The partisan volleys have continued this week in the effort to recall state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) over his vote to pass an increase in the gas tax. Those seeking to recall Newman submitted more than enough signatures needed to qualify the measure for the ballot, if they're all deemed valid. Newman supporters looking to halt the recall filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming signature gatherers had misled voters. And Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that makes changes to long-standing recall rules, an effort that Republicans have decried as an attempt by Democrats to "rig the system" to protect one of their own. Brown seemed to double down on that measure Friday at a press conference ... Read More
Archives for July 2017
Gov. Jerry Brown touts minority business benefits from gas tax hike at Carson meeting
Putting a positive spin on a gas tax increase that has been widely unpopular in California, Gov. Jerry Brown and other state leaders came to Carson on Friday to tout the benefits to minority- and women-owned businesses once billions of dollars are spent on badly needed transportation projects. The governor, joined by South Bay Sen. Steve Bradford and other legislative leaders, discussed the state's recently passed $52”‰billion transportation bill during a roundtable at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The bill will allow the state to tackle transportation infrastructure projects such as highways and bridges and, in the process, bolster businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans, they ... Read More
California colleges transform remedial courses to raise graduation rates
Before Aida Tseggai could major in biology at Cal State Dominguez Hills, she had to catch up in math. She passed a non-credit remedial math class in the fall and then was offered a new pathway - a for-credit course in college-level algebra that provided extra class time, tutoring and review of more fundamental material. Such combination classes - known as co-requisites, bridges or hybrids - are seen as a crucial tool to help hundreds of thousands of CSU students climb out of the remedial education hole in which some feel trapped. Part of a national reform movement, such courses also are aimed at helping students graduate faster. “It saved me time and money,” said Tseggai. Nervous ... Read More