California Newswire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. Senate Education Committee today approved SB 1530 authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The bill expedites and elevates the dismissal process for teachers and other certificated employees whose misconduct is serious and egregious. SB 1530 won the unanimous support of the committee. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee today passed SB 1160 and SB 1161 authored by Senator Alex Padilla with unanimous bipartisan support 13 to 0 and 12 to 0. SB 1160 would protect California consumers by preventing the arbitrary interruption of communications service. SB 1161 would affirm California's growing role as the leader of the global Internet economy.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First: Catherine Kuhlman, 59, of Oakland, has been appointed assistant deputy secretary for oceans and coastal matters at the California Natural Resources Agency.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released a list of more than 700 unnecessary bureaucratic reports currently required by law and called on the state legislature to eliminate them in order to streamline government and reduce waste.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Assembly Bill 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), a bill that would change the state's rules on Renewable Natural Gas, passed the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce on Monday by a vote of 11-1. The bill would change the rules for Renewable Natural Gas (also known as biomethane), a natural, renewable-energy source fuel. Current rules have been described by many as bizarre or simply counter-productive.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Mark Cowin, 53, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the California Department of Water Resources. Cowin has served as director and acting director of the California Department of Water Resources since 2010.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Shanda Chaudhry, 36, of West Sacramento, has been appointed assistant deputy director of legislation at the California Technology Agency. She has served as senior legislative aide to Senator Curren Price since 2008.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Edwin M. Lee today made the following statement as the California High-Speed Rail Authority approves and signs the MOU for Caltrain electrification, an early investment in high-speed rail in California.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed the Multiple Approvals Ordinance on Monday, cutting red tape and simplifying the development review process. Under the new ordinance development projects that require multiple approvals from the City of Los Angeles will now have one deadline rather than multiple expiration dates for individual entitlements.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Dale Brodsky, 60, of Orinda, has been appointed to the Fair Employment and Housing Commission.