The LAT's Evan Halper writes that, despite the nationwide economic
downturn, California is unique in its budget problems.
"Analysts say the state's troubles stem largely from its budget system -- the most dysfunctional in the country -- and they look to California as an example of how not
to do things. In a recent ranking of state policies
by the Pew Center on the States, California scored
D+ on fiscal management. The average grade was B-.
"'We have these problems that have long been understood,
but we don't deal with them,' said Jim Mayer, executive director of California Forward, a bipartisan
think tank seeking to overhaul the budget process.
'If we are going to fix this, we need to learn from
what they have done in other places.'
"Of the 46 states that began their fiscal year on Tuesday, California
is one of just four that still have no spending plan.
Lawmakers are nowhere near agreement on how to patch
a $15.2-billion shortfall, and the budget will probably include
borrowing, accounting shifts and other maneuvers that
make money managers cringe.
"An outdated tax code, voter-approved initiatives that lock in billions of dollars
for programs, inadequate oversight of spending and
the lack of a substantial rainy-day fund all add to California's financial ills. Other states have addressed such
issues with impressive results. But attempts at similar
changes here routinely fall flat.
"Some experts say the root of California's problem is its unusual requirement of a two-thirds majority for the Legislature to approve budget-related measures. That standard exists in only two
other states, Rhode Island and Arkansas, neither of
which is nearly as complicated to govern as California."
The Bee's Kevin Yamamura notes why few Californians care about the late budget.
""Most Californians avoid the effects of a late budget,
so the immediate outcry is minimal. Courts in previous
years have mandated that the state continue paying
most education expenses, health and welfare costs and
state employee salaries.
"'It pretty much took the pressure off the Legislature,' said Dave Gilliard, a Republican political consultant. 'I don't know that Californians see state government being
all that big a part of their daily lives. Certainly,
if it started to impact the schools, voters would react
to that. But until they see something really damaging,
they don't tend to get too exercised.'
"California is still able to pay all Medi-Cal providers, such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists,
hospitals, adult day care centers and regional developmental
service centers, up to $2 billion, through a state and federal contingency fund,
though the money is expected to run dry next month.
"Legal decisions enable the vast majority of the state's 235,000 employees to get a paycheck on schedule. In 1992, a federal judge ruled that issuing IOUs to state
workers violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
"A 1998 lawsuit by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
sought to bar the state controller from making a variety
of payments in the absence of an approved budget. The
court ultimately limited the amount the state can pay
to K-12 schools and cut off state funding to community colleges,
though many school districts rely on reserve funds
to operate."
The Bee's Micaela Massimino writes: "Senate leadership decided the monthlong recess would
be delayed at least 10 days, meaning lawmakers will continue to log the $170-a-day, tax-free per diem when they otherwise would be off. The
Assembly is taking next week off.
"By Thursday, lawmakers were itching to start the holiday
weekend. Both houses took time to honor the College
World Series champion Fresno State baseball team.
"Only one player (his girlfriend lives in Dixon) showed up, which may reflect how the Legislature ranks
in that corner."
(Or maybe how they party at Fresno State...)
"Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata had seen enough.
"'The cameras are gone,' he told the Senate after the baseball celebration,
'and we should be, too.'"
George Skelton writes: "Here's Sacramento's problem: It desperately needs more tax money to provide the
services the public wants. But the public doesn't trust Sacramento to spend any new money wisely.
"Blame rigid term limits. Loosen them.
"So how else does trust get restored? Knock off the
petty partisan politics.
"Declare a moratorium on new spending programs. Reform
budgeting. Stress government efficiency. Raise taxes
temporarily to make ends meet honestly. Just do it.
Show leadership.
"And most important, says [Democratic consultant Darry] Sragow, 'shoot straight with the people.'
"Now that would be revolutionary."
"There were a lot of reasons behind San Francisco Mayor
Gavin Newsom's decision to make his move to run for governor almost
two years before the Democratic primary - and one of the biggest was Jerry Brown," write Matier and Ross.
"For months now, Brown - former governor, ex-Oakland mayor and now state attorney general - has been working inside Democratic circles seeking
money and support for his next leap.
"'So far, we've gotten about $1 million in money and pledges,' Brown said."
Hey, Jerry could be an NPR station!
"Political insiders tell us a run for governor means
raising $30 million or more. And with declared gubernatorial candidates
allowed to collect money in increments of $24,100, the earlier you get started, the better.
"Unless, of course, you have your own money - like gazillionaire former state Controller Steve Westly - or have socked away cash over the years like Treasurer
Bill Lockyer.
"Brown, however, believes that being known is more important
than money.
"'When I ran in 1974, I started out with 35 percent in a crowded Democratic primary - and in the end, I won the Democratic primary with
35 percent,' Brown said.
"'The point is, it's very hard to move your numbers statewide after people
have developed a perception of you.'
"But then, this is from a guy who, according to poll
of state Democrats taken in March, aced out Newsom
and every other party contender by nearly 2 to 1."
Dan Walters looks at the prospects for a workers' comp overhaul this year.
"Don Perata, the outgoing Senate president pro tem, is carrying
one measure (Senate Bill 1717) that would directly roll back a major portion of the
2004 reforms, as implemented by the administration, by
expanding, and eventually doubling, the number of weeks
that permanently disabled workers could receive cash
payments.
"The bill has sailed through the Legislature on straight
party-line votes with support from labor unions and workers' comp attorneys. But it's virtually identical to two Perata bills that Schwarzenegger
vetoed, citing their increased costs and what he says
is a lack of demonstrated need.
"The second major workers' comp bill (Senate Bill 1115) is being proposed by Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco with a similar, but broader, cast of
supporters and, as with Perata's measure, strong opposition from employers. It would
bar discrimination in evaluating workers' comp claims based on race, age, gender, genetic disposition
and other factors. Sponsors say this would overturn
the tendency of some medical evaluators to use those
factors in rating disabilities.
"The two bills are the latest fronts in a political
war that's raged for years over workers' comp, whose multibillion-dollar impacts support a permanent community of lobbyists
and other political practitioners.
"Since Schwarzenegger is not likely to back away from
one of his signal accomplishments, those who want to
undo the 2004 changes must hope that a Democrat succeeds Schwarzenegger
two years hence and would either sign new legislation
or roll back his rules. Or they could follow through
on threats to take the issue to voters with an initiative
of their own."
The AP's Don Thompson reports: "The state's expanding prison population and the increasing average
age of its inmates appear to be key factors behind
one of the most contentious issues facing California
lawmakers. They are at odds over whether to approve $7 billion to build medical units for a prison health
care system that has been ruled unconstitutional.
"The money has been ordered by a federal court receiver
who has been placed in charge of medical care in the
state's 33 adult prisons.
"Aging inmates cost two to three times as much to incarcerate
as younger prisoners, an average $98,000 to $138,000 a year.
"Between 1980 and 2007, the average age of California inmates increased from
27 to 37.
"The prisons hold more than 22,000 inmates over age 50, or about 13 percent of the overall adult inmate population. In
1998, the number was 9,820, or 6 percent of the prison population.
"Some advocates say the state could save money by giving
compassionate release to older, infirm inmates. A year
ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was open to
releasing "the old, feeble and sick who pose no threat to the
public."
"The corrections department estimates that paroling
all nonviolent offenders 55 or older, sick or not, would trim the prison population
by about 1,000 and save about $20 million annually."
"They are trained at putting tough questions to convicted
murderers, but the state's powerful parole board commissioners have found themselves
on the other side of the table lately, under interrogation in a political conflict that
has cost some of them their jobs," reports Michael Rothfeld in the Times.
"On one side of the dispute is Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
a Republican who routinely appoints former law enforcement
officials to the Board of Parole Hearings, which decides
whether to release the most serious criminals from
prison. On the other is state Senate leader Don Perata,
a Democrat from Oakland who believes commissioners
deny parole to deserving inmates far too often.
"Since January, Democratic senators led by Perata have
rejected four of the eight commissioners they have
grilled at confirmation hearings, ousting a third of
the 12-member board and forcing Schwarzenegger to replace
them. Members can serve a year after their appointment
but must then receive the Senate's blessing to complete their three-year terms.
"'It just defies logic to suggest that they can interview
or evaluate over 5,000 people [a year] and make only a handful of remands back to the community,' Perata said in an interview. 'Where are the social scientists, the psychologists?
Where are the people who bring a different dimension
to life, a different view on rehabilitation?"
"But Schwarzenegger has persisted, last week naming
two more commissioners with law enforcement backgrounds.
State law says commissioners should have 'a broad background in criminal justice.'"
And while Americans reclaimed the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest this holiday season, a Michigan
man bested his father in yet another of America's great July 4 traditions.
AP reports, "Brian 'Young Gun' Krause has out-spit his father to claim his seventh championship at
the International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship."
Wasn't there a Greek play about this?
"Krase's winning spit on Saturday was 56 feet, 7 1/2 inches. That's 6 1/2 inches better than his father, the second-place finisher and defending champion, 54-year-old Rick 'Pellet Gun' Krause of Yuba City, Ariz., who spit 56 feet, 1 inch.
