Obesity is weighing on the U.S. economy. As a panel of scientists considers ways to help Americans trim down, unpublished research shows medical expenses linked to being extremely overweight have skyrocketed. Experts say the damage is augmented by reduced productivity, wider gender and income inequality and even higher transportation costs. The U.S. Department of Health
The Legislature enacted Chapter 835, Statutes of 2014 (SB 1077, DeSaulnier), to study the feasibility of a “road usage charge”—an amount charged to individuals for each mile they drive. Such a charge is also sometimes referred to as a “mileage based user fee.” Several states have begun exploring the idea of funding their transportation systems
Downtown Los Angeles- There’s no way to say it except to just say it: José Huizar is a campaign monster. That was proved — nay, solidified — Tuesday night, when Huizar not only beat former County Supervisor Gloria Molina in the 14th District City Council race, but trounced her. The 66% of the vote that he received
Following weeks of speculation, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin officially announced Saturday that she will not run for U.S. Senate. Of the possibility she might seek the seat being vacated by Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016, Swearengin’s political consultant Tim Clark said Saturday, “It’s not the right seat for her and it’s not the right
Just 10 days into his 2018 run for governor, Lt. Gov.Gavin Newsom has collected over $700,000 in contributions, including donations from some of the Bay Area’s top tech luminaries, according to the campaign finance reports on file with the California secretary of state’s office. Newsom’s exploratory committee reported maximum contributions — $28,200 each for the primary
In November state Senator Jean Fuller will become Senate Minority Leader. She’ll be the Senate’s first woman Republican leader. And she’ll be joining Democratic Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Assembly Minority Leader Kristin Olsen on the "big five," which also includes the governor and the Senate president pro tem. Fuller says she’s looking forward to
The number of bills introduced by members of the California Senate by the deadline was the lowest number in the first year of a biennial session going back to 1989. Senators introduced 793 bills, compared with 813 filed in 2013. The Assembly had 1,504 bills filed, an increase from the 1,430 introduced in the lower
It is a testament to the dormant state of California’s once mighty Republican dynasty that the only GOP candidate either party gives a shot at capturing Barbara Boxer’s Senate seat upon her retirement next year is the one who is resolutely refusing to run: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Last week, Rice topped a
Republicans in the California Senate have chosen a new leader – Sen. Jean Fuller of Bakersfield – and she will become the first woman to hold a top leadership post in the Senate, Democrat or Republican, the caucus announced Tuesday. Fuller will take over as the Senate’s minority leader on Nov. 1, replacing Sen. Bob
While California continues to make good progress in sustainable energy by doubling down on proven strategies and taking the lead on developing and implementing some “first-in-the-world” solutions, the magnitude of change needed to address the threats of climate change and meet more stringent federal air quality standards in the state will require even further innovation