Schwarzenegger taps Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor

The Republican has crossed the aisle on some key votes and also aspires to being elected to the job next year, making his confirmation by the full Legislature less than certain.

Committee finds mayor's gang office should be made independent

Taking Los Angeles' $20-million gang intervention and prevention programs out of the mayor's auspices would allow for more transparency and City Council oversight, ad hoc panel reports.

L.A. City Council is poised to debate how many pot dispensaries to allow

The number of shops selling marijuana has exploded from 186 two years ago. Officials hope to impose some order by capping the number of outlets or by requiring a certain distance between stores.

California budget's going to be dreadful

Until long-term structural issues are fixed, there is no way legislators can produce an honest spending plan so the state lives within its means.

After spending billions, state remains hampered by outmoded, unreliable computer systems

An embarrassing legacy of cost overruns, botched upgrades and failed networking projects has left California to rely on decades-old technology and jury-rigged software systems.

Poor California: No money and no leadership

Only one person who wants to be governor is talking about the budget, and few are listening.

California lawmakers, officials face 18% pay cut

Legislative leaders had challenged the authority of the state's independent pay commission after it voted to trim salaries. But Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown's opinion says the panel can cut compensation.

L.A. County hate crimes drop 4%

But gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people were targeted more often, prompted in part by last November's highly charged Prop. 8 initiative, report says.

California voters want a no-pork diet

The water bond proposal written and passed by the Legislature needs a major rewrite, with an emphasis on de-larding it.

Low turnout in Orange County Assembly race rekindles debate on mail-only voting

Just 4% of registered voters in the 72nd District went to precincts to fill Mike Duvall's old seat. Another 14% sent in ballots.

California's budget woes will continue for years, report says

Tax receipts have leveled off, but revenue won't bounce back until the 2014-15 budget year, according to the chief budget analyst. Near term, the state faces a nearly $21-billion deficit.

Group tied to DWP employees union sues L.A. Ethics Commission to block fundraising limit

A 1985 local law bars political committees from accepting contributions of more than $500 if the group plans to use that money to make an independent expenditure for a city candidate.

Proposed water bond is laden with sweeteners for lawmakers

More than $1 billion in an $11-billion measure to provide clean water will go toward pet projects. Opponents worry that discredited ideas could be revived.

California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion

The legislative budget analyst's projection, to be released Wednesday, threatens to send Sacramento back into gridlock and force more broad cuts to state programs.

Chris Norby is first but faces runoff in 72nd Assembly District

The Orange County supervisor jumped to an early lead but fell short of the majority vote needed to win Mike Duvall's old seat.

L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now

Supervisors approve health initiatives to improve the county's chances of receiving federal stimulus funds, but vote against a proposal to discourage the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

West Hollywood's medical marijuana success story

The small city enforces a strict ordinance and eliminates the drama that plagues L.A.

Water still divides the state

California's biggest statewide problem is -- and always has been -- how to share water. But it's really a local issue.

Two GOP rivals vie for dominance in race to replace Mike Duvall

Linda Ackerman and Chris Norby appear to be front-runners among five candidates in Tuesday's 72nd Assembly District election. A majority vote for either would avoid a runoff, but that's unlikely.

Splitting California down the middle

The real political rift, a Times/USC poll reveals, is between east and west.

Young conservative activist Hannah Giles speaks in Santa Barbara

The 20-year-old who rocked ACORN with a series of secret videos addresses college students about guerrilla warfare.

Early Oscars are presented to 4 honorees

The 2009 Governors Awards are given to actress Lauren Bacall, 85; producer-director-writer Roger Corman, 83; and cinematographer Gordon Willis, 78.