Did somebody say deal?

Mar 8, 2006

As rumors of a deal to place a bond package on the June ballot continue to swirl around the Capitol, Dan Walters summarizes the strange political dynamics that could be influencing the bond negotiations.

"The question that continues to hang over the private negotiations, therefore, is whether the Democrats really want to do a deal or are merely going through the motions. If the deal is done, it may reflect another much-discussed dynamic: the 2010 gubernatorial election. Were Schwarzenegger to get his way on the bonds and then ride them to re-election, it would open the way for Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez's close ally, newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, to run for governor in four years and for Núñez to follow him into the mayor's office."

"Far-fetched? That's the sort of stuff that often drives politicians to do what they do."

Hey, did anybody else see that black helicopter fly overhead?

Meanwhile, in the middle of all the hubbub, Assembly Republicans have changed leaders.
"Assemblyman George Plescia is expected to be named Assembly Republican leader today to guide his 32-member caucus through touchy negotiations on a controversial state budget and the upcoming legislative election," reports Jim Sanders in the Bee.

"'I grew up with team sports all my life and I believe in the team concept," Plescia said of how he'll approach his new role. 'I'm definitely comfortable being the quarterback, but it will take all of us.'"

"Today's GOP vote on Plescia's candidacy comes one day after current Republican leader Kevin McCarthy announced his candidacy for the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. William Thomas of Bakersfield."

As quarterback, Plescia will have to coordinate a defense against two teams--Assembly Democrats and the governor. Oh, and maybe outside GOP activists.

As the rumored deal, or at least the deadline for a deal, gets closer, Republican activists are still trying to slow the bond train down, urging Assembly Republicans to hold the line. "For the sake of all Californians, we hope this distraction will not divert the members from their first priority: ensuring that the infrastructure package is linked inextricably to meaningful reforms and that enticements offered to individual members for an 11th hour deal are spurned," writes Jon Coupal in a commentary on the Flashreport

The U-T's Michael Gardner reports on the unease toward the governor's plan to hike water fees to pay off his infrastructure bond. "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's ambitious waterworks plan for the state could cost San Diego County homeowners and businesses about $2 million every month."

"But the governor's proposal to impose water-bill surcharges ranging from $3 to $10 a month across the state has met with strong opposition."

"'I don't think anyone in the water community likes what's being proposed at this point,' said Jeff Kightlinger, general manager of the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District."

In addition, "[t]he state of California could move to seize private land to repair eroding levees under the authority of a recent emergency declaration, a revelation that worries some observers."

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared the levee emergency on Feb. 24, vowing to spend $100 million to repair 24 serious erosion sites on Sacramento Valley levees by Nov. 1, the start of the next flood season."

"In some cases, the state may opt to widen the riverbed by building setback levees, in which the existing levee is abandoned and a new one is built behind it. In other cases, the state may need land for roads and construction."

"To get construction started fast, [DWR flood management acting chief Rod] Mayer said, the state is prepared to claim the land now and negotiate a price later."

"'It's possible that we could, under the emergency, go through an expedited process for eminent domain where we could take control of the property much more quickly," he said."

"Mayor Jerry Brown is being investigated on suspicion of vandalism after two women accused him of breaking a cell phone and making racist statements Sunday morning outside @17th, a downtown nightclub," reports Heather MacDonald in the Oakland Tribune.

"Brown, who is running for state attorney general and is embroiled in a tough primary fight against Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, said Tuesday through his spokesman that the allegations are 'absolutely not true.'"

Brown was participating in a police ride-along, visiting three clubs that have recently had lots of problems. If any of our Oakland readers have a copy of that police report, by all means, send it our way.

Meanwhile, the LAT's Lee Romney reports on the campaign theme of Rocky Delgadillo's efforts to defeat Brown. "A dramatic rise in killings in this city in the last two months has provided the debut issue in the race for the Democratic nomination for attorney general — a contest that strategists think will be one of the most dynamic this election year."

"Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown is the seasoned, if eccentric, candidate from a storied political family who has managed both the state as governor and one of its most challenged cities."

They forgot to mention one hell of a bar-room brawler. But we digress...

"But with Oakland marking its 25th homicide of 2006 on Sunday — triple last year's number for the same period — Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo has come out swinging, slamming his opponent as 'asleep at the switch.'"


State treasurer Phil "Angelides visited the Cal Berkeley Democrats to trot out his new, higher education-themed television spot, which began airing Sunday in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Los Angeles. He said he will look to campuses this year not only for votes but also for campaign volunteers," reports Josh Richman in the Oakland Tribune.

"He reiterated his higher education platform, which includes rolling back tuition and fee hikes enacted under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; loosening admission restrictions so 20,000 more students can enter public universities; doubling the public school counselors helping students prepare for college; expanding the Cal Grant financial aid program; and creating a 'California Hope Endowment' bankrolled by better use of surplus state property to double college outreach and preparation spending."

...and a chicken in every pot.

"State GOP communications director Patrick Dorinson later Tuesday said "Angelides' strategy to launch dishonest attacks on the governor will not distract California voters from his support for tax increases and granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants."

And, as the LA Times reports, it can't hide the fact that he's not as rich as Steve Westly.

"California's biggest labor group [the state federation of labor] is preparing to throw its support today behind state Treasurer Phil Angelides in the Democratic primary for governor, a move that would fortify his standing as the party establishment's favorite in the race."

"But even with labor tilting his way, Angelides faces mounting financial pressure and questions among some party strategists about whether he has responded aggressively enough to the threat posed by his June 6 primary rival, state Controller Steve Westly."

"'Let him spend down his cash,' Westly strategist Garry South said. 'Unless he has some money tree he can shake at the end, he's going to run perilously short of money.'"

We thought organized labor was the money tree.

Angelides pollster [Paul] "Maslin recalled two wealthy Californians whose lavish personal spending went for naught: gubernatorial hopeful Al Checchi in 1998 and U.S. Senate contender Michael Huffington in 1994. If Westly advisors believe 'it's all money, I'm sure Gov. Checchi and Sen. Huffington agree,' Maslin said."

"The campaign manager for Proposition 82, the universal preschool initiative on the June 6 ballot, is stepping aside from his position amid a growing controversy about tax dollars spent on ads supporting preschool," reports Laura MeCoy in the Bee.

"Campaign manager Ben Austin became a source of controversy for collecting $110,000 as a consultant for First 5 California, a commission chaired by Proposition 82's leading backer, movie director Rob Reiner."

"Chad Griffin, another Los Angeles-based political consultant who has been working as a strategist for Proposition 82, is taking over as campaign manager."

"The Joint Legislative Audit Committee is scheduled to vote today on a request for it to audit First 5 California's preschool ad campaign and its contracting practices. Should be enough election-year posturing to go around.

"The committee's chairwoman, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, said she expected the panel to support the audit requested by Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, and Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, D-Glendale," who oh, by the way, is running for state controller.

"The California Republican Party has suspended its fee-based voter registration program while prosecutors in San Bernardino and Orange counties investigate possible registration fraud connected to private firms hired by the party, GOP officials said," write Ashley Powers and Lynn Doan in the Times.

"The suspension came after election officials in the two counties discovered thousands of flawed registration forms and received complaints from residents who said they had been improperly registered as Republicans."

Finally, as Friday's filing deadline approaches for candidate to run for office, let us lament for just a moment the fact that Bill Lockyer is not in the gubernatorial race. Lockyer made news at the National Association of Attorneys General, no small feat to be sure, when he cussed out Republican Congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan in front of reporters.

Rogers is pushing a federal legislation that would undermine California's food safety laws, and Lockyer responded in kind, calling him a "dumbsh-t."

"The comment drew a mixture of laughter and shock from the half-dozen other state AGs present and about two dozen reporters and staffers, reports the Chron's Zach Coile. 'Lockyer seemed to want to pull his statement back.'"

"'Maybe I should have said 'pea-brained'?' he said."

"A spokeswoman for Rogers was quick to fire back after hearing about Lockyer's off-color remark. 'The attorney general certainly has a limited vocabulary," said spokeswoman Silvia Warner. 'When you're wrong on the facts and wrong on the policy you dive for the gutter, and that's where he ended up.'"

No confirmation that Lockyer responded by calling her a f---ing loser.