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30 Jul 2010 12:24
July 30, 2010 2:04 AMUnion group takes aim at Whitman – in Spanish -- A union coalition backing Democratic Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown will hit the airwaves with a new Spanish-language TV ad beginning Friday, trying to chip away at Latino support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. -- 7/30/10
Immigrant-rights groups threaten to stop supporting Brown -- A group of immigrant-rights groups today demanded that state Attorney General Jerry Brown meet with them to discuss his decision to force San Francisco to follow a federal program that they say violates their rights and has similarities to Arizona's immigration law. Drew Joseph -- 7/30/10
If a candidate announces a plan in the woods, and no one hears it ... -- Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman has been hitting Democratic rival Jerry Brown hard for offering no plans to deal with the state’s myriad problems. Earlier this week, Brown responded by posting education and environmental proposals on his website. -- 7/30/10
State's top candidates bring wealth to resumes -- Robin Leach ever revives "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," he may want to spotlight the candidates in California's gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, who have realized their champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Drew Joseph -- 7/30/10
Prop. 19 raises thorny pot issue, drug czar says -- Proposition 19, a November ballot initiative, would legalize recreational marijuana use for California residents over 21 and allow small residential cultivation -- but also would put the state in conflict with federal law that says the drug is illegal. John Ellis -- 7/30/10
Lawsuit challenges legislation implementing open primary election -- A group of voters filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the legislation that would implement Proposition 14, the measure for an open primary approved by voters in June. Eric MessingerBob Egelko -- 7/30/10
-- Calling the issue the defining difference between himself and Republican Meg Whitman in the governor's race, Democrat Jerry Brown gave an impassioned defense Thursday of California's landmark global warming law. Paul Rogers -- 7/30/10
CalBuzz: Press Clips: Windbags, War & WikiLeaks -- It didn’t take long for the Beltway’s windbag geniuses to prove anew how brilliant they are, by devising instant conventional wisdom about the unprecedented dump of classified Afghanistan war documents by the double-secret online cult called WikiLeaks. -- 7/30/10
Tribe-backed committee announces intent to raise unlimited campaign cash -- An independent-expenditure group backed by California Native American tribes filed a letter with the Federal Election Commission this week announcing its intent to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money supporting candidates in California congressional races. Chase Davis -- 7/30/10
Governor: State budget can pass before term ends -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in San Diego on Thursday that he is optimistic about eventually getting a state budget he can accept. Robert Hawkins -- 7/30/10
Walters: Pension hike revelations show massive failure -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger insists he won't sign a new state budget unless the Legislature rolls back a hefty increase in state employee pensions enacted 11 years ago. Dan Walters -- 7/30/10
Podcast: Waiting To Exhale -- There are a lot of folks holding their breath these days, just waiting for that new budget deal. Um, don't. -- 7/30/10
Dismayed by Bell city salaries, Downey removes city attorney -- While serving as Bell’s city attorney, a position he had held since the 1990s, Lee signed off on contracts that paid City Manager Robert Rizzo nearly $800,000 a year, almost twice what President Obama makes. Jessica Garrison -- 7/30/10
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Oakland school board says yes to $20 million parcel tax measure on November ballot -- Oakland school trustees gave the green light to a $20 million parcel tax aimed at boosting salaries for school district staff and teachers — the lowest paid in the Bay Area. Angela WoodallOakland Tribune -- 7/30/10
San Francisco Pension Fund Battle Intensifies -- Once obscure and perhaps forgotten even by the public officials who lobbied for its passage in 2002, Proposition H is becoming a hot-button issue in city politics. Elizabeth Lesly StevensBay Citizen -- 7/30/10
Congressman says new spy plane fleet will be headquartered at Beale -- A fleet of spy planes will be based at Beale Air Force Base, the Air Force said today, bringing an estimated 550 jobs to the depressed Yuba-Sutter area north of Sacramento. -- 7/30/10
Board seeks to shutter failing charter schools -- Failing charter schools across California could be shut down by the state Board of Education under a major policy shift aimed at ensuring that the alternative public schools fulfill their role as models of academic innovation. Jill Tucker -- 7/30/10
CSU opens spring admissions amid state budget uncertainties -- California State University campuses will begin accepting applications for the spring term on Sunday, though whether they enroll any students in the spring depends on the final state budget lawmakers approve. Laurel Rosenhall -- 7/30/10
Fensterwald: Better or worse off with common core? -- The announcement that California is a finalist for Race to the Top all but guarantees that the State Board of Education will adopt common core standards, as amended, in English language arts and math when it meets Monday. -- 7/30/10
Online program debated at UC -- Is Net a smart tool or wrong turn for premier system? Laurel RosenhallModesto Bee -- 7/30/10
School boards ask federal judges to block employee free speech -- School boards are trying to reverse a federal court ruling banning administrators from controlling the free-speech rights of teachers and other school employees. Corey G. Johnson -- 7/30/10
LA college district tries to use UC Hastings ruling in its free-speech case -- When the U.S. Supreme Court endorsed a UC Hastings College of the Law decision to bar a Christian student group from receiving university funds last month, some free-speech advocates winced, saying the court's opinion would be used by colleges and universities to squelch offensive or unpopular speech. It looks like they might be right. Erica Perez -- 7/30/10
Tobar: Arizona's immigration law: aimed at criminals or at workers? -- It all depends on whether one equates 'illegal immigrant' with evil-doers or with laborers. Hector Tobar -- 7/30/10
Ruling on Arizona immigration law won't affect Hemet resolution, councilman says -- A judge's ruling that blocked portions of the Arizona immigration law won't affect Hemet's support of that law, Hemet City Councilman Robert Youssef said. Hemet was the first Inland city to approve a resolution backing the legislation. Brian Rokos -- 7/30/10
Fewer and Smaller Heat Fines from Cal-OSHA as Deaths Rise -- Officials suspect five California workers have died from heat related causes---such as heat stroke---since the beginning of the summer. This comes as regulators are issuing lower fines for employers that violate heat regulations. John SepulvadoCapital Public Radio -- 7/30/10
Shooting puts parole law at center of early-release debate -- So when Rueda opened fire on Los Angeles police officers (wounding one) earlier this month, critics of California’s move toward early release for tens of thousands of convicted felons had fresh evidence that such moves allow dangerous criminals to go free. Ryan Gabrielson -- 7/30/10
Obama the Velcro president -- Obama is the White House's chief spokesman, policy pitchman, fundraiser and negotiator — and blame usually falls on him. Aides are seeking to downsize his exposure. Peter NicholasJanet Hook -- 7/30/10
Obama acknowledges racial tensions -- President Barack Obama gave an uncommonly candid assessment of race relations during his appearance on “The View,” saying Americans still must confront their “reptilian side” when dealing with people of different races. GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO -- 7/30/10
Cardoza rips HUD secretary for Rio de Janeiro trip, seeks travel budget cut -- Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) said his amendment eliminating Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan’s travel allowance was designed to cause Donovan and his staff “a little personal pain” and to send the White House a message that Democrats have lost confidence in the secretary and the administration’s response to the foreclosure crisis. Jared AllenThe Hill -- 7/30/10
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29 Jul 2010 20:31
July 29, 2010 4:55 PMSince This Morning Suit filed to block state’s open primary elections -- A lawsuit and motion for injunction have been filed in an effort to throw out Proposition 14, the “top-two” open primary measure approved by 53.8 percent of voters in June. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County RegisterTorey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/29/10
Budget +29: Does California Have A Rainy Day Fund? -- As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hits the road to talk to groups around the state about the stalled budget talks here in Sacramento, he keeps telling audiences that California has no reserve "rainy day" fund. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 7/29/10
Jerry Brown agrees to radio debate...sort of -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown said this morning he's open to debating his Republican rival Meg Whitman on San Francisco radio station KGO, although he wouldn't commit to the days - Oct. 5 or Oct. 6 - that Whitman has apparently agreed to. Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/29/10
Whitman now debate-jonesing: challenges Brown to another debate as he steps out of the shower -- Suddenly, Meg Whitman can't get enough debates. Yes, you read that correctly. Team Meg-a-millions just surprised Jerry Brown as he stepped out of the shower this a.m. to do his weekly appearance on KGO (810 AM). Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/29/10
Jerry Brown calls state's global warming law the key difference between himself and Meg Whitman -- Calling the issue the defining difference between himself and Republican Meg Whitman, Jerry Brown gave an impassioned defense Thursday of the state's landmark global warming law, now under attack by conservatives and some business leaders as a "job killer.'' Ken McLaughlin in the San Jose Mercury -- 7/29/10
Boxer tries to highlight differences on abortion -- Jobs and the economy may be foremost on voters' minds, but Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer has been quick to stress another issue that has been a hallmark of her political career, her support for abortion rights. JUDY LINAP -- 7/29/10
Whitman: Arizona immigration law OK for Arizona -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman - who has campaign billboards and Spanish-language ads in California declaring "NO to the Arizona law" - told talk show hosts Wednesday that the same controversial immigration law should be allowed to stand in Arizona. Susan Ferriss SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/29/10
Bay Area protests put focus on immigration policies -- On the day Arizona's controversial SB1070 law took effect, illegal immigration remained a polarizing topic in the Bay Area -- with at least four protests against the Arizona law, two supporting it and one move by San Francisco politicians to opt out of a federal immigration enforcement program. Matt O'Brien in the Contra Costa Times -- 7/29/10
For California muni bond market, no state budget is no problem -- A financial emergency in California? That’s what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says we now have, as the state still has no budget for the current fiscal year. Tom Petruno in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/29/10
Public workers get more fringe benefits -- Employees of state and local governments are more likely to have employer-provided pensions, health insurance, life insurance and paid sick leave than their counterparts in private industry, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. And their median wage is 40% higher. Jan Norman in the Orange County Register -- 7/29/10
Prop. 25 opponents challenge ballot language for majority vote -- The lawsuit alleges that the ballot label and title and summary prepared by the attorney general for Proposition 25 falsely states that the measure "retains two thirds vote requirement (for) taxes." Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/29/10
Obama plans California trip to raise cash for House Democrats -- President Barack Obama is reportedly hosting yet another West Coast fundariser, this time to boost the bank account of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee -- 7/29/10
Driven by pay scandal in Bell, California city managers advocate salary reform -- Faced with public outrage over large municipal salaries in Bell, city administrators throughout California met Thursday and promised statewide reforms including guidelines for setting pay for managers and requirements that compensation figures be made easily accessible to the public. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles TimesRyan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee -- 7/29/10
Bell residents paid huge tax bills in addition to huge salaries, records show -- Bell did more than just give top city administrators some of the largest salaries in the nation: Residents in the working-class town also pay the highest property taxes of all but one of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities, according to interviews and records. Kim Christensen in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/29/10
Schwarzenegger: City salaries should be placed online to avoid another Bell scandal -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that if local governments have “nothing to hide” then they should post the salaries of top officials online, citing the growing scandal in Bell as an example of the need for disclosure. Shane Goldmacher in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/29/10
Raskin: Legislative Analyst Says Prop 26 Increases Budget Deficit By $1 Billion -- If approved by voters in November, Proposition 26 will put a billion dollar dent in the state budget, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). Artem RaskinCal Progress Report -- 7/29/10
Cruickshank: Why's the Budget Late? Because Republicans Want It That Way -- So it's been almost a month since the 2010-11 state budget was to have been enacted, and yet so far there's been hardly any movement or action at all on the budget. Robert Cruickshank (Calitics) Cal Progress Report -- 7/29/10
Fox: Whitman's Position on AB 32 Could Appeal to Voters -- The newly hatched PPIC poll on the environment indicates Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's middle path related to California's greenhouse gases law and a controversial November ballot measure could serve her well come Election Day. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds weblog -- 7/29/10
Villaraigosa: Arizona's anti-illegal immigrant backlash stems from lack of 'political courage' in Washington -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the anti-illegal immigrant backlash in Arizona is due to a lack of “political courage” in Washington to pass legislative reforms. Nicole Santa Cruz in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/29/10
GOP blocks small-businesses bill -- Efforts to provide relief to the nation's struggling small businesses stalled in the Senate Thursday, prompting a bitter round of finger-pointing on a measure that once had broad bipartisan support. MANU RAJUPolitico -- 7/29/10
Furloughs trump filing deadline -- The filing deadline for hundreds of city, school and other nonpartisan local offices is Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. Unless it happens to be Furlough Friday, of course. Lisa Vorderbrueggen Political Blotter weblog -- 7/29/10
Cardoza rips Obama Administration on home foreclosures -- Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, isn't making many friends at the White House these days. The conservative Democrat has become increasingly angry over the lack of action on the home foreclosure crisis. Jim Boren in the Fresno Bee -- 7/29/10
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29 Jul 2010 09:25
July 29, 2010 3:27 AMNote to the Senate GOP Caucus: It takes many overnight hours to find and assemble the items on this page. If you continue to copy items here and publish them as your own efforts, please consider including a credit and link to Rough & Tumble. Also, be careful with the last item in today's first section. Thanks, - jk
California Republicans shunning one traditional path to victory: the environment -- In previous elections, GOP candidates have been rewarded for responding to voters' environmental concerns. Those concerns continue, a study finds, but Fiorina and Whitman are focusing elsewhere. Maeve Reston -- 7/29/10
CalBuzz: PPIC: Voters Reject Offshore Oil and AB 32 Rollback -- By large margins, California’s likely voters oppose expanded offshore oil drilling and believe that enforcement of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions law will create more jobs – not kill them – a new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows. -- 7/29/10
Drilling foes pose challenge for GOP hopefuls -- Californians' opposition to offshore oil drilling has skyrocketed in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, while two-thirds of residents support the state's landmark climate change law and believe it will create jobs, a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows. -- 7/29/10
Survey reveals Californians' opinions on the environment -- If the environment is a very important issue to you, you’ll probably be voting for Jerry Brown this November. If it’s just kind of important to you, Meg Whitman is your candidate. Craig MillerPat Brennan -- 7/29/10
Whitman strategy in doubt after poll -- She has spent a fortune — $100 million and counting — and Republican Meg Whitman has not moved the dial against Jerry Brown in the gubernatorial race. Steven Harmon -- 7/29/10
Poll: Brown, Boxer lead GOP opponents -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown and Sen. Barbara Boxer are holding on to lead their Republican opponents in a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. DENA BUNISMARTIN WISCKOLJosh Richman -- 7/29/10
View the full PPIC poll here
GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman: "I would let the Arizona law stand for Arizona" (AUDIO) -- California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, who has heavily advertised her opposition to Arizona's immigration law SB1070 on Spanish-language media, told conservative Talk Radio's "America's Morning News" Wednesday that "I would let the Arizona law stand for Arizona." -- 7/29/10
Maldo to attend GOP fundraiser with Breitbart -- and is ready to give him the what-for -- For years -- even as we knocked down a beer with him at a recent GOP convention -- Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado has talked about how he's a moderate Republican. You know, post-partisan and all that. Joe Garofoli -- 7/29/10
Prop 14 foes plan lawsuit to block 'top-two' primary system -- Opponents of Proposition 14 plan to file a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court (today) seeking to block the state from transitioning to a "top two" primary system. Torey Van OotJulie SmallSoCal Public Radio -- 7/29/10
Campaign Notebook: The week in California politics -- This week, a group called The Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles announced what they say will be a $1-million campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina. in Capitol Weekly -- 7/29/10
Brown unveils education reform plan -- The_Democrat calls for changing the state's end-of-year testing system so teachers receive results quickly, and he backs increasing the amount of spending on colleges. Martin WisckolOrange County Register -- 7/29/10
In politics, smart phones are symbols -- Campaign strategists can get a good idea about your political preferences just by looking at the brand of your smart phone. Jennifer Chaussee in Capitol Weekly -- 7/29/10
California's city officials scramble to limit damage from Bell scandal -- City managers will gather in Sacramento on Thursday to discuss damage control. Some say more residents are seeking salary information from city halls. The Legislature considers reforms as well. Sam Allen, Abby Sewell and Patrick McGreevy -- 7/29/10
Debate over online state tax filing heats up in Capitol -- There’s no bill yet, but an attempt by Intuit and others to dismantle the state’s free online tax-filing system is back before the Legislature - again. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 7/29/10
Governor vetoes farmworker Overtime bill -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today vetoed a bill that would have given more overtime pay to farmworkers, saying it would overturn long-standing rules and create “additional burdens on California businesses.” E.J. SchultzFresno BeeMarisa Lagos -- 7/29/10
Proposition 23 backers sue over ballot language -- Backers of Proposition 23, a November ballot initiative to suspend California's 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act, filed suit in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday against Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown for what they called "false, misleading and unfair" language that would describe the measure on voters' ballots. -- 7/29/10
Morain: Oceans protector gets tossed off ship -- Don Benninghoven is an unlikely martyr to the cause of ocean protection. Dan Morain -- 7/29/10
Republicans Following Porn on Twitter -- If you're going to get hit with a sex scandal, you should at least make sure to enjoy the sex. Yet the California Republican Party has been monitoring the online offerings of dozens of porn purveyors in a situation that gains the GOP neither pleasure nor profit. Joe EskenaziSF Weekly -- 7/29/10
Budget forums across state anger GOP -- Republicans are still simmering over what they claim was nothing more than a seven-city budget road show staged by Assembly Democrats that cost taxpayers at least $16,000 and produced little measurable results. Michael Gardner -- 7/29/10
Skelton: California Senate leader offers pathway out of budget stalemate -- Steinberg's plan to raise most income taxes and vehicle fees but cut the sales tax is at least an effort, which is more than most of his colleagues have offered. George Skelton -- 7/29/10
La Opinión: They differ on the effectiveness of Perez -- Proposals by the President of the Assembly have earned criticism. Araceli Martínez Ortegavia Google Translate (Good but not perfect)
Bell Fallout California's city officials scramble to limit damage from Bell scandal -- City managers will gather in Sacramento on Thursday to discuss damage control. Some say more residents are seeking salary information from city halls. The Legislature considers reforms as well. Sam Allen, Abby Sewell and Patrick McGreevy -- 7/29/10
Bell pensions on hold until investigation is finished -- Three highly paid administrators in Bell will not be permitted to draw their state pensions until the attorney general determines whether the city broke the law in awarding the hefty paychecks, according to an official with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. Marc Lifsher -- 7/29/10
West County schools to attempt parcel tax in November -- School board members unanimously chose this week to move ahead with a tax of 7.2 cents per square foot of building area, or $7.20 per vacant parcel, each year for five years. Shelly Meron -- 7/29/10
Dixon weighs tax for new library, fate of 100-year-old structure -- Dixon residents have started wrangling over whether to tax themselves to build a new library and what to do with their century-old Carnegie library, which is still in use. Hudson Sangree -- 7/29/10
Furloughs Schwarzenegger orders a new round of unpaid furloughs -- More than 150,000 California workers will be forced to take off three days a month — the equivalent of a 14% pay cut — after a financial state of emergency is declared over the lack of a budget. Jon OrtizJUDY LINAraceli Martínez OrtegaLa Opiniónvia Google Translate (Good but not perfect)
Schwarzenegger's latest furloughs pick winners and losers -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Wednesday furlough order did something different: It picked winners and losers. Jon Ortiz in the -- 7/29/10
Sacramento businesses expect new furloughs to hurt -- The return of "Furlough Fridays" will bring another nasty little jolt to the wounded Sacramento economy, depriving the region of millions of dollars in consumer spending. Dale Kasler -- 7/29/10
Gas stations: latest fight of tribes against the locals? -- At a Porterville City Council meeting last week, a group of gas station owners got up and spoke out against a plan by the Tule River Tribe to open up a 40-acre retail complex near that town’s airport. They said they were afraid that the tribe would open up a gas station and put them out of business because it wouldn’t be required to pay state and local taxes. Malcolm Maclachlan in Capitol Weekly -- 7/29/10
Uncommon Success for Union Adversary -- Sean Elsbernd is scoring victories by battling with organized labor, a strategy that not long ago might have derailed a politician's career in San Francisco. GEOFFREY A. FOWLERWall Street Journal -- 7/29/10
California's Building Bust Choking Off Jobs -- Amid the tepid economic recovery, California's construction industry continues to hemorrhage jobs, helping to explain why unemployment across the state remains so much worse than elsewhere in the country. CARI TUNAWall Street Journal -- 7/29/10
Google is hiring — again -- In a county with more than 100,000 people looking for work and an unemployment rate above 11 percent since June 2009, Google has gone on a hiring spree, increasing the size of its global work force by nearly 2,000 people during the first six months of 2010. Mike Swift -- 7/29/10
Fensterwald: Smarter world threatens to pass us by -- In the decades following the Second World War, the Unites States was among world leaders in the percentage of adults with a higher education degree. The GI bill underwrote the brain power that spurred America’s innovation. -- 7/29/10
Community colleges, state workers feel heat from budget impasse -- Without a signed budget, state Controller John Chiang said his office cannot release $155 million in payment to the community colleges. Erin Ferguson -- 7/29/10
UC San Diego police investigate noose in stairwell -- UC San Diego police are investigating an incident in which a rope resembling a noose was found suspended in a campus stairwell. Carla Rivera -- 7/29/10
Florez, Valley air district leader debate ag burning -- State Sen. Dean Florez held what could be his last legislative hearing Wednesday doing what he has done for most of his Capitol tenure -- grilling Valley air regulators over their pollution-fighting policies. E.J. SchultzFresno Bee -- 7/29/10
Pot Sacramento council backs tighter limits on marijuana dispensaries -- Sacramento City Hall isn't going to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the city. But that doesn't mean there's going to be one on every street corner. -- 7/29/10
California pressures Bristol-Myers Squibb on cost of AIDS drug -- Two of the state's largest retirement funds – CalPERS and CalSTRS, which have significant investments in Bristol-Myers Squibb – also sent letters as part of the growing chorus trying to get the company to cut prices on the anti-retroviral drug Reyataz. and Phillip Reese -- 7/29/10
If 1 of 5 California adults need mental health services, why do so few seek help? -- Nearly 5 million California adults say they need help for a mental or emotional health problem, and more than 1 million Californians report symptoms associated with serious psychological distress, according to a study released yesterday by researchers at UCLA. Joanna Lin -- 7/29/10
LA cancer screening center plans to shut down today -- The Elizabeth Center for Cancer Detection in Los Angeles — one of the oldest cancer screening clinics in California — plans to shut down today after treating its last patients. Megan BaierHealthyCal.org -- 7/29/10
Laguna Beach hospital chief was also its debt collector -- The former president of a Laguna Beach hospital has been operating a debt-collection company that recovered medical payments from his own facility, raising conflict-of-interest questions as the CEO moves to a new hospital in Riverside County. Christina Jewett -- 7/29/10
Californians reevaluate Arizona boycott plans -- The federal court ruling Wednesday that set aside key provisions of Arizona's controversial immigration law is causing some Californians to rethink their efforts to boycott the state. Joe GarofoliSan Francisco Chronicle -- 7/29/10
California voters express support for Arizona-style law -- A recent Field Poll suggests that were such an initiative to make it onto the ballot, it would get strong support from California's electorate, just as Proposition 187, the initiative stripping illegal immigrants of a range of benefits, did in 1994. Louis FreedbergCalifornia Watch -- 7/29/10
Court ruling unlikely to change politics of immigration -- The equation spelling gridlock in Congress remains unchanged: The comprehensive overhaul promoted by Obama — and Bush — lacks any GOP support in the Senate, and therefore cannot pass. Ken Dilanian and Lisa Mascaro -- 7/29/10
Inland House members split on Arizona ruling -- Rep. Joe Baca, the region's sole Democratic House member, hailed the ruling. Reps. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and Darrell Issa, R-Vista, each issued statements denouncing Bolton's ruling. Ben Goad -- 7/29/10
Baca amendments shot down as panel passes Internet gambling bill -- In a three-hour mark-up session, Baca, D-Rialto, expressed concerns that the bill would take business away from tribal casinos and cost jobs in California. He proposed two amendments to soften the potential impact. Ben GoadRiverside Press -- 7/29/10
Nancy Reagan joins governor for signing of Reagan bills -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined former first lady Nancy Reagan on Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley as he ceremoniously signed legislation celebrating President Reagan and his contributions to the state. Michele Willer-AllredVentura Star -- 7/29/10
Schwarzenegger's bronze grizzly picks up new moniker -- It's been more than a year now since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger installed a new guard outside his office door, an 800-pound bronze grizzly bear he picked up at an art gallery in Aspen, Colo. Amy Chance -- 7/29/10
President Obama rolls up sleeves to raise cash -- President Barack Obama’s endless summer of fundraising is heating up — with the addition of a big-money August house party to help out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s imperiled Democrats, POLITICO has learned. JOHN BRESNAHAN & GLENN THRUSH -- 7/29/10
Saunders: A shameless charade on disclosure -- The Senate Democrats' "Disclose" Act - "Disclose" stands for "Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections" - represents perhaps the baldest, if failed, power grab attempted this year. But you wouldn't guess it from reading news stories about the bill. Debra J. SaundersSan Francisco Chronicle -- 7/29/10
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28 Jul 2010 17:41
en Powerful teachers' union joins indy group backing Democrat gov candidate Jerry Brown -- California Working Families for Jerry Brown, the independent expenditure group working to help the Democratic State Attorney General's 2010 gubernatorial campaign, just got a powerhouse ally -- the 325,000-member California Teachers Association. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/28/10
Budget +28: A Tax Swap? -- Consider this the first real leak of from the seemingly stalled budget negotiations: a proposal being bandied about to raise most income tax rates in California while lowering sales tax rates, erasing between $2 billion and $3 billion of the deficit. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 7/28/10
Schwarzenegger to order more furloughs for state workers -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will impose unpaid furloughs through executive order on most state workers again beginning in August, according to a union official who was briefed on the plan by the administration. Shane Goldmacher in the Los Angeles TimesLisa Vorderbrueggen Political Blotter weblog -- 7/28/10
Race for governor degenerates into playground taunts -- California's race for governor is a product of its political age -- a relatively policy-free affair with no shortage of political slap fights. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/28/10
CA GOP Sec of State candidate Damon Dunn, former NFL player, lands endorsement of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott -- Republican California Secretary of State candidate Damon Dunn landed a big name free agent today with the endorsement of former San Francisco 49er Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott, who praised the Irvine businessman and former NFL player as a man who "represents what America is all about." Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/28/10
Annual Climate Report Shows a Warming World -- Global temperatures continued to increase in 2009, and atmospheric greenhouse gas levels also rose, according to a new “State of the Climate Report” from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) KQED Climate Watch -- 7/28/10
Schwarzenegger calls for Reagan statue -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this morning that a statue of former President Ronald Reagan should be built at the state Capitol, and that a college, mountain range or lake should perhaps be named for him. David Siders SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/28/10
Report on immigrant political clout out of whack -- The pro-immigrant Immigration Policy Center today released a massive state-by-state survey of immigrants' economic and political impact, clearly aimed at boosting prospects of immigration reform in Congress, and California, not surprisingly, is a major feature of the report. Dan Walters SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/28/10
Water workers renew demands for sweeter pensions -- If those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it, what can we say about workers at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, who are pushing anew for precisely the same sweetened pension benefits that sunk their contract last year? Teri Sforza in the Orange County Register -- 7/28/10
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28 Jul 2010 11:44
| July 28, 2010 11:41 AM
Federal judge blocks key parts of Arizona immigration law -- The ruling halts implementation of parts of the law that require police to determine the immigration status of people they stop and suspect of being in the U.S. illegally. Nicholas Riccardi -- 7/28/10
Fiorina urged for Hispanics -- A conservative group headed by Alfonso Latino Aguilar, a former government official to George W. Bush, attacked Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday. He said that "since coming to Washington (Boxer) has not lifted a finger for immigrants "and announced a campaign of one million dollars to promote to the Latino community the nomination of Carly Fiorina. Pilar MarreroLa Opinión -- 7/28/10 Translated by Google. (Good but not perfect.)
Fiorina attacks Boxer on stimulus, military -- In a San Diego campaign stop to showcase her support for veterans, Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina again criticized Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer for backing the federal economic stimulus act and questioned her support for the military. Michele Clock -- 7/28/10
Whitman ups Facebook ante -- Facebook users have seen ads soliciting thoughts on everything from their favorite vacation spot to the best engagement ring. -- 7/28/10
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CalBuzz: Humpday: Bell Chimes for Krusty, eMeg in 2016! -- Back when George Stephanopoulos was peddling his memoir of life in the Clinton White House, he often began his stock talk to audiences with a classic joke premised on him defining the word “politics,” which went something like this: “It derives from the Greek root ‘poli,’ meaning ‘the many,’” he’d say, then pause a beat. “And the word ‘tics,’ meaning, “blood sucking parasites.’” Jerry RobertsPhil Trounstine -- 7/28/10
Front-runner ducks in state Senate debate -- Three of the four candidates running to replace Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado in the state Senate squared off in a debate Monday night, trading views on oil-extraction taxes, the state budget and education spending, among other topics. But Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, the Republican candidate, did not attend — even though the debate was held in his hometown. The item is in the -- 7/28/10
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association files lawsuit to change California's global warming ballot measure -- The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association on Tuesday filed a lawsuit seeking to rewrite the ballot description of Proposition 23, a measure voters will consider in November that would suspend California's global warming law. Paul RogersSan Jose Mercury -- 7/28/10
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Democrats hope first-time voters of 2008 turn out again -- More than 1 million Californians, mostly young and minorities, cast their first ballots in the presidential race. Strategists say getting them to the polls again may be an uphill battle. Seema Mehta -- 7/28/10
Expanding the vote -- Call 13,000 people, and you'll talk to about 3,900. Of those, about 2,300 will like what you have to say. And of those, about 1,380 will show up to vote in November. James Rufus Koren -- 7/28/10
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Thompson votes against Afghanistan war money -- North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson said Tuesday he voted against a $38 billion increase in Afghanistan war funding because he disagrees with the military strategy and opposes emergency supplements after about a decade of operations. PAUL PAYNESanta Rosa Press -- 7/28/10
Islamic group denounces planned Temecula mosque protest -- The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations cites the organizers' call for protesters to bring their dogs — considered an insult to Muslims. Phil Willon -- 7/28/10
Breton: Ho-hum, taxpayers ripped off again -- The most insidious kind of corruption is the mundane lapse of judgment often behind the everyday fleecing of taxpayers in California. Marcos Breton -- 7/28/10
Budget No end in sight for Sacramento budget stalemate -- The two parties are staging stunts as the state's unpaid bills pile up heading into the fifth week without a spending plan. -- 7/28/10
Feeling little heat, California leaders drag out budget battle -- Exactly one year ago today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a state budget package after nearly a month of IOUs and serious closed-door, cigar-fueled negotiations. And where are we now? Nowhere close. Kevin Yamamura -- 7/28/10
Tax Measures Antioch sales tax hike goes to ballot -- If approved, Antioch's tax rate would climb to 9.75 percent, an increase of about 50 additional cents for every $100 spent at Antioch stores. Paul BurgarinoContra Costa Times -- 7/28/10
Concord to vote on sales tax increase this fall -- The additional 0.5 percent tax, which would end after five years, would raise the sales tax in the city to 9.75 percent. Revenue would be overseen by a citizens oversight committee. Elisabeth NardiContra Costa Times -- 7/28/10
Santa Rosa puts sales tax hike on ballot -- In a unanimous vote, the City Council agreed to place a ¼-cent sales tax on the Nov. 2 ballot, a measure expected to raise $6 million a year. Kevin McCallumSanta Rosa Press -- 7/28/10
Labor, business battle over San Francisco tax measures -- San Francisco voters will consider three tax hikes and an increase to the vehicle registration fee in November, a scenario that's already pitting the city's powerful business and labor interests against each other. Rachel GordonGerry Shih -- 7/28/10
Stanislaus County workers 'spike' retirement pay -- Nearly all of Stanislaus County's management employees and more than 75 percent of rank-and-file workers cash out unused vacation time to "spike" their retirement pay, according to a study. Ken CarlsonModesto Bee -- 7/28/10
Beneath the thousands of teacher layoffs are stories of uncertain futures for Inland families -- The Inland area's laid-off teachers are cutting their household budgets and learning to tell their children no. DAYNA STRAEHLEY -- 7/28/10
Plummeting cigarette sales cut California tax revenues -- Cigarette sales in California plunged to their lowest level in a decade last year as smokers were squeezed by new taxes and restrictions on where they could light up. -- 7/28/10
Walters: Bullet train poll mostly propaganda -- California's already shaky bullet train project suffered a severe blow this month when the University of California's prestigious Institute of Transportation Studies issued a sharply critical report on its ridership projections. -- 7/28/10
Most Californians want bullet trains, state poll finds -- Although nearly half of Californians have reservations about paying for the state's high-speed rail line, three-fourths of them want to be able to ride bullet trains between the Bay Area and Southern California, a poll released Tuesday shows. Mike RosenbergSan Jose Mercury -- 7/28/10
California's clean energy future threatened by federal delays, state officials say -- The U.S. Department of Energy is accused of foot-dragging in approving loan guarantees to finance several major projects worth an estimated $30 billion. Marc Lifsher -- 7/28/10
Major League Baseball offers to help pay for San Jose stadium election — on one condition -- Alarmed by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's surprise move last week to place an A's ballpark measure on the November ballot, Major League Baseball on Tuesday asked the mayor to delay his plans — which Reed said he'll consider. Tracy SeipelSan Jose MercuryPhillip Matier, Andrew Ross -- 7/28/10
L.A. County D.A. expands probe into Bell government -- Investigators are looking into allegations of voter fraud and conflicts of interest, as well as the $100,000 salaries paid to four council members. The D.A. says several elections are targeted. Richard Winton, Jeff Gottlieb -- 7/28/10
Bell official to ask state controller to independently audit city's finances -- Bell's interim chief administrator is to ask State Controller John Chiang to conduct an independent audit of the city's finances -- part of the city's "commitment to increased transparency and accountability to the public," according to a news release. Jeff Gottlieb -- 7/28/10
Silicon Valley housing market gaining steam, slowly -- Seven days was all it took. Accepting an all-cash offer, Isobel Sheehan sold her Palo Alto townhouse recently for nearly $900,000, joining other Bay Area homeowners who've begun to come in from the recessionary cold. Patrick MaySan Jose Mercury -- 7/28/10
Rivals SEIU, Unite Here reach deal on hotel, casino workers -- An 18-month brawl between the powerful unions SEIU and Unite Here ended this week with a deal that sends tens of millions of dollars in disputed assets to Unite Here and secures its rights to organize workers in hotels and casinos. Darrell Smith -- 7/28/10
Some Sacramento workers oppose union, side with City Hall on cutbacks -- In an unusual showdown, a group of city workers are lashing out against City Hall's largest labor union after another summer of drawn-out negotiations and mass layoffs. Ryan Lillis -- 7/28/10
Revolutionary Intel chip uses light to send data -- In a development that could revolutionize how PCs and other tech gadgets communicate, Intel announced Tuesday that it had made the first chip that sends and receives information using beams of light. Steve JohnsonSan Jose Mercury -- 7/28/10
Fensterwald: In final heat for Race to the Top -- Switching from a big-tent strategy, with a lot of districts committing to little, to a pup- tent strategy, with a few districts pledging to do a lot, has paid off so far for California in Race to the Top. -- 7/28/10
Millions in delayed education stimulus funds face further stall -- The fate of $37 million in federal stimulus funds that have been sitting for nearly a year could be delayed even further if the 2010-11 budget talks between the Legislature and the governor turns sour. Corey G. Johnson -- 7/28/10
Report: Students stumble over tricky financial aid verification process -- A new report suggests that many California college students don't receive the federal financial aid they're eligible for in part because of the red tape they encounter after submitting their applications. Erica Perez -- 7/28/10
San Diego Schools, city stare into abyss -- The San Diego Unified School District and city of San Diego are struggling to find a way to end chronic budget shortfalls that have plagued them in recent years and are projected to continue into the future. Craig GustafsonSan Diego Union-Trib -- 7/28/10
California, New Mexico and 3 Canadian provinces outline regional cap-and-trade program -- The Western Climate Initiative would cut greenhouse gas emissions 15% below 2005 levels by putting restrictions on the energy sector, large industrial plants and transportation. Margot Roosevelt -- 7/28/10
A Glimpse of How Regional Carbon Trading Might Work -- After three years of deliberations, participants in the regional carbon trading pact known as the Western Climate Initiative have released a "comprehensive strategy" for how the coalition will achieve its goals of reducing emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. Gretchen Weber KQED Climate Watch -- 7/28/10
How can NASA help California farmers? -- Generally preoccupied by such celestial phenomena as brown dwarves and solar flares, NASA is now turning its sights to a more provincial domain: farms. Susanne Rust -- 7/28/10
Sonoma County sues feds over energy retrofit policy -- At issue is whether the federal agencies have the power to set rules affecting home loans on properties where the owners have participated in retrofit programs. ROBERT DIGITALESanta Rosa Press -- 7/28/10
L.A. County residents living longer, but old disparities persist -- Public health officials' analysis finds the average lifespan to be 80.3 years as of 2006, up from 75.8 in 1991. Black men had the shortest, 69.4 years. Molly Hennessy-Fiske -- 7/28/10
L.A. union members, activists to caravan to Arizona to protest immigration law -- More than 550 people representing 32 unions plan to travel in 11 buses for a rally at the state Capitol and a vigil with local groups on the day the law is set to take effect. Anna Gorman -- 7/28/10
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Schwarzenegger declares state of emergency in Kern County -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern County, where wildfires this week have destroyed about 25 homes and continue to burn. David Siders -- 7/28/10
Farmers to cut auto insurance rates for some California customers -- Drivers covered by the company's Farmers Insurance Exchange subsidiary will see premiums fall by an average of 14.5% and can get a 10% rebate on policy renewals. Nathan Olivarez-Giles -- 7/28/10
Tag-team journalism: A case study of the California Watch distribution model -- In Switzerland, children attend school for 228 days a year. In South Korea, it’s 220 days. By this measure, California looks like a slacker. Mark Katches -- 7/28/10
Sacramento Council moves ahead with plan not to cap medical pot dispensaries -- The Sacramento City Council moved forward Tuesday on an ordinance that would place no cap on the number of medicinal marijuana dispensaries allowed in the city and would require the businesses to obtain special permits. Ryan Lillis in the -- 7/28/10
Local servicemen's deaths detailed in leaks -- Classified military documents published on the Internet this week contain new details about the deaths of two soldiers and a Marine from the Northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills who were killed in Afghanistan. Adam Ashton in the Modesto Bee -- 7/28/10
Poll: A few cracks in Obama's Hispanic support -- President Barack Obama's once solid support among Hispanics is showing a few cracks, a troubling sign for Democrats desperate to get this critical constituency excited about helping the party hold onto Congress this fall. Liz Sidoti -- 7/28/10
Beltway Issa: Obama “pre-occupied” with BP politics -- Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), one of the Obama administration’s harshest critics, is once again taking aim at the federal response to the BP oil spill – this time, over a White House decision to dispatch administration aides to Florida to deal with the political fallout from the crisis. Ben Smith -- 7/28/10
Dems table campaign finance reformPolitico -- 7/28/10
Democrats' spill bills highlight opposition -- House and Senate Democratic leaders Tuesday rolled out their big “spill bills” — the main legislative responses to the Gulf oil spill. The proposals are packed with aggressive offshore drilling reforms that Republicans have long fought and were immediately met with fierce pushback from the GOP and the oil industry. CORAL DAVENPORTPolitico -- 7/28/10
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27 Jul 2010 20:57
| July 27, 2010 5:55 PM en EspañolSince This Morning Whitman up for three debates; Brown still wants 10 -- We're all for candidates "challenging" each other to debates, but remember how Brown, the former governor and current state attorney general, announced last month that he was up for 10 debates? It seems like he had accepted Whitman's challenge before she even issued it. Drew Joseph Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/27/10
ACLU requests FBI documents related to 'ethnic mapping' -- The American Civil Liberties Union, saying portions on the FBI's operation guide invites racial profiling on the part of agents, is asking the FBI to hand over records related to the agency's collection of racial and ethnic data. SALVADOR HERNANDEZ in the Orange County Register -- 7/27/10
Funders of new pro-Fiorina group are hard to trace -- Today in Los Angeles, a group called The Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles announced what they say will be a $1-million campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina. But finding out where the money comes from -- if and when it actually does come -- is virtually impossible. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Star endorser at Latino "values" event to help Fiorina -- the 2008 Queen of SF Gay Pride Parade? -- That "Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles" fundraiser in Los Angeles to reach conservative Latinos, celebrate "Tus Valores" (Your Values) and help U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina had an interesting twist: among the star celebrity backers in the lineup was Mexican-born telenovela star Karyme Lozano -- who also happens to be the crowned Queen of the 2008 San Francisco LGBT Pride events and parade. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/27/10
Host of Fiorina event in Sacramento endorses Boxer -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina might have picked the wrong restaurant to announce her Latino outreach effort. David Siders SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/27/107/27/10
Hiltzik: Oil industry is driving force behind Proposition 23's attack on California's new greenhouse gas regulation -- If a ballot initiative is known by the company it keeps, we should be just a teeny bit suspicious of Proposition 23, the Nov. 2 measure designed to eviscerate California's new greenhouse gas regulation. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Lawsuit against Bell suggests voter fraud in 2009 election -- A lawsuit filed Monday by a former Bell police officer makes a variety of serious allegations about city officials and suggests voter fraud in a 2009 election. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Whitman accepts Fresno debate; Brown is pondering invitation -- Remember right after the June primary when Democrat Jerry Brown said he'd debate Republican Meg Whitman any time, any place? Whitman has agreed to a Fresno debate on Oct. 2 at Fresno State, but Brown's gubernatorial campaign will only say the debate is under consideration. Jim Boren Fresno Bee News Blog -- 7/27/10
Whitman downplays White House ambitions -- Appearing on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman emphasized her tenure as chief executive of EBay, saying her experience at the company gave her insight into the conditions needed for small businesses to thrive. And she said she had no plans to run for higher office if she were elected governor. Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Senate Republican ranks hold against campaign bill -- Senate Democrats failed to attract a single Republican vote on the DISCLOSE Act Tuesday, effectively defeating the bill and casting doubts over whether any campaign finance measure can pass the upper chamber before the November elections. MEREDITH SHINERPoliticoJames Oliphant in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Poll: Boxer and her hair are in the lead -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is shopping around a new poll that shows incumbent U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., leading GOP nominee Carly Fiorina by nine percentage points – and Boxer’s hair leading Fiorina’s by five. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 7/27/10
Sacramento Bee to co-sponsor governor's debate -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has agreed to participate in a September debate co-sponsored by The Sacramento Bee. Other sponsors of the event, to be held September 28 on the UC Davis campus, are KCRA, Capitol Public Radio and the University of California, Davis. Amy Chance SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/27/10
Amid bickering, Whitman and Brown agree to two fall debates -- In politics, it's all about the spin. Take, for instance, a news release issued Tuesday by the Meg Whitman campaign that proclaims, "Meg Whitman Challenges Jerry Brown to Three Fall Debates." It was an interesting take given that Brown, the Democratic attorney general, issued the debate challenge to Whitman and her GOP primary rival, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, at the state Democratic convention in April. Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles TimesMartin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 7/27/10
NRSC moves to help shape Fiorina’s message -- Politico reports that Brian Jones, a former Republican National Committee communications director and senior communications advisor to John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, has been tapped by the National Republican Senatorial Committee to give former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina a hand in her race against incumbent U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 7/27/10
Democrat Navarro leaves 'door open' for GOP -- One of the Inland Empire's most outspoken Democratic activists says he is unhappy with the county Democratic Party and is considering promoting Republican candidates for local office. James Rufus Koren in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 7/27/10
Former Bell police officer alleges serious voting irregularities in 2009 election -- A retired Bell police sergeant claimed in a lawsuit filed this week that off-duty Bell police officers in the 2009 election distributed absentee ballots to voters and told them which candidates to select. Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
California makes finals for Race to the Top funds -- California is one of 19 states to advance to the final round. Thirty-six states applied for a piece of the roughly $3 billion in federal stimulus dollars that will be awarded to states who best demonstrate a commitment to achieving the Obama administration's education goals. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/27/10
Tauscher diagnosed with early stage cancer -- Former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, a top arms control official in President Obama administration who represented the East Bay for 14 years, has been diagnosed with early stage cancer of the esophagus, according to ForeignPolicy.com. Lisa Vorderbrueggen Political Blotter weblog -- 7/27/10
California, other states agree to carbon trading system -- California and 10 other states and Canadian provinces have moved ahead with plans to create a $260 billion market for buying and selling pollution allowances. Rick Daysog in the Sacramento Bee -- 7/27/10
Lopez: 'Hello, Nathaniel': Ayers' trip to D.C. one of uncertainty, triumph -- When he spun a dream on skid row using two violin strings, the musician never would have envisioned a command performance at the White House. Yet, here he is. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
Judging Vaughn Walker on Gay Rights -- The federal judge ruling on same-sex marriage is gay, and those on both sides say it's irrelevant. Kate McLeanBay Citizen -- 7/27/10
Untangling The Local-State Knot -- Talk to enough veterans of the world of California government and you come to realize that one key element in 'fixing' what ails the state may be trying to untangle the complicated, and often dysfunctional, relationship between cities and counties and the state Capitol. Again. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 7/27/10
Cruickshank: Jerry Brown's Flawed Pension Plan -- As progressive activists across America organize to fight the looming "cat food commission" proposals to destroy the futures of working Americans by slashing Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age, Jerry Brown is now proposing to do the same here in California - in this case with cuts to public employee pensions: Robert Cruickshank (Calitics) Cal Progress Report -- 7/27/10
Pentagon can't account for $8.7 billion in Iraqi funds -- The reconstruction money was from oil revenue it was entrusted with between 2004 and 2007, according to a newly released audit that underscores a pattern of poor record-keeping. Liz Sly in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/27/10
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27 Jul 2010 04:11
July 27, 2010 2:52 AMSchwarzenegger: No budget til he leaves office? -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger caused a stir in the Capitol Monday when he told reporters he wouldn’t sign a budget that didn’t include long-term reforms, even if it means the state goes without a new spending plan until he leaves office in January. Dan WeintraubHealthyCal.orgShane Goldmacher -- 7/27/10
Steinberg gets tough: fires consultant, fires back at Arnold -- Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg apparently wore his tough guy outfit to work Monday (replete with spurs and holster), firing a political consultant and then firing back at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for saying he wanted all his demands met in the budget. Steven Harmon -- 7/27/10
What labor may like best about Brown: He's not Whitman -- Unions are giving the candidate plenty of financial support, even though he has made no commitment to their causes. -- 7/27/10
Ohio coal company that backed Fiorina also gave to Prop. 23 -- Appalachian coal interests pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into political campaigns each election cycle, but hardly any of the money finds its way into California campaigns. -- 7/27/10
GOP reserves $1.75M for ads in California Senate race -- Republicans have reserved $1.75 million for television ads to help Carly Fiorina in the final week of the California Senate race. The commitment signals GOP optimism about unseating three-term Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in November. KEVIN FREKINGAP -- 7/27/10
Whitman's new ad goes soft focus -- Perhaps her internal pollsters are whispering that those Jerry Brown-bashing ads aren't working, as Meg Whitman released a new 60-second radio ad Monday that's all soft-focusey about Meg's time CEOing eBay. Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/27/10
Democratic donor gives $5 million to Prop. 23 foes -- Thomas Steyer, a San Francisco hedge fund manager and a big backer of Democratic candidates, will donate $5 million to a group opposing the ballot measure to roll back California's landmark climate change law. -- 7/27/10
Bay Area pours donations into pot legalization campaigns -- Campaign contributions from California supporting the legalization and taxation of marijuana have largely come from the Bay Area, with the Tax Cannabis 2010 campaign sponsors leading the charge, according to state campaign finance reports. Mandy Hofmockel -- 7/27/10
Bell council agrees to roll back its salary 90% -- City Council members in Bell unanimously agreed Monday to give up their controversial $96,000-a-year salaries and instead draw only $673 a month a 90% decrease. -- 7/27/10
As top Bell officials earned massive salaries, city workers were laid off -- The city cut more than $800,000 from public safety and community services the same year that it gave City Manager Robert Rizzo an $82,000 raise. Kim Christensen, Scott GoldHector Becerra -- 7/27/10
CalBuzz: Chris Finnie: Missing the Point About the Grassroots -- Calbuzz recently highlighted a link to Talking Points Memo, headlined “Meg Whitman Copies Obama Playbook,” in which writer Christina Bellantoni argues that eMeg’s $150 million campaign for governor is effectively cloning the president’s 2008 operation. Sorry boys, but Christina’s clueless. Chris Finnie -- 7/27/10
Walters: Long California budget stalemate could affect Prop. 25 -- Remember the state budget? The one that the state constitution says should have been done by June 15 for a fiscal year that began on July 1? -- 7/27/10
Allies take opposing stands on Prop. 22 -- A November ballot initiative aimed at protecting local transit, transportation and redevelopment funds from state raids is pitting normally allied groups against one another. Marisa Lagos -- 7/27/10
A first: Bakersfield Dem puts up $20K for radio ad opposing pot legalization -- Unless you live in the Central Valley, odds are that you would never have heard of the campaign of Michael Rubio, a Kern County supervisor running for state senate in Bakersfield. Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 7/27/10
Maldonado's family farm settles tax bill with IRS -- The lieutenant governor's brother and father paid $111,146 in back taxes Monday but said they were doing so "under protest" because they dispute the charge. Jack DolanShane Goldmacher -- 7/27/10
GOP win could lift Inland influence -- As Republicans eye a takeover in the House of Representatives this fall, two Inland congressmen are well positioned to reap the benefits. BEN GOADRiverside Press -- 7/27/10
Court adds more time to minimum wage clock -- A Sacramento Superior Court hearing today wound up pushing back the date for when attorneys will again debate whether Controller John Chiang must issue minimum wage paychecks to state workers. The upshot: No minimum wage for state workers now at least through September, and quite possibly well beyond that. Jon Ortiz -- 7/27/10
SB400 pension boost: uncanny forecast unheeded -- As CalPERS publicly said a decade ago that a major pension increase, now targeted for rollbacks, could be paid for with investment earnings rather than higher state costs, its actuaries made a startlingly accurate forecast of the impact if earnings fell short. Ed MendelCalpensions.com -- 7/27/10
Oakland council puts parcel tax on ballot -- Oakland's City Council on Monday night agreed to put a four-year, $360-per-parcel tax on the November ballot to fund police and fire services, a condition that the police union demanded before it would agree to have members pay toward their pensions. Matthai Kuruvila -- 7/27/10
San Diego Sheriff and DA get $10,000-plus raises -- Sheriff Bill Gore and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis got five-figure pay raises this month, The Watchdog has learned. Gore’s annual salary jumped by $10,400 a year, to $218,504. Dumanis’ pay climbed by $11,461, to $240,739. Jeff McDonaldSan Diego Union-Trib -- 7/27/10
SEIU attacks rival union's tentative deal with L.A. -- Engineers and Architects Assn. is voting on an agreement that would boost workers' contributions to healthcare costs. SEIU argues it would set an unacceptable precedent for other city worker unions. David Zahniser -- 7/27/10
Sacramento's empty storefronts finding tenants -- After an epic collapse in the market two years ago, retail vacancy rates in greater Sacramento fell slightly in the second quarter, according to a new report by broker Colliers International. It was the first decline in vacancies in three years. Dale Kasler -- 7/27/10
Silicon Valley jobless tap retirement plans to survive -- With few prospects on the horizon, some of Silicon Valley's jobless are sacrificing future retirement security for day-to-day survival. -- 7/27/10
Oracle's Ellison: Pay King -- Larry Ellison, founder and chief executive of software maker Oracle Corp., topped the list of best-paid executives of public companies during the past decade, receiving $1.84 billion in compensation, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of CEO pay. SCOTT THURMWall Street Journal -- 7/27/10
Google: Good enough for government work -- The tech firm wins a key federal security clearance and introduces new applications for government customers. Jessica Guynn and -- 7/27/10
UC professors raise doubts about online degree plan -- The University of California's interest in offering an online degree is opening a new chapter in the debate over online education. Laurel RosenhallSacramento Bee -- 7/27/10
Fensterwald: Not from 90210? Beverly Hills says, ‘Out’ -- The decision by Beverly Hills Unified School District to kick out many non-resident students, starting this fall, portends trouble for the state’s new open-enrollment law, allowing students in the state’s worst performing schools to transfer to better schools in other districts. Many of the state’s wealthiest districts may end up deciding to steer clear of the program. -- 7/27/10
Smaller school districts also cutting instructional days -- Smaller districts throughout the state are being forced to shorten their school year in response to the state's budget crisis. Louis Freedberg -- 7/27/10
Cal Poly Pomona receives $42-million cash grant, largest in Cal State history -- The gift from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will be given over five years and used to expand education opportunities for underrepresented students. Carla Rivera -- 7/27/10
Valley-L.A. water deal may be in works -- West-side farmers look to swap this year's surplus for additional supplies next season. Mark GrossiFresno Bee -- 7/27/10
Sacramento County may open 20,000 acres to development -- Supporters say supervisors are being sage, freeing space for the region and its economy to grow. Detractors say they are abdicating their primary responsibility: to engineer transit-friendly "smart growth" over sprawl. Robert Lewis and Phillip ReeseSacramento Bee -- 7/27/10
Wind farm 'mega-project' underway in Mojave Desert -- The Alta Wind Energy Center — with plans for thousands of acres of turbines to generate electricity for 600,000 Southern California homes — officially breaks ground Tuesday. Tiffany Hsu -- 7/27/10
California emergency rooms average 274-minute waits -- Patients visiting California emergency departments waited an average of four hours, 34 minutes last year. That's two minutes longer than they waited in 2008 and 27 minutes longer than the national average. Joanna Lin -- 7/27/10
California to send e-mail notice of health insurers' plans to hike rates -- The state Department of Insurance has begun alerting customers by e-mail whenever health insurance providers submit planned rate hikes to the agency. Bobby Caina CalvanSacramento Bee -- 7/27/10
'We are all Arizona,' protesters in LA say -- Unfurling "Stop Racist Arizona Law" banners from freeway overpasses during morning and evening rush hour, immigration reform activists Monday kicked off a week of demonstrations against that state's tough new law that takes effect Thursday unless a federal judge intervenes. Tony Castro -- 7/27/10
Fontana woman joins hunger strike for Dream Act -- A Fontana woman joined a hunger strike outside Sen. Dianne Feinstein's offices in Los Angeles Monday, in hope of calling attention to the need for federal legislation that would pave the way for illegal immigrant students to become citizens. Josh DulaneySan Bernardino Sun -- 7/27/10
Saunders: Free pass for sanctuary cities? -- The Obama administration had gone to federal court to kill Arizona's new illegal-immigration law, scheduled to go into effect Thursday. Debra J. SaundersSan Francisco Chronicle -- 7/27/10
Oakland City Council Agrees to Tax Cannabis -- The Oakland City Council voted 5-0 to tax medical marijuana dispensaries and growers 5 percent of their total revenue in a meeting Monday. Under the plan, Oakland will also levy a 10 percent tax on recreational pot if state voters pass Proposition 19 and legalize the drug in November. Kate McLean -- 7/27/10
Oxnard wonders if there's another name for it -- The seaside city in Ventura County is looking to boost tourism and improve it's image. One idea: changing its name to Oxnard Shores. Steve Chawkins -- 7/27/10
Chuck DeVore: Talk show host -- DeVore says his guest hosting gig is “an extended job interview” to see if he’s got the chops to host his own radio program, full time. BRIAN JOSEPH in the -- 7/27/10
David Blackwell dies at 91; mathematician, UC Berkeley's first tenured black professor -- Blackwell, who taught at Berkeley for nearly 35 years, was also the first black scholar in the National Academy of Sciences. The item is in the -- 7/27/10
POTUS 44 President Obama to Appear on ‘The View’ -- President Obama will be joining the hosts of “The View” this week, in an appearance that ABC said would be “the first time in history a sitting United States president has visited a daytime talk show.” BRIAN STELTER in the New York Times -- 7/27/10
a través de Google Translate (buena pero no perfecta)
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26 Jul 2010 18:40
July 26, 2010 2:18 PMSince This Morning Jerry Brown issues subpoenas in Bell salary query -- Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown knows a political gift when he sees one. In a press conference Monday, Brown said his office has subpoenaed hundreds of records from the city of Bell and its top officials as his office ponders taking civil or criminal action against city leaders, whose salaries have ballooned to unusually high levels. Michael J. Mishak and Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/26/10
Steinberg drops Democratic consultant Kaufman -- The Senate leader has removed Kaufman as a consultant on the Senate's most competitive battle in Senate District 12, a swing seat currently held by termed-out Republican Jeff Denham. Kevin Yamamura SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/26/10
Schwarzenegger to call election to fill open Senate seat -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has until Tuesday to call an election to replace state Sen. Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks), who died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/26/10
Schwarzenegger opposes majority-vote budget plan -- As the budget stalemate drags through its fourth week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday he opposes giving lawmakers the power to pass a budget with a simple-majority vote. Anthony York in the Los Angeles TimesKevin Yamamura SacBee Capitol Alert -- 7/26/10
Budget +26: Kinder, Gentler PR -- Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been one to miss an opportunity to stoke the fires under the feet of legislative leaders when it comes to the now annual summer budget impasse. And that held true this morning in Los Angeles -- though it was a kinder, gentler rattling of the cage than in years past. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 7/26/10
John Chiang: More than writing checks -- When John Chiang was elected state comptroller in November 2006, nobody imagined that the former president of the State Franchise Tax Board, a Democratic former tax preparer, would become a hero to public employees and unions to challenge the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and comply with its orders. Araceli Martínez OrtegaLa Opinión -- 7/26/10 Translated by Google Translate (good, but not perfect).
Hedge fund mogul co-chairs, antes up for No on 23 -- The Californians to Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition committee that’s opposing Proposition 23, the measure on November’s ballot to roll back the state’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions law, today introduced a Bay Area hedge-fund mogul and philanthropist as its co-chairman. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 7/26/10
Schrag: The Great Dominican Pastime? -- The San Francisco Giants played four of their regular season games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix this weekend. As far as is known, there was no great outcry at Chase Field about the nine foreign-born members of the Giants’ 25-player roster – five Dominicans, two Puerto Ricans, one Colombian and one Venezuelan -- taking highly paid jobs from good American boys who could have played almost as well. Peter SchragCal Progress Report -- 7/26/10
Fox: Too Many Laws -- I'm no supporter of Barbara Boxer, never have been and am not now, but I don't object, as Carly Fiorina does, that Boxer has authored only five measures that became law in her time in the U. S. Senate. We have too many laws already. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds weblog -- 7/26/10
Perata likes Jerry Brown, local columnist doesn’t -- Oakland mayoral candidate and former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata gave $15,000 on Friday to Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown’s campaign. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 7/26/10
Bell City Council considers cutting its $100,000 salaries -- The embattled Bell City Council will meet Monday night to consider cutting council member pay, which is now considered significantly higher than that of other cities of the same size. Ruben Vives and Jeff Gottlieb in the Los Angeles Times -- 7/26/10
TINCUP committee wants to gut campaign finance restrictions -- A committee charged with evaluating (Orange) county’s campaign finance law has recommended a new ballot measure that would substantially reverse the reforms of the voter-approved law and potentially benefit some of the committee members by injecting more money into county political campaigns. Elias J. Groll in the Orange County Register -- 7/26/10
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26 Jul 2010 09:49
July 26, 2010 3:01 AMGlobal warming doubter, coal industry donate to Fiorina -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina has obtained about $63,000 in donations this year from Appalachian coal-mining interests, much of the money from an outspoken Ohio mine owner who dismisses global warming as “hysterical global goofiness.” Lance WilliamsCalifornia Watch -- 7/26/10
Skelton: Prop. 25 is the real deal -- Despite opponents' claims, the initiative's aim is merely to allow legislative passage of the state budget by a simple majority vote. George Skelton -- 7/26/10
Walters: Old fight over California taxes flares anew -- When California faced a major budget crisis in the early 1990s, thanks to what was then the worst recession since the Great Depression, a Republican governor – Pete Wilson – and the Legislature enacted a big, albeit temporary, increase in state taxes. -- 7/26/10
Governor: Freezing AB32 'would be devastating' -- Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says political candidates and forces in his own party who argue for the suspension of the state's climate change law are "trying to pull the wool over people's eyes" and have "the intention of eliminating" the landmark climate change bill he signed in 2006. -- 7/26/10
CalBuzz: Reilly: Underfunded Brown Bid a Case of Deja Vu -- Today Calbuzz presents an assessment of the campaign for governor by political strategist, businessman and columnist Clint Reilly. Reilly, whose advice Brown recently sought, has a unique perspective, having run the 1994 gubernatorial bid of the Democratic candidate’s sister, Kathleen, against Pete Wilson, who enjoyed a substantial fundraising advantage. Jerry RobertsPhil TrounstineCalBuzz -- 7/26/10
Unlikely bill fellows in California -- Major Democratic donor and financier Tom Steyer has teamed up with former Republican Secretary of State George Schultz to lead an independent expenditure aimed at defending California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pet climate bill – a measure that’s become a talking point in the race to succeed him. MAGGIE HABERMAN -- 7/26/10
AB32 to face 2 challenges on November ballot -- Californians will vote twice in November on the state's groundbreaking law to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming - once on an oil company-backed initiative to put the law on hold indefinitely, and once in the governor's race, where Republican Meg Whitman has promised to suspend the rules for a year. Bob Egelko -- 7/26/10
Climate law adds jobs to state payroll -- The state's landmark global warming law has yet to create the promised bonanza of green jobs, but it has boosted payrolls in another sector of the economy: state government. Rick Daysog -- 7/26/10
U.S. may face deflation, a problem Japan understands too well -- Economists worry that America could be edging closer to the trap that cost the other nation more than a decade of growth. Don Lee -- 7/26/10
Disabled veterans can follow their dream of entrepreneurship -- Six universities nationwide, including UCLA, offer all-expenses-paid boot camps for former soldiers hoping to adapt their military skills into running businesses. Alexandra Zavis -- 7/26/10
Hollywood drivers, studios reach contract agreement -- Approval by Teamsters members comes after last-minute negotiations and averts a possible strike. Richard Verrier -- 7/26/10
Silicon Valley export growth lags nation -- Silicon Valley has one of the country's most dynamic export economies, responsible for one out of five jobs, but that sector has grown relatively slowly for much of the decade, according to a Brookings Institution study released today. Pete Carey -- 7/26/10
LAUSD lost almost $10 million due to inefficient inventory system, audit finds -- The report says thousands of textbooks are not bar-coded or returned by students and poor communication between schools has led to unnecessary purchases. Howard Blume -- 7/26/10
Fensterwald: CSBA Scott Plotkin’s troubling resignation -- Caught in lies he told the news media last week about questionable credit card expenses and about salary cuts over the past year that he claimed he took – but didn’t, Scott Plotkin resigned Friday as executive director of the California School Boards Association. John Fensterwaldeducatedguess.org -- 7/26/10
$71 million stimulus delay stuns education advocates -- Education advocates of all stripes shook their heads in disbelief Friday at the revelation that $71 million in education stimulus dollars sat unused for nearly a year while the state's budget crisis devoured teachers' jobs, eliminated classes, kicked kids off school buses and closed down school libraries. Corey G. JohnsonCalifornia Watch -- 7/26/10
California could adopt national English, math standards -- On Aug. 2, the state Board of Education will consider this major shift in how California's public schools teach reading when it votes on a controversial set of national Common Core Standards. If proponents prevail, California will join the majority of states in adopting the first nationwide standards for public education. Sharon Noguchi -- 7/26/10
Online K-12 education surging, but official says 'it's buyer, beware' -- Interest in online schools for kindergarten through 12th grade is surging as new virtual offerings flood the market, leading education experts to warn parents that not all programs are equal. Melody Gutierrez -- 7/26/10
In final months, LAUSD chief Ramon Cortines intent on achieving goals -- Los Angeles schools chief Ramon Cortines sped through the halls of Widney Special Education Center in South Los Angeles one day last week, forcing his tour guides - all at least 20 years younger than him - to double their pace just to keep up. Connie LlanosLos Angeles Daily News -- 7/26/10
A Green Approach to Nail Salons -- A new ordinance, introduced this week by Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, would allow the city’s 200 nail salons to qualify for a “green seal” if shop owners agree to stock products free of hazardous chemicals. Ngoc Nguyen -- 7/26/10
New Yuba River fish study ordered -- A federal agency's conclusion that two dams on the lower Yuba River will not jeopardize the existence of three threatened fish species is unsupported by the agency's own scientific findings, a Sacramento judge has ruled. Denny Walsh -- 7/26/10
How California state law helps whooping cough spread -- Two quirks in California law run counter to the efforts of public health officials who are hoping to put a lid on the rapidly spreading whooping cough epidemic in the state. Christina JewettCalifornia Watch -- 7/26/10
To some, drug plan is bitter pill -- Effective next month, the 9,185 San Bernardino County employees enrolled in Health Net medical insurance plans will be required to purchase their maintenance medications either through CVS retail stores or the company's mail-order prescription service. Jim SteinbergInland Daily Bulletin -- 7/26/10
Arizona immigration law tints neighborhood dispute -- The fatal shooting of a Phoenix resident becomes a hate-crime case even as police and activists downplay the incident's racial overtones. Nicholas Riccardi -- 7/26/10
Pot Controversy flares over San Jose proposals to tax pot, tighten police and firefighter pay -- Armed with a recent poll suggesting two-thirds of San Jose residents would approve, city officials have recommended a November ballot measure calling for a tax on medicinal marijuana. John Woolfolk -- 7/26/10
Grow houses gobble energy -- Energy use in Mendocino County has risen 27 percent — more than three times the state's average — since medical marijuana was legalized in 1996. Humboldt County's usage has risen 51 percent, more than six times the state's average, according to PG&E. GLENDA ANDERSONSanta Rosa Press -- 7/26/10
Google misses deadline to takeover L.A.'s e-mail system -- Google Inc. has missed the deadline on its high-profile contract to take over Los Angeles' e-mail system, leaving nearly 20,000 city employees on an aging system that the city is paying the Internet search giant $7.25 million to replace. David Sarno -- 7/26/10
Protesters in Bell seek ouster of mayor, vice mayor and 2 councilmen -- Nearly 300 residents, upset at revelations that some city officials were paid unusually high salaries, march to the homes and workplaces of four officeholders, crying 'out!' Scott Gold -- 7/26/10
State agrees to discuss prison lockdowns with rights group -- Facing a threatened legal battle over alleged racial discrimination, California prison officials have agreed to meet with the Prison Law Office over the department’s controversial use of lockdowns on general population inmates. Michael MontgomeryCalifornia Watch -- 7/26/10
Fur and feathers fly as San Francisco weighs ban on pet sales -- What began as a proposal to ban sales of dogs and cats quickly grew to include birds, hamsters, rats and other small mammals. Shelters and rescue groups could still offer adoptions. Maria L. La Ganga -- 7/26/10
Bush's unpopularity among voters starts to fade -- The former president's standing remains weak, but polls suggest it's now less effective for Democrats to try to run against him. Michael A. Memoli -- 7/26/10
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26 Jul 2010 03:00
July 25, 2010 7:15 PMDiaz: Will 'gate-gate' ever cease? -- The most intriguing letter of the week came from Jack Barth of San Rafael, who claimed to be puzzled by Monday's front-page headline " 'Climategate' may have hurt warming debate." John Diaz in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 7/25/10
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