Capitol Weekly reports that the
stalled contract talks between prison guards and the state is headed for the courts. "The California Highway Patrol is filing for divorce from a contractual marriage to the state prison guards' union--a marriage that was arranged by Gov. Gray Davis in 2001. Meanwhile, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association is preparing a lawsuit of its own, to be filed in federal court as soon as CHP's new pay increase goes into effect on July 1."
"'I think it's time for us to reach out and become active participants in the federal courts,' said CCPOA president
Mike Jimenez."
But CCPOA failed to kill the confirmation of the state's top negotiator,
David Gilb. "A move by the politically influential prison officers union to thwart the appointment of a new state personnel director
failed Wednesday when the California Senate's Rules Committee approved the nominee on a unanimous vote," writes the Bee's Andy Furillo.
"The vote in favor of David Gilb to head the Department of Personnel Administration came less than 24 hours before the state's first mediation session with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the union whose 31,000 members have been working without a contract for nearly a year.
"'It's important to get on with the business of getting this agreement done, and yes, it is a relief,' Gilb said, about the Rules Committee vote, 'because we have very, very important business to take care of.'"
While Gilb's confirmation may have been unanimous,
the confirmation of three members to the community college board of governors is in trouble, reports CW's Malcolm Maclachlan.
"Three nominees to the California Community College Board of governors are in trouble with GOP senators for supporting financial aid to undocumented students.
"Republicans now said they are united in denying the nominees the two Republican votes they need to get the necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate--and have Democrats to thank for tipping them off on the issue. All three of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's nominees--current board president
Kay Albiani, Rose Castillo-Guilbault and John Koeberer--have been acting board members pending Senate approval.
"In that role, they approved a legislative agenda that includes support of SB 160, a bill by Senator
Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles. Known as the California Dream Act, the bill would have allowed undocumented students who have at least one year in California high schools to pay in-state tuition at state universities and community colleges. Cedillo got the bill passed last year, but it didn't get a single Republican vote in either house and was vetoed by the governor."
The Washington Post's David Broder
wonders if post-partisanship is in trouble because of term limits and redistricting.
"Schwarzenegger wants the proposed redistricting commission to have authority to revise congressional lines, as well as legislative. That prospect alarms the powerful California contingent in Washington, led by House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi. Comfortable in the seats they hold under a five-year-old insiders' deal that locked in both parties' incumbents,
these members of Congress are threatening to raise millions to fight any redistricting reform that includes them."
Speaking of post-partisanship, CW's John Howard
sketches out the new politics of water, including some bipartisan support for an old idea.
"'
We're not in 1982 anymore. Things have changed. We've got a governor who is willing to take the lead. There are different players. We have municipal water agencies that are bigger, more powerful now than they were back in 1982. They understand that we are all connected in this state. In my district, this is life or death to them," said Sen.
Dean Florez, D-Shafter. '
This time,' he added, 'it could be done without the voters.'"
If only term limits could be done that way...The Peripheral Canal "is back, prompted by changes in the political landscape."
"
First, there is a popular governor who supports it. Second, there is an electorate that already has approved spending billions of dollars on water improvements. Third, there is legislation authored by a Northern California lawmaker--Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto--with options that include a canal in or around the Delta. Fourth, there is widespread concern over global warming and greenhouse gases, and proponents of the canal--and some $5 billion in new dams proposed in the areas of Sites and Temperance Flat--argue that the projects will protect water flows as temperatures rise. Finally, there is a sense in the Capitol that it is time to act, and that the time to study the problem is over. 'We need more water,' Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Bakersfield. 'We have to build more storage, and we have to build conveyance, the canal and all of those kinds of things.'"
"The joint Senate-Assembly committee pondering Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget
agreed Wednesday with the governor's assertion that a statewide anti-gang czar is needed to coordinate California's fight against gang violence," writes Steve Geissinger in the Merc News.
"
But unlike the governor, legislators said the biggest thrust of the program should be prevention rather than suppression."Assembly Speaker
Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said the Legislature's tweak to the budget includes "more strategies that intervene in the lives of kids at risk of joining gangs or trying to get out of gangs."
"The Legislative Budget Conference Committee adopted a bipartisan anti-gang package that provides nearly $10 million in grants for local gang prevention, intervention programs targeting at-risk youth and re-entry strategies for former gang members leaving prison."
"The wife of Los Angeles City Atty.
Rocky Delgadillo pleaded no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of driving without a valid license in connection with a 1998 Santa Monica traffic citation," reports Matt Lait in the Times.
"
Michelle Delgadillo's plea followed a report in The Times on Wednesday that she had a warrant for her arrest in the case.
"According to court records, Michelle Delgadillo, 36, failed to appear in court a month after her Aug. 1, 1998, citation. She had been charged with driving on a suspended license, without insurance and in an unregistered vehicle. The judge issued a bench warrant at that time, which had been outstanding since then.
"Wednesday, she was arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court at the Airport Courthouse and pleaded no contest to driving without a valid license. She was ordered to serve a one-year summary probation and pay $431 in fines and penalties. The other charges were dropped."
Whew, we're glad that's over. Or, is it?
"Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo
has enlisted members of his office staff to run personal errands and baby-sit his two young children, including taking them to museums and other local attractions."
Hmmm...anyone think that someone on the inside has some loose lips?
"In response to inquiries from The Times, Delgadillo confirmed through a spokesman Wednesday that he relied on his staff to attend to some family and personal needs, but he declined to give many details.
"'On occasion, city staff members -- some of whom the city attorney has known for many years -- have watched the Delgadillos' children on their own personal time,' according to a statement released by Delgadillo's office. 'They were personally paid by the Delgadillos, but sometimes declined payment.
"'On rare occasions, city staff have run errands for the city attorney on their lunch breaks or other personal time,' the statement read.
"Sources with firsthand knowledge of the arrangement, however, said staffers often attended to the city attorney's personal needs and children during normal business hours."
And we're sure no members of the Legislature ever make staff run errands for them on state time, do they? Cafe Bernardo latte, anyone?
Speaking of babysitting,
Gavin Newsom came out swinging against
Chris Daly. "Mayor Gavin Newsom
categorically denied ever using cocaine Wednesday and blasted Supervisor Chris Daly for raising the allegation during a packed Board of Supervisors meeting a day earlier, saying his City Hall archenemy had brought San Francisco politics to a new low," reports Cecilia Vega in the Chron.
"Newsom, who earlier this year entered rehab for a drinking problem, angrily responded to reporters' questions about whether he has ever used the drug, saying, 'Absolutely not.'
"'
I am associated with something that I don't do, never have, not even in the realm of reason should someone even accuse me of this,' Newsom said."
"In Los Angeles today, the state Air Resources Board
is scheduled to adopt the first detailed emissions-cutting regulations under California's umbrella global warming law, Assembly Bill 32," reports the Bee's Jim Downing.
"While AB 32 was signed into law with bipartisan fanfare last fall, the state's first steps in implementing it this spring have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum.
"AB 32 requires the state to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. That's equivalent to reducing gasoline consumption by an average of 800 million gallons a year, each year, for the next 13 years.
"That's something no industrial economy has ever done, and many environmental groups say air board staff hasn't been aggressive enough with the 'early action measures' up for a vote today."
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
has appointed Will Bush as permanent director of the Department of General Services, overseeing 4,000 employees and a $500 million budget," reports Kevin Yamamura in the Bee.
"Bush, 55, of Elk Grove served as interim director of DGS since January. He also served as undersecretary for the State and Consumer Services Agency since 2006 after a 31-year career at the Franchise Tax Board. Bush is a Republican with a bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University, Sacramento.
"DGS is responsible for managing state-owned and leased properties, most of the state's printing needs and overseeing the vehicle fleet, among other duties."
Who knew the hardest restaurant to get into in California was ... in Disneyland?
"The wait to get a membership for Disneyland's exclusive Club 33 is so long that wannabe members joke that
the only way to move up the list is for somebody to die," reports the LAT's Kimi Yoshino.
"
Dale Mattson has been parked on Club 33's waiting list since 2001, and Robert Tickell for about that long. And poor Chris Villaflor -- Walt Disney Co. informed him this month that the list is so bloated, he can't even get on it."
"But now, there might be hope -- at least a glimmer of it. Disneyland officials said that over the next year they plan to rearrange some tables to add seating capacity to the members-only restaurant tucked away in New Orleans Square, identifiable only by a green door with the address: 33.
"The club, created by Walt Disney himself as a place where he could entertain investors and business associates, didn't open until 1967, after his death. Since then it has been visited by presidents, princes and celebrities.
"The restaurant, named for its address on 33 Royal St. in the park, is so secretive that the door remains locked and only members with a reservation are allowed in. (The club needed an address because one was required for its liquor license.)
"Of its 487 members, individuals slightly outnumber corporations. Corporate memberships cost $25,000, plus $5,925 in annual fees. Individuals pay a $9,500 initiation fee, then $3,175 annually, Disneyland Resort spokesman
Bob Tucker said.
"Members are also invited to behind-the-scenes tours and holiday events and can request the presence of Mickey Mouse or any other Disney character at their meals."
Well, that makes it all worth it, then...
