With supporters and opponents aggressively lobbying inside the Capitol and on the adjacent streets,
the Assembly approved Mark Leno's AB 849, which would legalize same-sex marriage on a
41-35 vote.
As proponents celebrated what they called a "historic" victory, the governor prepared a historic veto.
"'The governor believes the people spoke with Prop. 22, and that is now in the courts,' said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman
Margita Thompson. 'The governor believes that is where it belongs and will uphold any decisions the courts make.'"
Well, so much for that party.
A
new Field Poll is out today, showing only 36 percent of California voters say they're likely to vote for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's reelection (of course, this is before voters have had a chance to meet
Phil Angelides or
Steve Westly).
AP reports "just 36 percent of voters would support Schwarzenegger if he runs for re-election, while 56 percent would not. In February, those numbers were almost reversed, with 56 percent saying they were in favor of returning the Republican governor for a second term."
"The poll showed both Angelides and Westly in a virtual dead heat with the governor in a head-to-head match-up. "Angelides led beat Schwarzenegger by a margin of 43 percent to 40 percent, with 17 percent undecided. Westly led Schwarzenegger, 42 to 39 percent, with 19 percent undecided."
We're looking forward to a release of
cryptic notes from the latest McLaughlin poll from the Schwarzenegger campaign sometime later today...
U.S. Sen
Dianne Feinstein announced she was endorsing
Phil Angelides for governor. Could this really be the end of Feinstein's
Mario Cuomo-esque aspirations to be governor? If Feinstein checks out now, who will we all write about as the filing deadline approaches? Here's betting there's at least one story about Feinstein for governor between now and then...
Speaking of living in a fantasy world, the Legislature has three more days of work before heading off for their annual three-month long recess. This just a month after their month-long recess.
The legislation to
to ban soda and junk food in schools is on its way to the governor. "The two bills,
SB12 and
SB965, mirror efforts already undertaken in some of the state's biggest school districts, including Los Angeles Unified, to make lunches and snacks healthier. Both had the vocal support of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to sign the bills next week during a 'summit' meeting in Sacramento on health, nutrition and obesity."
We know you're all excited about
the Medi-Cal waiver, but if it seems as if this
last week of session is lacking some of the usual frenetic activity, Dan Walters says you're right.
Speaking of the Medi-Cal waiver, the LA Times reports the deal reached between the governor and Democrats to ensure no hospital loses money over the next five years
leaves $90 million in federal money on the table.
"The $90 million would come out of $360 million in incentives the Bush administration had offered California if it met its timetables for
moving the patients to managed care. Healthcare officials said Schwarzenegger might still be able to get the penalties waived. California stands to lose more of the money if it does not begin that process next year."
Yesterday, Capitol Weekly reported that
Jim Battin was likely
making a run at the leadership post held by Senate Republican Leader
Dick Ackerman. Today, the
Desert Sun follows up, but Battin still isn't talking. And other Republicans say it's just par for the course.
"Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, who has been in the Legislature for 19 years, said the prospect of a leadership fight right now is no surprise. 'My experience has been that at the end of the session, there's often a leadership challenge,' McClintock said, 'and it usually fails.'"
Speaking of Ackermans... "
San Francisco schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman resigned on Tuesday, marking an end to a tenure noted for rising student achievement and renewed fiscal health in the public school system, but marred by charges that she was autocratic and excluded parents and teachers from important decisions." By staying on until June 2006, she will be walking away with a $375,000 parting gift.
No word on what will happen to her throne and scepter.
And from Hollywood,
Bob Denver, the actor who was best known for playing
Gilligan died over the Labor Day weekend. Denver also starred alongside now Sen. Sheila Kuehl in "The Many Loves of Dobbie Gillis." Kuehl gave a moving tribute to Denver on the floor of the state Senate yesterday.
