In a rare legislative victory for legislative leaders, the Senate and Assembly both passed a major water package early Wednesday morning. The package includes a bond that has blossomed to more than $11 billion, and must be approved by voters.
By 6 a.m. the press release machines were in full effect, as everyone had a little something to say about the water deal.
Gov. Schwarzenegger had nice words
for Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, saying, " This comprehensive
water package is an historic achievement.
"I particularly want to applaud the leadership of Senate
President Darrell
Steinberg. He has been a tireless leader, a relentless
advocate for the
environment and a true statesman."
Sen. Dave Cogdill, who did most of the heavy lifting on the Republican side, said “Today’s historic agreement is the most significant step that the state has taken in decades to invest in its crumbling water infrastructure. Nothing is more important to the state’s economic prosperity than ensuring that we have water to meet California’s needs now and into the future. With this plan, we can improve the state’s water supply and protect the environment, without destroying our economy."
And while Tuesday night was a bad night for Democrats nationwide, John Garamendi won an easy victory over David Harmer in the 10th Congressional District.
Lisa Vorderbrueggen reports, "With more than a third of
the votes counted, Garamendi held a double-digit percentage lead over
Republican challenger David Harmer of Dougherty Valley,
despite late
cash infusions from the national GOP and its enthusiastic
volunteer
corps.
Harmer declined to concede the election until all votes
had been counted.
"Outspent
2-to-1 in the heavily Democratic 10th district, the virtually unknown
Harmer hoped he could tap into public angst over an
obdurate recession,
federal spending and health care reform."
Shane Goldmacher sounds the alarm bells about Meg Whitman's campaign spending.
"The first-time candidate, a Republican, has also paid for an
army of
advisors, pricey plane rides and a big technology tab. She spent $6
million in the first half of the year.
"That sum dwarfed the combined spending of all the other
gubernatorial hopefuls: two fellow Republicans, Insurance Commissioner
Steve Poizner and former Congressman Tom Campbell; and two Democrats,
state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor
Gavin Newsom.
Newsom quit the race Friday.
Whitman has publicly floated the notion of a record-shattering
$150-million campaign budget. That number is turning heads, even among
campaign veterans accustomed to deep-pocketed politicos blowing through
millions at a time."
Hey, maybe there's a job in there for Garry South...
Martin Wiscol reports today really is the day Carly Fiorina announces her Senate bid.
"Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is holding a town-hall forum in Garden Grove tomorrow, and says she’ll make a “major announcement” there - an announcement expected to be her declaration that she’s running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer.
"Fiorina, long considered a possible candidate, could set the stage for an ideological battle with state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, for the Republican nomination. DeVore is a hero to many conservatives, while Fiorina is expected by some to bring a more moderate approach to her campaign."
Supporters of gay marriage in Californiamight want to look at Maine this morning, as voters there repealed the state's gay marriage law.
Politico's Michael Falcone reports, "Nearly 53 percent of voters opted to throw out a same-sex marriage law passed by the state legislature in May, while 47 percent voted to uphold it, with 87 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning.
"The vote in Maine was being closely watched by both supporters and opponents of gay marriage across the country one year after voters in the most populous state, California, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Only five states currently allow same-sex marriage."
And finally, is this economy making it too expensive to divorce ? AP reports, "The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) said more than half of the respondents to its latest survey among its 1,600 members had cited a drop in divorce filings during the current recession which has cut jobs, salaries and house prices.
"In total, 57 percent of the attorneys noted fewer divorce filings since the last quarter of 2008. Only 14 percent noted an increase in filings during these difficult times.
"The current economic climate is proving to be far more unforgiving than estranged couples seeking a divorce," said Gary Nickelson, president of the AAML, in a statement."
We see a ballot initiative coming...