Governor

The power of California’s oil refiners is always felt but rarely visible in Sacramento.  It was on full display at Wednesday’s press conference when the Governor, State Senate leader and Assembly Speaker acknowledged that California's effort to lead the world by cutting petroleum use in half was dead for the year due to oil company lobbying and advertising.

Annette Ramirez is a fighter. She’s had to be, ever since a doctor’s error during surgery cost her two years of her life and all four of her limbs.

Yet, when she went to hold the negligent health care providers responsible, she learned that a 40-year-old law says her lifetime of pain and suffering, the loss of two years of her kids’ lives, and everything she will never do again is worth no more than $250,000 in court.

A demolishing developer. An inattentive fracking regulator. A lenient toxic director. 

The California Senate has the power to confirm certain governor appointees, and it also has the power to reject them. It rarely does the latter, and never if both branches are ruled by the same party, and recent events show how this collegial culture has led to unfortunate choices.