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Articles Tagged With ‘California’




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)

Capps’ seat may be endangered

Written on 19 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 198 comments

Congresswoman Lois Capps is one of four California Democrats whose congressional seat is considered competitive, according to the Cook Political Report. [Sacramento Bee] Configuration of Capps’ 23rd Congressional District changed during the recent reapportionment, it having been a relatively safe... (Continue reading)

State’s job outlook brightens

Written on 15 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 29 comments

New jobs in California added over the next two years should decrease the state’s unemployment rate to 10 percent, according to an optimistic economic forecast by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. [Los Angeles Times] Predictions are for 500,000... (Continue reading)

State pension reform envisioned

Written on 10 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 17 comments

Public employees’ pensions will be reformed by the legislature before the next state budget is adopted, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg predicted today. [Sacramento Bee] “We are committed to getting pension reform done,” said the Upper House leader, downplaying... (Continue reading)

Curiosity and controversy over wave potential power arise

Written on 9 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 24 comments

California’s Central Coast has the second largest wave potential power in the nation, falling second only to the state of Alaska, according to a new study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). [MontereyCountyWeekly] Atmocean Incorporated founder Phil Kithil... (Continue reading)

Court cancels gay marriage ban

Written on 8 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 13 comments

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled California’s ban on same-sex marriages unconstitutional Tuesday, saying the ban “lessens the status and human dignity” of gays. The court allowed time for proponents of the ban to... (Continue reading)

Pot dispensaries, an answer to budget shortfalls?

Written on 30 Jan, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 12 comments

Federal and city authorities continue to send conflicting messages to those Californians looking to open marijuana dispensaries. [SFChronicle] This February, officials within the city of Oakland are expected to grant permits to four new pot shops, doubling the number of... (Continue reading)