"In a new state Field Poll, Proposition 4, the third parental notification measure to hit the ballot in four years, is leading 49 percent to 41 percent among likely voters," writes Peter Hecht in the Bee.
"Similar measures led by much smaller margins before
going down to defeat in 2005 and 2006.
"But California Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo said
parental notification proponents are picking up significant
support among a key constituency targeted by the initiative
backers – Latino voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic and
Catholic."
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a proposal Thursday that would have imposed
tough restrictions on mortgage brokers, such as banning exotic loans to risky borrowers that
cause balances to grow rather than shrink over time," reports Kevin Yamamura in the Bee.
"The Republican governor's veto of Assembly Bill 1830 blocked what consumer groups considered the most significant
housing-related proposal on his desk.
"It was one of numerous bills this session that responded
to California's battered housing market, whose problems have been
partly blamed on irresponsible lending practices.
"Schwarzenegger, in his veto message, said AB 1830 had laudable goals but that it 'overreaches and may have unintended consequences.'
"The bill by Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, would have specified that mortgage brokers
have a "fiduciary duty" to borrowers, exposing brokers to greater liability
for violating that duty. Consumer groups said that
was important as an enforcement tool."
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Thursday that requires California's 70,000 emergency medical technicians to undergo mandatory
criminal background checks," writes the Bee's Andrew McIntosh.
"In 2007, he zapped a similar bill after expressing disapproval
about last-minute changes that would have kept secret some details
about rescuer misconduct."
"With patients facing increasing threats from antibiotic-resistant "super bugs," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed two measures requiring California hospitals
to strengthen their efforts at preventing staph outbreaks and to reveal to the public their rates of infection," writes the LAT's Jordan Rau.
"The move was a reversal for the governor, who vetoed
similar legislation four years ago. Since then, concerns
about the growth of these bacteria -- and state inspections finding that some hospitals
were not preventing their spread -- have made infections a top public health priority.
"Hospitals have had an especially tough time combating
strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The bacteria
can spread from patient to patient through unsterile
clothing, ventilation systems, surgical equipment or
room furnishings. If they get into a patient's body, they can be fatal."
"Tucked inside California's thick budget package is a bill that allows the state lottery director to spend
money on employee gifts, a practice that came under scrutiny after staff members
were treated to a $46,336 party last year," reports the AP's Judy Lin.
"Guests took home a Nintendo Wii console, iPods, cameras
and other rewards.
"Under the bill passed by lawmakers, Lottery Director
Joan Borucki would have the legal authority to spend
money on employee "incentives" as part of California's push to increase lottery sales. Current law states
that the director may spend money only on goods and
services to run the publicly owned enterprise."
What would you do for a Wii?
"Lottery officials insist the language change would
not sanction employee parties. Spokesman Al Lundeen
said the lottery commission in May adopted restrictions
regarding employee-recognition programs that are similar to those used
by other state agencies."
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday gave the go-ahead for a sales tax measure on the November ballot
in Los Angeles County for mass transit, while his appointees approved $730 million to reduce congestion on the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass," report Nancy Vogel and Patrick McGreevy in the Times.
"The governor signed about 30 bills Thursday, including measures to solve a shortage
of math and science teachers; weed out incompetent paramedics; toughen enforcement on child care centers; and provide treatment for thousands of uninsured patients
diverted after the closure of Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital.
"One of the bills allows Los Angeles County to put a
half-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax increase on the Nov. 4 ballot to raise $40 billion over 30 years for mass transit projects, including a proposed
subway to the sea. It must be approved by two-thirds of voters.
"Although the county Metropolitan Transportation Authority
acted in July to seek an increase in the county's sales tax from 8.25 cents to 8.75 cents on the dollar, the power to tax would have expired
in six years without the governor's signature on the bill extending the authority for
30 years."
"Members of California's Legislature enjoy a perk not available in any other
state capital — unchecked use of gasoline charge cards that stick taxpayers
with the bill," reports the AP's Don Thompson.
"Through the first seven months of the year, California
taxpayers have spent $220,000 to pay the gasoline charges of their lawmakers, according
to a review of records requested by the Associated
Press. That includes July, when lawmakers already were
passed their deadline to approve a budget and the state
faced a $15.2 billion deficit.
"California is unique in giving legislators free rein
on transportation spending, according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures. In most other states,
lawmakers must submit the same kind of mileage expense
forms used by companies to reimburse employees for
their business travel.
"'You have to prove what you're using it for,' said Morgan Cullin, a Denver-based researcher for the bipartisan national organization."
"With 39 days to go before the presidential election, California Republicans meet in Anaheim today in a familiar position -- voicing public optimism about their chances while
privately hoping for lightning to strike.
"As delegates traveled to their fall convention, polls
caught the presidential contest in California in stark
relief: Republican John McCain is losing to Democrat Barack
Obama by double digits, about the same margin as the
GOP candidates in the last four presidential contests
here. Earlier polls showed a similar gap between the
two candidates.
"No one expects California to play a key role in the
electoral college math, barring a complete reshaping
of the presidential contest in the remaining days before
votes are cast. The convention agenda itself underscores
California's lack of import to the major party combatants: the chief speechmakers over the three-day meeting are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney,
who lost the nomination to McCain, and former Gov.
Pete Wilson, whose previous convention visits included
his effigy being tarred and feathered by activists."
Sounds like a part-ay!
The only drama may come from the California Repulican Assembly, who is reportedly mulling support of the recall against Gov. Schwarzenegger. The Bee's Shane Goldmacher hooks up with CRA president Mike Spence. "'It's one of those issues that we need to talk about,' said Mike Spence, the president of the arch-conservative organization and consistent Schwarzenegger critic. 'The governor has been a failure when it comes to fiscal issues of California.'
"Earlier this month, the well-heeled state correctional officers' union filed paperwork to begin the process to recall Schwarzenegger. So far, the governor and his political team have derided the recall as the pet project of a special interest looking for a raise."
"Federal authorities investigating a nonprofit program run by mayoral candidate and former NBA star Kevin Johnson have suspended its funding after finding possible criminal and financial irregularities, officials announced Thursday," reports Eric Bailey in the Times.
"Johnson
and his St. Hope Academy have been barred from receiving
or spending
federal funds for up to a year or until the ongoing
investigation is
concluded.
"Among the charges lodged against Johnson, who is
locked in a heated mayoral race in Sacramento against
incumbent Heather
Fargo, is that he used federally funded AmeriCorps
members to drive him
to personal appointments, wash his car and run errands.
"Gerald
Walpin, inspector general for the Corp. for National and
Community
Service, which oversees the AmeriCorps volunteer program,
said that
enough evidence exists to warrant "that immediate action be taken"
before the investigation is concluded."
And from our corny politics files , AP reports, "A 16-acre corn maze near the town of Whitehouse has been carved in Sarah Palin's likeness, complete with her familiar updo hairstyle and eyeglasses.
"Farmer Duke Wheeler says that Palin created a lot of excitement in the campaign and that he was hoping to generate some for this year's maze.
"Wheeler says it took an artist from Idaho at least eight hours to mow down stalks for the maze."
Funny, that's about how much experience Palin has on the national stage...