Nobody knows yet where Jerry Brown is on this, but here's a shaky deal that emerged in the scrum of the fading legislative session: Amazon agrees to drop its attempt to go to the ballot box to overturn California's new online sales tax law, and in return the huge retailer doesn't have to collect sales taxes for a year.
From Dan Smith and Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee: "In a deal with state lawmakers and brick-and-mortar stores, Amazon tentatively agreed Wednesday to stop fighting a requirement that Internet retailers collect sales tax on California purchases."
"Under the handshake deal, Amazon won a delay until at least September 2012 but will eventually collect state sales taxes."
"The arrangement could lay the groundwork for a national online sales tax law. Amazon and major brick-and-mortar retailers like Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble agreed to lobby Washington over the next 11 months for an Internet sales tax law that applies across 50 states."
"Basically, Amazon will get a safe harbor to lobby Congress and the retailers will go hand in hand with them to adopt a law that will apply to all of the states," said Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier."
The on-again, off-again NFL stadium for downtown Los Angeles is on-again and the end zone is in site. Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg has got the ball, and now somebody needs to do some blocking and help him win one for the Gipper. (I can do these cliches all night). As ususal on these mega-protect deals, it all comes down to easing environmental rules.
From George Skelton in the LA Times: "In gridiron jargon, promoters of a downtown Los Angeles football stadium have reached the legislative red zone. They're pounding toward the goal line."
"They're at the 10 on first down, but time is running out."
"One of the heavily lobbied bills in play would fast-track legal challenges to Anschutz Entertainment Group's proposed 72,000-seat stadium, Farmers Field, next to Staples Center, which it also developed."
"It would be nice for L.A. Basin football fans to have a localNFL team to root for again. It has been 17 seasons since theRaiders deserted to Oakland and the Rams to St. Louis. Some degree of civic pride is at stake, although I tend to agree with the headline on a recent sports column by The Times' T.J. Simers, which read: "The best seat for games is the one in your house."
Not sure where this came from, but as all eyes were trained on the Capitol, former Speaker Cruz Bustamante was being touted as a choice for the American ambassadorship to India. Hmmmm.
From MIchael Doyle in the Sacramento Bee: "A Southern California congressman with aspirations of his own is now pitching former Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante for the job of U.S. ambassador to India."
"In a maneuver that seems to merge domestic politics with diplomacy, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, wants the White House to appoint Bustamante to the slot. Sherman also has rallied other California lawmakers to back the recommendation."
"Bustamante is a former Fresno-area state legislator who rose during the 1990s to be Assembly speaker. More recently, he has endorsed Sherman in the newly redrawn 30th Congressional District, which includes a significant Latino population."
Not all the California action was in Sacramento: Some 400 miles to the south, the GOP presidential contenders gathered at the Reagan Library for a debate, and the differences between the two heavies -- MItt Romney and Rick Perry -- were sharply drawn.
From Jeff Zeleny and Adam Nagourney in the New York Times: "A series of spirited exchanges between the two men, which revealed differences in substance and style, offered the first extensive look into the months-long contest ahead. They traded attacks on each other’s job creation records and qualifications to be president, overshadowing their opponents in the crowded Republican field."
"Mr. Perry doubled down on his view of Social Security, assailing it as a “monstrous lie,” and he questioned scientists’ assertions that climate change has been caused by human activity. Mr. Romney said that Social Security should be protected and suggested that Mr. Perry’s positions would make it difficult for the Republican Party to appeal to a broad base of voters needed to win the White House."
“Maybe it’s time to have some provocative language in this country,” said Mr. Perry, who spent much of his time in his first presidential debate defending his Texas record and a litany of positions in his book, “Fed Up!”
High-speed rail seems to be a popular idea until the costs get fully added up. The latest: California could get stuck with a humongus bill if the feds decide to cut short the funnding. Ralph Vartabedian in the LA Times tells the tale.
"State voters have agreed to issue more than $9 billion in bonds to build the system, but that's a fraction of the $43 billion projected tab for the initial phase. And those costs could swell to $65 billion or more, by some estimates."
"Should federal funds dry up after the scheduled start of construction next year, the state could be left with no more than an unfulfilled dream and some tracks in the Central Valley."
"If the federal government and private investors are not going to provide funds, and California is broke, why would it take on an enormous new commitment?" asked Martin Wachs, a Rand Corp. transportation expert and former director of UC Berkeley's Institute of Transportation Studies."
"In coming months, Gov. Jerry Brown will decide whether to issue the bonds to launch the project — at a time when the nation and state are attempting to control mounting public debt that has already damaged both their credit ratings."
And our "Day Stalker" file comes the tale of a guy who is obsessed with Republican Assemblyman Jim Nielsen's residency status. You'd think there are other things in life more important to worry about than where Jim Nielsen lives. Capitol Weekly's Malcolm Maclachlan gives us the straight dope.
"Assemblyman Jim Nielsen has obtained a restraining order against a constituent who has been on a crusade to prove that the veteran politician does not live in his own district."
"The order was filed on Aug. 29 in Tehama County Superior Court by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, which operates as the attorney for legislators in such cases. It names Corning resident Don Bird, 76. A hearing has been set for Sept. 12 in Red Bluff. Log Counsel does not comment on pending legal matters."
"Bird, who is also a Republican, has been on a years-long quest to prove that Nielsen, R-Biggs, has been committing election fraud by lying about his address. He appeared to take the order in stride, and said he would obey it to the letter."
