Tag Archives: california politics

Controversy Over High-Speed Rail Continues

On November 8, 2013 the deputy state attorney general, on behalf of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, argued that Central Valley residents who sued the state over the planned construction of high-speed rail had no standing to sue. Instead, the state contends that it is the responsibility of the state legislature to determine whether the… Continue Reading

Gov. Brown, Senate Democrats, and the K-12 Education Spending Reform

This spring, California Governor Jerry Brown proposed a number of significant changes to K-12 funding in his 2013-2014 budget proposal. Brown’s proposal would provide marginal increases in per-pupil spending while implementing a new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The formula offered two key changes from the status quo: It utilized a “need-based” metric for funding… Continue Reading

Gov. Brown Signs Bill Allowing Non-Physicians to Perform Abortions

On Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law increasing the types of medical workers allowed to perform abortions in California. AB154, sponsored by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), permits physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse-midwives to carry out abortions during the first trimester. Non-physicians will have to undergo training… Continue Reading

Governor Brown’s Decisions on Gun Control Laws

On October 11, California Governor Jerry Brown signed eleven gun control bills, while vetoing seven others. His veto of SB 374, which would have banned all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, was met with support from the National Rifle Association, which had threatened to file a lawsuit if the bill became law. Senate Pro Tem… Continue Reading