"Two weeks after being dumped as chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee,
Anthony Portantino was given his gavel back by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez," reports Capitol Weekly.
"'I think the speaker did the right thing,' Portantino said. 'I’m happy to have my committee back, where I can focus on issues I deeply care about.'
"In other committee musical chairs news, "the Banking Committee wil now be chaired by
Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara. Completing the shuffle, Contra Costa Democrat
Mark DeSaulnier will take over as chairman of the Transportaion Committee, which was formerly chaired by Nava.
Hector De La Torre (who was replaced as Rules Committee chairman by
Ted Lieu), remains the odd man out, without a committee chairmanship."
The U-T's Ed Mendel reports, "Assembly Republicans are
working on a plan to give schools more money next year without a tax increase, countering a drive by Democrats to protect schools with a tax increase."
"Legislators in both parties oppose Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal for a record cut in school funding to help close a huge shortfall in the budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.
"Democratic legislators have been holding rallies around the state to protest school cuts. A Democratic proposal for a $1.2 billion tax on oil producers to protect schools was blocked by Republicans last month.
"Assembly Republican Leader
Mike Villines of Clovis said at a news conference today that his caucus believes "
you can still do year-over-year growth" for schools and avoid teacher layoffs without raising taxes.
"Quick, everyone get out those political dictionaries to find out exactly what "year-over-year growth" means. We're guessing the Ed Coalition still thinks that, whatever that is, it's still a cut...
"State Controller
John Chiang turned up the heat Thursday on California Lottery Director Joan Borucki, demanding to know how she plans to repay $46,336 used for an employee party," reports the Bee's Judy Lin.
"Borucki had said lottery officials were awaiting a legal opinion on the legitimacy of the spending, but Chiang said in a letter to Borucki that he has learned that no legal opinion was requested.
"This is contrary to the lottery response to our draft audit report," Chiang wrote.
"Chiang asked Borucki to come up with a repayment plan in two weeks. He said cutting administrative costs does not eliminate the need to repay public funds that were misspent."
The life of the late journalist
Gary Webb will soon be a major motion picture. Variety reports that two books have been optioned for the projects by Universal.
"The San Jose Mercury News reporter committed suicide after being the target of a smear campaign when he linked the CIA to a scheme to arm Contra rebels in Nicaragua and import cocaine into California.
"
Peter Landesman will write the screenplay, based on the two books the studio optioned: "Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion," by Webb, and Nick Schou's "Kill the Messenger: How the CIA's Crack-Cocaine Controversy Destroyed Journalist Gary Webb."
Sure, his boss might had her father's newspaper. But that doesn't mean they can't get along. In fact,
Steve Maviglio and
Karen Skelton are running as a slate to represent the capital's Congressional District as
Hillary Clinton delegates in Denver.
"Any Democrat registered in the 5th Congressional District is eligible to cast a vote Sunday, April 13, at the Tsakopolous Library Galleria," the e-mail states. They even provide
a link to their campaign Web site.
The LA Times profiles
the artist who designed the iconic border highway sign of an immigrant family crossing the street.
"There is a father, leading the way with a clear sense of urgency, bent at the waist. A mother, running behind him, despite the prim dress that hugs her knees. A little girl, holding her mother's hand, unable to keep pace, her feet barely touching the ground, her pigtails -- everyone knows the pigtails -- flowing behind.
"The sign served as a warning that drivers could encounter people racing across the interstate -- most of them trying to get from Mexico into the United States. It would become one of the most iconic and enduring images associated with the nation's war over illegal immigration. And it would leave
John Hood, now 59 years old and preparing to retire, conflicted and ambivalent about his strange legacy.
"A Navajo, he grew up on a reservation in a corner of New Mexico where people lived 7,000 feet above sea level, amid junipers and cedars, mountain lions and coyotes. His parents were illiterate; his home had no electricity or running water, and he slept on a pile of sheepskins."
Speaking of signs for illegal immigrants, the LAT's John Glionna reports on
San Francisco's new pitch for illegal immigrants.
"
This week, the city launched a campaign featuring TV and radio ads, billboards and bus signs reminding residents of its status as a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. The $83,000 blitz will include brochures distributed at police stations and hospitals, promising safe access to city services regardless of residency status.
"'
We're inviting people to come out of the shadows and take advantage of services,' said Mayor
Gavin Newsom. San Francisco has tried to make this point clear for years."
Should be quite a platform for governor...
Finally today, AP reports that
A-Rod is still not welcome at Fenway, no matter what.
"A 13-year-old girl touring Fenway Park on a school trip was attacked by a resident red-tailed hawk that drew blood from her scalp Thursday. She wasn't seriously hurt, but some observers saw an omen for a certain New York Yankees slugger in the attack at the home of the Boston Red Sox.
"The girl's name is Alexa Rodriguez.
"Vince Jennetta, a teacher who chaperoned her class trip from Memorial Boulevard Middle School in Bristol, Conn., told The Boston Globe that Alexa is 'a little shaken, but OK.'"
Jose Canseco said afterwards he had introduced the bird to a steroids dealer in 1997...
