And now, the war with the unions really begins, as
signatures are submitted today for the so-called Paycheck Protection initiative. "Schwarzenegger has not endorsed
[Lew] Uhler's initiative to restrict use of union dues unless union members give their consent, although the Republican governor has expressed support for the concept. Either way,
Uhler sees his initiative working hand-in-hand with Schwarzenegger's agenda."I think the whole initiative convoy approach is a positive one," Uhler said. "And to have this measure as part of that convoy, whether it's formally endorsed or tacitly acknowledged (by Schwarzenegger), is very positive."
Backers of the
merit pay and tenure reforms initiatives also have until the end of the week to submit sufficient signatures, and the Merc News takes a look at the measures.
The L.A. Times
reports on the millions being raised on both sides for a potential special election this November. "
Citizens to Save California, the main committee backing Schwarzenegger's potential initiatives,
reported raising $8.2 million, virtually all of it from individuals and companies that also donate to Schwarzenegger's own campaign committees. ... The
Alliance for a Better California, the main campaign committee established to oppose the governor's measures,
reported raising $7.5 million. The
California Teachers Assn., the largest union of public school teachers in the state, was the biggest single donor to the committee, at $2.8 million."
What happens to all that money if there isn't a special election? Just asking.
But increasingly, it looks as though both sides are readying for a special. The governor's crew and ABC are both
getting ready to drop initiatives with signatures into the Secretary of State's office, a process that could begin as early as tomorrow.
In another sign that Election Day cometh,
the governor hit the airwaves with a TV spot of his own yesterday. And interestingly, the ad comes not from the CSC, but the governor's own California Recovery Team, a sign of who may be taking the lead once the campaign begins in earnest. According to a CRT release: "The spot, which features Schwarzenegger talking directly to voters, is set to begin running today in all major markets."
It's all part of the
permanent campaign.CBS gave the Chronicle's Carla Marinucci air time on its morning show to
translate politics for the reality show generation: "'Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the action movie hero, has
found himself in the middle of a reality show called California politics,' observes San Francisco Chronicle politics writer Carla Marinucci, 'and this is a tough show.
You can get voted off this island anytime.'"
It's going to be a long May sweeps.
And then there were three: Emeryville was
eliminated from the stem cell sweepstakes yesterday, and San Francisco continues to have a strong lead over remaining candidates Sacramento and San Diego.
But the Sacramento paper reports
the capital city is still holding out hope. "Sacramento officials are hoping to move into first place on Friday, when they present their proposal to the full 29-member stem cell oversight committee in Fresno."
California's
population growth has slowed significantly, with only 1.5% more people than last year. The L.A. Times reports "California grew last year at the
slowest pace since the recession of the 1990s as birthrates leveled off, immigration fell and more people left the state, population experts reported Monday."
Who needs the Minutemen when you've got the California economy?
The San Diego City Council voted unanimously yesterday to
set a July 26 special election to replace outgoing mayor
Dick Murphy. The big fight yesterday was over whether or not the city's charter and municipal code would allow a potential runoff election to be consolidated with a potential November statewide special election.
Message to the next SD mayor: Please clean up your
city's charter to avoid further embarrassment of America's Finest City.
Finally, strange sick satisfaction from a
real finger case.