Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, May. 19, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, May. 19, 2013 – 8:10 am
Jerry Brown – who made “lower your expectations” a catchphrase of his first governorship – is back in that mode during his second stint, especially on spending.
By Patrick McGreevy
May 16, 2013, 3:07 p.m.
The state certified Thursday that it has a sufficient reserve fund to allow pay raises for Gov. Jerry Brown, state lawmakers and other elected officials, but members of a panel that sets pay say they will probably maintain the status quo for another year.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
State Assembly Member Norma Torres (D-Pomona) handily defeated Mayor Paul Leon (R-Ontario) to fill the 32nd State Senate District seat vacated by now-U.S. Representative Gloria Negrete-McLeod on Tuesday night.
LAURA OLSON, Associated Press
Updated 10:13 am, Saturday, May 11, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California schools are expecting a boost from the $900 million to be raised over the next year through the closure of a corporate tax loophole, but Gov. Jerry Brown is locked in a disagreement with state lawmakers over how to hand out that money.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, May. 12, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, May. 12, 2013 – 7:33 am
There’s absolutely nothing wrong, per se, with incurring debt, whether it’s by families, businesses or governments. A functional credit market is absolutely vital to a modern economy.
May 10, 2013; 06:24 PM
SACRAMENTO — Money is pouring into candidates’ campaign committees. Legislative staffers are spending weekends walking precincts and calling voters in a race that seems to be a toss-up.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, May. 7, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Tuesday, May. 7, 2013 – 8:37 am
There’s nothing ambiguous about Article IV, Section 8a of the California Constitution:
By Andrew Edwards
andrew.edwards@ inlandnewspapers.com @InlandGov on Twitter
Posted: 05/05/2013 09:45:08 PM PDT
Assemblywoman Norma Torres has continued to maintain her big fundraising lead in the race for an open state Senate seat, raising more than double the amount collected by her opponent, Ontario Mayor Paul Leon.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, May. 6, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Monday, May. 6, 2013 – 7:56 am
Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers are on a collision course over restoring cuts to California’s safety net, marking a key test of vows to hold the line on state spending.
By Patrick McGreevy
May 2, 2013, 11:06 a.m.
SACRAMENTO — The state Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would allow prosecutors to file misdemeanor instead of felony charges in cases of simple possession of heroin, cocaine and other hard drugs.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
May 2, 2013
Former Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia is looking to return to the Legislature.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 29, 2013
A bipartisan handful of legislators is trying to stop the Sacramento tradition known as the “gut-and-amend” bill — the last-minute, late-night law-making that has become the summertime norm in the Capitol.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/27/2013 06:58:39 PM PDT
Updated: 04/27/2013 10:48:21 PM PDT
A chance to pick up a vacant state Senate seat and demonstrate the California Republican Party and their allies are serious about backing Latino candidates may seem like a golden opportunity for the state’s GOP, but the party seems to be setting its sights elsewhere than the 32nd state Senate District.
By Laurel Rosenhall
lrosenhall@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Apr. 28, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, Apr. 28, 2013 – 10:56 am
At first glance, the role interest groups play in crafting laws in California seems easy to spot.
Unlike in many states, legislative analyses list “sponsors” for many bills, indicating that a lobbyist suggested – perhaps even wrote – and martialed forces for the measure.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Apr. 28, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Apr. 28, 2013 – 7:25 am
David Crane, a businessman who advised former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on financial matters – particularly long-term public pension deficits – recently wrote an I-told-you-so piece for the Bloomberg news service about the State Teachers Retirement System.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 23, 2013
Despite relatively robust income tax returns and a projection that the state will finish April billions of dollars ahead of estimates, Gov. Jerry Brown today dismissed a reporter’s suggestion he must be “pretty happy,” suggesting any overage may be tied up by Proposition 98, California’s school-funding guarantee.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
By Chris Megerian
April 19, 2013, 7:00 a.m.
SACRAMENTO — By now it’s a safe bet that California tax revenue will surpass expectations during the current fiscal year. But the question of what that means for the state’s bottom line is far from settled.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 18, 2013
A day after Congress rejected a package of bills aimed at tightening restrictions on gun ownership, California lawmakers moved in the opposite direction, increasing funds for a program that confiscates weapons from people who are prohibited from owning them because of mental illness or violent criminal pasts.
April 16, 2013; 07:12 PM
Legislation to restore millions of dollars in 2011 budget cuts to four Riverside County cities has been pulled from its first committee hearing.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2013 – 7:14 am
The California Legislature rarely – if ever – concerns itself with long-range, big-picture social and economic trends and their relationship to current decision-making.
Likewise, legislators rarely – if ever – expose themselves to inputs about those trends that don’t match their ideological predilections.
By Christopher Cadelago7:13 a.m.April 13, 2013
SACRAMENTO — In Sacramento, an old maxim holds true for some of the state’s largest power brokers: Always be nice to the secretary.
And the legislative director.
And the committee consultant.
And the chief of staff.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 10, 2013
Those worried that legislative Democrats will use their supermajority power to make changes to Proposition 13 can breathe a sigh of relief — for now, at least.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Apr. 7, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Apr. 7, 2013 – 7:33 am
Dan Schnur came to Sacramento a couple of decades ago as a media spokesman for then-Gov. Pete Wilson.
Schnur later became chairman of the Fair Political Practices Commission and today directs the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California.
By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
April 1, 2013
SACRAMENTO — California businesses and other special interests quickly learn that playing politics in the ornate chambers of California’s Capitol building is more like a barroom brawl than a civics lesson about how bills become laws.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
March 27, 2013
At least two groups of lawmakers are spending their spring recess from the Capitol on overseas trips underwritten by outside groups.
By Torey Van Oot
tvanoot@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Monday, Mar. 25, 2013 – 6:59 am
The concept of banning California lawmakers from fundraising while they’re at work has a new cheerleader: a former head of the state’s political watchdog agency.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
By Chris Megerian
March 22, 2013, 2:00 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — For most politicians, earning the support of one in three voters would be a red flag. But for the California Legislature, it’s a sign of improvement.
By Ed Mendel | 03/21/13 1:00 AM PST
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office yesterday recommended that the Legislature adopt a plan to fully fund CalSTRS in 30 years — an estimated cost of $4.5 billion a year, a hefty addition to current annual contributions totaling $5.7 billion.
March 17, 2013; 06:35 PM
Turnout in last Tuesday’s special election in Inland Southern California’s 32nd Senate District stands at a whopping 9.6 percent.
To read the Political Empire column in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Mar. 18, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
California’s legislative leaders vowed to act with austerity after voters passed billions of dollars in tax hikes last November.
More than two dozen bills introduced in the current session, however, take aim at Californians’ pocketbooks.
March 14th, 2013, 3:43 pm
Posted by BRIAN JOSEPH
Two new reports released in conjunction with Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote open government, have found that it ain’t exactly sunny in California.
By Wyatt Buchanan
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Last call could come later in California under a bill that’s being proposed at the Capitol.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
March 13, 2013
California Democrats have recaptured a supermajority in the state Senate as Democrat Ben Hueso sailed to victory in a special election for a vacant San Diego-area Senate seat Tuesday night.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 – 09:15 a.m.
It’s State Assembly Member Norma Torres (D-Pomona) facing Mayor Paul Leon (R-Ontario) in the May runoff to decide who will fill the 32nd Senate District vacated by now-U.S. Representative Gloria Negrete-McLeod.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
It’s Election day in the Inland Empire.
The 32nd State Senate District seat vacated by now U.S. Representative Gloria Negrete-McLeod is under consideration today.
March 10, 2013; 06:18 PM
As Mark Takano waged an ultimately winning campaign for Riverside’s congressional seat, an independent film crew was there.
Now the crew is putting the finishing touches on “How to Get Elected in America,” a documentary on Takano’s fight to become the first openly gay member of an ethnic minority to be elected to Congress.
To read column in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
March 10, 2013, 7:27 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — State Assemblyman Robert Blumenfield’s election to the Los Angeles City Council last week won’t keep him from helping to push a state budget through by June 15. But it could complicate things later for his fellow Democrats in the lower house.
By Torey Van Oot
tvanoot@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Mar. 10, 2013 – 2:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, Mar. 10, 2013 – 11:26 am
Thirteen years after California instituted campaign finance limits, lawmakers at the state Capitol are making broad use of a maneuver to avoid them.
In addition to their campaign accounts, legislators create “ballot measure” committees of their own that set no limits on the amount donors can contribute. The committees allow legislators to ask special interests for far more than the $4,100 per election they can solicit for their own campaigns.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/08/2013 07:45:48 PM PST
Updated: 03/08/2013 10:07:17 PM PST
Assemblywoman Norma Torres is – by far – the leading fundraiser in the special election to succeed Gloria Negrete-McLeod in the state Senate.
March 06, 2013; 03:55 PM
SACRAMENTO – Inland Southern California lawmakers received more than $50,000 in gifts and travel from businesses, unions, and other groups in 2012, according to recently filed economic disclosure documents.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/03/2013 04:08:51 PM PST
Updated: 03/03/2013 06:10:39 PM PST
Ontario Councilman Paul Vincent Avila’s unorthodox decision to endorse an opponent in the race for a vacant state Senate seat has led to his expulsion from the San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee.
By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
March 3, 2013
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers accepted a trip to Brazil, fine cigars and crystal ducks, among many other gifts from corporations, trade groups and other special interests last year.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 – 12:00 p.m.
The special election to decide who will fill the vacant 32nd State Senate District seat has heated up on the Democratic side big time!
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 – 5:03 pm
Last Modified: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 – 7:39 am
Ordinarily, the resignation of a state senator – particularly one not tinged with scandal – is of no more than passing interest. In fact, two senators had already resigned early this year to take their seats in Congress.
February 22nd, 2013, 1:39 pm ·
Posted by BRIAN JOSEPH
Democrats lost supermajority control of the state Senate on Friday with the sudden resignation of Bakersfield Sen. Michael Rubio. But they almost certainly will regain their two-thirds advantage in May if not sooner.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 – 8:40 am
The old argument about whether the chicken or the egg came first has a political counterpart in California:
Did the Legislature lose relevance as a policymaking institution because of the explosion of ballot measures, or did the latter occur because the Legislature had become dysfunctional?
Wyatt Buchanan
Updated 10:39 pm, Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sacramento –California would significantly restrict gun use and ownership, including major new bans on ammunition magazines, under dozens of new proposed regulations that would cement the state’s status of having the strictest gun-control laws in the United States.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
Here are the fundraising totals in the 32nd State Senate District special election.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 31, 2013 | 7:00 am
Gov. Jerry Brown received a record high approval rating after introducing his latest budget proposal, according to a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
By Jeff Gottlieb
January 28, 2013 | 6:18 pm
A joint Assembly and the state Senate committee will conduct a hearing to determine the extent that California agencies are using off-budget accounts to hold money outside the state system.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/26/2013 06:56:50 PM PST
BLOOMINGTON – Assemblywoman Norma Torres won the California Democratic Party’s endorsement in her bid to win a vacant state Senate seat.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/25/2013 03:39:12 PM PST
Gov. Jerry Brown has been among the most iconic Democrats in one of the nation’s most Democratic states over the course of four decades, but his State of the State speech on Thursday suggested that some of his plans may actually be in line with Republican priorities.
By Anthony York and Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
January 24, 2013, 5:40 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — Seeking to reclaim the state’s identity as an innovator and engine of growth, Gov. Jerry Brown declared in a sweeping State of the State address that “California did the impossible” in emerging from financial crisis poised to lead again.
By Steven Harmon
Bay Area News Group
Posted: 01/23/2013 02:36:42 PM PST
Updated: 01/23/2013 02:57:31 PM PST
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown will take center stage Thursday morning when he gives his State of the State address. But he’ll have to keep his eye on restless Democratic lawmakers — fresh off winning two-thirds majorities in both chambers of the Legislature — who consider themselves equal partners in a brand new era of political dominance.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 23, 2013 | 8:00 am
A bipartisan group of California lawmakers concerned by the past rushing of legislation has proposed asking voters to require all bills to be in print and online for 72 hours before final passage.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/22/2013 06:33:54 PM PST
Updated: 01/22/2013 07:48:14 PM PST
ONTARIO – A major donor to the Democratic Party is supporting the city’s Republican mayor in his campaign to fill a vacancy in the state Senate.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
When members of the California Legislature pass legislation, they are, in effect, writing rules they expect everyone to obey.
It’s particularly strange, therefore, that legislators skirt, or even ignore, the rules they are supposed to follow.
January 18, 2013; 09:58 AM
SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Richard Roth’s Riverside County constituency grew by more than 139,000 people last week, and his 31st Senate District now figuratively includes Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and the Woodcrest community.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Staff Reports
Posted: 01/20/2013 03:47:15 PM PST
Updated: 01/20/2013 06:23:26 PM PST
The Inland Empire’s legislative delegation is well-represented in committee assignments announced earlier this month. Several local members have been chosen for leadership positions on key panels.
By DON THOMPSON and JUDY LIN – Associated Press
Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 | 12:33 PM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers adjourned Friday for the long holiday weekend, but they will keep getting daily expense payments even while they’re not in Sacramento.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2013 07:11:43 PM PST
Updated: 01/18/2013 09:58:42 PM PST
A half-dozen established Inland Empire politicos will look to represent the largely blue-collar 32nd state Senate District.
The field of four Democrats and two Republicans – all currently holding political offices locally with some having been elected to multiple posts – are seeking to win the seat previously held by Gloria Negrete-McLeod, who was elected to Congress in November.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The California Legislature acted unconstitutionally when it approved a bill moving Gov. Jerry Brown’s initiative to raise taxes to the top of the November ballot, an appeals court ruled Friday.
January 10, 2013; 06:55 PM
Riverside County senators Richard Roth and Bill Emmerson introduced legislation this week stating their intent to restore lost funding for California cities that have incorporated since 2004.
To read story by Jim Miller and Nelsy Rodriguez in The Press Enterprise, click here.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 7, 2013 | 4:46 pm
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, left, shown last June, has a long to-do list for the California Senate before he’s termed out of office in two years.Senate leader Darrell Steinberg has only two years left in the Legislature before term limits force him out, and he has a long to-do list he wants to finish before then.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
January 06, 2013; 06:33 PM
You’ve spent more than a year running for Congress, endured millions of dollars in attacks from your opponent and shadowy Super PACs, and yet still prevailed.
To read column by Jeff Horseman, Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 – 6:57 am
On the eve of their swearing in last month, newly elected Assembly members gathered for a reception at the Stanford Mansion, where they were introduced one by one to Gov. Jerry Brown.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 – 6:57 am
The Legislature’s Democratic leaders want to use their newly minted supermajorities to do things that they could not do before, but are leery of doing things that might alienate voters and jeopardize those supermajorities.
Published: Jan. 6, 2013 Updated: 6:22 a.m.
BY DANIEL WEINTRAUB / FOR THE REGISTER
As the new year dawns, California politicians find themselves in a strange position. The economy is improving, the public is growing more optimistic, and the Democrats’ control of supermajorities in the Legislature should reduce gridlock – the one thing guaranteed to sour voters on government.
Published: Jan. 2, 2013 Updated: Jan. 5, 2013 10:40 p.m.
By BRIAN JOSEPH / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SACRAMENTO – In the ongoing drama that is the California state budget, the November election got all the attention, but the governor’s presentation this week may be even more important.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 – 8:38 am
Democrats now control all the strings in the state Capitol.
They can, at least on paper, do anything they wish without giving Republicans anything more than cursory attention.
January 04, 2013; 05:51 PM
SACRAMENTO — Richard Roth is a month into his first term as a state senator, one of a few firsts linked to the Riverside Democrat.
The 31st Senate District is Roth’s first elective office. He’s the first senator who can serve 12 years under the revised term limits law voters approved in June.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
This new year has an odd number, and traditionally that has meant it would be free of elections and campaigning.
December 30, 2012; 07:20 PM
San Bernardino County’s two newly elected supervisors have begun forming their staffs.
To read column by Jim Miller, Imran Ghori and Ben Goad in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The advent of Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the California Legislature has spawned much speculation, especially in the media, about what the majority party might do with its newly minted power.
December 23, 2012; 08:00 PM
It didn’t get a single hearing last time around, but no matter: Assemblyman Brian Nestande is back with legislation that would prohibit the state from postponing required payments to schools from one fiscal year to the next.
To read column, by Ben Goad, Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
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