Jim Brulte, the former GOP commander in both houses of the Legislature and now the state party chief, is raising money for the California GOP -- one of his fundamental chores as head of the strapped party. And he's getting dough from unlikely sources, such as SEIU.
From the Bee's David Siders: "The former Senate Republican leader is well connected to the donor class, and the party has raised more than $3 million so far this year."
"In recent days, those contributions have included an unlikely source: public employee unions. On Tuesday, Service Employees International Union Local 1000 donated $15,000 to the party."
"A California Teachers Association political action committee donated $10,000 earlier this month. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association donated $3,000 to the party in August."
State Auditor Elaine Howle, who tracks government operations on behalf of the Legislature, says the state has a number of high-risk issues that need to be resolved.
From the Bureau of State Audits: "Funding for the California State Teachers' Retirement System — the funding ratio has decreased well below what is fiscally sound."
"Funding retiree health benefits for state employees — the estimated accrued liability of nearly $64 billion continues to rise and is almost completely unfunded."
"Managing and improving the State's deteriorating infrastructure — the State's investments in transportation, water supply, and flood management infrastructure have not kept up with demands."
The ripples of the state budget's provisions are felt far beyond Sacramento -- just ask the folks in the Inland Empire town of Jurupa Valley.
From Capitol Weekly's Samantha Gallegos: "After just two years of existence, the state’s newest city, Jurupa Valley, is being forced to disincorporate because of a significant shift in tax law that occurred in 2011, the same year it was created."
"Three other Riverside County cities – Eastvale, Menifee and Wildomar – were also caught in the funding crunch, although not as severely, because they fare better with sales tax revenue. They are expected to survive."
"Jurupa Valley’s outlook, however, is not as bright, but a top aide to Gov. Brown says lawmakers and the governor will attempt to remedy the issue next year. An attempt to fix the dilemma died Sept. 13 in the Legislature."
George Zenovich, the Valley politician with a lawyer's skills and a musician's heart, has died at the age of 91.
From the Fresno Bee's John Ellis: "He shared the political stage with some of the biggest names of a generation -- President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Govs. Ronald Reagan and Edmund G. "Pat" Brown and longtime state Assembly leader Jesse Unruh."
"Mr. Zenovich played key roles in several significant pieces of California legislation, including creation of the landmark Agricultural Labor Relations Board, the State Arts Council and the California Housing Authority."
"Still, longtime Fresno residents may best remember him as the guy who brought the squirrels back to Courthouse Park."
Gov. Brown, in an apparent effort to cut the red tape faced by school districts, has vetoed legislation creating new rules.
From Kimberly Beltran at the Cabinet Report: "In a signal to school officials that the Brown administration is unlikely to burden districts with additional compliance requirements tied to the new Local Control Funding Formula, the governor on Thursday vetoed legislation that would have conditioned the funds with new reporting and tracking mandates of English learners."
"In rejecting AB 344 by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, Gov. Jerry Brown stood firm in his promise to apply the “principle of subsidiarity” – that is, giving local agencies authority to make their own spending decisions."
"Brown also sided with critics of the bill – which included the California Teachers Association – who called the legislation premature given that the California State Board of Education is in the process of developing LCFF accountability regulations."
