Oh, Loretta.
Barely 48 hours after injecting herself into the race to replace retiring Senator Barbara Boxer, Rep. Loretta Sanchez found herself on the defensive for making a mocking gesture toward Native Americans in a speech at the California Democratic Convention this weekend. Melody Gutierrez, SFGate:
“Sanchez apologized for ‘offensive’ comments and gesture she made a day earlier when she attempted to explain the difference between American Indians and people whose ancestors were from India by putting her hand over her mouth and mimicking a war cry.
“’In this crazy and exciting rush of meetings yesterday, I said something offensive and for that I sincerely apologize,’ said Sanchez, D-Santa Ana, who then noted [that] people may be unaware that she is part American Indian on her mother’s side.”
Unsurprisingly, political pros say that the flap may affect Sanchez’ fundraising.
While Sanchez’ war whoop made the most headlines, Attorney General Kamala Harris, endorsed by party star Elizabeth Warren, wowed the crowd. Observers noted that the Convention spotlighted the differences between the carefully-scripted Harris and the always-unpredictable Sanchez.
Los Angeles Rep Xavier Becerra, himself said to be considering a run for Senate, wants the media to question Harris more aggressively. From Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee:
“’I think it’s important to give the people a chance to know now what the candidates are thinking – not just a month before the elections,’ Becerra, D-Los Angeles, said in an hour-long interview with reporters here.”
There was more to the Dem Convention than just Harris and Sanchez, however. Climate activist, billionaire and possible 2018 candidate for gov, Tom Steyer lobbied for an oil extraction tax, unveiling polls that show support for the idea. Across town, former and possibly future gubernatorial candidate Steve Westly met with supporters, pitching them on his 2018 ambitions. And, outside, anti-vaccine activists protested SB 277 (with comparisons to Nazi Germany, of course).
One discussion taking place among Dems is whether to support an extension of Prop 30, the tax hike set to expire 2019. According to Governor Brown and the LAO, the state’s budget will be fine without it. Jessica Calefati, San Jose Mercury News:
“Not only will the budget survive when Proposition 30's temporary taxes are phased out, but general fund revenues are also expected to continue climbing….
“According to Brown's revised spending plan, as Proposition 30 phases out, the tax revenue generated by the ballot measure will begin falling precipitously in fiscal year 2016-17 before evaporating entirely just before Brown leaves office in January 2019. Yet despite that loss, overall sales, personal income and corporation taxes are projected to climb from $108.9 billion in the current fiscal year to $123.5 billion in 2018-19, the year all Proposition 30 taxes are scheduled to sunset.”
One of the biggest backers of Prop 30 (and its extension) is the California Teachers Association. Christopher Cadelago looks at the organization’s clout, and efforts to weaken it.
“Democratic legislators shelved a measure to extend from two to three years the time it takes for teachers to achieve tenure. They dispatched an effort to do away with the ‘last-in-first-out’ policy that says the least experienced teachers should go first during budget-driven layoffs. They killed a teacher evaluation bill that sought to offer remedial training for struggling educators.
“Each was opposed by the California Teachers Association, the 325,000-member group that has long exerted its influence over legislation and elections.
“Thwarted at the Capitol – and on the ballot – a coalition of advocates working to overhaul the state’s low-ranking public schools increasingly have turned to the courts in search of more favorable outcomes. Current cases center on the effect of tenure and dismissal rules on students and the fees teachers pay to their unions.”
Over at Capital Public Radio, Katie Orr did the math on Governor Brown’s appointments and found that half are women.
“Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil says the administration wants appointees to be qualified and diverse.
"’Historically there were some boards when we first started that hadn’t had a woman on the board since the 70’s. And we have appointed more women and people of color to those boards,’ she says. ‘And so I think it’s important because it’s got to reflect the state.’"
The head of the Gambling Control Commission announced last week that she will be stepping down. Greg Moran, U-T San Diego:
“The executive director of the state agency that regulates gambling has resigned, the latest jolt to a normally obscure agency that has been roiled by conflict of interest allegations over the past several months.
“Tina Littleton announced on Thursday that she will step down on May 31 after four years as the leader of the California Gambling Control Commission.”
California lawmakers have been big on solar this year. The Voice of San Diego has a rundown of pending legislation.
Capital Public Radio today launched a yearlong series looking at the undocumented immigrant experience, starting close to home.
And of course we can’t forget the big news this weekend: watch out, Sutter, there’s a new dog in town. David Siders has the story for the Bee:
“Gov. Jerry Brown, who has used his Pembroke Welsh corgi, Sutter, to soften his image and advance his political agenda, announced Friday he has acquired another dog.
“Or, rather, Sutter announced it.
“’I’m still First Dog, right?’ Sutter’s Twitter account said, with the hashtag, #GetOffMyPeePad.
“The announcement provoked a flurry of activity on social media and an update on the governor’s official website. It called Colusa ‘Lucy’ Brown California’s ‘Deputy First Dog.’”