Opinion

Editorial: Ruling against Prop. 8 could be hard to overturn

Updated: 8:05 am

Proponents for Proposition 8 have long claimed that their efforts to ban same-sex marriage in California were all about protecting "traditional marriage" and were not an attempt to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Editorial: U.S. House throws transit under a bus

Updated: 8:05 am

The day before a House Ways and Means Committee hearing last week, Republican leaders sprang a radical change to U.S. transportation policy.

Head to Head: Does California go overboard in requiring students to be tested?

By Ben Boychuk and Pia Lopez - Updated: 8:07 am

THE ISSUE: All states test students at least once a year in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11. California, in addition, tests students in grades 2, 9 and 10. It also tests students in science, history and physical fitness above grade 4. It requires an "exit exam" for high school graduation. Gov. Jerry Brown wants to reduce the number of tests.

Viewpoints: Reuse contaminated land for renewable energy sites

By Mathy Stanislaus - Updated: 9:16 am

Clean energy is not just an American invention: It is American-made energy supporting American jobs. As President Barack Obama said in last month's State of the Union address, "Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it."

Next week's issue: City parking

Published: 12:00 am

Sacramento is considering a long-term lease of city-owned parking downtown to a private company to raise most of its upfront contribution to a new arena – between $120 million and $190 million, once debt is repaid. Thirteen companies have expressed interest. Among the key issues: How long would the lease be? How much would parking rates be allowed to rise? How would the city replace the $9 million a year the parking operation generates for its general fund? The City Council is to discuss the subject Tuesday.

Debra J. Saunders: 9th Circuit's narrow ruling on Prop. 8 is based on fiction

By Debra J. Saunders - Updated: 8:05 am

Two of three judges on a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel on Tuesday found Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Judge Stephen Reinhardt stipulated that the ruling skirted the larger issue of whether same-sex couples have a right to marry. That's a shame, because at least an equal-right-to-marry claim makes for a clean argument.

Editorial: Are shootings by deputies being fully reviewed?

Published: Wednesday, February 8 2012 - 12:00 am

It may turn out to be merely a statistical blip that already this year, Sacramento County sheriff's deputies have fired at six suspects. That's more officer-involved shootings for the department than in any recent full year except 2009, when there were seven.

Editorial: State must expand access to food stamps

Published: Wednesday, February 8 2012 - 12:00 am

Since the Great Depression of the 1930s, Americans have had access to a basic safety net to see them through hard times, from food stamps to unemployment insurance.

Capital Public Radio Commentaries

Trains, cars and pedestrians don't mix

The recent fatal smash-up between a Regional Transit Light Rail car and an SUV has some people talking about bigger and better safety gates. Commentator ginger Rutland thinks driver education might be a better solution.
[Text transcript]
Posted: Friday, February 3, 2012

The Swarm blog

Wire opinions

Those mudslinging Republicans - 7:16 am
Birth control rule goes too far - 5:07 am
Foreclosure scam demands justice and reparations - 5:07 am
Defunding Planned Parenthood: Did you know it serves men, too? - 5:07 am
War on contraception heats up health-reform debate - 5:07 am
Health insurance exchanges: Let's get going - 5:07 am
A banner day for gay rights - 5:07 am
Cairo outrage - 12:06 am

Letters to the Editor

Dan Morain

Marriage equality gets Wall St. talk, not money

By Dan Morain, Senior editor - Updated: 8:42 pm

As the 9th Circuit Court was striking down Proposition 8, the chairman of Goldman Sachs, probably the nation's most powerful investment bank, was taking an out-front stand in favor of same-sex marriage.

California Authors

California Authors Series: Going blind, I see more clearly

By Eva Rutland - Updated: Sunday, January 15 2012 - 10:50 am

The trouble with going blind is you begin not to see. No longer can you drive a car, browse through bookstores and libraries, or read a newspaper or the personal letter you don't want to share with anyone else. You can't see bridge cards, chess pieces, dust on the table, grease spots on your dress or lipstick on your husband's shirt.

Rex Babin Cartoons

Click to enlarge and comment

Head to Head

Head to Head: Does California go overboard in requiring students to be tested?

By Ben Boychuk and Pia Lopez - Updated: 8:07 am

The Conversation

The Conversation: New help for our wounded warriors

By Foon Rhee, Associate editor - Updated: Sunday, February 5 2012 - 9:34 am

This is Kelly Strong, a veteran of the Iraq War. His family is in a federal program aiding seriously injured vets who need daily help or supervision. It's a blessing – one that only post-9/11 veterans receive.

California Sketches

Full-sized gallery | Story archive

Joyce Terhaar

Public spotlight spurred action in Sacramento Public Library scandal

Sometimes what The Bee provides along with our watchdog investigations is a giant megaphone.

Editorial series

The Bee's editorial series on the sad state of our local parks

Reforming California

What should be the top priority in fixing California's system of governance?

Stuart Leavenworth

Alice Waters eyes Sacramento for next ‘edible schoolyard'

Alice Waters, one of the world's best-known chefs and an icon of the sustainable food movement, is making plans to bring one of her signature projects to Sacramento.

Regs Run Amok

Editorial Notebook: Separating good regs from bad isn't easy

The regulatory reform debate in California just got a little spicier – not a bad thing for a topic that can be rather bland.