Articles Tagged With ‘California’




State worker pay cut now a standoff

Both sides in Sacramento seem to be claiming victory on the issue of a temporary pay cut for state workers. The courts ruled once again Friday in favor of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s right to pay state workers a minimum wage... (Continue reading)

Controller refuses to cut state workers’ pay

State Controller John Chiang announced Thursday that he would strongly defy Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s order to pay state workers minimum wage “until the courts hand down a final resolution.” [LA Times] Earlier in the day, the governor had ordered all... (Continue reading)

State employees play: You pay

Time once again for another state auditor’s report of state employees misbehaving on company time. [California Watch] Many of the investigations were based on whistleblower complaints and address a wide range of sordid allegations including: taking improper gifts, falsifying travel... (Continue reading)

Hey 19: Marijuana legalization ballot measure assigned a number

Proposition 19. Get used to it, because you’re going to be bombarded for the next four months by a cacophony of media messages concerning Proposition 19, which is now the official designation for the November ballot measure involving marijuana legalization.... (Continue reading)

Governor to motorists: Drive carefully

Five California Highway patrol officers have died in the line of duty during the last two months, including three who were hit and killed by motorists on freeway or highway shoulders. The back-to-back deaths of two officers on Sunday, including... (Continue reading)

Vehicle license fee for state parks qualifies for ballot

Voters will now decide in November whether to add an $18 surcharge on the vehicle license fee to fund California state parks and wildlife refuges. [San Francisco Chronicle] Supporters submitted over 750,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office. The... (Continue reading)

Coastal Commission head steps aside to fight lung cancer

Peter Douglas, executive director of the California Coastal Commission and an author of the state’s landmark Coastal Act, is fighting lung cancer and will now have a reduced day-to-day role in this key state agency. [Los Angeles Times] Douglas, 67, is... (Continue reading)

Meg Whitman: The $71 million candidate

According to public campaign records, Meg Whitman has so far spent $71 million of her personal fortune to become the next governor of California–and that is just for the primary. [Associated Press] The former eBay CEO is expected to prevail... (Continue reading)

California’s white population continues to decline

Newly released figures indicate that California’s white population has declined since 2000 at an unprecedented rate, making it possible for Hispanics eventually to emerge as the state’s largest population group. [San Francisco Chronicle] There were 500,000 fewer whites living in... (Continue reading)

Assembly votes to ban plastic grocery bags

The state Assembly has passed legislation prohibiting California pharmacies and grocery, liquor, and convenience stores from using plastic bags. The bill also calls for customers to be charged for using store-issued paper bags. [AP] Lawmakers say the purpose of the... (Continue reading)