The Home of Uncommon Sense...

Visit Craig DeLuz for Assembly, District 5

2009-06-14T19:12:00.001-07:00

Leader in the Tea Party Movement says Craig DeLuz has “The type of leadership we need”

2009-05-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

On April 15th, rallies known as Tax Day Tea Parties were held across the nation to protest out of control government spending and higher taxes. Well during what was the nation’s largest Tea Party in Sacramento, California Mark Meckler who organized the Sacramento Tea Party and is a leader in the National Tea Party movement made it clear that he believes California needs leaders that are willing to stand up, even when it may be controversial, and that Craig DeLuz has that kind of potential.

“I’ve got to compliment Craig, because he was one of the few who came out and was willing to stand with us when nobody else was.” declared Meckler, “That’s the kind of leadership we need in this state.”

Mark went on to point out that Craig is “Somebody who recognizes an issue and isn’t afraid to step up and say something.” He went on to thank Craig for being with the Tea Party movement from the very beginning.

“I have always been committed to standing for what’s right, even if that means standing alone.” Says DeLuz, “And while Marks comments don’t constitute an actual endorsement of my candidacy, they truly mean a lot to me.”

Conservative Talk Show Host, Eric Hogue declares that Craig DeLuz is “The Real Thing”

2009-04-28T17:15:00.001-07:00

The 2010 race for Assembly District 5 is barely out of gate and one prominent Republican figure has already made his choice. “Craig is the real thing.” Declares Eric Hogue, host of The Captiol Hour on 1380 AM KTKZ, “He’s a conservative who not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk.”

Eric goes on to point out that few candidates for public office have been as involved as Craig in key issues affecting California. “Whether working in the halls of the Capitol, serving on his local school board or volunteering in the community, Craig’s commitment to conservative values is evident in all that he does.”

Hogue, Sacramento’s only remaining conservative radio talk show host stands out as an influential figure in the 2003 recall of Democratic Governor Gray Davis. And his noon talk show on 1380AM is one of the most listened to talk shows amongst capitol insiders and Sacramento area politicos. “I’m honored to have Eric’s support.” Said DeLuz. “He is the lone voice in Sacramento media for conservative values, and the fact that he has endorsed my campaign really means a lot to me.”

Craig is no stranger to KTKZ and has guest hosted the Capitol Hour numerous times. He also hosts a weekly internet radio program with his twin brother, David who is active in democratic politics. Their show airs on Fridays @ 11:30 am at DeLuzBrothers.com.

Testing Mobile Blogging

2009-04-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

This new program is supposed to enable me to blog from my mobile phone.

We shall see!
--
Sent from my Android phone with K-9. Please excuse my brevity.

Voter ID could be a reality

2009-04-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

California State Senator George Runner is on the proposition warpath again. This time the target is those who should not be voting. What a novel concept!

According to the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert:

A new initiative filed by Republican Sen. George Runner -- who spearheaded the placement of statewide measures on the ballot in 2006 and 2008 -- has been cleared to begin collecting signatures. The measure would tighten requirements on voting, including requiring government-issued IDs and eliminating suffrage for ex-felons on probation.

As the article points out, Sen. Runner has led several efforts to pass measures via the initiative process that couldn't get through the legislature. One was Proposition 83 dubbed Jessica's law which dealt with sex offenders was approved by voters in 2006. The other Prop. 6 dealt with increasing penalties for gang activity, was defeated in 2008.

Is America a Christian Nation?

2009-04-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

President Barak Obama's declaration that America is not a Christian nation has sparked debate and controversy throughout the country. So, how would you answer the question?

For me,the answer to this question would depend on your interpretation of what it is to be a “Christian Nation”. America is not is not a theocracy (a church run state) and Americans have never been compelled to believe in any one faith perspective. But it is undeniable that America has a distinctly Judeo-Christian heritage and that our history is rooted in Biblical principles from which all freedom flows. Absent these Judeo-Christian principles, there would be no America and no liberty!

Consider the following:

1.52 of the 55 Founding Fathers who worked on the Constitution were members of orthodox Christian churches and many were evangelical Christians (see David Barton’s resources at Wallbuilders.com).

2. A study conducted at the University of Houston involving a sample of over 15,000 writings revealed that 94% of the Founders’ quotes were directly or indirectly based on the Bible (David Barton).

3. Key components of our governmental structure are clearly derived from Scripture:

a. The rationale for the Separation of Powers comes from Jeremiah 17:9 based on the Biblical idea of fallen man

b. The structure of the three-Branch System of Government comes from Isaiah 33:22 and

c. Tax Exemptions for Churches comes from Ezra 7:24.

d. The concept of Federal, State and Local Governments comes from Exodus 18:21

4. Our Founders instituted prayer at the beginning of every session of Congress and a Chaplain system in the military.

5. The Motto of the American Revolution was “No King but King Jesus!”

6. The Bible was called the “Great Political Textbook of the Patriot.”

7. The Mayflower Compact, dated November 20, 1620, records the purpose for the Plymouth colony and subsequent expansion across North America, “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith…” This is the American Covenant, that is, the document which organized the first civil government with linkage to the Great Commission and based on the principle of Christian self-government!

8. Our Declaration of Independence, dated July 4, 1776, makes four direct references to God and our dependence on Him.

9. Our US Constitution was ratified on September 17 “in the Year of our Lord” 1787 (Article VII, subscription clause)! Its principles are distinctly Biblical.

And if our founders were truly Deists, how do you explain the following quotes:

George Washington
The first President of the United States in his Farewell Address (Sept. 19, 1796) stated, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars…”

John Jay
The First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and one of the three men most responsible for the Constitution said, “It is the duty—as well as the privilege and interest—of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

Noah Webster
Founding Father, Author of Webster’s Dictionary, educator, largely responsible for Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution “The religion that has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government. …No truth is more evident to my mind than that Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”

John Quincy Adams
America's sixth President, said (in a speech delivered on July 4, 1837, at Newburyport): “Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”

These are not the words of Deists. These are Christian men declaring that the precepts upon which our nation is founded are indeed Christian and to preserve the blessings of this nation, we must preserve this Christian foundation.

What are these precepts?

1. Man is fallen and capable of wickedness (Jer. 17:9), therefore, the powers of civil government must be separated (and found the Biblical pattern for separation in Is. 33:22).

2. God-granted inalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (private property and free enterprise): this stands in stark contrast to the idea of Man-granted privileges (“divine right of kings” which allows the sovereign to live “above” God’s and man’s law).

3. God’s principle of individuality: Exalts God and explains how He works through individuals and individual nations; each person is a unique and valuable creation of God.

It exposes the error of secular collectivism (i.e., the idea that the state has value, not the individual) and the error of individualism separate from Christ. (I Corinthians 12:4-11)

4. The Christian principle of self-government: In order to have true liberty, man must be governed internally by the Spirit of God rather than by external forces. Government is first individual, and then extends outward to the family, church, and community. The principle of self-government involves God ruling internally from the heart of the individual and is dependent upon man’s obedience to “the spirit of the law of Christ” (Rom. 8:2; Prov. 16:32; Rom. 8:2; Eph. 6:6; I Tim. 3:5)

5. America’s heritage of Christian character: The image of God engraved inside the individual brings dominion and change to his outside environment. The Founders understood that Christian Character (based on a strong sense of accountability to God) in governmental leadership is essential to the preservation of liberty in America. The model of Christian character is the Pilgrim and Patriot character. Becoming accountable for one’s individual actions and productivity is the fruit of Christian character. (Matt. 7:24-29; Acts 24:16; Phil. 4:13; II Tim. 4:7)

6. Private property with conscience as the most sacred of all property: Christians are required to exercise faithful stewardship of their God-given sense of right and wrong which is the key to the proper use of private property. Conscience is also a tool for the development of self-government as each child learns to submit his will. (Acts 5:4, 24:16; Eph. 2:10; I Tim. 3:9; II Tim. 1:3; Heb. 13:18)

7. Planting the seed of local self-government and the importance of the home: Identifies the Judeo-Christian home’s responsibility for maintaining religious and civil liberty under law (and the fruits of local sovereignty) including teaching and practicing industry, charity, and obedience to all laws not contrary to Scripture. (Deut. 6:1-9; 10:12-14; Is. 9:6; Lk. 9:6)

8. The Christian principle of voluntary union: God wants His children to cooperate and work together politically, commercially, and in meeting community needs through voluntary consent, without compromising a Christian conscience or Scriptural separation. (Ps. 133:1; I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-3)

With all this, the question still remains, “Is America a Christian nation?”

If one were to judge based on our foundation the answer would be undeniably “Yes!” But as we turn away from these precepts, we become less and less a Christian nation. And despite what some would have us believe, this is not a good thing.

My visit with a true hero: Walter Hoye

2009-03-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

Rarely am I kept up at night by a burning need to get something off my chest. But tonight is such a night for me.

Yesterday evening, I had the chance to visit a friend of mine who is a guest at the Alameda County Jail. It was, as I explained to him, the first time I had ever visited someone in jail. But knowing what he was imprisoned for, I could not in good conscience stay away. I could not sit idly by without letting him know how his much his sacrifice meant to me and so many others.

“What did he do?” you ask?

That is the same question my kids asked when I told them that I would be going to support my good friend in jail.

You can imagine their confusion when I told them that Rev. Walter Hoye was imprisoned for standing in front of Planned Parenthood, holding a sign that read, “Jesus Loves You and Your Baby. Can We Help You?”

“Can they do that?” my son inquired after a moment of stunned silence?

Apparently, they can in Oakland, California; one of several cities that has passed an ordinance creating a 100 foot “Free Speech Free” zone around abortion clinics. Specifically the ordinance makes it unlawful, and punishable by up to one year in jail, to knowingly approach within eight (8) feet of any person seeking to enter an abortion clinic, without their consent, to counsel or distribute literature to them or to urge them not to obtain an abortion. And it appears that Rev. Hoye being in front of Planned Parenthood with his sign made him guilty of violating this ordinance.

But what the enemy meant for evil, God is turned for good. Walter shared with us how he has been able to witness to his fellow inmates and even the guards. The stacks of letters he receives on a daily basis has others inquiring as to who he is and why he is jail. He has also taken to purchasing food and other items from the prison commissary and giving it to the newer inmates. He does this even as he himself has chosen to fast from food during his incarceration.

His sacrifice has not been without victory. He tells of how he led five men to faith in Christ during his first week in prison. Right outside the prison, other pastors have taken to holding prayer vigils every Sunday evening for Walter. Last week was the first and about 20 were present. This week that number was doubled. And I believe it will double again next week as more and more people hear Pastor Hoye’s story. I myself, have been moved by the numbers of people who have responded to the injustice of Walter’s incarceration; not only prolife activists, but those who cannot believe that someone would be imprisoned for exercising their God given right to free speech.

Now, I cannot say that Walter’s time jail has been without challenges. Walter is notably tired and in need f rest. He explained to us that because of the crowded conditions and the fact that many of his fellow inmates would stay up all night, there were not many opportunities to sleep. His already slim frame was visibly weakened as the result of his fast. His only nourishment coming from the 4oz containers of apple juice that his fellow inmates save and share with him.

I share this with you, not to illicit your sympathy, rather to inspire your action. It is my hope that Walter’s commitment to stand for what he believes in would help others to give up their roles as mere spectators and encourage them to get in the game.

That is not to say that we all have to go to prison. But we can help. Walter has asked everyone to continue writing to him while he is in jail. The letters both encourage him and provide opportunities for him to witness to others. You can write to him at:

Walter B. Hoye II
PFN# BGR852
Santa Rita Jail
5325 Broder Blvd.
Dublin, CA 94568-3309

Walter also asks that we send notice to the justice system that his imprisonment was wrong. He asks that we send a blue envelope to Judge Stuart Hing. The envelope should be sealed – DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE ENVELOPE! And on the back, write: FREE WALTER HOYE as large as possible.

You can address it to:

Alameda County Superior Court
WILEY W. MANUEL COURTHOUSE
Attention: Judge Stuart Hing, Dept. 109
661 Washington Street, Oakland 94607-3922

If you would like to help with Walter’s defense send your contributions to Life Legal Defense Foundation. Their website is – www.lldf.org.

Finally, if you can give of your time, there will be prayer vigils every Sunday starting at 6:30 pm at the prison (Santa Rita Jail 5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568-3309.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. The only question is, what are we willing to give up to protect innocent life? How about to protect our free speech rights?

I could not help but ask myself, if I could be as committed as Walter? If presented with the choice of my freedom or standing for what is right, which would I choose?

Walter’s example has made that choice a little easier for me. How about you?

California News Roundup - March 23, 2009

2009-03-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

Mournful calm follows Oakland firestorm It was early Saturday afternoon, and Curtis Mixon was talking with his 26-year-old nephew. Lovelle Shawn Mixon had called on a cellphone from his newly purchased 1995 Buick as he drove through east Oakland.

Schwarzenegger lends voice to infrastructure chorus Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined other political leaders Sunday to push for increased federal spending on infrastructure projects as a way to stimulate the economy and said that "one has to look at" increasing the gasoline tax as a way to pay for such public works improvements.

Skelton: Capitol dysfunction is what makes special interests run "Sacramento is dysfunctional" has almost become a cliche. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger repeated it recently and sounded profound -- more profound than he probably intended.

for California's jobless Imagine the federal government offering California more than $2.5 billion to help its unemployed workers. You'd think that lawmakers would leap at the money, especially with the unemployment rate climbing to 10.5% in February. And yet when the Assembly took up a bill last week to make the state eligible for the aid, resistance from Republicans left the measure one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for speedy passage. Proponents plan to bring a new version of ABX3 23 to the Assembly today, and lawmakers shouldn't hesitate to pass it.

CPS standards for hiring can be strict, or minimal In Kentucky, a state social worker was fired after being accused of driving a child while under the influence of drugs.

Proposed easing of concealed-weapons law draws fire What issue could unite a Republican lawmaker from Southern California and a 46-year-old lesbian from Natomas? Guns, of course.

Litter project hit by turmoil A popular state volunteer program that picks up litter on California highways is snarled in a tangle of bureaucratic goofs, a lengthy rules revision process, and a protracted legal battle between state officials and an anti-illegal immigrant group.

20-week extension for jobless benefits headed for a vote this week Richard Cadena, jobless for months, has a four-letter word for any California lawmaker unsure whether to pass or defeat legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits: pass.

Governor open to feds raising gas tax for projects The federal government has to look at raising the gasoline tax to pay for public works improvements, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a "Meet the Press" interview that aired Sunday.

The Buzz Off on spring break this week? Word of advice from Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner: Don't party, drive, then land in court. A DUI or booze-related crash may cost you $13,500 – and a life, warn Poizner and the Auto Club of Southern California. They also cite a scary study: a 116 percent rise in alcohol-related deaths among college-aged women. Oh, and then there's L.A.'s rash of DUIs involving young female celebrities. (We had to check: Poizner has no DUIs.)

Walters: Taxable sales decline slams state, locals When California's voters slashed property taxes by passing Proposition 13 in 1978, cash-strapped local governments began looking for new ways to finance their operations.

Oakland police deaths: What went wrong? Killings of several police officers as happened in Oakland over the weekend are rare and significantly impact police training to prevent similar attacks from happening again.

Stark says he'll pay higher taxes Rep. Pete Stark was back in his East Bay district Saturday, just days after admitting that he has been taking a $3,853 tax break on his Maryland home by declaring it his primary residence.

With economy in a rut, is now the right time for state's global-warming law? Even before the recession hit, some California industries worried about the costs of complying with the state's landmark global-warming law. Now, with rising unemployment and a staggering economy, their worry has turned to fear.

No law allows sham pot sales So raids on suspect dispensaries can and should continue
'Federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws,” said President Obama a while back. 'Federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws,” said President Obama a while back. Pot's defenders heard that as welcome relief from federal raids on storefront dispensaries that supply “medical marijuana” to “qualified patients” and all comers with cash.

Schwarzenegger target of recall rally led by former supporters, John & Ken

2009-03-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

Heads on a stick!

That is the newest promotion by Southern California radio talk show hosts John and Ken, as they go after GOP electeds who they say supported tax inreases.

One of the primary targets of their tax revolt was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who ironically was supported by John and Ken over the clearly more fisacally conservative, Tom McClintock.

THE FACTS ARE CLEAR: Assembly Republicans did not support tax increases by supporting the spending cap

2009-03-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

It has been alleged that Assembly Republicans voted to increase taxes because they supported the Spending Cap. This is simply not true! All one has to do is to read the bill and look at the timeline.

On February 14, 2009 the Assembly voted on ACAX3 1, which approved the spending cap for the ballot. If you read the bill, you will notice that there is no mention of taxes or the fact that proposed taxes would be extended for three years, should the spending cap be approved. Even the Assembly Analysis there is no mention of tax increases, BECAUSE THEY AREN’T THERE!!! The reason why Republicans voted for the spending cap is because it was (and still is) a good idea.

Fast forward to February 19, 2009 when the Assembly voted on ABX3 3, which actually authorizes the tax increases. This measure authorizes the tax increases for five years. However, it also states that should the spending cap fail passage the tax increases will end in two years as opposed to five. And as one would expect, the Assembly Analysis also reflects that this is the case.

Now look at the vote tally for ABX3 3. You will notice that only three Republican Assembly members voted for it. Also, note that this measure was voted on five days after the spending cap was passed.

I have to admit that I am very disappointed in my fellow conservative commentators who are so quick to throw our own under the bus with little to no discussion of the facts. Is this not representative of a lynch mob mentality? Is this how we really want to be?

I understand the anger over this tax increase. Heck, I agree with it! But before we start stringing people up, should we not make sure that they are in fact guilty of the crime?

In Case you Missed it: Assembly Debate on HR 5 (Video)

2009-03-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

Here is the Assembly Debate on HR 5, which expressed the Legislature's desire to have the California Supreme Court overturn Prop. 8.

The debate begins at about 2:14.30 on the video:

California News Roundup - February 3, 2009

2009-03-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

State to stop imprisoning some illegal-immigration repeat offenders California corrections officials say the state will no longer spend the estimated $10 million a year it costs to lock up undocumented immigrants with prior convictions who reenter the country illegally after being deported.

The governor's gifts: Antiques, clothes, wines and cigars Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year received more than $32,000 in gifts, including a Mongolian shield, a bronze bust of a California condor, a replica of a high-speed train, antique dumbbells and lots of wine and cigars.

State's in a drought, but it's not the worst ever The warnings have been ominous this winter: California is headed into the worst drought in modern history. The water supply is drying up. Or, as one water association declared last week, "Things just keep getting worse and worse."

California delegation to try a bipartisan meeting In a story that has circulated around Capitol Hill for years, California's famously fractured delegation gathered for a rare bipartisan meeting and decided to send for pizza -- only to get into a fight over what toppings to order.

Assemblywoman Diane Harkey accepted $16,600 from firms borrowing from husband's company California Assemblywoman Diane Harkey accepted $16,600 in political contributions from real estate developers who had received loans from her husband's business, now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Peter Schrag: California's broken budget The way the budget deal was reached in Sacramento, and what's in it, shows how bad the system has become.The latest refrain in Sacramento's inner wonkdom is that it's time to eliminate the "big five" system, under which the governor and the majority and minority party leaders in each house of the Legislature disappeared behind closed doors to cook up the state budget deal late last month.

GOP recruiter's pay, results questioned The head of an upstart group that aims to recruit California Republicans to run for statewide offices earned $900,000 in salary and benefits in the 2007-2008 election cycle, angering some Republicans who wondered Monday if the cash is being well-spent.

Field Poll shows early backing for budget items on ballot Likely voters in the May 19 special election initially support six ballot measures designed to complete the budget recently approved by lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to a Field Poll released Tuesday.

California farms, cities warned they may lose access to state's creeks, rivers Thousands of California farms and cities have been warned that their permission to pump water from rivers and creeks could be cut back if the drought worsens.

The Buzz: Bass gave present to Parra, before the fall Premonition? Perhaps. Former Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, recently filed disclosure documents listing a $64 gift she received last year from Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, several months before such bad blood erupted between them that Parra was banished from the Capitol to an office across the street. Bass' earlier gift to Parra? A "Falling Slowly Orchid."

Dan Walters: California politicos try to fix election via ballot title When someone proposes an initiative ballot measure, the attorney general gives it an official title and summary. There's always been much political angst, as well as legal wrangling, over the wording of controversial issues.

Capitol Alert: Cal's uninsured motorist rate still highPosted by Dan WaltersTwo decades ago, it was estimated that as many as a third of California's motorists were driving without insurance, but a series of get-tough laws reduced the rate by more than half to 18 percent, according to a new nationwide survey by the Insurance Research Council.

Capitol Alert: California isn't toughest in imprisonment Criminal corrections - prisons, jails, parole and probation - have been California's fastest growing public expense in recent years with the state's correctional costs doubling in the last decade to about $10 billion a year.

Wet February helps water supply, but not enough The storms pounding the Bay Area and blanketing the Sierra Nevada with snow have brought California back from the brink of the worst drought in state history, but the drenching is not enough to assure adequate water supplies this summer, state water officials said Monday.

Opposition forms for state spending-cap Prop 1A A coalition of strange bedfellows already is getting together to fight against Proposition 1A, the state spending-cap proposal that is the long-sought centerpiece of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget-reform effort.

Sean Penn joins campaign for 'Harvey Milk Day' in California Fresh from his Oscar-winning portrayal of the iconic San Francisco gay rights leader, Sean Penn is joining in the call to create "Harvey Milk Day" in California.

Legislature backs fight against Prop. 8 Both houses of the state Legislature passed resolutions Monday endorsing the legal effort to overturn California's same-sex marriage ban, just days before the issue goes to the state Supreme Court. The resolutions passed along party lines, 18-14 in the Senate and 45-27 in the Assembly, with several members absent in both chambers.

Dissatisfied with state budget, voters envision bleak future, poll indicates Most California voters dislike last month's state budget package, with the frustration highest among people likely to vote on the May special election ballot measures integral to the $40 billion plan, a new poll shows.

California News Roundup - March 2, 2009

2009-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Concerns arise over fast-track deportation program Federal authorities are increasingly deporting illegal immigrants through a fast-track program that bypasses court hearings, an effort by the federal government to save money, reduce backlogs and clear detention beds.

George Skelton: New Assembly panel goes on a quiet hunt for Capitol waste If it works, it could mean the budget deficit had one positive aspect.From Sacramento -- In a small hideaway hearing room at California's Capitol, something unique happened last week. A new legislative committee convened with the single goal of making state government more efficient and less costly.

Delta cutbacks put Valley farm town on In the San Joaquin Valley, the most productive farmland on earth, panic is more abundant than the crops that usually blanket the ground.

Unions hold the wild card on proposed state spending cap Labor unions that blasted a state budget deal for its constitutional spending limit have gone quiet as the state gears up for a May 19 election asking voters to ratify the agreement.

The Buzz Close behind a legislative proposal to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana comes a proposal to tax meat. The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – PETA – is sponsoring billboards with a cow's photo and a slogan "Tax Pot (Roast)." PETA people say meat should be taxed at 10 cents a pound because eating it causes harm to health and the environment. And also to the animals whence the meat came.

Dan Walters: California's 40-year mental help pledge undone Before he became president pro tem of the Senate – thus gaining the thankless chore of dealing with the state's immense budget crisis – Darrell Steinberg was best known for a 2004 ballot measure that raised income taxes on the wealthy for local mental health services.

Deja new: Prop. 8 challenge reaches Calif. court One year and one day after the state Supreme Court entertained arguments on extending marriage to gay couples, many of the same lawyers will be back before the same seven justices Thursday arguing why California's voter-appproved ban on same-sex marriage should stand or fall.

Calif. Sup. Ct. arguments on Prop. 8, at a glance WHAT: The California Supreme Court will hold three hours of oral arguments from 9.am-noon Thursday on three lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8, the ballot measure that amended the state constitution to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage the court threw out last year.

Richmond hopes to protect 5 miles of wetlands By Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff WriterThe north Richmond shoreline has seen its share of blasts and explosions - from the dynamite factory, shooting range, oil refinery and a century of political fireworks.

Air regulators show no letup in their war on emissions Even during this deep recession, California's air-quality regulators are on an accelerated schedule to adopt a series of global warming initiatives considered unmatched worldwide.

California should be reimbursed State Sen. John Benoit amusingly calls his Senate Bill 125 a "stimulus measure" - which it certainly would be for California if it accomplishes its objective.

40 Days for LIfe- Sacramento Starts February 25th

2009-02-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

During the Fall 2008 40 Days, across the nation:

Hundreds of cities participated in this historical time of prayer and fasting for a conversion of our nation and an end to abortion
More than 614 women chose life for their baby as a result!

Since our first "40 Days" in Fall 2007, here in Sacramento:

Over 1,500 people have prayed at the sidewalk in front of local abortion clinics
Over 50 churches have participated from many different denominations
Several of the 614 babies were saved right here in Sacramento!
Many post-abortive women have found help, hope, and healing after making this very painful "choice" through Rachel's Vineyard Ministry and Silent No More Awareness Campaign

For More information visit 40 Days For Life - Sacramento

Guest Commentary: Rolland Beireis- Since it's ok to be single issue voters now...

2009-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

As a life long member of the Republican Party and a faithful actvist I have come to notice a disturbing trend over the last decade. This trend has become more obvious in the last few years or one might even say weeks.

Right-leaning bloggers and talk-show hosts are outraged about certain republican legislators who are caving in on their words sacrfising the party's platform and principles. I have even heard them say that we should make them pay by unseating them in the primary.

I could not agree more that we should hold strong to the values that we all claim to believe in; that are the foundation of this Grand Old Party of Lincoln. But does this now mean that it is ok to hold Republican politicians accountable when they contradict the party platform on the issue of life?

It puzzles me why it is ok to be a "single issue voter" on taxes, but not when it comes to protecting the life of children in the womb. We state in our party platform that we believe in protecting the precious life in the womb. How come we cannot have the same litmus test for Republicans who cross the line of life?

It seems to me that there is something wrong with our principles, when we can throw somebody under the bus for raising taxes one time; meanwhile, we turn a blind eye to someone declares abortion to be a good thing. Is money more important than a precious Life?

What if the issue was Slavery? Would we say, "Who cares that he supports slavery he wants to lower my taxes."

Once again I ask, is money more important than life?

California News Roundup - February 18, 2009

2009-02-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

California budget negotiations hit a new snag As California's government continued its grinding downshift toward insolvency, efforts to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget gap hit a new snag late Tuesday as Republicans in the state Senate ousted their leader.

Legislature adjourns with no budget; governor prepares to lay off 10,000 With lawmakers still unable to deliver a budget after three days of intense negotiations, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepared to lay off 10,000 government workers and his administration said it would halt the last 275 state-funded public works projects still in operation.

Cervical cancer vaccine gains acceptance in California The cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil is gaining widespread acceptance in California despite its newness and some controversy over its safety, UCLA researchers have found.

Insurers exceed state-issued rates for last-resort health coverage Two of California's largest insurers have been selling health coverage intended to be a safety net for the state's sick and jobless at premiums that exceed state-issued rates, in some cases by thousands of dollars a year.

California's budget held hostage His demands have merit, but Sen. Abel Maldonado can't put politics above what's good for California.It must be pretty heady, having people who never used to remember your name suddenly realize you're the most important person in the universe. It must be like being the lead character in one of those teen dramas about the mousy kid who (surprise) becomes the head cheerleader or the homecoming queen and dishes out comeuppance to the kids who used to make fun of her. What would you do if you suddenly had that power?

Q&A: Poizner explains views on California budget Steve Poizner made a fortune in Silicon Valley by developing global positioning receivers for cell phones. Now the state insurance commissioner is writing big checks in an exploratory bid to secure the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination.

California's Prop. 8 legal challenge harkens back to 1966 housing measure As Derald Granberg follows the legal challenge to Proposition 8 now before the California Supreme Court, he thinks back to 1966.

The BuzzSome lawmakers took Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg's "bring your toothbrush" warning more seriously than others. Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, right, R-Redlands, an orthodontist, handed out a free toothbrushes and toothpaste to every member of the Assembly on Tuesday to ensure good hygiene – and good breath – during the standoff and any long-winded floor speeches.

SEIU employees may escape Schwarzenegger layoffs Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration began the process of laying off thousands of state workers on Tuesday, but there's a big loophole.

Agencies seek to preserve water behind Calif. dams With California's major reservoirs at woefully low levels, state and federal water agencies on Tuesday made a pitch to keep more water behind their dams this month.

Dan Walters: Budget deficit package not a full solutionThe political Sturm und Drang over billions of dollars in spending cuts, new taxes and borrowing to close a huge budget deficit masks the most important question: Would it resolve, even partially, California's chronic fiscal malaise?

Daniel Weintraub: GOP leaders can claim a win on budget California lawmakers were still debating the budget late Tuesday night, but Republicans should have declared victory a week ago.

Capitol Alert: Schwarzenegger, Steinberg to Capt. Sully: Help! Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who landed a plane on the Hudson River last month, was honored in the state Capitol today.

Capitol Alert: What the tax hikes would mean for you The Bee's Phillip Reese has created a handy tax calculator for you to roughly determine what the tax hikes being considered by the state Legislature would mean for your wallet.

Capitol Alert: Cox, Maldonado cancel fundraisers Both the key swing Republican budget votes in the state Senate -- Abel Maldonado and Dave Cox -- had fundraisers scheduled for today. Both canceled them.

Do GOP senators value no-tax vow more than their oath of office? For observers outside the Capitol bubble, California's free-fall toward the abyss must seem baffling.

Whitman makes first public pitch for governor Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, in her first public campaign appearance as a 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate, warned Tuesday that the state's top political job is "not a popularity contest" and said that California desperately needs an experienced business executive to rescue it from what she called the "insanity" of its current budget crisis.

Whitman opposes new taxes; seeks 2 million California jobs by Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, in her first public speech since announcing her intent to run for governor last week, on Tuesday said she opposes raising taxes to balance California's budget and would set a goal of creating 2 million jobs by 2015.

Industry tax break goes too farEven in hard times, California should be creating tax incentives for companies to add jobs and build plants in the state.

Pull the plug Bullet train's numbers don't add up – stillThese are giddy times for advocates of a state high-speed rail system linking Northern and Southern California. First, in November, voters approved Proposition 1A, providing $9.95 billion in public bond funds for the “bullet train,” a public-private partnership expected to end up costing $45 billion-plus. Then, in its $787 billion stimulus bill, Congress provided $8 billion more for high-speed rail projects. While most of the $8 billion is expected to go to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's pet project – a high-speed train linking Anaheim and Las Vegas – the state High Speed Rail Authority can expect $2 billion or so for its scheme.

Timm Herdt: The lost GOP victory speech Republicans could claim a win in state budgetAt this writing, it is still not clear whether California's fiscal train wreck will be averted any time soon. It all depends on whether a lone Republican senator decides to cast his lot for a bipartisan, $41 billion package that would balance the state's books through June 30, 2010.

Water on our mindIt's not easy persuading people to start conserving water, especially when heavy rain has been pelting the state for days, but that's the task facing local and state water officials.

Murrieta state Senator takes GOP helm Members of the state Senate GOP picked Riverside County Republican Dennis Hollingsworth as their new leader late Tuesday after days of growing opposition to the budget deal negotiated by their former leader.

Six foot tall, city-funded Penis Mascot is back! Only in San Francisco!

2009-02-17T16:34:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say I was surprised. But nothing that takes place in the city by the bay shocks me anymore.

Last week the Public Health Department for the City of San Francisco launched an outreach campaign designed to encourage gay men to get tested for syphilis. So, according the San Francisco Examiner:

Move over Lou Seal, there's another San Francisco mascot that will appear at arades, street fairs and other public events around the city over the coming year. It's the 6-foot-tall Healthy Penis.

Actually, there are three of them, and they'll make their reappearance at noon today at the corner of Castro and Market. The characters will appear with a fourth, much-less-attractive buddy, Phil the Syphilis Sore.

Apparently, this is not a new idea. 2002 was the first time this campaign was employed, and with some success.

Controversial when they debuted in 2002, the characters became popular and appeared around the city until 2006 to encourage gay and bisexual men to get tested for syphilis.

Syphilis cases dropped over those years, and the penis costumes were borrowed by
other cities to promote testing for sexually transmitted diseases. But now the department of Public Health is bringing them back because syphilis cases are again on the rise, up 50 percent from 2007 to 2008.

And yes, the city is paying staff to parade around the city in these obscene costumes.

Inside the costumes are public health staffers. "There is no lack of people who
want to volunteer to wear a penis costume in public," said department spokeswoman Eileen Shields.

Your tax dollars at work!

SEIU cuts deal a that Triples personal holidays!

2009-02-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today SEIU Chief VP Romer Cristobal announced that in the they cut with the administration they would not be losing two holidays as previously announced by the administration.

According to Cristobal:

We have converted Lincoln and Columbus Holidays to Personal Holidays. Members will now accrue three personal holidays instead of just one per year.

Members will accrue 8 hours of Personal Leave (PL) per month in addition to their regular vacation and sick hours. You can use your personal leave for sick leave and you can use it as soon as you earn it.

When you add this to the fact that the number of furlough days was cut in half, one has to wonder what exactly the unions gave up in exchange for the massive tax increases they are trying to force upon the taxpayers of California?

Schools are going to take a hit. The poor are going to take a hit. Local governments are going to take a hit. Taxpayers are being asked to take a HUGE hit. But it looks like SEIU is get away relatively unscathed. How is this fair?

As far as I know, there are no projected layoffs for state workers in this budget. And the number of furlough days was cut in half. But as Cristobal points out SEIU will be getting some additional perks:

State will increase their contribution to our health care premiums retroactively January 2009 and throughout the life of the SEIU contract. The increase will mirror what they were paying in 2008. This will help alleviate financial burden for SEIU members.

Per diem rate will be increase from $40 per day to $55 per day.

The State has agreed with the Union to allocate one million dollars for upward mobility.

This agreement is inconsistent with the proposal being sold to the people of California. How can we be asked to support such a deal, when we don’t even know what the REAL DEAL is?

California News Roundup - February 17, 2009

2009-02-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

Legislature adjourns with no budget; governor prepares to lay off 10,000 With lawmakers still unable to deliver a budget after three days of intense negotiations, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepared to lay off 10,000 government workers and his administration said it would halt the last 275 state-funded public works projects still in operation.

Stimulus would offer relief to California's jobless Tucked deep inside President Obama's $787-billion economic stimulus bill is a $2-billion lifeline for California's unemployed along with improvements to the state's bankrupt and broken system for paying benefits.

California lawmakers stymied for third day on budget Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg sent lawmakers home Monday after failing for the third consecutive day to muster an elusive final vote for the state budget package.

Day three ends without budget Lawmakers adjourned tonight until Tuesday after failing for the third consecutive day to muster an elusive final vote for the state budget package.

The Buzz Meg Whitman, the latest entrant in California's race to be the next governor, made an appearance last week on the "Today" show. Interviewer Matt Lauer pulled out a quote from The Bee's own Dan Walters, who suggested perhaps all of the gubernatorial hopefuls "should undergo mental evaluation for even thinking about governing California."

Highlights of plan to close Calif. budget deficit The Associated Press Here are key provisions of the proposal to close California's $42 billion budget deficit through June 2010:

Key votes for Calif. budget come with a price California's two-thirds requirement to pass budgets and tax increases makes every vote count.

Calif. lawmakers seek 1 vote to pass budget fix California lawmakers spent the President's Day holiday as they had Valentine's Day, locked in a frustrating search for one more vote to end the state's budget impasse.

Capitol Alert: Steinberg vows Tuesday lockdown Senate President Pro Darrell Steinberg announced on the Senate floor that the upper house will convene at 10 a.m. tomorrow to consider the tax-hike portion of the budget.

Capitol Alert: DeVore fails in push for Villines' ouster Rhe first GOP leadership challenge resulting from the budget negotiations came and went Saturday night as Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, moved unsuccessfully to unseat Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines.

Capitol Alert: Maldonado's long wish list Sen. Abel Maldonado has become a popular guy around the Capitol as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders on Monday continued to court him as the potential 27th Senate vote for the state budget. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg met with Maldonado once this afternoon to discuss his interest in providing the final vote.

Capitol Alert: Sacramento sheriff urges Cox to vote yes With the state Senate lacking one Republican vote to pass a budget deal, Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness has called Sen. Dave Cox of Fair Oaks to urge him to end the deadlock.

Capitol Alert: The Steinberg speech Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, had just a few words for Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Penn Valley, last night as the marathon budget session drew to an unsuccessful close. Watch the video here.

Laying off teachers is not inevitable Anyone with a pulse knows that the California jobs picture looks grim: 1.7 million Californians out of work, a 9.3 percent unemployment rate (which may soon climb to double digits), daily announcements of layoffs.

Meg Whitman's first hurdle - state's male GOP Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman is Republican, and proud of it, but as she seeks center stage in her party's nomination for the 2010 governor's race, there is a potentially deadly problem lurking in the wings.

Any OKd budget plan faces battle at ballot box Regardless of when a new budget deal gets passed, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger still is going to need help from California's voters to close the state's $42 billion budget gap, and that help may not be easy to come by.

Obama adviser is a seasoned California voice Californian Nancy Sutley expects to have the ear of President Obama as his chief environmental adviser, reviving a White House office that lay virtually dormant during the Bush years.

State's remaining public works projects at risk California's top finance official warned state lawmakers Monday that without a budget agreement to fend off the state's cash crisis, he will begin halting the remaining 276 public works projects that had been allowed to continue despite the state's dwindling cash supply.

GOP risks branding itself as 'Party of No' Not only is the Republican Party at risk of branding itself as the "Party of No," it could take the blame for forcing the state off the economic cliff if GOP legislators remain unmoved by the state's fiscal crisis, observers say.

State colleges bear down on transfer shortage State education leaders are trying to overcome failures to improve the pathway from community colleges to public universities.

Must find a way to bridge the partisan divide IF EVER THE state and nation needed a reminder that we must climb out of the hole of partisanship and find common ground, look no further than the fight in Sacramento over the state budget and the battle in Washington over the stimulus package.

Other states lure Californians, businesses Government should ease, not increase the burdens on businesses and workers.California has a deserved anti-business reputation. Taxes, regulations and constant uncertainty about more of the same have undermined the loyalty of businesses and workers.

State allows disparity in maternity health coverage In California, many women who are planning families pay higher premiums with larger deductibles to secure optional maternity coverage.

California News Roundup - February 16, 2009

2009-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

One vote shy, state budget still in limbo Ending a weekend marathon of tense negotiations, bleary-eyed state lawmakers late Sunday suspended their bid to plug California's $41-billion deficit but vowed to continue working today to halt the state's dizzying slide toward financial collapse.

George Skelton: California's GOP lawmakers should do the budget math The math seems pretty simple. But apparently it's too rigorous for many Republican politicians.

She ran EBay, can she run California? I may be projecting a bit here, but I wonder if a certain desperation among the electorate won't be Meg Whitman's biggest advantage in the forthcoming race for governor of California.

California lawmakers fail to pass budget deal California legislators tried and failed for a second day Sunday to close a $40 billion hole in the state's budget, still one Republican vote short of approving a package that contains $14.3 billion in tax increases.

Budget pressure puts unions on the spot The week before Thanksgiving, Folsom's city manager sat down with that city's union representatives and laid out a bleak future: Sales tax was dropping, the budget shortfall was growing and layoffs were likely.

Dan Walters: No end in sight on budget Even jaded veterans of the Capitol's often bizarre internal politics had never seen anything quite like the weekend marathon over the biggest package of spending, spending cuts and taxes ever to hit the building – a spectacle that's still playing itself out with no end in sight.

Prop. 8 fallout doesn't daunt Ice cream shop's owner Sunday morning after church, Alan Leatherby thinks about ice cream.

California's budget: one vote shy; legislators to return today Despite weeks of painful negotiations and a sleepless weekend of marathon arm-twisting, California lawmakers failed to fix the budget and will have to return to the Capitol today to try to push through a sweeping plan to pull the state from the brink of insolvency.

Maldonado: The man in the middle of the budget debate Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican lawmaker known for his quiet demeanor, took his seat in the chamber of the California Senate late Saturday, threatening to oppose the tax increases pushed by Democrats to solve the state's $40 billion budget deficit.

California's health policies ranked 46th State's cure for the problem is to do more of what caused it in the first place. Often government tries to fix what's wrong by imposing more of what caused the problem in the first place. Nowhere is this more apparent than health care.
state's push toward renewable energy can succeed.

California New Roundup - February 13, 2009

2009-02-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

Stimulus deal could mean $26 billion for California The $789-billion economic stimulus bill headed toward congressional approval is expected to pour $26 billion into California -- building roads, upgrading schools and launching other projects intended to create or save jobs.

Nation's schools would get $106 billion from federal economic stimulus package The massive federal economic stimulus package hammered out by Congress this week contains about $106 billion earmarked for education, an unprecedented expansion of federal spending into the nation's schools. District officials throughout California, bracing for another round of painful state budget cuts, were grateful for a new infusion of funds.

College opportunities for state residents ebb California's historic leadership in higher education is in decline, with the state failing to provide a new generation of low-income, heavily Latino and immigrant students with the college prospects their parents and grandparents enjoyed, according to a study released Thursday.

California needs this imperfect budget Sacramento's budget plan makes painful choices, but rejecting it would risk financial meltdown.There is plenty in the state budget deal, soon to face a vote in the Legislature, to make lawmakers, interest groups and Californians in general feel queasy. Just when the safety net for seniors and the working poor is most needed, this budget slashes it. Just when everyone agrees it's time to kick the borrowing habit, this budget borrows from funds voters earmarked exclusively for particular programs. Just when Californians could use some extra cash to tide them through tough times, this budget raises taxes.

California budget critics turn up pressure on "This is war!" declares a powerful Los Angeles radio station.

California, SEIU near deal likely to deduct two holidays Union negotiators and the Schwarzenegger administration worked furiously Thursday to close contract talks before lawmakers vote on a state budget package that calls for $1.4 billion in savings from state employees' pay and benefits.

Dan Walters: 'Big 5' process keeps public in darkThere are two distinct – although obviously connected – aspects to the agreement that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders forged on closing the state's whopping budget deficit.

What state takes, feds may give back Schools, transit, prisons – it seems as if California has been caught in a crossfire in recent days, coming and going between state budget decisions and the workings of the federal government. The state's porous budget condition, marked by a $40 billion deficit, has prompted big cuts in schools and transportation – holes that California officials hope will be at least partially filled by the big federal stimulus package President Barack Obama is expected to sign.

Appeals panel hears arguments over court's power in prison health reform A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Thursday in San Francisco on whether a lower court judge has gone too far with his demands that California fund health care reform in its prisons.

The BuzzGay rights and labor leaders want former President Bill Clinton to cancel a speech at a San Diego hotel owned by a financial supporter of Proposition 8, the Associated Press reports. But Clinton is likely cross the picket line, said spokesman Matt McKenna, because he wants to honor the commitment he made to the International Franchise Association. McKenna noted that Clinton recorded a telephone message that went to millions of California households asking voters to defeat the anti-gay marriage measure.

Capitol Alert: White House: California to gain 396,000 jobs under stimulus plan A lot of numbers are flying around in Washington these days as reporters, lobbyists and everyone else tries to figure out what the gigantic $789 billion stimulus plan will mean for individual states.

State's woes may blunt $789 billion stimulus What Washington does with one hand, California may reverse with the other, as the two governments work at cross-purposes in fighting a recession that has left 1.7 million Californians unemployed, a 9.3 percent unemployment rate and worse on the way.

State eyes $10 billion in stimulus for budget Matthew Yi,Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Sacramento BureauCalifornia state budget officials hope to use as much as $10 billion from the looming federal stimulus package to avoid borrowing money to offset the state's gaping $42 billion deficit.
Meg Whitman makes case on how she's different California gubernatorial candidate and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, formally opening what may be the toughest bid of her long career, insisted she is offering a skill set and product that are very different from those of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a parade of other wealthy political novices who have run for the state's highest office.

How stimulus could boost green technology Bottom line: The stimulus bill's tight focus on alternative energy could help California in two big ways.

Something for everyone to hate There is only one word that can be used to describe the budget deal that emerged in the State Capitol this week: Painful.

The stimulus: What's in it for Silicon Valley's tech economy? The sweeping $789 billion stimulus bill headed for a vote in Congress is expected to create thousands of clean-tech jobs in Silicon Valley, gin up new business for many of the region's tech companies and put hundreds of dollars in the pockets of most residents.

Doubts grow about California budget deal Interest groups at both ends of the political spectrum reacted with anger Thursday to the emerging plan to close the state's massive budget deficit, and doubts began to mount about whether it had enough support in the Legislature to survive a planned vote this weekend.

Pass the state budget and share the pain The Chinese say this is the year of the ox. No wonder everybody will be gored by the state budget. It's foolish to expect anything less when fixing a $40 billion deficit.

Proposed state budget adds another layer of tax It's gonna hurt. That, in essence, was the message Thursday from a wide range of government officials, welfare advocates, taxpayers and other experts about the tentative state budget deal reached in Sacramento.

Schwarzenegger applauds progress in budget talks Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday said progress was being made in negotiations to close California's $42 billion budget gap and that he was hoping for a legislative vote this week.

Clinton won't cancel talk at boycotted hotel Despite pressure from supporters of same-sex marriage and organized labor, former President Bill Clinton will speak as planned at a San Diego hotel whose owner gave money to help pass Proposition 8.

County pins economic hopes on expected rebound in housing market The economic stimulus package could be what is needed to stanch a massive loss of jobs and allow the housing market a chance to turn around — provided it works.

Reports that state budget deal is near may be premature Even as the Assembly scheduled a rare Saturday session for a possible vote on a deal to close California's $40 budget shortfall, there were indications in the Capitol on Thursday that speculation over a possible agreement may be premature.

Lawmakers live well in tough times State legislators would have us believe that they have been working their fingers to the bone since discovering the enormous cash hole in the current budget last fall. They would like us to think that there has been nothing more on their minds than coming up with a solution to the $42 billion budget deficit.

Lawmakers fight to keep deal moving and to muster votes for passage A fragile package of spending cuts and higher taxes to bridge a mammoth state budget shortfall held together Thursday as legislative leaders made plans to try to push through the tentative deal over the weekend.

Inland ready to spend stimulus Tens of thousands of jobs would be created or saved throughout Inland Southern California by a federal stimulus plan aimed at easing deep economic woes, but officials are uncertain when and how that help will arrive.

California News Roundup - February 12, 2009

2009-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

Schwarzenegger, legislative leaders settle on budget framework Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders are planning to scale back the state's investment in schools, higher education, public transportation and other programs -- while imposing several temporary tax increases -- to close the $42-billion budget gap projected by the middle of next year.

Tentative bipartisan budget plan The blueprint for a state budget deal includes:

Half-done coastal project symbolizes California budget paralysis The Caterpillar front-loader sits parked in the dirt, empty, next to small mountains of untouched crushed asphalt. Across Pacific Coast Highway at the edge of Laguna Beach, glassy green-blue waves slide onto the sand next to a chain-link fence and orange plastic webbing. Work has stopped on the long-planned transformation of the former El Morro Village mobile home neighborhood into a beachfront state park with priceless ocean views. Like thousands of other state-funded projects, workers were called off the job and plans frozen as the governor and Legislature struggle to resolve the budget mess.

George Skelton: California tax hikes long overdue The taxes should have been raised a year ago. Make that years. The bite would have been a lot smaller. Maybe just a nibble.

The shame of California's prisons A panel of judges had to come up with a plan because, once again, lawmakers failed the state.Now that a panel of three federal judges is calling for California to cut its prison population by as much as a third, effectively ruling that our dysfunctional state government is incapable of overseeing the prison system, it makes us wonder what other legislative duties could be delegated to the judiciary. Redistricting? Schools? The budget process? It wouldn't exactly be democratic, but it would beat the anarchy in Sacramento.

Governor, key legislators reach deficit-fixing accord Legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have reached a tentative deal to close the state's projected $40 billion budget gap on the backs of virtually every Californian, from taxpayers to state workers to welfare recipients, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Big job boost for California seen President Barack Obama says the best way to judge his economic stimulus plan in the next two years will be whether it creates or saves 3 million to 4 million jobs.

CalPERS seeks bids for hefty HMO contract The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the state's largest purchaser of health insurance, is seeking bids for a lucrative HMO contract for nearly a third of the state's 1.3 million public employees, retirees and their families.

Correa might be the party pooper As Senate Democrats huddled Monday for a late-night briefing on the budget negotiations, one Democratic senator was missing: Lou Correa.

The State Worker: Furloughs boost governor's muscle at bargaining table Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made grim history twice in the last week. First, he started state worker furloughs on Friday, then four days later warned he might lay off 10,000 of those with the least service time.

Wildlife fund loan could cost state millions in federal money State officials have been warned that California could lose millions in federal funds if they shift revenues out of the Department of Fish and Game to ease the state budget crisis.

State workers would lose two holidays under tentative budget deal State workers would permanently lose two state holidays and face continuing furloughs each month through June 2010 under a tentative budget deal struck by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders, according to a source close to negotiations.

Strong sector of state economy starts to slide California's exports were one of the last pillars of the state's economy, holding up long after construction, finance, retail and other sectors crumbled.

Highlights of most recent Calif. budget proposal Here is some of the language that emerged Wednesday as lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sought to forge a compromise on the state's budget deficit. Democrats want to bring a budget package to a vote on Friday.

Attorney general plots potential run for governor Attorney General Jerry Brown isn't an official candidate for governor - but he's sure thinking a lot about it.

Capitol Alert: Correa faces crossroads in budget crunchPosted by Shane GoldmacherAs Senate Democrats huddled Monday for a late-night briefing on the budget negotiations, one Democratic senator was missing: Lou Correa.

Capitol Alert: Rep. Hilda Solis approved by Senate committee Los Angeles Rep. Hilda Solis, who is President Barack Obama's pick as labor secretary, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Maldonado: Budget agreement will be 'easy vote 'no' ' Sen. Abel Maldonado, who is widely seen as the most moderate Republican in the state Senate, exited a two-hour briefing on the budget pact and said he would cast an "easy vote 'no.' "

Capitol Alert: Cogdill: Budget pact 'as good as I could get' Emerging from a nearly 2-hour closed-door meeting of Senate Republicans on Wednesday, Senate GOP leader Dave Codgill gave the strongest public word yet that a budget deal has been struck -- but the Modesto Republican still wasn't guaranteeing GOP support.

Compromise on budget looks fair Here comes the moment of truth. Democratic and Republican legislative leaders have struck a tentative deal to close California's $40 billion budget shortfall.

State officials work on final items in budget Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders worked Wednesday to put the finishing touches on a budget deal that would close a record-setting $42 billion gap with spending cuts, new taxes and borrowing from Wall Street.

Inmate raped by cellmates can sue prison guards The state Supreme Court allowed a transgender former prison inmate on Wednesday to proceed with a lawsuit accusing prison guards of failing to protect her from being raped and beaten by her cellmates.

Teachers launch effort to save small classes For more than a decade, the rule through third grade in most California classrooms has been one teacher — and no more than 20 students.

Taxes for sure, maybe a spending capBudget deal includes blackmailing voters into disapproving a ceiling on spending

State lawmakers to push animal From family pets to farm livestock, state lawmakers are crafting a broad and aggressive animal welfare agenda this year.

Funding cut may end work corps A new, $17 million facility along Wright Road that would provide modest dormitories and classrooms for the 65 young men and women of the California Conservation Corps' Camarillo Center has been eight years in the making and should be ready to occupy in a matter of months.

Brown: Prison oversight wrong Attorney General Jerry Brown said Wednesday that the state needs to break free of federal court oversight of its troubled prison system.

State's developmentally disabled costs rise nearly 400% State spending on services for developmentally disabled residents has nearly quadrupled in a decade, but now the governor and Republican lawmakers say the costs must be reduced as the state confronts a $40 billion budget shortfall.

Toss the scriptA tax break for film and television production is like one of those unstoppable horror movie monsters that keeps returning to life. Even a $40 billion state budget shortfall cannot put a stake through the heart of this special-interest giveaway.

Meg Whitman for Governor- So let me get this straight…

2009-02-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

I truly want to keep an open mind about Meg Whitman’s candidacy for Governor. But judging by the LA Times interview published today, she is not off to a great start.

-She doesn’t know how she feels about school choice.
-She didn’t vote for Prop 187.
-She didn’t vote in the Recall.
-She “didn't vote as often as I should, and it's something I regret. And no good excuses for it. Wish I had. Should have."
-She believes that Pete Wilson is “the greatest governor in memory”.
-She “praised” him for raising taxes during the 1992 budget crisis.
-And she didn’t even become a Republican until 2007.

Why exactly should I vote for her?

First, there are certain bedrock issues that California Republicans care about. Immigration is #1 amongst these issues. She will need to take a firmer stance on how she will address this issue. And not being able to articulate a position on school choice is inexcusable. As public schools continue to fail our most vulnerable students, school choice is the premiere GOP solution to addressing this crisis.

And let’s talk about not voting in the recall and not even becoming a Republican until 2007. WHAT UP WITH THAT?! A the GOP candidate for the state’s highest office, she would be our standard barer. But if she hasn’t been willing to stand until just recently, why should she be elevated to lead our party? I mean, I am all for new converts coming and getting involved in my church. But I’m not going to make them the Pastor.

I will give her half a point for her statement about Pete Wilson. Compared to Davis and our current governor, I would welcome the moderate level of conservatism he brought to Sacramento. But I am alarmed by the level of contempt that he and others who support Whitman have shown toward the more conservative wing of our party. Whitman could inadvertently be labeled as an anti-conservative simply because of the company she keeps.

I am still checking her out. But if she is going to win the support of the GOP base, she has got to do better than this.

California News Roundup - February 11, 2009

2009-02-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

California budget talks marked by secrecy Under the gilded dome of the state Capitol, the Cone of Silence has descended. A veil has been drawn. Secrecy has prevailed as the wizards have labored behind the green curtain to find a way out of California's $42-billion budget hole.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Whitman outlines stands A day after launching her campaign for governor, former EBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman on Tuesday unveiled a sharply conservative approach to California's fiscal crisis and offered a fusillade of positions on other issues that are likely to complicate her run for office in 2010.

Governor threatens to lay off 10,000 state workers As legislative leaders Tuesday moved toward a deal that could wipe out the state's $42-billion deficit with temporary tax hikes on retail sales, cars, gasoline and personal income, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened to lay off as many as 10,000 state employees if a new budget is not passed this week.

Anthem Blue Cross agrees to take back clients, pay $1-million fine Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer, has agreed to pay a $1-million fine and offer new coverage -- no questions asked -- to 2,330 people it dropped after they submitted bills for expensive medical care.

Smaller grape harvest could help state's winemakers Mother Nature gave California's winemakers a break last fall.

Budget proposal raises income, sales, gas taxes, and car fees Californians' pocketbooks would be hit in at least four ways under a wide-ranging budget proposal that is being pushed toward a floor vote within days in the Senate and Assembly.

Court to hear California prison health care showdown California prison health care has already grabbed front-page headlines this week, but the issue will be front-and-center again on a separate matter before different judges.

Cut community college recreation classes, California legislative analysts The Mardi Gras Lanes bowling alley on Madison Avenue is alive on Friday mornings, buzzing with the energy of more than 40 college students. They sing along to old-school hip-hop, munch on pretzels and onion rings and slap high-fives after each strike.

Calif. inmate release prompts public safety Unless California gets a reprieve from the U.S. Supreme Court, it will have to free roughly a third of its prison inmates within the next few years.

Schwarzenegger: Layoffs coming if no budget soon Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration warned Tuesday that it will start the process of laying off thousands of state workers if the governor and legislative leaders do not reach a budget deal by Friday.

Dan Walters: Corporate tax sweetener to seal deal? In terms of complexity and longevity, few state Capitol conflicts surpass the decades-long struggle over how California taxes multistate and multinational corporations.

Daniel Weintraub: Governor has a shot at spending reform If every crisis provides an opportunity, then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a chance this month to shape his legacy. Depending on how California's budget mess is resolved, the actor-turned-governor will be remembered either as a man who was overmatched by the office and the state's polarized politics or as a leader who bridged a partisan divide to help bring the state back from the brink of insolvency.
Capitol Alert: Solis makes gains but isn't out of the woods Politico.com reported today that the nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis as labor secretary won't be derailed by Republicans over her husband's tax problems.

Capitol Alert: State's revenues continue decline The state's tax revenues in January continued to run well below those of a year earlier, Controller John Chiang reported today, but were slightly higher than last year's budget forecasts.

Capitol Alert: Don Henley rocks a donation to Jerry Brown Don Hennley, the singer who co-founded the Eagles, donated $13,000 to Attorney General Jerry Brown last Friday, according to new campaign filings.

Capitol Alert: Dutton can't support 'billions in new taxes but no budget reform' Sen. Bob Dutton, the Republican vice chairman of the budget committee, has penned an op-ed in the San Bernardino Sun today about his stance on the budget.

Prisons: Settle, don't appealThe wholly predictable outcome to California's refusal to address prison overcrowding has occurred.

John Chiang: California crisis by the numbers - 12, 5, 30, 2, 732, 5.5, 121 No, these are not lottery picks or a plot-twisting code on the TV show "Lost." But they do tell a story of how the Golden State - once revered for its pioneering leadership - is now so desperate that it no longer pays its bills, or cares for the sick and elderly. These numbers also indicate what kind of California - one that offers opportunity or shackles us with debt - is on the horizon.

Out of space, out of excuses, out of time California cannot say it was not warned. Back in July 2005, long before the state was dealing with furloughs, IOUs and budget shortfalls in the tens of billions, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson warned that conditions in the state's overcrowded prisons were reaching dangerous proportions. Seven months later, finding that one inmate "dies needlessly" every week, Henderson placed the medical-care system of California prisons in the hands of a federal receiver.

Gov's plan to kill CCC draws fire Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to scrap the California Conservation Corps is coming under fire from four former governors and other critics who say it would be a mistake to kill the popular jobs and skills training program in the midst of a deepening recession.

Governor's plan to tax green fees has golfers in rough Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't making any friends on the golf course these days. In fact, his proposal to tax green fees, among other things, is being received like a slice into the rough.

Waste In the Stimulus Bill? Democrat Author Says 'So What?'

2009-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

And My brother David wonders why Republicans are scoffing at this pork barrel spending bill, that is only meant to stimulate the money out of the pockets of hard working Americans and into the pockets of liberal special interest groups like Planned Parenthood and Acorn.

David, please read what Michael Obrien with The Hill wrote about the bill's author who, when asked about wasteful spending in the bill said "So what?":

Waste In the Stimulus Bill? Democrat Author Says 'So What?'

How money is spent should be far from the biggest concern about the stimulus package, its chief author, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wisc.) said Friday.

"So what?" Obey asked in response to a question on NPR's "Morning Edition" about the perceived lack of direction from Congress as to how money in the stimulus should be spent. "This is an emergency. We've got to simply find a way to get this done as fast as possible and as well as possible, and that's what we're doing."

Obey said that Congress is not responsible if money is misspent, but rather, whoever spends the money poorly.

"We simply made a decision, which took about three seconds, not to have earmarks in the bill," Obey told NPR. "And with all due respect, that's the least important
question facing us on putting together this package."

As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Obey had chief oversight in crafting the $825 billion package as passed by the House. The provisions in the bill have been
criticized by Republicans and some centrist Democrats for not being as directly related to stimulating the economy as it should be.

"We have more oversight built into this package than any package in the history of man. If money is spent badly, we want to know about it so we can hold accountable the people who made that choice," the chairman said. "And guess what? Regardless of what we do, there will be some stupid decisions made."

California News Roundup - February 6, 2009

2009-02-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Scores of California state offices won't be open today Scores of state offices will be closed today as more than 200,000 workers take their first unpaid day off in response to California's deepening fiscal crisis.

Rulings on gay couples' benefits question Defense of Marriage Act Brad Levenson and Tony Sears spent Thursday fielding congratulatory calls from gay rights supporters around the nation for their success in getting a federal judge to call into question the legality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

UC regents ease admission rules to expand applicant pool A much-debated plan by the University of California to expand its freshman applicant pool and reduce the tests required for admission won final approval Thursday from the Board of Regents.

California's at rock bottom If California wants its share of federal largesse, Sacramento had better get its act together, fast.California is now the Wile E. Coyote of states. Our governor and lawmakers have dickered and dawdled all of us off a cliff, but we're trying desperately to resist the realization that there is no ground beneath us. Our legs are pumping and our eyes are on Obama administration stimulus packages and bailout money on the far, sunny slope, and we might just reach them if we don't acknowledge that the bridge is out, or that we've run off the road, or that our Acme wings have failed. Once we notice that we're hanging in midair, we'll fall.

Workers under elected state officials won't abide by furloughs today Despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order for state workers to take today off without pay, one group will be showing up for work, just like always.

Experts spell out California counties' budget Counties threatened revolt against the state this week after state Controller John Chiang said he would delay payments to counties for mandated programs.

Delta drought response could pit fish against fish It's come to this. A drought approaching epic status in California may force the state to choose one imperiled species of fish over another.

Regents change UC admission requirements University of California regents Thursday approved new admission requirements intended to improve access for low-income students as well as a policy bolstering UC's commitment to financial aid.

Sacramento activist offers strategy for curbing illegal immigration If there is one issue he's close to, Arnoldo Torres says, it's immigration.

Dan Walters: Budget analyst says state can't evade reality By purest happenstance, Mac Taylor became the Legislature's budget analyst last year just as the state was plummeting into the fiscal abyss of multibillion-dollar deficits, a credit rating that's lowest in the nation, payment deferrals because of cash shortages – and no political plans, or perhaps even will, to arrest the plunge.

Capitol Alert: Schwarzenegger names new Energy Commission chair Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named Karen Douglas the new chair of the California Energy Commission on Thursday.

Capitol Alert: Solis nomination hearing postponed A confirmation hearing for Rep. Hilda Solis, a Los Angeles-area Democrat nominated as President Barack Obama's labor secretary, was postponed Thursday.

Capitol Alert: Fabian Núñez files for state Senate Former Speaker Fabian Núñez, who termed out of the state Assembly last fall, has filed paperwork to make a Sacramento comeback as a state senator.

Capitol Alert: Steinberg: Budget vote next week, as talks 'coming to a close' Senate President Darrell Steinberg said Thursday that both houses of the Legislature are planning a budget vote sometime next week, though the Democratic leader was careful to say no final agreement had been reached.

Agencies seek to preserve water in Calif lakes State and federal water managers Thursday asked for permission to keep more water in California's reservoirs this month so there will be enough cold water for salmon later in the year.

Status of some Calif offices once furloughs begin The Associated Press Many California government offices are scheduled to close Friday under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order requiring most employees to take two unpaid days off a month. Most agencies are planning to close the first and third Fridays of each month.

Budget secrecy is no public service Ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor, this early advocate of sunshine has relied on darkness to close a budget deal.

Twin Rivers' plight: Bad, but manageable With a budget stalemate and uncertain economy, local school districts face the daunting task of huge midyear cuts – even though teachers already have been hired and books bought.

State's eventual rebound could be quick The pace of job layoffs in the California economy has been much quicker in the past 18 months than in previous state economic downturns – the result of technology, globalization and the breakdown of the employer-employee relationship that reigned through much of California's post-World War II period. In turn, though, the pace of job hires likely will be far quicker than most commentators are projecting when the economy turns.

Budget gap endangers valued school programs Parents in San Ramon fear their program for gifted students will vanish. Oakland residents want to save adult education. And teachers across the state are demanding that lawmakers preserve small class sizes they say kids need.

UC regents OK admissions overhaul A lot more young people will have a shot at getting into the University of California under new eligibility rules, approved by the UC Board of Regents today, that represent the most sweeping changes in admission standards in almost 50 years.

Union: Confusion reigns as California braces for government shutdown today With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's historic furlough of more than 200,000 state employees set to begin today, a major labor union warned that the state is ill-prepared to handle the work stoppage.

California farmers struggle with impending Farmer Lax Iyers is standing on the side of a country road that splits his almond orchard into two different worlds — one abloom, the other in danger of choking in a cloud of dust.

Make it easier for K-12 school districts to pass a parcel tax If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature are intent on slashing funding for K-12 schools, the least they can do is to make it easier for local districts to raise money on their own. The obvious way is to give them a fairer chance to pass a parcel tax.

Jerry Brown urged to probe Republican vote-trading allegations Labor and environmental groups have asked California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate whether Republican state lawmakers are engaging in illegal vote trading during budget talks.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Campaign-donor law remains intact Gay and lesbian rights activists — and the rest of California — dodged a bullet last week when a federal judge threw out a lawsuit that would have kept secret the names of those who donated to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.

Will next budget phase be better? Governor, legislative leaders drop their secretive negotiations as state-worker furloughs beginThe public gets its first up-close exposure to the state's budget woes today as thousands of government workers take the day off without pay to save a few bucks. If you visit the DMV, for instance, the door will be closed. Nevertheless, we suspect most people won't notice much difference in their lives.

California agencies scramble to meet Friday State agencies were scrambling Thursday to implement the first employee furloughs in California history, ordered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save money in the face of a massive budget crisis.

UC pension system faces economic realityContribution-free days ending; benefits eyedBy James P. Sweeney SAN FRANCISCO — For 20 years, the University of California pension system seemed to be a Wall Street wonder, building assets and paying billions in benefits without any contributions from the university or its employees.

U-T Editorial: Furlough truths State can handle this reduction and moreToday is the first furlough day for state workers, part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to ease California's fiscal crisis by shuttering most state offices on two weekdays a month.

Credible casinos? Leaving casinos in charge of policing the integrity of their operations offers a faulty safeguard against corruption. Gambling ventures, which have ready access to mountains of cash, require outside scrutiny to ensure honesty. But California tribal casinos now lack that oversight, a void that tribes and state gambling regulators need to fill.

Fiscal justice?San Bernardino County should not be paying extra benefits to state employees when the county faces a $60 million budget shortfall. The county needs any savings it can find, and padding the income of state judges no longer makes policy or financial sense.

California News Roundup - February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

California legislators' inaction hits state workers in the pocketbook Thousands of state employees learned Wednesday that they will not be reimbursed for travel expenses until a budget deal is reached, as lawmakers' failure to strike such an agreement with the governor came back to bite them in their own wallets.

State furloughs may further delay unemployment benefits Already frustrated jobless Californians may have a tougher time getting unemployment insurance benefits of up to $450 a week as of Friday when most state workers start taking off two days a month without pay.

L.A. campaigns hope to tap into Obama's pool of new voters Candidates in the March 3 primary election in Los Angeles have zeroed in on the thousands of newly registered voters who lined up at the polls in November's presidential election, hoping to boost turnout in an off-year race that lacks a big-ticket political slugfest.

UC regents move toward easing admissions requirements University of California regents Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a controversial change in freshman admission standards that would drop the requirement for two SAT subject exams and make more students eligible for a review of their applications while guaranteeing entry to fewer.

California seeks to boost transfer rates to 4-year universities Leaders of California's public college and university systems announced Wednesday that they are launching a joint task force to boost the number of community college students who transfer to the state's four-year universities.

GOP accused of vote trading in budget talksBy Kevin Yamamura Labor and environmental leaders accused Republicans of illegally trading votes in budget negotiations and asked state Attorney General Jerry Brown for an immediate investigation, according to a letter they sent Wednesday.

The State Worker: Furloughs' unseen cost -- in morale Barring some unforeseen event, Furlough Fridays start tomorrow. Tens of thousands of state workers will take an unpaid day off.

State extends annual parks passes after printing error found State park officials are extending expiration dates of current annual passes and sending out temporary park entry certificates due to printing problems in processing passes.

In budget crisis, counties plot tax revolt against California Counties in California say they've had enough – and they aren't going to take it anymore.

Q & A: A talk with CalPERS' chief investment officerBy Dale Kasler CalPERS is getting a new chief investment officer, but don't expect any immediate wholesale changes in how the big pension fund invests its money.

Capitol Alert: AD 30: Labor slaps a bull's-eye on Gilmore In politics, the next election is never far away.

Capitol Alert: The (midyear) Capitol Alert budget pool So the state's political leaders have blown past their self-imposed Feb. 1 deadline to reach a budget accord. California has already stopped paying some of its bills. Taxpayer refund checks are on hold. Furloughs are on the horizon.

Capitol Alert: Counties fighting back against state California's 58 counties, whose payments are currently being withheld by the state to conserve cash, are beginning to fight back against Sacramento.

Capitol Alert: Why furloughs compute (and pay cuts didn't) San Diego Union-Tribune editorial writer Chris Reed asked the state controller's office how it was possible for the state's computers to furlough state workers, but not pay them minimum wage temporarily.

Capitol Alert: Cal's deficit, as big as it is, not the worstPosted by Dan WaltersThe immensity of California's budget crisis is shown in a new 50-state fiscal survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures, indicating that California's income-outgo gap is nearly a third of the current state budget deficits for entire nation.

Judges ask Calif. lawmakers to fix crowded prisons A special panel of federal judges pleaded Wednesday for California politicians to fix the state's overcrowded prisons and prevent the court-ordered release of tens of thousands of inmates.

Editorial: Counties' revolt is likely to be fruitless California's counties are getting rebellious, and no one can blame them. With the state running short of cash, Controller John Chiang has told counties he will not make $171 million in health and welfare payments the state owes them this month. Most of that money goes to pay welfare grants and foster care providers and to defray the counties' cost of administering these programs.

DMV proposal for face-detection technology irks privacy Even as cost-conscious Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger looks to trim state spending every way he can, officials at the Department of Motor Vehicles are planning to spend tens of millions of dollars on new driver's license technology.

Teachers union off base in fight with Schwarzenegger The state teachers union is driving an odd stake in the fast-eroding ground of state spending on education. The California Teachers Association is trying to stir up parents by harping on changes to the program that preserves small classes in lower grades. In a TV ad, the CTA blasts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and "some Sacramento politicians" who are "using the budget as an excuse to abolish our successful class-size reduction program."

Heat coming from all sides as leaders work on budget Labor unions are threatening to recall lawmakers who vote to roll back worker rights. Right-wing shock jocks are calling for the heads of lawmakers who break from conservative orthodoxy.

Offshore oil drilling compromise diesOil company offered to shut down existing wells for ability to drill new onesIt may be true that the more things change, the more they stay the same. We were pleased at the substantive change in the works when environmentalists decided last year not to oppose an oil company's drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara. To receive environmentalists' support, Plains Exploration & Production Co. agreed to close other drilling operations off the coast and donate 4,000 acres for preservation.

California's stimulus share spelled out President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan would create or preserve as many as 421,000 jobs across California, the White House said Wednesday.

California News Roundup - February 3, 2009

2009-02-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

California bond rating drops lower than any other state's California's bond rating was downgraded below that of every other state Tuesday by a major Wall Street rating agency, as lawmakers trying to resolve the state's financial problems faced growing resistance from powerful interest groups.

Skirmish over state prison yoga rooms intensifies The battle over California prison inmates' constitutional rights has come down to this: finger-pointing over who dreamed up the idea of giving convicted criminals taxpayer-funded bingo and yoga rooms.

California Supreme Court to hear Prop. 8 arguments The California Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it would hear arguments March 5 over the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that reinstated a ban on same-sex marriage.

Money & Co.: California's low credit rating: Investors win, taxpayers lose When the state of Georgia sold 10-year bonds on Monday, it paid an annualized tax-free interest yield of 2.99% to the investors who bought the IOUs.

It's too easy to amend California's Constitution The Proposition 8 battle showed that the process to get an initiative amendment on the state ballot should be more rigorous.Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage unleashed a storm of controversy that has moved to the state Supreme Court. The cases filed there grapple with, among other issues, the fact that the measure isn't just a garden-variety statute passed by the people but an addition to the state Constitution. Amid all the other debates caused by Proposition 8, we need to open one more: Does California make it too easy to amend its Constitution?

State's Big Five keep talks secret for fear of dooming budget deal Five Californians are trying to solve the state's budget crisis, in part by keeping the other 38 million residents in the dark.

Controller, unions keep California furlough fight alive in 2 courts With thousands of state workers facing their first unpaid day off on Friday, the fight over whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can legally cut employee hours and pay split into two courts on Tuesday.

California Supreme Court sets date for hearing on gay-marriage ban The California Supreme Court announced Tuesday it will hear oral arguments in the challenge to Proposition 8 on March 5, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated hearings in the court's recent history.

Delayed system updates a drag on state jobless claims Seven years after the federal government gave California $66.1 million to modernize its unemployment insurance call centers and claims processing systems, state workers are still manually processing claims that the jobless now submit online.

Million-dollar home sales plummet in CaliforniaBy Dale Kasler The million-dollar home became something of a rare bird in California last year, a victim of the continuing collapse in the housing market.

Capitol Alert: O'Connell: State of education is 'precarious' The Bee's Bill Lindelof and Melissa Nix have a rundown of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's State of Education speech.

Dan Walters: State budget now officially a "high-risk" zone State auditor's office maintains a list of "high risk" issues facing California and monitors their condition constantly - and now has added the deficit-plagued state budget to that list in a report that frames the difficulties inherent in balancing the state's fiscal situation.

Capitol Alert: Video: Feinstein flirts -- again -- with governor run Sen. Dianne Feinstein appeared on MSNBC's Hardball program last night with Chris Matthews.

Dan Walters: Just the facts on financing schools Schools consume more than 40 percent of the state budget and are, therefore, a centerpiece of the convoluted politics of closing the state's whopping budget deficit, but few people - even few legislators - understand the complex manner by which California finances education.

Capitol Alert: Details of furloughs in governor's office Over at our sister blog, The State Worker, Dan Smith has posted a memo that the Schwarzenegger administration has sent to its own staff detailing the furloughs they must take.

Schwarzenegger's restructuring proposals Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently released 18 proposals to streamline government, a scaled-back version of his 2004 California Performance Review. His office projects the total cost savings at $126 million in the first year. Here are his proposals:

Dan Walters: Corporate tax issue has hidden agenda Senate Bill 28X was one of many "budget trailer bills" pushed through the Legislature last September with little or no debate or even analysis as part of a political deal to end a record-long stalemate on the state budget.

Daniel Weintraub: Seeds of growth ready for fertile ground As California's economy struggles to rebound from the collapse of the housing bubble, it is difficult to imagine what will lead us out of this hole. We had the dot-com boom and bust, and then a housing-led recovery that turned out to be a mirage. Is there some industry, some idea that can reignite sustainable growth in this once-golden state?

Jerry Brown: Prison czar's plan unrealistic, intrusive California is staring down fiscal catastrophe, yet the prison health care czar believes he is wholly immune from the harsh realities of the state budget, saying the crisis is "unfortunate, but irrelevant."

Censure resolution makes little sense With California facing a $41 billion shortfall and the state nearly insolvent, a Republican Party activist has drafted a resolution to censure any GOP lawmaker who votes for a tax increase.

Threats but still no solution to state crisisThere's no state budget yet, but already the henchmen of California politics are blackmailing those who may not toe their line.

Bill would drive many car dealers out of business A BILL that would require automobile dealers in California to post the nation's highest bond to operate their businesses is well-meaning, but it is a bad idea especially in fragile economic times.

Calif. EDD call centers won't shut for furloughs California's Employment Development Department offices will be closed two days a month due to furloughs, but the call centers will remain open and workers will staff the phone lines, EDD says.

LA county supervisors consider withholding funds from state The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today discussed withholding locally generated revenues from the state, if the state begins withholding funds from the county.

Education needs more freedom, not more taxes Schools chief should try to do more with lessIt would be refreshing to hear tax-supported service providers say they will do more with less, as increasingly is being done by countless businesses and individuals in the private sector.

California judicial panel weighs inmate release A federal judicial panel heard closing arguments Tuesday in a long-running legal battle over crowding in California prisons, a case that will have far-reaching consequences for the state's corrections system, its budget and public safety.

State budget woes disrupt payments to foster The state of California comes closer every day to running out of cash, and now it is foster parents who are feeling the squeeze.

Supervisors vote to sue Riverside County supervisors voted Tuesday to sue the state to compel it to pay billions of dollars in funding for county-run social services, payments the state began delaying this week to conserve cash.

Housing delusion? Californians need to be realistic about the prospects of an economic turnaround. Despite federal efforts to stem foreclosures and boost home lending, the state will not return to the freewheeling days before the mortgage meltdown. Nor should it: That heady housing market relied on unsustainable practices.

Gallop: Obama’s most unpopular decision? Funding overseas abortions.

2009-02-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

For those who believe that the debate over abortion is dead, I have new for you!

A recent poll conducted by Gallop revealed that of all the decision President Obama has made during his term’s infancy, it was his decision to approve funding for organizations to provide abortions overseas that is most unpopular with voters.

Gallop writes:

…Obama's decision to reverse the prohibition on funding for overseas family-planning providers may be the least popular thing he has done so far. This was an executive order that forbade federal government money from going to overseas family-planning groups that provide abortions or offer abortion counseling. Fifty-eight percent of Americans disapprove of Obama's decision to lift this ban, while only 35% approve of it. The ban on federal funds to these groups was put in place by Ronald Reagan, but lifted by Bill Clinton. George W. Bush re-instituted the ban after taking office in 2001, but Obama has once again lifted it.

Even more interesting is the fact that Republicans were not the only ones opposed to this decision. According to Gallop, 67% of independent voters disapproved as well.

And for my fellow GOPer’s who advocate for having abortion striped from our party platform, take note… 92% of Republicans polled opposed overseas funding of abortions.

Keep that in mind!

California News Roundup - February 3, 2009

2009-02-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

California's community colleges near the breaking point Facing yawning budget gaps, California's public universities are shifting thousands of applicants into a community college system already swamped by newly unemployed adults and students priced out of other schools.

Bay Area health union seeks vote on membership California's labor battle over who will represent tens of thousands of hospital workers will apparently be determined in voting booths at dozens of hospitals and nursing homes around the state.

Same-sex insanity A California Assembly bill takes the wrong path on its goal toward equal property tax benefits.It's not that AB 103 by Assemblyman Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) overreaches in its effort to extend a marriage benefit to same-sex couples. It's that it reaches in the wrong direction.

Political contributions drop off amid recession The current recession is wrapping its tightfisted hands around its latest victim: political fundraising.

The Buzz: GOP A-list headed for state's convention Undeterred by Barack Obama winning the biggest Democratic victory in California since FDR, Republican Party A-listers will descend on Sacramento for their Feb. 20-22 state convention. Possible 2010 gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner will join attendees including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and conservative author/pundit William Bennett.

GOP official seeks to censure those who vote to raise A top GOP official has submitted a resolution for the Republican Party's convention later this month to formally censure any Republican who votes for new or higher taxes in a state budget deal.

Water watchers cast a wary Water experts are having a hard time finding the right words to describe what lies ahead, after recording a dismally dry January in California.

L.A. mayor's star on the rise again as higher office beckons Barely a year ago, Antonio Villaraigosa's political star seemed anything but luminous.

Dan Walters: 'Big 5' process seems to be near a climax The so-called "Big 5" process has often been used to forge a final state budget deal – the governor and four legislative leaders privately ironing out details that will secure enough votes in the Legislature.

Whitman, Poizner ring donor registers in 2008 Two Silicon Valley tycoons who are expected to face off in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary had the political cash registers ringing in 2008, according to year-end major campaign donor statements.

Capitol Alert: Bass: GOP values 'followership more than Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, responded to the potential threat of a censure for GOP lawmakers who would vote to increase taxes to solve the state's budget crunch.

Capitol Alert: GOP A-list to descend on Sacramento Barack Obama may have just racked up the biggest Democratic election victory margin in California since FDR. But that isn't stopping Republican Party A-listers from descending on Sacramento for this month's California Republican Party Spring Convention.

Steinberg backs Price in SD 26 Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced his endorsement of Assemblyman Curren Price for state Senate on Monday.

Donors pumped $83M into Prop. 8 race Donors gave more than $83 million to support or oppose the ballot initiative that abolished same-sex marriage in California, according to campaign disclosure reports made public Monday.

Calif, FTC say drug makers withheld generics California Attorney General Jerry Brown and the Federal Trade Commission are suing four pharmaceutical companies they say conspired to keep generic versions of testosterone from being sold.

CTA takes low road with its ads A recent editorial directed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators on these pages bore the headline, "It's a crisis; act like it's a crisis."

Private money could save public projects "California Dreamin' ," a hugely popular song from 1965 by the Mamas and the Papas, evoked hypnotic images of our golden state among America's youth. Aside from California's physical beauty and wonderful weather, our transportation, education and water systems were also world-renowned.

Calls to alter how California government works With the state drowning in red ink and the Legislature facing a seemingly endless gridlock, political reformers and business officials want to call a state constitutional convention to redraw the way government works in California.

Jerry Brown leads the fund-raising pack in 2010 race for California governor While the election to choose California's next governor remains a political eternity away — balloting begins in the spring of 2010 — a Silicon Valley-based candidate hoped to send a clear message Monday about how badly he wants the job.

California residents need to start conserving water now THE MESSAGE from state water officials is clear: Start conserving now. Don't wait.

States offer asylum to fleeing businesses California is losing jobs to states that cut taxes to attract business, even in difficult times.Even as California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger jockey for enough votes to impose even higher taxes and even more regulations on businesses, other states increasingly are offering tax breaks and incentives to lure those companies away.

Calif budget talks resume as state delays Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders resumed closed-door talks Monday in an effort to close California's $42 billion budget gap, with employee furloughs just days away and taxpayer refunds already on hold.

Action Alert! Tomorrow, the Sacramento City Council will be voting on a proposed Amicus Brief Opposing Prop 8.

2009-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

How is it that a city that is millions of dollars in debt and laying off workers finds the time and resources to overstep it’s authority and file a “Friend of the Court” brief asking the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the Marriage Protection Act? Well that is exactly what the members of the Sacramento City Council will be voting on TOMORROW February 3, 2009. (Click Here to see the Report)

Sacramento would not be the only city to file a brief in this case. Berkeley, Davis, West Hollywood, Palm Springs and several other liberal cities have also gotten involved. This is in spite of the fact that state initiatives are really out of their jurisdiction.

Well it is important to let them know that there are more appropriate uses of our tax dollars that getting involved in this fight. Please call members of the council and let them know how you feel.

Kevin Johnson
Mayor
Mayor's Office
916-808-5300

Ray Tretheway
District 1
916-808-7001

Sandy Sheedy
District 2
916-808-7002

Steve Cohn
Vice Mayor
District 3
916-808-7003

Robert King Fong
District 4
916-808-7004

Lauren Hammond
District 5
916-808-7005

Kevin McCarty
District 6
916-808-7006

Robbie Waters
District 7
916-808-7007

Bonnie Pannell
District 8
916-808-7008

The FAX number for all Council Members is 916-264-7680

California News Roundup - February 2, 2009

2009-02-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

California GOP lawmakers use budget as leverage to refight old battles With their votes needed for a spending plan, Republicans press for delaying or rolling back rules on overtime pay and diesel pollution, a move they say would aid the economy. The economy is nose-diving. Unemployment rages. A yawning budget hole looms. In these gloomy times, statehouse Republicans see a chance to spur California renewal by refighting a few past defeats.

Delay of tax refunds and payments adds to Californians' struggles As state withholds $3.5 billion, people and businesses scramble to fill gaps. Vendors, Cal Grants, child care services and programs for the developmentally disabled are among those affected.By Patrick McGreevy and Jordan Rau Reporting from Sacramento -- Wendy Hansen, a 52-year-old single mom in Monrovia, says she cannot afford a delay in her anticipated state income tax refund of $1,800.

National park backers call for creation of a service corps similar to the Depression-era CCCThe Civilian Conservation Corps put millions to work and left a lasting imprint on Yosemite and other parks. The economy was a shambles. Millions of Americans were out of work. Saying something drastic needed to be done, the newly elected president announced a massive economic stimulus package aimed at repairing the nation's sagging infrastructure and putting people back to work.

A Villaraigosa-Weiss-Greuel troika would consolidate power at L.A. City Hall L.A. mayor and his closest allies are running for the top three citywide offices on the March 3 ballot. Some say a triple win would decrease infighting; critics fear a lack of checks and balances. For the last four years, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and two of his closest allies on the Los Angeles City Council have seen their political fortunes follow a steady upward trajectory.

Mormon church reveals deeper involvement in Proposition 8 The Mormon church has revealed in a campaign filing that the church spent nearly $190,000 to help pass Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California.

Gay rights activists heading to boot camp in bid to overturn Proposition 8 Cleve Jones extended his microphone in the upscale bar as though handing a baton to the next generation.

Calif. leaders still searching for budget deal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders won't meet again until Monday as they search for a $42 billion solution to the state's budget woes.

Calif. county considers declaring fiscal emergency Kern County supervisors are considering declaring a fiscal emergency as they try to cut $75 million from their budget before July 1.

$58 million in Calif. stem cell grants delayed The governing board of the California stem cell agency is delaying $58 million in research grants at least until March because of the poor economy and credit market.

Dan Walters: California spending cap could seal deal on budget California's horrendous budget crisis has its roots in a 1978 decision by then-Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature to temporarily shoulder billions of dollars in school and local government costs in response to voters' passage of Proposition 13, which deeply slashed local property taxes.

Here's our outline for fixing budgetCalifornians are often accused of state budget hypocrisy – wanting it all but being unwilling to pay for it.

Governor to top officials: Furlough workers Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told statewide elected officials Friday that a court ruling this week allowing him to furlough state workers two days a month to help ease the state's fiscal crisis applies to their employees, too.

Californians could soon be paying more to drive, take transit When Kent Lue opened up the DMV renewal notice for his 2004 BMW motorcycle two weeks ago, he was in for a surprise. The cost had jumped from $92 to $101.

Outrageous budget fiasco has shamed California The once great state of California today becomes a national disgrace.

Bay Area lawmakers stay On a recent night at her Capitol office, Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, spent until 2 a.m. answering 150 e-mails from constituents worried about the state's fiscal crisis. That was after she'd hand-signed 500 letters she'd written about the budget.

Time for state lawmakers to solve budget messIt's time for California's lawmakers to end partisan bickering and solve the budget mess -- nowTODAY, California has become a national embarrassment. We have become the poster child for dysfunctional government.

UC regents to vote on admission standards The most sweeping overhaul of the University of California's undergraduate admissions rules in a half-century will go before regents for a vote Wednesday amid fresh skepticism of the plan.

Shortfall's effects on state soon to be seen Today in California, February comes in like a miserly lion.

$8 billion fix ill-conceived Prison plan lacks proper reviewThere's little question a federal judge was correct in ruling that California's prison healthcare system needs improvement.

Prison posturing? California officials need to match actions to words if they want to convince the federal courts to return control of prison health care to the state. The courts would be far more likely to grant that request if the governor and Legislature would enact long-needed reforms to the state's prison system.

No Budget! No Pay! Sound like a good idea? NOT!

2009-01-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

You would think we would have learned by now that passing a law simply because it “Sounds like a good idea” is no way to govern. Take for example AB 32, the high priced “Green Initiative” which requires business to cut carbon emissions utilizing technology that won’t exist until 2014. The there’s Jessica’s Law, which I like to call the “Sex Offender Omnibus Bill” which law enforcement officials up and down the state have admitted is near impossible to comply with. These are both well meaning policy initiatives that sounded good on paper, but when put into actual practice… not so much.

The bright idea of the day surrounds the California Legislatures lack of ability to come to a compromise on how to handle the fast growing budget deficit. Democrats want massive tax increases and Republicans are holding pat for substantive budget reforms and deeper cuts. And while both sides dig in their heals, doing what they believe to be the right thing, along comes a well meaning who have proposed to withhold legislator's pay and per diem if they fail to pass the state budget on time. Sounds like a great idea right? I mean, managing the state’s finances is a big part of their jobs. And if they can’t get the job done on time, why should they get paid? (I’ve got you going huh?)

Well before you jump on the bandwagon, read this piece my good friend (and boss) Jeff Greene shared with me. It was written by Former Assemblyman Ray Haynes back during the 2004 budget impasse:

Conflict-of-Interest Budgeting

SCENARIO #1 “Assemblyman Smith, vote for this budget, and our union will write you a check for $15,000. Not to your campaign – to you personally. Buy a new car, get your wife a Louis Vuitton purse, get braces for your kids—we don’t care. Just vote for this budget and the money is yours. I know you don’t like the new taxes and spending, but I can make it worth your while.”

SCENARIO #2 “I don’t care if there are taxes in this budget, we cannot afford to forfeit another month’s paycheck! We’ve exhausted our savings and we’re not going to be able to make our mortgage payment. We’ve got a stack of credit card bills and utility payments due and no money left to pay them. I know you don’t like the new taxes and spending, but it’s not worth going bankrupt for!”

What is the difference between the two scenarios? In one scenario, the personal financial pressure to pass a bad budget comes from a lobbyist. In the second, the financial pressure comes from the legislator’s spouse. In the first, the financial incentive is illegal and the lobbyist could go to prison. Meanwhile, the second scenario could be on the verge of being encouraged in homes all over Sacramento.

Both scenarios include money being used as an incentive to get a legislator to support a budget. Both scenarios result in a legislator having to consider his own personal financial interests over the interests of his district or even the whole State of California. Both are wrong.

Think about it. If you are a conservative, do you really want Republicans to go up on massive tax increases simply, so that they can pay their own bills? If you are a liberal, do you want Democrats to approve deep cuts to education or social welfare programs in order to make sure they don’t miss a check?

While I think most of us can agree with the sentiment, the facts cannot be ignored. Any way you slice it up, this is a “Pay-to-Play” scheme that is a bad idea for California.

California News Roundup - January 29, 2009

2009-01-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

Stimulus would bring welcome relief to California - The state could get as much as $63 billion in federal funds, most of which will go for shovel-ready projects and tax cuts.By Richard Simon Reporting from Washington -- As the $819-billion economic recovery bill approved by the House on Wednesday makes its way through Congress, officials 3,000 miles away have their eyes on a Santa Monica Pier upgrade and other projects that have been awaiting funding.

Californians give thumbs-up to Obama, thumbs down to state officials - A poll finds 57% of state voters support Obama's stimulus plan. In contrast, three-quarters believe the state is headed in the wrong direction and Schwarzenegger's approval rating dips to 40%.By Evan Halper Reporting from Sacramento -- California voters are enthusiastic about President Obama's plans for steering the country out of recession, but their faith in state government's ability to manage its finances and fix California's problems has tumbled, according to a new poll.

L.A. County Federation of Labor endorses Chu for Congress - The chairwoman of the state Board of Equalization is vying to succeed Rep. Hilda Solis, Obama's pick for Labor secretary. The 32nd Congressional District covers East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley.By Evelyn Larrubia U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis has not yet been confirmed as Labor secretary, but the race to replace her is in full swing.

Cal State students speak up over proposed slashes to financial aid - Students -- some with full course loads and multiple jobs -- address the Board of Trustees, protesting Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts and delays of Cal Grants.By Gale Holland Nathonas Duro, 21, rises Mondays at 6 a.m., takes her brother to school and is at her campus office job by 8 a.m. at Cal State San Bernardino, where she is a full-time student.

Solar panel installations in California through the roof in '08 - Homeowners and businesses had a record 158 megawatts of photovoltaic panels put on despite the recession.By Marla Dickerson Despite a credit freeze that's stunting renewable-energy projects throughout the country, 2008 was a hot year for solar power in California.

George Skelton: Californians aren't ready for the one-two budget punch - The heavy shoe is about to drop. Sacramento on Monday intends to begin stiffing people owed tax refunds, vendors who sell goods to the state and recipients of many social services.

State tax refund delay hurts low wage - With California's budget quagmire forcing an indefinite delay to state income tax refunds, taxpayers on the lower end of the income scale are most likely to feel the pain.

Governor threatens layoffs if state workers balk at -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned Wednesday that if state workers don't accept twice-monthly furloughs, he will pursue layoffs to reduce salary costs by more than a billion dollars.

Schwarzenegger, other state officials want to dump prison health czar - The state brought a new dimension Wednesday to the legal struggle over prison health care reform with a motion to get rid of the court-appointed receiver and his proposed $8 billion construction plan.

Today's furlough hearing won't ease the uncertainty - State workers marked today on their calendars nearly four weeks ago when they learned that a Sacramento Superior Court judge would hear arguments about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's December order to furlough them two days each month.

Sacramento region's representatives vote party line on stimulus - At $819 billion, California Republican Rep. Dan Lungren figures that Democrats want to pass an economic stimulus plan that would cost the residents of his district more than $2,700 each.

Capitol Alert: Wednesday tidbits - The Little Hoover Commission, a government agency that analyzes the performance of other agencies, has issued a new report dedicated to "improving performance and outcomes at the state water boards.

Capitol Alert: Schwarzenegger, Brown want to end prison receivershipPosted by Shane GoldmacherGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger administration officials and Attorney General Jerry Brown will hold a press conference this morning announcing that they are seeking to end federal court oversight of the health care system in California prisons.

Tax-cut combination most popular Calif. budget - A combination of spending cuts and tax increases is the most popular solution for California's massive budget problems, according to a poll released Wednesday.

Calif. retailers group drops campaign donations - California's economic problems are starting to hit politicians where it really hurts - in their campaign treasuries.

Support wanes for budget supermajority- Despite the governor declaring a fiscal emergency and dire warnings issued by the state treasurer and state controller, Republican and Democratic legislators have been unable to reach the supermajority threshold needed to pass a budget. In the midst of a worsening crisis, this legislative inaction has now claimed its first casualty: public support for the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass a state budget.

State could get $10 billion stimulus school aid - An economic stimulus package working its way through Congress could provide $10 billion in federal relief over the next two years for California's public schools, raising optimism among educators that it might ease cutbacks caused by the state's budget crisis.

February looms - California's budget crisis is about to hit the next level of severity. For many weeks, state Controller John Chiang and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Department of Finance have been warning that the state would run out of cash in February.

UC service workers agree to contract - The University of California has settled a bitter contract battle with nearly 8,500 service workers after a year and a half that included picketing and sit-ins.

Don't do it, Sacramento - The last thing beleaguered Californians need is even higher taxesConsumer confidence is plummeting. People are delaying purchases while struggling to pay off credit card debts. Consequently, business sales are slumping. Years of buying on credit and saving too little has left many people vulnerable. Retirement funds are evaporating. Housing foreclosures are mounting. Unemployment rates near double digits. Others wonder how much longer they will have jobs as layoffs are announced almost daily.

The CTA's gamble - Sales tax hike a harder sell than union thinksWith the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepared to make actual hard-dollar cuts in education spending, the California Teachers Association is flexing its muscle. CTA leaders say that if lawmakers don't back off, they are ready to begin a signature-gathering campaign for a ballot initiative to raise the state sales tax by a penny to provide an additional $5 billion to $6 billion a year to public schools.

Outlook for state's water is grim -Southern California water managers are growing increasingly uneasy with each winter day marked more by sunshine than rainfall.

California News Roundup - January 28, 2009

2009-01-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown will ask U.S. to end oversight of California prisons - Officials say receivership has become a government unto itself. Overseer says such action would prolong unnecessary deaths and suffering among inmates.By Michael Rothfeld Reporting from Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown will ask a federal judge today to end court oversight of healthcare in California prisons and return the inmate medical system to the state's control.

California health insurers discriminate against women, lawsuit contends - San Francisco's city attorney sues state regulators, saying they approved a system that allows the insurance companies to use 'gender rating' when pricing individual policies.By Nathan Olivarez-Giles California insurers are discriminating against women, charging them more for individual health insurance than men, the city of San Francisco maintained in a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the state regulators who govern them.

School can expel lesbian students, court rules - An appeals panel finds California Lutheran High School in Riverside County is not a business and therefore doesn't have to comply with a state law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.By Maura Dolan Reporting from San Francisco -- After a Lutheran school expelled two 16-year-old girls for having "a bond of intimacy" that was "characteristic of a lesbian relationship," the girls sued, contending the school had violated a state anti-discrimination law.

Leaders of healthcare workers union are relieved of duty - Officers of the United Healthcare Workers West are replaced by two executive vice presidents of its umbrella organization, the Service Employees International Union. The two groups have been fighting By Evelyn Larrubia The leaders of an Oakland union were removed from office Tuesday by their Washington bosses, the culmination of months of fighting over who will represent tens of thousands of home health aides.

Emergency room doctors sue state of California - The class-action suit alleges that the system -- which received a failing grade in access to care -- is on the edge of a breakdown unless more funds are obtained.By Kimi Yoshino Frustrated emergency room doctors filed a class-action lawsuit against the state Tuesday, saying that California's overstretched emergency healthcare system -- which ranks last in the country for emergency care access -- is on the verge of collapse unless more funding is provided.

California home foreclosures top 236,000 in 2008 - The number of homes lost last year is up 180% from 2007. Rising unemployment is exacerbating the trend.By William Heisel More than 236,000 homes were lost to foreclosure in California last year, topping the previous nine years combined, data released Tuesday show. And the number of borrowers who defaulted on their payments hit a record high of more than 404,000.

State leaders say federal stimulus will ease deficit crisis, not solve - California stands to receive possibly as much as $14 billion in direct budget relief from the federal stimulus plan, which the House is to consider today.

CSU got record donations in 2007-2008 school year - The California State University system received record donations during the 2007-2008 school year, according to the CSU annual report on external support.

Furlough clash heats up -Sacramento Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette on Thursday will hear oral arguments in labor unions' challenge of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's move to furlough state employees two days a month beginning Feb. 6. Marlette has received written briefs and could issue a tentative ruling before Thursday.

Downturn in foreclosures may be short-lived - A year that will be long remembered for financial earthquakes and trouble for homeowners ended with a surprise.

Modestly priced wines boost California industry - The California wine industry enjoyed a boost from below last year.

The Buzz - Mental health advocates spoke out Tuesday against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to redirect Proposition 63 funds that go to counties for mental health services to help close the state's budget shortfall. "The governor's FY 2009-10 budget proposal amounts to a misguided attack on people living with mental illness who literally have no other option for services and shelter," said Patricia Ryan, executive director of the California Mental Health Directors Association. Schwarzenegger has said he has few easy cost-cutting options given the state's $40 billion budget shortfall.

Capitol Alert: Controller to tax board: Stop sending new refund claims - State Controller John Chiang told California's Franchise Tax Board on Tuesday to stop sending his office tax refund claims.

Capitol Alert: Nehring weighs in on 50-state strategy - Ron Nehring, the chairman of the California Republican Party, is weighing in on the national GOP debate over the future and direction of the party.

Capitol Alert: A new pensions initiative (and blog) -Former San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Ed Mendel has launched a new blog, Calpensions.com, where he will look at the two big public retirement systems in California, CalPERs and CalSTRs.

Capitol Alert: AM Alert: The budget pie -The budget negotiations continue, with yet another Big Five negotiating session scheduled for today.

Emergency doctors sue California over rates. - A coalition of emergency doctors took the state to court Tuesday over low reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal patients.

Dan Walters: Health worker battle stalls California budget action - Early in this decade, California's labor union leaders trumpeted a sharp uptick in membership after years of relative decline.

Daniel Weintraub: Proposed cuts show depth of state crisis - For all the grief Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking from the right for proposing to raise taxes, you would think he was a fiscal softy who is willing to let state spending grow out of control. But take a close look at his budget and you might be surprised at the level of spending cuts that would still be required to balance the books – even if the Legislature passes a big tax hike.

Narrow interests top GOP's agenda - If California Republicans hope to shed their reputation as the Scorched Earth Party, they won't do it by gutting environmental rules as a condition for a state budget deal.

State could get $10 billion stimulus school aid - An economic stimulus package working its way through Congress could provide $10 billion in federal relief over the next two years for California's public schools, raising optimism among educators that it might ease cutbacks caused by the state's budget crisis.

Record foreclosures in Bay Area, state in 2008 By Carolyn Said, Chronicle Staff WriterForeclosures and default notices hit new highs for California and the Bay Area in 2008, according to a real estate report released Tuesday.

Secret budget talks don't serve public - When the budget is negotiated in private, the Legislature votes on the unknownIt's good that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California shouldn't rely on a Washington bailout to solve the state's budget crisis. "We don't want the federal government to fix our problem," the governor proclaimed this week. "We have to fix our problem."

The truth on AB 32 - GOP right to cite flaws that governor ignoredWe strongly oppose some Republican lawmakers' apparent intention to go along with tax hikes in return for a weakening of rules adopted by the state Air Resources Board to force every last resident, business, church, charitable organization and nonprofit group to pay far higher energy bills in the name of fighting climate change.

California could get large share from stimulus package - Legislation could pump $21 billion into state. California is in line to receive more than $21 billion under the stimulus package that President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are pushing to get the economy back on track and pull the country out of the recession.

No Budget: Day 84 -It's been 84 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Timm Herdt: A way to stabilize California - Tax panel should look at commercial propertyEver since the tech-stock bubble of the late 1990s ballooned and then burst, there has been a lament in California about the volatility of the state tax system.

Dan Walters: Federal government may bail out California next - The economic stimulus plan being written by President Obama and Congress could cover a third of California's projected budget deficit and give Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators a way out of their political dilemma — but the governor says it would be foolish to count on it.

California News Roundup - January 27, 2009

2009-01-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

A fuel-efficient future - California may get its EPA waiver to tighten emissions standards. But higher gas taxes are needed too.President Obama granted one of our deepest pro-environment wishes Monday by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider allowing California to set tough emissions limits, and therefore tighter fuel economy standards, on vehicles. It's tempting to declare victory and move on, except that the president isn't finished with fuel and transportation policy yet. Though improving fuel efficiency will help, it's only the second-best way to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions and ensure the survival of Detroit's automakers, and it won't be enough by itself to do the job. What's really needed are higher gasoline taxes.

Strangling California's budget - A proposed 'hard' cap on spending is misguided.By Jean Ross As California grapples with a fiscal crisis, state lawmakers are facing painful choices about where to cut spending and how to increase revenues this year. California is one of only three states that require a "supermajority" vote to pass a budget, a constraint that results in deadlock and chronically late budgets. The economic downturn has contributed to a massive budget shortfall now estimated at more than $40 billion -- roughly $15 billion for the rest of the current fiscal year and $25 billion in 2009-10. Even in good times, California's outdated tax system does not bring in enough revenue to support the schools, universities, programs and services that Californians want and expect.

Tough California air rules to force new era for cars? - President Barack Obama's directive to reconsider California's attempt to regulate global warming gases from automobiles could bring many more highly fuel-efficient cars to sales lots as early as this year.

Environmentalists sound alarms over budget While Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrated President Obama's embrace of California's strict auto emissions standards, environmentalists said Monday they fear the governor and Democrats will approve GOP environmental rollbacks in exchange for tax increases.

The Buzz: Californians split on docking legislative pay - Here are the surprising results of a poll taken last week on whether Californians think it would be a good idea to dock legislators' pay when the budget is overdue. Two-thirds of the respondents said it was a good idea. The surprise was that 21 percent thought it wasn't a good idea. The rest weren't sure.

Capitol Alert: CTA moves forward with tax measure -The governing body of the California Teachers Association voted over the weekend to support signature gathering for a ballot measure that would hike the California sales tax by a penny on the dollar with all the proceeds going to the state's schools.

Capitol Alert: California to get its emission waiver - President Obama signed a memorandum on Monday asking the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's application for a federal waiver to implement stricter auto emissions standards.

Capitol Alert: Pedro Nava's wife to seek his Assembly seat- The trend of legislative spouses running for office will continue in 2010, as Susan Jordan, the wife of termed-out Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, has filed paperwork to succeed her husband in the state Assembly.

Calif. forced to tap feds for jobless - Adding to its financial woes, California was forced Monday to begin borrowing money from a federal fund so it could continue paying unemployment insurance benefits to the state's growing number of jobless residents.

Dan Walters: Feds' stimulus plan could set stage for California budget deal - The economic stimulus plan being written by President Barack Obama and Congress could cover a third of California's projected budget deficit and give Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators a way out of their political dilemma – but the governor says it would be foolish to count on it.

UC regents should join trend on fees - Five years ago, Harvard University stunned the higher education world with an announcement that tuition, room and board would be free for families with incomes less than $40,000. This was changed to $60,000 in 2006.

California's energy efficiency an economic boon - President Obama is serious about creating a green economy, he should look to California.

Obama embraces California vehicle emissions effortsBy Frank DaviesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared Monday that California's pioneering vehicle emissions controls, blocked for years by the Bush administration, will help launch a national effort to tackle global warming.

Deadline is real: 5 days to fix California's budget - Five days are left to cut a deal on the state budget. If not, on Sunday, California, the world's eighth-largest economy, will become the world's biggest deadbeat.

Spending limits would put government on a conservative - Liberal activists are worried that Democratic legislators are considering a deal to institute permanent curbs on government spending in order to win Republican support for tax increases as the Legislature seeks solutions to a $42 billion deficit facing the state over the next 18 months.

Detroit double-cross - First, bailout; then, tougher mileage standardsEven as Washington doles out tens of billions of dollars to rescue unprofitable Detroit automakers, President Barack Obama cleared the way Monday to impose billions of dollars of additional costs on the industry. He directed the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider granting California and 13 other states waivers to set their own, more strict regulations on auto emissions.

GOP pushing to weaken emissions - While praising President Barack Obama's moves to allow California to impose tighter controls on tailpipe emissions, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger now finds himself under pressure from fellow Republicans demanding that he weaken the state's broader greenhouse-gas laws as part of any deal to solve the budget crisis.

Pass cuts, already - Stalling agreed-to reductions is a bad ideaSeveral weeks ago, Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Sacramento essentially agreed to a package of billions of dollars in cuts in education, social services and transportation programs.

No Budget: Day 83- It's been 83 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Dan Walters: Pension fund setbacks slam California taxpayers -There is an unfortunate parallel between the ups and downs of the California state budget and the condition of both state and local public employee pension funds.

Thomas D. Elias: Sane judge tosses state's unwise algebra mandate - At long last, a sane and practical judge appears on the California scene. And not a moment too soon. Take a look at some of the costly judicial decisions of the last year or so: One federal judge rules medical care in the state's prison system is unconstitutionally lousy and orders it fixed, regardless of cost. Estimated expense: As much as $8 billion.

Dry deadlock - California politicians cannot prevent drought, but they can prepare the state to handle the inevitable dry spells. But legislative stalemate has left the state facing a drought with only limited access to a crucial water source -- and that failure may soon cost Californians extra at grocery stores.

Pelosi & Margaret Sanger agree. Birth control = Economic Stimulus

2009-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

Maybe it us just me. But I find it outrageous that Birthcontrol would be considered as a part of the economic stimulus package. Regardless of how you feel about birth control, to utilize funds from any economic stimulus proposal to pay for birth control is beyond obsurd.

It harkens back to the time when Planned Parenthood's Founder, Margaret Sanger sought to use birth control as a method of population control. It was her desire to keep certain "undesirable groups" from multiplying. And her primary arguement was that they would be a burden on taxpayers.

Here is a quote from Margaret Sanger:

Our failure to segregate morons who are increasing and multiplying ... demonstrates our foolhardy and extravagant sentimentalism ... [Philanthropists] encourage the healthier and more normal sections of the world to shoulder the burden of unthinking and indiscriminate fecundity of others; which brings with it, as I think the reader must agree, a dead weight of human waste. Instead of decreasing and aiming to eliminate the stocks that are most detrimental to the future of the race and the world, it tends to render them to a menacing degree dominant ... We are paying for, and even submitting to, the dictates of an ever-increasing, unceasingly spawning class of human beings who never should have been born at all."

This quote comes from Margaret Sanger's- The Pivot of Civilization, 1922. Chapter on "The Cruelty of Charity," pages 116, 122, and 189. Swarthmore College Library edition. And as you can see Pelosi, like Sanger believes that the goverment should be in the business of making sure that "poor folk" don't go having babies.

While I do agree that everyone should be responsible in their reproductive choices. I cannot belive that anyone would go as far as to promote birth control as economic stimulas.

California News Roundup - January 26, 2009

2009-01-26T09:51:00.000-08:00

Legislators signal $6 billion in budget cuts -Both parties appear to be willing to reduce funding for public schools, colleges, transit programs and programs that help a wide range of people with special needs. Although lawmakers continue to argue over how to resolve the state's fiscal crisis, they already have endorsed $6 billion in spending cuts that provide a painful preview of what is likely to be in store for Californians.

George Skelton: Governor rails against waste but finds it's hard to pin down George - Five years ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would "blow up the boxes" of bureaucracy. But his fuse fizzled. Now he's trying to shake up a few boxes.

Obama clearing way for California emissions waiver - The president will ask the EPA today to allow states to set their own, stricter rules for auto emissions, sources say.By Ken Bensinger and Jim Tankersley Reporting from Washington and Los Angeles -- President Obama will direct the EPA today to reconsider a Bush-era decision that stopped California and more than a dozen other states from setting their own stricter limits on auto emissions, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Tech slump's ripples hit both capital, – In better times in Silicon Valley, a job offer like this would have been dismissed as a joke: two months' work, walking door to door for the Census Bureau, at a mere $22 an hour.

Q&A: Rep. Matsui discusses stimulus for -Shortly after Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's 44th president, The Bee sat down with Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, to discuss the inauguration and her role in fixing the economy. Matsui sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has a key role in shaping Obama's economic stimulus package.

Dan Walters: Pension fund setbacks will hit taxpayers hard - There is an unfortunate parallel between the ups and downs of the state budget and the condition of both state and local public employee pension funds.

In jeopardy: Who won't get paid in February unless there's a budget deal - Here's a list of people and programs that state Controller John Chiang says won't get paid in February unless there's a budget-balancing deal between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators by next Sunday, Feb. 1

Gambling is not a sure bet for state - Deals that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger negotiated with Indian gambling tribes have not produced the huge increases in revenue the governor predicted. Indian gambling will bring $362 million into the state general fund this year, $123 million less than expected. It will bring an estimated $392 million next year, $192 million less than the governor's rosy forecast.

Arguments in place as Prop. 8 hearing nears - In thousands of pages, the combatants in the Proposition 8 fight have made their case to the state Supreme Court.

Governor wants to streamline bureaucracy - Scrapping, merging state boards would save millions, he saysWyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff WriterAs part of his solution to fix California's bleeding budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating or merging a host of state boards and commissions in a scaled-down version of his unsuccessful plan in 2005 to streamline the state's bureaucracy.

Promise, peril seen with embryonic stem - Even if federal limits on human embryonic stem-cell research funding are abolished by the Obama administration, as is widely anticipated, don't expect to see companies selling treatments made from those cells any time soon.

California adding green jobs, leading nation in energy - California added green jobs in recent years at a much more rapid pace than non-green jobs, a new report released today says.

Reform Jessica's Law - JESSICA'S LAW, the statute that limits where paroled sex offenders can live, is in dire need of revision.

Law enforcement feeling budget crunch, too -Agencies are cutting back wherever they can, even if it means trimming shooting range time to save money on ammunition. An old married couple was fast asleep when the 17-year-old boy climbed through their window and stole a purse in October, police said.

Farmers feel squeeze, which could - Most Southern Californians have been largely insulated from the state's deepening drought, spared painful cuts by a vast network of reservoirs and the reluctance of water managers to take unpopular steps toward rationing.

Stay the course, GOP - State taxes already are among the nation's highestAfter a year of resisting pressure from Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise taxes, state Republican lawmakers' solidarity wavered last week. A handful of GOP legislators indicated they might accept broad tax increases so long as they had ironclad guarantees of Democratic support for permanent spending controls.

Gay rights activists consider timing of ballot measure -Groups want to repeal Prop. Gay rights activists are weighing the wisdom of rushing a repeal of Proposition 8 to the 2010 ballot if California's highest court upholds the state's same-sex marriage ban.

No Budget: Day 82 - It's been 82 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Prison failure -State government neglect of prison health care should not be a license for a federal court receiver to waste tax dollars. An appeals court should grant Attorney General Jerry Brown's request for a review of the spending plan. But the governor and legislators also need to accept their responsibility to provide prisoners with adequate care.

California News Roundup - January 22, 2009

2009-01-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

California controller sides with unions in suit challenging Arnold Schwarzenegger - John Chiang refuses to implement the governor's order forcing state workers to take days off without pay. A spokesman for Schwarzenegger says the move is 'politically calculated.'By Michael Rothfeld and Patrick McGreevy Reporting from Sacramento -- State Controller John Chiang has refused to execute an order by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to force state workers to take two days off without pay each month, siding with two unions that filed a lawsuit challenging the move.

George Skelton: Schwarzenegger could learn from Obama's share-the-pain message - I hope Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger listened closely from his choice seat. Because President Obama's inaugural address was a stark reminder of what has been missing from political discourse in California: the notion of individual sacrifice for the common good.

CalPERS names chief investment officer -Joseph Dear, director of Washington state's public pension fund, faces a stiff challenge.By Marc Lifsher Reporting from Sacramento -- The head of the Washington State Investment Board is heading south to Sacramento to oversee investments at the nation's largest public pension fund, the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

L.A. County may divert funds toward welfare clients - Officials are considering using $6 million meant to fight child abuse for welfare and food stamp recipients, as the number of people applying for aid grows as a result of the recession.By Garrett Therolf Scrambling to cope with a surge in welfare applications, Los Angeles County officials are considering a budget maneuver that would prop up some key support services by tapping a pot of money meant to fight child abuse and neglect.

California Republicans put taxes on table for state budget - After months of holding firm on a "no new taxes" pledge, some Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they are willing to consider a tax hike as part of a wider-ranging deal to close the state's budget gap.

California's Democratic gubernatorial prospects test the waters at inauguration– California's Democratic gubernatorial rivals have been quietly advancing their ambitions amid the inaugural celebrations.

Daniel Weintraub: Maybe it's time for a government overhaul- When people first started kicking around the idea of a constitutional convention for California, I was skeptical.

The Buzz - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is wasting no time in hitting up the new prez on an issue the last administration fought tooth and nail. The guv wrote President Barack Obama on Wednesday to ask him to let California and other states regulate vehicles' greenhouse-gas emissions. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that states don't have the authority. Obama has said he would grant the waiver.

CalPERS names new chief investment officer- CalPERS named a new chief investment officer Wednesday, hiring a politically savvy pension fund executive to steer it through the most difficult climate the financial markets have seen in decades.

State controller: I won't carry out governor's furlough order- Democratic State Controller John Chiang announced Wednesday that he will refuse to carry out Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order to cut state worker pay in February unless a judge demands that he do so.

The State Worker: Furlough order's uncertainties cause anxiety- The e-mail was simple and direct: "(Furloughs) are a microcosm of the way the state does things: Wait until the last possible minute, then implement something that never had a chance of being successful in the first place."

It's a crisis; act like it's a crisis- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California's top legislative leaders can't seem to stick to their scripts.

Sen. Feinstein rises to the occasion- If you were among those moved by President Obama's inauguration, take a moment to salute California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. As head of the inaugural committee, she set the tone for the new, incoming government with simple, classy ceremonies that accommodated millions of Americans.

California controller warns of cash crunch, but rejects $1.3 billion furlough plan- State Controller John Chiang — who warned last week that he will soon suspend billions in tax refunds and other payments because the state is short on cash — is opposing a plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save $1.3 billion by furloughing state workers two days a month.

More fuzzy math and bad policies by state prisons- A story problem: It cost $50 a day to house nonviolent offenders in restitution centers, where they worked to compensate their victims and defray detention costs. It costs $97 a day to keep an inmate in a California prison. How much did the state save by moving 74 nonviolent offenders to state prisons?

Republicans considering the unthinkable: - Republicans are rethinking the unthinkable: saying yes, though begrudgingly so, to taxes.

Catholic group enters the legal fray over Prop. - Catholic Answers Action has entered the legal fray over the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage, filing a court brief in support of the measure. Opponents of the measure, which passed in November, are suing to have the ban voided by the state Supreme Court.

State challenges prison plan- California's attorney general asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to block what he described as an extravagant spending proposal for prison medical facilities.

Legislators object to proposal for drilling off Santa Barbara-A dozen state legislators have challenged a proposal to drill for oil off the coast of Santa Barbara, saying it could set a precedent for more drilling along the 1,100 miles of California coastline.

State deficit debacle threatens First -The top administrator of California's embattled First 5 program urged local supporters Wednesday to lobby state legislators not to scuttle the child care and preschool program.

Tech promise - California's enormous budget deficit makes more efficient state government a necessity. So Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to combine four technology agencies into one state office has merit: The proposal could save taxpayers money. And done properly, the idea could lead to a more effective and accountable state government.

Roe v. Wade and the making of a President

2009-01-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

In light of the history making events we witnessed this week and because today marks the 36 year anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade, I would like to offer the following food for thought

As one who was also born prior to Roe v. Wade and was unwanted by my paternal parents, this part of the President's story resonates with me. Furthermore, I have come to learn that had Roe been the law of the land in 1969, I myself would likely not be here. Just think, what if our President had been concieved just a few years later?

How many doctors, lawyers, teachers, pastors, community organizers or presidents have been sacrificed on the altar of choice? Is it truly justice to allow one person's right to choose supersede another's right to live?

Just food for thought....

Someone didn't get the memo about the end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas...

2009-01-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama proclaimed, "...an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics."

But clearly someone in his new administration didn't get the memo. Below is an exerpt from the Whitehouse.gov, the official website of the President of the United States. Notice no petty grievences, false promises, recriminations or worn out dogmas here:

President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He and Vice President Biden will take steps to ensure that the federal government will never again allow such catastrophic failures in emergency planning and response to occur.

President Obama swiftly responded to Hurricane Katrina. Citing the Bush Administration's "unconscionable ineptitude" in responding to Hurricane Katrina, then-Senator Obama introduced legislation requiring disaster planners to take into account the specific needs of low-income hurricane victims. Obama visited thousands of Hurricane survivors in the Houston Convention Center and later took three more trips to the region. He worked with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to introduce legislation to address the immediate income, employment, business, and housing needs of Gulf Coast communities.

President Barack Obama will partner with the people of the Gulf Coast to rebuild now, stronger than ever.

It is great to see you talking the talk Mr. President. Now it's time to start walking the walk.

California News Roundup - January 21, 2009

2009-01-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

Capitol Alert: Why the Capitol is quiet this - Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders plan to resume budget talks Thursday, the first time all five will be in Sacramento this week.

Capitol Alert: Teachers launch radio ads -Trying to tighten pressure on lawmakers, the California Teachers Association launched a statewide radio advertising campaign Tuesday urging state officials to pass a budget that doesn't hurt schools.

Capitol Alert: Bass looks back - and forward -Assembly Speaker Karen Bass wrote this piece on the inaugural for the Hufftington Post:

Capitol Alert: AM Alert: Governor Lockyer? -Shane GoldmacherNo, the 30-year veteran of California politics, state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, isn't tossing his hat into the ring in 2010 (that we know of).

Dan Walters: Obama's win doesn't mean windfall for California -When George W. Bush began running for president eight-plus years ago, he lavished attention on California, a state his father had won in 1988 but lost in 1992 as Bill Clinton captured the White House.

Feinstein plays key role - Sen. Dianne Feinstein spent much of the past year consumed with details of the presidential inauguration: 240,000 tickets, 22,000 sheets of plywood for the platform, 5,000 portable toilets, 4,000 members of the news media who applied for credentials and more than 24 jumbo TV screens.
Ruben Navarrette: In search of a better life -California is famous for its whine. Take it from someone who was born in the Golden State and who has lived here most of his life, but who also spent long stretches elsewhere. Part of living in California is feeling the need to complain about how hard it is to live in California. Many have called it quits and left the state.

Official wants 7,000 inmates moved -Up to 7,000 sick California inmates must be transferred to prisons with access to better medical care, a court-appointed receiver said in a court filing Tuesday.

No Budget: Day 77 -It's been 77 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Hope in D.C., fear in CA- State leaders should embrace Obama's message. In Sacramento on Tuesday, negotiations over how to avert the fiscal and human calamity that will arrive Feb. 1 were put on hold because three of the principal budget negotiators — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass — were all in Washington, D.C., to attend President Barack Obama's inaugural.

Funding freeze halts environmental projects across California -Commissions and nonprofits charged with conserving parks, wildlife, water and mountain areas of the state are at risk of laying off staff or closing since the state stopped funding last month.By Jordan Rau Reporting from Sacramento -- If swimmers in Santa Monica Bay bump into trash or bacteria this summer, one culprit will be California's budget impasse.

Health Net executive joins board of CalPERS -Patricia Clarey, also a former chief of staff to Schwarzenegger, says she won't be involved in benefits decisions.By Marc Lifsher Reporting from Sacramento -- Patricia Clarey, a top healthcare company executive and former chief of staff to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been appointed to the board of the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the country's largest government pension fund.

Fix probation to fix prisons -More resources for probation services in California would prevent many offenders from becoming prisoners.By Don Meyer California's corrections system is in a state of disarray and is in dire need of reform. As The Times described in a Jan. 5 editorial, the state is awaiting a decision from a panel of federal judges that will decide whether to release more than 50,000 criminals into our communities to ease prison overcrowding. Evidently, California is failing to rehabilitate criminals and adding to a cyclical problem facing our prison system that returns more than 70% of released convicts back to state prison.

Schwarzenegger fills high-paying jobs amid budget- In the midst of a $40 billion budget deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed former Democratic Assemblywoman Nicole Parra to a newly created $128,124-a-year job and named former Republican Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian to a board slot with a similar salary, his office announced Tuesday.

Prop. 8 foes push new ballot measures to reverse gay marriage ban-Angered by the passage of Proposition 8, grass-roots activists are working to place measures on the ballot to reverse California's ban on same-sex unions.

Golden State sends some star power -A high-profile California contingent gathers Tuesday at the inaugural stage at the Capitol.

The BuzzCall it the Doomsday scenario, but a Livermore man has submitted a proposed initiative that would terminate the terms of the entire Legislature and governor if the state budget bill is not passed by June 15 each year. The measure raises some questions, such as how could the state could survive with no Legislature until a special election could be called (presumably by the lieutenant governor). Hmmmmmmm.

Bucking the Trend: DeLuz Brothers on CBS 13

2009-01-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

The Father of the Bride: My view of the Inauguration of Barack Obama

2009-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

I was listening to conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt discuss the swearing in ceremony of President Barack Obama when a caller likened the experience to being the father of the bride at a wedding where he never approved of the groom. And I honestly have to say that I could not think of a more appropriate analogy than the one this man had so cleverly offered.

I am a black Republican, who also happens to be the father of a beautiful daughter. I know that one day (in the distant future) she will chose a man to be her husband; and like it or not, it is her choice, not mine. While I pray that she would choose a man whose morals and values are consistent with those we have tried to instill in both of our children, this choice is not mine to make. So what would happen if she chose to go a different direction?

Would I be angry and refuse to attend the wedding? Would I go out of my way to undermine the engagement and actually try to stop the nuptials from taking place? Would I curse her, her husband and their impending marriage? Of course not!

I love my daughter and want only the best for her. Although I may have well founded doubts about the partner she has chosen, I will pray that I am wrong. I will cling to the hope that my assessments are incorrect and that their future together will be blessed with joy and prosperity. This is because my desire to be right pales in comparison to the love I have for this most precious gift that is my only daughter.

I did not choose Barack Obama to be my President. But the choice was not mine alone. And like my daughter, I love this country, because of the many blessings it has given me. I will not wish ill to my President because the fate of those I love are intertwined with his. The leadership he provides will have a profound affect on all of us. His success is our success. His failures are our failures. This is what marriage (matrimonial or political) are all about.

While I reserve the right to maintain my skepticism and will stand at the ready to defend the ones I care about from this man whom I did not chose; I cannot ignore the significance of this day and the message that the election of the First black President sends about how far we have come as a nation. I must join in the celebration this historic day and root on my new President. I will support him as he does good and provide constructive criticism when he does wrong. But I will none-the-less give him this day and honor what it means to so many of my fellow Americans.

We are an American family. And like it or not… Barack Obama is part of our family. So, I wish him all the best!

California News Roundup - January 20, 2009

2009-01-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

New Assemblywoman are walking a political -Imagine, if you will, a legislator on a tightrope.

Calif. insurance comm. seeks disability -For the second time in two months, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is being accused by his predecessor, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, of proposing regulation changes that will weaken consumer protections.

Dan Walters: Political fund limits just cannot work-At first blush, it sounds outrageous that California politicians should be amassing multimillion-dollar political war chests for supposed ballot measure campaigns, then spending it for other political purposes, for semi-personal expenses or, in at least one case, for criminal defense lawyers.

A day to celebrate enduring ideals-By the time this day is over, the word "historic" will have been used so many times that it may seem to have temporarily lost its meaning.

Berkeley nudging residents to cut the carbon -Some cities urge residents to go on citywide exercise kicks. Others promote municipal book clubs. Berkeley wants its citizens to go on a collective low-carbon diet.

New law requires free language services from - For millions of Californians who don't speak fluent English, visiting the doctor or pharmacist just got easier.

Waiving environmental rules would help break budget deadlock- End the roadblock in Sacramento. Start roadwork in San Jose.

Capitol leaders couch inaugural trip with show of - Today's historic inauguration could be seen by many — particularly Democrats — as cathartic, a pent-up celebration after eight years of a Republican administration; an excuse to party and to take part in a smooth though undoubtedly raucous transfer of power.

Shadowy politics-Letting politicians exploit ballot measures to evade the state's campaign finance laws makes little sense. So California's campaign finance watchdog last week wisely provided voters with better tools to track the flow of this political money.

California News Roundup - January 16, 2009

2009-01-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

State of the State - How that day is upon is – and the governor who failed to prepare California for these rocky times somehow thinks he holds the moral high ground. It's just not true. The high ground belongs to those who have long argued with clarity and common sense that a state with tax rates this high should be able to get by with the revenue it receives – namely, the Legislature's minority Republicans.

Governor's verdict: Once-golden state is in a dismal state these days - The state of the once Golden State of California is dismal. Everyone gathered in the Assembly chambers on Thursday to hear Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's State of the State speech already knew that.

At cliff's edge - The governor's brisk speech set the right tone. The crisis is at cliff's edge. He and the Legislature must work fast. The public is out of patience, and the state is about to run out of cash.

A state government on steroids - There are far-out ideas being kicked around in Sacramento. Tax increases on top of already-too-high taxes. Fewer school days. Even arbitrarily favoring some constituents by waiving environmental regulations.

Unlock prisons' hold on budget - Of all the factors driving California's budget crisis, none is harder to deal with than the out-of-control costs of the state's prisons. To understand why, a bit of history is in order.

The high price of advocating for avocadoes - Even fruit is not safe from the spate of financial scandals sweeping the country. A state audit of the California Avocado Commission found that senior staffers and directors spent more than $1.5 million on season tickets to the Mighty Ducks and Los Angeles Angels, home improvements, swanky hotel bills, gym memberships, and other perks from July 2005 to May 2008.

Dan Walters: Speech reflects state's need for major reforms - Arnold Schwarzenegger apparently delayed his State of the State address in hopes that he and legislative leaders would reach agreement on closing the state's enormous budget deficit and he would have some positive news to report.

Schwarzenegger's message: Defer big ideas, pass a budget - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger two years ago compared California to Athens and Sparta in their prime, a shining nation-state that shows the world how to get things done.

California controller forms group to study IOU issuance - Controller John Chiang has launched a special working group with the financial industry to study how California will issue IOUs if it runs out of cash next month.

Schwarzenegger Uses His Movies to Make Points as Governor - For outsiders to Sacramento, it’s surreal enough to see Arnold Schwarzenegger, former bodybuilder and action-movie star, in his current role as governor of California.

Possible deal in Hwy. 50 suit could remove one barrier in budget battle - State highway officials and local environmentalists have tentatively settled a lawsuit, which could allow the state to move forward with plans for carpool lanes on Highway 50 in Rancho Cordova. If the deal wins judicial approval, it would clear up a key sticking point in the state's ongoing budget battle.

FPPC cracks down on use of ballot measure panel money - In a 4-0 vote, California's campaign watchdog agency approved new rules Thursday to limit how politicians can use ballot measure committees.

San Bernardino County Assessor Postmus arrested - Detectives investigating San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus fanned out across Southern California on Thursday morning seeking evidence of political malfeasance but stumbled across something else - his stash of methamphetamine, authorities said.

7 states sue U.S. over anti-abortion rule - California and six other states sued the federal government Thursday over a new rule that expands protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other medical procedures because of religious or moral objections.

Gavin Newsom whistle-stops in Concord - Gubernatorial candidate and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom stumped in Concord tonight on the very same stage at the Senior Center where the man he hopes to succeed, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, spoke just last year.

Californians give $6.4 million for inauguration - Californians dramatically lead the pack among big donors underwriting President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, with a roster of Golden State movie stars, film executives and businesses - including Google - putting up $6.4 million so far toward next week's events, a new report shows.

Dutton bill would give new-home buyers a state tax credit - On the heels of a wrecked housing market, area legislators are crafting legislation that they hope can start the healing process.

State new-home sales down 63% from year ago - California home builders reported a dismal November, selling 1,336 new houses and condominiums after credit markets froze in October.

State’s enterprise zones don’t work - California enterprise zones don’t create new jobs and may even reduce the number of businesses within their boundaries, says a new report from then National Bureau of Economic Research.

Hundreds wait for hours to buy San Francisco ID card - Hundreds of people stood in line for hours at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday to be among the first in the nation to receive municipal identification cards regardless of their immigration status.

San Jose Unified teachers vote for two furlough days - Teachers in San Jose Unified have voted for two furlough days — essentially two days without pay — to help close the district's budget gap.

Environmental projects taking a hit in state budget crisis - Across the state, environmental projects are in limbo, scientists have been laid off and land deals are falling apart since the state froze bond funding to preserve its dwindling cash during the budget standoff.

Sacramento airport seeks bird-kill law for air safety - Calling bird collisions with commercial jets a safety threat, Sacramento International Airport officials this week are seeking a law allowing them to kill birds that can't be frightened from airport grounds by other means.

Children's clothing makers in a frenzy over lead testing - As buyers converge on the L.A. garment district to decide what to stock in stores, already struggling manufacturers are scrambling to have kids' items tested to comply with federal law.

Wilderness package includes 735 acres in state - The huge wilderness conservation package approved Thursday by the U.S. Senate would forever protect some of California's most spectacular scenery, including snowcapped peaks, forests of giant sequoia trees, rushing rivers, glassy lakes and desert sagebrush.

Senate approves bill that would aid San Joaquin River - The Senate on Thursday approved a grab-bag public lands bill that's supposed to save the San Joaquin River, store Madera County groundwater and secure Sierra Nevada wilderness.

testing a mobile blog application

2009-01-16T00:10:00.001-08:00

If this works, you will have to deal with mobile posts, which means some typos and spelling errors. of course, its not like my posts don't have those already.Wish me luck!

Schwarzenegger’s 2009 State of the State Address

2009-01-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

Prepared Text of Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2009 State of the State Address

Lt. Governor Garamendi, Chief Justice George, President pro Tem Steinberg, Speaker Bass, Senate Republican Leader Cogdill, Assembly Republican Leader Villines, Members of the legislature, ladies and gentlemen, we meet in times of great hope for our nation.

Although we hear the drumbeat of news about bailouts, bankruptcies and Ponzi schemes, the nation with great anticipation is also awaiting the inauguration of a new president.

Our nation should be proud of what President-elect Obama’s election says to the world about American openness and renewal.

President Reagan used to tell about the letter he got from a man who said that you can go to live in Turkey, but you can’t become a Turk. You can go to live in Japan, but you cannot become Japanese. And he went through other countries.

“But,” the man said, “anyone from any corner of the world can come to America and become an American.”

And now, we know that any American child, no matter what corner of the world his father or mother comes from, can even become President of the United States.

What a wonderful national story for us.

This nation rightfully feels the hope of change.

Californians, of course, desire change here in their own state as well.

Yet they have doubts if that is possible.

For months, in the face of a crisis, we have been unable to reach agreement on the largest budget deficit in our history.

We are in our third special session and we’ve declared a fiscal emergency – and every day that goes by, makes the budget problem that much harder to solve.

As a result of all this, California, the eighth largest economy in the world, faces insolvency within weeks.

The legislature is currently in the midst of serious and good faith negotiations to resolve the crisis, negotiations that are being conducted in the knowledge we have no alternative but to find agreement.

The importance of the negotiation’s success goes far beyond the economic and human impact.

People are asking if California is governable.

They wonder about the need for a constitutional convention.

They don’t understand how we could have let political dysfunction paralyze our state for so long.

In recent years, they have seen more gridlock in Sacramento than on our roads, if such a thing is possible.

I will not give the traditional State of the State address today, because the reality is that our state is incapacitated until we resolve the budget crisis.

The truth is that California is in a state of emergency.

Addressing this emergency is the first and greatest thing we must do for the people.

The 42 billion dollar deficit is a rock upon our chest and we cannot breathe until we get it off.

It doesn’t make any sense to talk about education, infrastructure, water, health care reform and all these things when we have this huge budget deficit.

I will talk about my vision for all of these things... and more... as soon as we get the budget done.

So, no, I did not come today to deliver the normal list of accomplishments and proposals.

I came to encourage this body to continue the hard work you are doing behind closed doors.

There is a context and a history to the negotiations that are underway.

It is not that California is ungovernable. It’s that for too long we have been split by ideology.

Conan’s sword could not have cleaved our political system in two as cleanly as our own political parties have done.

Over time, ours has become a system where rigid ideology has been rewarded and pragmatic compromise has been punished.

And where has this led?

I think you would agree that in recent years California’s legislature has been engaged in civil war.
Meanwhile, the needs of the people became secondary.

Our citizens do not believe that we in government are in touch with their needs.

These needs are not unreasonable.

At the end of the day, most people do not require a great deal from their government.

They expect the fundamentals.

They want to live in safety.

They want a good education for their children.

They want jobs.

They want to breathe clean air.

They want water when they turn on the faucet and electricity when they turn on the switch.

And they want these things delivered efficiently and economically.

One of the reasonable expectations the public has of government is that it will produce a sound and balanced budget.

That is what the legislative leaders are struggling to do right now.

There is no course left open to us but this: to work together, to sacrifice together, to think of the common good – not our individual good.

No one wants to take money from our gang-fighting programs or from Medi-Cal or from education.

No one wants to pay more in taxes or fees.

But each of us has to give up something because our country is in an economic crisis and our state simply doesn’t have the money.

In December, we even had to suspend funding that affects 2,000 infrastructure projects that were already underway.

So, now, the bulldozers are silent.

The nail guns are still.

The cement trucks are parked.

This disruption has stopped work on levees, schools, roads, everything.

It has thrown thousands and thousands of people out of work at a time when our unemployment rate is rising.

How could we let something like that happen?

I know that everyone in this room wants to hear again the sound of construction.

No one wants unemployment checks replacing paychecks.

So, I am encouraged that meaningful negotiations are underway. And, as difficult as the budget will be, good things can come out of it.

Because, in spite of the budget crisis, when we have worked together in the past, we have passed measures that moved this state – and even the nation – forward.

When a budget agreement is reached, when some of the raw emotions have passed, I will send to the legislature the package of legislative goals and proposals that a governor traditionally sends.

These proposals are sitting on my desk. Let me tell you, I have big plans.

They include action on the economy, on water, environment, education, health care reform, government efficiency and reform, job creation.

But, our first order of business is to solve the budget crisis.

And I have an idea going forward.

As you know, in the last 20 years of budgeting, only four budgets have been on time.

So, if you don’t mind, let me make a little suggestion.

We should make a commitment that legislators – and the governor, too – lose per diem
expenses and our paychecks, for every day the budget goes past the constitutional deadline of June 15th.

You have to admit it is a brilliant idea.

I mean, if you call a taxi and the taxi doesn’t come, you don’t pay the driver.

If the people’s work is not getting done, the people’s representatives should not get paid either.

That is common sense in the real world.

And I will send you some other reforms, too.

Let me close by saying something about the fires of 2008.

At one point, I got a phone call that we had 875 wildfires burning all at the same time.

I said to myself, how do we deal with this?

The next morning I get a call, “Governor, there are now 2,014 fires burning all at the same time.”

The largest number on record.

Imagine, 2,000 fires, a huge challenge and every one of those fires was put out.

You know why? Because we have the best trained, the most selfless, the toughest firefighters in the nation.

Thirteen of whom lost their lives.

They gave their lives for this state.

Ladies and gentlemen, the courageous examples of those firefighters should not be lost on us.

In our own way, we, too, must show courage in serving the public.

Ladies and gentlemen, let this be a year of political courage.

Let us be courageous for the people.

Let us be courageous for the common good of California.

Let us resolve the budget crisis, so that we can get on with the people’s work.

Thank you.

The story of Oscar Grant pales in comparison...

2009-01-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have not heard about the tragic slaying of Oscar Grant and the ensuing protests and unrest that has followed, let me tell you that it is truly a sad tale. We should all pray that justice is done in this case.

But I am even more saddened that these same protestors and politicians continue to allow 1,200 African American Children to have their lives snuffed out every day. Our children are targeted for profit. The politicians hold ceremonies honoring the slaughter of our children. Heck, the government is the single largest financial supporter of this killing spree! I’m talking about the #1 killer of African Americans: more than three times Aids, violent crimes, accidents, cancer and heart disease all put together… I’m talking about Abortion.

Next week liberals will be falling all over themselves praising the passage of Rove v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court Decision which declared a woman’s right to an abortion to be a constitutionally protected right. However, they will fail to mention that a black baby is now more than three times as likely to have their life taken in the womb than a white baby or that since 1973, abortion has reduced the black population by over 25 percent. How about this one- Every three days, more African-Americans are killed by abortion than have been killed by the Ku Klux Klan in its entire history.

These statistics are no accident. Rather, they are the result of an ongoing effort at population control better known as Eugenics. Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margret Sanger herself recruited black pastors to help market abortion in the black community. “We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members (November 1939 memorandum entitled "Suggestions for the Negro Project,”).

I don’t offer this commentary to downplay the tragedy of what happened to Oscar Grant. But while we are all fighting to make sure that such an outrage never occurs again, maybe we could do just a little something to stop a practice that is even more outrageous. No matter how you feel about a woman's right to choose, this attempt to thin out the population by targeting black babies should have you up in arms.

Maybe if we captured these deaths on a camera phone, people would take notice that Plan Parenthood has achieved what the KKK could only have dreamed of!

For more information go to BlackGenocide.org

California News Roundup - January 15, 2009

2009-01-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

Governor to present State of the State address- Schwarzenegger's sixth such speech may be his most difficult yet because of the depth of the current budget crisis. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is preparing to deliver the sixth -- and perhaps most difficult -- State of the State address of his tenure at 10 a.m. in the Capitol.

UC cuts freshman enrollment for fall by 6% -The hardest-hit campuses, Irvine and San Diego, will see 12% reductions. Berkeley's class will grow 1.7% and Merced's 17%. Numbers of community college transfers will be allowed to rise. Saying they could not avoid a painful decision, University of California regents voted Wednesday to trim freshman enrollment for next fall by 2,300 students, or about 6%, as a response to reduced state funding during the worsening budget crisis.

George Skelton: State workers' holidays are perks worth cutting- California should be less generous with state worker holidays. For most working Californians, I suspect, the holiday season is only a distant memory. They're back deep into the grind. And it will be months before there's another company-paid official holiday, Memorial Day.

Contesting cuts: Protest staged at Capitol- While state leaders debated California's budget, a rally outside the Capitol on Wednesday brought out several hundred people - many who said that during an economic downturn, state budget cuts are wrong:

California could run out of cash by Feb. 1, analysts say- The state's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office confirmed Wednesday that California could run short of cash as soon as Feb. 1 unless lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger immediately cut spending and raise revenues.

FPPC targets ballot campaign accounts- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass used hers to fund voter registration efforts to elect more Democrats. Former Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata used his to bolster his legal defense fund. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used his to pay for his political operation for the last two years.

The Buzz- Legislators who know a proposal isn't going anywhere often like to announce they have "thrown down the gauntlet." Today's gauntlet-throwing is by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore. He's proposing a constitutional amendment to ban lawmakers from taking action on bills without giving the public 72 hours notice. "If the public truly knew how things are run up here, they would be outraged," he said. Oh, they know.

Assembly names committee chairs, vice-chairs- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass announced committee chairs Wednesday for the two-year session that began Dec. 1.

Newsom raised $1.2 million in '08 (and a glance at the rest)- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was the first candidate out of the gate announcing an exploratory committee for governor last July.

Poizner backs out of furloughs (and who works in electeds' offices)- As my colleague Jim Sanders wrote in today's Bee, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, the state's lone GOP statewide officeholder besides Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has declined to implement the governor's furlough order, instead promising to permanently cut his budget by 10 percent.

Dan Walters: LAO: Scoping out the state's cash flow crunch- The Legislature's budget analyst, Mac Taylor, says that schools, colleges and bondholders will have first call on the state's money if its cash flow crisis hits home in a few weeks.

Cal drops to 47th in public school spending- Education Week magazine, in its annual state-by-state survey of public education, gives California an overall "C" grade, but the California Teachers Association is jumping on the state's "F" in school spending, which has dropped to 47th in the nation on a per-pupil basis.

Schmidt, Lehane join forces for ballot business- With no end in sight to the state's flurry of ballot initiatives and the state likely to hold a special election this year, top Republican adviser Steve Schmidt and Democratic strategist Chris Lehane are among several California heavyweights forming a new firm solely designed to work on ballot-box campaigns.

Bad news precedes Schwarzenegger's annual address-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will likely find little to champion as he addresses Californians in his annual State of the State speech Thursday.

George F. Will: Prop. 8 suit likely to lengthen gays' marriage struggle- Last November, 13,402,566 California voters expressed themselves for or against Proposition 8, which said that their state's constitution should be amended to define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. The voters, confident that they had a right to decide this question by referendum, endorsed Proposition 8 by a margin of 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent.

Shared Sacrifice: Seniority trumps all for big union- Labor unions exist to advocate for the interests of their members, and in that role California's public employee unions have excelled. Building strong relationships in the Capitol, especially with Democrats, the unions have won generous health and pension benefits, overtime policies and holidays to complement salaries that, while not outrageous, are adequate in most cases and generally keep pace with inflation.

EPA nominee pledges to quickly review California's emissions standard- Lisa Jackson, President-elect Barack Obama's choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, told senators Wednesday that she will move quickly on California's request to enact its own far-reaching vehicle emissions standards.

Post-Prop. 8 feud- Pro and con acts, arguments unpersuasive- Many Californians are understandably dismayed by the passage of Proposition 8 and its requirement that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

Californa News Roundup - January 14, 2009

2009-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Bills seek stronger liability shield for good Samaritans in California - Being a good Samaritan can land Californians in court – and cost them plenty, perhaps.

Crowd rallies to protect aid programs for California's 'working families' - Nearly 800 advocates for California's "working families" gathered in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday, and they had plenty to talk about.

California Assembly, Senate won't impose furloughs -The Assembly and Senate will not impose the mandatory furloughs required of most other state workers, but both legislative houses announced plans to cut spending Tuesday.

UC may admit 2,300 fewer freshmen -High school seniors hoping to attend the University of California next year could get more grim news by the end of today.

Florez backs felon in case before California gambling board - State Sen. Dean Florez is sticking up for a felon in the man's tussle with the state over his family's business – a Bay Area card room that has donated to the senator's political campaigns.

Dan Walters: Is Democratic tax-fee swap really legal? - One of the odder – and more interesting – aspects of the Capitol's budget stalemate has been a scheme by Democrats to increase revenue by billions of dollars without, or so they say, running afoul of the 31-year-old constitutional requirement that tax increases require two-thirds legislative votes.

Steinberg names full committee assignments - Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg named the full roster of committee members in all the upper house's committees on Tuesday.

Legislature announces 'share the pain' plan- Neither the Assembly nor the Senate is imposing the mandatory employee furloughs required of most other state workers, but both legislative houses announced plans to cut spending Tuesday.

Big labor backs overturn of Proposition 8- A coalition of labor unions announced Tuesday that it will file amicus briefs to urge the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned gay marriage in the state.

Most targeted Republican gets tiniest office- Danny Gilmore was the only Republican to win a previously Democratic-held seat in the entire state Legislature in 2008.

Republicans shuffled on Calif. Senate committees - The state Senate leader is shuffling committee chairmanships and has removed a Republican who complained about lawmakers taking per diem payments during the budget crisis.

Calif. auditor to hold hearings on redistricting - California's state auditor will hold a series of public meetings starting Jan. 26 to get comments on regulations needed to implement Proposition 11, the redistricting reform measure approved by voters last November.

Daniel Weintraub: Suspend ballot-box budgeting measures - Anybody who watches the California Legislature up close probably understands the voters' impulse to pass measures tying the hands of lawmakers when it comes to managing the budget. When the Legislature's approval rating hovers around 15 percent, the public isn't going to trust the politicians to make important decisions.

Shared Sacrifice: CTA: Watchdogs for schools? Or... - As the largest dues-paying organization of public employees in the state, the California Teachers Association arguably is the most powerful of interests at the state Capitol. And it has become more powerful since the advent of legislative term limits.

Governor makes a grab for state school funds - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose budget already makes dramatic cuts in education, is proposing to withhold billions of dollars from schools that were guaranteed by a measure approved by voters two decades ago.

Calif. health insurers must provide interpreters - Maribel Pantoja sat nervously on an examination table, awaiting word from her doctor about a painful wound on her left leg.

Cutting the school year is a bad idea -ONE OF THE LEAST promising proposals in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's state budget is a plan to trim five days from the school year for grades K-12.

Green hypocrisy tarnishes Golden State - The anti-global-warming governor is backing away from regulations that stifle the economy. Even before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California staked its claim as an environmental darling. No regulation seemed beyond reach of the Golden State in search of a green legacy.

Californians more worried about their own budgets - Sacramento turmoil not big on public's radar. In insular Sacramento, where budget catastrophe is widely forecast, one might get the impression that what is so traumatic for 120 legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is equally traumatic for 36 million other Californians.

Agriculture panel changes name, takes on wider role- Signaling that the Agriculture Committee will not be exclusively the domain of growers and food producers, new Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg on Tuesday gave the committee a new name, an expanded mission and a new chairman.

No Budget: Day 70 - It's been 70 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

State senator's bill calls for tax credits for homebuyers - California homebuyers would be eligible for a temporary tax credit of up to $10,000 under legislation introduced Tuesday by state Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga.

Would-be California governors boot up for 2010 race - Silicon Valley rivals Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner have the personal fortunes to advertise their way to higher name recognition. Both are strangers to most Californians, and neither possesses the star power of the man whose job they covet, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Southern California officials draw up wish lists for federal stimulus money - Billions of dollars are sought for road and transportation projects, among others, to help jump-start the local economy. It is unclear how many jobs could be created. Los Angeles County supervisors urgently scrimmaged for federal stimulus money Tuesday, proposing $2.7 billion in projects they say would help jump-start the local economy.

There's no evidence Jessica's Law works, California officials say - A state board says tight residency limits on sex offenders have driven many to homelessness, which could propel them back into crime. The state spends $25 million housing some of the offenders. A state panel is urging the governor and legislators to change "Jessica's Law," saying its restrictions on where sex offenders can live are counterproductive and calling the nearly $25 million a year spent to house them a poor use of taxpayers' money.

City of Oakland Tries to Railroad Black Pro-life Activist

2009-01-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Last year, Oakland city council members to pass a “Mother May I” ordinance, prohibiting approaching within eight feet of women entering abortion clinics without their consent. The penalty for illegally approaching a person to talk or hand out a leaflet is one year in jail and/or a $2000 fine.

On May 13, 2008, Rev. Walter Hoye, an African-American pastor who feels a special calling to work for the end of the genocide-by-abortion taking place in the African-American community was arrested for allegedly violating the ordinance. One of the witnesses against him was an Oakland city attorney who was secretly watching from a car. In an e-mail to the clinic director, the city attorney said the escorts’ use of signs to block Rev. Hoye “was creative and seemed to be effective.”

The district attorney then expanded the complaint to include four counts, two for “unlawful” approaches and two for allegedly using “force, threat of force, or physical obstruction” against two of the clinic escorts. At a pre-trial hearing in July, Rev. Hoye’s attorneys cross-examined these “victims.” The escorts admitted that Rev. Hoye never used force against them, threatened them, or blocked them. They proudly testified that they routinely block Rev. Hoye to prevent patients from seeing his sign. Nevertheless, the DA has not dismissed the charges against Rev. Hoye.

“The district attorney’s office appears to be using these trumped-up charges as leverage to pressure Rev. Hoye into giving up his free speech rights,” said Hoye’s attorney Mike Millen. “The threat of four years in jail is a potent one, but my client is more interested in getting the truth out, both on the sidewalk and in the courtroom.”

Here is a breakdown of the trial from Rev. Hoye's attornies at the Life Legal Defense Foundation.

The trial of Rev. Walter Hoye is nearing conclusion, after a week of testimony,
mostly from prosecution witnesses, about Mr. Hoye’s alleged activities at the
Family Planning Specialists clinic in Oakland, California.

Unbeknownst to these witnesses and the district attorney, however, an associate of Mr. Hoye had been videotaping from across the street on both the days on which Mr. Hoye was accused of violating the law. Thus, until the defense revealed the existence
of the videotape during cross-examination, the witnesses conjured up phantom patients whom Mr. Hoye had allegedly harassed, as well as claiming that he threatened two escorts and the clinic director.

The most egregious testimony came from the first witness, clinic director Jackie Barbic, who testified that, while watching Rev. Hoye for about 20 minutes from the building lobby, she saw him approach within a few feet of six to eight patients,
including one who put up her hands in front of her face to ward off Rev. Hoye.

She testified that after seeing these approaches, she went outside with a tape measure to show Rev. Hoye what eight feet looked like. According to her testimony, Rev. Hoye then sauntered toward her, with a “smirk” on his face, until he was within two feet of her; all the while, she was backing off, saying “Stay away from me! Back down! Back away!” with her hands held up to protect herself. During her testimony, her voice choked with emotion as she described how fearful and intimidated she was.

On cross-examination, Ms. Barbic and the jury watched the video of this incident. The video showed Ms. Barbic approaching Rev. Hoye and pointing a tape measure at him—and Rev. Hoye not moving an inch. In the video, she can be seen lecturing him, and then talking to others. Mr. Hoye moved away. A few minutes later, the same scene plays out again, with Ms. Barbic again pointing the tape measure at Rev. Hoye, and him moving down the sidewalk in a different direction.

When Ms. Barbic was asked if either of these were the incidents she was talking about, she immediately responded that these were not, and that there was a third incident with a tape measure that occurred later. Contrary to her earlier testimony
detailing her movements that morning, she now claimed that the video only showed when she had come down earlier in the morning to explain to the escorts where 100 feet from the clinic started. She also claimed that she had been called down to investigate the presence of a moving van parked near the front of the clinic, because she had to make sure there wasn’t a bomb in it. The district attorney asked her if she was “100% certain” that the incident on the video was not what she had testified about earlier, and she confirmed that she was 100% certain that this was not it and there was a later incident when Mr. Hoye threatened her just as she had described.

There was, of course, no later incident, as the remaining video of the morning showed. Ms. Barbic’s other testimony was also contradicted in virtually every particular either by the video or by other prosecution witnesses. Mr. Hoye did not approach any patient across the street; no patient shielded herself from him; Ms. Barbic had already talked to the men loading and unloading the moving van an hour earlier; Ms. Barbic had only watched Mr. Hoye for a minute from inside the building.

After the existence of the videotape was revealed to the prosecution, there were no more claims that Mr. Hoye had made any threatening gestures toward anyone, although escorts did claim more approaches to phantom patients. Despite the implosion of Jackie Barbic as a witness, the district attorney kept trying to conjure
evidence of a “threat of force” from Mr. Hoye out of nothing.

One escort claimed she felt intimidated when she saw Ms. Barbic approach Mr. Hoye with the tape measure and tell him to back off, and “Walter didn’t move. He just stood there.” In this escort’s mind, the law required Rev. Hoye to back away from the clinic director, and the fact that he didn’t do so was perceived by her as very
intimidating. Or so she testified. Upon cross-examination, it was revealed that she had never mentioned this alleged intimidation to the police or the district attorney until after the district attorney had already filed the charges against Rev. Hoye for allegedly intimidating her. In other words, the district attorney first filed the charges naming her as a victim, and then went desperately searching for evidence to back it up. (The court dismissed this charge at the close of the prosecution’s case.)

In another case, one of the “victims” claimed that she felt “creepy” when Mr. Hoye spoke to her, warning her not to trip on the curb, after she moved in front of him to cover up his sign. Both her testimony and the video confirmed that she repeatedly walked up to Rev. Hoye and took up a position either directly in front of him or slightly to the side, holding a blank sign in front of Rev. Hoye’s sign. As he moved up and down the sidewalk, so did she. When asked why, if she felt intimidated, she didn’t move away, she replied that it was more important that she remain in front of him “to prevent women from seeing what is on his sign.”

Indeed, the escort witnesses were unanimous in this point: that the job of an escort is to prevent women from reading Rev. Hoye’s sign or hearing his message. This was testified to repeatedly, in completely unambiguous terms: “The purpose of holding the blank cardboard is to prevent women from seeing the message on his sign.” They also acknowledged that the message on the sign was “Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help.” And what does Rev. Hoye say to women? “Can I talk to you for a minute about alternatives?” Those messages are “harassing” and “intimidating” and need to be censored.

The jury has now seen the entirety of the videotapes from these two dates as part of the defense’s case in chief. The trial should conclude early next week.

The case is People v. Hoye, No. 541279.

There is not doubt in my mind that this is a case of malicious prosecution that almost boarders on a conspiracy to deprive Rev. Hoye and other Pro-life advocates of their constitutionally protected right to free speech.

I would ask that you support Walter and others who do what he does by contacting Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff and asking that he open an investigation into this prosecution of Rev. Hoye, including:

1) possible prosecution of Jackie Barbic for perjury;

2) whether there was prosecutorial misconduct in charging Walter Hoye with using “force, threat of force, or physical obstruction” against escorts without any evidence that he had at any time done so; and

3) whether there was prosecutorial misconduct in continuing to prosecute Hoye for those crimes in the face of mounting evidence that they were totally lacking in factual basis.

Tom Orloff

AlamedaCounty District Attorney

1225 Fallon Street, Room 900

Oakland, CA 94612

Telephone: (510) 272-6222FAX: (510) 271-5157

Walter will be the Speaker tonight at the Sacramento Republican Assemblys General Membership meeting.

Details Below:

Where: Frenchie's Corner Cafe (click here for a map )
2326 Del Paso Blvd #A
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 646-3214

When: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

California News Roundup - January 13, 2009

2009-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Schwarzenegger running out of time to control his legacy-With two years left in his term, the California governor is leading a state that is worse off than when he took office. But nationally, his ideas have attracted the spotlight.By Michael Rothfeld Reporting from Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made the rounds of national television news shows in recent months, met with President-elect Barack Obama and convened conferences, discussing the world economic crisis, the pitfalls of partisanship and the virtues of clean energy.

State closes restitution centers for white-collar prisoners- Group homes allowed nonviolent offenders to work, contribute to their detention costs and pay back their victims. The program cost too much, the state said, and participants are now back in prison.By Patrick McGreevy Reporting from Sacramento -- The program seemed a model of corrections reform in tight fiscal times: The mostly white-collar criminals who were enrolled saved taxpayers money by living in group homes instead of in state prison and held jobs that helped cover rent and restitution to victims.

Schwarzenegger proposes major Cal Grant cuts- California's main financial aid program for college students may stop covering rises in tuition. Meanwhile, UC and Cal State officials are gearing up for 10% fee increases.By Gale Holland Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing major cuts in Cal Grants, the state's main financial aid program for college students. The most significant change would involve abandoning the state's commitment to cover any rise in tuition for grant recipients, and it comes as officials at both the University of California and California State University are gearing up for 10% fee increases in response to the yawning state budget gap.

Peter Schrag : California's kamikazes- The state Republicans are close to crashing, and it appears as if they are determined not to go down alone.It's been more than a year since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned his fellow California Republicans that "we're dying at the box office. We're not filling the seats." But the consequences of the GOP's self-isolating ethnic and ideological narrowness are even more frightening today than they were then. With each passing day, Republicans look ever more like a suicidal cult than a political party.

California's top elected Democrats reject furlough plan- All six of California's elected statewide Democrats are refusing to implement Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to furlough state workers for two unpaid days each month.

Program critics claim abuse, want to seize funds- San Diego County used some of its money to provide belly-dancing classes for pregnant women.

The Buzz: Machado named to insurance board- Latest appointment news: Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has named recently termed-out Sen. Mike Machado, pictured at right, to a seat on the board of directors of the State Compensation Insurance Fund. The Linden Democrat will earn $50,000 per year plus travel expenses. State Fund, a semi-public agency, provides workers compensation insurance to California employers.

Senate honors memory of the 'Rose Man'- "Rose Man" got his due today from the California Senate.

Steinberg appoints Machado to State -President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg named recently termed-out Sen. Mike Machado to a seat on the board of directors of the State Compensation Insurance Fund on Monday.

All sex offenders now sport ankle GPS - Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that California has now fitted each of the state's 6,622 paroled sex offenders wtih an ankle bracelet that transmits their location via GPS.

Prop. 8 backers ask to shield campaign -The sponsors of the November ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California want a judge to seal selected documents and issue a gag order in their lawsuit challenging the state's campaign finance reporting rules.

Calif. panel warns stem cell agency board - A California ethics panel has chided a member of the state's stem cell agency board for trying to influence funding for a La Jolla research institute he leads.

Budget crisis overshadows Schwarzenegger -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be hard-pressed to find good news for his State of the State address on Thursday as he continues his search for a budget compromise with state lawmakers before California runs out of cash in a few weeks.

Dan Walters: Bob Monagan's death recalls a different California era- There was a time, a few decades ago, when "Valley Republican" had a special meaning in the state Capitol.

CTA: Watchdogs for schools? Or...- As the largest dues-paying organization of public employees in the state, the California Teachers Association arguably is the most powerful of interests at the state Capitol. And it has become more powerful since the advent of legislative term limits.

Assembly retirements teach a corrosive lesson - As regular state workers braced for unpaid two-day-a-month furloughs, top staffers in the state Assembly walked away from their jobs last month with richer pensions that are likely to cost taxpayers a bundle.

Cash-strapped California may halt road projects - The budget standoff in Sacramento threatens to force work crews to shut down construction on road projects already under way across California, including four new carpool lanes in the Bay Area.

A neglected revenue source for California - marijuana - Only if you lived in a cave could you avoid news about California's dire financial situation. The governor and legislators still disagree about what to do, but all of the proposals aimed at closing the state's $42 billion budget gap are painful and politically unpopular. One obvious way to take a big chunk out of the deficit - without closing schools or putting the sick and elderly out on the streets - hasn't even been discussed. Tax marijuana.

Yeager appointed to California Air Resources - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager to the California Air Resources Board. Yeager, 56, of San Jose, has served as a county supervisor since December 2006.

Stimulus bill touted as relief to save state transportation -Most of America sees President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus bill as a way to create jobs with new public projects, but California may need the bill to save road projects in danger of being halted because of the state's budget stalemate.

No Budget: Day - It's been 69 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state's projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Californians take rusted dreams elsewhere - Mike Reilly spent his lifetime chasing the California dream. This year he's going to look for it in Colorado.

JEFFRIES BILL TO END SECRET DEALS

2009-01-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

Introduces ACA 8 to require public notice on all legislation

Today Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) threw down the gauntlet in defense of California voters. “The time has come for the California Legislature to put an end to back room deals being passed in the dead of night,” declared Assemblyman Jeffries who today introduced ACA 8, which would prohibit the Legislature from taking action on any item that has not been noticed and publicly posted for at least 72 hours.

Since coming to Sacramento in 2006, Assemblyman Jeffries has advocated for transparent government and an open legislative process. However, he has come to discover that this is not how the California Legislature conducts its business. “Last minute ‘gut and amends,’ asked to vote on measures minutes after receiving the bill, you name it; the things that are demanded of us defies all decorum of good government.” points out Jeffries, “if the public truly knew how things are run up here they would be outraged. Local governments have to comply with similar posting requirements in the Brown Act, why shouldn’t the Legislature?”

The most recent impetus for this measure comes out of the current budget crisis. During the special session to address the current budget crisis, Legislators were given bill language for numerous taxing and spending measures by the Assembly Speaker only a few hours before they were asked to cast a vote on them. “How can I be asked to vote on a bill that I haven’t had a chance to read?” asked Jeffries. “And how can my constituents participate and comment on the impacts a bill or tax will have on them and their families if even their elected representatives don’t have copies of the bill to review? A democratic society requires the ability for the people and their representatives to know what is happening to them before it is too late. There is absolutely no legislation so important that it can’t wait 72 hours for the people and the press and the legislators to properly review the text first, and I challenge anyone to argue otherwise.”

As a constitutional amendment, ACA 8 requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of the legislature and passage by a majority of California voters. “This amendment reinforces the bedrock principles of the First Amendment and public participation in our government, and I am confident that if the people of this state have the opportunity to vote for this measure, it will pass overwhelmingly. Frankly, I can’t even imagine an intelligent opposition campaign being waged on this issue,” said the Assemblyman. “The only motive for not passing this legislation is to keep the people in the dark.”

California News Roundup- January 12, 2009

2009-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Federal wilderness protection for California land moves forward- The Senate clears the way for passage of legislation that would expand wilderness protection to more than 2 million acres of public land nationwide, mostly in California and the West.

California officials going after noncompliant LLCs -Limited liability companies that have failed to file required forms or pay fees and taxes face suspension.

Skelton: Gains in school achievement are at risk from budget ax- It's inevitable that California public schools soon will be whacked with hefty program cuts. And that's a shame because students recently have been making significant gains.

Editorial: California's transit troubles-Lawmakers are playing a tax shell game with the state budget that eliminates money for buses and rail. When democratic lawmakers presented their proposal for balancing the state budget, there was one little thing they didn't mention: It would have all but eliminated funding for public transportation -- not just next year but in perpetuity.

Warnings of budget 'Armageddon' don't rouse ordinary Californians- Under the Capitol dome in Sacramento, Democratic and Republican lawmakers battle in a state budget quagmire, trading charges of obstruction or constitutional end runs. The fed-up governor warns of a financial "Armageddon."

McClintock ready to just say no as he starts Housrm- Tom McClintock arrived in Washington last week, ready to say no.

The Buzz-Times are indeed tough when legislators cut prices at fundraisers: Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is hosting the annual Speaker's Cup golf tourney at Pebble Beach in May, and "The Ultimate" package is $60,000, down from last year's $70K. For 60 large you get two rounds of golf for four, four hotel rooms for two nights, two dinners for eight, and of course the same access to the speaker as any other Californian.

Dan Walters: California education tax echoes 1980s battle- The old saying among Capitol insiders that "what goes around comes around" is especially applicable to the perennial battle over financing public schools, by far the largest single item of the state budget.

Editorial: Business fails to lead on budget- Founded nearly 120 years ago, the California Chamber of Commerce is one of the state's most important political players.

Early jockeying under way in governor's race -When a billionaire businesswoman quits corporate boards and the attorney general does a political flip to get in front of a hot Democratic issue, it can only mean an election is coming.

Business souring fast in state's dairy industry -The farmers who gather at dawn in the small country coffee shop on the outskirts of Turlock like to swill strong coffee and reminisce about the good old days.

Matier & Ross: Plush hospitals for state's felons -Aerobics and yoga classes, workout rooms and open-air courtyards were just a few of the amenities recommended for California's hospitalized felons in a draft report for the court-appointed receiver tasked with overhauling the state's prison health care system.

Editorial: Schwarzenegger skips school -The quick-hit ideas for bailing out California's finances are raining down: hock the lottery, furlough state workers two days per month, hold up refunds to taxpayers. Here's one that shouldn't go on the hit list: a shorter school year.

Mysterious pelican deaths worry California biologists-In a troubling wildlife mystery, California brown pelicans are turning up sick or dead in suburban ponds, driveways and backyards — far from their ocean home.

State's budget ax threatens corps- Conservation agency may go to local hands. For 33 years, the California Conservation Corps has been called upon to help fight fires and floods – all the while turning many young lives around.

No Budget: Day 68- It’s been 68 days since the governor called the first special session of the Legislature to address the state’s projected $42 billion budget shortfall.

Editorial: Schools Rx-The latest report from the state's legislative analyst offers further evidence that public education reform involves more than funding levels. No amount of additional spending will improve student achievement if the state uses the money foolishly. California needs systemic education reforms first.

Editorial: Sparing patients- A state Supreme Court ruling will not settle the disputes between HMOs and emergency rooms over billing practices. But the ruling properly removes patients from the financial crossfire. People who received emergency care should not be targets in a complex battle over health-care financing.

California News Roundup - January 9, 2009

2009-01-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

Working overtime on red ink -- While debate in Sacramento focuses on tax increases versus spending cuts, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has resurrected an issue that's received less attention than it should. In calling for a comprehensive budget fix including more taxes, which we oppose, and more cuts and economic stimulus, which we favor, the governor also returned to a theme he championed six years ago.

Dan Walters: Voters could help solve the tax battle -- Five years ago, a newly inaugurated Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger beseeched California voters to pass a $15 billion bond issue to refinance the state's burgeoning budget deficit and "cut up the credit cards" with another measure that prohibited any budget that spends more than its revenues.

Borrowing $23.3 billion for state budget won't be easy, analyst says -- Shaky credit markets will make it difficult for the state to access capital for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal, which he intends to submit to the Legislature on Friday.

Let voters weigh in on budget, legislative analyst says -- Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor may have a fallback solution to the political paralysis that has thwarted a state budget solution – let the people decide.

Relaxed laws part of state budget drama -- California's budget fight is about more than the usual disagreements over spending cuts or higher taxes. This year, another big hang-up is over contentious proposals to change rules governing environmental review and lunch breaks, among other laws.

Furlough fight gets its day in court -- The governor's furlough plan heads to court today. A lawsuit filed by the Professional Engineers in California Government and the California Association of Professional Scientists seeks to block Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's executive order, arguing he needs legislative approval to force furloughs.

California's Plans to Close Gap Become More Drastic -- 's school year could be shortened by a week under increasingly Draconian proposals being considered by state lawmakers seeking to close a projected $42 billion budget shortfall by the middle of next year.

Brown's switch on Prop. 8 reflects times -- California Attorney General Jerry Brown has become a hero to gay rights advocates - and a potential leader in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial field - with his recent controversial decision to mount a legal challenge to overturn Proposition 8, the initiative approved by voters that banned-same sex marriage in California.

Prop. 8 supporters sue to abolish campaign financing disclosure law -- The Proposition 8 campaign has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California laws that require campaign contributors to disclose personal information, claiming donors to the campaign have been threatened.

Prison receiver's lawyers slam state's refusal to fund health care -- For political expediency, the state is trying to weasel out of continued cooperation with a court-appointed receiver's effort to bring prison health care up to constitutional standards.

Steinberg wants to limit members to 15 bills -- Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg wants to limit the amount of legislation members can introduce in 2009 in an effort to keep lawmakers focused on the state's budget.

Villaraigosa defends his support of Israel -- L.A. mayor comes under criticism from Muslim groups after he says the nation has a 'right and responsibility to defend itself' from Hamas rockets.

Feinstein Hunts Alone -- Depending on which Democrat you talk with, California Senator Dianne Feinstein is either becoming the conscience of the Senate or Majority Leader Harry Reid's biggest headache.

Hilda Solis' belief in unions runs deep -- President-elect Barack Obama's nominee to head the U.S. Labor Department sees her parents' membership as key to the success she and her siblings have achieved.

Decorated veterans could park free under new law -- Jim Foutz doesn't drive much anymore at 87, but the license plate on his car tells his story: The North Highlands man survived the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Teeing off on taxes -- Golden State golfers are mobilizing to fight the governor's proposal to slap the state sales tax on the game/sport/religion.

Property tax assessments could plunge across California, worsening fiscal crisis -- California's plunging property values have already clobbered homeowners, but now the trend is promising pain for struggling counties, cities and schools that rely upon property taxes — a downward shift unseen in decades.

Multimillion-dollar error found in San Jose pension system -- Though San Jose's employee pension system cannot fully cover the costs of future benefits, many retired city workers are still expecting bonus checks for high earnings reaped before the recent market crash.

Sacramento region's churches struggle in the recession -- Sanctuary from the economic downturn is tough to find, even in houses of worship.

California literacy at bottom -- Almost 1 in 4 adults in California have such poor literacy skills they cannot follow a simple newspaper article, a federal study released Thursday said.

Panel to explore why black students lag peers -- As the upcoming inauguration of the nation's first black president reshapes America's debate on race, the state Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to create an "African American Advisory Committee" to ask why black students lag so far behind their peers.

Cash crunch slows high-speed rail project -- Just months after Californians voted to invest nearly $10 billion in a statewide high-speed rail system, the agency charged with getting it built is running out of money.

Oakland protest organizer watched in horror -- The man who organized Wednesday's BART police protest said he broke down in tears when he saw his peaceful march turn violent as some participants began throwing bottles, spitting on police cars and setting small fires.

Family of victim in BART shooting pleads for peace -- As family and friends of Oscar Grant III pleaded for peace Thursday afternoon, broken glass was being cleaned up from the previous night's disturbances in downtown Oakland, burned cars were towed away, and some business owners — fearing a repeat of the violence — made plans for nightfall, closing early and sending employees home.

Sarah Palin discusses media bias

2009-01-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting video interview from Andrew Breitbart's Big Hollywood.

California News Rooundup - January 8, 2009

2009-01-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Schwarzenegger proposes 5 fewer school- Faced with a massive budget deficit, the governor wants to stop state funding for a week of classes. Educators criticize the plan as most harmful to poor students. .

Is public access TV dead?- Big cable may finally push out quirky cable. Your remote control isn't screwed up. As of now, there really is nothing on some cable channels.

Lawsuit seeking to block California Democrats' tax hikes is tossed- An appellate court says it cannot rule on the $9.3-billion package because the governor vetoed the legislation hours after the suit was filed.

Arnold: California can take a page from Irish- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger , speaking to the media in Sacramento this afternoon for the first time since returning from his Christmas ski vacation, offered a few interesting analogies to show how he and Democratic and Republican legislators can keep ...

Steinberg talks budget, 'God's work' and- As you may have seen, Senate leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, stopped by The Bee's Capitol Bureau on Wednesday. He talked budget. He talked budget. And he talked budget.

Dept. of Endorsements: DeVore announces GOP- It may be early and a certain governor of California still could enter the race, but Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a conservative Orange County Republican, is already gathering up endorsements for his 2010 run against Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Governor, Democrats collide over environmental exemption for Hwy. 50- With the clock ticking toward insolvency, talks on fixing California's budget this week hit a bottleneck on Highway 50 in Rancho Cordova – where officials are at odds over the state's iconic and controversial environmental protection law.

Schwarzenegger promises a labor pick on Cal-OSHA Board of- State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said Wednesday that he had a commitment from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nominate a labor representative to a long-vacant position on the three-person occupational safety appeals board.

The-Buzz- Friday's court date could be delayed for the lawsuit brought by the California Association of Professional Scientists and Professional Engineers in California Government against the state employee furloughs ordered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger .

The State Worker: Schwarzenegger loses the rank and- A crisis doesn't build relationships. It reveals them. Little wonder, then, that California's budget fiasco has exposed the deep antipathy many state workers hold for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The animosity has been years in the making, ...

Obituary: Former California Assembly speaker Monagan- Robert T. Monagan Born: July 5, 1920. Died: Jan. 7, 2009. Remembered for: Former California Assembly speaker and Republican lawmaker; served as assistant transportation secretary in the Nixon administration and as mayor of Tracy; ...

State cancels computer modernization- Citing missed work deadlines and other problems, the state has terminated a $69 million contract with BearingPoint Inc. of McLean, Va. The company, which provides management and technology consulting services worldwide, won the contract to work ...

Editorial: Deal or no deal, Capitol- Following Tuesday's meltdown at the Capitol, the deterioration of California's finances appears to be matched only by the deterioration of its leadership. Close to a budget deal over the weekend, Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suddenly ...

Editorial: Finally, real school data is within- Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's stated No. 1 priority for getting education reform began: 'We need better data.' The economic downturn got in the way, and the state ended up doing only the minimum to meet federal No Child Left Behind...

Governor, legislative leaders to talk- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today he will meet Wednesday with Democratic and Republican legislative leaders to restart budget negotiations, using his budget as a template to bridge the state's looming $41.5 billion deficit during the next 18 ...

Roadshow: Higher fine for using cell phone?- State Sen. Joe Simitian may introduce legislation to make penalties stiffer.

California News Roundup - January 7, 2009

2009-01-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

California may delay tax refunds amid budget impasse- With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of Democrats' $18-billion package of tax hikes and cuts, the state could begin issuing IOUs as soon as Feb. 1.

Nature Conservancy backs Delta canal, with- One of the nation's largest environmental groups has decided to support building a controversial new water canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Sacramento council wants more details of mayor's plans- Kevin Johnson is mayor of Sacramento.It wasn't the kind of unruly crowd you'd see at, say, a New Year's Eve bash on K Street, but the Sacramento City Council's first meeting of 2009 came with a hint of attitude. Council members demanded Tuesday ...

The Buzz- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's deficit-closing plan to temporarily raise sales taxes by 1.5 cents on the dollar has drawn predictable howls of protest from the right. Now the left has weighed in with equal disgust. Peace and Freedom Party state ...

Daniel Weintraub: Newsom assesses his city – warts and all- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, sparring with legislators over the state's impending fiscal meltdown, has postponed his annual state-of-the-state address until Jan. 15, perhaps hoping that by then he can describe California's condition as anything but ...

Blue Shield to reinstate 678 canceled policies-Nearly 700 subscribers whose policies were canceled by Blue Shield of California will be reinstated as part of a settlement reached with the California Department of Insurance, state officials announced Tuesday. The insurer has agreed to ...

Dan Walters: New approach needed to aid poor-The ethnic, linguistic, aptitudinal, cultural and economic diversity of California's 6 million public school kids has expanded greatly over the past few decades, but the school system itself has become more centralized, more politicized and more ...

Steinberg: 'I am perplexed'-Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said today they were sending down their $18 billion majority-vote package despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's vow to veto the plan. 'In sending down our package this ...

Schwarzenegger to veto budget bills- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will immediately veto the Democratic plan to reduce the budget deficit by $18 billion and urge lawmakers to use his January proposal as a template for implementing midyear cuts, according to Schwarzenegger communications ...

Black support for Prop. 8 called exaggeration- Reports of overwhelming African American support for Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage were exaggerated in exit polls, a new look at the November election results has found. 'Party identification, age, religiosity and political view had much ...

Assessing a Whitman candidacy-Assessing candidacy of eBay's Meg Whitman Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who made her political intentions perfectly clear when she quit various corporate boards on Monday, wouldn't be the first eBay alum to run for governor.

Governor rejects Democrats' budget; will unveil his plan this week- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Democratic lawmakers' $18 billion mid-year budget package on Tuesday after leaders of the state Legislature sent the governor their plan, saying they were perplexed by his unwillingness to break the deadlock.

Editorial: Governor finally wants prison-There may yet be a silver lining behind the calamitous $41 billion state budget deficit. It may force policy changes and budget cuts for a once-untouchable area of spending: state prisons.