‘New Democrats’ flexing muscle

by NIK BONOVICH posted 10.16.2017

A Democratic gathering listens to presidential contender Bernie Sanders at a March 2016 rally at the Wiltem Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo: Joseph Sohm)

ANALYSIS: Moderate Democrats are nothing new — they have been around for decades. In the 1980’s a group of moderate Democrats called the “Gang of Five” unsuccessfully tried to unseat Speaker Willie Brown. Today, they are more organized and go by the name, “New Democrats.” Generally, a New Democrat is one who, like Republicans, is business-friendly on some key issues, such as taxes and regulation, and skeptical of some environmental controls that curtail economic growth.

News

Letter to the Editor

by Staff posted 10.16.2017

Since Congress failed to take Obamacare away from 20 million people, the current President issued an executive order allowing young, healthy people to opt out and buy cheaper health insurance. This benefits them with cheaper payments, but as they might learn the hard way, you get what you pay for.

News

California slaps surcharges on some health care policies

Illustration: Logo of Covered California

by CHAD TERHUNE, KAISER HEALTHLINE posted 10.12.2017

California’s health exchange said Wednesday it has ordered insurers to add a surcharge to certain policies next year because the Trump administration has yet to commit to paying a key set of consumer subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The decision to impose a 12.4 percent surcharge on silver-level health plans in 2018 means the total premium increase for them will average nearly 25 percent, according to Covered California.

News

Community health centers battle for funding

Lisa Zeelander, a medical doctor at Valley Community Healthcare in North Hollywood, examines patient Pamela Richardson, 60, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. (Photo: Heidi de Marco/KHN)

by ALEX MATTHEWS posted 10.11.2017

It’s been nearly two weeks since a crucial deadline passed to continue funding for community health centers, the nonprofit facilities that deliver care to the poor and uninsured in California and across the country. Congress is still squabbling over the details, advocates are still scrambling to get the funding renewed and the centers are starting to plan for the bottom line.

News

CA120: Bernie voters stay angry at Dem establishment

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at a Ventura campaign rally two weeks before California's June 7, 2016 Democratic primary. (Photo: Joseph Sohm)

by PAUL MITCHELL and JONATHAN BROWN posted 10.10.2017

The survey, which can be seen in a fully-interactive infographic, polled 851 voters who cast ballots in the Democratic primary election and who in an exit poll told us they had voted for Sen. Bernie Sanders. In this study we look not only at his level of current support among his June 2016 voters, but we also want to know how these respondents view the aftermath of that election and the Democratic Party as a whole.

Opinion

Homeowners: PACE finances green energy upgrades

A California home with solar panels installed on the roof. (Photo: orachonphoto, via Shutterstock)

by NANCY SKINNER posted 10.11.2017

OPINION: A point of pride for the people of California is our state’s leadership in the clean energy economy. Over the past decade, Californians have had access to a great tool that puts homeowners front and center in the fight against climate change. This tool, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), enables homeowners to conveniently finance renewable energy, energy and water efficiency, and earthquake safety upgrades to their homes.

News

CW Interview: Carmela Coyle, California Hospital Association

Carmela Coyle, incoming president of the California Hospital Association. (Photo: CHA)<

by ALEX MATTHEWS posted 10.09.2017

Carmela Coyle is the incoming president of the California Hospital Association, a major player in the state’s intensifying debate over health care. Capitol Weekly caught up with Coyle recently in the midst of her hectic schedule relocating to Sacramento from Maryland.

News

Capitol Weekly podcast: Paul Mitchell

A sea of Trump campaign signs.

by Capitol Weekly Staff posted 10.09.2017

Political Data’s Paul Mitchell has put together an after-action report of the California voters who backed Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Are they happy with Trump’s performance? Would they support him again? What do they think about the Republican majority in Congress? What can we expect in 2018, not only in Congress but in our state elections, as well?

Analysis

‘Junior’ budget bills slip into view

The Assembly chamber in the state Capitol, Sacramento. (Photo: Felix Lipov)

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 10.09.2017

ANALYSIS: During the budget negotiations in September, there was talk in the Capitol about whether it was proper – or even legal – for California lawmakers to pass two measures amending the state budget that had been adopted three months earlier. These two bills, known as “junior” budget bills, were approved along with a half-dozen budget trailer bills making numerous policy changes in state law for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Gov. Brown signed them all.