Don Perata

Jean Harris dies at 66; forceful gay-rights organizer

2011-07-02 00:00:00

Jean Harris, a feisty advocate for gay and lesbian rights and longtime Democratic Party activist who helped elect openly gay candidates in California, has died. She was 66. Harris, who had a number of serious health problems, was found June 25 in her...

San Francisco votes for mayor in 'ranked choice' balloting

2011-11-08 21:35:34

Students' rights versus limited means

2007-05-19 00:00:00

The public school enrollment of autistic children, whether born into privileged or impoverished circumstances, has gone from a trickle to a flood. Their legal rights are crashing up against strapped school budgets. Under two federal laws -- the...

Fair redistricting

2007-09-09 00:00:00

California's voting districts are redrawn every 10 years, when new census figures are released. Anyone with the population data and a home computer could easily draw maps of evenly populated districts. One map is needed to show the four new districts of...

For redistricting, 10th time may be a charm

2006-12-17 00:00:00

NINE TIMES California voters have been asked to reform the way the state draws its legislative and congressional districts, and nine times they have said no. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seems convinced that the 10th time will be the charm. It's a...

Results Unsettle Gov.'s Supporters

2005-11-10 00:00:00

SACRAMENTO — On a day of fierce recriminations, Republican allies and friends of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared shaken Wednesday by the collapse of his agenda in this week's special election, saying he needs to recapture the confidence of...

Working together for the delta

2008-03-03 00:00:00

Early last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's water plans looked to be headed down the path of universal healthcare. A Feb. 21 meeting with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) raised hopes that a bipartisan water bond might surface in Sacramento. But then...

A second, third and fourth opinion on healthcare

2007-01-09 00:00:00

IF ATTENTION IS the precursor to action, something might finally be done in Sacramento about the dismal state of healthcare insurance in California. Four healthcare proposals are now before the Legislature, including one crafted by Gov. Arnold...

Brown Touts His Record as Mayor in Race for New Post

2006-05-18 00:00:00

This city's mayor doesn't dwell on his previous incarnations. Never mind the training to become a Jesuit priest, the gubernatorial romance with singer Linda Ronstadt or those stints with Mother Teresa and Buddhist monks. As the indefatigable Jerry...

Donor money talks, often in a whisper

2007-12-29 00:00:00

A massage for a lawmaker's wife. Circus tickets for his kids. Keys to a mountain cabin for the weekend. A donation to his favorite charity or one that flies him across the world on an "educational" trip. There are many ways to get a politician's...

Half-baked reform?

2007-12-20 00:00:00

Today, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Controller Steve Westly discuss overhauling the state's method of drawing legislative districts. Previously, they debated what impact Proposition 93 would have on legislators' time in office, the...

State ballot measures

2008-01-20 00:00:00

Proposition 91 -- Gasoline tax WHAT IT WOULD DO: Would prohibit the governor and Legislature from tapping gasoline sales tax revenue meant for transportation projects and using it for non-transportation projects WHO SUPPORTS IT: Was put on the ballot by...

State Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata is seen in this April 28, 2008 photo.

2008-05-07 00:00:00

State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, left, and Sen. Darrell Steinberg walk to a news conference before the announcement Steinberg will take over Senate leadership.

2008-02-08 08:52:56

State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata reacts with dismay after the healthcare bill he co-sponsored is rejected by the Senate Health Committee. The $14.9-billion proposal, which passed the Assembly last year, would have required all Californians to carry health insurance.

2008-01-31 11:18:39