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Articles Tagged With ‘California’




Kill California sea lions?

Written on 19 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 12 comments

The U.S. Government has authorized the limited killing of California sea lions in an attempt to protect endangered Columbia River salmon in Oregon and Washington. [LaredoSun] On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved the sanctioned killing of... (Continue reading)

Tax gap costing all Californians

Written on 13 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 30 comments

Potential tax dollars lost to the “underground economy” deprives California’s coffers of as much as $10 billion annually, a study by the state’s Franchise Tax Board suggests. Other tax-avoiding techniques contribute to the deficit, the study notes, such as non-filing... (Continue reading)

3 bodies found off California Coast

Written on 12 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

U.S Coast Guard crews searching for a missing fishing vessel found four bodies near a capsized vehicle on Sunday. [Noozhawk] Three of the bodies were pulled from the ocean near Platts Harbor, about 25 miles south of Santa Barbara, and... (Continue reading)

California a leader in mortgage fraud

Written on 8 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

California continues to lead the nation in questionable home loans, with Santa Clara, Orange and San Bernardino counties among the areas with the highest number of suspected mortgage fraud cases, federal financial officials reported this week. [CaliforniaWatch] San Luis Obispo... (Continue reading)

Community colleges need more state oversight?

Written on 5 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

Several bills introduced during the past few years have tried – unsuccessfully – to reform the California Community Colleges system known for having a large percentage of public attendance and lower than national graduation rates. [CaliforniaWatch] Of the six community... (Continue reading)

Disability access law may get tweaked

Written on 2 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

A Southern California lawmaker is offering a proposal to change the state’s disabilities law to combat what he calls “extortion of businesses” by exploitive individuals and lawyers. Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced legislation to allow businesses more time to... (Continue reading)

Congress makes move on state water

Written on 1 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 13 comments

A partisan majority in the U.S. Congress Wednesday approved a wide-reaching California water bill providing a gift-basket of benefits to farmers and striking down existing state law. [SacramentoBee] The bill, by Republican Congressman Devin Nunes of Visalia, stretches out and... (Continue reading)

Big bucks tax plans gaining ground

Written on 24 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 47 comments

Strong statewide support exists for imposition of a so-called “millionaires’ tax” as California residents indicate fatigue with budget austerity. [SanFranciscoChronicle] A recently released Field Poll shows that sentiment is growing for a higher tax rate for high income earners. Several... (Continue reading)

Proposed Medi-Cal changes questioned

Written on 24 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

Major changes for the state’s medical program for the needy are in the works, even as legislative advisers and advocates raise major questions. [CaliforniaWatch] Changes include more seniors being routed to managed care programs, a reinvention of how hospitals are... (Continue reading)

Governing by initiatives: very costly

Written on 22 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

California’s government is increasingly impacted by the whim of successful voter initiatives, which have multiplied like amoeba during a half century of public  availability. Data provided by the California State Senate suggest there might be as many as 885 proposed... (Continue reading)