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November 30, 2007

Governor reaches out to education lobby

Published 04:27 PM Friday, November 30, 2007 by Judy Lin

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a last-minute stop Friday in San Diego for what a participant called a "candid and frank" discussion with the education lobby about the difficult choices ahead for California schools. ... (more) | Comments

Clinton dominant in California primary

Published 03:38 PM Friday, November 30, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton continues to dominate her Democratic rivals in California polling, showing a nearly 40 point lead in the latest survey by Datamar Inc., an El Cajon-based polling group. ... (more) | Comments

Friday roundup

Published 10:22 AM Friday, November 30, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Steve Poizner, bonding the lotto, a leadership change at SEIU and another Assembly candidate drops out. ... (more) | Comments

Núñez to Iowa for Clinton

Published 09:55 AM Friday, November 30, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is heading to Iowa to make an appearance on behalf of his favored presidential contender, Sen. Hillary Clinton. The speaker will represent Clinton on Saturday at "The Iowa Brown & Black Forum" in Des Moines, which bills itself as "the nation’s only presidential forum in which... ... (more) | Comments
November 29, 2007

Texas-Mexican to return to old locale

Published 05:35 PM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Griselda's Texas-Mexican restaurant, which closed in August 2006 amid an eminent-domain fight between her landlord and the city of Sacramento, will reopen on Monday. Located on 8th Street between L and K, the Mexican food joint is owned by the same folks who operate the basement cafeteria in the Capitol.... ... (more) | Comments

Boxer v. Rogan

Published 04:46 PM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

It looks like California's junior senator, Sen. Barbara Boxer, is blocking the federal court nomination of former Rep. James Rogan because of his leading role in the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton. ... (more) | Comments

Agua Caliente gives $5.3 million more to gambling campaign

Published 12:58 PM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has donated another $5.3 million to the campaign urging passage of Propositions 94 through 97, the Indian gambling referendums on the February ballot. ... (more) | Comments

Video: Keeping Californians safe -- and scared

Published 11:32 AM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Assembly Republican caucus has launched a Web site dedicated to the spectre of the early release of prisoners by a federal three-judge panel. ... (more) | Comments

The next speaker?

Published 10:30 AM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Read Capitol Weekly's ranking of the top 10 candidates. ... (more) | Comments

Speaker cancels session

Published 09:59 AM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Updated ... On Thursday morning, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez canceled the floor sessions he had scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6 to vote on a health care overhaul. The sessions were planned to occur at the same time the Assembly and Senate Republican caucuses were scheduled to retreat in San Diego. ... (more) | Comments

Delta commission's draft recommendations.

Published 09:31 AM Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Check out the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force's draft recommendations. ... (more) | Comments
November 28, 2007

CCPOA transfers $500,000 to No on 93

Published 06:51 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The guards union ponies up. ... (more) | Comments

Anti-anti Prop. 93 site launched

Published 03:56 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Yes on 93 advocates launch "Follow the fraud" Web page. ... (more) | Comments

Dems cancel L.A. debate

Published 03:33 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Democratic National Committee canceled a presidential debate in Los Angeles today, citing a potential strike by CBS news writers. "Due to the uncertainty created by the ongoing labor dispute between CBS and the Writers Guild of America, the DNC has canceled the December 10th debate in Los Angeles. There... ... (more) | Comments

Supes for Clinton

Published 02:07 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign announced the endorsements of 19 county supervisors on Wednesday. ... (more) | Comments

Independent spending helps shape tight Assembly contest

Published 01:51 PM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

With the special election less than two weeks away, the Democratic primary showdown between Warren Furutani and Mike Gipson for state Assembly is heating up. And in yet another legislative battle, late independent expenditures threaten to top the spending of the candidates' own campaigns for the Los Angeles-area seat. ... (more) | Comments

The L.A. Coliseum and L.A. politicians

Published 10:12 AM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Stanford_USC_Football.jpg Los Angeles politicians, it seems, love the Los Angeles Coliseum. ... (more) | Comments

Second eminent domain group to submit signatures

Published 09:53 AM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Backers of the second of two competing eminent-domain measures announced today they are submitting more than 1.1 million signatures to qualify for the June 2008 ballot. ... (more) | Comments

AD 15 minus one

Published 09:12 AM Wednesday, November 28, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

GOPer Joe Rubay drops out. ... (more) | Comments
November 27, 2007

OC Lincoln Club to give 100k for electoral measure

Published 04:41 PM Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Lincoln Club of Orange County announced late Tuesday that the Republican club would donate $100,000 to help qualify the Electoral College measure for the ballot. ... (more) | Comments

Arnold hearts Leeza

Published 01:17 PM Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Leeza.jpgGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced yet another job for Leeza Gibbons, the long-time TV personality, who he recently appointed to the state's stem-cell oversight committee. ... (more) | Comments

Session planned during GOP retreat

Published 12:55 PM Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

When Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez postponed a floor session on health care until early December, he rescheduled the vote for the day the Assembly Republican caucus is slated to be in San Diego for its annual policy retreat. But despite the GOP lawmakers’ plans to be hundreds of miles away, Núñez’s office says the speaker won’t reschedule the vote. ... (more) | Comments

Marijuana measure titled and summarized

Published 09:50 AM Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The latest initiative attempt to legalize marijuana in California has received a title and summary from the Attorney General's Office. ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger to appoint Monterey County supe

Published 09:47 AM Tuesday, November 27, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Who will he name? ... (more) | Comments
November 26, 2007

No big 5 deals reported

Published 05:40 PM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Aurelio Rojas

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the top legislative leaders from both parties met for more than hour today in a last-ditch effort to get a $10 billion water bond deal done in time for the Feb. 5 ballot. "The governor would like to see it on the February ballot,” Senate President... ... (more) | Comments

Lloyd Levine to Edie Lambert: Marry me?

Published 03:07 PM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Jim Sanders

Assemblyman Lloyd Levine and KCRA-TV journalist Edie Lambert are getting hitched. The Van Nuys Democrat popped the question Thursday to his longtime lady friend during a flight from Sacramento to Seattle, where the couple spent Thanksgiving visiting relatives from both families. "They're engaged and they're incredibly happy," said Alex... ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger, O'Connell sign ballot arguments

Published 02:24 PM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell are lending their names to the ballot arguments in favor of the Indian gambling compacts on the Feb. 5 ballot. ... (more) | Comments

Big 5 meeting today

Published 01:26 PM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The four legislative leaders will meet with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today to talk about water. No deal has been struck.... ... (more) | Comments

Long weekend roundup

Published 10:29 AM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

It was a long weekend so there's a lot of news to catch up on. ... (more) | Comments

That's our tree

Published 09:28 AM Monday, November 26, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Remember that environmental ad featuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger? It was filmed at UC Davis. ... (more) | Comments
November 21, 2007

Donor roundup: Steinberg ponies up for term limits

Published 12:44 PM Wednesday, November 21, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Sen. Darrell Steinberg has emerged as the biggest financial backer -– among lawmakers –- of the term-limits measure on the February ballot. Rep. Darrell Issa has given more money to the Electoral College measure. And an independent expenditure campaign begins for Warren Furutani. ... (more) | Comments

Georgia court nixes Jessica's Law look-a-like

Published 12:31 PM Wednesday, November 21, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Georgia Supreme Court has tossed out a law similar to California's Jessica's Law, approved by voters in 2006, which restricts where sex offenders can live after leaving prison. ... (more) | Comments

Reform health care? Recruit Dennis Quaid as spokesman

Published 09:41 AM Wednesday, November 21, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Quaid.jpgActor Dennis Quaid's twin children were reportedly given 1,000 times the normal concentration of heparin, a blood thinner, in a California hospital. ... (more) | Comments

New blogs covering CA politicking

Published 08:50 AM Wednesday, November 21, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

A roundup of new blogs covering the state and its government. ... (more) | Comments
November 20, 2007

Yes, this really happened

Published 02:19 PM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

"Openly gay Vallejo City Councilman Gary Cloutier won the mayor's race by four votes, elections officials said this afternoon, just hours after the councilman apologized for his weekend arrest for public intoxication after drinking too much at a bar in Palm Springs." ... (more) | Comments

Congressman's grandkids missing

Published 02:08 PM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Dan Smith

Police believe the grandchildren of Rep. Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar, have been abducted by their mother, who is divorced from Miller's son. ... (more) | Comments

Floor sessions postponed

Published 01:12 PM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is postponing the first full floor meeting of the health and water special sessions as Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continue working toward a compromise. ... (more) | Comments

Nuclear power measure withdrawn

Published 11:22 AM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The proposed initiative to lift California's ban on new nuclear power plants has been withdrawn by its proponents, chief among them Assemblyman Chuck DeVore. ... (more) | Comments

O'Connell goes for compacts

Published 10:16 AM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The campaign against the four Indian gambling referendums on the Feb. 5 ballot announced the endorsement of Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. It's all about the money. Here's O'Connell's written statement: "As California faces chronic budget deficits and a mounting fiscal crisis, it is crucial that we have funds... ... (more) | Comments

Jack Fenton, former assemblyman, passes

Published 09:01 AM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Jack Fenton, the former Democratic assemblyman from Montebello, passed away on Nov. 6. He was 91. He served in the 1960s and 70s and became Assembly Majority leader in 1972. The Los Angeles Times has an obit.... ... (more) | Comments

Eminent-domain signatures coming in

Published 08:39 AM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Backers of tightening restrictions on government's use of eminent domain are submitting 1 million signatures today to qualify their initiative for the June 2008 ballot. ... (more) | Comments

Mr. Mayor, bobblehead style

Published 08:27 AM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

villar.jpg Looks like Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only California politician to have a bobblehead. The Southwest Voter Registration Education Project has Mr. Mayor's approval to use his likeness to create the ever-nodding Antonio Villaraigosa. ... (more) | Comments
November 19, 2007

Memorial fund set up for Capitol staffer Ed Soria

Published 05:10 PM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Judy Lin

Ed Soria, who joined the Assembly Republican Caucus in March after more than a decade working as a photographer at PACSAT, died suddenly Saturday. He was 40. ... (more) | Comments

Afternoon roundup

Published 04:05 PM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

A voting-machine lawsuit, handicapping 2010, term limits and CSAC officers ... (more) | Comments

Another week, another national magazine cover

Published 01:54 PM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has landed on yet another national news magazine cover. This time it's U.S. News and World Report, which touts Schwarzenegger as one of "America's Best Leaders." ... (more) | Comments

Until death do they rule

Published 12:19 PM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The California Supreme Court is the only court that can hear appeals in death penalty cases. But the justices of that court unanimously voted to transfer capital appeals from the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals. ... (more) | Comments

State GOP makes Christiansen permanent

Published 11:15 AM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Kevin Yamamura

The California Republican Party announced this morning that it named Bill Christiansen its permanent chief operating officer after he served in a temporary capacity since the resignation of his controversy-plagued predecessor. ... (more) | Comments

Brown and Delgadillo team up for toy suit

Published 10:13 AM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Opponents on the campaign trail, Attorney General Jerry Brown and Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo teamed up Monday for a lawsuit against toy makers and sellers for putting to market toys with "unlawful quantities of lead." ... (more) | Comments

Video: Torres at the executive board

Published 10:06 AM Monday, November 19, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

As the Democratic Party said in advance, the attempt to censure Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein didn’t go anywhere at this weekend’s executive board meeting. But Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres gave a speech telling activists he spoke to Feinstein about the “problems” with her votes. ... (more) | Comments
November 16, 2007

Receiver hikes prison docs' pay

Published 02:24 PM Friday, November 16, 2007 by Andy Furillo

With the vacancy rate tipping at 39 percent, federal receiver Robert Sillen has ordered up another pay raise for doctors working in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. ... (more) | Comments

Núñez calls out Obama

Published 01:13 PM Friday, November 16, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, is calling out Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for not attending a global warming candidate forum scheduled in Los Angeles this weekend. ... (more) | Comments

Nation eyes entering Leno-Migden contest

Published 12:23 PM Friday, November 16, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The San Francisco slugfest for state Senate may be about to get a bit more crowded. Former Assemblyman Joe Nation, a Marin Democrat, is considering jumping into the race and plans to commission a poll “to see what the path to victory looks like.” ... (more) | Comments

Anti-health care overhaul radio spots launched

Published 10:34 AM Friday, November 16, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy, a conservative group, has put together a pair of radio ads slamming the health care overhaul talks in the Capitol. ... (more) | Comments

The return of ferretocracy

Published 10:11 AM Friday, November 16, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

After a three-year hiatus, 2008 could bring a return to the ferret debate in Sacramento. Supporters of legalizing the would-be pet have drafted a white paper arguing for legalization and plan on contacting every member of the Legislature seeking an author for ferret freedom next year. “The bottom line is... ... (more) | Comments
November 15, 2007

Poizner files initiative

Published 05:38 PM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Continuing to build his public profile, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner filed an initiative today to toughen penalties on vehicle owners who don't maintain auto insurance. The measure would allow police and highway patrol officers to remove a vehicle's license plates and, after a seven day period, impound the car if... ... (more) | Comments

Peeking toward 2010

Published 03:09 PM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

It's never too early for a politician to begin eyeing higher office. And it's never too early to start playing coy about answering questions either.Westly.jpg Garamendi.jpg ... (more) | Comments

Video: Schwarzenegger stars in new enviro ad

Published 11:03 AM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

videothumb.jpg Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with two other governors, is appearing in a new national ad campaign urging Congress to act to combat global warming. The 30-second ad, produced by Environmental Defense, also features Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah, a Republican, and Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a Democrat, and is set to air nationwide. ... (more) | Comments

Perata goes No on 92

Published 10:35 AM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata announced today that he is opposing Proposition 92, the community college measure on the Feb. 5 ballot. "Prop. 92 will make California's bad budget problems worse. It increases costs by some $300 million, while concurrently reducing state revenues by $70 million - with no... ... (more) | Comments

Teachers vs. teachers ballot showdown

Published 09:00 AM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The community college measure on the Feb. 5 ballot is shaping up to be a battle royale between California’s biggest teachers unions.
On one side is the California Federation of Teachers, the state’s second largest teachers union, which has been the biggest financial backer of the campaign to lower community college fees and set aside a percentage of the budget for community colleges. On the other is the California Teachers Association, the largest teachers group in the state, which so far has been the sole funder of the opposition campaign – to the tune of nearly $300,000. ... (more) | Comments

A tale of two headlines

Published 08:55 AM Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Can you match the headlines to the offices? ... (more) | Comments
November 14, 2007

Extra! Leeza Gibbons' next step -- stem-cell oversight

Published 04:44 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reached into his Hollywood past Wednesday to fill a seat on California’s panel overseeing stem-cell research, appointing long-time TV personality Leeza Gibbons. Gibbons, 50, most recently was in the public eye as a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars.” She was the third star to be eliminated... ... (more) | Comments

Silence is golden, attorneys argue

Published 03:54 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Jim Sanders

For the agency that regulates California's political practices, honesty may not always be the best policy, according to attorneys who represent state legislators and other elected officials. Put simply, silence may be fairer, the group argues. Ross Johnson, named chairman of the state's Fair Political Practices Commission in February, is... ... (more) | Comments

Gray Davis, live ... in Sacramento!

Published 03:14 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Dan Smith

Former Gov. Gray Davis, appearing today at the Sacramento Press Club, couldn't resist an attempt at humor -- particularly aimed at his antagonists in the press. "We had to come up with the Top 10 reasons why we came back to Sacramento. After we got through four reasons, the writers... ... (more) | Comments

California's housing market gets hit twice

Published 01:41 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

One of the jaw-dropping facts in the Department of Finance bulletin issued earlier today is that "the median price of existing single-family homes sold in September dropped nearly 10 percent from August – the steepest one-month decline on record." Chart.gif ... (more) | Comments

State leaders react to deficit report

Published 01:22 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

With the state facing a $10 billion budget hole, legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have issued statements. Read them here. ... (more) | Comments

Activists seek party censure of DiFi

Published 11:29 AM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Feinstein.jpg Liberal online activists have been in a tizzy for weeks over recent votes by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein to confirm a controversial judge and President Bush’s nominee for attorney general, Michael Mukasey. ... (more) | Comments

Florez-Parra: The feud continues

Published 10:38 AM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

If at first you don't succeed, try to maneuver around Nicole Parra. That seems to be the motto of Sen. Dean Florez, who the AP reports this morning is planning to steer his package of bills to regulate the lettuce and spinach industry away from the Assembly Agriculture Committee, which... ... (more) | Comments

Tax receipts down, deficit up

Published 09:59 AM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Tax revenues for the current fiscal year continue to sag, as California is $1.1 billion below projected revenues only four months into the fiscal year, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Finance. The state had projected to bring in $29.2 billion so far. In October, the... ... (more) | Comments
November 13, 2007

Another health care hurdle?

Published 04:34 PM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Kevin Yamamura

Legislative Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are eager to declare victory should they reach agreement on a health care plan to cover 6.7 million uninsured Californians, but Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines warned Tuesday that any celebration would be premature. That's because he believes a June 2008 ballot referendum looms... ... (more) | Comments

College fee cap proposed by Garamendi

Published 03:15 PM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Jim Sanders

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi proposed Tuesday that California State University cap its fees at current levels, with future increases limited to the rate of inflation. Garamendi, who unveiled his resolution at a meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees in Long Beach, said he plans to make a similar proposal... ... (more) | Comments

Video: KP's new digs

Published 02:36 PM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Check out a video tour of the new eighth floor office of KP Public Affairs at 1201 K Street.
thumb.jpg ... (more) | Comments

Burgat new CalChamber VP

Published 02:20 PM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Marc Burgat has joined the California Chamber of Commerce as the business group's new vice president of government relations. Formerly a lobbyist with the California Cable and Telecommunications Association, Burgat will join the Chamber after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26. Burgat replaces Dominic DiMare, who left the Chamber at the end... ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger fundraiser tonight

Published 11:50 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

It’s been more than a year since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won re-election in a landslide victory over Democrat Phil Angelides – but the governor’s campaign remains in debt. He ended 2006 with $159,000 in cash and $2.57 million in accrued debt. So far in 2007, he has raised more than... ... (more) | Comments

McNerney targeted

Published 09:42 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Rep. Jerry McNerney, the freshman Democrat from Pleasanton and one of the top House targets for Republicans in 2008, is being targeted today in a full-page in The Sacramento Bee. The ad, one of seven aimed at perceived vulnerable congressional Democrats, is being paid for by Freedom's Watch, a new... ... (more) | Comments

Young Dems' picks

Published 09:07 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

After meeting in Tahoe for the weekend, the California Young Democrats have taken stances on the three measures on the Feb. 5, 2008 ballot. Proposition 91 (Transportation funding) -- Neutral Proposition 92 (Community colleges) -- Support Proposition 93 (Term limits) -- Support... ... (more) | Comments
November 12, 2007

A GOP family divided

Published 04:27 PM Monday, November 12, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

George goes for Fred. Sharon prefers Rudy. There's a split in the Runner family over presidential preferences, as Assemblywoman Sharon Runner is backing GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani, while husband Sen. George Runner is backing former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. Watch the GOP duo from Lancaster talk out their differences in... ... (more) | Comments

Under 100 words

Published 12:50 PM Monday, November 12, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Read as George Skelton of the L.A. Times handicaps the field of would-be 2010 Democratic candidates for governor in 90 words: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa suffers from personal scandal. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom easily won reelection last week, but is the McClintock of the left. Lt. Gov. John... ... (more) | Comments

Video: Picking on Fresno - again

Published 10:48 AM Monday, November 12, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

It looks like Fresno is the butt of another joke -- this one courtesy of a Toyota advertising campaign for their signature hybrid car, the Prius. In the commercial, which aims to depict an ideal future, the narrator intones, "Gas stations will become nothing more than low budget tourist stops,... ... (more) | Comments

Will sign for food?

Published 10:24 AM Monday, November 12, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

What does it take for folks to sign a ballot petition? Free food. The Los Angeles Downtown News, in a long and detailed story, documents how signature gatherers are giving away food to the poorest of the poor in Los Angeles' Skid Row to get people to sign ballot petitions.... ... (more) | Comments

CRA wrap-up

Published 10:18 AM Monday, November 12, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Aaron Park, a conservative activist in Placer County and a member of the California Republican Assembly, wraps up the happenings at the group's weekend convention. Here's his list of winners and losers.... ... (more) | Comments
November 11, 2007

CRA picks Romney

Published 04:24 PM Sunday, November 11, 2007 by Peter Hecht

The conservative California Republican Assembly has a presidential favorite, and it's former Massassachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. On a second ballot vote Sunday at their Sacramento state convention, some 240 CRA delegates voted by a two-thirds margin to endorse Romney over former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. On the first ballot, candidates... ... (more) | Comments
November 09, 2007

Schwarzenegger's phantom-authored health bill

Published 04:00 PM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s health care package has finally been introduced in the Legislature – though it still doesn’t have an author. On Thursday, the Assembly Rules Committee assigned the Democratic leadership’s new health plan for a hearing next week. At the same time, the committee referred a second bill, AB... ... (more) | Comments

'So, this is what an $8 billion deficit feels like....'

Published 02:20 PM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

1107arnold2.jpg The Capitol Alert caption contest has a winner -- and his name is J. Kevin Pedrotti ... (more) | Comments

Plowing ahead on health care

Published 11:43 AM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The governor’s office just released a set of statements about “how fixing California's broken health care system is key to keeping California's economy strong and to solving California's chronic budget problems.” With news out that the Schwarzenegger administration is ordering departments to prep for cutting 10 percent of their budget,... ... (more) | Comments

It's good to be the chairman

Published 10:10 AM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

For Assemblyman Pedro Nava, it was good to be the chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee this week. That post allows him a seat, albeit as a non-voting member, on the California Transportation Commission. The powerful but obscure commission is charged with prioritizing which state transportation projects get funded first.... ... (more) | Comments

Villines the kingmaker?

Published 09:19 AM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines hasn't endorsed yet in the presidential primary. Not that you probably noticed. But, as one of the state's top Republicans, he plans to endorse before the Feb. 5 primary. E.J. Schultz of the Fresno Bee listens as Villines talks out his thought process.... ... (more) | Comments

Read the bill

Published 09:16 AM Friday, November 09, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The new health care proposal from Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata is now in print and online. Read it yourself, with its official name: The California Health Care Reform and Cost Control Act. (It's also known as AB X1 1, as in the first... ... (more) | Comments
November 08, 2007

Transportation commission allocates $122 million

Published 05:18 PM Thursday, November 08, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The California Transportation Commission completed its latest meeting on Thursday and announced funding for $122 million worth of improvements across the state's transportation system. See the full list of approved projects here.... ... (more) | Comments

Learning with Willie

Published 10:33 AM Thursday, November 08, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

That's the promise of the new Willie L. Brown, Jr. Leadership Center at San Francisco State, which is being announced today. Brown, the former speaker of the Assembly and mayor of San Francisco, has been trying to get the academic center off the ground for some time. "No one's doing... ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger and Shamu: The caption contest

Published 10:25 AM Thursday, November 08, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

On Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger watched Sea World’s famous killer whale show. And there is a picture of Shamu and Schwarzenegger just waiting for your caption. For those of you new to this drill, here’s how it works: 1. Look at the picture. 2. Pick a caption. 3. E-mail... ... (more) | Comments

Referendum backers: ‘The campaign is in dire need of money’

Published 09:24 AM Thursday, November 08, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

With Rep. Darrell Issa opening his wallet and his network of donors to the Electoral College measure and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner dropping $1.5 million of his own money to defeat Proposition 93, it seems like wealthy Republicans willing to fund ballot drives are a dime a dozen. Not so much for the Capitol Resource Institute, the conservative Christian group that is trying to launch a referendum on recently passed anti-discrimination legislation for gay and lesbian students. ... (more) | Comments

Shill for stem cells, earn $300,000

Published 08:40 AM Thursday, November 08, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

California’s public stem-cell agency is looking to hire an outside PR firm to help promote the agency -- with a six-figure price tag. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the official name for the state’s stem-cell panel, has put out a request for proposal, jargon for a contract job, paying... ... (more) | Comments
November 07, 2007

Video: Anti-gay leader hits Giuliani beneath the girdle

Published 03:21 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Peter Hecht

The leader of a California group opposed to gay marriage is so upset about former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani getting endorsed by Pat Robertson that he's assailing the conservative religious leader as a sellout - and is going after Rudy for wearing a dress. In a press release called... ... (more) | Comments

Dutton and the Gov

Published 03:12 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Sen. Bob Dutton may have called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a fiscal state of emergency today, but that didn't stop the Rancho Cucamonga Republican from appearing alongside the governor in fire-ravaged Lake Arrowhead (Dutton's district). Dutton2.jpg ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger and the writers strike

Published 02:16 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Will Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger intervene in the ongoing Hollywood writers strike? Nope, his administration tells Politico.com. “The entertainment business is a very, very important industry to the state, but other options exist,” said Schwarzenegger’s press rep.... ... (more) | Comments

UPDATED: Health care: The responses

Published 01:45 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The responses came pouring in from advocates and stakeholders after and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata introduced their latest health care plan. Read them all, from doctors to manufacturers to consumer advocates... ... (more) | Comments

Poochigian gets new gig

Published 01:12 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Pooch.jpg Former Sen. Chuck Poochigian, the Fresno Republican who was beaten by Jerry Brown in his 2006 bid for attorney general, has found himself a new job. The long-time lawmaker has joined the Fresno law firm of Dowling, Aaron & Keeler ... (more) | Comments

World's largest (and smallest) dog outside the Capitol

Published 01:00 PM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

You might not know it, but if you were walking outside the Capitol last week, you might have spotted the world's largest dog. What you probably didn't see from afar was the world's smallest dog. Follow the link for pictures of the pair.... ... (more) | Comments

Dutton says it's time to declare 'fiscal emergency'

Published 11:33 AM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Sen. Bob Dutton, one of the Republican holdouts during this summer's 50-plus day budget impasse, says California's fiscal state -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered departments to prepare for a 10 percent cut -- means Schwarzenegger should declare a fiscal state of emergency. Dutton makes his case in an op-ed... ... (more) | Comments

The donors to the Electoral College measure

Published 10:27 AM Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

There’s a story in today’s Bee about the latest donations to the proposed initiative to divide California’s electoral votes by congressional district. Here’s the full list of donors, reported to the secretary of state so far: California Republican Party: $80,001 Rep. Darrell Issa $50,000 from personal funds $9,700 in campaign... ... (more) | Comments
November 06, 2007

Fletcher fundraising at Fats

Published 02:22 PM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Fletcher.jpg Nathan Fletcher, the leading (and only so far) Republican candidate to replace former Assemblyman George Plescia, hit up the Sacramento fundraising circuit today at Frank Fats, the classic Chinese food Capitol watering hole. So what do we know about Fletcher? Well, if you were reading the Washington Post last week, you learned he and his wife are trying to have a baby. ... (more) | Comments

New special sesssion health committee

Published 01:54 PM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez has named the members of the Assembly Health Committee, which will hear the legislation he unveiled today. The committee looks much the same as the regular session health panel. The only changes: Assemblymen Mark DeSaulnier and Mike Eng, both Democrats, have been added and Assemblywoman Loni... ... (more) | Comments

Education in '08? Not so much, says speaker

Published 12:06 PM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

So much for the year of education reform. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has promised that next year will be focused on education and reforming California's public schools system. But Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, responding to a post-press conference question about next year's budget, tossed cold water on the idea: "The governor... ... (more) | Comments

Speaker bullish on health care

Published 11:34 AM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

If there was one takeaway point from this morning's Democratic press conference on health care, it's that Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is awfully excited about his health care plan. "Today is truly a momentous day," he began. He called it a "tipping point," a "breakthrough," and a "fair compromise." He... ... (more) | Comments

Poizner to finance opposition to term limits measure

Published 09:29 AM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Jim Sanders

Millionaire state insurance commissioner Steve Poizner will announce today that he will help finance a campaign against a ballot measure to alter legislative term limits. Poizner, who signed ballot arguments against the measure, will announce his personal and financial involvement at an 11 a.m. press conference at the Senator Hotel... ... (more) | Comments

Politics to get less funny

Published 09:01 AM Tuesday, November 06, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

With writers striking in Hollywood, politics is about to get a whole lot less fun. The first victims of the strike, which began just after midnight on Monday, are the late-night comedy shows. That means no Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O’Brian poking fun at our favorite Cal-ee-forn-e-ya governor.... ... (more) | Comments
November 05, 2007

Drug treatment president says he'll fight state

Published 04:59 PM Monday, November 05, 2007 by afurillo

The president of a prison drug treatment program said he will fight a corrections department audit that says his firm owes the state more than half a million dollars. "We're going to go to court," said Rod Mullen of the Amity Foundation. Porterville-based Amity was named in the corrections audit... ... (more) | Comments

Schwarzenegger makes Obando official

Published 03:55 PM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger removed the word “acting” from the title of Bismark Obando, who has served as the governor’s director of external affairs since July. Obando has been in Schwarzenegger shop since 2004, when he worked as a legislative analyst for the Office of Planning and Research. He joined the... ... (more) | Comments

'I can put six in a torso at 15 feet'

Published 03:45 PM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Judy Lin

It's no secret that Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has a history of packing heat. But is he any good? "I'll never be a Green Beret, but I can put six in a torso at 15 feet," wrote the Oakland Democrat in a 2006 license renewal letter reminiscent of... ... (more) | Comments

Carona pleads not guilty

Published 03:38 PM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona pleaded not guilty in a corruption case that entangles Carona, his wife and his alleged mistress -- all of whom appeared in court today in Santa Ana. The next hearing is set for Dec. 18. The AP has the story.... ... (more) | Comments

Prison audit hits drug program

Published 02:21 PM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Andy Furillo

California corrections officials are demanding that a private drug program contractor return $547,207 in payments. The bill resulted from a corrections department audit into the Porterville-based Amity Foundation's production of training videos. Amity, which operates five in-prison drug programs in the state, is being asked to pay back the money... ... (more) | Comments

New Feb. 5 ballot deadlines

Published 09:53 AM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

The Legislature works on deadlines - and now the state's lawmakers have a drop-dead date for placing any new measures on the Feb. 5, 2008 ballot. In a letter to the legislative leadership and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Secretary of State Debra Bowen said Friday that if lawmakers pass the funding,... ... (more) | Comments

Welcome to the new – and free – Capitol Alert

Published 06:26 AM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

For the past 10 months, we’ve toiled behind a subscription firewall. Well, so much for that. Capitol Alert is now free – and we’re excited about bringing you the latest up-to-the-minute news in Capitol politicking and policymaking. For our past subscribers, those who signed up for free trials and the... ... (more) | Comments

Lawmaking by the numbers

Published 06:25 AM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Swanson.jpg When Sandre Swanson joined the Assembly this year, the Oakland Democrat probably didn’t envision that he would be the only lawmaker to have every bill in his legislative package vetoed by the governor. But that’s exactly what happened. That’s one of the many notable facts Capitol Alert unearthed in a numerical analysis of the 2007 legislative session. ... (more) | Comments

By the numbers: The 2007 Legislature

Published 06:24 AM Monday, November 05, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Most bills passed 17 – Sen. Carole Migden 17 – Assemblyman John Laird 16 – Sen. Denise Ducheny 15 – Sen. Ellen Corbett 14 – Assemblywoman Karen Bass 14 – Sen. Alex Padilla 14 – Sen. Tom Torlakson 14 – Sen. Pat Wiggins Most bills signed 16 – Sen. Denise... ... (more) | Comments
November 02, 2007

Electoral College initiative donors to be revealed Tuesday

Published 04:50 PM Friday, November 02, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

If you want to know just how much money Rep. Darrell Issa is giving to the initiative to split California's electoral votes by congressional district, you're going to have to wait until next week. Although the campaign filings had been expected today, the proponents of the ballot measure say they... ... (more) | Comments

Video: Torres-Gilliard smackdown!

Published 04:28 PM Friday, November 02, 2007 by Shane Goldmacher

Ok, so smackdown may be a little bit of an exaggeration. But Art Torres, chair of the California Democratic Party, and Dave Gilliard, a Republican consultant who is managing the effort to qualify an initiative to split the state's electoral votes, go