California’s water wars rage onCalifornia 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.
California
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.
Political snippets: Drawing political wisdom from the ages
Richard Farmer muses on Chinese poetry, budget deficits and the Daily Tele whistling a familiar tune.
Don’t bail-out California
California is completely, totally, irreparably hosed, says Megan McArdle. It will go bankrupt — and we should let it happen.
The most interesting person in American politics?
Meg Whitman is potentially a formidable Republican leader at the national level. At age 52 and a year after stepping down as CEO of eBay, she’s running for governor of California.
California, the ungovernable state
California’s current constitution rivals India’s and Alabama’s for being the longest and most convoluted in the world. Some are arguing the state must start over from scratch.
Drought in California means shaved heads
The drought in California’s Central Valley is so severe that it’s drying up money for haircuts.
