Jerry Brown

Supporters of a bill to raise California's minimum wage, celebrate in the Assembly gallery after the measure was approved by the state Assembly on Thursday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California lawmakers OK highest statewide minimum wage

SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers on Thursday approved the nation's highest statewide minimum…

Supporters of a bill to raise California's minimum wage, celebrate in the Assembly gallery after the measure was approved by the state Assembly on Thursday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Rafael Gutierrez, 53, stands in front of his house Monday. Gutierrez is temporarily disabled with a back injury, but he hopes to return soon to his job picking peaches and grapes in the San Joaquin Valley. Hourly pay for workers could go up from $10 to $15 if California raises its minimum wage. (AP Photo/Scott Smith)

California’s $15/hour wage could help workers, cost jobs

SACRAMENTO — A political deal to raise California's minimum wage to a…

Rafael Gutierrez, 53, stands in front of his house Monday. Gutierrez is temporarily disabled with a back injury, but he hopes to return soon to his job picking peaches and grapes in the San Joaquin Valley. Hourly pay for workers could go up from $10 to $15 if California raises its minimum wage. (AP Photo/Scott Smith)
A judge said Gov. Jerry Brown can proceed with a ballot initiative to reduce California's prison population. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Court says Gov. Jerry Brown can pursue inmate ballot measure

The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Gov. Jerry Brown can continue…

A judge said Gov. Jerry Brown can proceed with a ballot initiative to reduce California's prison population. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snowpack as he conducts the third manual snow survey of the season, at Phillips Station near Echo Summit on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Dry spell ate away at snowpack of drought-ridden California

ECHO SUMMIT — An unwelcome three-week winter dry spell left the California…

Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snowpack as he conducts the third manual snow survey of the season, at Phillips Station near Echo Summit on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
In this Jan. 7, 2016 file photo, Gov. Jerry Brown answers a question concerning his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference, in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Gov. Jerry Brown appeals prison ballot measure ruling

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday asked California's Supreme Court to…

In this Jan. 7, 2016 file photo, Gov. Jerry Brown answers a question concerning his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference, in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
In this Feb. 26, 2013, file photo, inmates walk through the exercise yard at California State Prison Sacramento, near Folsom. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Judge considers blocking California governor’s prison plan

SACRAMENTO — A judge is set to consider Wednesday whether to block…

In this Feb. 26, 2013, file photo, inmates walk through the exercise yard at California State Prison Sacramento, near Folsom. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Frank Gehrke, right, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, prepares to do the first sample of the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Water officials weigh extending California drought emergency

FRESNO — More rain and snow are falling on California this winter,…

Frank Gehrke, right, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, prepares to do the first sample of the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Chief Physician Cyrus Rangan director of the county Bureau of Toxicology & Environmental Assessment, right, with Angelo Bellomo, deputy director for Health Protection Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, left, speaks as they join other health and county fire officials during a news conference on the Aliso Canyon storage facility gas leak. Hundreds of residents near the Porter Ranch gas leak have reported health problems but levels of the carcinogen benzene in the area are still too low to be considered a long-term health risk, county public health officials said today. (Richard Vogel/AP)

Gas blowout near LA happened in old well regulated by old rules

LOS ANGELES — The utility that owns a natural gas well that…

Chief Physician Cyrus Rangan director of the county Bureau of Toxicology & Environmental Assessment, right, with Angelo Bellomo, deputy director for Health Protection Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, left, speaks as they join other health and county fire officials during a news conference on the Aliso Canyon storage facility gas leak. Hundreds of residents near the Porter Ranch gas leak have reported health problems but levels of the carcinogen benzene in the area are still too low to be considered a long-term health risk, county public health officials said today. (Richard Vogel/AP)
In an attempt to reduce the state's prison population, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday a ballot initiative that if approved by voters in November, would increase sentencing credits for inmates who complete rehabilitation programs. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Gov. Brown proposes ballot measure on criminal sentences

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown's latest attempt to reduce the state prison…

In an attempt to reduce the state's prison population, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday a ballot initiative that if approved by voters in November, would increase sentencing credits for inmates who complete rehabilitation programs. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Gov. Jerry Brown, center, receives a standing ovation as he leaves the rostrum after giving his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the California Legislature on Thursday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Jerry Brown outlines push for road funding in speech

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown took a muted tone Thursday as he…

Gov. Jerry Brown, center, receives a standing ovation as he leaves the rostrum after giving his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the California Legislature on Thursday. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
In this file photo, Gov. Jerry Brown holds a budget chart as he discusses his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Retirement liabilities remain despite state budget surplus

SACRAMENTO — The California budget that Gov. Jerry Brown proposed this month…

In this file photo, Gov. Jerry Brown holds a budget chart as he discusses his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is sworn in for his second term by Gov. Jerry Brown in City Hall Friday, January 8, 2016. (Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner)

Protest, celebration mark Mayor Ed Lee’s inauguration to second full term

Mayor Ed Lee’s inauguration to his second four-year term was lauded with…

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is sworn in for his second term by Gov. Jerry Brown in City Hall Friday, January 8, 2016. (Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner)
SoCalGas crews and technical experts attempt to safely stop the flow of natural gas leaking from a storage well at the utility's Aliso Canyon facility near the Northridge section of Los Angeles. (Javier Mendoza/SoCalGas via AP, File)

California governor declares gas leak a state of emergency

LOS ANGELES — California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency…

SoCalGas crews and technical experts attempt to safely stop the flow of natural gas leaking from a storage well at the utility's Aliso Canyon facility near the Northridge section of Los Angeles. (Javier Mendoza/SoCalGas via AP, File)
Gov. Jerry Brown gestures to a chart as he discusses his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference Thursday in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Gov. Jerry Brown proposes $122.6 billion California budget

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a $122.6 billion budget plan for…

Gov. Jerry Brown gestures to a chart as he discusses his proposed 2016-17 state budget at a news conference Thursday in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
This July 24, 1976 file photo shows the inside of the van that was used as a prison for the 26 kidnapped Chowchilla school children and their bus driver in Livermore. (AP Photo/Jim Palmer, file)

Last convict in mass school bus kidnapping seeks parole

SACRAMENTO — Three young men from wealthy San Francisco Bay Area families…

This July 24, 1976 file photo shows the inside of the van that was used as a prison for the 26 kidnapped Chowchilla school children and their bus driver in Livermore. (AP Photo/Jim Palmer, file)
Gov. Jerry Brown directed state oil and gas regulators to investigate the oil and gas potential of his family's ranch land in Northern California, state records obtained by the Associated Press show. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Gov. Jerry Brown had state workers research oil on ranch

Gov. Jerry Brown last year directed state oil and gas regulators to…

Gov. Jerry Brown directed state oil and gas regulators to investigate the oil and gas potential of his family's ranch land in Northern California, state records obtained by the Associated Press show. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
In this Feb. 26, 2015 photo, a full-scale mock-up of a high-speed train is displayed at the Capitol in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Report: $68B bullet train project likely to overshoot budget

LOS ANGELES — California's ambitious Los-Angeles-to-San-Francisco high-speed rail project will likely miss…

In this Feb. 26, 2015 photo, a full-scale mock-up of a high-speed train is displayed at the Capitol in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
In this photo taken Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, vehicles pass a highway construction site on eastbound Interstate 80 in Sacramento, Calif. Among the Legislature's unfinished business is a $59 billion backlog in state funding for roads, highways and bridges. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California governor, lawmakers punt difficult tax questions

SACRAMENTO — While Gov. Jerry Brown approved high-profile legislation addressing social issues…

In this photo taken Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, vehicles pass a highway construction site on eastbound Interstate 80 in Sacramento, Calif. Among the Legislature's unfinished business is a $59 billion backlog in state funding for roads, highways and bridges. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Gov. Brown signs law requiring translation of drug information

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that requires California pharmacists to…

In this June 9, 2015, file photo, Karman Willmer, left, and Shelby Messenger protest against SB277, a measure requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated, at a Capitol rally in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California’s sweeping new social policies could set trend

SACRAMENTO — California ends its legislative season having enacted some of the…

In this June 9, 2015, file photo, Karman Willmer, left, and Shelby Messenger protest against SB277, a measure requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated, at a Capitol rally in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)