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.

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  Pia Lopez and Ben Boychuk
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.
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."
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.
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.
Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones.
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.
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.

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
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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.

Nathaniel Levine nlevine@sacbee.com
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
Super Bowl halftime
Head to Head  Pia Lopez and Ben Boychuk
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.

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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.

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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.

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

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