Villaraigosa sets sights on City Council's pet projects funds

To plug a shortfall, he's seeking to borrow $40 million from accounts that are used for neighborhood initiatives. But some of the funds can't easily be touched, council aides say.

California budget crisis' teachable moment

The budget crunch at Cal State is getting so bad, it's forcing some young people to think about a future without a college education. But some students won't sit idly by.

D.A. launches inquiry into Carson mayor's use of a mute button

Mayor Jim Dear reportedly shuts speakers' microphones down with a before their allotted three minutes are up. 'It's a very unique complaint,' a district attorney's official says.

Despite budget crisis, state spent $75 million on vehicles, office furniture

The top spenders were Caltrans, with $10.4 million for vehicles, and the DMV, with $1.7 million for furnishings. An additional $2 million went to conferences and meetings, report shows.

Fiorina and DeVore appeal for the women's vote

Both speak to the Federation of Republican Women as they prepare for the GOP primary and the chance to run against Sen. Barbara Boxer in the fall.

Kindergarten politics

Playing games with Maldonado could backfire for the Assembly.

Chuck DeVore faces steep climb for California Senate seat

Despite a lack of funds and name recognition, the Orange County Republican says he's best qualified to carry the party banner this fall against Barbara Boxer.

California politics are taking on a surreal tint

As campaign spots touch upon the bizarre, average people's real concerns fade into the background.

Effort underway to suspend California's global-warming law

Conservatives propose an initiative that would delay curbs on greenhouse gas emissions until the state's unemployment rate drops to 5.5%, a level not seen since 2007.

Campaign ad with sheep: The nation is flocking to it

Political consultant Fred Davis is a bit taken aback by the attention generated by the online video he created for GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina. It's already considered a cult classic.

Tribal Alliance warns that Internet poker could cost California money

As legislators consider legalizing online games, the coalition says a new law could violate existing compacts.

L.A. city official says mayor doesn't have authority to order layoffs 'on his own'

In a memo, Chief Deputy City Atty. Bill Carter advises employees in the city attorney's office that Villaraigosa lacks the power to compel department heads to lay off employees.

L.A. County's top child welfare official backs off comments

Trish Ploehn, director of the county Department of Children and Family Services, was quoted in The Times as saying the agency was suspending efforts to reduce the number of children in foster care.

Whitman tweaks campaign ad to fix inconsistency

The gubernatorial candidate altered a TV spot saying she had lived in California 30 years to say she's lived in the state 'many years' after reports showed she didn't live here continuously.

L.A. mayor orders 1,000 jobs eliminated

Antonio Villaraigosa acts the day after the City Council had postponed cutting positions. The city is trying to deal with a $212-million budget shortfall.

Southland panel rejects funds for ethanol fueling stations

Members of the Southern California Assn. of Governments reject $11 million in federal stimulus money to set up 55 stations throughout the Southland. They say ethanol causes environmental problems.

California redistricting effort is out of the backroom but not free of politics

Ethnic groups say the pool of applicants for a citizen commission to redraw Assembly and Senate districts is too white and too male to reflect the state's diversity. Others question the expense.

Snow's on the Sierra, but Jerry Brown's still undeclared

The attorney general has been coy about announcing his candidacy for governor, but after the recent Democratic loss in Massachusetts, some in the party worry that time is being lost.

Poizner's wild-eyed accusations against Whitman don't bode well

The GOP gubernatorial candidate alleges opponent Meg Whitman used attempted bribery and extortion to drive him out of the race. If he's serious, that calls into question his ability to govern.

California Senate panel unanimously backs Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor

The 4-0 vote sends the nomination to the full Senate. Maldonado vows to make the office 'the public face of job creation.' If neither house rejects the nomination, he will take office Feb. 22.

Foes spend big to gun for Brown

Republicans Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman have contributed nearly $60 million of their own money to their gubernatorial campaigns. The presumptive Democratic nominee has conserved his funds.