With the prospect of a ballot showdown that pits the governor against virtually every badge in the state,
Arnold Schwarzenegger is working overtime to assure police and firefighters that he's
not trying to take away their death and disability benefits, reports the Los Angeles Times. "That's just propaganda that they are spreading out there, that the unions are spreading," the governor told KFI radio in Los Angeles.
The governor has held meetings with several state law enforcement associations, during which he committed to approve legislation that
would allow local governments to restore the benefits. However, he appears unwilling to talk to the widows that have hit the airwaves. "Schwarzenegger
canceled a meeting Monday with two widows, police union officials said, after the women participated in radio ads saying the governor's plan 'will hurt the families of those who die keeping California safe.'"
Let's hope he doesn't keep using that
"over my dead body" promise when meeting with widows of fallen public safety officials.
After meetings with widows, the gov may have to deal with the
Peninsula Raging Grannies.Yesterday, we reported to you that Assembly Speaker
Fabian Nunez appeared willing to support the governor's call for redistricting. Apparently, Demo party advisor-spokesman
Roger Salazar is not on the same page. The Press-Enterprise reports: "Changing political lines is not a priority for state voters, said Roger Salazar, a spokesman for
California Democratic Majority, a group linked to the state party.
'You put enough money behind something, it's going to qualify,' Salazar said. 'But this is another diversion from the fact that the governor hasn't really dealt with the problems of California.'"
The talk of special elections has brought out Controller Steve Westly, who has parted ways with the governor over the reform proposals. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, ". . . Westly said he
didn't believe the governor's reform measure would pass.'This is a much more politicized, partisan election, and I don't think that's the path to successful elections,' he said. 'This is not the right course for California.'"
Westly joined Bay Area officials who are
crying foul at the potential cost of a special election.Demo Divide: Education superintendent
Jack O'Connell came out swinging against the top legislative Democrat, Don Perata. The Bee has the quotes after a sit-down with the former state senator: "I used to know Don Perata,' O'Connell said. 'I disagree with him. I disagreed with him on
Reed Hastings. I disagreed with him about his comments on Prop. 98.'" Referring to the rejection of Hastings, led by failed senate leader candidate
Martha Escutia, "I mean, what's your definition of leadership?" . . . "It's not followship, it's called leadership.
There's a lot of followship."
Gloria Romero has won a major victory,
convincing the governor to keep the adult and youth correction systems separate in his corrections reorganization. The changes don't satisfy the correctional cop union, however. The Bee quotes CCPOA chief
Lance Corcoran "'Our objections are much deeper than just that,' he said. 'It's a reorganization in name only ... it just creates more bureaucracy.'" Apparently, CCPOA feels it won't be running the new bureaucracy.
The reorganization is
expected to cost tens of millions in the short run, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.
Meanwhile, The
California Independent System Operator is cautioning that, if the mercury rises this summer,
the state may not have enough electricity. Bookmark
this page and get ready for lots of blame to be pointed at
Gray Davis.
The OC Register's Kimberly Kindy
looks at the non-accomplishments of the state's Gambling Addiction Prevention Program, which has received $6 million in state funds since 2003. "During the first year, the department
created a Web site to link addicts to other programs that can help them.
It also ordered a
$96,000 study to identify successful prevention programs to use as models. The department doesn't believe the study, which still isn't complete, will serve as a sufficient guide."
$400,000 a day: That's how much CalTrans
claims the indecision on the Bay Bridge is costing, which totals
$300 million since August. What's $400k when you're spending $6.2 billion?
Finally, apparently,
the nine-fingered chef has committed no crimes.