Posted by Roger Niello
09/04/2008 11:18 PM
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Join me tomorrow on the KTKZ Capitol Hour program as I fill in for Eric Hogue. 12 - 1pm. KTKZ 1380am. We'll be talking about the latest on the California State Budget negotiations and Sacramento Mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson will join us for a segment. Call-In number is 923-3300 if you care to chime in.
Posted by Trixie
09/03/2008 3:35 PM
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If you are watching the Republican National Convention from your home, you may want to read reports from these bloggers. One of Sacramento's own, Dan Kramer is blogging daily at the convention for News 10. Kristin Jones is blogging at the RNC as well, click here to read her musings.
Posted by Roger Niello
08/31/2008 2:23 PM
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Watch video of yesterday's press conference from Republicans offering a budget plan that contains no new taxes: The plan includes:Education funding at the same level proposed by both the Governor and Senator Perata No borrowing from local government through either Prop 1A or Proposition 42 Restoration of funding for doctors who provide health care services to the needy under the Medi-Cal program Elimination of a dangerous early release proposal that would have resulted in thousands of felons set free without being supervised by a parole officer. Includes a strict spending limit and strong rainy day reserve to help prevent future deficits from hurting Californians.
Posted by Chuck DeVore
08/30/2008 1:46 PM
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During a 1:30 PM Sacramento press conference, Republican lawmakers led by Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines unveiled a no-tax budget that funds education at the same level that Democrats proposed while trimming spending in other areas. The Republican budget was in response to Senate Majority Leader Don Perata's Friday challenge to Senate Republicans to put up their own budget. The Democrats' own tax-increasing budget fell three votes short of the needed two-thirds for passage on Friday when it failed to receive any Republican votes while moderate Democrat Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) abstained. We'll see if Sen. Perata actually allows this responsible budget proposal to be voted on in the full Senate. We'll also see what Gov. Schwarzenegger says about the Republican budget, which does not raise taxes, after he called Friday's Senate vote to increase taxes on hard-working Californians "courageous."
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/29/2008 6:48 PM
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This evening, Assemblyman Guy Houston (R- Dublin) offered up AB 24X3 which would allow the Sate of California to continue to pay its bills during the budget impasse. As predicted, the Assembly Democrats voted overwhelmingly to not allow the measure to be heard.
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/29/2008 1:32 PM
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Finally! More than two months after the consitutional deadline to pass a budget, Senate Democrats finally put a budget proposal up for a vote. And it is not news to say, it failed on a party-line vote.But what is noteworthy is that while Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the Democrat budget proposal that increases both taxes and government spending, calling it "Very Courageous". Legislative Republicans, whose votes are needed to pass the budget are not so impressed.The Sacramento Bee reported: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today praised a new Democratic version of the state budget as "very courageous" and urged Republican senators to vote for it. Schwarzenegger was 500 miles away in San Diego, campaigning against any budget that relies on borrowing money from local governments and transportation funds, as the Senate began debating the new Democratic version. He issued his words of praise in response to a reporter's question.The new Senate Democratic version is based on Schwarzenegger's own latest proposal to
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/29/2008 12:28 PM
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A bill that has been circulating around the capitol all year now has a new number, but it's still just as bad. In the 11th hour "gut and amend", legislation that would impose a $0.25 tax on paper and plastic grocery bags. A similar bill was held by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this month, yet the proponents are attempting to advance this proposal during the waning days of the legislative session. AB 2769 being introduced here in California would place a twenty-five cent fee on every plastic or paper grocery bag used. This legislation was proposed by Assembly Member Lloyd Levine and amounts to a regressive tax that will hit the working class the hardest. Consumers in the state of California use 600 bags per second. If AB 2769 was passed than that would be $150 out of consumers pockets every single second. As a matter of fact, a recent Department of Finance analysis concluded that this tax
Posted by Keith Carlson
08/29/2008 9:43 AM
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John McCain has captured the media's attention on a day, even a long weekend, that was scheduled to be "All Obama, All the Time." Following last night's speech--which now seems like it happened a week ago--McCain announced his V.P. choice--Gov. Sarah Palin, of Alaska. This is a bold and seemingly brilliant pick. She has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket. She is very strong on both social and fiscal issues. From the L.A. Times this morning on both her fiscal and social views: she, like McCain, is known as a reformer who believes in curbing government spending. In her first year in office, she introduced ethics legislation and a budget with a $124-million reduction in spending... Palin, 44, was talked about in conservative circles -- a fiscal conservative who is also a staunch opponent of abortion... "At a time when many Republicans are still clinging to pork-barrel politics, Gov. Palin has quickly become a leader on this issue,"
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/29/2008 8:58 AM
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Feinstein considers run for governor in 2010 -- California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has been forced to sit out this week's Democratic convention in Denver because of a broken ankle, acknowledged in an interview with The Chronicle on Thursday that she is actively considering running for governor in 2010. Governor to GOP: Stop 'hiding -- As the state's budget crisis lumbered into its third month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday intensified the pressure on the one powerful group that has done little to end the standoff: legislators from his own party. In an interview with the Mercury News in his Capitol office, Schwarzenegger accused GOP politicians of "hiding" their ideas for deep spending cuts and borrowing to close California's massive deficit and suggested the reason is that the public would find their proposals "quite shocking." Perata offers budget with sales tax hike -- The state Senate will vote today on a budget by Senate leader Don Perata that's similar to
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/28/2008 9:39 AM
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Same-sex marriage ban behind in latest poll -- The gap between those who support and those who oppose same-sex marriage is closing, and a poll indicates that backing for a proposition to ban such marriages is lagging. Those were two of the main findings of a poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California and released Wednesday. San Francisco gives teen drug suspect to immigration -- A San Francisco court's ruling that a 14-year-old drug suspect from Honduras should be considered an abandoned youth - entitled to shelter rather than deportation - was thwarted Wednesday when the city turned him over to federal immigration authorities. Gerrymandering a key culprit in California budget mess -- For Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, nothing better illustrates the evils of legislative gerrymandering -- and the need for Proposition 11 on the November ballot -- than Sacramento's two-month budget stalemate. California tribes seek to ban slot-like bingo machines -- Rich, politically powerful Indian tribes are pushingCalifornia
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/27/2008 6:51 AM
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Governor signs rail bill to get it on ballot -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who promised not to sign any bills until lawmakers reach a budget deal, reversed his position Tuesday and signed a measure for a statewide bullet train system that he strongly supports. Dan Walters: Capitol's budget battle is going nowhere fast -- So where is the Capitol's struggle with a long-overdue, deficit-ridden state budget headed? Nowhere - fast. CCPOA donates $577,000 to Perata committee -- The state correctional officers union has contributed $577,000 to a political committee controlled by state Sen. Don Perata, with most of the cash sent over in the final weeks of the current legislative session. Citibank settles with state, to repay millions -- Citibank will refund millions of dollars to credit card customers and pay $3.5 million to the state of California to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of stealing funds from some of its customers who had died, gone bankrupt or
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/26/2008 1:17 PM
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Not exactly known for sticking to his guns, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that despite his proclaimation that he would not be signing any bills until there is a budget; he would be willing to sign bills containing bonds for high-speed rail and/or water bonds. The Sacramento Bee issued the following Report: Schwarzenegger reverses course; will sign high-speed rail billBy Kevin Yamamura - kyamamura@sacbee.comPublished 11:32 am PDT Tuesday, August 26, 2008Nearly three weeks after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would block any bill that reached his desk until the Legislature approves a budget, he sent a letter late Monday to legislative leaders saying he will make an exception for a high-speed rail clean-up measure and a water bond.Schwarzenegger indicated that in at least those cases, he is willing to renege on his Aug. 6 vow that "some good bills will fail."The Assembly is expected to send the governor a bill today that will revise the $9.9 billion high-speed rail
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/26/2008 6:39 AM
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Sacramento Republican Assembly is hosting a Red County Red Meat Roundup to raise money for local candidates running in the upcoming November election. This year's featured candidate is Mayor Abram Wilson, who is the GOP nominee for the 15th Assembly District. The event is scheduled for September 20th from 3-7 pm at the beautiful home of Mike and Diane McCollum. This will be a premier event, with local elected officials and candidates, a STEAK BBQ, music and DJ, microbrews, and plenty of good Republican conversation. You won't want to miss this exciting party! Please mark your calendar for this must-attend event and Click Here to RSVP. Event Details: When: Saturday, Sept. 20th from 3-7pm Where: 10196 Clover Ranch Dr., Sacramento, CA 95829 (Click Here for Map) Cost: $50 per person / $99 per couple For more information: Craig DeLuz- craig@craigdeluz.com or Angela Azevedo- azevedo1@juno.com
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/26/2008 6:32 AM
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No regrets for Perata, Swanson for missing convention -- Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata warned several weeks ago that it could come to this: If there was no budget resolution by Monday, lawmakers would be forced to skip the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Dan Walters: California businesses may score in legislative duel -- As important and visible as it may be, the political stalemate over the state budget - whether to close a whopping deficit with new taxes, spending cuts and loans - is not truly uppermost in the minds of most legislators. While legislative leaders wrangle over the budget, rank-and-file lawmakers are more concerned with the annual game that pits business groups against unions, environmentalists, plaintiffs' attorneys and consumer activists over the latter's bills that would impose new costs and red tape on the former. 'We are one' - except when it comes to state budget -- State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, was living in the
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/25/2008 9:48 AM
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Dan Walters: California's borrowing orgy unlikely to end soon -- A well-established economic principle, called the "wealth effect," holds that consumers' spending is influenced more by their sense of well-being than by their incomes. If consumers believe that their wealth is growing - from home equity or retirement savings, for instance - they're more inclined to run up credit cards, tap home equity and otherwise incur debt to buy things. Oakland's missing millions -- Oakland's finances appear to be far worse than suspected. Former City Manager Robert Bobb, who has parachuted into town at the request of Mayor Ron Dellums to try to sort out the fiscal mess, has discovered that Oakland's reserves have been drawn down by as much as $48 million in the past year, and accounting for most of the missing funds hasn't been easy. Farmworkers union chief wants change in voting -- United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez has worked for more than three decades in
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/22/2008 2:53 PM
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Here is yet another story of a California State Senator acting like a fool.Two weeks ago, Senator Pat Wiggins cursed at a pastor during a committee hearing, stating that is aurguments were "Bull S***t".And yesterday, Senator Carole Migden's entire staff was sent home after she berrated and yelled at them.Here is the story as reported by the Capitol Alert:After yelling episode, Migden's staff sent homeSen. Carole Migden's Capitol staff was sent home on Thursday afternoon and told not to report to work on Friday, after the San Francisco Democrat was heard berating them from the hallway.Enedina Hidalgo, the director of personnel for the state Senate, overheard Migden screaming, according to a witness to the event. The source said Hidalgo entered the office while the senator was not present on Thursday, informing the staff of their rights.Soon after, Hidalgo returned to Migden's office with Tony Beard Jr., the chief sergeant-at-arms of the state Senate. They told the staff to pack up
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/22/2008 11:46 AM
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Governor may seek special election for budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that the budget deadlock could last for several more weeks, a delay that would force him to call a special election. Two significant pieces of his budget require voter approval, and many state lawmakers consider Sunday to be the drop-dead deadline for placing new measures on the ballot for the November election. Steinberg elected as Senate leader (in waiting) -- Six months after the decision was made, Darrell Steinberg - a former labor lawyer and unabashed liberal - was formally elected Senate president pro tem Thursday in a unanimous voice vote by his colleagues. But in the longest legislative transition in modern California history, the Sacramento Democrat won't assume office until Nov. 30 - one day before current Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, is termed out of office. Dan Walters: GOP spending a major player in California budget gap -- Republicans are largely bystanders in
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/21/2008 12:23 PM
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Yesterday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offered, what he calls a "Compromise Budget" that he says, "responsibly addresses California's remaining $15.2 billion budget shortfall and reforms our broken budget system." (Click Here to See his Press Conference) The truth is that his current budget plan is not new, not a compromise, does not contain budget spending reform and does not address the current budget deficit.The Budget Reform measures being offered by the governor include: A Strong Rainy Day Fund• Increases the size of California's Budget Stabilization Account (BSA) from 5 percent of General Fund expenditures to 12.5 percent -or approximately $13 billion dollars today. • Requires annual transfers to the BSA of 3 percent of General Fund and eliminates the ability to suspend those annual transfers. In years when the BSA is full (at 12.5%), the annual transfer is reduced to 1.5 percent. During economic downturns, when funds can be drawn out of the BSA, the transfer would not occur.• In addition
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/21/2008 9:23 AM
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Governor recycles sales-tax hike budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, calling the Legislature's failure to agree on a budget deal shameful, made public on Wednesday his latest spending proposal, which includes a temporary, one-cent increase in the sales tax, additional cuts and spending limits intended to bank revenue in boom years. Republicans will strip local government limits out of budget proposal -- Republican legislators are planning on bringing back a controversial spending limit proposal that failed late last week. But the new version of ACA 19 will be missing most of the language that would have imposed tough budgeting rules not just on the state but on local governments as well. State Senate passes bill aimed at thieves of metal fixtures -- Twice in the past four years, San Joaquin County farmer Richard Rodriguez has been victimized by metal thieves making off with nearly $25,000 in sprinkler pipes. "As long as there's a market and the people who buy this stuff
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/20/2008 10:37 AM
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GOP leader stomps out of state budget talks -- Budget negotiations between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and four Legislative leaders fell apart Tuesday when one of the Republican leaders stormed out of the meeting, angrily charging that the talks "are not helpful." "Frankly, I was very frustrated when leaving that meeting," Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines from Clovis (Fresno County), said in an interview. "I'm tired of walking into (these meetings) and the only thing that's being talked about is more tax increases." Schwarzenegger's push to hike sales tax riles GOP -- ov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken on an unlikely role as one of the Capitol's most steadfast champions of a tax hike, spurning his fellow Republicans' uncharacteristic effort to borrow their way out of budget trouble. The GOP lawmakers, preferring debt to a tax increase, say Democrats might have agreed to close the $15.2-billion budget gap with loans by now if not for Schwarzenegger. Judge blocks state's cut
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/19/2008 12:54 PM
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As promised, here are links to streaming video for anyone interested in viewing the Assembly Floor debate on the budget, which took place on Sunday or the Assembly Budget Committee vote on the spending cap (ACA 19) from Friday. (Click Here for Assembly Budget Debate) **Warning** This is a long video! Debate lasted from about 4 pm until around 8:30pm. (Click Here for the ACA 19 Hearing) Roger Niello did us proud!
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/19/2008 10:06 AM
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Democrats vow to seek voter change of two-thirds requirement -- Assemblyman Sandre Swanson is convinced that the only way to avoid lengthy budget stalemates in the future is to strip the minority party of what he calls its out-sized influence. Democratic assemblywoman banished from Capitol for withholding budget vote -- The only perceptible movement Monday in the Capitol's long-stalled budget debate came on the fifth floor - Democrat Nicole Parra was booted from her office for bucking her party during a vote Sunday night. California Budget Impasse Persists As GOP Refuses Income-Tax Rise -- California's months-long budget standoff hit a low when an emergency State Assembly meeting failed to produce a compromise between Democrats and Republicans over how to compensate for a shortfall exceeding $15 billion. California Assembly rejects two bills on chemical bans -- An avalanche of lobbying buried two bills in the Assembly on Monday that sought to ban controversial chemicals from fast food containers,
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/18/2008 1:20 PM
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Central Valley Democrat Nicole Para was booted from her office because she refused to vote for the Democrat budget last night. The Sacramento Bee is reporting: Parra booted from office - and the Capitol By Shane Goldmacher - sgoldmacher@sacbee.comPublished 12:46 pm PDT Monday, August 18, 2008 In the latest episode of Capitol punishment, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass tossed Assemblywoman Nicole Parra from her office on Monday morning after the Central Valley Democrat failed to vote for the budget on Sunday. In a twist, Parra hasn't been reassigned to more cramped quarters in the Capitol itself - but booted straight across the street to the Legislative Office Building. She will be the only member of the Legislature whose office is not housed in the Capitol. "I knew going in Sunday that if I didn't support the budget, something was going to happen," Parra, D-Hanford, said in an interview shortly after receiving the news. The budget, now 49 days
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/18/2008 9:26 AM
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Assembly Democrats' budget bill fails -- A revised budget proposal by Assembly Democrats failed Sunday night in the lower house of the state Legislature during an unusual weekend session that quickly morphed into nearly five hours of finger-pointing that didn't end the 48-day budget stalemate. The 45-30 vote fell well short of the 54 "yes" votes needed to satisfy the two-thirds majority required. Some question if computer is to blame in California minimum wage standoff -- State Controller John Chiang says configuring the state's antiquated computer system to pay workers minimum wage would take six months. George Skelton: Let go of the past and allow offshore oil drilling -- Admittedly I'm biased on offshore drilling. I was born in Santa Barbara, grew up in Ojai and spent many a weekend on the beach. But that didn't make me an anti-drilling fanatic. Free digital texts begin to challenge costly college textbooks in California -- The annual college textbook
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/17/2008 3:34 PM
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As you already know, Assembly Democrats have already shot down ACA 19 which would amend the state constitution to include a hard spending cap. The following video contains a detailed description and explanation of the Republican proposal that you will not find in the MSM. . The Democrats went on to spend the rest of the committee hearing attempting to misrepresent the legislation and almost literally calling Asm. Niello a liar. But he did the GOP proud. I am working on getting the rest of the committee hearing for you to view. So stay tunned!
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/17/2008 12:16 PM
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The California State Assembly has conviened a special session to finally debate the Democrat budget proposal. The will convene at about 3 pm and the will likely go directly to meeting in their respective caucuses. The actual debate should start at about 3:45 - 4 pm or so. I encourage you to to tune in and see for yourself what the Democrats are proposing. (Click Here) to view the streaming video.
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/15/2008 2:31 PM
14 Comment(s)
For the last week I have been participating in an a comment thread with some of the more liberal members of our party regarding whether or not there should be a standard as to what a Republican is. See 21st Century Republicans support a Democrat against Tony Strickland. The highlight of this discussion can be found in the exchange below, in which I question whether or not we should support candidates, simply because they have an "R" after their names. Can you be fiscally conservative and socially liberal and still be a Republican? Yes... Maybe... But how can you can you be fiscally liberal and socially liberal and still call yourself a Republican? You call me dogmatic for demanding that we have some standard by which to measure Republican candidates. But if we are not a party of common principles and values, what are we? If Maxine Waters became a Republican and still promoted the same policies, would you support
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/15/2008 10:01 AM
1 Comment(s)
Laura Richardson just can't get get it together! Today, the LA Times is reporting that Laura "Pimp my ride" Richrson's Sacramento home (you remember the one that was foreclosed on, sold, stolen back by the bank that sold it and given back to Richrson... that home) has been sighted by Sacramento Code enforcement as a public nuisance. First Rep. Laura Richardson was having problems making house payments, defaulting six times over eight years.Then after a bank foreclosed on her Sacramento house and sold it at auction in May, the Long Beach Democrat made such a stink that Washington Mutual, in an unusual move, grabbed it back and returned it to her.This week, in the latest chapter in the housing saga, the Code Enforcement Department in Sacramento declared her home a "public nuisance."The city has threatened to fine her as much as $5,000 a month if she doesn't fix it up.Neighbors in the upper-middle-class neighborhood complain that the sprinklers are
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/15/2008 8:47 AM
1 Comment(s)
Latest gambit in state budget impasse -- The Legislature is likely to vote Sunday on a new version of the Democrats' budget that includes more spending cuts and fewer tax increases than their previous version, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said Thursday. San Francisco Democrats take a sharp turn to the left -- The San Francisco Democratic Party has veered dramatically to the left, telling voters that on Nov. 4 they should elect a raft of ultra-liberal supervisorial candidates, decriminalize prostitution, boot JROTC from public schools, embrace public power and reject Mayor Gavin Newsom's special court in the Tenderloin. Q&A: Can California prison receiver get $8 billion for inmate medical care? -- California prison medical receiver J. Clark Kelso's motion to ask the federal courts to order the state to give him $8 billion for inmate care raises questions about what he's doing and how he's doing it. Does he have the authority? Engineers won't sue CalPERS over
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/13/2008 4:54 PM
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The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Don Perata and the Governor have come to an agreement on the budget. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said Wednesday that Democrats have negotiated key points of a compromise state budget with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and that he considers negotiations over. "I think we've, frankly, gone about as far as we can go," the Oakland Democrat said. Perata said the compromise plan includes a major concession by Democrats -- a spending cap to limit annual state expenditures. But one thing you learn in this business is that the devil is in the Senate... er... details. As of this posting, nothing in writing has been submitted to Senate. So whether or not there is an actual budget spending cap in the proposal is yet to be seen. And if there is one, you can bet that it is not a real cap. Keep in mind that Democrats have been insisting
Posted by Mali Currington
08/13/2008 2:09 PM
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I just finished watching the Youtube video of a White Female Left Wing Liberal Democrat California State Senator cussing out a local Black Pastor because he has "nerve" to discuss negative impact of Global Warming on the poor and minorities.Pastor Robert Jones of United Methodist Church here in Sacramento was invited to speak to State Senate committee. 1 minute and 45 seconds into his comments, Senator Pat Wiggins (Democrat of Santa Rosa) cut him off to to say the following, "Excuse me, but I think your arguments are BullSh**"Unfortunately with all of the analysis of this outrage, there is no call for censure, there is no protest by Black organizations, there are no press conferences of condemnation by so-called "activist" groups, and no insistence that she attend "sensitivity" training of any kind. Let me be the first to say that I call on all of the aforementioned!Not even the Chairperson of the committee, Senator Christine Kehoe (Democrat of San Diego) expressed any public
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/13/2008 10:42 AM
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Feinstein criticizes legislators for inaction on state water plan -- Warning that California faces catastrophic water shortages from a worsening drought, Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday upbraided state lawmakers for failing to rally behind a proposed $9.3 billion water bond for the November ballot. Dan Walters: Fuzzy outline of a California budget deal emerges -- It's still a long way from being fully cooked, but the fuzzy outline of a deal on the much-delayed, deficit-ridden state budget is becoming visible as the deadline for placing measures on the November ballot draws near. Budget deadlock may cut Schwarzenegger's starring role -- The Border Governors Conference convenes today at Universal City. Assembly moves to protect whistle-blowers -- A bill allowing cities and counties to set up hot lines and ensure confidentiality for whistle-blowing employees who report alleged fraud, waste and mismanagement has been approved by the state Legislature. Algebra expansion cost pegged at $3.1 billion -- California's schools
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/12/2008 7:22 AM
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While budget waits, California legislators collect campaign donations -- As California faces a looming cash crunch, state lawmakers are making sure one treasury won't run dry - their campaign accounts.Governor sues controller to force pay cuts -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sued state Controller John Chiang on Monday after he refused to follow the governor's order to slash pay for thousands of state workers to federal minimum wage as a cash-saving measure during the budget impasse.Bankrupt Vallejo bleeding its police force -- Vallejo, already in an economic tailspin, has lost about 20 percent of its police force since the city began its slide into bankruptcy.Lawmakers apparently miss deadline to change rail bond measure -- With a veto threat looming, lawmakers on Monday missed a deadline to replace November's $9.9 billion high-speed rail bond ballot measure with an updated version. Or did they?Dan Walters: Feinstein is playing it coy on a 2010 run for governor -- As certain as the swallows return
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/11/2008 2:52 PM
2 Comment(s)
Last month I laid out what I believed to be the likely scenario for budget negotiations and so far, I have yet to be proven wrong. In my piece "How do you Bridge a $15 Billion Deficit?" I outlined the following scenario: It is been widely predicted that this budget won't be figured out until mid to late August or maybe even September. But all the political posturing aside, I could probably write the script for this budget drama to it's conclusion. Scene I - Democrats offer insane tax increases and actually propose spending increase. Scene II - Big 5 get nothing done as Democrats stall, waiting for members to return in August. Scene III- Democrats call on protestors to swarm the capitol and declare that Republicans need to cave on the budget. Scene IV- Governor caves and begins leaning on legislative Republicans to support the horrible budget in the name of "Post-Partisanship". Scene V -
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/11/2008 11:51 AM
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State budget impasse looks poised to worsen -- California's budget impasse, which hits Day 42 today, may get a lot worse if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic-controlled Legislature do not reach a compromise in the coming days. Bill would allow agencies to ban water softeners if salt threatens recycling efforts -- The Culligan Man could soon join the Maytag repairman in California, as regional water agencies seek more authority to remove home water softeners if they threaten local water supplies. Wiggins swears at committee witness -- Pastor Robert Jones went to the Capitol last Wednesday hoping to make his voice heard. A pullback in businesses' capital spending bodes ill -- The parade of capital spending cuts may feed the economy's downturn. Many firms' optimism for 2009 evaporates. Governor's pared plan may have slim chance -- Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made his plan to overhaul health care a top priority, promoting it in numerous news
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/08/2008 10:10 AM
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Republican leader: Democrats stalling on budget -- Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines on Thursday accused Democrats of stalling budget negotiations so they can avoid having to agree on a spending cap as part of reforms Republicans are seeking. If the Legislature fails by midnight Aug. 16th to approve budget reform legislation -- which would have to be done by a constitutional amendment -- it would fail to make it onto the November ballot. Legislators and lobbyists get ready for the fundraising dance -- In just four days next week, at least 40 politicians and candidates are scheduled to hold fundraisers, soliciting donations over cappuccino, carnitas and cocktails, at cafes, art galleries and restaurants. Most events are within a few blocks of the Capitol and require a minimum donation of $1,000 to attend. Legislators work on bills but not budget -- A day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened not to sign legislation until lawmakers approve a budget, legislators debated
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/07/2008 1:17 PM
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Assembly Republicans have gone on offense, demanding that the Democrats bring up their budget for debate. Assembly Republican Caucus issued the following: STATEMENT BY REPUBLICAN LEADER VILLINES ON DEMOCRATS REFUSING TO ALLOW BUDGET VOTE SACRAMENTO - Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, of Fresno, today issued the following statement in response to the refusal of Assembly Democrats to bring up their budget plan for a vote during Thursday's Assembly session:"We are disappointed that Assembly Democrats once again failed to bring up their budget plan for an Assembly vote today. With our budget now 38 days overdue, it is simply irresponsible for Democrats to refuse to allow a budget vote. If they believe their plan with $9 billion in higher taxes, $2 billion in higher spending, cuts to law enforcement and no reform is the best approach for our budget problems, they should bring it up for a vote so we can have that debate."We tried time and time again
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/07/2008 12:01 PM
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For three hours this morning Republican legislator after Republican legislator asked for the Democrat's "Compromise Budget" to be taken up and debated on the floor of the Assembly. However, their requests were met with nothing more than stall tactics. Every time the Assembly came to file item #67, which was the state budget Assemblywoman Lori Saldana who was the presiding officer at the time would either skip the item or move on to another area of the Daily File. And every time she did, Republicans were quick to raise questions as to why the budget was not being taken up. The end result of this palimentary dance was a partyline vote to aujourn without taking up the budget. Following the Assembly Floor Session, the media swarmed Assembly Speaker Bass questioning why Democrats would not debate their budget proposal. The rumor throughout the capitol is that Democrats won't vote on the budget because they can't even get all the members of their caucus
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/07/2008 9:04 AM
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State workers union sues over Schwarzenegger's job cuts -- The largest state employees union filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Sacramento Superior Court alleging that the state mishandled its termination of some temporary and part-time employees last week, potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The state is still processing some exit paychecks due last week for employees and will be forced to pay them additional compensation because it did not immediately provide them their final wages. Governor won't sign bills until he gets budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his latest attempt to pressure lawmakers into breaking the state's budget impasse, on Wednesday said he will not sign any bills until the Legislature agrees on a budget, which is more than a month overdue. Lawmakers yawn as Schwarzenegger vows to block bills -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared Wednesday he will sign no more bills until lawmakers pass a state budget, and the Legislature responded with a collective yawn.
Posted by Craig DeLuz
08/06/2008 2:58 PM
3 Comment(s)
Minutes ago, Governor Arnol Schwarzenegger announced that he will not sign any bills until the legislature "...sends me a budget I can sign." Also, knowing that unsigned bills automaticlly become law he vowed to go as far as vetoing them if necessary in order to prevent them from becoming law. On the surface, it sounds like a good idea. But all the legislature has to do is to hold bills at their respective desks and not transmitt them to the Governor. So in the end, this will likely serve as nothing more than another media stunt. However, I will say this; If he does veto all bills, that will definately hurt Democrats a lot more than Republicans. (Click Here) to see video of the press conference.
