The budget agreement worked out by the governor and Democratic leaders would penalize UC and CSU to the tune of $125 million if the institutions seek to raise tuition again. It's called hardball politics.
From the LAT's Anthony York: "Lawmakers and the governor have no authority over tuition. The deal represents a bold attempt to use the state budget in their ongoing effort to force the University of California and California State University systems to keep the price of higher education in check."
"Details of the plan, which is expected to pass the Legislature in coming days, were released by the Assembly on Monday. The proposal includes significant caveats."
"The money would be available next summer, but only if voters approve billions of dollars in tax increases in November; otherwise, there would be no cash infusion beyond the money already in the budget for the campuses. The proposal thus gives Brown and his fellow Democrats
another selling point in their campaign for higher levies."
Defenders of the Healthy Families program are making a last-ditch effort to block its dismantling, an important provision in the budget agreement negotiated by Gov. Brown and legislative Democrats.
From Steve Harmon in the Mercury News: "Axing the program to save tens of millions of dollars is a key provision in the budget that Brown and Democrats worked out last week as part of an agreement that spared more painful cuts to safety net programs for the poor. More than 900,000 children would be required to change to the Medi-Cal system over the next year and a half, forcing them to find new doctors in what critics say is an already overwhelmed system..."
"Healthy Families provides medical, dental and vision care for children who don't have insurance but who do not qualify for Medi-Cal. A family of four can make up to $30,000 and qualify for Medi-Cal, while a family of four can qualify for Healthy Families with an income of up to $56,000."
"Democrats on Monday began taking up 21 trailer bills that will enact various aspects of the budget, including one specifically on Healthy Families. They will work through the bills in committee before taking a vote on Wednesday. That is the last day Brown can take action on the budget: He can either veto it, veto parts of it, sign it, or take no action, which would automatically enact it into law."
The business dealings of Sen. Mimi Walters and her husband in connection with their companies that provide services to the prison system are drawing fire from an Orange County man who says he's owed money.
From the OC Register's Brian Joseph: "Orange County pharmacist Larry Drechsler says companies owned in part by state Sen.Mimi Walters and her husband David owe him $4,900 — and he’s got a case in small claims court ... "
"Drechsler wants his money, but says the last time he tried cashing a check from the companies it didn’t go so well. Back in March, Drechsler said the companies offered him money to settle out of court, but their chek bounced. A stop payment order was issued a short time later, he said..."
"Sen. Walters and her husband are owners in a couple of companies that provide pharmacists, dentists and other healthcare professionals to California prisons. David Walters owns 40 percent of Monarch Staffing, Inc., according to an economic disclosure form the senator filed in February 2012. Mimi Walters, by virtue of the state’s community property law, has a community property interest in 20 percent of the company. Monarch Staffing is the parent company of Drug Consultants, Inc. and American Healthcare Recruiting, the two firms accused of not paying subcontractors."
Pondering high-speed rail, California might take a look at countries that have developed bullet-trains, especially Japan, which has fast ground travel down to a science.
From the Mercury News' Mike Rosenberg: "In the international race to build bullet trains, California is not only getting crushed by the likes of France and Japan, but also Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan."
"Dozens of powerful nations and even far-flung countries on every continent except Antarctica are asking the Golden State what's taking so long to join the bullet train club. The answer could come as soon as this week, when the state Legislature votes whether to start building the $69 billion rail line."
"But don't start booking your tickets just yet: California must overcome more obstacles than the countries that have built the world's 10,000 miles of high-speed rail."
Down in San Diego, which has deep military roots, a dispute over where to locate a center for mentally stressed veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is turning into a politics-laden spat between veterans and charter-school students.
From the LAT's Tony Perry: "The Department of Veterans Affairs has allocated $30 million for the Aspire Center project, starting with remodeling a former Thomas Jefferson School of Law building on San Diego Avenue in the Old Town neighborhood."
"The Old Town Academy, a free charter school that opened in September 2011, is directly across the street in another building once owned by the law school, which has moved to another campus."
"Without an Aspire Center in San Diego, many veterans would fail to retain their "welfare and dignity" and join the growing ranks of the homeless, said retired Marine Lt. Col. Jack Harkins, chairman of the United Veterans Council of San Diego County."
