‘Best tool’ to prevent gun violence is rarely used in California
When a police officer called Santa Clara County deputy district attorney Marisa McKeown in July 2016 to inquire about getting a gun …
‘It was like dirty dancing’: Colleagues say Sen. Bob Hertzberg hugged them inappropriately
Three current and former female lawmakers say Sen. Bob Hertzberg inappropriately hugged and touched them, including an incident that one woman says …
California politicians stole their money. Will that make them care about democracy?
BELL — The scandal that shook the city of Bell seven years ago casts a long shadow. Eye-popping inflated public salaries. Personal …
‘I’m not that kooky’: Josh Newman trades bear suit for sport coat as new senator
Josh Newman’s office shows all the signs of a lawmaker in transition on his first day at the Capitol: Bare walls. Stacked …
‘Chessman’ explores crucial moment for Brown family, California death penalty
Buck Busfield is pondering the finer points of one of the most important phone calls in California political history. It was Feb. …
Sentenced to die? Depends on the county in California
As California voters weigh two ballot measures this fall to either abolish the death penalty or institute changes that aim to expedite …
In California’s Democrat-dominated Capitol, it’s Senate vs. Assembly
The semi-annual culling of bills went about as poorly as it could for state Sen. Connie Leyva. The Chino Democrat had four …
UC spent $158,000 on campaign to counter critical state audit
In the wake of a scathing state audit released in March, the University of California mounted a $158,000 publicity campaign to dispute …
Road to California tax checkoff paved by legislative connections
The seed for one California tax checkoff benefiting a well-connected charity was planted at a warehouse in Martinez. In March 2010, then-state …
Inside California lawmakers’ paid trips to Maui
WAILEA, HAWAII — It’s happy hour at the Fairmont Kea Lani. Just past four on Sunday afternoon, former state Sen. Rod Wright …