L.A. Times - California Politics

California lawmakers, officials face 18% pay cut

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Legislative leaders had challenged the authority of the state's independent pay commission after it voted to trim salaries. But Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown's opinion says the panel can cut compensation.

California's Legislature went to state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown recently seeking relief from a future pay cut and on Thursday received an unwelcome surprise: An 18% reduction for lawmakers and other elected state officials can begin next month instead of a year from now.

L.A. County hate crimes drop 4%

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

But gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people were targeted more often, prompted in part by last November's highly charged Prop. 8 initiative, report says.

Los Angeles County saw an overall 4% drop in hate crimes last year, while crimes against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people increased, prompted in part by last November's highly charged Proposition 8 initiative, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California, according to a report released Thursday.

California voters want a no-pork diet

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The water bond proposal written and passed by the Legislature needs a major rewrite, with an emphasis on de-larding it.

No matter how clever and careful the writer, on occasion a work should be ripped up and retooled. That also goes for writers of legislation.

Low turnout in Orange County Assembly race rekindles debate on mail-only voting

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Just 4% of registered voters in the 72nd District went to precincts to fill Mike Duvall's old seat. Another 14% sent in ballots.

Dismal turnout at the polls in Tuesday's special election to fill Mike Duvall's former Assembly seat is adding to the debate over wider use of mail-only elections.

California's budget woes will continue for years, report says

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Tax receipts have leveled off, but revenue won't bounce back until the 2014-15 budget year, according to the chief budget analyst. Near term, the state faces a nearly $21-billion deficit.

Despite an economy on the mend, California's budget woes will drag deep into the next decade, according to a report released Wednesday by the state's chief budget analyst.

Group tied to DWP employees union sues L.A. Ethics Commission to block fundraising limit

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

A 1985 local law bars political committees from accepting contributions of more than $500 if the group plans to use that money to make an independent expenditure for a city candidate.

A nonprofit group closely tied to the Department of Water and Power employees union has filed a federal lawsuit against the City's Ethics Commission, saying a city campaign fundraising law is unfairly limiting its ability to advocate on behalf of City Council candidate Christine Essel.

Proposed water bond is laden with sweeteners for lawmakers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

More than $1 billion in an $11-billion measure to provide clean water will go toward pet projects. Opponents worry that discredited ideas could be revived.

Lawmakers want voters to borrow $11 billion next year to keep California supplied with clean water, but more than $1 billion of the money is earmarked for projects that have little or nothing to do with quenching the state's thirst.

California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The legislative budget analyst's projection, to be released Wednesday, threatens to send Sacramento back into gridlock and force more broad cuts to state programs.

Less than four months after California leaders stitched together a patchwork budget, a projected deficit of nearly $21 billion already looms over Sacramento, according to a report to be released today by the chief budget analyst.

Chris Norby is first but faces runoff in 72nd Assembly District

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:18:00 -0800

The Orange County supervisor jumped to an early lead but fell short of the majority vote needed to win Mike Duvall's old seat.

After a whirlwind, blistering race to replace a disgraced former state legislator, Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby came in first among five candidates Tuesday but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Supervisors approve health initiatives to improve the county's chances of receiving federal stimulus funds, but vote against a proposal to discourage the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

In an effort to strengthen their bid for as much as $40 million in federal stimulus funds intended for communities that promote healthy living, Los Angeles County supervisors approved a package of health initiatives Tuesday that included new community gardens and bike paths.