Ending the least suspenseful legislative drama since the driver's license fight, the governor
vetoed Mark Leno's same-sex marriage bill,
AB 849.
"'I am proud California is a leader in recognizing and respecting domestic partnerships and the equal rights of domestic partners,' Schwarzenegger said in his veto message. 'I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights and as such will not support any rollback.'"
While conservative groups were celebrating the veto, the governor signed
AB 1400 (Laird), which incorporates sexual orientation and marital status into the protections of the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
For an analysis of AB 1400, we
turn to the California Family Council. "This bill would add marital status and sexual orientation to the list of persons that can sue businesses if they believe the business 'discriminated' against them. Under this bill, cross dressers must be entitled to 'full and equal accommodation' in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.'
This could add an interesting addition to Chucky-Cheese birthday parties for children."
While the governor had his pen out, he took a few minutes to
write a veto message for the minimum wage hike.
AB 48 (Lieber) would have raised the wage by $1 over the next two years, and would have indexed the future minimum wage to inflation.
Conveniently, the veto of the minimum wage bill will be overshadowed by the gay marriage veto.
"'
The minimum wage has not been increased since 2002, and I believe it is now appropriate," the governor said in his message. "This is a position I made very clear to the author. However, I have also made it clear that
I do not support automatic increases to the wage that relieve elected officials of their duty to consider all of the impacts each increase to the wage will have on workers and businesses.'"
Labor groups will now use the veto as red meat for their members as they fight the governor's special election ballot measures. "'Wealthy companies set new records in political contributions to buy this veto,' said
Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation. 'Schwarzenegger bends whichever the way the corporate winds blow. Just a few weeks ago, the Restaurant Association, a major opponent of the bill, hosted a fund-raiser for Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles. Coincidence? I don't think so.'"
Speaking of vetoes, the governor nixed
Jackie Goldberg's
mascot bill again.
Today, the governor heads to Southern California to take
an aerial view of the wildfires in the San Fernando Valley, after another one of his invite-only "town hall meetings." Calming winds have helped firefighters gain ground in efforts to put out the blaze.
Dan Morain
looks into the fundraising for the special election five weeks out and at the tricks used to raise funds on both sides.
As reported in
yesterday's Capitol Weekly, both
Don Perata and
Fabian Nuñez have "formed a campaign committee to raise money to oppose Proposition 77. Several members of California's congressional delegation also are opposing the initiative. The California Republican Party filed a complaint Wednesday with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, alleging that Nuñez has used his fund to bypass a state campaign finance law that limits to $3,300 the amount one officeholder can give another. Several Democratic Assembly members gave five-figure donations to Nuñez's account."
"On Thursday,
Lance Olson, Nuñez's campaign attorney, called those contributions 'inadvertent' and said money donated to the Committee to Protect California's Future — No on 74, 75, 76 & 77 over a $3,300 limit had been returned."
Kate Folmar and Laura Kurtzman continue the story in the Mercury News, writing that "combatants in the Nov. 8 special election have
amassed more than $180 million to persuade voters on such issues as labor union rights and prescription drug discounts, according to campaign reports filed Thursday."
While the other measures are catching up, the cash cow continues to be the showdown on prescription drugs. "In that lopsided battle -- on track to be one of the most expensive in state history -- big drug companies have collected a whopping $80 million. And they've spent just shy of $50 million, much of it on a barrage of television ads. On the other side, labor and health groups have received contributions worth $130,000 and spent $180,000."
"'There is more than politics at play,' said
Denise Davis, a spokeswoman for the Yes on 78/No on 79 combo. 'We are committed to making sure that California has a workable drug discount program to help uninsured, poor people."
"Yes on 79 sponsor
Anthony Wright said 'the drug companies must really believe that Proposition 79 would be successful in getting Californians cheaper drugs for them to spend such record-breaking sums against it.'"
And, yes, we erred yesterday in saying that PhRMA was buying ads supporting Proposition 79. Of course, they're supporting 78 and opposing 79. The PPIC poll released yesterday found that the voters are confused too. 14% believe Proposition 78 is supported by pharmaceutical companies, 14% believe it's supported by consumer advocates and unions, while 70% have no clue. We like to be with the majority.
The Daily Press reports on a
Russ Bogh bill signed earlier this year by the governor, which
reduces the size of the San Bernardino County Republican Party central committee. Only thing is, the party just found out about the bill by accident. "'When I finally got a copy of the bill — oh, July sometime — it had already been signed by the governor,' [party member
Jim] Cox said. 'It was never discussed in the central committee to my knowledge.'"
Finally, with
Warren Beatty seemingly taking a pass, some Democratic activists are still looking for a celebrity angel to challenge Arnold next year, and who better than someone who is already on the campaign trail? While
Rob Reiner was campaigning against Proposition 75 yesterday, (earning some chits with the labor community in the process), he
would not dissuade his suitors.
"He appeared to encourage the idea, in fact, in an exchange with former San Francisco Supervisor
Doris Ward. She told Reiner, 'I really wish you would one day run for governor because people want movie stars and television stars' in office."
Actually, we're not sure we'd agree with that assertion.
"However good (announced Democratic gubernatorial candidates) Phil Angelides and Steve Westly are," Ward said, "'the way to beat (Republican Gov.) Arnold (Schwarzenegger) is with ...'"
"'... is with a Meathead?' Reiner interjected."
