Government

Since the California ballot initiative process is fast becoming a billionaire's club, some lawmakers want to make it even more difficult – for grassroots efforts. If a $2,500 California ballot filing fee hike is passed, it's moving through the Legislature now, it will be larger – by five times – than any other state in the nation. 

A state Senate bill that required home sharing platforms like AirBnB to turn over customers’ personal information to local governments was quietly shelved this week, though the author said he plans to bring it back in the new year. 

If a public agency had $2.3 million tucked away for voter registration, you would think it could tell the public details – but not Covered California.
 
The health exchange said $1.4 million is for printing and mailing and the rest is for the policy unit.  No further details were given. A spokeswoman said that documents confirming that this money is going to voter registration and what exactly the money will be funding would not be available until June 19.  The Covered California Board is expected to approve the 2015-2016 budget on June 18.