Carla Marinucci and John Wildermuth report in the Chron that Proposition 77's redistricting measure
has split the Common Cause organization. "
Chellie Pingree, the national president of Common Cause, was among those who appeared alongside the governor in San Jose to underscore her national organization's endorsement of Proposition 77 on the Nov. 8 special election ballot. But the move has kicked up so much opposition in the California branch of Common Cause that some board members have threatened to resign.
"'I can't comment on that, but I won't deny it,' said
Kathay Feng, executive director of Common Cause California in a phone interview."
Sounds like a comment to us.
"Pingree, after Monday's event with the governor, said Prop. 77 is not a perfect proposal, but it provides a way to move forward on redistricting changes, a core issue for Common Cause for the past 30 years. '
We can't let the perfect become the enemy of the good,' she added."
Last year, the guv went to Ohio to solidify his partisan bona fides and campaign for President Bush. Now, Schwarzenegger is entering a debate in the Buckeye State -- on behalf of Democrats. Ohio Dems are
pushing a redistricting measure that
Republicans say is a Democratic power grab.
"In Ohio, where Republicans dominate the statehouse, Democrats and unions led the effort to qualify Issue 4 and several other election-related initiatives for the vote next month," the New York Times reports.
The governor hosts yet another up-with-people town hall today, this time in Redding.
Meanwhile, the Kate Folmar follows the Chron's story from last week, reporting in the Merc News that Democrats
are wondering where Maria Shriver stands on the November ballot measures. "One of the state's most prominent Democrats, Maria Shriver, has been noticeably mum this year as her husband, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, pushes a controversial Nov. 8 special election and four 'top props' that are anathema to many Democrats.
"With less than a month until Election Day, Schwarzenegger on Monday seemed to hint that Shriver will make her views known, possibly as soon as next week, when she hosts a conference on women and families in Long Beach."
"'
I think she's going to talk about that there,' Schwarzenegger said at a Monday event in San Jose. 'And you will see what she thinks about my work and the initiatives and what we are trying to accomplish here.'"
"Then again, said Shriver spokeswoman
Terri Carbaugh, maybe not."
"'
In no uncertain terms will Maria Shriver use this inspirational day -- a day that is dedicated to all the women in our state regardless of their political preferences -- to talk about the upcoming special election or her views on the various reform measures,' Carbaugh said."
The L.A. Times's Lisa Girion
compares Propositions 78 and 79, the dueling prescription drug measures on the November ballot. "The pharmaceutical industry 'is investing so heavily in California to defeat this because if California goes, a lot of other states could go," said
Geoffrey Joyce, a senior economist with the Rand Corp., a think tank in Santa Monica. 'It's just a huge market, and it's symbolic.'"
The California Recovery Team's website JoinArnold.com
reprises their questions about the fiscal solvency of the California Teachers Association. "Last week it was revealed through a sworn affidavit, signed by California Teachers Association (CTA) controller
Carlos Moreno, that the union
is currently at least $34 million in debt, is attempting to negotiate an additional $40 million in loans, and has already spent the $50-sum million raised this year to fight against reform. CTA President
Barbara Kerr plans to hold a press conference via phone today [Friday, October 14] at noon." The site then suggests seven questions to ask Kerr on the press conference held last Friday.
Dan Walters
warns that California's budget is in a precarious situation, which could quickly lead to chronic deficits if the economy slows. "All in all, it would not be surprising if California's economy slows, not necessarily falling into recession, but slowing enough to reduce revenues, as the decade enters its second half. And were that to happen, California's budget deficits could climb beyond $10 billion a year very quickly."
Meanwhile, Dan Weintraub
touts Proposition 76 as the solution, citing the measure's changes to Proposition 98's minimum funding guarantee for schools. "If you think the people you elect to the Legislature and future governors should be allowed more leeway to set school budgets annually in accordance with the revenue that's coming in from taxes, you should probably vote for Proposition 76. If you prefer the status quo - setting school budgets by a strict formula in the state's constitution - you should probably vote against this measure."
Two software industry groups have
sued California over the recently signed bill to limit video game sales to minors. "The trade group Entertainment Software Association announced its intentions to fight in court immediately after Schwarzenegger signed the ban 10 days ago. Video Software Dealers Association joined in the suit.
"'It is not up to any industry or the government to set standards for what kids can see or do; that is the role of parents,'
Douglas Lowenstein, the group's president said."
"'Everyone involved with this misguided law has known from the start that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment freedoms of those who create and sell video games.'"
The governor released a statement last night on the suit saying, "We must give parents the tools to help them protect their children. I will do everything in my power to preserve this new law and I urge the Attorney General to mount a vigorous defense of California's ability to prevent the sale of these games to children."
Former "War Crimes Ambassador-at-large"
Pierre-Richard Prosper threw his hat into the ring for attorney general yesterday, challenging
Charles Poochigian. And, just coincidentally we're sure, Poochigian yesterday announced he had received the endorsements of former Govs. Wilson and Deukmejian.
In what may be the strangest press release of the day, the
Mark Wyland for Congress campaign sent out a release announcing the Assemblyman was "preparing" to run for Duke Cunningham's soon-to-be vacant congressional seat. The release went on to underscore the fact that Wyland remains "unannounced," even though he was chipping in $250,000 to his campaign.
Wyland has been on the fence for weeks about the run, as a number of would-be candidates, for Congress and Assembly, awaited his decision.
Now for an official
Roundup Public Service Announcement: Always be sure to spay or neuter your pets.
Starting with your political watchdog.The LA Times reports the Fair Political Practices Commission has
closed 225 cases since May without finishing the investigations, a victim of a nagging backlog and budget crunch that led the agency's chairwoman last week to cry uncle.
"We can't handle our caseload,"
Liane Randolph, chairwoman of the Fair Political Practices Commission, told the panel at its monthly meeting in Sacramento.
Finally, from our
Legislators Gone Wild files, an Oregon legislator has
resigned after being caught by police with a small amount of methamphetamine. Wirth was cited Thursday for possession of what Salem police said was a small amount of methamphetamine found in her car.
She also is recovering from injuries suffered when she was
rammed by a car driven by a woman who says Wirth was having an affair with her boyfriend - a janitor at the state Capitol. Wirth denies she had an affair with him.
Wirth has been a frequent target of criticism for missing floor votes and committee meetings during legislative sessions. She also raised eyebrows when she
cast the only "no" vote in the House on a bill to toughen penalties for methamphetamine-related crimes.
Hey, at least she's consistent.
