John Burton on California Before Arnold

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Oct 25, 2006 Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer does a career-spanning interview with the "blue-collar liberal" who helped rule California politics as both a congressman and leader of the state legislature over the last 30 years. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Schwarzenegger Pumps Up Campaign

Staff / Truthdig Oct 22, 2006 Despite a consistent lead in the polls and a war chest twice the size of his opponent's, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger just gave his campaign $3.5 million of his own money, leaving some strategists scratching their heads. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Schwarzenegger Defies GOP on Emissions Cap

Staff / Truthdig Aug 31, 2006 California will become the first state to cap greenhouse gas emissions, should a deal reached between Gov. Schwarzenegger and state Democrats pass the Legislature. The deal is seen as a betrayal by Republicans, who oppose a state cap on emissions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

California Legislators Challenge Hemp Ban

Staff / Truthdig Aug 28, 2006 California legislators have sent a bill to Gov. Schwarzenegger that would legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, setting up a direct confrontation with federal drug authorities. The plant, which contains none of the hallucinogenic properties of marijuana, is considered a kind of miracle crop by farmers and entrepreneurs who seek to exploit its fast growth and myriad uses. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Heat Wave Kills 140 Californians

Staff / Truthdig Aug 11, 2006 About 140 Californians died last month from a severe heat wave, the most casualties since 1955, when air conditioning became widespread. Officials were left scrambling to explain the inordinately high number of deaths, unusual for a place where people are used to the summer heat. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

California Heat Wave Kills More Than 130

Staff / Truthdig Jul 31, 2006 California?s recent heat wave has caused the deaths of more than 130 people, officials believe. Though temperatures have been cooling, they hovered around 115 degrees in some parts of the state earlier in the week. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Schwarzenegger Denies Bush Troop Request

Staff / Truthdig Jun 24, 2006 The governor rejected a request from the president to send 1,500 more National Guard troops to the Mexican border, saying the transfer would stretch the California Guard too thin. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Clean Money Campaign Needs Your Help

Staff / Truthdig Jun 17, 2006 A law working its way through the California Legislature would provide for full public funding of credible candidates in statewide races. This is the real-deal way to eliminate the ruinous influence of huge campaign contributions in elections. It's already working in a few states, and a victory in California could start a nationwide revolution. Check it out. Sign a petition. Join the cause. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The End of the Electoral College as We Know it?

Staff / Truthdig Jun 1, 2006 The California Assembly passed a measure to pledge the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote (as opposed to giving its Electoral College votes to the winner of the California popular vote). This would come into effect only if enough other states passed similar measures. But if it happens, it will mean the end of the electoral college as we know it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Stanley Sheinbaum: Support Winograd for Congress

Staff / Truthdig May 31, 2006 The internationally renowned diplomat, peace activist and Democratic Party salon ringmaster is urging people to support Marcy Winograd, a peace candidate running against Jane Harman in California's 36th Congressional District. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Study: Oil Company Profits, Not Crude Prices, Are Pumping Gas Prices

Staff / Truthdig Apr 21, 2006 Corporate profiteering--not increased crude oil prices, not ethanol switch-overs--is responsible for recent gas price increases in California, according to an independent watchdog group. Sounds like Enron all over again. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Halliburton Tried to Double Its Pleasure, Fun

Staff / Truthdig Mar 29, 2006 Even while a Halliburton subsidiary was being criticized for running up bills on a 2003 no-bid contract, government officials were finding similar problems on a simultaneous project. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )