California State Senate

Poll: GOP candidates to give Boxer tough re-election fight for California Senate seat. California Sen. Barbara Boxer's re-election campaign is shaping up as the fight of her political career, according to a Field Poll released Thursday.

Conservatives are calling on Roy Ashburn to resign his seat in the California Senate after admitting he's gay. Conservatives are calling on Roy Ashburn to resign his seat in the California Senate after admitting he's gay. ?Roy Ashburn should resign,? Randy Thomasson, president of the Christian-based SaveCalifornia.com, said in a statement released Tuesday. ?His lying, cheating ways have boiled over and the public's trust has been shattered.? Ashburn's sexuality came under close scrutiny after the Republican lawmaker was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving Wednesday morning in Sacramento. A local television station reported that an unidentified man was in the car with Ashburn, who had that night been at Faces, a popular gay bar. Openly gay West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said Ashburn was a regular at gay nightspots throughout the city. After being freed on a $1,400 bond, Ashburn issued an apology, then went into seclusion. On Monday, Ashburn came clean, telling conservativ

Campbell uses Calif. Senate debate to refute rivals' claims he doesn't support Israel. Former congressman Tom Campbell on Friday used the first debate in the California Senate race to demand that his challengers not engage in a "whispering campaign" claiming he is against Israel or is an anti-Semite.

Among states, California arguably has the most to gain from an overhaul of its health care system: it has the greatest number of uninsured residents in the country and the largest public insurance program for the poor, which struggles to serve 6.5 million people while reimbursing doctors at one of the nation's lowest rates.

With millions of uninsured, California has the most to win _ or lose _ with health care reform. Among states, California arguably has the most to gain from an overhaul of its health care system: it has the greatest number of uninsured residents in the country and the largest public insurance program for the poor, which struggles to serve 6.5 million people while reimbursing doctors at one of the nation's lowest rates.

The California Senate approved creating a government-run health care system for the nation's most populous state on Thursday, ignoring a veto threat from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California Senate approves single-payer health care proposal despite governor's veto pledge. The California Senate approved creating a government-run health care system for the nation's most populous state on Thursday, ignoring a veto threat from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In Senate race, Fiorina must win over Calif. conservatives without alienating centrist voters. In the weeks since Carly Fiorina announced her run for a California Senate seat, the former Hewlett-Packard Co. chief executive has been working to convince conservatives that she is one of them.

State senate vote moves Southern California stadium forward. The California Senate has voted to allow developers of a proposed 75,000-seat football stadium in the Southern California city of Industry an environmental exemption that allows construction to move forward.

State Senate vote moves Southern California stadium forward. The California Senate has voted to allow developers of a proposed 75,000-seat football stadium in the Southern California city of Industry an environmental exemption that allows construction to move forward.

Sen. Alex Padilla, who led a campaign requiring big restaurant chains to disclose calories in meals, said on Thursday he planned to hold hearings in November on the link between soda consumption and obesity.

Health Systems: Health care in France is often held up as a model the U.S. might follow. Yet the French have their own problems that show there's no such thing as a free lunch ? or a free doctor's visit.

Health Systems: Health care in France is often held up as a model the U.S. might follow. Yet the French have their own problems that show there's no such thing as a free lunch -- or a free doctor's visit.

The California Senate has approved a resolution that calls for an end to the military's gay ban. The California Senate has approved a resolution that calls for an end to the military's gay ban. The resolution calls on Congress to pass and President Obama to sign the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009, a bill that would end ?don't ask, don't tell,? the law that prescribes discharge for gay and lesbian service members who do not remain closeted or celibate. State Senators approved the resolution in a 23 to 16 vote Monday. Assembly members will take up the resolution in January. ?We applaud our representatives in the State Senate for standing up for what is right, and we urge our representatives in the Assembly and ultimately in Washington to do the same,? Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California (EQCA), said in a statement. ?President Obama and Congress must fulfill their promise to stand up for equality and overturn this policy now.? The resolution was sponsored by

The California Senate, after a highly charged debate, approved a plan Thursday to trim the state's prison population by 27,000 inmates, acting over the objections of Republican lawmakers and law enforcement groups.

Calif. lawmaker sues Schwarzenegger over budget vetoes that cut nearly $500 million. California's Senate leader has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger saying he overstepped his authority in making budget vetoes.

SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California's Senate approved a package of bills on Friday that would balance the state budget by closing a $26.3 billion shortfall threatening the finances of the government of the most populous U.S. state.

SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California's Senate approved a package of bills on Friday that would balance the state budget by closing a $26.3 billion shortfall threatening the finances of the government of the most populous U.S. state.

A package of measures to fix California's budget deficit inched closer to approval Friday after a tortuous all-night legislative session by state lawmakers.

A package of measures to fix California's budget deficit edged closer to approval Friday after a tortuous all-night legislative session by the state lawmakers.