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 […]

Political Stories Top stories CD 10: Trump looms in Modesto-area race for Congress — Democratic candidate in the 10th Congressional District race Michael Eggman has raised barely a third as much money as incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham, but he has a wild card to play: Donald Trump. Eggman is trying to portray Denham as an […]

Political Stories Top stories These six major issues – and 1 unknown – will confront lawmakers returning to Sacramento — California’s two-year legislative session will come to a close at the end of August, which means the next few weeks will see a sprint of public policy infused with interest-group politics on as many as 1,500 bills. […]

Political Stories Top stories California initiative draws fire for opening door to TV ads that promote pot smoking — Nearly a half-century after tobacco ads were kicked off television in the United States, an initiative in California would take a first step toward allowing TV commercials that promote a different kind of smoking — marijuana. LA Times article  […]

Political Stories Top stories Jerry Brown offers 12 percent pay raises (over 4 years) to SEIU Local 1000 — The state has offered a nearly 12 percent general salary increase for SEIU Local 1000 employees spread out over four years, or a 9 percent increase over three years. Sacramento Bee article Two conventions, one vast gulf: Republicans […]

Political Stories Top stories  Dan Walters: Business-opposed ‘job killer’ bills will face final test next month — When the Legislature reconvenes next week for the final month of its biennial session, it will decide the fate of hundreds of bills ranging from game-changing to trivial. One question it will answer is whether the California Chamber of […]

Political Stories Top stories California millennials surging: Their votes could be decisive – especially on marijuana — As they come of age and register to vote, Millennials—that enormous generation born since 1981—are surging so fast they’re on the verge of overtaking the Baby Boomer behemoth as a share of the California electorate. And new evidence confirms […]

Political Stories Top stories  California officials take sides on November ballot initiatives — Some prominent California figures solidified their stances on ballot initiatives on Thursday, while others remained quiet. On Tuesday, the California Secretary of State released its preliminary voter guide that will ultimately be mailed to all voting households. It included signed statements from each side of […]

Political Stories Top stories  California’s small solution to the housing crisis: Small houses – To help ease California’s housing crisis, Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers are turning to people’s backyards. Multiple bills with the endorsement of Brown are moving through the Legislature to make it easier for homeowners to build small units on their properties, whether in their […]