It Takes a Fighter
Posted by Joe Mathews www.foxandhoundsdaily.com
I interviewed former Gov. Pete Wilson on Monday night during a Zocalo Public Square forum at RAND. He talked in detail about budgets, taxes, the economy, prisons, immigration and education – both in his time as governor and in our current times. But what struck me most was not what he said but how he said it.
Wilson recounted stories about difficult times and old fights with real enthusiasm. He's someone who clearly relishes fights and hard times. That's not necessarily an attractive trait in politicians (we like our politicians to sound soothing and talk like diplomats), but I think the ability to fight – and win fights – is essential. His willingness to pick fights – even unpopular fights – helped him turn a record budget deficit into a surplus. But more and more, Americans vote for politicians who are, above all else, likable. Likability is overrated. We need more fighters, more know-how.
There was something else remarkable about Wilson's comments. He talked in very partisan terms about his battles with Willie Brown, particularly during midterm elections. Wilson is clearly a partisan in a way that the current governor is not. But Wilson made very clear that he believes in compromise. He talked about taxes he raised against his will and cuts he made that he didn't want to make, and criticized Republicans who refuse to compromise on anything.
In our era, we often talk about partisanship as if it was the opposite of compromise. Listening to Wilson, it was clear that he thought of partisanship and compromise as related forces. He did not use these words, but his meaning was clear to me, at least: The honest conflict of partisan differences provides the basis for meaningful, necessary compromise.
Losing history – Bodie State Park slated for closure
Posted by Tom Knudson sacbee.com/blogs
Lost in the sagebrush hills of eastern California, Bodie State Park is one of the best-preserved mining ghost towns in the world. But now this historical treasure is in trouble, slated for closure by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger due to the state's budget crisis.
Walking through Bodie is like stepping back in time. The weathered 19th century storefronts, the horse-drawn wagons and rusting pieces of mining equipment don't just look real – they are real. Closing a place like this would be a shame. There are many state parks, but there is only one Bodie. Get out and see it while you can.
Taxman will take IOUs
Posted by Dan Smith sacbee.com/capitolalert
The Franchise Tax Board announced it will accept state IOUs for payment of state personal income tax and corporate tax bills. Because the warrants are not redeemable until Oct. 2, the FTB will not cash them immediately but will consider the tax liability paid when the IOU is submitted.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, are considering an urgency bill to allow registered warrants to be used for any state obligation. Current law allows taxpayers to use IOUs for tax liabilities.
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