New Bureau of Environmental Justice Seeking Funding and Enforcement Power?

June 6, 2019 2:05 amJune 6, 2019 1:28 pm

In February of 2018, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra created the Bureau of Environmental Justice within the Environment Section at the California Department of Justice. The mission of this agency within an agency is “to protect people and communities that...

Big Blow to Mayor Garcetti in the defeat of Measure EE in Los Angeles

June 5, 2019 11:18 amJune 10, 2019 12:22 pm

Following the contentious Los Angeles Unified School District strike in January, the controversial property tax hike proposed by the school district went down in a resounding defeat Tuesday. Measure EE garnered only about 45 percent of voter approval when it...

Senate District 1 Results: Brian Dahle defeats Kevin Kiley In Urban vs. Rural District

June 5, 2019 7:11 amJune 13, 2019 6:37 am

“Today’s election did not go our way. Although some ballots remain to be counted, it’s not enough to overcome our current deficit of 53 percent to 47 percent. Congratulations to Senator-elect Brian Dahle. I wish him the best in his...

Is There Liability for Enacting Unconstitutional Laws?

June 5, 2019 6:00 amJune 2, 2019 9:12 pm

I have occasionally been asked whether there is any recourse when the Legislature and Governor enact a law that violates the state and/or federal constitutions. Obviously, the first action would be to challenge the enacted bill in either a state...

New Suburbanism – A Smart Alternative to ‘Smart Growth’

June 5, 2019 2:15 amJune 13, 2019 6:38 am

Solutions to California’s housing shortage invariably focus on increasing the density of preexisting cities and suburbs. Legislative solutions include SB 375, passed in 2008, which “incentivizes” cities and counties to approve high density land developments, and the failed (this time) SB 50,...

High Speed Rail’s Top Consultant Suspended After Assemblyman Requests Ethics Investigation

June 5, 2019 2:05 amJune 6, 2019 5:09 am

Assemblyman Jim Patterson says it took almost three years to get approval for an audit of the California High Speed Rail Authority… and what an audit it was. “The ruling Party really pushed it off,” said Patterson, a Republican from...

Bill to End ‘Hair Discrimination’ In the Workplace Moves Ahead

June 4, 2019 11:23 amJune 13, 2019 6:39 am

While existing state and federal laws prohibit racial discrimination in schools and workplaces, one area has not legally evolved — hairstyles, or rather “natural hairstyles” traditionally worn by African American men and women. Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) authored SB...