Controller 2014: Betty Yee Changes Position On High-Speed Rail

Board of Equalization member Betty Yee has changed her mind about the state’s controversial high-speed rail plan. During the June primary campaign, the Democratic candidate for state controller opposed Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to build a faster rail connection between San Francisco and Los Angeles by the year 2029. A June 2014 primary questionnaire for the influential Harvey Milk LGBT […]

Records Show Unions Massively Fund CA Dem Party

At a time when two Democratic lawmakers stand accused of bribery and public corruption, California’s most powerful labor unions have kicked back more than a million dollars to the California Democratic Party. According to state campaign finance records posted Monday evening, the Democratic State Central Committee of CA accepted a total of $1.59 million in campaign contributions […]

Uber, Lyft Compromise on Ridesharing Regulations

Uber and Lyft, two of the country’s leading ride-sharing companies, reached a compromise with state lawmakers on Wednesday over new regulations of the industry that is changing how people get around town. Assembly Bill 2293, which had been strongly opposed by the ridesharing companies, requires drivers to carry minimum levels of insurance and be covered, […]

Betty Yee or John Perez? Lake County Will Decide State Controller’s Race

Betty Yee or John Perez? California’s too close to call race for state controller comes down to a few thousand uncounted votes in Lake County. With 83 percent of the state’s unprocessed ballots from the June 3rd primary, the Northern California county will decide which Democrat faces Republican Ashley Swearengin in the November run-off. As of Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m., Board of Equalization […]

Fresno Spends $232,000 in Taxpayer Funds on Water Rate Lawsuits

Nearly a quarter million dollars in taxpayer funds has been spent by the City of Fresno in its ongoing lawsuits to keep a water rate referendum off the ballot, a CalNewsroom.com investigation has revealed. As of May 6, the city has spent $232,254.28 to sue a group of taxpayers that are trying to overturn controversial water rate hikes approved by the city council last […]

“Job Killer” Bill Would Allow Split Roll Parcel Tax

Just days after Toyota announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to Texas, the California Senate is poised to adopt a bill that would create a split-roll parcel tax system. Senate Bill 1021, introduced by state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, would allow school districts to impose different parcel tax rates on different types of property. That means […]

California State Senate Deletes Website, Online Archives of 3 Disgraced Democrats

Like a criminal wiping down a crime scene, the California State Senate has scrubbed its website and deleted the online archives of three Democratic state Senators that face criminal charges ranging from weapons trafficking to public corruption. As of April 5 at 7:00 PM, the websites of Democratic Senators Leland Yee of San Francisco, Ron […]

State Convention: Democrat Betty Yee Calls Out Hypocrisy Within Her Own Party

Betty Yee, who has developed a reputation as an honest and effective numbers-cruncher at the state tax board, delivered a stinging critique of her party Sunday at its annual convention. She said California Democrats have become disconnected from the party’s core principles and allowed money to influence its values. “Democrats, we are just as guilty […]

Wright, Despite a Perjury Conviction, Remains California’s Most Honest Politician

Here’s a bit of irony: California’s most honest politician is the only one guilty of perjury. On Tuesday morning, a jury found State Senator Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, guilty of eight counts of felony voter fraud, perjury and filing a false declaration of candidacy. The jury of nine women and three men, which began deliberating last Friday, sided […]