California, the nation’s most populous state, plays a critical role nationally. The Golden State often leads with progressive policy quickly mimicked by other states. California politics, however, is not for the faint of heart. Recently transformed by redistricting and a new open primary system, the political landscape is the epitome of the Wild, Wild West. How things will change in Sacramento remains to be seen. One thing remains certain: Californians are a lively bunch and largely fed up with the direction of partisan politics. So, how will Californian politicians adapt to the new status quo and appeal to independents, who make up the largest growing portion of the state’s electorate?
The two-year campaign process in the race for mayor of Los Angeles came to a close on Tuesday. As of 3:00 AM Wednesday, Eric Garcetti was elected mayor of the city.
In the midst of partisan jockeying for a moral high ground surrounding the IRS debacle, neither side of the aisle, nor the media has gotten wind of the underlying issue.
Following the California Supreme Court’s decision allowing cities to use zoning ordinances to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, several municipalities have become very vocal regarding the issue of medical cannabis.
On May 15, 2013, the consumer group Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris accusing Google of violating California’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“OPPA”). According to the group, the Google privacy policy is in violation of OPPA because Google does not directly link to it on its homepage.
On Monday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on the “California Tobacco Tax Act of 2014,” a bill introduced by Senator Kevin de Leon that would increase taxes on cigarettes to pay for health care programs.
Independent voters now account for approximately 40 percent of all voters in the United States. Following the national trend, California voters are increasingly leaving the two major parties, with almost 3.7 million voters now registered under “No Party Preference” in the state.
A recent piece of legislation in California would allow transgendered student athletes to use restrooms of their gender identity and not their biological sex. Assembly Bill 1266, authored by Assemblyman Tony Ammiano (D-San Francisco), passed the state Assembly, 45-24..
