Since receiving $3 billion in voter authorized bonds in 2004, the state's publicly-funded stem cell research institute has been beset by one controversy after another. Wranglings with the legislature, potential conflicts of interest in the grant application process, and key questions regarding taxpayer investment have plagued the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
But, that's not all.
Last week, the United States Supreme Court rendered a historic ruling against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and all laws that seek to limit big corporate money in American politics. The Court affirmed the position argued by Citizens United, a prominent conservative advocacy and lobbying group in Washington DC. The group challenged the legality of an FEC regulation which restricted the ability of corporations and unions to fund political advertisements.
The Associated Press reports that approximately 3/4 of Californians see the state heading the wrong direction. The recent findings are based on a Public Policy Poll conducted of sampling of 2,001 Californians from Jan. 12-19.
Beginning in the early 1990s, the U.S.
Do you think California has reached the point where it’s not only OK to turn a blind eye to drug use, but drug use should be legalized? It’s come to that point: marijuana may soon be considered legal in California. According to the Los Angeles Times, nearly 700,000 registered voters threw their support behind an initiative to make the possession of marijuana legal.
US Senate candidate, Tom Campbell, issued a list of specific cuts he'd propose to restore fiscal sanity to an out of control the federal budget. However, the military budget was completely neglected.
Though far below the requested $4.7 billion, the state's high-speed rail project will receive $2.25 billion in federal stimulus funds to move ahead with construction. While the project is projected to be a boon for job creation and infrastructure development, key questions remain.
Given California’s ongoing border crisis and swift descent toward systemic failure, it is only natural that a number of unique and, in some cases, truly odd ideas will surface as desperation begins to set in. Moreover, such odd ideas are especially likely to come from politicians who hanker after a salvageable legacy.
Sacramento real estate appears to be ready for a recovery, and a return to more positive days, according an article in the Sacramento Bee. The article notes that area prices have fallen to near 2001 levels, thus making housing more competitive with higher cost markets such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles. The lower prices are once again attracting well-educated and highly skilled workers into the area, according to the Bee.
Are you or anyone you know a ruralpolitan? This new fangled term describes a demographic of “urbanist/suburbanists” who are disillusioned with the drudgery of the nine-till-five world and are packing up and heading for the country. They do this spurred on by fiscal uncertainties in a depressed economy, and for some, to provide a better and more fulfilling life for their children.