With partisan gridlock bogging down both Sacramento and Washington, it’s easy to wonder whether Democrats and Republicans can ever get together, look beyond what’s best for their parties and make the tough decisions they were hired to make. Well, there’s one state body that’s shown multi-partisan, good government agreements still are possible and that’s why [...]

If Republican legislators thought they were ignored last year in the annual budget dance, Gov. Jerry Brown has made it clear they ain’t seen nothing yet. In a remarkably candid news conference Tuesday, the governor told reporters that it just doesn’t make political sense to work with GOP leaders next year, especially when he’s going [...]

For Californians, this week’s Cyber Monday online shopping fest marked the end of an era of cheap, sales-tax-free goods over the Internet. Come next September, online retailers like Amazon will start collecting sales tax on purchases made by California shoppers, bringing a gleam to the eye of both government officials anxious for more revenue, and [...]

Is anyone else starting to wonder just how automatic California’s planned “automatic” budget cuts are going to be? Especially when Gov. Jerry Brown, the Legislature and state finance officials, channeling their inner Bill Clinton, seem to be suggesting that a cut-triggering budget shortfall depends on what your definition of what — and when — “shortfall” [...]

When San Francisco voters go to the polls today, they might want to remember a familiar axiom: Be careful what you wish for. This election for mayor, district attorney and sheriff includes the type of progressive rules campaign reform advocates dream of: Public financing! Ranked-choice voting! Low, low $500 contribution limits! And every one of [...]

Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani is about to find out whether the rainbow flag can stretch to cover the Central Valley. And same-sex marriage supporters talking about taking the initiative road to overturn Prop. 8’s ban on gay unions will be watching closely to see what happens. Galgiani, a Democrat who lives in Livingston in Merced County, [...]