Jerry Brown is on a roll: His approval ratings are at a record high and he goes into the election year in a formidable position as he seeks an unprecedented fourth term.
From the Public Policy Institute of California: "Californians give Governor Jerry Brown a record-high job approval rating and his budget proposal strong bipartisan support, according to a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), with funding from The James Irvine Foundation"
"As this gubernatorial election year begins, 58 percent of adults and 60 percent of likely voters approve of the way the governor is handling his job, up from December (47% adults, 49% likely voters approved). Today, his rating is 76 percent among Democrats and 57 percent among independents, while 36 percent of Republicans approve. More than half of women (55%) and men (61%) and majorities across age, education, and income groups approve of Brown’s job performance"
Democrats in the Assembly are pushing a plan to fully fund the teachers' retirement system, which faces long-term deficits.
From EdSource's John Fensterwald: "Assembly Speaker John Pérez pledged Wednesday to pass legislation this year to fix the huge deficit threatening the long-term stability of the state pension fund for teachers and administrators."
"Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, will hold the first hearing on the issue on Feb. 19 in the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee, which Bonta chairs. “Ensuring the long term financial security of California’s hardworking and dedicated teachers is a goal we are hopeful we can achieve this year,” Bonta said at a news conference with Pérez."
The president called Gov Brown to talk about the issue on everybody's mind: the drought.
From the LAT's Anthony York: "President Obama called Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday to check in on the state’s water crisis and told him the federal government will do what it can to help."
"Brown declared a drought in the state last week, and the president “reinforced his commitment to providing the necessary federal support to the state and local efforts,” according to a statement from the White House. “The agencies are working together to target resources to help California and other impacted states prepare for and lessen the impacts of the drought.”
"The drought will be on Brown’s agenda Thursday as he meets with “more than a dozen water leaders from across southern California” at Metropolitan Water District headquarters, according to a statement from his office."
Republicans in congress are thinking about the drought, too, pushing a major package that includes water earmarked for environmental protections.
From McClatchy's Michael Doyle: 'Authored by San Joaquin Valley lawmakers, but backed by the state's united GOP House delegation, the far-reaching water package would repeal a San Joaquin River restoration program, lengthen irrigation contracts and cap the delivery of water for environmental purposes, among many other provisions."
"And within hours of its introduction, the bill also incited bad blood, harsh words and doubts about its long-term prospects..."
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/29/3739402/gop-pushes-california-drought.html#storylink=cpy
"Boxer's Democratic colleague, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, voiced her own skepticism about the House effort that so far has remained confined to Republican ranks. Feinstein is generally considered closer than Boxer to Valley agricultural interests, and she has brokered past California water deals, making her role particularly crucial."
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/29/3739402/gop-pushes-california-drought.html#storylink=cpy
California's wine industry seems to be in good spirits -- at least that's the word from growers.
From the Bee's Chris Macias: "According to Allied Grape Growers, a Fresno-based grape growers association, an estimated 4.05 million tons of grapes were crushed statewide in 2013. It’s the second straight year that California logged more than 4 million tons of crushed grapes, following a record 4.3 million tons crushed in 2012. This glut of grapes has helped ease fears of shortages – a hot Unified topic in 2012 – and leaves the domestic wine industry with ample supply as drought hits California."
“The future looks bright for California and American grown grapes,” said Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers. “(An average 4 million tons crushed) may be the new average of the future.”
And from our "Foodies Forever" file comes word of the woman who makes lots of money by just tasting food in front of a web cam. That's what we said.
"According to Reuters, a trend called “gastronomic voyeurism” is taking South Korea by storm. There are a select few that are taking great advantage of this. One of them is Park Seo-yeon, a 34-year-old who recently left her job at a consulting firm to pursue her online “business” full-time. Why? Because she is making over $9,000 a month just to eat in front of a webcam."
"She goes by the name of “The Diva” and will sit and eat food while chatting with her fans for up to three-hours. Viewers then send her virtual balloons, which translates to cash."
"However, Park claims that she is not doing this just for the money. She believes that she is helping give back to society as well."
“It feels great when people said ‘I recovered from anorexia thanks to you’ or ‘Thank you for a fun and delicious time’,” she said. “I am the woman who lives a life to eat.”
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/30/6113602/2013-was-another-solid-year-for.html#storylink=cpy
