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California

California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban  Registration Required


SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court ruled today that same-sex couples should be permitted to marry, rejecting state marriage laws as discriminatory. (Read the California Supreme Court's decision)
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California Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage  Registration Required


A sharply divided California Supreme Court today legalized same-sex marriage, a historic ruling that will allow gay and lesbian couples across the state to wed as soon as next month and inflame the social, political and moral debate over gay unions.
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Gay marriage legal in California, court declares  Registration Required


SAN FRANCISCO -- A deeply divided California Supreme Court said Thursday that California's ban on gay marriage is not legal, a move that sent off wild cheers and celebration in San Francisco but one that will face new fights from opponents of same-sex marriage.   Read More
State Supreme Court overturns ban on gay marriage


SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.   Read More
California court affirms right to gay marriage


Same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.   Read More
New Schwarzenegger budget for California would divert gas taxes  Registration Required


SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger attempted to forge a path out of the state's financial mess Wednesday by offering concessions to both Democrats, who are demanding that schools and other services not be cut, and Republicans disdainful of new taxes.   Read More
Tough budget decision shifted to voters  Registration Required


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger outlined his revised budget Wednesday at a Department of Health Care Services auditorium. His proposal would borrow an idea Gov. George Deukmejian used in 1983, with a sales-tax increase that would be triggered if voters reject a lottery revenue proposal   Read More
Schwarzenegger defends using lottery funds to pay off budget deficit


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday defended his plans to borrow against future profits from the state lottery to help close a $15.2 billion budget deficit, arguing that the state's fiscal crisis is so deep that cutting spending alone is not a viable option.   Read More
Lawmakers take aim at budget


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to use money from an expanded lottery to plug a big state budget hole is not looking like a winning ticket.   Read More
Governor's big gamble with the budget


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's unusual proposal to borrow against future state lottery revenue to help erase the state's $17.2 billion budget deficit drew sharp criticism Wednesday from Democratic lawmakers and financial experts who say the idea is risky and irresponsible.   Read More
Schwarzenegger has plan to close state budget gap


LOS ANGELES - To close California's huge budget gap, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a plan: get a Wall Street investment firm to lend the state $15 billion against future proceeds from its rather unsuccessful lottery program, with the lending firm taking large risks for a low-yield return.   Read More
Sex offenders banned from ice cream trucks


A measure that bars registered sex offenders from operating ice cream trucks in San Bernardino County has been unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors.   Read More
Cal State, UC hike fall tuition fees  Registration Required


Despite angry protests from students that led to 16 arrests at UCLA, California's two public universities took actions Wednesday to charge higher fees for education in the fall.   Read More
Q&A- How the lottery proposal would work  Registration Required


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing to borrow against lottery proceeds to help address the state's budget problems. Here's a quick look at the plan.   Read More
UF trustees approve cuts of $47 million


GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The University of Florida's governing body unanimously approved $47 million in budget cuts Wednesday that will result in reducing enrollment and laying off some faculty.   Read More
CalPERS - No increase in health premiums  Registration Required


Gas costs more. So does food. Health insurance? Same thing ? unless you get it through one of the California Public Employees' Retirement System's preferred provider organizations. A key CalPERS committee on Wednesday recommended that the massive pension and health fund not raise the cost of PPO premiums for state workers in 2009.   Read More
Schools still may come up short, administrators say


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may have backed off a worst-case scenario for public education in a new budget proposal, but administrators say his plan still could leave classrooms shorthanded.   Read More
Court overturns Calif. gay marriage ban


WASHINGTON -- In a resounding victory for gay men and lesbians, the California Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a state ban on same-sex marriage.   Read More
California's top court overturns gay marriage ban


SAN FRANCISCO -- In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot.   Read More
Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage due


SAN FRANCISCO -- More than four years after San Francisco defied state marriage laws by allowing nearly 4,000 same-sex couples to wed at City Hall, the state Supreme Court is set to decide today whether gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry in California.   Read More
States to enforce molester law on tribal land
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

A little-noticed provision in a 2006 federal sex-offender law is rankling American Indian tribes in six states — Alaska, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin — because it would give state law enforcers unprecedented authority to monitor child molesters living on tribal land.   Read More
States, locals swamp immigration program
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join.   Read More
In school sports, who makes the call?
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

A shot at the buzzer of a high school championship game — was it in time or not? — led the South Carolina Legislature to consider a bill to require referees to watch video replays. It was hardly the first example of armchair quarterbacking by lawmakers.
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Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.   Read More
At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

After a pair of hard-fought primaries, North Carolina joins Missouri, Washington and Indiana on Out There's list of states where partisan control of the governorship could flip this fall.
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.   Read More
Calif. Supreme Court overturns ban on gay marriage  Registration Required


LOS ANGELES -- The California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages Thursday, potentially creating the second state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: South Carolina's shampoo specialists
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

The Palmetto State cleans up a law requiring hairstylists to get more training than cops. Frog legs are frowned upon by Florida health officials. And an aide to Utah's lieutenant governor gets way ahead of his boss. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.   Read More
State Supreme Court set to issue same-sex marriage opinion  Registration Required


The California Supreme Court on Thursday will issue its ruling on one of the most volatile civil rights cases to come before the bench in decades: whether gay couples should be allowed to marry.   Read More
Fugitive mom pins hopes on Granholm


A suburban homemaker arrested at her upscale home near San Diego 32 years after escaping a Detroit-area prison is pinning her hopes of clemency on Gov. Jennifer Granholm.   Read More
California high court to rule on gay marriage tomorrow  Registration Required


The California Supreme Court says it plans to issue its long-awaited decision on whether to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday.   Read More
Calif. top court to rule on gay marriage


Both sides in the gay marriage debate will be watching California's highest court Thursday to see if the nation's biggest state goes the way of Massachusetts and legalizes same-sex marriage.   Read More
N.J. enacts paid family leave
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer

New Jersey this month joined California and Washington in adopting family leave insurance plans that allow workers to take time off with pay to care for sick family members or newborn and newly adopted children. New York and Oregon are expected to consider similar laws next year.   Read More
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer

(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008)

When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states.
  Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond.
  Read More
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
By Kim Mendelsohn, Special to Stateline.org

Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.   Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views.   Read More
Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

With a sagging economy and a divisive war occupying Americans’ minds, will social issues be overshadowed in state elections in 2008?
  Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.
  Read More
'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The national polls point to a tight presidential race in November. But Democrats have a bit more to cheer about than Republicans do, regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, according to the latest state-by-state electoral-vote projections by “Out There.”
  Read More
Governors pitch ambitious programs
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
  Read More
Summary of the State of the State Address

Facing a projected $14 billion budget deficit, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged lawmakers to "face our budget demons" and approve a constitutional amendment to rein in spending.   Read More
A tale of two comebacks
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Not long ago, the approval ratings of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley were in the dumps. Both managed to climb back to popularity. Their stories hold lessons for other politicians.
  Read More
Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Not a single governor or state legislator wields authority over the conduct of the Iraq War, yet a broad range of party strategists and political analysts agree that state races in 2008 will be shaped, mostly indirectly, by public attitudes towards that conflict. Unless there’s a sea change in public opinion, that’s bad news for Republicans.
  Read More
Governor Photo
 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
Elected: November 2003, 2006
Term expires: January 2011

State capital: Sacramento
State nickname: The Golden State
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi (D)
Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D)
Attorney General Jerry Brown (D)
Senate President Pro Tem: Don Perata (D)
House Speaker: Fabian Nunez (D)





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