KPCC: Stories by Julie Small

California faces tax increases or deeper cuts to close deficit

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:37:07 -0800

A report out today predicts that California faces a $21 billion deficit next fiscal year. The state faces tough choices on how to plug that gap.

California’s deficit projected to reach $21 billion next year

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:35:47 -0800

California faces a $21 billion deficit next fiscal year. That’s what the state’s non-partisan legislative analyst predicts in a report out today.

California officials submit plan to cut prison population to federal judges

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:47:17 -0800

California officials said late Thursday they can comply with a federal court order to cut the number of inmates in the state’s overcrowded prison system by 44,000. But they said the only way to reach that number is to circumvent the state legislature and state law.

California health officials unable to predict when they’ll have enough H1N1 vaccine

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:29:24 -0800

California’s top health officials said Thursday the state has far fewer doses of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine than it needs. The state can’t predict when more doses will become available.

California to submit new plan to cut prison population

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:18:24 -0800

The Schwarzenegger Administration faces a deadline Thursday to submit a new plan to reduce California’s prison population. A panel of federal judges rejected an earlier plan, saying it didn’t go far enough to reduce overcrowding in state prisons.

Auditor says California should do more to help veterans get federal benefits

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:04:57 -0800

California is home to more military veterans than any other state. The state Department of Veterans Affairs is supposed to help those vets get the benefits they’ve earned.

But there are questions about whether it’s doing a good job now – or will do a good job when thousands of vets come home to California after their service is done.

California lawmakers pass water plan to improve supply

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:36:43 -0800

After months of negotiation and a couple of all-night voting sessions, state lawmakers passed a cluster of bills Wednesday morning designed to improve California’s water supply. They’ve called the $11 billion package “historic” – and it is. The plan alters the way California manages water.

California lawmakers agree on water deal

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:07:42 -0800

Sacramento lawmakers worked until 6 this morning to pass a historic water deal. The package of bills is designed to improve the state's water supply.

Historic legislation to improve California’s water supply stalled in Legislature

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:01 -0800

A vote on bills to improve California’s water supply stalled in the state legislature Tuesday. The Senate has passed several of the bills that comprise a comprehensive overhaul of the way the state manages and monitors water. One of the more controversial bills has hit a snag.

Feds drop investigation of former California Assemblyman Mike Duvall

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:05:22 -0800

Former California State Assemblyman Mike Duvall of Orange County appears to be off the legal hook for his recorded boasts of exploits with two female lobbyists. KPCC’s Julie Small says federal authorities announced Monday they won’t file charges against Duvall.

California to transfer more inmates to private prisons out of state

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:38:19 -0800

California prison officials announced plans Monday to transfer thousands more inmates out of state to private prisons. The move’s a way to relieve overcrowding in state prisons.

California's lawmakers to vote on comprehensive water policy change

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:09:13 -0800

California lawmakers could vote as early as today on bills intended to improve the state’s water supply. Some thought they’d be able to agree on a plan last week, but negotiations stalled. Despite the setbacks, one veteran of California’s water wars says there’s still reason to hope legislators will finally improve the state's water supply.

End of Daylight Saving Time weighs on California's Capitol

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Daylight Saving Time ended Sunday morning. So turn the clocks back and get ready for fewer hours of sunlight. The lack of daylight this time of year can have a profound effect on people’s moods. That’s particularly true at the state Capitol.

California sues Amgen for alleged kickbacks to boost anemia drug sales

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:26 -0800

California has joined New York and 13 other states in a federal lawsuit filed Friday against biotechnology giant Amgen. The suit alleges that the Thousand Oaks company gave kickbacks to health care providers to boost flagging sales of its anemia drug.

California lawmakers propose to spend $9 billion to improve water supply

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:55:49 -0800

State lawmakers haven’t agreed on how to improve California's water supply. But Wednesday they agreed on how much that effort will cost. They say a little more than $9 billion ought to do it.

California lawmakers consider plan to monitor groundwater supply

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:19:19 -0800

California lawmakers held a special hearing today on legislation that would fundamentally change how the state manages water. One change would require counties to start monitoring groundwater. The proposed change has raised some ire.

Delays in H1N1 vaccine slow California’s efforts to prevent virus's spread

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:39:31 -0800

Delays in the production of the H1N1 vaccine mean fewer Californians are able to get the shot right now. State health officials hope more doses will arrive this week to protect the most vulnerable people.

State officials scramble to craft new inmate reduction plan

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:01:32 -0800

The clock is ticking, again, for state prison officials.

They have less than a month to put together a plan to reduce California’s prison population. A panel of federal judges Wednesday rejected the state’s first plan. And they say California had better not fall short again.

Schwarzenegger signs bill to restore state money to California domestic violence shelters

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:19:27 -0800

During the summer budget battle, Governor Schwarzenegger slashed $15 million to support domestic violence shelters in California. Wednesday, he signed a bill that money back. The bill signing ceremony in Sacramento was less festive than most.

Federal judges reject California's plan to cut prison population

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:49:20 -0800

A panel of three federal judges today rejected California’s plan to reduce the inmate population.