Political discourse is full of hype, obfuscation and downright lying—which is why two independent authorities play such vital roles in the state Capitol.

State Auditor Elaine Howle, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor and their staffs of policy experts provide the Legislature—and, more importantly, the California public—with unvarnished information and analysis about state and local governance.

It may soon become a lot easier for California drivers to get plugged in.

Legislation on Gov. Brown’s desk would allow city officials and private property owners to install charging stations for electric vehicles on curbsides of public streets. Brown has until Oct. 15 to sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.

Anyone who knowingly interferes with the duties of California’s independent state auditor will be fined up to $5,000 under a bill signed into law Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Under the law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, people who obstruct a state audit “with intent to deceive or defraud” will have to pay the fine.

SACRAMENTO — The barely legible print that briefly flashes on-screen at the end of political ads will be gone, replaced by information people can clearly read, if Gov. Jerry Brown signs a closely watched bill targeting “dark money” in campaigns.

The unions, corporations or billionaires behind the money would be listed, rather than the obscure committees with misleading, feel-good names that wrote the checks.

The films, plays and public broadcasts California now funds to enlighten students and the public about the horrors of Japanese American internment camps in World War II will soon be expanded to illuminate more recent examples of persecution — including the Muslim immigrants targeted by President Trump.

The Beach Cities Health District is gearing up to unveil plans for a long-envisioned revamp of its 11-acre campus in Redondo Beach.

Next month, residents of the South Bay beach cities will get a virtual, 3D glimpse of conceptual plans to make over the Prospect Avenue campus with a senior living facility with up to 400 units and much-needed infrastructure upgrades to the district’s aging four-story medical building.

At the final gavel on the California state legislative session last Friday, two bills—one restricting local zoning control and another the placement of cell phone receivers—have South Bay officials concerned.

Despite local opposition, each bill passed both houses and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

Redondo Beach is one step closer to potentially turning a portion of the AES power plant site into open space under a parks bond measure expected to go before California voters in 2018.

Senate Bill 5, which calls for $4 billion for a variety of parks and water projects throughout the state, was passed by the state Legislature late last week and is expected to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. It would be designated for the June 2018 ballot.