A group of progressive organizations is trying to take on the California Chamber of Commerce's influence at the Capitol.

The groups, which include large labor, environmental and social justice organizations like the Service Employees International Union California, California Labor Federation, Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood, said at a Wednesday press conference that the chamber's annual "job killer" list of legislation opposed by the business lobby has too much influence over lawmakers' decisions. The groups' members said they wanted to present a progressive alternative.

"The simple reason is that as much progress as we have made, we can and must do better," said Antionette Dozier of the Western Center on Law & Poverty.

California's official voter guide for the June 7 primary is out, and there are a few interesting tidbits inside about the U.S. Senate candidates.

Long shot Democratic candidate Massie Monroe of Glendale asks voters to "rise above" the accusations leveled against her because of her research into "mind control slavery."

"Through my national and international research and political activism, I identified 'mind control slavery' by satellite energy technology weapons and social engineering programs that have been in continual development for the past 50 years and facilitated their 'declassification.' As a result, I came under heavy sanctions that are ongoing. I request you, the voter, to rise above all untrue accusations that assail my good character and heart."

A divorce court hearing on allegations of domestic violence made against congressional candidate and state Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina) was postponed Wednesday until later this month. 

A temporary restraining order barring the Democrat from contacting his estranged wife, Baldwin Park City Councilwoman Susan Rubio, remains in place until the next court hearing.

Rubio has alleged that Hernandez, who is challenging Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) in the June 7 primary, repeatedly assaulted and abused her after they were married in June 2013.

Supporters of an initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in California are scheduled to gather Wednesday in San Francisco to announce they they have collected enough signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot and to launch a campaign for its passage.

Meanwhile, a coalition including the California Police Chiefs Assn., California Hospital Assn., California Teamsters and Los Angeles Police Protective League kicked off a campaign opposing the initiative Wednesday, arguing, among other things, that it would allow people convicted of dealing large amounts of controlled substances such as heroin, methamphetamine or cocaine to become legal marijuana dealers.

Democrat David Guzman said Wednesday he has suspended his campaign for the 29th Congressional District seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas, saying he couldn't mount a viable bid.

Guzman said he realized after meeting with local Democratic clubs that it was a mistake to run for Congress as a first-time candidate with little political experience.

With the California primary less than 35 days away, Guzman's name will remain on the ballot. On his website, Guzman urged supporters to examine the remaining four candidates.

A competitive California presidential primary had all sorts of potential to scramble the other races on June 7. One possible outcome: A surge in Republican turnout could have dashed Senate candidate Rep. Loretta Sanchez's hopes of making it past the primary and to the general election. 

After Sen. Ted Cruz's departure from the GOP race all but handed Donald Trump his party's nomination, Sanchez dismissed speculation she might benefit. 

There are three top Republican challengers each aiming to perform better than Sanchez to face front-runner Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris. 

President Obama recognized three California Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and storytellers Wednesday at the White House.

The event, part of the White House's Champions of Change program, included remarks from the first lady's chief of staff, Tina Tchen, National Endowment for the Arts Chairwoman Jane Chu and several panels focused on the 10 artists who were recognized.

The California artists who were recognized:

Backers of a gun control initiative proposed for the November ballot argued during a legislative forum Tuesday that it is needed to make California safer, while opponents said it will unfairly harm law-abiding gun owners and is primarily aimed at getting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom elected governor.

Newsom turned in 600,000 signatures last week for an initiative that would require background checks for ammunition purchasers, ban large-capacity magazines, make gun thefts a felony and require those convicted of serious crimes to give up their firearms within 14 days.

The Assembly and Senate Public Safety committees held a joint hearing on the proposal Tuesday in anticipation of the measure qualifying.

Gov. Jerry Brown has long warned that the state's budget bonanza of recent years, fueled by a windfall of income tax revenue, is destined to sputter out — a mantra that's helped deflect many of his fellow Democrats' spending demands.

But now, even as April tax revenue missed its mark by $1 billion, there's a perception at the state Capitol of a slight opening in Brown's otherwise airtight argument. And it's one he brought about himself, by embracing the new law boosting California's minimum wage.