McCarthy

By Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times
November 23, 2011

California’s proposed bullet train, the nation’s largest public infrastructure project, has become the focus of an intense federal funding battle that could undermine its survival, as Republican leaders in Congress attempt to claw back as much as $3.3 billion in federal grants already approved for the start of construction next year.

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By Cindy Baker | 11/23/11 12:00 AM PST

Lobbyists have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. The powerful interests that employ lobbyists spent nearly quarter of a billion dollars — $217 million from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 – to persuade government to meet their clients’ needs. The amount is a record.

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PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
November 22, 2011 | 6:19 pm

The decision to pay state lawmakers mileage for using their cars on business instead of a $300-per-month transportation allowance could end up costing taxpayers more.

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November 22, 2011 | 5:02 pm

California’s giant public pension fund and 15 other large investors settled lawsuits accusing former mortgage goliath Countrywide Financial Corp. of costing them billions of dollars in stock losses by failing to disclose the severity of the risks posed by the easy-money loans the Calabasas lender handed out during the housing boom.

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