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Articles Tagged With ‘California’




Community college changes on horizon

Written on 30 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

California’s public education system has been a world-class model of efficiency and affordability for five decades, but no longer. Gradual overloading and budget restraints have gutted the once-proud model, and that in turn is opening the door for enterprising private,... (Continue reading)

Court eradicates redevelopment agencies

Written on 29 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 16 comments

State budget writers can scrub redevelopment funds used by California cities to redevelop blighted areas, the state’s supreme Court ruled today. [LATimes] As a result of the decision, San Luis Obispo County’s five redevelopment agencies stand to lose a combined... (Continue reading)

Legal theft of vehicles will cease

Written on 27 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 59 comments

A new law taking effect Jan. 1 will prohibit law enforcement from confiscating and towing vehicles of unlicensed drivers stopped at DUI checkpoints. [AssociatedPress] The controversial practice has resulted in the taking  of thousands of vehicles and placing them in... (Continue reading)

Peace officers buying and selling assault weapons

Written on 22 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 47 comments

California peace officers have bought more than 7,600 assault weapons that are outlawed for civilians in the decade since state lawmakers allowed the practice, according to data obtained by the Associated Press after it was revealed that federal authorities are... (Continue reading)

Study lists California pensions’ shortfall at $500 billion

Written on 14 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 21 comments

California’s three largest pension systems are on the hook for $500 billion beyond their current ability to pay retirees, according to a study released Tuesday by Stanford University Professor and former Democratic Assemblyman Joe Nation and a student researcher. [SacramentoBee]... (Continue reading)

California’s battling tax hike initiatives

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

Californians overwhelmingly support raising taxes to support public education, but three such competing initiatives could be defeated because of voter confusion. [LosAngelesTimes] Funding for California’s public school system ranks 42nd among states in student spending. In addition, university students face... (Continue reading)

Central Coast leads California in falling incomes

Written on 8 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 35 comments

Residents of the Central Coast of California have been hit the hardest in the great recession with median incomes plummeting 18 percent since 2007, according to a report released today by the Public Policy Institute of California. The report defines... (Continue reading)

California plans to eliminate 600 state hospital jobs

Written on 8 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 19 comments

As part of a plan to overhaul the state’s mental health system, officials proposed eliminating about 600 jobs from the state’s five mental hospitals which includes Atascadero State Hospital, according to a report released Wednesday. The layoffs come as part... (Continue reading)

Voters favor public pension reform

Written on 7 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 26 comments

By a slim majority, California voters tilt in favor of Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to reduce public pensions. [Field Poll] The governor’s 12-point plan introduced last month has gained the favor of 51 percent of those polled, said Mark DiCamillo,... (Continue reading)

Dual state probe into foreclosures

Written on 6 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 15 comments

A joint investigation into mortgage abuses by the nation’s largest banks will team the attorneys general of California and Nevada, two states hit hardest by foreclosures. [SacrementoBee] The collaborative effort of California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Nevada Attorney General... (Continue reading)