L.A. Times - California Politics

California tax proposals target beer-loving, pornography-watching yacht owners

Thu, 8 May 2008 23:18:00 -0700

Democratic lawmakers search far and wide for new revenue to balance the state budget, though Republicans have vowed to stop any tax hikes.

As state leaders hunt for politically palatable solutions to the swelling budget shortfall, some Democrats are proposing unorthodox ways to generate cash.

Judge rules against Carona on obtaining files about associates

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The former O.C. sheriff sought investigative records on three men who were once part of his inner circle. They are expected to testify against him.

Former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona lost another round in court Thursday as a federal judge rejected his efforts to obtain investigative files and records in cases that involve three former associates who are expected to be chief prosecution witnesses at his August corruption trial.

Perata drops bid to recall GOP senator from Atwater

Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The Senate president pro tem heeds Republican warnings that efforts to unseat Jeff Denham could result in a repeat of last year's tortured budget deliberations.

The Democratic leader of the state Senate said Wednesday he is dropping his campaign to recall Republican state Sen. Jeff Denham, after GOP leaders warned that the effort was a stumbling block to bipartisan negotiations on the state budget.

U.S. says Carona can get a fair trial in Orange County

Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Prosecutors say they don't approve of radio hosts John and Ken's bid to taint the ex-sheriff's jury pool but downplay the effect the effort might have.

Noting that even high-profile cases like Watergate were not relocated, federal prosecutors argued Wednesday that a fair and impartial Orange County jury could be found for the trial of former Sheriff Michael S. Carona, despite pretrial publicity including antics by a pair of Los Angeles radio hosts.

L.A. airports director Lindsey oversaw Seattle airport when controversial contracts were awarded

Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

An examination by Washington state finds abuses in pacts signed by the port agency. She says the group had wide discretion on deals. A criminal probe is underway.

Los Angeles airports Director Gina Marie Lindsey, who is embroiled in a controversy over LAX contracting procedures, oversaw Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at a time when millions of dollars in aviation-related contracts were awarded in violation of policy and state law, according to a recent state government audit.

O.C.'s Emergency Operations Center needs repairs, grand jury says

Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Report cites problems with power, sewage and ventilation. The Sheriff's Department is reviewing the details.

Orange County's Emergency Operations Center, its nerve center during such disasters as October's wildfires, needs renovation or it may find itself a victim of a disaster, according to a grand jury report released Tuesday.

Vegetable oil fuels cars -- and tax bills

Tue, 6 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Diesel owners who switch to cooking grease can run afoul of the law. Just ask the governor.

Dave Eck, a Half Moon Bay mechanic, had attracted a media spotlight with his fleet of vehicles fueled by used fryer grease from a local chowder house. So when Sacramento called, he figured officials wanted advice on promoting alternative fuels.

Court voids inmate's death sentence

Tue, 6 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Judge Lance Ito was one of three prosecutors who failed to turn over confession in killing, state justices rule.

In a unanimous decision, the California Supreme Court found Monday that a San Quentin inmate was wrongly sentenced to death in 1982 for murder because Los Angeles district attorneys -- including current Superior Court Judges Lance A. Ito and Frederick Horn -- withheld a confession to the killing by their star witness.

Terror attack would overwhelm L.A., D.C. hospitals, expert says

Tue, 6 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

A strike similar to the train bombings in Madrid would be even more catastrophic in the U.S., members of a congressional panel are told.

A terrorist attack similar to the 2004 commuter train bombings in Madrid would be even more catastrophic in Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., because the injured would overwhelm strained emergency services, experts told a congressional hearing Monday.

Atwater lawmaker targeted in recall draws wide support

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

After Republican Jeff Denham refused to vote for the state budget, Democrats began a campaign to unseat him. But the move has brought sympathizers to his defense.

Donald Benart runs a business in Rialto, hundreds of miles from the Central California district of state Sen. Jeff Denham, and has never met the Republican lawmaker who represents this farming area.