Politics

California's Capitol building in Sacramento IMAGE BY MAX WHITTAKER FOR CALMATTERS

Politics

In a hotel ballroom blocks from the state Capitol, nearly three dozen wanna-be legislators gathered recently to learn the ways of Sacramento. They were members of city councils and school boards up and down California, ranchers and attorneys, Republicans and Democrats, moms and dads – all candidates for the Legislature who’d signed up for this […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• November 3, 2015

Former Democratic Assemblywomen Patty Lopez (left) of San Fernando with Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (right) of Bell Gardens. File photo by Max Whittaker for CALmatters

Politics

An outsider in an insider game

Politics is a team sport in Sacramento. After new folks are elected to the Legislature, their Democratic or Republican “teams” typically do everything possible to keep them in the game. The camaraderie is strongest when legislators face tough re-elections – their colleagues walk precincts and their political parties spend big money to buoy the campaigns. […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• October 28, 2015

Politics

Gripping power for the long term?

Maywood, CA. — A politician who will soon hold one of the most powerful positions in California was walking along the industrial banks of the Los Angeles River last week when an artist smoking a cigarette stopped him to lodge a few complaints. The area has graffiti but no murals, Robert Cortes said. Too few […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• October 21, 2015

Politics

Rise of the Business Democrat

HALF MOON BAY — It’s a lovely place to do business. Ocean waves crash into rocky cliffs. Pelicans flap along the shoreline. And on the golf resort overlooking it all, a powerful bloc of legislators hit the links recently with donors who paid up to $40,000 for the opportunity to join them. This was the […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• October 13, 2015

Politics

The juiciest job in Sacramento

Around the Capitol they’re known as “juice committees” – those that oversee lucrative industries, allowing politicians to foster relationships they can squeeze for campaign cash. These panels preside over business interests that fight obscure industry battles before the Legislature; think of lawyers vs. insurance companies, doctors vs. physical therapists, or card rooms vs. Indian casinos. […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• September 27, 2015

Economy

Democrats torn between shiny new ventures and old-school allies

Sharing. It sounds so simple, but as an economic trend, sharing is a divisive issue for Democrats. Tension over the so-called “sharing economy” has been on full display in Sacramento, with Democrats who control the Legislature facing mounting pressure. On one side are trendy tech ventures that are gearing up their political lobbies. On the […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• September 14, 2015