Greg Lucas

California political writer and satirist for over 20 years. Covered the state Capitol for the San Francisco Chronicle for 19 years, writing nearly 3,000 articles. B.A. from Stanford, M.A. in Professional Writing from USC.

Jerry Brown faces daunting budget deficits in the years ahead

Voters November 2 didn’t do much to make the job easier for Jerry Brown, California’s former governor and current governor-elect. In fact, from a fiscal perspective, voters made

By Greg Lucas

/ November 4, 2010

Jerry Brown faces daunting budget deficits in the years ahead

In California, independent voters will be calling the shots on November 2

Under California’s current election system, November 2 is when the state’s independent voters wield the most power – their votes decide the outcome of all statewide races. And, if

By Greg Lucas

/ October 30, 2010

In California, independent voters will be calling the shots on November 2

Prop 22 could play a pivotal role in future California budgets

Proposition 22 on the November ballot is the latest fiscal battle between the state and local governments -- and it could be the knock-out punch for the state in its

By Greg Lucas

/ October 22, 2010

Prop 22 could play a pivotal role in future California budgets

Prop 14, California's open primary measure, is already beginning to exert its influence

While Proposition 14, California’s new open primary law, doesn’t take effect until June 2012, it’s still influencing this November’s elections. The measure, opposed by both the

By Greg Lucas

/ October 15, 2010

Prop 14, California's open primary measure, is already beginning to exert its influence

Record budget impasse ends, but next fiscal year's deficit already projected to be $21.3 billion

California finally passed a budget on October 7, the 99th day of the fiscal year, closing an estimated gap between revenues and spending commitments of $17.9 billion without increasing

By Greg Lucas

/ October 8, 2010

Record budget impasse ends, but next fiscal year's deficit already projected to be $21.3 billion

No budget yet, but several new laws in California

Although more than three months of the fiscal year have passed and no budget is in place, that hasn’t stopped Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers from enacting hundreds

By Greg Lucas

/ October 1, 2010

No budget yet, but several new laws in California

Brown and Whitman offer few specifics on how to fix California's crushing budget deficits

While California’s two gubernatorial candidates have leveled bipartisan criticism at this year’s budget process – 85 days into the new fiscal year without a spending plan -- neither has

By Greg Lucas

/ September 25, 2010

Brown and Whitman offer few specifics on how to fix California's crushing budget deficits

Tough times for California's commercial real estate market

The signs can be seen almost everywhere. Downtown Sacramento. San Diego. Either side of Lincoln Boulevard between Marina del Rey and Santa Monica. Along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor, from downtown

By Greg Lucas

/ September 17, 2010

Tough times for California's commercial real estate market

Strengthening California hospitals against another major earthquake

California’s program to strengthen hospitals at risk of severe damage in a future earthquake would get an overhaul under legislation on the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The measure

By Greg Lucas

/ September 9, 2010

Strengthening California hospitals against another major earthquake

Independents will decide California's next governor

California’s Independent – decline-to-state – voters will decide November’s gubernatorial race between Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown. Numerically, it is impossible for a Republican candidate for governor to

By Greg Lucas

/ September 4, 2010

Independents will decide California's next governor

The Effect of November's Proposition 26

When is a fee a tax? Proposition 26 on the November ballot attempts to answer that question. Opponents say the business, anti-tax group backed measure defines a "fee"

By Greg Lucas

/ August 26, 2010

Major threats remain to California water supply

Late spring storms, a heftier Sierra snowpack, and higher reservoir levels have largely made Californians believe the state’s record dry three-year drought is over. But, despite a year where,

By Greg Lucas

/ August 19, 2010

Major threats remain to California water supply