"Some Orange County business leaders
lined up to back Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to solve long-term budget problems during a visit to Anaheim Thursday," report Sarah Tully and Martin Wisckol in the Register.
"Schwarzenegger gave a briefing to about 40 local business and city leaders during a stop at Anaheim City Hall, part of a statewide tour meant to garner support for his proposal to institute a constitutional amendment to more closely regulate state spending. The state faces a $14 billion deficit over the next two years.
"'
It's not the fault of the people we're short on money. It's the fault of the Legislature and governor,' Schwarzenegger said at the City Hall stop before continuing on to Santa Ana for a meeting with Orange County Register editorial and news writers. 'I think we have screwed up a little bit.'"
Senator
Lou Correa was standing behind the governor, apparently taking blame on behalf of his colleagues.
"The amendment, which would require voter approval, would put a ceiling on state spending and grant the governor power to make midyear budget cuts. Surpluses in good years would be put in a "rainy-day fund" to cover expenses in weak economic years."
"
Legislation to grant collective bargaining rights to grandmas, aunts and other subsidized child-care providers was vetoed Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger," reports the Bee's Jim Sanders.
"Senate Bill 867 targeted a pivotal service for low-income parents, with about 90,000 providers assisting 700,000 families at a public cost of more than $3 billion.
"Schwarzenegger's veto message cited the state's massive budget deficit, which despite recent trims is pegged at $8 billion.
"SB 867, similar to legislation vetoed last year, was sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees."
Meanwhile,
the FPPC gave approval to the $350,000 in fines Carole Migden has agreed to pay for campaign violations.
"'
Sen. Migden's track record has shown her complete disdain for the Political Reform Act,' Johnson said in a statement. 'It is a clear indication that the commission will vigorously pursue blatant violations of the Political Reform Act.'
Migden responded with her patented
political death stare.
And it looks like
the University of California has a new president. The Chron's Tanya Schevitz reports, " University of Texas Chancellor Mark Yudof, virtually assured of becoming the next president of the prestigious University of California system, is no stranger to the rough-and-tumble world of education politics he's likely to experience there.
"As head of the largest public university system in Texas, and before that in Minnesota, he's sparred with the likes of Jesse Ventura over budgets, has struggled to increase ethnic diversity and has been a champion of accountability."
"
Yudof is expected to be officially appointed by the UC Board of Regents on March 27, said Richard Blum, chairman of the selection committee and the UC Board of Regents."
"The superintendent of San Francisco’s public schools
is threatening to sue the state in order to force long-term funding improvements," reports Beth Winegarner in the SF Examiner.
"At $7,000 per student, California ranks 46th in per pupil spending, and would slip to 50th if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposed in January is adopted by the Legislature, according to officials with the California Department of Education.
"San Francisco public schools could have $40 million less to spend in the 2008-09 school year, and the district has already told 395 teachers and 140 administrators they could lose their jobs next year.
"'
If California schools keep being pushed, we will be forced to file a funding-inadequacy lawsuit against California,' San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent
Carlos Garcia said at a news conference Thursday."
Finally, in case you actually worked yesterday, a California roundup from the NCAA tourney:
Kansas State 80, USC 67
Wisconsin 71, CSU Fullerton 56
Stanford 77, Cornell 53
UCLA 70, Miss. Valley State 29
Today, conveniently scheduled for a long lunch, Univ. of San Diego matches up with U. Conn. at 12pm PDT.