Political Stories Top stories The 31st Assembly District is in for a strange election year — The possibilities could confuse even the most hardened political junkie. For instance, one candidate could win in April, but lose in November. He would be in the state Assembly a little more than seven months. Or a candidate could win in […]

Political Stories Top stories Will California pot legalization survive the presidential election? — Californians will vote this fall on legalizing marijuana for recreation but whether Golden State residents can break out the bongs could depend on what happens at the top of the ballot. The next president has the power to shut down marijuana sales in […]

Political Stories Top stories Valley farmers, others come out against rail-water initiative — A group of central San Joaquin Valley agriculture, government and Latino leaders is raising an alarm about a proposed ballot initiative to take money away from high-speed rail and use it instead for water-storage projects in California. Fresno Bee article Fact check: Gavin Newsom […]

Political Stories Top stories  Bakersfield Mayor Hall won’t seek fifth term — Mayor Harvey L. Hall, the longest-serving mayor in Bakersfield city history, announced Tuesday he will not seek a fifth term later this year. Bakersfield Californian article  Relaxed rules now govern political yard signs in Fresno — It’s quite possible that former Fresno City Council Member Jerry […]

Political Stories Top stories  That blockbuster California ballot will be a $452-million battle — The bottom line: an initiative season in the Golden State that could see total spending of at least $452 million — and perhaps even hitting half a billion dollars — by the time the final votes are cast. LA Times article Proposal would shift bullet […]

Political Stories Top stories  California Legislature poised to pass replacement tax on health care plans — After months of uncertainty, the Legislature appears poised to approve a tax on health care plans that would generate $1.27 billion annually and could substantially boost funding for developmentally disabled Californians for the first time in more than a decade. San Jose […]

Political Stories Top stories  Scalia’s death likely to change outcome of key cases – With the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, a narrowly divided Supreme Court now enters even trickier terrain. Tie votes and tougher calculations will become the order of the day. McClatchy Newspapers article Dan Morain: Death penalty continues in death spiral — Say both […]

Political Stories Top stories Forecasters increasingly see victory for Valley congressional incumbents — On Thursday, “Sabato’s Crystal Ball” – a national look at federal races published by University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato – moved Jim Costa’s race from “likely” Democratic to “safe” Democratic, and both David Valadao and Jeff Denham’s races from “leans” Republican […]

Political Stories Top stories Dianne Feinstein tries yet again with California water bill — Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday relaunched a big California water bill, in what might be cast as the triumph of hope over experience. Unveiling her third proposal in the past two years for ways to divide California’s water supply among many […]

Political Stories Top stories Dan Walters: California has 5 would-be governors – The 2016 political campaign season has scarcely begun, so of course it’s time to begin noodling about 2018 – and particularly the governorship that Jerry Brown will finally relinquish. Five Democrats – all middle-aged men, interestingly – are emitting varying levels of vibration about […]