Political Stories Top stories George Skelton: Pragmatic Republican plays up outsider status — Former Republican state Chairman George “Duf” Sundheim says he gets it. He gets why GOP voters across America are turning against establishment presidential candidates and siding with outsiders. The politicians in power haven’t delivered on their promises, he says, and people are fed up. Skelton column […]

Political Stories Top stories  Cathleen Decker: Three key areas that give Republicans trouble in California — From the beginning of the summer of Trump, many Republicans here hoped he would disappear quickly, to limit damage to the party’s image. Summer turned to fall, and Trump still dominates the presidential campaign. And so does the subject of […]

Political Stories Top stories Ballot measures aim to cut purse strings for Delta tunnels, high-speed rail — Gov. Jerry Brown could have a huge battle on his hands next year against ballot-measure proponents asking voters to essentially kill his two most-beloved public works projects — the bullet train and his proposed twin water tunnels under the […]

Political Stories Top stories Ballot proposal would divert high-speed rail money to water — Two well-known Republican state lawmakers submitted language Thursday for a ballot initiative that would ask California voters to redirect about $8 billion in bond money from the state’s high-speed rail project to build water storage. Board of Equalization member George Runner and […]

Political Stories Top stories CD21: Connie Perez drops out of race — Tulare County native Connie Perez, who less than a month ago jumped into the 21st Congressional District race with a slick campaign video and the apparent support of national Democrats who are looking for ways to oust incumbent Republican David Valadao, abruptly ended […]

Political Stories Top stories Measure that imperils Delta tunnels plan set to qualify for 2016 ballot — A constitutional amendment that would erect a significant political hurdle for Gov. Jerry Brown’s plans to build twin tunnels to carry water south around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is poised to qualify for the November 2016 ballot. Sacramento Bee article; LA […]

Political Stories Top stories  Paul Ryan says he won’t work with President Obama on immigration reform — Speaker Paul D. Ryan said in a series of televised interviews on Sunday that he would not work with the Obama administration on changing immigration policy, effectively pushing off the issue to at least 2017. New York Times article; AP article; LA Times article […]

Political Stories Top stories In new scales of presidential political donors, Valley doesn’t measure up – This is high time for presidential hopefuls to tour the country looking to raise campaign cash. But so far, the 2016 candidates have steered clear of the central San Joaquin Valley. Not that movers and shakers here haven’t thought about […]

Political Stories Top stories Central Valley Republicans want immigration reform despite speaker’s promise – Two Central Valley Republicans say that newly selected House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision not to focus on immigration reform while Barack Obama is president won’t stop them from trying. Reps. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) and David Valadao (R-Hanford) have been among the most […]