"Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines of Clovis is expected to resign his leadership post today, as anger builds among anti-tax conservatives over a budget deal he negotiated," reports E.J. Schultz in the Bee.
Capitol Weekly reports, "Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, a Central Coast Republican in his third term in the Assembly, is in line to replace Assemblyman Mike Villines on Wednesday as the GOP leader of the lower house.
"The formal vote is expected to take place Thursday morning, but several Republican sources confirmed Blakselee is the choice of his caucus. He is not expected to take over as leader until June 1.
"The choice of the Assembly's 29-member GOP caucus was confirmed by a Republican lawmaker. A statement from Villines, R-Clovis, said he planned a "major announcement about his future" Thursday morning."
So much for the Central Valley's emerging leadership, now that both leaders have been
chewed up and spit out.
Blakeslee is termed out next year...
Capitol Weekly looks at the retooled campaign message coming from the governor's campaign committee. "While the paid advertising campaign to pass the measures on the May 19 ballot features firefighters and teachers, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is leading the earned media effort, drawing press coverage at a series of events round the state focusing on the state’s desperate budget situation.
"This time, it is Arnold Schwarzenegger the governor
focusing attention on the state budget as Arnold Schwarzenegger
the salesman leaves the May 19 sales job to the people Californians still admire
– teachers and firefighters."
That retooled message was on display again Wednesday during the governor's road show.
"Two weeks before the special election, the head of
the state Senate continued Wednesday to warn that Californians face
dire consequences if voters reject budget-related measures on May 19," writes Patrick McGreevy in the Times.
"The measures include a spending cap that would extend
newly enacted tax hikes for up to two years and a plan
to borrow up to $10 billion against future revenue from the California
Lottery, according to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).
"Even if the six measures pass, the state will face
an $8-billion budget shortfall, according to recent projections.
Steinberg said he is confident the situation can be
fixed by borrowing from the lottery and tapping the
$2-billion reserve fund set up in February when the state
approved a budget.
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this week that rejection
of the ballot measures could force firefighters to
be laid off and local governments to make up to $2 billion in cuts. Opponents of the ballot measures
have called such proclamations "scare tactics."
"'Is it a scare tactic? No. It's reality. The numbers are the numbers,' Steinberg told reporters at a Capitol news conference
Wednesday."
"State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg promised Wednesday to seek legislative reforms after
the May 19 special election, steps that potentially could include lowering the
two-thirds vote threshold for tax increases," reports the AP's Don Thompson.
"'You should never waste a good crisis,' he said, paraphrasing President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. 'Shame on us if we don't take advantage of this historical time to reform.'"
"Department of Finance officials told education groups today that K-14 schools could see a $3.6 billion cut due to a projected drop in revenues, as the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office suggested in March would be a possibility," writes Kevin Yamamura on Capitol Alert.
Oh, no, not the schools! Firefighters, local government and schools, oh my!
"Finance officials did not tie the reduction to the
May 19 ballot measures but said $3.6 billion is the amount in allowable school cuts under
Proposition 98 assuming the LAO's projection of $8 billion in lower revenues proves accurate, said Dennis Meyers, assistant executive director for the California Association
of School Business Officials.
"The ballot measures may have little impact on 2009-10 school funding, Meyers said, because the $3.6 billion figure is based on a revenue decline regardless
of whatever gap exists should Propositions 1C, 1D and 1E fail. But he said the measures' failure could put more pressure on the governor and
the Legislature to take the full $3.6 billion."
Speaking of ongoing political battles that never seem
to end,
"The recent run of states legalizing gay marriage -- punctuated Wednesday by Maine becoming the fifth state
to do so -- has increased the likelihood that California voters will
face another ballot measure on the issue as early as
next year, according to strategists on both sides," reports Jessica Garrison and Maura Dolan in the Times.
"The California Supreme Court is expected to uphold
Proposition 8, November's ballot measure banning same-sex marriage, with a decision coming in the next few
weeks. Both sides are already gearing up for another
political campaign likely to come in 2010.
"As recently as a few months ago, some gay activists
feared 2010 would be too soon. But the fact that same-sex marriage is now legal in five states, with New
York, New Jersey and New Hampshire poised to follow,
has changed the political climate, they say.
"'There is no doubt we are witnessing an enormous and
unprecedented sea change in both public opinion and
momentum on the issue of marriage equality,' said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National
Center for Lesbian Rights. 'I believe the electorate nationally and in California
is in a different place when it comes to marriage equality
than it was six months ago.'"
Republican Assemblyman Van Tran announced he would run against Loretta Sanchez for Congress. The OC Register's Martin Wiscol reports the announcement sets "the stage for what is expected to be one of the nation’s hottest Congressional races of 2010."
"Tran had been recruited heavily by Washington GOP leaders, who consider central Orange County’s 47th Congressional District one of their best chances for gaining a seat next year."
Hmmm, maybe Sanchez will just run for governor...
We didn't blink last month when we heard that former Assemblyman Wally Knox had taken a new gig with the Port of Los Angeles.
What we didn't realize at the time was that the gig pays $205,000 per year!
LA Observed reports, "At today's City Council meeting, Councilwoman Janice Hahn raised questions about the Port of Los Angeles hiring ex-pol Wally Knox into a newly created $205,000-a-year senior job — amid cutbacks and threatened layoffs. Others joined in, and despite a plea by the mayor's office to OK Knox's soft landing, the issue was kicked back to the harbor commission for reworking. Says an LA Observed reader who was monitoring: "Maybe the measly 55% vote for Antonio gave these folks the fortitude to vote against the mayor?"
And if you're feeling a little odd today, well, you're not alone. AP reports, "For the mathematically challenged, Thursday's date, 5/7/09, is one of only six this century that will feature three consecutive odd numbers.
"Numbers lovers say the rare occurrence is an excuse to celebrate.
"'The previous stretch of six dates like this started with 1/3/1905 — 13 months after the Wright Brothers' flight,' said Ron Gordon, the Redwood City teacher who enthusiastically promotes these numerical holidays, like Square Root Day on 3/3/09.
"Gordon is offering a prize of $579 to those who celebrate the date with the most zeal or who get the most people involved in an Odd Celebration."
Daniel Faraday must be spinning in his grave.