L.A. Times - George Skelton

'Maldonado for governor' off to a bad start

George Skelton — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:45:00 -0700

The Republican who dares to consider going up against Brown will have to do better than his mistaken example of the problems with inmate realignment.

SACRAMENTO — It seemed like a fairly good idea at the time — the idea of Abel Maldonado running for governor.

In new era, Brown has the clout to corral Legislature

George Skelton — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:49:00 -0700

As budget-negotiating season opens, the governor is preaching 'prudence, not exuberance,' and he holds the strongest hand.

SACRAMENTO — Dynamics have shifted dramatically in California's Capitol since Gov. Jerry Brown returned two years ago—both fiscal and political dynamics.

Pérez vows fiscal discipline from Democrats

George Skelton — Mon, 6 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

The Assembly speaker won't rush to spend a tax windfall and proposes a new rainy-day reserve to stash money

SACRAMENTO — Speaker John Pérez wants voters to know something: Cash may be cascading into state coffers as it hasn't for years. Democrats may totally control the Assembly with a new supermajority. But they're not going to be drunken sailors.

Savvy politicos block the shot

George Skelton — Wed, 1 May 2013 16:48:00 -0700

Sacramento's Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA all-star, teamed with a squad of connected political operatives to gain an edge in the fight to keep the Kings in town.

SACRAMENTO — There's an emotional risk to falling in love with a local pro sports team, because it can cheat on you. It can walk out and take up with another city.

Gov. Brown as Robin Hood

George Skelton — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0700

His plan to shift money from suburban to urban districts might help disadvantaged students but it could hurt other kids.

Now we know what Gov. Jerry Brown really cares about — what gets him riled and raring to rumble.

Obamacare fuels turf war

George Skelton — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:32:00 -0700

It's doctors vs. other medical providers in a debate about what type care non-doctors may provide. The Legislature and governor should negotiate a truce to the decades-long fight that's only heating up.

SACRAMENTO — Obamacare is supplying fresh ammunition for one of the oldest turf wars in Sacramento.

Chasm divides gun control and gun rights advocates

George Skelton — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:38:00 -0700

The gun lobby is so hard-line that it's ignored by Sacramento Democrats.

SACRAMENTO — "Living in parallel universes," is how Senate leader Darrell Steinberg describes it. Gun control and gun rights advocates "talking past each other."

Welcome home, governor. Now get to work

George Skelton — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:55:00 -0700

While Gov. Jerry Brown was in China, a trip paid for by special interests, the real work was piling up — the budget, school funding, water, environmental act reforms, and the list goes on.

SACRAMENTO—Let's welcome the governor back home. It must be sobering. The work has been piling up. The real, difficult work.

China's no template for California

George Skelton — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0700

On a trade mission, Gov. Brown touts the country's efficiency. But back home, he's been navel-gazing about a water bond.

SACRAMENTO — Maybe Gov. Jerry Brown has been in China too long. Because some presumably serious comments by him while riding a bullet train were amusing head-shakers.

Brown's China trip may have dubious value for the state

George Skelton — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:37:00 -0700

Special interests stand to gain, but the sorry track record of foreign trade offices opened by past governors holds a lesson.

SACRAMENTO — You know things are going splendidly for a governor when he can arrange a weeklong jaunt through China and not have to pay a cent himself — or even dip into the public till.