Air Quality

Last election cycle, the main story was Democrats claiming a decisive two-thirds supermajority in both houses of the Legislature. Tuesday night's primary results foreshadowed how that dominance may be altered come the November general election with a handful of close contests poised to reshape the makeup of the Legislature. http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2014/06/democratic-supermajority-california-primary.html#mi_rss=Latest%20News

Analysis from California’s Two Senior Pundits: It’s risky – perhaps even foolhardy – to read much into the results of an abysmally low turnout primary election. With that caveat, however, it appears that the California Republican Party, which has been on the brink of utter irrelevance, may be avoiding irrelevance. Three of its candidates for

Independent spending in California’s June 3 primary election has pushed above $23.2 million, with the political forces burning through nearly $250,000 a day. The figures, not complete, reflect independent spending since March 1 and include both statewide and local races, according to campaign disclosure reports filed with the secretary of state. Typically, the money goes

New research from Tufts University and a USDA economist published by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review casts doubt on the popular theory surrounding so-called food deserts in the U.S. The concept of a “food desert” originated in the United Kingdom, where it was known as a populated area with little or no retail food outlets.

The disagreement between Irwindale officials and the maker of Sriracha hot sauce concerned local regulations, so it was no surprise that lobbying by U.S. senators, Texas politicians and L.A. city councilmen had little effect. As the conflict dragged on, many local leaders feared Chief Executive David Tran would follow Toyota's example and leave California for

Sharp divisions between the GOP's "country club" establishment and its rough-around-the-edges Tea Party activists have been exposed in the California governor's contest, where the race for second place pits an ex-investment banker - who's dropped $2 million of his own money on the campaign - against a fiery former plastics salesman whose chief campaign assets

With Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown expected to romp to reelection this year against little-known rivals, many donors who gave Republican candidates more than $37 million in the last gubernatorial contest are now keeping their hands in their pockets. But those who are writing checks are largely giving them to … Jerry Brown. The governor has

Election Day is Tuesday, and the Golden State is gearing up for -- or perhaps, altogether ignoring -- what could be its lowest-ever turnout in a primary for governor. The top of the ticket looks like a yawn, as most experts see two contenders vying for the right to lose to Gov. Jerry Brown in

A string of legal cases against lawmakers that include two Democrats facing political corruption charges has magnified the usually quiet race for the office overseeing California elections and campaign fundraising. Candidates vying to become secretary of state are offering competing plans to inject transparency and restore public faith in government. http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_25801333/secretary-state-campaign-takes-higher-profile?source=rss

Collision course — Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris have no-name opposition this year, and are positioning for the Corner Office in 2018. http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-newsom-harris-20140518-story.html#page=1