Life after legalisation for Mendocino CountyNext month, Californians will vote on Proposition 19 — a bill which legalises the possession of certain amounts of marijuana and allows governments to control commercial distribution and collect taxes. Mendocino County, one of the biggest growers of pot, is preparing for life after legalisation, John Gravois reports.
California
Senate race snapshot:
California
California is the largest state in the United States, and despite being strongly slanted towards the Democrats, it is currently facing fiercely-contested races for both the Senate and the Governor’s office, writes Ben Raue from California.
No room on the streets for the homeless
The sunshine state of California has long been a popular spot for America’s homeless and those living out of cars and caravans. But strict regulations banning street parking and trailers at in Venice Beach are forcing the homeless to move elsewhere.
Banning gay marriage deemed unconstitutional
In a win for gay rights, Proposition 8 — a ban on gay marriage in California — has been overturned, after a federal judge declared “moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights…” A Supreme Court appeal is expected.
The battle for a greener California — what can Australia learn?
The war between high-emitting industries and low and zero-emitting sectors over climate change policies has been largely waged by proxy. Now, in the US, they are preparing for pitched battle, writes Climate Spectator’s Giles Parkinson.
Why Texas beat California in GFC recovery
Texas has triumphed over the economic recession while California remains in a slump. Can liberalism be blamed? Not really. Here are four contributing factors.
Businesses struggle to inhale marijuana profits
America’s first attempt to fully regulate, license and tax a legit marijuana trade might sound like an opportunity for easy cash, but retailers say their profits aren’t nearly as high as their customers.
California vs Greece: who’s more screwed?
Will it be a Greek tragedy or a Hollywood horror film? Various pundits weigh in on whether the Californian economy or the Greek economy is more likely to completely collapse. Place your bets.
Ponies and pigs: the Californian Budget mess
For Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, it will take a feat of termination far greater than any celluloid achievement to overcome the fiscal problems of America’s Golden State, writes Binoy Kampmark from San Francisco.
Schwarzenegger: Why we shouldn’t put all our climate change eggs in the Copenhagen basket
Arnie Schwarzenegger weighs into the climate change debate, suggesting that state and local governments will have a greater role to play in the fight against climate change than any agreement reached at Copenhagen.
Total recall in NSW
The SMH has started a petition to demand an early election in NSW. Err, it’s not quite that simple, explains William Bowe.
California’s water wars rage on
California lawmakers have approved several bills that could significantly change the state’s troubled water system, fueling hopes that a generation of feuds over the state’s most vital and overexploited natural resource might soon be over.
Ban big-screen TVs?
The US state of California is poised to ban big screen TVs in order to cut energy usage and spare itself the cost of building a new power plant. Could this be the way forward for curbing Australia’s energy-guzzling ways?
California: America’s first failed state
California is in the poo. Its public servants are being paid in IOUs, unemployment is at a 70-year peak, and teachers are on hunger strike. How did it all go so wrong for America’s Golden State?
Buy a piece of California
In a bid to eliminate waste — and raise some easy money for his cash-strapped state — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a ‘Great Californian Garage Sale’. Crikey eyes the bargains.
An apology is not an excuse
California will apologise to the Chinese-American community for institutional racism that dates back to the Gold Rush. But an apology can leave far greater acts of racial discrimination unacknowledged, says Andrew Bartlett.
Guy Rundle: What’s happened to the once great state of California?
The largest state economy in the US, and the 15th largest economy in the world in its own right, remains locked in a crisis more typical of a place like Zaire. How did the great bear state get to this impasse?
LA begs for alms to pay for Michael Jackson memorial
Los Angeles faces its greatest financial crisis in 75 years, with an estimated budget deficit of $530 million. So how to pay for the Michael Jackson memorial? asks Binoy Kampmark.
Arnie declares a “fiscal emergency” in California
California is entering the new fiscal year with no money and a growing deficit, after the state senate blocked $5 billion in cuts to education the Governator was counting on to see them through tough economic times.
High-ranking defectors spill the beans on Scientology
Scientology leader David Miscavige is the focus of a special report from the St. Petersburg Times in which former executives of the Church of Scientology, including two of the former top lieutenants to Miscavige, have come forward to describe a culture of intimidation and violence.
Down and out in Beverly Hills
Now the world’s eighth largest economy is teetering on the edge of — what has been threatening for decades — falling into a financial abyss, writes Michael James.
Gay people can’t get married; can get divorced
California’s High Court has upheld the ban against gay marriage. But those who got married in the brief window where it was legal still have full rights — til death or divorce do they part.
Arnie faces a real Armageddon
Arnold Schwarzenegger has built his career on roles where Armageddon was just around the corner. Now he faces a budget and political apocalypse for real.
A week in the life of California, troubled state
Excess might be what Californians do best but it’s coming back to bite them right about … now.
Californians get the “devastating” budget cuts they asked for
Californian voters have rejected a patchwork plan of borrowing and taxes to save their state’s budget. The result: they can expect “devastating” cuts to education, health care and law enforcement.
