California Political News
Irvine slate mailers bypassed $400 limit
Contractors, consultants and developers with business interests in the city of Irvine have channeled at least $696,115 since 2000 toward slate mailers touting councilman Larry Agran, his allies and his causes, according to an analysis of campaign...
Friday March 12, 2010 6:20PM | ocregister.com
Carly Fiorina a "lifelong Republican" -- but not in voter records
Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has claimed repeatedly that she has been a "lifelong Republican" -- but New Jersey voter records show otherwise, records show. Voting records...
Friday March 12, 2010 5:34PM | sfgate.com
S.F. Mayor Newsom declares candidacy for lieutenant governor
SAN FRANCISCO — After dropping out of the gubernatorial race last year, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is now running for lieutenant governor.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:20PM | mercurynews.com
Supervisors: Strip teasurer Street's powers
Orange County supervisors are moving forward with a plan to suspend embattled Treasurer-Tax Collector Chriss Street’s authority to invest county funds, Supervisor Bill Campbell said late Thursday. The move comes a week after a federal judge ruled...
Friday March 12, 2010 2:24PM | ocregister.com
Most Placer candidates face smooth sailing
District 1 Supervisor F.C. "Rocky" Rockholm, pictured, will face school trustee Jack Duran in the June 8 primary.Unless there is a last-minute rush of candidates, Placer County residents outside Roseville can expect a ho-hum June primary. With the filing period set to close today for most offices, county Supervisor F.C. "Rocky" Rockholm is the only incumbent expecting serious challenge in t ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
The Buzz: Taxpayers pony up for Mike Duvall's sexual bragging
Two special elections to replace Assemblyman Mike Duvall, above, who resigned in disgrace last year, cost $1.6 million.Here`s the taxpayer tab for former Assemblyman Mike Duvall`s boasts of sexual conquests: $1.6 million. A key question, now, is whether state or county coffers will eat it. Duvall, R-Yorba Linda, resigned from the Assembly in disgrace last September after his braggi ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
Dan Walters: Legislative overhaul likely DOA
Democratic legislative leaders, acknowledging the dysfunction of state government, say they want to place reforms before voters this year. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said the "system of finance is broken" as he and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez unveiled their package Thursday, a mixture of constitutional amendments and internal legislative reforms. Pérez said t ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
Legislative leaders target two-thirds requirements
Targeting California`s bitter budget fights, Democratic legislative leaders proposed a wide-ranging overhaul Thursday that would allow lawmakers to pass budgets by a simple-majority vote and would require them to forfeit pay if they are late in passing a spending plan. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez hailed the package as a way to restore publ ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
California public pension funds take new hits on real estate investments
Columbus Center, above, a massive condo-office complex near downtown Boston, was abandoned this week. CalPERS stands to lose $91 million.California`s two big public pension funds took fresh hits to their troubled real estate portfolios this week, suggesting the fallout from the real estate bubble hasn`t completely run its course. First up was CalPERS, which Wednesday walked away from a ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
California exports rise for third straight month
California trade is continuing its climb out of a deep hole, according to figures released Thursday. The value of Golden State exports rose nearly 18.5 percent in January compared with the same month last year, according to statistics released by the University of California Center Sacramento. The center based its analysis on nationwide data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The UC cen ...
Friday March 12, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com
Counties weigh ballot measure imposing $10 auto registration fee to fill potholes.
Transportation agencies in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa and other Bay Area counties are considering seeking voter approval to raise fees to fix roads, improve transit and fight congestion.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:25AM | mercurynews.com
Five schools in San Jose, three in East Palo Alto slip 'lowest-performing' label
The decision capped a week of upheaval for three San Jose school districts`”San Jose Unified, Mount Pleasant and Alum Rock Union`”that had schools on a preliminary list drawn up by the state. And the state board`s action was gratifying to San Jose Unified Superintendent Don Iglesias, who lobbied all week that some schools were unfairly targeted.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:22AM | mercurynews.com
Coastal and ocean birds most at risk from climate change, report says
In a new report, scientists say rising seas and changing fish ranges threaten birds that live on beaches and islands more than birds in any other U.S. habitat.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:17AM | mercurynews.com
Some in U.S. see growing rift between Taliban, al-Qaida
WASHINGTON — A growing number of Taliban militants in the Pakistani border region are refusing to collaborate with al-Qaida fighters, declining to provide shelter or assist in attacks in Afghanistan even in return for payment, according to U.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:04AM | mercurynews.com
Simitian bill takes aim at big pension payouts for public employees
Tapping into public resentment toward government pay perks, state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, has introduced legislation that would put limits on the retirement benefits of government workers.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:41AM | mercurynews.com
Democrats aim to include student aid in health care bill
WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders said Thursday that they were increasingly inclined to release a final health care bill that could accomplish two of President Barack Obama`s top domestic priorities: guaranteeing coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans and vastly expanding federal aid for
Friday March 12, 2010 3:08AM | mercurynews.com
Obama gives away $1.4 million Nobel prize
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama plans to donate the $1.4 million from his Nobel Peace Prize to helping students, veterans` families and survivors of Haiti`s earthquake, among others, drawing attention to organizations he said "do extraordinary work.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:03AM | mercurynews.com
A pioneer of civil rights dies alone and nearly forgotten
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Neighbors were chagrined last week when the police found the body of an elderly woman who had frozen to death, alone in her house, during frigid weather.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:01AM | mercurynews.com
California Legislature takes up constitutional reforms, targets budget process
SACRAMENTO — With billion-dollar deficits and partisan spats sending faith in California`s leaders to new lows, Democratic leaders on Thursday unveiled a wide-ranging set of constitutional changes they hope will shake Sacramento out of its longtime fugue.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:44AM | mercurynews.com
San Jose writes off $1.7 million in debts
City officials say keeping debts that San Jose isn't likely to collect on the books distorts the revenue side of the ledger, but insist they're still going after the alleged deadbeats.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:43AM | mercurynews.com
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