In an egregious case of drive-by journalism, an important healthcare story slipped by the general public because it appeared in the nearly unread Saturday, May 13 edition of the New York Times, Sacramento Bee and other major newspapers.

With Democrats outnumbering Republicans in California's 36th congressional district, left-of-center candidates will have the first chance at adjusting to the new top-two open primary system.  In all likelihood, today's special election will pit Democrat against Democrat in July. 

In another example of the paralysis that is the apparent natural state of California politics, the Supreme Court will probably rule in June that the state must release at least 35,000 prison inmates due to severe prison overcrowding, which results in substandard health care.

Last week, The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) issued a highly critical report on current High Speed Rail (HSR) plans. The LAO said HSR is threatened by erratic (if not completely non-existent) financing compounded by management problems.