Legislative Analyst
Liz Hill gave her take on the governor's budget Wednesday, and she was
not impressed with the governor's spending control measures. LAT's Halper writes: "Hill suggested the proposal is too rigid and could force deep reductions to programs in dire need of funding. The proposal also may shift too much power to the governor, she said, calling it "a serious diminution of the Legislature's authority to appropriate funds and craft budgets."
Is it bad politics or bad policy? Whatever the reason, many Democrats are less than eager to challenge the governor's no new taxes mantra. Both
Perata and Nuņez are quoted, again, as saying taxes are off the table (for now), but then, there's always the
Rule of Phil. "With the exception of state Treasurer
Phil Angelides, Democrats for now have dropped earlier calls for higher taxes to fix the budget.
As we watched
Reed Hastings go down to defeat yesterday, we almost felt bad for
Sen. Debra Bowen. It was obvious that she
wanted to vote for Hastings' reconfirmation on merit, but couldn't because she was the swing vote on Rules, and the caucus had voted as a whole to kill his nomination. But in the end, caucus loyalty carried the day, Bowen abstained on the vote, and Hastings went down to defeat. So much for that EdVoice endorsement for Secretary of State.
While political mud flew in Rules Committee, the governor was
down in the mud in Ventura, visiting the site of the tragedy that has claimed 10 lives so far.
With
John Garamendi on hand, and a statement of support from
Nancy Pelosi online,
Doris Matsui launched her bid for Congress. Labor is reportedly lining up behind
Grantland Johnson, who is expected to announce his candidacy Friday. The Bee reports
Ortiz is "is meeting nightly to discuss a potential campaign" with supporters. Rep.
Joe Baca is among those who are pledging hypothetical support to Ortiz's hypothetical candidacy.
Fundraising problems plague Calderon ... again Ron Calderon's problems keeping money in his campaign account, and paying family members with campaign funds has been
well documented .Now, the Bee's Jim Sanders marks the latest of
Calderon's fundraising foibles. "Most invitations simply name the legislator, describe the event and list ticket prices. Critics claim Calderon's reference to "banking and finance" essentially targeted one special-interest group and implied a connection to the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee," which Calderon chairs.
Since we're linking to Jeff Kearns's old articles in the News and Review, we might as well link to his latest, a profile of the man who's
"bring[ing] state politics to the online masses. Hint: Think shameless self-promotion
If
Nicole Parra can't get
Kevin Shelley to spend any time with her we know somebody who will. A Bakersfield shock jock is
trolling for a date with the assemblywoman, and what's not to love? By his own admission,
"Snatch the Sidekick" says "I'm 5-foot-nothing, pale and bald, so my game is very little."
Maybe that's why Parra has decided to give him a date, sort of, Sources close to Parra tell The Roundup that Parra has agreed to go on Snatch's show for an hour, and use the appearance as a way to raise money for charity. Our source tells us a "date" may be part of the deal. We hope the "date" goes well, since
Parra still isn't getting any love from the Bakersfield Californian for her handling of the Shelley JLAC hearings.
Developing ... HARD. (with apologies to
Matt Drudge)
Speaking of eccentrics on the radio, in an appearance on KQED's
Forum program yesterday, top cop wannabe
Jerry Brown said that his famed 800-number is still active. Brown said he wouldn't "give it out, because it's kind of going backwards." Will the public think that too, or will they call 800-424-9090?
When we first saw all those firemen in uniform, carrying ladders and axes around the Capitol yesterday, we thought they were lobbying to save their pensions. As it turned out, they were
evacuating the Capitol's Sixth Floor after an electrical problem.
Informational hearings began yesterday as the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians began lobbying for legislative ratification of a new compact that would bring
casino-style gaming to San Pablo.
Senate Transportation will hold a hearing Jan. 26 to examine the cost overruns and Department of Transportation's management of the bridge project, while Bay Area lawmakers suggest
issuing state bonds to finance the East Span.
