In the absence of real news before the session begins in earnest, we turn to the world of rampant, unsourced, and non-specific speculation. "Insiders are gossiping about a potential problem between [
Alex] Padilla and Senate President Pro Tem
Don Perata, D-Oakland. Rumors have Perata
taking proactive steps to hold onto his job out of fear of a challenge from Padilla," writes Rick Orlov in the Daily News.
"Padilla insists the speculation is overblown and all he wants to do is learn his job."
"'Don Perata has nothing to worry about,' said Padilla spokesman
Bill Mabie. 'Alex supports him fully and wants to work with him and learn from him.'"
"But conspiracy theorists point to similar language by Padilla when he first came to the City Council - and was able to outmaneuver veteran member
Ruth Galanter to become council president."
"In a tune that's become increasingly familiar in the Capitol, lawmakers and good-government advocates
say term limits continue to erode the Legislature's ability to draft effective bills and to properly scrutinize the budget," reports the Bee's Judy Lin.
"That view is not universally held, particularly by the state's voters, who rejected one proposed change to term limits on the ballot and consistently register their support for the current system in public opinion polls."
"'A lot of folks think something needs to be done,' said
Ned Wigglesworth, a policy advocate for Common Cause. 'The question is how to make it palatable to the voters and address voters' concerns for an effective government.'"
"
Paul Jacob, president of U.S. Term Limits, said he's skeptical of any proposal because it's likely a power grab by politicians. Despite any Capitol brain drain, Jacob said it's good manners to let new people serve."
"'Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but nobody ought to be able to lock up the game,' he said."
Steve Weigand writes in the Buzz: "The only Assembly member
missing at last Monday's opening bell was
Rick Keene, R-Chico, who, according to the roll call clerk, was excused for personal business.' Pressed for an explanation, Keene's staff would say only that he had a 'scheduling problem.' After more pressing, it turns out the "problem" was Keene was vacationing in Mexico with his family.
"Keene says he scheduled the time-share trip to Mazatlán
before he knew when opening day was, and since there were no vital looming issues, it was no big deal. In fact, the only contested vote was over house rules. The Assembly's 48 Dems voted 'yes' and the 31 Reeps who were there voted 'no.'"
For future reference, block off the first Monday in December of even-numbered years (Cal. Const. Article IV, Section 3).
"
Sally Lieber, the newly inaugurated state Assembly speaker pro tem,
will challenge Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss for her seat on the board in 2008," reports Kristina Peterson in the Merc News.
"Lieber, a former Mountain View mayor, declared her intention to run at Santa Clara County's Democratic Central Committee meeting Thursday night."
"Kniss seemed startled, questioning Lieber's motives."
"'
Why a Democratic woman is running against another Democratic woman, and what the motivation is, I don't know,' Kniss said Friday. Twice the mayor of Palo Alto, Kniss joined the board of supervisors in 2000 and could serve one more term."
We're guessing it's so that one Democratic woman can keep getting a paycheck...
"Lieber, elected to state office in 2002, said: 'I really want to serve on the board of supervisors. It's been a difficult decision to make. . . . I've had to weigh all the factors here very carefully, and I just feel that having served in the state Legislature, I see a lot of opportunities to strengthen our county.'"
Liz Kniss for Assembly in 2008?
"California is the
only major horse-racing state in the nation that permits all of its board members to race horses in the state, despite criticism that policy-makers are too vested in the industry to be unbiased," report Tony Saavedra, Scott Reid and Robert Kuwada in the Register.
"Six of the seven members of the California Horse Racing Board are involved in the business, some in a big way. Horses owned by board members
John Amerman, Harris and Jerome Moss have won more than $3 million this year alone."
"Most major racing states, such as New York, New Jersey and Delaware, do not allow board members to race horses in their states. A smaller number of states, such as Arkansas, allow it."
"Critics say California's appointed panel comes close to the appearance of conflict of interest and that could explain why drug sanctions are so lax. An Orange County Register investigation found that drug violations in California horse racing were rising faster than in other major racing states. California's penalties are also less stringent."
"'Racing isn't any different than banking or insurance,' said
Bennett M. Liebman, former member of the New York Racing and Wagering Board. 'The notion that you can't find concerned, qualified people who don't own horses or have a financial interest in horse racing just doesn't make any sense.'"
"For 30 years, [
Stan] Rosenstein has worked for Medi-Cal, the $33 billion health care program for the poor and disabled that covers 6.5 million Californians. For the past decade, he's been running it," reports Clea Benson in the Bee.
"Rosenstein, 55, announced last month that he'll be
leaving to open a Sacramento office of Health Management Associates, a national consulting firm specializing in public health programs. State ethics laws prohibit him from "influencing" the health department for a year after he leaves, but he could consult with the department after that."
"'He leaves a remarkable legacy, in terms of Medi-Cal reforms, expansion and improvements,' said Health and Human Services Secretary
Kim Belshé. 'It is the single biggest program in state government, and the decisions Stan and his team make on a day-to-day basis impact millions and millions of people.'"
From our
Jane, You Ignorant Slut holiday wish list: "It's supposed to say sweet things to little girls like, 'You're a wonderful friend,'
but push its button the wrong way and the Little Mermaid Shimmering Lights Ariel doll may say something else —
'You're a slut,' according to a California mother whose allegation came to light in a newspaper report."
"The doll's manufacturer, Mattel, doesn't believe it's possible, and a company spokeswoman said the complaint by
Stephanie Herrera of San Jose, Calif. — first reported in the San Jose Mercury News — is the only one it's heard of."
"Herrera said she discovered the fluke when her 3-year-old daughter, Juliana, was pressing the button quickly so she could skip the phrases and get to the melody. Instead of just moving to the song, Herrera said her daughter got the wrong message."
"'I was in absolute shock,' said Herrera, 'especially after my daughter repeated it.'"
""We don't believe that any of the product out on the market is affected," said Mattel spokeswoman Sara Rosales.
"'A lot of times this is something that's very adult directed,' Rosales told ABC News. 'A child would never hear this, that's not a part of their vocabulary.'"
Speaking of sluts,
former gubernatorial candidate has a new villain in her crosshairs -- Mariah Carey. "Mary Carey, the star of films such as "
Boobsville Sorority Girls" and a politician who ran for governor of California against winner
Arnold Schwarzenegger, has filed to trademark her name."
"However, Grammy winning Mariah feels the names sound too familiar and fears young fans may mistake her sexy and provocative music videos for Mary's sexy and provocative porn films."
"Mariah has instructed her lawyers to try and stop the trademark and therefore save fans from confusing their idols first name."
"Mary, once Mary Cook, says she is willing to fight the singer."
"She said, '
I'm ready to battle Mariah over this because I've been Mary Carey for a long time. It's kind of funny because I'm a porn star and I've been being myself for a long time. I think she's being silly.'"
