The Roundup

Oct 6, 2009

'Silliness' Showdown

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, apparently standing by a threat to veto hundreds of bills on his desk unless a deal can be reached on the state's water problems, has suggested to Senate leader Darrell Steinberg that all legislation before the governor should be withdrawn to avoid a veto . About 700 bills are awaiting action," Capitol Weekly reports. 

 

"Schwarzenegger did not formally request that the bills be yanked, but that was the implicit suggestion in his proposal, Capitol sources said.

 

"The communications between Steinberg and the governor were referenced in an e-mail sent from Steinberg to Senate Democrats this week. In the internal e-mail, which was reviewed by Capitol Weekly, Steinberg said Schwarzenegger "even mentioned coming back this week to withdraw bills from his desk and hold them until after water is done."

 

"The governor has called a Big 5 meeting of hismself and legislative leaders, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, to discuss progress on water negotiations and on the hundreds of bills that have already been passed by both houses.

 

"Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost said Schwarzenegger did not formally ask Steinberg to withdraw the hndreds of Senate bills on the governor's desk. And in the e-mail, Steinberg said his advice to members was "not to participate in the silliness and continue to do our jobs."

 

Meg Whitman has come out swinging against the Sacramento Bee in an effort to fight the narrative that has dogged her as a non-voting, Democrat loving political newbie.  In an open letter to the Bee, the Whitman campaign called the Bee's story about Whitman's voting record, "poorly sourced and very sloppy."

 

Wasn't that a title of a Jonathan Safran Foer book?

 

Meanwhile, the Anthony Adams recall is inching closer to the ballot. "With one week left to gather signatures, backers of the drive to boot Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Claremont, say about 60,000 people have signed petitions to call for a recall election," James Koren reports. 

 

"Recall proponents have targeted Adams because he voted this year for a budget deal that included raising taxes - something Adams pledged he would never do."

 

The LA Times reports Jerry Brown is taking a pass on the Mike Duvall mess . "State prosecutors have no plans to investigate whether any laws were broken by former Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda), who was recorded bragging that he had sex with a woman believed to be a lobbyist, according to a government spokesman.

 

"Even if the publicly reported behavior is proven to be true, it would not constitute a violation of California law," said Scott Gerber, a spokesman for state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown. "Accordingly, unless additional information comes to light, our office intends no further inquiry."

 

Carla Marinucci reports on the Big Dog's trip to support Mayor McHair. "Former President Bill Clinton delivered a boost Monday to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign for governor, formally endorsing him in next year's race and calling Newsom a national leader in green technology and energy.

 

"The endorsement by Clinton, a popular figure among deep-pocketed Democratic donors, comes as Newsom desperately seeks to gain traction on state Attorney General Jerry Brown, who leads handily in early polls and fundraising.

 

"With eight months to go until the 2010 primary, the backing of the former president presents a chance for Newsom's campaign to shrink the money gap with Brown, a two-term governor and likely rival, who has raised $7.3 million compared with Newsom's $1.2 million as of June 30."

 

And finally, big news for moustache fans. AP reports, "Two baseball players and hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger are among 18 finalists for the American Mustache Institute's top honors.

 

"The tongue-in-cheek St. Louis-based institute announced the finalists Monday for the "Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year."

 

"The winner will be selected through an online vote and announced at the "'Stache Bash" on Oct. 30. Proceeds from the event benefit Challenger Baseball, a baseball league for those with disabilities."

 

Disabilities like having a moustache, for instance.

 

 

 

 
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