Political Stories – Top stories California farmers hope Congress and Trump team can deliver irrigation drain deal — The political terrain appears favorable for a mega-million-dollar irrigation drainage deal, with Congress still fully in Republican hands and California’s sprawling Westlands Water District with influential allies. But there are complications. One is a legal cloud over a neighboring water […]
Political Stories-Top stories George Skelton: California lawmakers are stuck on Trump, but there’s a problem at home that needs attention: dirty water — While President Trump and his California resistors dominate the spotlight, a little outfit without much pizazz is trying to draw state government’s attention to sickening drinking water in the San Joaquin Valley. Skelton column in LA […]
Political Stories – Top stories Dan Walters: Regulators in Sacramento and Washington need oversight — What is happening in both capitals demonstrates that very often the real-world impact of legislation is determined more by its implementing rules than its presumed intent. Presidents and governors, being political animals, take expansive views of their rule-making authority, and some oversight […]
Political Stories Top stories Appeals court rejection leaves Trump travel ban on hold — The legal fight over President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations is on hold after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban, allowing previously barred travelers to continue […]
Political Stories-Top stories This California Republican takes a daring stand on overhauling immigration – California Republican Rep. David Valadao of Hanford is pushing for an immigration overhaul, placing himself in the middle of the very issue that’s ripping both parties apart. Through public statements, legislation and now an earnestly worded plea to President Donald Trump, Valadao […]
Political Stories – Top stories If Trump does try to take away California’s federal dollars, he faces a rough time — Serious legal, political and practical obstacles impede President Donald Trump’s threat to withhold federal funds from the state of California or its cities if they declare themselves sanctuaries for immigrants. Not that that will stop the […]
Political Stories – Top stories Dan Walters: Jerry Brown, legislators headed for budget clash? – A major factor in whether the budget conflict escalates into a toe-to-toe showdown is a multibillion-dollar disagreement on projected revenues. While Brown’s Department of Finance sees flattening revenues that fall short of fully financing current services and programs, the Legislature’s budget analyst, […]
Political Stories – Top stories Dispute over border wall plunges U.S. into crisis with Mexico, as Mexican president scraps White House visit — One of America’s most important strategic relationships plunged to a new low Thursday when an escalating dispute over a proposed wall on the U.S.-Mexico border prompted Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to cancel a planned visit […]
Political Stories – Top stories A campaign promise fulfilled: Trump orders Mexico wall construction to begin – President Donald Trump took a significant step toward carrying out his signature – and most controversial – campaign promise Wednesday, ordering the construction of a wall along the southwest border. In a pair of executive orders, Trump also ordered an […]
Political Stories – Top stories Jerry Brown: ‘California is not turning back. Not now, not ever’ — Gov. Jerry Brown, plunging into position as a Democratic bulwark against Donald Trump’s presidency, warned Tuesday of looming battles with Republican-controlled Washington, using his State of the State address to assuage fears that California would turn its back on progressive […]
