The agriculture industry can thank a large portion of its progress to research at universities, such as the UC Davis' Plant and Environmental Sciences Department.
In June, voters will decide to re-authorize a half-a-percent sales tax increase. The measure will maintain Davis' sales tax at 8.75 percent, while sales tax on campus remains 8.25 percent.
A significant step was made last week in the fight to legalize marijuana in California, when the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed State Rep. Tom Ammiano's bill to legalize and regulate pot usage. Although the bill is technically dead because it did not meet the deadline for approval by another committee, many say history is in the making.
After Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a five-bill package in November 2009 regarding construction of the California Delta, Rep. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) stood up in opposition. Following this decision, Wolk lost five of the seven committee positions she once managed.
Adopting and enforcing anti-smoking legislation for tobacco prevention in California needs improvement, according to the annual State of Tobacco Control report issued earlier this month by the American Lung Association of California.