The L.A. Times's Mark Barabak and Robert Salladay
take a deeper look behind the success of public employee unions in derailing portions of the governor's agenda. "
The effort worked far better than either side anticipated, according to dozens of interviews reconstructing the turn of events. In just a few months, Schwarzenegger has
gone from seeming invincibility to a politically precarious state, his approval ratings sagging and his staff plagued by internal scuffles. He has abandoned key parts of his reform agenda and signaled his eagerness to bargain on others."
However, legislative defeats do not always translate to electoral losses. "'The fact mere mortals like
Jerry Brown and
Pete Wilson were able to overcome even bigger challenges and be reelected makes it difficult to see Arnold Schwarzenegger getting defeated,' said Republican campaign strategist
Kevin Spillane, referring to earlier governors who coasted to second terms after political upheavals."
Meanwhile,
Tom McClintock hopes to
join the governor on the ticket next year. "Taking the state's No. 2 job is appealing, McClintock told a crowd of 175 at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, because it is the
only office other than that of governor with a legislative role. The lieutenant governor sits as president of the state Senate, and is chief executive when the governor is away. ... 'It places the office in the position of being a
great generator of reforms,' McClintock said."
A legislative role? That's news to Cruz.
The Chronicle provides an update on the Lieutenant Governor's constitutional underling, Senate President Pro Tempore
Don Perata, and
finds support from fellow Democrats, including two past potential rivals. "'I think he's still stepping into those very big shoes,' said Sen.
Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, referring to Burton, who led the Senate for six years. 'But he's doing a good job. He is low-key but purposeful.' ... 'He's made it clear we are the people to shape the agenda in that subject matter,' said Sen.
Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica."
Where's Martha? Just asking...
The
debate continues over when to ask the voters to approve a
$9.95 billion bond for a high speed rail system for California. In one corner is Assemblyman
Alberto Torrico, who wants to wait until November 2008. In the other is Senator
Dean Florez, who opposes a delay. "'That's the
worst thing we could do,' said Florez. 'We need something positive on the ballot that creates jobs and provides better transportation. I think that might be the only positive thing people can find on the ballot.'" Standing in the middle of the ring and trying to find common ground (or play both sides) is
Nicole Parra, who "has formed an informal caucus of legislators interested in the rail program, even though they disagree on the election date issue."
Constitutional hyperbole: In a
preview article of tomorrow's Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing on
Mark Leno's
bill to allow same-sex unions, Campaign for Children and Families chief Randy Thomasson is taking the rhetoric to a new level, claiming that the bill is an
"unconstitutional display of arrogance."Catch 22 on the 420: Medical marijuana club owners and San Francisco city officials
agree that the clubs need to be better regulated, but that's creating a problem. "Federal drug agents who want to crack down on marijuana use in San Francisco, medical or otherwise, say the city’s plan to regulate the drug may
give law enforcement what it needs to do its job: a paper trail."
While the city of San Francisco is ratting on the pot clubs, the state
wants you to tattle on your tax-evading neighbors.The fight continues over whether states should
require online matchmaking services to conduct background checks of posters. Proving that, in Texas, even the rhetoric is bigger than life, "Texas state Rep.
Will Hartnett, a Republican, put opponents in the same category as those who would
'defend child molesters who prey on people on the Internet.' He dismissed the worries about privacy being compromised."
Evil (Inland) Empire: The city of Murrieta is growing too fast, according to proponents of a
May 3 recall election against three council members. "'We don't want to change the character of Murrieta,' said
Barbara Nugent, a volunteer with the pro-recall group Rescue Murrieta. 'People don't want that to happen.
They didn't move here to create another Orange County.'"
Finally, just when you thought it was
safe to return to fast food, the news betrays you.