Political Stories Top stories California tax revenues fall below estimates as budget talks get under way — California’s economy is still growing – but at a slower pace than it has been. And that’s having a similar effect on state budget revenues, leaving Gov. Jerry Brown with less money to work with when he releases his […]
Author: Maddy
May 10, 2016
Political Stories Top stories All-gender bathroom bill passes California Assembly – Breaking with Republican-led states and cities that have moved to restrict bathroom use, the California Assembly on Monday passed legislation requiring all single-stall bathrooms to be open to people of any gender. Sacramento Bee article; LA Times article Dan Walters: California lawmakers’ secrecy fight should apply to themselves […]
May 9, 2016
Political Stories Top stories If you registered to vote at the DMV, check again – If you’ve visited the DMV in the last few weeks, you may have noticed that you can now complete your voter registration at the same time you renew your driver’s license — without having to fill out a separate form. But it’s a […]
May 8, 2016
Political Stories Top stories CD 21 question: Who will take on Valadao? — Three men are running for the 21st Congressional District seat this year. But the real question for voters in June will be which Democrat to choose to challenge Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, the two-term conservative who has twice won the Democratic district easily. […]
May 7, 2016
Top stories Where in the world are San Joaquin Valley lawmakers traveling? – Foreign travel can be a two-edged sword for San Joaquin Valley lawmakers, who broaden their horizons but may risk criticism if they overdo it. McClatchy Newspapers article Some California lobbyist employers cranked up spending this year — Trade associations, unions and other lobbyist employers spent […]
May 6, 2016
Political Stories Top stories California Supreme Court seems likely to allow parole ballot measure to move ahead — The California Supreme Court appeared inclined Thursday to clear the way for a November ballot measure allowing the early release of some prison inmates. The case carries high stakes for the state’s criminal justice system and Gov. Jerry Brown’s political legacy. […]
May 5, 2016
Political Stories Top stories Jerry Brown raises California smoking age to 21, tightens vaping rules — Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday enacted California’s most significant new tobacco regulations in decades, signing laws that will place tight restrictions on use of the increasingly popular e-cigarette and make California the second state to raise its smoking age to […]
May 4, 2016
Political Stories Top stories California marijuana legalization initiative has the signatures — The California campaign to legalize recreational marijuana will announce at a formal kickoff Wednesday that proponents have collected enough signatures to place the initiative on the fall ballot. Sacramento Bee article; LA Times article Political tension ramp up at hearing on Newsom’s gun control initiative – Backers […]
May 3, 2016
Political Stories Top stories Democrats think this might be the year Jerry Brown loosens his grip on state spending – Gov. Jerry Brown has long warned that the state’s budget bonanza of recent years, fueled by a windfall of income tax revenues, is destined to sputter out — a mantra that’s helped deflect many of his fellow Democrats‘ spending demands. But […]
Cap & Trade: Good or Bad for the Valley?
Guests: Ross Brown (LAO), Dan Walters (Sac Bee), John Howard (Capitol Weekly), Bill McEwen (Fresno Bee Opinion Page Editor), Prof. Nate Monroe (UC Merced Poli Sci Dept. Chair), Paul Hurley (fmr. editor of the Visalia Times Delta). Host: Mark Keppler, Executive Director of The Maddy Institute.