Lucy Ma

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Voters Guide to California’s November Ballot Initiatives, on the site Independent Voter Network 7 months, 1 week ago

Visit the IVN Election Center
For Complete and Updated Information and News on California’s 2012 Propositions

CORRECTED 6/28/2012

UPDATED 7/6/2012

Here’s a quick guide to the different […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Same Party Runoffs Slated for California General Election, on the site Independent Voter Network 9 months, 1 week ago

California’s political landscape has undergone some major changes in 2012 due to redistricting and the introduction of the state’s first top two open primary. New district lines created by the independent […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, House Majority Dependent on California Races, on the site Independent Voter Network 9 months, 1 week ago

Despite its reputation as a blue state, California is of paramount importance to Republicans aiming to maintain control in the House of Representatives past this election cycle. As the slogan goes, “hold onto […]

Lucy Ma commented on the post, Fast Foods are Not Political Icons, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Preach! Thank goodness for normal people. I’ve seen threats of ” FB unfriending” over chicken sandwiches…

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Jerry Brown Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Bay Delta Plan, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months ago

Today, Governor Jerry Brown and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar formally announced the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. The BDCP is a controversial multi-billion dollar project aimed at fixing California’s […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California State Capitol Roundup, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 10 months ago

Here’s your midweek news update:

Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that will allow the Fair Political Practices Commission- the state campaign finance watchdog- to enforce campaign finance […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California State Capitol Roundup, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 10 months ago

A few current California news items making the rounds this week:

California’s water wars is set to heat up again as Governor Jerry Brown and federal Interior Secretary Ken Salazar prepare to make an […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, House Majority Dependent on California Races, on the site Election Center 10 months ago

Despite its reputation as a blue state, California is of paramount importance to Republicans aiming to maintain control in the House of Representatives past this election cycle. As the slogan goes, “hold onto […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Updates from California’s State Capitol, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 10 months, 1 week ago

Earlier in the week, the Capitol community was abuzz when The Bee uncovered an unauthorized vacation buyout program taking place in the Department of Parks and Recreation. A buyout that cost the state over […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California to Implement Affordable Care Act Amid Budget Constraints, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 1 week ago

The Public Policy Institute of California published a recent report that takes a closer look at how the federal Affordable Care Act will be implemented in California and the unique health care challenges […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, UC Regents Make Tough Decisions Amidst Funding Uncertainty, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 1 week ago

The University of California Board of Regents met this week to vote on several issues with large impact on university campuses statewide. UC leaders approved a resolution endorsing Governor Jerry Brown’s tax […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Pay Hikes for CA Legislative Staff Raise Eyebrows, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 10 months, 1 week ago

It’s no secret that California’s fiscal house has long been out of order, and it’s become especially apparent this past year when the Governor and Legislature pushed through a series of deep cuts as a last-ditch […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Same Party Runoffs Slated for California General Election, on the site Election Center 10 months, 1 week ago

California’s political landscape has undergone some major changes in 2012 due to redistricting and the introduction of the state’s first top two open primary. New district lines created by the independent […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Third California City Seeks Bankruptcy Protection: More to Come?, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Over the past month, three California cities, Stockton, Mammoth Lakes, and now San Bernardino have begun proceedings to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. This is an alarming trend when considering that […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Full Steam Ahead: CA Legislature Passes High-speed Rail Bill [UPDATE], on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 2 weeks ago

UPDATE

As expected, members of the California State Assembly voted Thursday afternoon to approve the initial $8 billion in funding for the high-speed rail. Final vote came in at 51 to 28.

Passage of […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California Budget Update: Trailer Bills Finalized, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 2 weeks ago

This week the California State Legislature passed the last of the remaining California budget trailer bills. Although lawmakers passed the main budget bill on June 15th, thus meeting California’s […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Pension Reform Deal Falls Apart in California State Legislature, on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Lawmakers in California are racing against the clock to finalize legislative matters before taking off for a month of summer recess starting this Friday. Here are some highlights:

Pension reform deal falls […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, New Study on CA Global Warming Law Indicates Higher Costs , on the site Independent Voter Network 10 months, 3 weeks ago

The California Manufacturers and Technology Association released a new report last week that suggests costs associated with AB 32 may be a lot higher than previously estimated. AB 32, otherwise known as the […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California Budget Update: Democratic Leaders Reach Deal with Gov. Brown, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months ago

Governor Jerry Brown has finally reached a budget compromise with legislative leaders Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez. Brown, Steinberg, and Perez have been […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Journey to Pass a California State Budget Bill, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 1 week ago

California lawmakers are set to vote on and pass the state’s budget in Sacramento today. IVN has previous covered the obstacles and drama surrounding the budget process in California. Today, June 15th, marks […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California State Legislature Passes $92.1 Billion Budget Plan, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 1 week ago

Although Democratic leaders managed to muster the votes needed to pass the main budget bill, a deal has yet to be reached with Brown on what the final cuts to welfare will look like as these items were not taken […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California Budget Protest [Photo Story], on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 1 week ago

Governor Jerry Brown has proposed tough budget cuts in an effort to close California’s $15.7 billion deficit, including to health and human services. Ongoing talks this week between Democratic leaders and Gov. […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California Legislative Leaders Face Friday Budget Deadline, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 1 week ago

Friday, June 15th is California’s constitutional deadline to pass a balanced budget through both houses of the state legislature. According to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Democratic leaders are […]

Lucy Ma commented on the post, If We Did not Have a California Open Primary, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 11 months, 1 week ago

Great article. It reminds us that the open primary has helped independent/minority voters (in either a Republican or Democrat dominated district) have a voice in the final outcome. Competitive races- even between […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Trumps Competition, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 2 weeks ago

The anti-incumbent fever was scarcely evident in California’s open primary held yesterday. Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who has been in office since 1992, easily defeated all 23 of her primary […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California State Senate Primary Election Results [Final], on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Yesterday, Californians participated in the state’s new “top two” open primary, where the top two vote getters in each district (regardless of party) will advance to the general election in November.

Twenty […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Proposition 8 Backers Denied Reconsideration in Gay Marriage Ruling, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 2 weeks ago

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today denied a request by Proposition 8 backers to reconsider a ruling made earlier this year that found California’s 2008 gay marriage ban unconstitutional. The court’s […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Trumps Competition, on the site Election Center 11 months, 3 weeks ago

The anti-incumbent fever was scarcely evident in California’s open primary held yesterday. Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who has been in office since 1992, easily defeated all 23 of her primary […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California State Senate Primary Election Results [Final], on the site Election Center 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Yesterday, Californians participated in the state’s new “top two” open primary, where the top two vote getters in each district (regardless of party) will advance to the general election in November.

Twenty […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Candidates Statewide Make Last Push to Get Out the Vote, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Today is the last chance for candidates to try and get out the vote before Tuesday’s primary election. June 5th marks California’s first top two open primary in which all candidates regardless of party […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Candidates Statewide Make Last Push to Get Out the Vote, on the site Election Center 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Today is the last chance for candidates to try and get out the vote before Tuesday’s primary election. June 5th marks California’s first top two open primary in which all candidates regardless of party […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California’s Elected Officials See Perks and Pay Cut By Commission, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 3 weeks ago

The California Citizens Compensation Commission met in Sacramento yesterday to discuss cutting pay for California’s elected officials. A 5 percent pay cut was approved by the independent commission and will be […]

Lucy Ma commented on the post, First Lady Michelle Obama Wows at NATO Summit, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 11 months, 3 weeks ago

I like where this is going. The Sartorialist meets K street!

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Democrats and Republicans Fight to Win Riverside County, on the site Independent Voter Network 11 months, 4 weeks ago

The race for Senate District 31 in Riverside County will bear great significance to the 2012 elections. Not only will the outcome impact residents in the newly drawn district, which stretches from Corona to […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Will Gov. Brown’s Dip in Public Opinion Hurt His Tax Hike Proposal?, on the site Independent Voter Network 12 months ago

The Public Policy Institute of California released a poll earlier this week showing that Governor Brown’s approval has dropped among likely voters.

The margin is slim, but now tips toward disapproval of his […]

Lucy Ma commented on the post, SD 39: Independent Voters are Key to Victory in Coastal San Diego, on the site Independent Voter Network 12 months ago

Bob,
IVN has conducted an independent voter survey in the district and results are now available at: http://ivn.us/2012/05/23/online-independent-voter-survey-demo-yields-first-results-cas-52nd-congressional-district/

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, SD 39: Independent Voters are Key to Victory in Coastal San Diego, on the site Independent Voter Network 12 months ago

The race for Senate District 39 will be among the most contested legislative races this year as Democrats and Republicans struggle to maintain and pickup seats. Democrats, led by Senate President pro Tem Darrell […]

Lucy Ma commented on the post, $16 Billion Deficit Underscores Need For Real Reforms, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

This article does a great job of pointing out why our tax code needs a major overhaul. Unfortunately for all the populists out there, “tax the rich” schemes don’t always pan out. They’re a pretty mobile group, and […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, AD 8: GOP Candidates Look to Independents as Top Two Primary Shapes Contest, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

The newly drawn Sacramento County seat, stretching south from Citrus Heights to include the Wilton area, will be a key California battleground between Democrats and Republicans this election cycle. Due to the […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Open Primary Creates Winners and Losers in CA 26, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

There is no question that California’s new open primary process has been a major cause for concern amongst both the Democratic and Republican Party. With Decline to State registration numbers on the rise in

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Spotlight: California’s Latino Legislative Caucus, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

Of California’s projected voters in 2012, at least one in five will be Latino. The number of registered voters that identify as Latino are at 3.9 million and counting, which roughly equates to 26.3% of […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California’s Republican Leaders Kick Off Statewide Tour, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro was in Sacramento yesterday to kick off a statewide tour focused on putting a stop to Governor Jerry Brown’s ballot tax proposal. He was joined by […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Labor & Unions: California’s Asian Pacific Islander Perspective, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

Yesterday in Sacramento marked the 2012 California State Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit. This annual event features discussions on key issues and current policy proposals that affect California’s […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Top California State Assembly Races to Watch, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

Earlier this week, the Independent Voter Network profiled four California State Senate races that should be on every Independent voter’s elections watch list.

The races surrounding the 80 State Assembly […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Top California State Senate Races to Watch, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

California’s new “top two primary” is right around the corner, and Independent voters have no shortage of exciting races to follow going into June 5th.

A spotlight has been cast on the upcoming election, and […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, The Need to Rethink Campaign Finance Reform and Disclosure, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year ago

Yesterday in Sacramento, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and the California Fair Political Practices Commission hosted a symposium on campaign finance reform and disclosure.

It is no secret […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, California Bill Seeks Social Justice Through Renewable Energy, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year, 1 month ago

In recent years, California has been at the forefront of embracing clean tech and implementing legislation focused on sustainability. The state has pursued an aggressive agenda when it comes to going […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Has California’s Regulatory Climate Hampered Economic Recovery?, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year, 1 month ago

The Golden State was once seen as a beacon of growth and entrepreneurship- a model economy many sought to imitate. Hard hit by the recession and housing crisis, the state has had its share of struggles when it […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, End of Partisan Primaries Signals a Shift in Party Dynamics, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year, 2 months ago

This week the California Republican Party announced its endorsements for the 2012 June primary. The final list came just two weeks after the CRP held their annual spring convention in Burlingame, CA, where […]

Lucy Ma wrote a new post, Thousands of Protesters Descend on the California State Capitol, on the site Independent Voter Network 1 year, 2 months ago

It’s almost springtime here in Sacramento, and nothing says spring quite like a staged protest at the State Capitol. At 10 a.m. this morning, thousands of students, parents, union workers, and professional […]

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