The California Department of Water Resources warned in a December report that 50% of the state’s aging levees are not up to standard and up to $17 billion is needed in repairs and infrastructure investment. This of course comes at a very bad financial time for California, as it is already suffering from huge budget deficits.

Arizona Sen. Scott Bundgaard's alleged invocation of a state law, which gave him immunity to arrest last February when he was faced with misdemeanor domestic violence charges, has spawned legislation to amend a provision in the Arizona Constitution that grants partial immunity to lawmakers during and right before session.

Concerns about energy independence notwithstanding, when the odor of coal dust wafting through the town offends the citizenry’s olfactory glands, the trains must be stopped.  At least that’s the way some people in Bellingham, Washington see it. Activists have formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) called No Coal! to halt coal trains from traversing city property. They envision a legal system that would recognize the Rights of Nature, which apparently includes freedom from coal dust.

1 In 3 Facebook Users Swayed By Friends’ Political Posts

1) The Marijuana Penalties Act of 2012: Increase amount of #marijuana that can be possessed, cultivated, sold, or transported from one ounce to two ounces for adults 21+

(2) The Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012: Use model of alcohol regulation & control to introduce #marijuana into a legal, regulated market 

(3) The Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012: Decriminalize possession, cultivation, sale, transport, & use of #marijuana for 19+ 

Cities across California are scrambling this week to decide how to respond to the dissolution of the state's redevelopment agencies following a State Supreme Court decision issued late last month. The case was the result of a legal challenge brought forward by the California Redevelopment Association, the League of California Cities and a number of other parties.

It's a much different electoral landscape in 2012 for the Republican Party.  It's a landscape in which California plays a central role in the presidential nominating process, not because its primary comes early like New Hampshire or South Carolina, but because its primary comes so late in the process... and has the most delegates up for grabs.