Topic: Robert Stern
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New laws on New Year's Day, from gay marriage to ‘Caylee’s Law’
While much attention has been paid to the ‘fiscal cliff’ and the federal legislation behind it, thousands of new state laws took effect more quietly at the start of 2013.
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Jerry Brown tax hike suddenly on the ropes. Does he have time to save it?
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, support for Jerry Brown's tax hike has plunged below 50 percent in two polls. If it fails, $6 billion in automatic cuts kick in.
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Focus
Are ballot initiatives broken? California offers cluesDo ballot initiatives put power in the hands of the voters, or are they another tool for special interests to dominate politics? California's experiences – both good and bad – make it an important laboratory for 'direct democracy.'
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Focus
A lot riding on California dream of high-speed railCalifornia is moving ahead with a massive high-speed rail project, with construction of the first link set to begin early next year. The project could put the state in the vanguard of a transportation revolution – but is it more a dream than reality?
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Jerry Brown's Waterloo Station? California high-speed rail takes a new hit.
A congressional committee says it will investigate federal funding for California's embattled high-speed rail project. California Gov. Jerry Brown's continued support is making him an increasingly lonely voice.
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Is California Gov. Jerry Brown's 'ransom' budget an empty threat?
California Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a state budget Thursday that would cut $4.8 billion from education – but only if a ballot initiative to raise taxes fails. Problem is, legislators are balking.
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Did $98.5 billion high-speed rail project just hit a wall in California?
An independent review panel says the plan for a high-speed rail corridor linking northern and southern California poses 'an immense financial risk' to the state and should not move forward.
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Is California's ballot initiative process broken? Lawmakers think so.
California's ballot-initiative process has roiled that state for 100 years. Legislators are now proposing reforms to bring it under control.
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51st state? Small step forward for long-shot 'South California' plan
A Republican member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors wants his county and 12 others to secede from California and form the 51st state. His colleagues gave him an unenthusiastic go ahead Tuesday to explore the idea.
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California has a balanced budget. Did Gov. Jerry Brown win or lose?
California Gov. Jerry Brown expended some political capital in his bid to close the state's budget deficit with a mix of cuts and higher tax revenue. He didn't get such a deal, but as of Tuesday night the state does have a budget.
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California budget: Is state official right to withhold paychecks?
The California budget passed by the Legislature June 15 was not balanced, so lawmakers must forfeit their pay until they pass one that is, said Controller John Chiang Tuesday.
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Strange twists ahead in California budget battle as deadline nears
If there's no California budget by June 15, lawmakers will have to forfeit their pay. Five days earlier, the release of a new redistricting map could force many legislators to fight for their political lives. As budget crunch time approaches, the whole process is in flux.
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How a savage ballpark beating improved the LAPD's image
The brutal beating of a Giants fan at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day shook the entire city and led to a wave of cooperation with the LAPD – and renewed appreciation for its hard work.
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To end California budget stalemate, businesses offer compromise solution
A coalition of 12 business groups propose a compromise 'workout plan' in an effort to avoid another California budget filled with 'gimmicks.' The old political hurdles remain, though.
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Obama as a chimp? E-mail gives California GOP problems it didn't need.
The California GOP had a historically bad election in 2010, partly because it has trouble connecting with immigrants and minorities. An e-mail from a local Republican official touting the 'birther' conspiracy and showing Obama as a chimp won't help.
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Jerry Brown's first 100 days: 'If he can't make it, where else can we turn?'
Gov. Jerry Brown's budget-balancing efforts over the past 100 days have received praise from citizens and pundits, but he has failed to get Republican support for tax extensions.
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Jerry Brown taking his budget-cutting campaign into GOP territory
After the collapse of the California budget deal, Jerry Brown is appealing directly to Republican voters where they live, including a GOP-friendly proposal to reform public employee pensions.
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Jerry Brown abandons key part of his California budget plan. Now what?
Gov. Jerry Brown of California cited a long list of Republican demands as the reason he dropped his plan for a special election in June to approve tax extensions for the California budget.
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California budget: Have Republicans outfoxed Jerry Brown?
Republican lawmakers refuse to give in to Gov. Jerry Brown and his plan to fix the California budget through a special election on tax extensions. That leaves Brown with few palatable options.
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For residents of impoverished, defrauded Bell, Calif., it's payback time
The little city of Bell, Calif., became a symbol of greed and failed government when it was found that city officials had awarded themselves huge salaries. On Tuesday, the voters get their say.
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Blunt and stingy, Jerry Brown suits California just fine this time around
Jerry Brown grated on many Californians when he was governor three decades ago, but his style seems to fit the state's mood well now, as he 'is making frugal fashionable, finally.'
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Rep. Jane Harman resigns, thinning ranks of Democrats' Blue Dogs
The Blue Dogs, conservative-leaning Democrats, were hit hard in Election 2010. The resignation of Rep. Jane Harman now deprives them of an influential member.
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Carly Fiorina out of hospital: How does illness affect a campaign?
Carly Fiorina spent a day in the hospital this week. The impact it has on her bid to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer could depend on how her campaign handles the challenge.
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Drawing battle lines in California: Who will be in charge of redistricting?
Battle over gerrymandering: Competing California ballot measures give voters a chance to strengthen, or reject, the redistricting reform they began two years ago.
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If Proposition 23 passes, will other greenhouse-gas laws fall?
California's 2008 law to limit greenhouse-gas emissions is seen as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's biggest achievement. If it is undone by Proposition 23, other similar laws could follow, experts say.
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