reform

Governor Brown Says CEQA Changes Aren't Likely

Amy Quinton — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:37:46 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown says he likely won’t be able to overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA) this legislative session. He says he believes it would be difficult to move the process forward.

But the comment took Democratic Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg by surprise. He says he intends to continue fighting for his legislation that makes changes to CEQA.

Fight Over Key Environmental Law Heats Up In Sacramento

Amy Quinton — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:58:40 +0000

What some see as California’s most important environmental law, others see as an economic impediment. The 43-year-old California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, guides almost every development project in the state.

Governor Jerry Brown and many lawmakers say it’s time to modernize it. But As Amy Quinton reports, how to do that is a question with no easy answers.

Proposed Pension Exemption for Some California Union Members Prompts Debate

Ben Adler — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:36:33 +0000

The author of a bill that would exempt 20,000 California union members from last year’s pension overhaul is defending the measure against criticism that it breaks a promise to voters who just approved tax increases.

Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo says he introduced the bill because of a conflict between the new state pension law and U.S. labor law that applies to 20,000 local and regional public transit workers. As a result, he says, $2 billion in federal transportation funds are at risk.

New "Top Two" Election System Causes Problems For Smaller Political Parties

Joe Moore — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:09:54 +0000

Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series on the impact of California's new top-two election reform.

When California voters approved Proposition 14 in 2010, supporters hailed it as a way to make many races for Congress, the Legislature and state offices more competitive, thanks to a new top-two election system.

Task Force Says California's Finances Unsustainable

Amy Quinton — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 22:39:29 +0000

A non-partisan State Budget Crisis Task Force is recommending that California develop a two-year spending plan. The report released today called the state’s current financial structure unsustainable.

California Governor Signs Pension Overhaul Legislation

Amy Quinton — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:42:52 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation that he called the biggest rollback to public pension benefits in the state’s history.

Governor Brown says the changes in the state’s pension system will save taxpayers billions of dollars in the future. The legislation will increase the retirement age for new public employees and require them to pay at least half of their pension costs. It also caps the salary amount that can go toward pensions.

State Sets Minimum Benefits for Health Plans

Emily Bazar — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:00:03 +0000

CHCF Center for Health Reporting

SACRAMENTO – Californians now have a clearer picture of what health insurance will look like when major provisions of the federal health care law debut in 2014.

Acupuncture to treat pain and nausea will be covered, for example, as will tobacco cessation and vision screening.

But the jury’s still out on chiropractic care.

State lawmakers this week sent two bills to the governor that identify the services health insurance plans must cover starting in 2014 for individuals and small businesses.

Brown Announces Pension Deal; Vote Coming Friday

Ben Adler — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 02:16:47 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown says the pension deal he announced today will save the state billions of dollars. But it’s drawing criticism from unions and Republicans.

Here is some of what’s in the plan: A cap on the salary that a public employee in California could use to calculate a pension. Higher retirement ages, with reduced payments. And a requirement for employees to pay at least half of their pension costs.

Who's eligible? State, advocates grapple over which elderly qualify for ADHC replacement program

Lauren Whaley — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:01:13 +0000

They're poor. They're elderly. They're disabled. But are they eligible? Advocates and state officials are struggling to determine just who among hundreds will be allowed to continue in the program that replaces Medi-Cal's Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) system. Cash-starved California slashed the optional ADHC benefit last fall and replaced it with a leaner program called Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS).

Pension Deal Nears; Unions Furious

Ben Adler — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:38:17 +0000

A proposed overhaul of California’s pension system is angering public employee unions, as Democrats get set to unveil the details. The specific details are being kept as quiet as can be, but all signs point to a deal emerging by Tuesday at the California State Capitol.

Democrats are promising “comprehensive pension reform” that will save tens of billions of dollars over the next few decades. Assemblyman Warren Furutani says the deal won’t please everyone.