Copyright 2012 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics en-us Wed, 16 May 2012 05:18:27 -0700 Wed, 16 May 2012 05:18:27 -0700 NBC Owned Television Stations http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Californias-Courts-Crisis-Chief-Justice-Tani-Cantil-Sakauye-151564395.html Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:13 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/6351696_NCSEG206_05Casupr_722x406_1974374005.jpg
California's courts are already overcrowded to the point of gridlock. New budget cuts proposed by the governor are raising fears for a judicial system in crisis.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=f6423eec1b96bba2803692272dc2cfa1&p=4 f6423eec1b96bba2803692272dc2cfa1 ]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:13 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Budget-Deficit-Gov-Jerry-Brown-No-Surprise-151437315.html Tue, 15 May 2012 10:34:11 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/KNSD_Brown_s_Pitch_Scaring_Voters_051412_22_mezzn_722x406_2234452766.jpg
There's nothing new about Governor Jerry Brown's disclosure last weekend that the state budget deficit has swelled to $16 billion. Anyone who is surprised by the revelation must have spent the past 11...

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Hole-Speech-Budget-May-Revise-Taxes-Temporary-Ballot-Initiative-151329015.html Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:29 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/digginahole.jpg
The big new budget deficit figure shows Gov. Brown's budget strategy can't work.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Bleak-California-Budget-Tax-Fight-Schools-Education-Governor-Jerry-Brown-151378905.html Mon, 14 May 2012 15:11:09 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/latino-classroom.jpg
Another ugly budget fight is in store in Sacramento, as Gov. Jerry Brown unveils his proposal to plug a $16 billion gap. School spending will depend on voters who face a tax hike question this fall.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Fuse

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/F-16-Jets-Intercept-Small-Plane-Obama-Leaves-Los-Angeles-151175215.html Fri, 11 May 2012 14:52:41 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/tarmac.jpg
A small private aircraft violated the airspace in the no-fly zone as President Barack Obama was about to leave from Los Angeles International Airport aboard Air Force One, authorities said.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Cigarette-Tax-Prop-29-california-Big-Tobacco-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Dr-LaDonna-Porter-151078485.html Fri, 11 May 2012 09:37:02 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/KNSD_Prop_29_Tobacco_Tax_Cancer_Res_031812_40_mezzn_722x406_2211777116.jpg
A doctor who appeared in No on Prop 29 advertisements loses her appointment to a state panel. It's politics, but it's not unfair.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/#!/news/politics/President-Obamas-Position-on-Same-Sex-Marriage/150900865 Thu, 10 May 2012 11:37:41 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/obama47.jpg
Political analyst and Huffington Post Contributor, Carl Jeffers, joins Colleen Williams on Nonstop News LA to analyze President Obama's same-sex marriage endorsement.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=4d7dda2e7fd691e042593a104873cf47&p=4 4d7dda2e7fd691e042593a104873cf47 ]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 11:37:41 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/No-on-Prop-29-Smoker-Distortion-Cigarette-Tax-150490165.html Wed, 09 May 2012 11:01:33 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/101708-cigarette.jpg
The "No on Proposition 29" campaign has taken the concept of distortion to new heights--or lows, depending on how you view it.

Photo Credit: AP/PETER MORRISON

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/George-Clooney-Fundraiser-President-Barack-Obama-Studio-City-Traffic-150786525.html Thu, 10 May 2012 08:20:27 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/George-Clooney-P1.jpg
The ever-popular George Clooney should brace for local backlash.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Facebook-Effect-California-Mark-Zuckerberg-Taxes-150636765.html Wed, 09 May 2012 10:56:48 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/198*120/mark-zuckerberg-young.jpg
With California facing another multi-billion dollar deficit, no wonder the state wants to "friend" Facebook. But all that stock cash could be a trap.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/China-Deng-Xiaoping-California-Gov-Jerry-Brown-150584315.html Tue, 08 May 2012 12:40:01 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Deng-Xiaoping.jpg
Jerry Brown just turned 74, the same age when a Chinese leader began transforming his society.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Tom-Brokaw-Kim-Kardashian-Linsday-Lohan-Charlize-Theron-Washington-Correspondents-Press-Corps-150504935.html Mon, 07 May 2012 18:36:07 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/lindsay-lohan-obama.jpg
Memo to those in the national press: It isn't all about you. Ditch the dinner or start inviting plumbers or out of work carpenters instead.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Muslims-Seek-Political-Clout-Sacramento-CAIR-150466035.html Tue, 08 May 2012 12:32:02 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/CAIR+Muslims+cropped.jpg
American Muslim activists were making the rounds at the State Capitol on Monday, with the goal of underscoring their influence as voters, and to discourage anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Photo Credit: Munire Syeda, Council on American-Islamic Relations

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Higher-Education-State-University-Oregon-Arizona-150453575.html Mon, 07 May 2012 12:44:17 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/graduation.jpg
The brain drain out of California accelerates.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Part-Time-Legislature-Proposal-Fails-to-Qualify-149697185.html Sun, 06 May 2012 07:26:40 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/capitol+protest+cropped.jpg
In a relatively sane moment for California, a proposed initiative to make the state legislature a part-time body has failed to collect enough support to qualify for the ballot.

Photo Credit: Kevin Riggs

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Standard-Poor-Rating-Agencies-State-Budget-John-Chiang-Controller-Legislature-149916715.html Sat, 05 May 2012 14:05:22 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/sandp.jpg
S&Ps newest report shows that it doesn't understand much about the California budget.

Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/#!/news/politics/Molly-Munger-Talks-Tax-Reform/150258825 Sat, 05 May 2012 13:30:40 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/9557530_NCSEG105_06V2mo_722x406_2231064979.jpg
The "Our Children: Our Future" campaign is seeking to raise California taxes to fund K-12. It is being backed and funded by Molly Munger, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney. She talks with NBC4's Cona...

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/Some-Drivers-Irked-by-Motorcycle-Lane-Splitting-150197075.html Sat, 05 May 2012 07:56:03 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/motorcycle5.jpg
A small percentage of California drivers admit that they've tried to block motorcyclists from the legal practice of lane-splitting, according to a state survey.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Molly-Munger-Jerry-Brown-Ballot-Initiative-Temporary-Tax-Hikes-150101785.html Fri, 04 May 2012 10:06:20 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Brown+Unger.jpg
Gov. Brown wants Molly Munger's temporary tax initiative off the ballot. But having Munger's measure around is helping him.

Photo Credit: Gov. Jerry Brown/Molly Unger

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/Los-Angeles-City-Councilman-Richard-Alarcon-Charges-Perjury-Voter-Fraud-150183845.html Fri, 04 May 2012 11:19:37 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/52184725.jpg
LA City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife pleaded not guilty on Friday to renewed perjury and voter fraud charges, a day after a judge dismissed the same charges brought against the couple in 2010.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Sutter-Brown-Gov-Jerry-Brown-Obama-Bo-Politics-First-Dogs-150169935.html Fri, 04 May 2012 08:58:42 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/sutter+brown+10.jpg
As Governor Brown tries to negotiate difficult budget cuts with legislative Democrats who resist having their constituents harmed and Republicans who won’t cooperate at all, he’s smart to rely on...

Photo Credit: Sutter Brown's Facebook Page

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Congressman-Pete-Stark-15th-Congressional-District-Challenge-Eric-Swalwell-150095485.html Fri, 04 May 2012 09:54:50 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Pete+Stark2.jpg
Two weeks ago I wrote about the 15th Congressional district campaign between 20-term incumbent Pete Stark and a relatively unknown challenger Eric Swalwell.

Photo Credit: Peter Stark Website

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=250705a12ba2aeac1d6f48bf6c3da6fe&p=4 250705a12ba2aeac1d6f48bf6c3da6fe ]]> Fri, 04 May 2012 09:54:50 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Reelection-Tease-Newsom-Villaraigosa-Democrats-Governor-149582485.html Thu, 03 May 2012 11:36:39 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/135852904_jerry_brown.jpg
Gov. Jerry Brown is trying to create mystery around the question of whether he's running for re-election. Please.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/California-First-Dog-Sutter-Brown-Hits-the-Road-for-Pet-License-Plate-Fundraiser-149902715.html Mon, 07 May 2012 12:36:24 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Sutter+Brown+21.jpg
California First Dog Sutter Brown travels from Sacramento to Los Angeles with the Humane Society to promote a proposed new license plate to raise money for animal shelters.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Fearing, Humane Society

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/A-Tax-System-Divorced-From-Jobs-Economy-149513575.html Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:54 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/061711+florida+unemployment.jpg
California's economy is rebounding. Its tax revenues aren't.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Los-Angeles-Riots-War-Zone-Rodney-King-Remembered-149524945.html Tue, 01 May 2012 09:41:59 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/la+riots+file.jpg
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles was an unnerving scene of destruction; a reminder of how quickly chaos can erupt.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Salary-Cap-Governor-Legislature-Unions-149145365.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:01:58 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/cash-generic-722x406.jpg
There's no reason for outrage about state salaries that are higher than the governor's.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Ballot-Measure-Prop-184-Three-Strikes-Initiatives-149420925.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:31:56 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/050911+miami-dade+voting+generic.jpg
It's commonplace for people to blame the legislature and governor for our state's budget mess, and some of that blame is deserved. But a sizable amount of culpability for California's fiscal mess falls on...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Circulators-Petition-Signatures-Gathering-149229365.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:10:12 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/petition-sb48-church.jpg
Thanks to the petition circulators

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Voter-Information-Guide-Ballot-Arguments-Citizen-Juries-148626935.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:20:13 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/102808-voting-p1.jpg
The ballot guide for June's statewide primaries shows the need for improvements

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=e162f5c788b4ddba770cdc15e47abd8b&p=4 e162f5c788b4ddba770cdc15e47abd8b ]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:20:13 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/State-Budget-Controller-John-Chiang-Legislature-Judge-148788285.html Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:18:01 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/02_john_chiang_wig.jpg
A judge says the state controller can't block legislature's pay -- as he did last year.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Mad-Cow-Politics-Red-Meat-Taxes-149229005.html Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:47:25 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/180*120/104548508.jpg
Not eating beef after mad cow? But you still may have a dangerous intake of political red meat.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-California-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Tax-Increase-Proposition-Trouble-149095115.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:45:45 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/135852904_jerry_brown.jpg
Democratic Governor Jerry Brown's measure to temporarily raise state income and sales taxes may be in trouble before the proposal even qualifies for the November ballot.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Congress-Challenge-California-GOP-Democrat-Election-Trouble-Pete-Stark-148563865.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:16:21 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/164*120/PETESTARK.jpg
California's Congressional Democrats find themselves in an increasingly embarrassing situation. Pete Stark, a 40-year veteran from northern California, finds himself threatened by another Democrat.

Photo Credit: Peter Stark Website

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/State-Controller-John-Chiang-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Fight-Lawmaker-Pay-Voters-148919125.html Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:08:56 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/John+Chiang+in+Parlimentary+wig+cropped.jpg
State Controller John Chiang cannot withhold the paychecks of legislators, a Sacramento judge ruled Wednesday, even if Chiang believes they fail to pass a balanced budget on time.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Mayor-Antontio-Villlaraigosa-Transportation-Train-Los-Angeles-Legacy-Taxes-148705995.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:48:13 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Mayor+Villaraigosa+Anti-Gang.jpg
A transit tax proposed by LA's mayor could imperil the governor's own tax plans by overwhelming voters.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Prison-Spending-Loses-Its-Luster-148571115.html Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:06:05 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/prison-hands-generic.jpg
A master plan released by state prison officials Monday promises to reduce spending by billions and end federal oversight of the system.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Taxes-Increases-Ballot-Initiatives-Death-Penalty-148626665.html Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:07:38 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/180*120/sanquentin.jpg
While controversy rages over initiatives to raise taxes, a measure to repeal the death penalty has an easy path.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=8c3246b4190f45bb1501fd04aa385a58&p=4 8c3246b4190f45bb1501fd04aa385a58 ]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:07:38 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Voter-Registration-GOP-Democrats-Party-Preference-None-Of-The-Above-148550395.html Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:09:38 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/184*120/republican-party-pooper.jpg
New figures from the Secretary of State show a continuing trend of voters that don't want to be affiliated with either Democrats or Republicans.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/#!/news/politics/Ex-LAPD-Chief-Daryl-Gates-Remembered/91639344 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 07:50:23 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/160*120/2928223_ncapril17darylgates_640x480.jpg
Remembring Former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates.

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Bloggers-Disclosure-Fair-Political-Practices-Commission-Ann-Ravel-148336015.html Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:26:35 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/bloggerpz.jpg
What should bloggers have to disclose about their financial ties to politics?

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy Flick user minifig/Flickr CC

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Gavin-Newsom-Lieutenant-Governor-Current-TV-Arnold-Schwarzenegger-Talk-Show-148343955.html Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:17:00 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/0003_gavin_newsom_raj.jpg
California's lieutenant governor has a new talk show. Why not?

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Reports-Waste-Tires-Kangaroo-Harvest-147872135.html Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:32:17 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/tires-slashed.jpg
Gov. Jerry Brown seeks to end more than 700 state reports deemed unnecessary. But that doesn't mean the reports aren't fun.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Legislative-Aides-Jerry-Brown-Signatures-Circulators-147696595.html Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:45:36 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/sacramentocapitolgen.jpg
Watchdogs worry about legislative staffers being pressured to work on initiative campaigns. But why shouldn't they do this work?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/Molly-Munger-Ad-Jerry-Brown-Taxes-Schools-147697525.html Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:35:01 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/Molly+Munger.jpg
A second ad for ballot initiative to raise taxes for schools is better -- but still offers a misleading narrative.

Photo Credit: Molly Munger

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=b59d3228bf2ab5a4cc22929a2399819f&p=4 b59d3228bf2ab5a4cc22929a2399819f ]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:35:01 -0700 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero/High-Speed-Rail-Financial-Uncertainty-Legislative-Analyst-Office-147992395.html Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:15:14 -0700 http://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/213*120/high_speed_rail_graphic1.jpg
Lawmakers studying California's bullet train project were offered assurances on Wednesday...but not of where the money will come from.

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