AltWeeklies Wire
An Open Letter To President Obamanew

Two years ago, you said your administration would not go after dispensaries in states where marijuana is legal for medicinal use. But last Friday, your U.S. Department of Justice attorneys reversed course in California.
Sacramento News & Review |
Jeff von Kaenel |
10-14-2011 |
Commentary
Jerry Brown's Karmanew

What can California expect from Jerry Brown this time around?
Sacramento News & Review |
Tom Hayden |
01-06-2011 |
Politics
Tags: California, Jerry Brown
What Killed Prop. 19?new

Historic effort to legalize marijuana will return in 2012.
L.A. Weekly |
Dennis Romero |
11-03-2010 |
Elections
Dear California: Please Legalize Marijuana. For America.new

Vote Yes on Proposition 19 for Other Americans. And in the process, show us just how much of a role model the Great Republic of California can be.
The Village Voice |
Foster Kamer |
11-02-2010 |
Elections
East Bay Enviros Lead the Charge Against Prop 23new
The fight against the repeal of climate change legislation is a statewide campaign headquartered here.
East Bay Express |
Nate Seltenrich |
10-14-2010 |
Politics
PG&E and Mercury Insurance are Spending Millions to Try to Trick California Votersnew

California voters are about to be bombarded by more than $50 million in political advertising designed to convince them to approve a pair of measures desperately sought by two powerful corporations with a long history of lies and political corruption.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Rebecca Bowe and Steven T. Jones |
03-17-2010 |
Politics
Extremist Republicans are Crushing Dissent Within Their Own Partynew
Extremist Republicans are crushing dissent within their own party, creating a California state legislature that can’t work. That's not won't work; that's can't work. This ideological extremism is evident in the party, from the national stage to local boards.
Sacramento News & Review |
Sasha Abramsky |
01-11-2010 |
Politics
Proposals Target the Gridlock Era in Sacramentonew

A gaggle of good-government activists aims to turn California’s ongoing budget crisis into an opportunity for reform in 2010. Fat-cat corporations, political gadflies, grassroots campaigners and the state’s richest foundations are all in the mix.
Monterey County Weekly |
Robin Urevich |
12-31-2009 |
Politics
Democrat John Perez is About to Become Califoria's First Openly Gay Speakernew
John Perez, a political newcomer, should have plenty of time to solidify his power base and build influence. His tenure also promises to increase the influence of the Assembly and help advance the cause of gay rights.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
12-09-2009 |
Politics
Lessons from California's Political and Economic Disasternew

The tax revolts that started here under Gov. Ronald Reagan and continued to sweep the country and the world under President Reagan never abated. But now that California is showing signs of being the country's first failed state, it has become a cautionary tale for that anti-government ideology.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones and Tim Redmond |
10-21-2009 |
Politics
Those Who Know Him Best Say Gavin Newsom's Got the Wrong Stuffnew
As San Francisco's mayor gears up for his gubernatorial campaign, former supporters say he's "narcissistic," "thin-skinned," "disloyal," and "friendless."
Pacific Pride Foundation is One of Many California Orgs Reeling from $52M in AIDS Funding Cutsnew
With a stroke of his pen, Governor Schwarzenegger slashed $52 million from critical AIDS services funding through the state's Office of AIDS. That shoves California back to pre-1985 levels of funding, essentially the dark ages of HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Penny Patterson |
08-10-2009 |
Politics
State Budget Debacle: California Descendingnew
Some experts predict the state budget will quickly become unbalanced again, thanks to a persistently bad economy. But that didn't stop self-congratulations and posturing by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Democratic majority leaders Karen Bass and Darrell Steinberg, and Republican minority leaders Dennis Hollingsworth and Sam Blakeslee, the so-called "big five" who worked out this latest budget.
L.A. Weekly |
Jill Stewart |
07-31-2009 |
Politics
California Republicans Don't Really Care if the State Goes Bankruptnew
The Republicans largely carried the day because they had all the power: they could block any budget deal, they refused to raise any taxes, and they don't really care if the state goes bankrupt. In fact, Gov. Schwarzenegger was happy to draw the crisis out as long as necessary -- it helped his poll rating.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Editorial |
07-29-2009 |
Commentary
The California Budget: Cuts, Theft and Accounting Gimmicksnew
I get the picture. Times are tough; everybody has to sacrifice. In this context, I can accept a serious shave and a haircut, even one with scalp burns. But a self-inflicted lobotomy? I don't think so.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Nick Welsh |
07-27-2009 |
Commentary