Category Archives: CA Politics

Political Inside Game, Outside Game... All in One Day

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You don't get many political multi-tasking days like this one: heated debate over legislation down to its final day to survive, a new alarm over the state's finances, and public disclosure of all the campaign cash raised by candidates and … Continue reading »


Dems Pre-Endorsements Presage Tough 2012

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For casual political watchers, it may be hard to believe that small gatherings of diehard Democrats in January will decide who wins races for the Legislature or Congress come November. And yet, in some cases, that's exactly what could happen … Continue reading »


November's Ground Zero Initiative

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While talk about California's November ballot has focused largely on tax proposals or possible social and criminal justice measures, watch for the real political slugfest to be over an issue near and dear to the hearts of organized labor: union … Continue reading »


Brown Urges Action, Vision In State of the State

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If there's one takeaway from Governor Jerry Brown's 2012 State of the State address, it may be this: Brown faces the unique task this year of preaching both boldness and austerity… all at the same time. The governor's roughly 20 … Continue reading »


The Whip Snaps at High Speed Rail... and More

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For the man whose Central Valley hometown is supposed to be an anchor point in the first construction phase of high speed rail, Rep. Kevin McCarthy seems intent on doing everything he can do block the project. And given McCarthy … Continue reading »


California Political Stories to Watch in 2012

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A new year has arrived and, now that we've closed the book on 2011, here's a glimpse into the crystal ball at what might be some of the interesting things around the bend in California politics for 2012. Yes, some … Continue reading »


The Frenzy Over ProPublica's Redistricting Report

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It should come as little surprise that California's political class is all abuzz over a new and lengthy report on the state's first ever independent redistricting process, one that describes in great detail private machinations apparently employed to help influence … Continue reading »


The 2012 Battle Over High Speed Rail

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It's hardly hyperbole to suggest that 2012 will be the make-or-break year for California's long standing plans to construct a high speed train system. As supporters push forward on plans to break ground on construction by year's end, critics are … Continue reading »


Reporter's Notebook: From Budget Cash to Court Clash

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Few things make eyes bleary and heads throb more than reading government ledger sheets and complex, legalese court rulings. Throw in some minutiae about best budget practices and gubernatorial style… and you've got a full week. Hence, the weekend cleanup … Continue reading »


Super Committee for California's Initiative Process

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Frustrated by the tendency of elected officials to kowtow to political pressure and the unchecked power of interest groups to write their own laws that never get revisited, California's latest governance reform effort proposes a new third way: a citizens … Continue reading »