Government

A look at the rollercoaster ride of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s amazing comeback.

Treasurer Phil Angelides talks about his campaign for governor and his conviction that he is the right choice for California.

In this extended interview, Phil Angelides discusses his platform, why he decided to run for governor and his take on the Schwarzenegger administration.

Proposition 87 would tax oil companies to raise money for alternative energy research. More than $130 million has been raised by the forces for and against Prop 87, making it the most expensive initiative campaign in the nation’s history.

Proposition 86 on California’s November 2006 ballot would triple the current cigarette tax - adding $2.60 more per pack - making California’s cigarette tax the highest tax on smoking in the country.

Correspondent Craig Miller paid a visit to San Benito County which has mirrored statewide voting results for the past eight years. Do the voters in this county have the inside scoop on the outcome of this November’s election?

On November 7th, California voters will be asked to weigh in on the emotionally and politically charged issue of how to manage sex offenders.

Agriculture is one of California’s biggest and most successful industries. We are the top state for dairy production; the sole producer of a dozen crops; and the national leader in agricultural exports. However, California agriculture faces challenges like population growth, changing climate and politics.

California’s primitive levee system has experts worried that a disaster on a similar scale to New Orleans could happen here.

San Bernardino and Maywood find themselves on opposite sides of the heated immigration debate. Earlier this year, Maywood became the first municipality in the state to declare itself a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants, while San Bernardino recently considered a tough measure that would ban the undocumented from renting property and punish those who hire them.

Producer Joseph Angier and Associate Producer Matthew Chin discuss the making of “Wild Profits,” California Connected’s story on illegal animal poaching.

Since we left Ward 7-D, there has been progress to report.

A powerful water battle is brewing in the tiny town of McCloud. Nestle wants to open a bottled water plant there but the company’s plan is getting a mixed reception from local residents. At issue - will the plant stimulate the economy or drain the natural resources?

At the Polytrauma Unit of the VA medical center in Palo Alto, we follow four soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury who are working to rehabilitate their bodies and their minds.

Big companies like Google and Earthlink see gold in that plan and are partnering with the city of San Francisco to build a network to connect the city. A poor, rural southeastern Indian reservation in San Diego County is providing wireless Internet access to reservations across a 250 square mile network via transmitters mounted on mountaintops.

Voter resources for the 2006 California primary election.

How safe are electronic voting machines?

Proposition 82 proposes free pre-school for every 4 year old in California.

Political analyst David Lesher, from the New America Foundation, tells us how the increase of Independent voters is shaping the political landscape.

In the small Northern California community of Isleton, citizens keep a very close eye on their elected officials.

Some cancer patients face paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for drugs that may save their lives.

Executive Producer Bret Marcus joins Associate Producer Anne Lilburn to discuss “Costly Cures.”

Assemblyman Keith Richman discusses the challenge of healthcare reform in California.

The inventiveness and persistence from one group of Oakland skaters to transform a freeway underpass into a skate park has inspired neighborhood activists across San Francisco Bay. What can embracing skateboarders do for your town?

Executive Producer Bret Marcus joins Producer Joseph Angier and Associate Producer Matthew Chin to discuss Who’s Minding Our Ports?

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together comprise the busiest port complex in the United States. Just a single attack on this port complex could send our economy into a tailspin.

We sit down with Chris Bertelli, deputy director of the California Office of Homeland Security, for a “reality check” on California’s state security challenges.

Since 2001, the federal government has more than tripled spending on non-military, homeland security. How quickly is that money being spent?

The California population now stands at around 37 million. How many are Latino?

The Hoover Institution’s Eric Hanushek argues that smaller classrooms are not nearly as effective as excellent — and better-paid — teachers, while noting that Sacramento has too much power over local schools.

Tom Cahill, professor emeritus of physics and atmospheric sciences at UC Davis, discusses the past, present and future of California’s air quality.

A wide-ranging and far-reaching discussion on California’s future with the state’s premier pollster Mark Baldassare.

The regulation of abortion is undeniably one of the most, if not the most, controversial political questions in contemporary America. Prop. 73 tackles just one facet of this political and, to many, moral debate: the role of parents and doctors in the reproductive rights of teenaged girls.

Few Californians will soon forget the rolling blackouts of 2000 or the market manipulation later shown to be at the heart of those uncertain times. But are a majority of state voters ready to roll back the de-regulation which proponents of Prop. 80 argue set the stage for those systemic failures.

Redistricting is and has been a contentious issue for decades in California and across the nation. But this year’s redistricting measure, Prop. 77, could very well catapult our state into truly uncharted political territory.

We asked Dan Weintraub from the Sacramento Bee and Bob Stern from the Center for Governmental Studies to comment on Prop. 75, which would cripple the public employee unions’ ability to play a critical role in state politics.

Proposition 74 would lengthen the trial period for state teachers from two to five years while making it easier for them to be fired — after two consecutive negative evaluations. One group, literally, has a front row seat on the issue — California students.

The special election may be Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s to lose. But if he wins, it’s the California Democratic party that will be dealt what some consider a crippling blow. We interview the governor and the new face of the state Democratic party, Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Núñez.

“Should the California Constitution be amended…transferring the implementation of redistricting from the Legislature to a panel of three retired judges, selected by legislative leaders?” Our guide to the ballot guides for Prop. 77 on the November 2005 special election ballot.

Tom Campbell, State Director of Finance, and, Robin Swanson, spokesperson for the Alliance for a Better California, vocal advocates for and against Proposition 76, respectively, state their arguments — and a few surprises — for the record.

In a recurring feature, we ask a group of high school students to pick apart and take a stand on the proposed funding changes laid out by Prop. 76, the Governor’s hand-picked constitutional amendment initiative.

America is likely to import more and more Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) each coming year but plans to build two receiving terminals in California are meeting fierce opposition from environmental and “government waste” watchdogs.

An interview with Timothy P. Duane of UC Berkeley on waste, growth and California’s future.

No more s%*t! That’s what some residents of Kern County are saying to Southern California’s sanitation districts. The Central Valley region generates 2% of the state’s “biosolids” or sludge — but receives 30% of California’s human and industrial waste each year. Now the rural community wants to ban the transfer of their urban neighbors’ waste.

For over a century, rural Californians have struggled to make themselves heard in the state legislature. The two year-old rural California State Legislative Rural Caucus might buck that trend.

Did you know you’re not supposed to put tarantulas on little girls? If not, you probably didn’t read the manual.

California has the largest and most complex water transportation system in the world. We follow a drop of water from the slopes of Mt. Shasta to a car wash in San Diego County.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is a lightning rod for criticism, media attention and the support of Governor Schwarzenegger’s many opponents. We profile the man behind the title: Speaker of the Assembly.

In November of 2004, Californians made history by approving $3 billion of funding for stem cell research. Today that research initiative has been stalled by lawsuits and criticisms. We interview the program’s leading proponent, and chairman of the new California stem cell agency oversight committee, Robert Klein.

What do sheep, libertarians, spam and global warming have in common? The tragedy of the commons.

In January 2005, Jesus Saldana took up his new position as a state legislator in the Mexican state of Michoacan. What is unusual about this job is that he was elected to represent constituents who no longer live in Mexico.

The Legislature is considering a law that would make California the second state in the nation to allow doctors to prescribe fatal doses of medication to terminally ill patients with less than six months to live. Rob Nelson takes to the streets to debate the issue with fellow Californians.

California’s system of funding schools is based on a set of bizarre outdated formulas that result in serious, calcified inequities: some schools receive around $4,000 a student, and other schools receive more than $8,000 a student.

Will California retain the lead in the global race to create a Silicon Valley-like hub for the emerging biotech industry? With numbers like these…

Coast Seafoods is harvesting oysters in a more environmentally friendly fashion. But will the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term costs for this Eureka outfit?

Why do California’s assembly members represent four times as many people as their colleagues in Texas and New York?

Our guest handwriting analyst returns for a second installment and takes a closer look at the top two state senators: President Pro Tem, Don Perata and Republican Leader, Dick Ackerman.

California was recently tested for “effective government management.” The results? We tied for last place–with Alabama.

Our second annual meeting with former California Governors Brown, Deukmejian, Wilson and Davis yields a candid and vigorous discussion.

Controversial and effective: two words that describe Alan Bersin, former San Diego Schools Superintendent and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s pick to be the next California State Secretary for Education.

Most meet and greet sessions just involve hand-shaking, ours includes handwriting analysis. Introducing California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The second part of our interview with Gov. Schwarzenegger, focusing on education and his plans to transform California’s education system.

Arnold, Governor Schwarzenegger, explains his year of reform agenda in a one-on-one interview.

Communities throughout California pound the pavement and work the phones to keep nearby military bases open.

A rare tax amnesty campaign has produced an unexpected high return in state taxes this year.

Van Tran wins the contest for the 68th District of the State Assembly, making him the highest ranking Vietnamese-American politician in the country. He’s a Republican.

Saudi-born Ferial Masry is the Democratic candidate for the 37th District of the California Assembly in Ventura County–as a write in candidate.

Comedian Cris Franco samples the personification of four initiatives (59, 63, 65 and 1A) courtesy of the ever charming California League of Women Voters.

High school debaters tackle Prop. 66 which would amend the “Three Strikes Law” to exclude non-violent offenders.

Have you ever wondered why horse racing and the lottery are legal, but casinos are only legal on Indian land?

A liberal and a conservative compete in “enemy territory” in a contest to see who can register the most voters.

Prop. 71 commits $3 billion in state money to create the largest state-supported embryonic stem-cell research program in the nation.

A look at two innovative ballot initiatives on California county slates in 2004: Instant Runoff Voting and Early Voting Booths.

High schoolers debate whether or not the state should be able to extract DNA samples from suspects not convincted of any crime.

A profile of the two candidates for U.S. Senate in 2004: Barbara Boxer and Bill Jones.

Proposition 62 would have opened primary elections for all California voters, regardless of their party affiliation.

A visit to San Bernardino, where voter participation is particularly low, to investigate voter apathy.

A trip to the remote community of Markleeville, in search of Alpine County’s lone unregistered voter.

The popular vote on SB-2 which would have required businesses of a certain size to provide health insurance to all employees.

A look at the now almost yearly offering of ballot initiatives through the eyes of confused voters.

An online discussion on the role of government in the pharmaceuticals market with Merrill Goozner and Jack Calfee.

What was the Master Plan for Higher Education and how has it changed since its design in 1960?

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison explains why taxes might be a better deal than a fully privatized society.

When it comes to tax-funded public services, is the whole greater than the sum?

An interview with SF Mayor Gavin Newsom on his plans for the future and the controversial topic of gay marriage.

Famed reality TV producer Mark Burnett gives his .02 cents on what politicians could do to improve ratings, er, voter participation.

Meet the California’s most important power brokers… in the U.S. Congress.

An online discussion on the origins and goals of the nascent Native American legal movement.

Do voters really mistrust the state government or is their unease just a big misunderstanding?

This northern California town has learned how to govern by consensus.

Connect the dots between oil wells, refineries and your local gas station.

Two anti-immigration advocates square off against two anti-anti-immigration advocates.

Why are gas prices so high in California compared to other parts of the U.S.?

An online discussion regarding the myths and realities of immigration in California with Prof. Michael P. Smith and Belinda Reyes.

Helicopter border patrol agent Elizabeth Ebisuzaki takes us on a tour of her daily work.

From brownfields to infill, new approaches to urban development may help California ease into the next century.

A wide-ranging and in-depth online discussion of “smart growth” with Dan Silver, Nick Bollman, Andy McCue and Gabriel Metcalf.

A panel discussion with Senate Minority Leader Jim Brulte, and, from the Assembly, Dario Frommer and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

How some Central Valley communites are actually planning for “smart” growth.

What happens to kids in foster care when they turn 18? Many become homeless.

An online discussion of talk radio with Al Peterson and Michael Harrison.

A brief discussion of conservative talk radio in California, widely credited with launching the 2003 recall election.

California’s initiative process has spawned a signature-gathering industry.

The biggest interest group in Sacramento? Your local government.

An online discussion of California’s workers’ compensation system with Prof. John Burton, Prof. Les Boden, Prof. Peter Barth and Prof. Robert Reville.

Reforming California’s beleaguered workers’ compensation system by standardizing the evaluation of disabilities.

A remarkable 11-member panel discuss possible reforms for the state’s troubled workers’ comp system.

A lighthearted look at the complex issues surrounding workers’ compensation reform in California.

High schoolers tackle the merits of Prop. 56 which would make it possible for a simple legislative majority to pass the budget.

Comedian Cris Franco visits the Democratic State Convention in the wake of the 2003 special recall election.

Meet the couple behind MoveOn.Org, an online grassroots political organization.

Meet four GOP candidates for the U.S. Senate in the general election of 2004.

An online discussion of the California initiative process with Bill Arno, Robert Stern and Robert M. Hertzberg.

A look at electronic voting machines.

Find out California’s initiative process works and why it sometimes fails only after a measure is passed.

Why does the date of the California primary matter?

An unprecedented roundtable discussion with the last four Governors of the state of California.

A one-on-one interview with newly-elected Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

What does it mean when the state of California issues a bond?

Governor Schwarzenegger is not the first governor to deal with a looming budget deficit. See how the last three governors faced their “rainy days.”

An online discussion of the fundamental challenges facing the government of California with Peter Schrag and John Andrews.

An interactive journey through the history of California politics, culminating in the special recall election of 2003.

The rise and fall of Gray Davis, an introduction to Ted Costa — the instigator of the recall drive — and a look at two state legislators who are bucking the system by being… moderates.

Short video profiles presenting 46 of the 135 candidates for governor in the special recall election of 2003.

The Enemy of the State vs. Minerva and the Bears.

The Enemy of the State gives the statesman with enemies a makeover.

What do you want out of California’s health care system? Take a few minutes to vote in our instant election.

After more than a decade of government television ads attacking the tobacco industry, two tobacco companies are hitting back.

Read an interactive copy of the RJ Reynolds and Lorillard tobacco companies’ lawsuit against the California Department of Health Services.

If pornography is now accepted by the mainstream, will government efforts to tax the industry be successful? A look at one failed effort to do so and its implications for future legislation.

Of the nearly 1,000 registered lobbyists in the state of California, only one advocates for the adult entertainment industry: Kat Sunlove.

In the hopes of moving forward, we take a step back and ask the big questions: What is it, what cause it and what can be done to solve it?

Why is Santa Monica getting a bad rap for its treatment of the homeless after decades as a haven for California’s dispossed? Hear from more than both sides of this hotly contested issue.

Over the last month, more than half of you have voted to cut the Corrections budget first in our unscientific budget poll. Find out how that would — or would not — affect the state’s $35 billion deficit.

The Enemy of the State holds a yardsale to raise money for the state’s debt-ridden budget.

Simultaneously heralded and derided as the most powerful liberal in the state, John Burton is President Pro Tempore of the California Senate. Meet the man behind the myth as he reflects on his last days in office.

Do you know how to speak power? An unbiased look at the top five up-and-coming state senate and assembly bills on health care insurance.

We got a letter from the government the other day. A closer look at the the war of words between the federal DEA and our state’s Attorney General office.

California uses a national database to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals. So why does U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft disapprove of this preemptive research?

Are you addicted to credit? Have you borrowed more than you can pay back? Is debt threatening your future? You are not alone. In fact, you are California.

Fishermen, Native Americans, energy companies and farmers were each promised a piece of the Klamath River. Unfortunately, there’s not enough of it to go around.

On all sides of the Klamath River, farmers, fishermen and Native Americans stake their claim in the continuing struggle for water rights.

Environmentalists want to reduce the amount of land available for off-road-vehicle use in this Southern California public park. Off-road-vehicle enthusiasts say “Tough luck” and the Bureau of Land Management is stuck in between.

Off-road-vehicle enthusiasts vs. environmental conservationists. If neither side is happy, does that mean the Bureau of Land Management is getting it right?

The State of California faces a budget deficit of over $23.6 billion. Should Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance program for low-income residents, receive the brunt of these reductions?

Why is healthcare going under the state budget knife? Health officials warn of a looming crisis that will overwhelm an already teetering health care system.

Is rural California, the fastest-growing part of the state, headed for a healthcare crisis?

In a project to end the Owen Valley’s dust storm nightmares, L.A. returns water it “borrowed” decades ago, but what will it mean to Southern Californians?

Is the EPA’s that California switch to fuel additives like ethanol in order to meet federal Clean Air Act requirements based on real concerns or the influence of ethanol-producing interests in the Midwest?

What’s good for the air, in this case, is not good for the water. How does an international debate on the impact of MTBE, a gas additive, have great consequences for California’s water?

Indian gaming is bigger than ever in the state of California. How did it get to be such a booming business and, amidst growing criticism from its competitors and detractors alike, what does the future hold for Indian Casinos?

The unprecedented growth of Indian casinos is attracting customers and controversy. California Connected explores the issues in California.

Ward Connerly, famous foe of affirmative action, is now championing a ballot initiative that would strip all references to race and ethnicity from government forms with a few exceptions.

Will racial privacy end racism or lead to private discrimination? An ongoing debate in the streets could hit the ballot box.

To save money, the Governor wants to move prisoners from private institutions to state penitentiaries. Is it good planning or a payback to the state prison guard’s union?

Private prisons are closing as part of Governor Davis’ effort to reduce the budget deficit—and not everyone is celebrating.

Born in the aftermath of the worst power crisis in the state’s history, the California Power Authority has been charged with the responsibility of managing the state’s energy future. Enter S. David Freeman: a controversial figure and the power broker behind California’s Power Authority.

The clock is running out on the deal as the federal government clamps down on San Diego’s other water dependencies.

The San Diego County Water Authority is trying to broker a deal with the Imperial Irrigation District for what would be the biggest water transfer in the nation’s history. At stake are California’s water supply and the ecosystem that depends on the Salton Sea.