Lawmakers are looking to increase state investment in education as they finalize California’s budget – both in pre-k and higher ed.
Davis Siders and Jim Miller report in the Sacramento Bee: “The agreement will include $264 million for several new children’s programs, including 11,500 preschool slots for low-income 4-year-olds by June 2015, while another 31,500 slots would be created in future years. In addition, there would be $50 million in grants to preschool programs, $69 million to increase reimbursement rates for early learning and child care providers, and more training. Democrats initially sought much more, including offering transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds, regardless of income.”
We still don’t know who will move on to the general election for state controller.
John Myers reports for KQED: “This one is a political nail-biter.”
“As of early Wednesday afternoon, official records show Yee ahead of Pérez — after he was ahead for several days — and after she was ahead before that. Yee’s lead stood at 3,008 votes, out of more than 3.7 million votes cast.”
Rick Perry made a visit to the Commonwealth Club of California last night, where he compared homosexuality to alcoholism.
David R. Baker reports for the San Francisco Chronicle: “"Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that," Perry said. "I may have the genetic coding that I'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way."”
“The large crowd gathered at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill included many Perry supporters. But the comment still drew a murmur of disbelief.”
One California tribe spent millions of dollars to run an anti-redskins ad during the NBA finals.
Stephen Magagnini reports in the Sacramento Bee: ““We’re trying to get people to understand the pain and anguish the word brings up in tribal people,” said McKay. “It was legal to kill American peoples, and there was a bounty put on them. That term came directly from the blood on their bodies.””
“The “Change The Mascot!” ad was created by the National Congress of American Indians, which has been pushing to change the name of the Washington Redskins for nearly 30 years. The congress had intended to run the ad during the Super Bowl, but encountered financial problems. The wealthy Yocha Dehe tribe agreed to step in.”
Democratic legislators say they aren’t “spending” the state’s multi billion-dollar surplus, they’re “investing” it.
Judy Lin reports for the Associated Press: “Last week, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, opened up a joint legislative budget committee hearing by saying she hopes the state will make "meaningful and strategic investments in early and higher education, in health care access and closing that opportunity gap."”
“Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D- Sacramento, has said in recent weeks that he would like to "make sure that there is room left for some investment to meet the needs of the people."”
Rep. Kevin McCarthy is the presumed top choice to take over as House majority leader, but has he played his cards right?
Evan Halper and Richard Simon report in the Los Angeles Times: “Still, McCarthy would face considerable competition should he pursue Cantor’s post. Contenders will likely make the case that fresh blood is needed at the top to forge a new, unified path for the caucus. Some say McCarthy is not conservative enough.”
"It’s got to be somebody outside the current leadership structure,” said Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), a tea partier. "They just don’t listen.’’”
A 10-year-old California boy earned his high school diploma with flying colors. It’s time for the rest of us stepped up our game.
Lindsey Bever reports for the Washington Post: “Tanishq has already completed 42 college credits – receiving A’s in all of his classes, according to local news reports. He plans to transfer to the University of California at Davis to complete his bachelor’s degree and pre-med courses before going on to medical school. Ultimately, he said he wants to become president of the United States.
