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For Jerry Brown, change has been a recurring theme -- In more than four decades in politics, the Democratic candidate for governor has displayed what some praise as a lack of ideological rigidity and others criticize as a failure of political principle. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Adding Up Possible Budget Solutions Still Leaves State Short -- Adding up potential budget solutions still leaves Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – and lawmakers — a sizable hole to fill in the revised version of his budget the GOP governor presents May 14. The likely size of the gap between revenues and spending commitments that must be closed is likely to be around $22 billion. Greg Lucas California's capitol weblog -- 5/13/10 Perez hits Pebble Beach as governor releases budget -- On Friday, the day Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger releases what his own staff concedes will be a devastating budget proposal that cuts deep into state services –- and may eliminate healthcare programs that serve hundreds of thousands of Californians -- Assembly Speaker John A. Perez is scheduled to be hobnobbing with donors in the wealthy enclave of Pebble Beach with the Democratic Party’s most deep-pocketed donors. Shane Goldmacher in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Food-stamps-for-felons bill draws DeVore’s ire -- An East Bay Assemblyman’s bill to let drug felons get food stamps after their release from prison passed the Assembly floor today, but not without taking some heat from a lawmaker seeking higher office. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 5/13/10 Homeboy Industries lays off most employees as financial woes worsen -- Homeboy Industries, the venerable L.A. institution designed to provide jobs and counseling to former gang members, laid off most of its employees Thursday amid worsening financial problems. Hector Becerra in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Insurers shun California's request to stop investing in Iran-related companies -- Industry groups contend the state insurance commissioner lacks the authority to impose such a policy. Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 State inspectors pay surprise visit to County-USC Medical Center after complaint about ER waits -- In a surprise visit Thursday, state inspectors arrived at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center to investigate allegations made this week that patients face excessively long emergency room waits – sometimes without any vital signs being taken – and that hospital workers fail to protect patient privacy. Molly Hennessy-Fiske and Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Poorest Berkeley students to lose campus child care -- A handful of UC Berkeley's poorest students could have trouble attending school next year after the university stops subsidizing child care for parents who are unable to afford it themselves. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/13/10 California's school rankings are online -- Every school in California is ranked according to the state's Academic Performance Index - a composite of student test scores - and compared to every other school, as well as schools with similar demographics. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/13/10 Whitman explains past support for Boxer -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman Thursday offered a lengthy explanation for her past support for Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer — something opponent Steve Poizner has repeatedly attacked her over. John Marelius in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/13/10 New-home buyers reemerge in Southern California -- Sales have been helped by tax credits and by builders' offering simpler, cheaper housing. Location is also key — buyers don't want extremely long commutes, analysts say. Alejandro Lazo in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Voting record at issue in GOP gov primary TV ad -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner is rekindling the controversy over rival Meg Whitman's spotty voting record, claiming in a new television ad that she did not vote a single time in 28 years — a charge Whitman denies. JULIET WILLIAMS AP -- 5/13/10 Whitman: Business savvy is what California needs -- Running for public office did not seem a natural fit for Meg Whitman. JULIET WILLIAMS AP -- 5/13/10 Rumor mill: Poizner pulling even in polls? Meg bouncing back? -- California's GOP gubernatorial race enters its final nail-biter phase, with chatter in Sacramento that State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has actually drawn even in at least one new private poll to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman --and that Whitman is bouncing back a few points in another. In either case, given Whitman's $60 million-plus effort and her one-time 50-point lead, it's a shocker. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 5/13/10 AG candidates tout endorsements; Harris scoops up Feinstein -- High profile and not-so-high profile endorsements keep rolling in for Attorney General candidates on both sides of the aisle as the primary race enters the home stretch. Marisa Lagos Chronicle Politics Weblog Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 5/13/10 Taxpayer group finds Poizner so 'frightening' that it gave him $2,500 -- Meg Whitman's campaign for governor enlisted Jon Coupal, the head of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., to tape a new radio ad saying the election of her GOP opponent Steve Poizner would be "truly frightening" for those who care about Proposition 13's property tax protections. Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Poizner uses Pete Wilson against Whitman in Spanish-language ad -- The debate over illegal immigration in the Republican race for governor is getting tricky. Hold on to your hats. Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 California bill could jail parents if kids miss school -- The state of California would hold parents responsible if their children are chronically truant under a bill the state Senate approved Thursday. DON THOMPSON AP -- 5/13/10 Water bond campaign splits the Berryhills -- How divisive is the $11 billion water bond on November's ballot? It's split one political family in two. EJ Schultz Fresno Bee News Blog -- 5/13/10 'War is on' for water bond -- But with the general election still more than 170 days away, the battle over the $11.14 billion water bond that legislators placed on the November ballot has already begun. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Mexican governors won't go to Phoenix -- To protest Arizona's new immigration law, Mexico's border governors will boycott the 28th annual U.S.-Mexico Border Governors Conference if it is held as scheduled in Phoenix. Susan Ferriss SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 First general election debate set at Dominican University -- The primary election isn't over yet, but plans are already in the works for the first general election gubernatorial debate. Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Mickey Kaus tries his hand as U.S. Senate candidate -- These days Mickey Kaus has eight other things he should be doing at any given moment, like mobilizing volunteers and finding large e-mail lists he could use to hit up people up for money. Amy Chance SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Poizner, Whitman write checks totaling $7.5 million to gubernatorial campaigns -- That brings the total amount Whitman, the former eBay CEO, has contributed to her campaign to $64 million. Poizner, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur, has so far written checks for $21.7 million. Ken McLaughlin in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/13/10 Court nominee Goodwin Liu survives first Senate test, more opposition awaits -- The Judiciary Committee voted 12-7 today to recommend confirmation of the law professor and associate dean of the University of California law school at Berkeley. Larry Margasak AP -- 5/13/10 Arizona religious leaders seek delay of immigration law, bring appeal to Washington -- The group of seven makes an 'emergency' visit to Capitol Hill, says comprehensive reform is needed: 'Border security alone has its limits.' Clement Tan in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Boxer, Feinstein propose federal ban on oil drilling off Pacific Coast -- Seizing on the growing environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein on Thursday introduced legislation to permanently ban offshore oil drilling in federal waters off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington. Mike Zapler in the San Jose Mercury Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 5/13/10 Federal health plan will hit California budget -- As many as two million more low- and moderate-income Californians could become eligible for health care under the state's Medi-Cal program when the new federal health care program kicks in, the Legislature's budget analyst says. Dan Walters SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Officials preparing to hold SD 15 election 'at the drop of a hat' -- Monterey County election officials are continuing to prepare for the June 22 special primary election to fill a vacancy in the 15th Senate District, despite a court order to put preparations on hold. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Assembly urges repeal of military's 'don't ask, don't tell' -- The Assembly approved a resolution today urging President Barack Obama and Congress to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy toward gays and lesbians in the Armed Forces. Jim Sanders SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Fletcher backs end to 'don't ask, don't tell' policy -- Nathan Fletcher stunned into silence a normally chaotic Assembly floor Thursday, delivering an impassioned speech on one of the most divisive topics of our time — gays and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces. Michael Gardner in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/13/10 CalPERS board member faces third fine for failing to disclose financial interests on time -- Priya Mathur has been fined $9,000 for previous violations by the state Fair Political Practices Commission. Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Battle brews in Senate seat -- Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone wants to give up better pay, time at home and being one of five members on a Republican-leaning board to be part of a Democrat-controlled state Senate. JIM MILLER in the Riverside Press -- 5/13/10 Assembly OKs food stamps for drug felons -- After a sharp partisan debate, the Assembly voted today to allow persons convicted of drug felonies to receive federal food stamps without having to prove that they are enrolled in a drug use prevention program. Dan Walters SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10 Assembly GOP members turn against in-home care fingerprints -- Two Republican members of an Assembly subcommittee have joined a largely Democratic move to stop a $41.6 million plan to fingerprint recipients of subsidized in-home care. Susan Ferriss SacBee Capitol Alert -- 5/13/10
Schwarzenegger's revised budget plan is expected to eliminate health programs -- Home healthcare for the elderly and disabled and the Healthy Families program for low-income children could be dismantled. Previous efforts at scaling back such programs were overturned. Shane Goldmacher and Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Gov Schwarzenegger set to unveil final budget proposal -- Anyone looking for clues as to what the future holds for the California budget negotiations just needs to look back on the week that was. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Morain: No easy out: State faces ugly choices -- Prepare for the comparisons to Greece, the politicians' proclamations that they'll never raise taxes or cut aid for poor children and the Capitol demonstrations by people who rely on the state for survival. Dan Morain in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 L.A. council bans most official travel to Arizona -- Members, arguing that the new immigration law could lead to racial profiling, also vote to bar future city contracts with companies in that state. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 LAX, port to weigh Arizona boycott -- Although the Los Angeles City Council agreed Wednesday to boycott the state of Arizona over an immigration law, the panel punted a decision on whether to terminate several contracts held by the harbor and airport departments. Art Marroquin in the Long Beach Press -- 5/13/10 Along with Los Angeles, Baldwin Park and South El Monte boycott Arizona immigration law -- Along with Los Angeles, a pair of San Gabriel Valley cities have also passed resolutions against Arizona's tough new immigration law. Maria Ines Zamudio in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 5/13/10 Phoenix resident angry about L.A. Council vote to ban travel, contracts in Arizona -- Phoenix resident John Spencer said Wednesday night that he had canceled four summer trips to Los Angeles to protest a vote by the Los Angeles City Council to ban most city travel to Arizona and future contracts with companies in that state. Robert J. Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Companies challenged Poizner business claims -- He says his ex-firm invented cellphone GPS technology. Suits alleged some ideas were taken. Rich Connell in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Once a runaway, GOP governor's race now a dead heat -- On Saturday, April 10, Steve Poizner, the state insurance commissioner and Republican candidate for governor, spoke to an audience of only 130 people in Modesto. Lance Williams and Chase Davis California Watch -- 5/13/10 Poizner, Whitman write checks totaling $7.5 million to gubernatorial campaigns -- Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner on Wednesday morning donated $2.5 million to his campaign, campaign sources said. Then, late Wednesday, billionaire Meg Whitman doubled the ante by writing a check for $5 million, sources in her campaign said. Ken McLaughlin in the San Jose Mercury -- 5/13/10 Poizner wants voter OK on public pension deals -- Gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner on Wednesday night called for voter approval of all changes in public pension plans, warning that mounting public pension obligations are deepening California’s fiscal morass. John Marelius in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/13/10 CalBuzz: Gov Race to Bottom, Scotus Gay Watch, Press Clips -- Steve Poizner, pouring another $2.5 million into his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor, unloads another new ad on eMeg Whitman today, this one attacking her for failing to vote for nearly three decades. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 5/13/10 Judge orders temporary delay in election to replace Maldonado -- A federal judge Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order to halt Monterey County from preparing to hold a June 22 special election to fill the Senate district seat vacated when Abel Maldonado became lieutenant governor. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Skelton: Republican Senate candidates are up in arms over 2nd Amendment -- In a debate, Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina argue for allowing those on the no-fly list to buy guns. Tom Campbell, a professor of constitutional law, is incredulous. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 California teachers union pushes measure to rein in corporate tax breaks -- The Burlingame-based California Teachers Association is pushing a ballot measure that would help fund public schools by closing loopholes that it says have resulted in $2 billion in annual corporate tax breaks. Neil Gonzales in the San Jose Mercury -- 5/13/10 Tax fight spreads from Capitol to the ballot box -- Major corporate tax breaks that were negotiated during two state budgets face new opposition this year in the Capitol as the state’s fiscal condition deteriorates. The battle is evolving on two fronts – in legislation and on the November statewide ballot. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 5/13/10 FPPC launches probe of former Sacramento building official -- The state's political watchdog announced Wednesday that it was launching an investigation into the former city of Sacramento building official who opened a cigar bar inside a Natomas sushi restaurant days after he handled a permit for a new patio at the eatery. Ryan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10
State employees at a glance, courtesy of the state controller -- State Controller John Chiang’s office, which tracks state payroll data, noted that there were 238,575 active state employees during April and nearly a third of them lived in Sacramento. Kate Henka in Capitol Weekly -- 5/13/10 State cuts may have drastic impact on LA County budget -- Los Angeles County officials should prepare for even more drastic budget cuts next year than expected after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger releases his revised state budget Friday, county CEO Bill Fujioka said Wednesday. Troy Anderson in the Torrance Daily Breeze -- 5/13/10 Schwarzenegger backs California as hub for green jobs -- California can boost its economy while improving the environment if the state sticks by its law to reduce carbon emissions, said a panel of business and government leaders assembled at UC Davis on Wednesday to discuss the notion that the Sacramento region could become a hub for green jobs. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 CalPERS may present higher bill to state -- CalPERS, the huge public employee pension fund, is set to consider a $600 million hike in what California pays next year to cover state worker pensions. Jon Ortiz in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 State boosts pressure on insurers, funds to halt Iran investments -- California officials are ramping up the pressure on the state's insurance companies and public pension funds to stop investing in firms operating in Iran. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 California exports continue to dig out from deep hole -- California's export business continued its rally in the first quarter, but shipments remain below pre-recession levels and analysts are concerned about Europe's financial troubles. Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 New-car registrations rise sharply in state -- Title registrations for new motor vehicles increased 20.7 percent in California in March compared with the same month in 2009, according to Lexington, Ky.-based Cross-Sell, which tracks the U.S. automotive market. Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10 California gas prices expected to fall under $3 a gallon -- Remember those forecasts a few weeks ago that gas prices would hit $3.30 a gallon or higher in the Bay Area this summer? Never mind. Gary Richards in the San Jose Mercury -- 5/13/10
Fensterwald: Nonstop work on Race to the Top -- California’s forthcoming second-round application for Race to the Top may be a long-shot, but the half-dozen districts behind the effort sure aren’t treating it as such. John Fensterwald educatedguess.org -- 5/13/10 On the Backs of Children -- How UTLA's teacher-layoff rules are devastating inner-city L.A. schools -- BETH BARRETT LA Weekly -- 5/13/10 Brown declines to investigate Peralta -- In a letter sent Wednesday to Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, a deputy of Attorney General Jerry Brown suggested the senator instead contact Alameda County prosecutors and the Fair Political Practices Commission. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/13/10 Colleges across state grapple with free-speech zones -- The Peralta Community College district is considering guidelines to limit where and how groups can speak on campus, prompting outrage from employees and students who say the proposed rules would restrict free speech. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/13/10 Why Groups Want Students to Appeal SDSU Denials -- Brittanie Martinez was stunned this spring when she found out that San Diego State University had rejected her. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 5/13/10 UC Berkeley ends hunger strike over immigration -- With the blessings of ceremonial dancers, a group of UC Berkeley students ended a 10-day hunger strike Wednesday while negotiators met with the chancellor over the status of illegal immigrants and student demonstrators. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/13/10 L.A. Unified barred from budgetary teacher layoffs at 3 schools -- The Los Angeles Unified school district cannot for budgetary reasons lay off teachers at three of the city's worst-performing middle schools, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday. Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10
Bill to tax each teaspoon of sugar in soda left in limbo -- The evidence was there. UCLA researchers interviewed 47,000 California adults and children and concluded that those who drink one soda per day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight compared to those who pass on pop. Christina Jewett California Watch Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Federal health care overhaul to strain state, legislators told -- Even after the federal health care overhaul is in place, 2 million Californians could still be left uninsured, and the budget-strapped state may find it difficult to absorb millions of others who will suddenly have coverage, experts told lawmakers Wednesday. Bobby Caina Calvan in the Sacramento Bee Dan Weintraub HealthyCal.org -- 5/13/10 California urged to start early on new health insurance exchange -- The top state insurance executive in Massachusetts urged California lawmakers Wednesday to “start early” in building a new health insurance exchange that will be at the center of the state’s implementation of the federal health reform passed in March. Dan Weintraub HealthyCal.org -- 5/13/10 Scrutiny Increasing for Rapidly Growing Caregiver Program -- Paralyzed below the shoulders, Michael Condon is dependent on his caregiver for daily tasks: Brushing his teeth, dressing his 6-foot-3-inch frame, bathing. DAGNY SALAS Voiceofsandiego.org -- 5/13/10
Poll: Majority of Americans back Arizona immigration law -- A strong majority of Americans support Arizona's controversial new immigration law and would back similar laws in their own states, a new McClatchy-Ipsos poll found. Margaret Talev in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/13/10
Faulty metal detectors at L.A. County jail put deputies at risk, sheriff's officials say -- Of seven scanners at the facility in downtown Los Angeles, which houses about 4,000 inmates, many aren't operational, the jail's chief says. But an agency spokesman says security hasn't been compromised. Robert Faturechi in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/13/10 Capitol Weekly profile: Homeless artist Anthony Taylor -- You may know him as the guy selling postcards of his art most mornings outside Chicory Coffee, across from the North Steps of the Capitol. Malcolm Maclachlan in Capitol Weekly -- 5/13/10 State court won't block casino near Richmond -- The state Supreme Court refused Wednesday to review an agreement between the city of Richmond and an Indian tribe that wants to build a casino on 30 acres near the waterfront. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/13/10 Suit filed on behalf of Obama birthplace lawyer -- The suit alleges that her opponent for the GOP nomination to the state’s top elections job, Irvine’s Damon Dunn, is ineligible to run. It also names Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Attorney General Jerry Brown as defendants, alleging that they have not fulfilled their responsibilities in allowing Dunn to run. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 5/13/10
Saunders: Kagan: a bully in an ivory tower -- Forget "advise and consent." When President Obama nominated U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Dems just wanted a good liberal who won't embarrass them during Senate confirmation hearings, while the Repubs started trying to figure out whether it's safe to try to Bork her. Debra J. Saunders in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/13/10 |
