Political Stories Top stories  DEA pot decision reverberates in California legalization campaign — The Obama administration’s decision Thursday to keep marijuana classified among the nation’s most dangerous drugs divided campaign operatives in California’s cannabis legalization debate. Wayne Johnson, campaign consultant for No on Proposition 64, said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has again validated the opposition’s deeply […]

Political Stories Top stories  Legislators agree to audit of $15 billion Delta tunnels project – State legislators from both northern and southern California Wednesday approved a financial audit of Gov. Jerry Brown’s $15 billion Delta tunnels project. The request by Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, D-Stockton, and state Sen. Lois Wolk of Davis, cleared an audit committee […]

Political Stories Top stories  Dan Walters: Jerry Brown’s bill issues fall by the wayside in last month of legislative session – The last month of the Legislature’s biennial session began with many major issues on the agenda, but one by one, they are stalling out, including the future of cap and trade. Walters column in […]

Political Stories Top stories Labor and environmental groups say they are done negotiating over Gov. Jerry Brown’s housing plan — Major labor, environmental and tenants groups have walked away from negotiations over Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to streamline approval for housing developments that include setting aside a percentage of units for low-income Californians, further imperiling the plan’s chances […]

Political Stories Top stories  Dan Walters: Pension plan for millions of California workers still has issues — The Legislature is being asked to approve am embryonic plan to provide pensions for millions of Californians who lack them. But Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León’s plan raises questions about benefits and state liability that remain […]

Political Stories Top stories Current allegations against Stockton mayor familiar — It was 2005 and Anthony Silva faced accusations of using a hidden camera to make illegal video recordings of unknowing “female juveniles” as they changed clothing in the bathroom at the apartment of the man who someday would become Stockton’s mayor. A five-page police […]

Political Stories Top stories  Embattled Stockton mayor disputes charges — Mayor Anthony Silva battled back Friday afternoon, calling himself a “victim,” accusing the district attorney of a “calculated and politically motivated” crusade against him, charging the media with sensationalism, and denying the mountain of allegations he is facing. Stockton Record article; AP article; ‘Full text […]

Political Stories Top stories Stockton Mayor Silva arrested, charges include crimes against children — Anthony Silva was arrested Thursday morning at his Mayor’s Youth Camp in Silver Lake and charged with playing strip poker with naked teenagers, providing alcohol to minors and illegally recording the activities that are said to have occurred at last year’s […]

Political Stories Top stories  Uncertain fate for greenhouse gas targets at end of legislative session – Among the most closely-watched issues at the end of this legislative session is a Democratic effort to extend California’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions reduction target – but it may not be resolved in the next month. Sacramento Bee article; CALmatters article […]

Political Stories Top stories  It’s Silicon Valley vs. law enforcement on California death penalty – Two competing November ballot measures that aim to abolish or expedite California’s long-dormant death penalty each raised more than $3 million through the first half of the year, according to state campaign finance records, and largely drew their funding from […]