By 10 a.m. today, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to release its opinion on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the measure California voters approved in 2008 banning same-sex marriage.
Torey Van Oot reports that we can expect an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The same panel ruled last week that videotapes of the trial would not be made public, noting that Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker had promised gay marriage opponents they would not be broadcast.
Find documents pertinent to the case here.
Lawmakers will largely be out of the Capitol much of the week, convening for "policy summits" with their caucuses. Jim Sanders reports:
Legislative policy committee meetings have been called off (Tuesday) and Wednesday so Democrats and Republicans can hold separate policy conferences before reconvening for floor sessions Thursday morning.
None of the policy summits - lawmakers bristle if you call them retreats - will be far. Senate Democrats will meet in Sacramento's Stanford Mansion, Assembly Democrats at UC Davis, Assembly Republicans at Raley Field, and Senate GOP members at Old Sacramento's Firehouse restaurant. All will last two days except that of Senate Republicans, who will finish by tonight.
Lawmakers say the sessions benefit constituents by honing caucus battle plans for the year, touching on issues ranging from the state budget to pensions, job creation, taxes, key legislation and 2012 ballot initiatives.
Costs are projected to be minimal, at most several thousand dollars, because none of the groups is leaving the area or staying in hotels.
DISABILITY RIGHTS: Political strategist Darry Sragow will keynote a legislative breakfast this morning sponsored by the State Independent LIving Council. The event, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Eureka Room in the Capitol basement, will include presentation of the Ed Roberts Disability Rights Pioneer Award to Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and Sen. Leland Yee.
CASH COLLECTION: No fewer than five fundraisers are set for the Capitol area today, as Election Year activity begins in full force. Board of Equalization member Tom Harman has a $1,500-a-head event set for Spataro at noon.
The rest start at 5:30 p.m., so you'll have to sprint between Chops (Assemblyman Steven Bradford, D-Gardena) the "old governor's mansion" at 1400 N Street #9 (Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, D-Fresno),Tequila Museo Mayahuel (Assembly Republican leader Connie Conway), and the offices of Nossaman LLP at 915 L Street (Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara).
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