Greg Lucas

California political writer and satirist for over 20 years. Covered the state Capitol for the San Francisco Chronicle for 19 years, writing nearly 3,000 articles. B.A. from Stanford, M.A. in Professional Writing from USC.

Major threats remain to California water supply

Late spring storms, a heftier Sierra snowpack, and higher reservoir levels have largely made Californians believe the state’s record dry three-year drought is over. But, despite a year where,

By Greg Lucas

August 19, 2010

Major threats remain to California water supply

California economic forecasters predict a slow and uneven recovery

Economic indicators and recent forecasts say that the worst of the recession is over for California, but the recovery from its ravages will take years and occur at differing speeds

By Greg Lucas

August 12, 2010

California economic forecasters predict a slow and uneven recovery

California Democrats present budget proposal

More than a month into the state’s new fiscal year, Assembly and Senate Democrats proposed a joint budget that includes tax increases, causing Republican lawmakers and Governor Schwarzenegger to

By Greg Lucas

August 5, 2010

California Democrats present budget proposal

Marijuana legalization initiative a statistical dead heat in recent polls

The wild card in November’s election is marijuana. It just depends on who decides to vote. The kind of voters drawn to the polls by Proposition 19, which legalizes

By Greg Lucas

July 29, 2010

Marijuana legalization initiative a statistical dead heat in recent polls

California legislature looks to ban the bag

California is poised to become the nation’s first state to ban single-use plastic and paper bags at supermarkets and convenience stores. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, breaking with his usual practice

By Greg Lucas

July 24, 2010

California legislature looks to ban the bag

California Democrats and Republicans battle over tax breaks and job creation

The rhetorical war over passage of a state budget, which the constitution says the Legislature should have approved by June 15, centers on taxes. Democrats want to use $4.2

By Greg Lucas

July 15, 2010

California Democrats and Republicans battle over tax breaks and job creation

California taking next step on Green Chemistry Initiative

California is a step closer toward creating the nation’s most ambitious program to regulate toxic substances in consumer products after publicly releasing in late June the mechanics of how

By Greg Lucas

July 8, 2010

California taking next step on Green Chemistry Initiative

An early preview of California's November ballot measures

California’s November 2 election is going to receive national attention. Not just because of two high-profile races at the top of the Republican and Democratic tickets – Governor and U.

By Greg Lucas

July 1, 2010

An early preview of California's November ballot measures

California Democrats propose realignment to help address state's long-term budget deficits

As part of budget deliberations, Senate Democrats propose shifting greater responsibility for several state social programs, including welfare, to counties. The added costs to counties -- $4.3 billion within

By Greg Lucas

June 24, 2010

California Democrats propose realignment to help address state's long-term budget deficits

Budget crisis looms as Democrats and Republicans remain worlds apart

Election year politics and a lame-duck governor could be sending California into a lengthy budget standoff as the Legislature has already missed the often-missed June 15 constitutional deadline to send

By Greg Lucas

June 19, 2010

Budget crisis looms as Democrats and Republicans remain worlds apart

CA Independent Voter Project-sponsored open primary initiative wins big

With record low turnout but strong anti-incumbent attitudes, voters dramatically changed the way California elects state officeholders by approving Proposition 14, which creates a non-partisan primary where the top two

By Greg Lucas

June 9, 2010

CA Independent Voter Project-sponsored open primary initiative wins big

A preview of California's June 8 primary election

On Tuesday June 8, Californians will help choose a new governor, consider changing the state’s election process, change the rules on how auto insurance is written, and vote for

By Greg Lucas

June 3, 2010

A preview of California's June 8 primary election