The following databases cover public policy issues and are the best places to begin searching for articles:

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher provides overviews and analyses of current issues.

PolicyArchive

PolicyArchive is a comprehensive digital library of non-partisan public policy research containing over 12,000 full text documents

Catalog of Nonprofit Literature
(via The Foundation Center)

Citations and abstracts to publications on philanthropy, foundations, the nonprofit sector, and charitable giving.

Policy Papers
(via LexisNexis Academic)

Policy papers from government agencies on a wide range of topics.

Social Services Abstracts
(via Cambridge Scientific Abstracts)

Citations and abstracts of articles covering topics in social work, human services, and related areas.

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
(via Cambridge Scientific Abstracts)

Citations and abstracts to political science literature, 1975 to present.

If you're looking for current news, try these sources:

Alt-Press Watch

Newspapers, magazines, and journals of the alternative and independent press.

Ethnic NewsWatch

Newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic, minority, and native press.

LexisNexis Academic

Hundreds of regional, national, and international newspapers; business publications, and much more.

ProQuest Newspapers

Nine national newspapers including the Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal.

Political Information
A search engine for politics, policy, and political news.

Rough and Tumble
A daily snapshot of California public policy and politics.

Key Journals and Newspapers:

California Journal
National Journal
Sacramento Bee: Current News | Older Issues
San Francisco Chronicle: Current News | Older Issues
Washington Post: Current News | Older Issues