Articles

Developers Coast To Victory On Coastal Commission Reform Defeat

Submitted by Liza Tucker on Wed, 08/31/2016 - 17:54

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson’s valiant effort, SB-1190, to ban ex parte communications between developers and commissioners at the California Coastal Commission, and AB 2002, an Assembly group effort to limit ex parte meetings and require developers' contract spokespeople to register as lobbyists, died on the last night of the legislative session.

It's no wonder, given the scale of donations to the California Democratic Party from those interested in building and developing along the coast.

Could Jerry Brown Be Washing His Dirty Hands?

Submitted by Liza Tucker on Wed, 08/31/2016 - 15:21

In the wake of revelations that the energy industry donated nearly $10 million dollars to Governor Brown and the Democratic Party since he came to office, often within days of winning favors that have slowed California's transition away from fossil fuels, is Brown trying to wash his dirty hands?

Our report, Brown’s Dirty Hands, describes Brown’s relationships to the fossil fuel industry, including his own stake in a coal project. 

Big Win Against Opioid Addiction

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 17:53

For over a decade Bob and Carmen Pack have fought to prevent reckless opioid prescribing after losing their two young children in an accident caused by a driver high on drugs and alcohol.

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Blackouts? What Blackouts?

Submitted by Liza Tucker on Wed, 08/24/2016 - 13:59

Last April, the state's energy regulators and Southern California Gas tried blackout blackmail to reopen Aliso Canyon. They claimed that if the natural gas storage facility didn't reopen, the area faced possible blackouts of up to 14 days. Blackouts? What blackouts? The fact is, there were no blackouts.

Vote Counts

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 10:22

The end of a two-year legislative session is a showcase of the most anti-democratic tendencies of our political system, and this year will be no different. Last-chance votes on legislative proposals loom at the same time as lawmakers do their most prolific fundraising of the year. But this end of session might also bring votes on three reforms that could shake up democracy in California.

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