Articles Tagged With ‘Sacramento’




Pols ponder private pension plan

A controversial measure establishing this country’s first state-run retirement system for private-sector employees ran into a buzz saw of opposition Wednesday in its first test in the California Assembly. (San Francisco Chronicle) Financial service, insurance and business groups weighed in... (Continue reading)

California departments hoarding more than $2.3 billion

While California legislators vote to cut funding to schools and healthcare, state departments have underreported more than $2.3 billion, according to a analysis of 500 special funds by the Mercury News. Following the discovery that state parks had underreported $54... (Continue reading)

A new Delta water plan rolls out

A controversial conveyance project designed to transport more fresh water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed form but it remains the bane of conservation groups and a number of major agricultural interests. The Delta provides water for the State... (Continue reading)

Teacher sex bill succumbs

A plan to streamline and simplify the process for firing teachers guilty of sex, drugs or violence involving children died in an Assembly committee this week, victim of vigorous opposition from the California Teachers Association. (Sacramento Bee) The measure by... (Continue reading)

New tax-hike plan touted

A Berkeley Democrat’s effort to alter the way California assesses taxes for many state taxpayers faces an uncertain future, needing two-thirds of the Assembly to back it. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner has introduced legislation to disallow the use of net operating... (Continue reading)

Sheriffs support early release prisoner bill

Faced with the cost of a rapidly growing inmate population, California sheriffs are backing a bill that would allow some felons to leave county jails before completing minimum sentences. The bill, authored by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would grant... (Continue reading)

Blakeslee bill would ban gifts

A local lawmaker’s bill to prohibit lobbyists and the firms that hire them from gifting elected state officials has made it to the floor of the California Senate. Sen. Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) coaxed his S.B 1426 out of... (Continue reading)

Brown down, tax plan up

Gov. Jerry Brown’s popularity is slipping, but support for his tax initiative proposal is gaining traction . [Sacramento Bee] Poll results from the Public Policy Institute of California show that for the first time since taking office, Brown’s approval rating... (Continue reading)

Designated drivers may be robots

Vehicles without drivers may soon be zipping around California streets and highways following unanimous approval Monday by the state Senate of authorizing legislation. If the Assembly endorses S.B 1298 by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), the governor will have the opportunity... (Continue reading)

Bills focus on lowering prison recidivism

Prompted by stories of former prisoners unable to get jobs and assimilate into society because of the stigma of a felony conviction, California lawmakers are considering three bills that would make it easier for ex-convicts to get jobs. [MyDesert] One... (Continue reading)