One thing about Texas Gov. Rick Perry: He may forget where he is in a presidential debate but he sure knows how to get a lot of bang for the buck. He's parlayed an infinitesimal $24,000 radio ad campaign into widespread media coverage of his pitch to lure California companies to the Lone Star State.
From the Mercury-News' Mike Rosenberg: "Declaring that his conservative state had knocked California off its perch as the nation's business leader, Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday bragged that the Golden State is now "looking at our backside."
"A year after his failed presidential bid, Perry returned to the West Coast on Friday for visits to San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Los Angeles in an attempt to lure businesses to Texas following a statewide ad campaign last week. It's part of a push by low-tax states to entice California millionaires hit by recent tax hikes that have the state's wealthiest stomaching the highest income tax rate in the nation."
"In a wide-ranging interview with this newspaper, the Republican politician fired return shots at California Gov. Jerry Brown, said his state capital of Austin is poised to become the "next Silicon Valley" and characterized California as a great state that has lost its way."
One reality, however, is that more Californians are moving to Texas than are coming the other way, and another is that California politicos doth protest too much at Perry's jibes.
From the Bee's Dan Walters: "A lot of these Texans, they come here, they don't go back," Brown said. "Who would want to spend their summers in 110-degree heat inside some kind of a fossil-fueled air conditioner? Not a smart way to go."
"As a matter of fact a lot more Californians have been moving to Texas than vice-versa of late, probably because its employment opportunities are more abundant while California still has one of the nation's highest unemployment rates."
"Perry is highly unlikely to bag any California employers on this trip. Nor, one suspects, does he expect to do so. Unpopular at home after his rather lame bid for the White House last year, Perry knows that bashing California raises his profile at home."
In what could prove to be a landmark case, a California gaming tribe has won a round in its fight against what it describes as illegal pressure from the state in the negotiation of tribal compacts.
From Patrick McGreevy in the LA Times: "The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has received approval of its gambling authorization from the federal government, reducing the amount it must pay the state, which has traditionally negotiated gaming compacts and demanded a large share of profits."
"Rincon had sued then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state for “illegal taxation” and “bad faith” in renegotiations for a gaming compact in which the tribe was asked to share profits in exchange for the state approving 900 new slot machines for its Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort in San Diego County."
"Rincon Chairman Bo Mazzetti said getting approval from the federal government protects tribal sovereignty and limits the power of the state to ask for revenue."
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against the state as the forced closure of redevelopment agencies has prompted creative ways for local municipalities to restore their funding.
From KPCC's Julie Small: "Cities and counties throughout California are — like Culver City — fighting to retain funds for local improvements. Fifty-three municipalities and other entities have sued the state over disagreements concerning the dissolution of the redevelopment agencies.
“Affordable housing programs across our state have in effect ground to a halt,” said Chris McKenzie, executive director of the League of California Cities. “We’ve seen also city budgets hurt very dramatically.”
McKenzie said he's now focused on finding a new way for cities and counties to attract private sector money to revitalize urban areas.
It looks like two strikes and you're out for the oyster folk of Drake's Bay, whose decades-old business was shuttered by the feds because it impinged on a scenic area.
From Guy Kovner in the Press-Democrat: "U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a 70-word order rejecting oyster farm operator Kevin Lunny’s appeal of her previous ruling on Feb. 4."
"Lawyers for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in court papers that Lunny’s appeal presented “no new or additional grounds as to the merits of the controversy” and made no new arguments themselves. The case stems from the Nov. 29 decision by Salazar to not renew the oyster farm’s lease. The National Park Service then ordered the business to shutter by the end of February."
"The oyster farm harvests 8 million oysters a year, worth about $1.5 million, from the 2,500-acre estuary designated as wilderness on the Marin County coast."
