CA GOP flexes Sacramento muscle on road repairs
By James Poulos . In a move that handed Sacramento Republicans a sudden share of power, state legislators finally turned their attention to California’s deteriorating infrastructure. In recent years, California’s roadways have fallen into what analysts often agree is terrible shape. “Our streets and highways are in horrible condition and need at least $296 billion during the next five years […]
Assemblyman Scott Wilk just ‘phones’ it in
Apparently men really can’t multitask, at least, when voting on a 117.5 billion dollar budget. Local Assemblyman Scott Wilk, whose 38th District covers part of Simi Valley, was on Facebook while placing his vote for the current California budget. He voted, yes, the only Republican to do so, all because he was distracted on Facebook. […]
CA Assembly passes fast food franchise regs
By James Poulos . As changing consumer tastes roil the fast food industry, the California Assembly passed a so-called “Franchise Bill of Rights” designed to transform the way franchisors like McDonald’s do business. Assembly Bill 525, introduced by Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, would make it harder for franchisors to in effect fire franchisees — the owner/operators […]
Caltrans greenlights bike lane expansion
By James Poulos . Bending to legislative prodding from Sacramento, clinic California’s transportation bureaucracy has moved ahead with statewide plans to standardize and expand the Golden State’s bike lanes. Despite persistent criticism from bike-friendly advocacy groups like the Green Lane Project, Caltrans opted against such sweeping measures. In 2014, however, Democratic officials decided to change that: “Last […]
