"Democratic legislative leaders declared Tuesday that they
are prepared to delay the state budget this year if that's what it takes to get tax increases, which they called the only reasonable solution to California's multibillion-dollar shortfall," reports the LAT's Evan Halper.
"'
This is going to be the fight of a lifetime,' Senate leader
Don Perata (D-Oakland) declared at a news conference. He spoke on the steps of a Sacramento high school that faces layoffs and bigger classes under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to close the deficit with spending cuts, borrowing and deferrals.
"'
We are not going to be going anywhere this summer,' he said, referring to the annual process of trying to agree on a budget by the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. '
I told everybody that wants to go to the Democratic [National] Convention . . . TiVo it. That is as close as you are going to get.'
Luckily for Democrats, there won't be any intrigue at this year's convention, since their presidential race was settled long ago. By the way, if anyone has election results from Texas and Ohio, please drop us a line.
Speaking of lines, "Perata drew his line in the sand while standing with Democrat
Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, who will succeed him as Senate chief later this year, other senators and school leaders. Perata said the governor's proposal to cut school spending by 10% is unacceptable, and Democrats will reject any budget that includes less for education next year than this year."
"Almost every GOP lawmaker has signed a "Taxpayer Protection Pledge,"
vowing to 'oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.'"
The long fight ahead means that
Carole Migden, the only legislative superdelegate and still undeclared, may not be able go to Denver unless she gets a hall pass.
Speaking of, "Sen. Carole Migden, seeking access to $647,000 in old campaign funds that were blocked by the Fair Political Practices Commission,
filed suit against the FPPC in hopes of getting the money for her tough reelection campaign this year," reports Capitol Weekly's Malcolm Maclachlan.
"The money remaining in the Friends of Carole Migden account from her successful 2004 Senate race. In discussions with Migden's attorneys last year, the FPPC said that about $1 million in the account was not eligible for the San Francisco Democrat's use in her current Senate reelection campaign. Migden's argument that the money predates the statute that would ban its use drew a sharp response from the chairman of the FPPC."
The Chron's Matthew Yi reports, "The federal complaint, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento,
underscores the intense pressure the Democratic incumbent is facing in the June primary against three high-profile challengers.
"Migden's legal conflict with the state Fair Political Practices Commission stems from a complaint that Leno filed last year, alleging the senator did not properly disclose in detail nearly $400,000 worth of credit card charges paid by her campaign funds. That investigation is pending.
"Her lawsuit focuses on $647,000 in campaign funds from her days in the state Assembly, which she left in 2002 after being termed out after six years.
"The Fair Political Practices Commission told Migden that state law forbids her from using funds from previous campaigns because she hadn't properly transferred the monies before she left the Assembly.
"
James Harrison, Migden's attorney, argued that the law's deadline to transfer campaign funds is arbitrary and is ultimately unconstitutional because it infringes upon his client's free speech rights."
"The divisive
issue of same-sex marriage appeared to split the California Supreme Court down the middle Tuesday as the justices agonized over questions of tradition, discrimination and democratic government during a 3 1/2-hour hearing," reports the Chron's Bob Egelko.
"It has been almost four years since the court annulled the weddings at San Francisco City Hall of nearly 4,000 same-sex couples without deciding the constitutionality of the state law that prevented them from legally marrying.
"The law is being challenged in four lawsuits by 23 couples and the city of San Francisco, who argue that it constitutes discrimination - based on both gender and sexual orientation - and violates the fundamental right under the California Constitution to marry the partner of one's choice.
"But at Tuesday's hearing in San Francisco, a state lawyer argued that California has met its obligation to treat gays and lesbians equally, through laws that grant same-sex domestic partners virtually the same rights as husbands and wives, and is not discriminating by defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
"The state is entitled to 'adhere to the common and traditional basis of marriage, while at the same time providing all the rights and benefits associated with marriage' to same-sex partners, said Deputy Attorney General
Christopher Krueger."
While the state was arguing against marriage before the Supreme Court, the state's taxman
is requiring domestic partners to check "married" on their tax return.
The rumor mill is buzzing that
Kevin Johnson will announce his candidacy for Sacramento mayor today. We know that doesn't have a lot of resonance for many of our non-capital readers, but it does set up a showdown not only between Johnson and incumbent
Heather Fargo, but a clash of Democratic consultants
David Townsend and Richie Ross.
Stay tuned...
Speaking of announcements,
Tom McClintock made it official yesterday --
he never wants to work in the private sector again.
The Bee's Peter Hecht reports, "With the demeanor of an invited house guest, the renowned conservative hero for many California Republicans gathered with enthusiastic local political supporters at the historic Placer County Courthouse. And he insisted he is the candidate to lead a district dominated for nearly two decades by retiring Rep.
John Doolittle and his potent regional political machine.
"'I've heard your voice. I've heeded your advice, and I'm here today to ask for your consideration for United States Congress,' McClintock said. He later added: 'If you'll have me, I would be proud – very proud – to take your message to Congress.'"
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
told about 350 representatives of state arts groups Tuesday that there will be 'more money for the arts in the future,'" reports the Bee's Bruce Dancis.
"And as if to add emphasis to his pledge, the man who played the Terminator added: "I promise you – I'll be back."
Really? He's still using that one?
"The governor was a surprise guest at the California Arts Council conference at the Memorial Auditorium. The theme of the day: 'The Future – What's Next.' Schwarzenegger was introduced by his sister-in-law and CAC Vice Chair
Malissa Feruzzi Shriver as 'a member of SAG (the Screen Actors Guild), an art patron and a wonderful artist.'"
Steve Lopez takes
his quest for an interview with his mayor to Texas, where Antonio Villaraigosa was stumping for Hillary Clinton.
"I get the sense the mayor has held a grudge since my columns last summer about his unspectacular record as mayor. Maybe I shouldn't have suggested that his secret romance with a TV personality was distracting him from his duties.
But out here on the campaign trail, 1,200 miles from home, I thought we might get a chance to bury the hatchet and have a good chat.
"Earlier, I'd had thoughts about jumping out from behind a bush to surprise Villaraigosa, but there were no plants in the room. I stood off to one side, listening to Sanchez talk about the cowboy boots she was sporting, and then she introduced Villaraigosa to nice applause.
"I had wondered whether, when I finally got together with Villaraigosa, he would argue that he hasn't really been out of Los Angeles all that much. But I soon realized I had nothing to worry about. The mayor told the crowd he'd left Los Angeles to go to "Iowa four times, New Hampshire for five days." And people have wondered, he added, "why I went to Nevada as many times as I did."
The mayor's press secretary "said he was taking vacation days to be in Texas with his boss. That's fine, but what about the two LAPD officers who generally travel everywhere with Villaraigosa, whether he goes to Dodger Stadium or Texas?"
They're usually on the city dime, according to the LAPD, with taxpayers covering flights, hotels and food.
"
While circling downtown Dallas, I had my eyes open for the red Ford Expedition I'd seen the mayor in earlier, which, if I'm not mistaken, is even bigger than transit advisor Jaime de la Vega's Hummer. As luck would have it, I came upon the beast, parked next to a "No Parking Any time" sign outside a swanky nightspot called Scene."A half-hour later I saw the mayor emerge from Scene and get into the SUV. I figured he was heading back to his hotel, and decided to follow him in case he was ready for our interview when he got back."
Somehow, we're guesing we haven't hear the last of this hunt...
"When Robert Kadera's teenage son was
running late for a tennis date near their northern Illinois home, Kadera came up with a novel way to avoid 45 minutes' worth of traffic — fly. There was just one problem — he had to land, without permission, at a golf course.
"Now the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, and local authorities are considering charges.
"'We're all pretty dumbfounded,' said Lincolnshire Police Chief
Randy Melvin. 'I don't have any idea what the guy was thinking. He was going to park his plane across the street like nobody would notice.'"
Next time, just get the kid a parachute and let him jump.
