All Other News

By LAURA MECOY
Friday, November 17, 2006
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, expressing confidence this year's bipartisan cooperation will continue next year, said Tuesday the state should "definitely" be able to the cut the ranks of the state's 6 million without health coverage by at least half.

The governor said health care would be one of his administration's "main agendas" next year, along with improving school accountability, easing prison overcrowding and political reform.

"We feel we shouldn't have 6 million people uninsured," he said.

By JUDY LIN
Friday, November 17, 2006
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a D and the state Legislature a C-minus when it comes to supporting bills that bridge California's racial divide, according to a report card put out by an advocacy group Tuesday.

Despite the governor's pledge to represent all Californians, authors of the 2006 racial equity report card gave him poor marks for vetoing bills to provide universal health insurance and allow separate textbooks for English learners.

By MARGARET TALEV
Friday, November 17, 2006
Automakers and manufacturers, beware: There's a new environmental policy boss in town, she scowls a lot, and two of her favorite phrases are "global warming" and "extensive hearings."

The Democrats' coming takeover of Congress is expected to feel pressure for policy change on a number of fronts, from Iraq to taxes, but the starkest change may come at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, when Sen.

By LES BLUMENTHAL
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Washington Sen. Patty Murray was elected to the No. 4 slot in the Senate's Democratic leadership Tuesday as yet another sign of the growing influence of the state's congressional delegation following last week's election.

As conference secretary, Murray will play an insider's role in developing the Democratic agenda for the next Congress, determining legislative priorities and implementing the party's strategy and message.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for our state to be at the table and to have the issues we care about on the agenda," Murray said in an interview.

Thursday, November 16, 2006
Richard Pombo went to Congress in 1992 with the aim of gutting the Endangered Species Act and other environmental legislation that we take for granted today _ the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Estuary Protection Act, Coastal Zone Act and more.

Thursday, November 16, 2006
Rep. John Doolittle's changed situation is dawning on him, albeit slowly.

At 6:27 a.m. the day after he eked out victory in an overwhelmingly Republican district, Doolittle sent out a press release announcing his intention to run for House Republican conference secretary, the No.

Thursday, November 16, 2006
Trains are once again crossing the Sierra via Donner Pass after a derailment of a freight train left two crew members dead. The derailment _ ironically of a special maintenance train that helps to maintain the safety of the line _ killed two contract employees who were desperately trying to stop the train.

By MICHAEL DOYLE
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Jerry McNerney is returning to school, 25 years after earning his Ph.D.

Now it's a cram course in applied political science, as the trained mathematician joins 52 other newly elected House members in orientation.

By CAROLYN SAID
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
California's economy is positioned for strong growth in the next decade, but the state's infrastructure problems could weaken its allure as a place to live, according to a new report.

By ANDY FURILLO
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature coming up empty on relieving prison overcrowding, inmate rights lawyers have petitioned federal courts in Sacramento and San Francisco to impose a population cap as the fastest and surest way to stem the system's burgeoning crisis.

The attorneys insisted that their motion for the population limit, if it is approved, would not amount to an early release program.