Jerry Brown courts business leaders to get behind his fiscal plans

The governor hopes they will pressure GOP legislators to support his plan to place on the June ballot a tax extension he sees as vital to the state's economic survival.

Rep. Jane Harman to resign Tuesday to allow for June special election

The Venice Democrat, who is accepting a job with a Washington think tank, says she will not endorse a candidate because her new policy-shaping job 'takes me into the nonpartisan world.'

Give Brown points for killing ill-advised state property sale deal

Gov. Jerry Brown showed smarts in backing away from his predecessor's plan to sell state buildings. He should show further wisdom and renege on his promise to bring a tax hike to voters.

Jerry Brown cancels sale of state properties planned to help address California's budget crisis

Governor says his predecessor's plan, aimed at easing California's budget crisis, would have cost taxpayers far more in the long run.

Audit finds California courts' computer project far over budget and urges suspension

Cost of the effort to update and link court computers in all California counties has skyrocketed from $260 million to up to $1.9 billion, the report finds. The Judicial Council defends the program, but some judges say it should be halted.

Several candidates consider running for Rep. Jane Harman's open seat

L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has already set up a campaign staff and website. Secretary of State Debra Bowen is thinking of running in the Democratic stronghold. And four others, including two Republicans, have expressed interest.

Leiweke says taxpayer funds won't be used for NFL stadium in L.A.

'We're going to do the right thing,' the AEG chief tells residents skeptical about financing plans for the $1-billion facility proposed for downtown L.A.

In court, Bell councilman says Robert Rizzo ran the city

Lorenzo Velez, the only Bell City Council member not charged with corruption, is aggressively questioned by defense attorneys seeking to discredit his claims of ignorance.

Prompted by Bell scandal, bills would give California more power to probe fiscal abuse

One proposal would expand the state controller's power to audit how local tax, fee and bond money is spent. Another would let the state target local agencies deemed at high risk of waste or fraud.

Relatives tell engineer's employer of effects of Chatsworth Metrolink crash

A congressman seeking to raise the liability cap of $200 million on such accidents arranged the private meeting in Simi Valley, home to many victims in the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink crash that killed 25.

California higher education leaders warn of further tuition increases

If Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to extend tax hikes fails, and if California's budget crisis continues, the leaders of California's public colleges say, student costs could continue to rise.

Parker has uphill climb against Runner in 17th District Senate race

Darren W. Parker, a Democrat in a sprawling high desert district that consistently votes Republican, is counting on help from labor and independents to pull off an upset of Sharon Runner in a special election next week.

Celebrating Ronald Reagan the centrist

The 40th president was a practical leader not trapped by ideology.

Bill would exempt municipal fireworks displays from Coastal Act regulation

Orange County Assemblywoman Diane Harkey's legislation comes in response to increasing pressure from environmental groups to clamp down on fireworks displays.

Farm insurance fraud is cheating taxpayers out of millions

Perpetrators falsely claim weather or insects destroyed their crops and cash in on a government-backed insurance program. Some don't bother planting at all. Others sell their harvests in secret.

The Week: Forget the drawbacks. L.A. just wants to play football.

The city's power elite is on the 50-yard line, cheering for a team and a stadium all their own.

Former Vice President Cheney urges 'balance' in U.S. response to Egyptian crisis

Speaking at a celebration of the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth, Cheney praises Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's past support for the U.S.

Sarah Palin casts herself in Reagan mold, blasts Obama administration

At a Santa Barbara event celebrating the 100th anniversary of Reagan's birth, she calls for smaller government.

California prison guards union called main obstacle to keeping cellphones away from inmates

Members of the politically powerful union would have to be paid millions extra to be searched on their way to work. Prison employees, about half of whom are guards, are the main source of the smuggled phones.

American students in Egypt get a crash course in politics, unrest and revolution

Many of the roughly 1,000 U.S. students enrolled in programs in Egypt have fled the country since anti-government protests broke out last week. But others have chosen to stay.

Water board member faces fines of $30,000 for campaign finance violations

Arturo Chacon of the Central Basin Municipal Water District board failed to report contributions from former Bell Mayor George Cole, a casino and government contractors, among other violations, a state watchdog panel says.

New chief justice says California Supreme Court will decide soon on entering Proposition 8 fray

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye discusses the possibility of weighing in on the federal appeal of Proposition 8 and her hope that a vacancy on the California Supreme Court be filled by a Southern California Latino.