Senate

When Barbara Lee came up for confirmation as Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control in July, 50 groups begged the California Senate Rules Committee and Senate pro Tem Kevin de León to put off a vote until Lee, who had been in office six months, took action to punish serial hazardous waste polluters, deny them permits, and force them to clean up communities under toxic assault.

The Rules Committee confirmed her anyway, but she got fair warning.

An August hearing on how to end prescription drug abuse looms as the Legislature seeks new ways to stop the epidemic. 

State Senate leader Kevin de Leon had some fun with critics as he pushed for unprecedented climate change legislation this week. 

On the Senate floor as he spoke about SB 350, which calls for a dramatic reduction in petroleum use, greater energy efficiency in buildings,  and increasing renewable sources, the Los Angeles Democrat said trying to figure out how gas prices are "actually formulated" is one of the great mysteries of the world, like the Bermuda Triangle, Roswell and Area 51.