Capitol Weekly recaps the week that was in water policy , and looks at the new bond proposals put forward
Wednesday.
Water Resources director Lester Snowsaid Wednesday
the state already has the authority to build the peripheral
canal.
“We clearly have the authority to do that,” he said. “That’s not something that’s a mystery to us.”
Of course, some enviros don't see it quite that way, but we can have that fight
after a water bill is signed by the governor...
"In addition to the intricate policy details, politics
has complicated the water talks throughout this months-long process.
With the state’s budget facing what Assembly GOP leader Sam Blakeslee,
R-San Luis Obispo, said could be a $20 billion deficit next year,
taking on more debt to
pay for water storage and upgrades may be a tough sell
to voters.
"Republicans are aware of those political realities,
and want to ensure that the changes to state water
policy – which do not need to go before voter, and can be passed
through the Legislature on a majority vote – are still good for the state, with or without a water
bond."
E.J Schultz starts counting noses for a water vote .
"It's just real tough to find the right mix of water policy
changes
and financing that wins enough votes to pass the Senate
and Assembly.
Lobbyists who have done the math say so. And water negotiations have progressed to the point where
vote counting has begun.
"Here's the problem in a nutshell: The
top demand for liberal Democrats is a strong policy
bill that wins the
support of environmetnalists on changes such as new conservation laws
and giving the State Water Resources Control Board
new powers to enforce water rights laws. The GOP's goal is a new bond to pay for dams and other water
projects.
"But at the moment, Republicans aren't totally satisfied with the
policy changes. They, for instance, think the water
board gains too
much power and could levy expensive fees unfairly for
alleged illegal
diversions of water. Democrats counter that the powers
are needed to
capture more water savings.
"Republican votes aren't needed for the policy changes (it's a
majority vote bill). But the GOP says it won't put up the votes for a
bond -- which requires a supermajority -- until their policy demands
are met. But if the policy bill changes much at all,
environmentalits
have threatened to walk away. And that will cost Democratic
votes."
There you have it, boys and girls. Water politics,
101.
Capitol Weekly's John Howard reports on the resignation of a Karen Bass appointee.
"The ripples of a corruption investigation involving
a Los Angeles neighborhood council are being felt in
Sacramento, where a subject of the probe on Wednesday
resigned his position on the governing board of the
state Prison Industry Authority.
"The board member, James T. Harris, a twice-convicted felon, was appointed to the PIA board last
month by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles. He filled a seat held by Laurence Frank,
a deputy mayor of Los Angeles, who served on the PIA
board for several years.
"Harris resigned at Bass’ request. “Due to the circumstances, we asked
for his resignation.” Bass office confirmed that they had received
Harris’ resignation letter."
We like to think it was the persistent phone calls
from Capitol Weekly that got those resignation demands
going, but that's just the way we're wired...
Jim Sanders reports from the Assembly Public Safety's marijuana hearing. We promise, no bad puns...Wel, we can't promise the same from Sanders who notes, "No joint consensus was reached."
<rimshot>
"Medical marijuana use already is legal in California,
but not
recreational use. More than 78,500 people were arrested in 2008 on
pot-related offenses, state records show.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on AB 390.
"He
opposes the legalization of marijuana, but he believes
we should have a
robust debate on the issue, not only in fiscal terms
but also with
regard to health care and public safety," spokesman Aaron McLear said."
Jack Chang looks at the union money pouring in to Jerry Brown's coffers.
"Meanwhile, the only declared Democratic candidate for
governor, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, has received just $5,000
from his city's local plumbers and pipefitters union and $130 from two
other individuals identified in campaign finance records
as having
union ties.
"The figures do not include contributions of less than
$5,000 given after June 30.
"That
gaping union advantage has not only contributed to
Brown's overwhelming
financial lead over Newsom but represents a crucial
vote of support
from one of the Democratic Party's most important groups."
Steve Harmon looks at the constitutional convention initiatives that were submitted
to the attorney general Wednesday.
"We will unite the values
of everyday Californians with the best expertise our
state has to
offer," said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council
and member of the ballot measure committee, Repair
California. "We have
the opportunity to transform California from a nearly
failed state to a
beacon of prosperity for all the world to see."
"Since the
Legislature is "unable to act and our initiative system has been
hijacked," he said, "the only way to reform our government is through a
constitutional convention."
"The convention would be limited to
four areas of reform: the budget; the relationship between local and
state government; government efficiency; and campaign finance."
Sandra Dibble followed Meg Whitman to the border to
listen to Meg talk immigration policy.
"The candidate, 53, said the solution is to find a mechanism that
allows them to live here legally. “Can we get a fair program where
people stand at the back of the line, they pay a fine,
they do some
things that would ultimately allow a path to legalization?” she asked.
Whitman also urged tougher measures against those
who hire
undocumented workers, and said that as governor “I would be an advocate
. . . for the people of California to make sure we really
do secure
this border.”
The other two candidates for governor were Tweeting from Irvine.
Martin Wiscol reports, " Billionaire former businessman Steve Poizner led
with the swagger of sweeping tax-cut promises at an Irvine debate for
GOP gubernatorial candidates this evening, while former
state finance
director Tom Campbell focused on the need for specific budget cuts to be
made before slashing revenues.
"The third leading Republican candidate, former eBay
CEO Meg Whitman, declined an invitation to participate in the debate
at Brandman University, a new offspring of Chapman
University."
And finally, from our Ferret in Your Pants Files, "thirty-eight-year-old Rodney Bolton is charged with theft over the
$129 animal that police say he took from a pet store in
Jacksonville
Beach.
"A 17-year-old witness confronted Bolton
in the parking lot and was bitten by the animal after
the man allegedly
shoved it in the teen's face.
That confrontation makes the ferret a "special weapon" under Florida law. So Bolton also faces battery charges
for dangerously wielding the animal."
Guess Mr. Bolton wasn't just happy to happy to see him...
