race for the White House. The Survey and Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University has put out a new poll that continues to show … Continue reading »

For those surfing by this weekend… a link to a story of mine that aired Friday morning on The California Report. The story takes a look at the recent history of budget "gimmicks"– those proposals buried inside recent state budgets … Continue reading »