With keys to the Governor’s Mansion in his pocket for the next four years, Jerry Brown is looking at his legacy, which means big projects like the twin tunnels and High Speed Rail. From Melody Gutierrez and Carla Marinucci at SFGate.
“The ventures have strong critics. But having soared into office with 59 percent of the vote and no concern about winning another term, Brown is in a unique position to solidify the legacy he’s seeking: as a fiscal steward who built historic projects for the state.
“’I do come from a long line of people who have achieved something, and I feel I have a lot to live up to. And I’m going to make sure during these next four years I maximize that opportunity,’ Brown said Wednesday. His father, Edmund “Pat” Brown, was governor in the 1960s and built his legacy around the projects he ushered in — including the state’s water delivery system and its Master Plan for Higher Education.”
Brown may have snoozed to re-election, but his successor - and candidates for US Senate - have some exciting times ahead. George Skelton reads the tea leaves (and runs down the list of candidates) at the Los Angeles Times.
"For starters, we'll be electing a new president in 2016. And Californians will be choosing another governor in 2018 when term limits finally nab Gov. Jerry Brown.
"Additionally, the odds are good that at least one coveted U.S. Senate seat will open up — and very possibly both of California's. Democrats captured them in 1992 and have held on for nearly a quarter-century.... With both senators, it may depend on whether there's some impatient, ambitious Democrat out there bold enough to jump into the ring and challenge them. Would they face a grueling race or a cakewalk?"
“Covered California, the Obamacare exchange that led the nation during its first year with about 1.2 million enrollees, predicts the tally will jump to 1.7 million in year two — a 500,000 increase, more than many states netted in total last time around.”
The growing organic food industry is challenging the state’s pest-control measures - and alarming some traditional farmers who say that pesticides are the only thing keeping the pests at bay. Ellen Knickmeyer at the AP.
“With organic food growers reporting double-digit growth in U.S. sales each year, producers are challenging a proposed California pest-management program they say enshrines a pesticide-heavy approach for decades to come, including compulsory spraying of organic crops at the state's discretion…
“Organic farmers complain about the state's frequent reliance on pesticides, but ‘if we don't eradicate the pest, their organic production is non-existent,’ [Joel Nelsen, head of the California Citrus Mutual industry trade-group] said. ‘A pest or a disease doesn't know if it's eating an organic or a non-organic orange.’"
Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer defends his 2014 election record (derided in Politico last week). Dan Morain reports in the Sacramento Bee:
“In the newly reconstituted Senate, James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, is in line to replace our own Barbara Boxer as chair of the committee that oversees environmental legislation. Inhofe wrote the fascinating book “The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future.”
“Billionaire Tom Steyer, the environmentalists’ answer to the Koch brothers, called from his office in San Francisco last week, having analyzed results of his first serious foray into national campaigns.
“’Honestly, I think we had a much, much better 2014 than people are giving us credit for,’ Steyer said.”
And you may have thought that Raul Bocanegra had a bad election day, but he’s got nothing on Gavin Roselles of Montana. Roselles, a write-in candidate for sheriff of Powell County, lost by 90 votes – because election officials tossed 238 ballots where voters had not included his first name. From Kim Briggeman of the Missoulian.
“Sheriff Scott Howard held onto his post by a 994-904 margin over challenger Gavin Roselles, who entered the race in August after losing his deputy job in Howard's office due to cutbacks….
“Howard's official margin of victory was nearly 5 percent, so no automatic recount is in order. Roselles said he’s being urged by supporters who ‘feel a little bit disenfranchised’ to petition for a recount. He has five days to file after canvassing is complete on Nov. 18 and he’s seeking legal advice about whether to pursue that avenue.
“’It is an option,’ he said.”
And, a reminder that the Roundup will be taking tomorrow off for Veteran’s Day. If you served: THANK YOU!