No easy fix for California's prison crisis

Even if a court order to ease crowding can be met, sentencing laws could fill lockups again, analysts say.

U.S. Supreme Court orders massive inmate release to relieve California's crowded prisons

Justice Kennedy cites inhumane conditions, while dissenters fear a crime rampage. Gov. Jerry Brown seeks tax hike to fund transfers to county jails as prison officials hope to avoid freeing anyone.

California legislators risk voter backlash if they try to use no-pay loophole

California voters passed Proposition 25 to punish lawmakers if they fail to pass a budget by the June 15 deadline. And the budget must be balanced.

Video by prison guards union links campaign donations to new contract

The union spent $7 million on last year's elections, and of the 107 candidates it endorsed, 104 were elected.

More state boards await the budget saw

Gov. Brown has proposed to close 37 state panels — his latest attempt to rein in more than 300 citizen groups created over the years to give average Californians some say in their government.

L.A. teachers union seeks to halt school district initiatives

Union opposes testing of a new teacher evaluation system and wants to thwart plans to hand over South Los Angeles campuses to a charter organization.

Sacramento lawmakers may not be punished for late budget

Fine print in a ballot measure voters passed last fall may contain a loophole allowing them to keep their pay and perks even if they make no more progress on passing a final spending plan.

Schwarzenegger says he's putting Hollywood comeback on hold

Days afer acknowledging that he fathered a child outside of marriage, the former governor says he'll be devoting time to his personal life, according to his entertainment advisors.

Bill targets anti-fraud requirement in home aid program

Sponsors in the Legislature say aspects of measures imposed two years ago are too cumbersome and expensive to administer. Republicans say malfeasance in the program justifies the requirements.

Budget analyst is critical of Jerry Brown's tax referendum push

The nonpartisan legislative analyst says a vote on taxes would create instability for schools and spook Wall Street investors.

Debra Bowen concedes in 36th Congressional District race

With most ballots counted, Debra Bowen still trailed Republican Craig Huey, who will face Democratic Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn in a July runoff.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was unfaithful to Californians

The former governor's unsound fiscal policies weakened the state.

UC tuition might jump 32% if tax proposal fails, official says

UC President Mark G. Yudof tells regents that this fall's 8% tuition increase may be dwarfed by an additional 32% midyear hike if Gov. Jerry Brown's plan for tax extensions is not approved.

Candidates in runoff to fill Jane Harman's seat in Congress won't be known before Friday

Janice Hahn, Craig Huey could meet in the runoff. But Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who trails Republican Huey by just 206 votes, is raising money for a potential recount.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's plans terminated? Not likely

Few strategists believe that the disclosure about his out-of-wedlock child will permanently derail Arnold Schwarzenegger's political or entertainment pursuits.

Maria Shriver on Schwarzenegger's paternity admission: 'Painful and heartbreaking'

Maria Shriver releases a statement about husband Arnold Schwarzenegger's admission that he fathered an out-of-wedlock child with a household staff member.

California's revenue surge might stymie efforts to stabilize finances

The $6.6-billion of unanticipated revenue may relieve some of the pressure caused by California's huge deficit, perhaps weakening Gov. Jerry Brown's argument for tax extensions.

Janice Hahn, Craig Huey appear headed for Congress seat runoff

In a seemingly major upset, L.A. Councilwoman Hahn, a Democrat, and Huey, a Republican businessman, led the race to replace Jane Harman in Congress. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, a Democrat who was considered a front-runner, finished third.

Schwarzenegger fathered a child with longtime member of household staff

Schwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shriver, moved out of their Brentwood mansion earlier this year after the former governor acknowledged the child was his. The staff member worked for the family for 20 years, retiring in January.

Brown releases revised budget plan with $6.6-billion windfall

Increased revenue from taxes on the wealthy would be used for schools and business tax credits. Brown says some tax hikes are still needed to wipe out the state's red ink, but GOP lawmakers disagree.

Election to fill Jane Harman's post is Tuesday

Los Angeles voters will also be electing a board member for the L.A. Unified School and L.A. Community College districts.

Good GOP bills held hostage in budget stalemate

Practical proposals on parks, pensions and welfare fail as Democrats refuse to pass Republican measures without a budget deal.