Dan Walters: California businesses, left-leaning groups clash on ballot, in court

The state Capitol’s longest running political conflict — going at least a half-century and still counting — pits business interests against a quartet of left-leaning groups.

Specifics vary, but the four group types — unions, environmentalists, personal injury attorneys and consumer activists — propose legislative measures, regulations or ballot measures that would impose new costs, mandates or regulations on business.

In response, affected corporate interests devise strategies they hope will kill or neutralize the proposals.