At least five Central Coast individuals may be targeted by a major legislative effort to penalize tax scofflaws by suspending professional or drivers’ licenses of the state’s worst offenders. Assemblyman Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) has pushed his bill to the... (Continue reading)
It’s been a bad year at the state capitol for environmental issues despite an ostensibly friendly administration, and it’s a trend being felt nationwide as the economy hemorrhages. [SanJoseMercuryNews] Representatives of many California environmental interest groups had hoped that Gov.... (Continue reading)
A bill aimed at opening the financial records of California’s institutions of higher education was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jerry Brown. “It is a major move forward for transparency,” said Tim O’Keefe, retired Cal Poly faculty and current... (Continue reading)
State Supreme Court justices Tuesday appeared to be receptive to arguments by backers of California’s same-sex marriage ban that proponents of Prop. 8 should have legal authority to defend their measure in court. [SanFranciscoChronicle] Several justices suggested during oral arguments... (Continue reading)
A controversial state measure to provide publicly-funded financial aid to undocumented immigrant college students has ignited a widespread political firefight, and Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated he is likely to sign the bill into law. [Reuters] The Assembly passed AB... (Continue reading)
Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday that he is leaning against Internet retailer Amazon.com’s proposal to put off enforcing a new law that taxes online purchases in exchange for the company launching several California distribution centers that would create several thousand... (Continue reading)
A law taking effect in January targets a common practice of some California city council members of improperly fattening their paychecks with multiple-meeting stipends. The new law requires local lawmakers to announce the amount of stipends they will receive when... (Continue reading)
Gov. Jerry Brown and Democrats in the Legislature were frustrated this year in seeking Republican votes to close the state’s budget deficit by asking voters to OK billions of dollars in tax extensions. [FresnoBee] Brown was unable to garner support... (Continue reading)
Public schools in California will be required to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans starting Jan. 1 after Gov. Jerry Brown signed a controversial bill on Thursday. [SFGate] Social sciences curriculum textbooks now must... (Continue reading)
Illegal immigrants would be allowed to get privately financed student aid administered by state universities and colleges under legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. [LATimes] Brown said during last year’s election campaign that... (Continue reading)