California legislature news stories on Newser

California Democrats Warn Campuses Could Close

Kevin Spak — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:34:05 CDT

California Democrats have floated the idea of closing some University of California campuses, shortening the school year, and laying off law enforcement officers as desperate means of dealing with the state’s mammoth budget deficit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The proposals were voiced at a hearing examining ways to deal...

Calif. Mulls Tough Helmet Law for Skiers, Boarders

Harry Kimball — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:15:59 CDT

Two bills making their way through the California legislature would give the state the strictest US regulations governing helmet use while skiing or snowboarding, and dramatically shift responsibility onto resort operators. The first bill would require anyone under 18 to strap on head protection, and subject parents to a $25...

Calif. Pols Vote for 'Cuss-Free Week'

Will McCahill — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:51:40 CST

Taking a break from slightly more serious measures—$20 billion budget deficit, anyone?—California’s state house today passed a bill that would have the state observing “Cuss-Free Week” effective Sunday. “We’re not going to be calling out the CIA or FBI or CHP to go around and penalize people if...

Arnold Hides Vulgar Message to Legislators in Veto

Will McCahill — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:38:40 CDT

Though all political vetoes send some message, a recent one by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to carry two—with the less-obvious one quite the kiss-off to the Democrat-controlled legislature. In the message accompanying Schwarzenegger’s veto of a financing measure, the San Francisco Bay Guardian found that, in reading down...

Calif. Senator to Sue Schwarzenegger Over Budget Cuts

Rob Quinn — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:24:14 CDT

The leader of California's Senate says he'll take Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to court for using line-item vetoes to slash another $500 million from the budget deal he was sent last week, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Democrat Darrell Steinberg accuses Schwarzenegger of overstepping his authority by making the cuts. "We...

Plan to Free 27K Inmates Threatens Calif. Budget Deal

Rob Quinn — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:35:00 CDT

A plan to slash the number of inmates by 27,000 could sink California's long-delayed budget deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Angry Republican state lawmakers threatened to back out of the agreement after learning of the plan, which would give prison officials authority to let any inmate over 60...

Calif. Finally Forges Budget Deal

Rob Quinn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:48:43 CDT

After weeks of wrangling, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made a deal with state lawmakers to close the $26 billion hole in California's budget, the Sacramento Bee reports. Leaders believe the plan—which involves massive spending cuts and borrowing from city governments—is solid enough to secure billions of dollars in...

Deal Near on Calif. Budget Gap

Harry Kimball — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:27:33 CDT

The California Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are just steps away from an agreement that would close the state’s $26.3 billion deficit, the Los Angeles Times reports. Talks are expected to conclude today. “I don’t think there is anything that would make negotiations shut down at this point,” the...

Arnold: Budget Crisis Is Not a Game of Chicken

Matt Cantor — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:26:00 CDT

Tensions are soaring in California as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces off against Democratic lawmakers in the state’s budget crisis. But the governator is keeping calm as he defends his position, the Financial Times reports. He’s calling for welfare reform before he’ll sign off on a budget, but Dems say now’s...