- If you are a Republican, and think you may want to see what it is like to work for a member of the State Legislature in the Capitol Building, then don’t miss today’s lead column from Karen Pank, who, as an alumni of the Capitol Fellowship Program, makes a good case for GOPers to apply!
- No one that I know believes for a minute that the Fabian Nunez-pushed effort to put a term limits ‘reform’ measure on the ballot this February is about anything other than the Speaker and other term-limited incumbent politicians seeking to extend their own time in political office. There’s a story in the Sacramento Bee about how the measure was ‘tweaked’ when it was discovered that Senate President Pro-Tempore Don Perata would not be able to extend HIS time in office. Any measure that allows politicians to serve in any single chamber of the legislature longer than the current limits is a weakening of the measure. Mr. Speaker, make your case on why term limits are bad. But don’t insult the voters by trying to somehow frame your self-preservation measure as a ‘strengthening’ of term limits.
- There is a lot of controversy swirling about the pending recommendations about to be made by the California Transportation Commission on the allocation of Transportation Bond funds for projects around the state. As Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee points out, as he discussed the fact that legislators (like Speaker Fabian Nunez) unhappy with the proposed allocations are proposing to get the legislature involved in the process, that during the bond campaign, we were all assured that the allocations would be a non-political process. Right.
- The Commission that was formed to look at the issue of retirement benefits for public employees as well really defining what California’s pension obligations truly are, and whether we have the funds set aside to pay those obligations, and been ‘officially constituted’ as the Governor and legislative leaders have appointed members. While there are a few bright lights on the panel (Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle being one), it is clear that the Democrat leaders were intent on putting public-employee advocates, and not taxpayer-advocates, on this body. Out of left-field comes the appointment by the Governor of financier Gerry Parsky to the commission. Parsky’s appointment will certainly muddy the waters as his m.o. is to strike compromises and cut deals. His infamous process he set up to give California’s liberal Democrat Senators too much say over Bush judicial picks in the Golden State comes to mind…
- Our state prison overcrowding problems are being exacerbated by a judge who doesn’t think that the Governor’s decision to move inmates to out-of-state facilities was a legal one. Perhaps a law needs to be changed… What difference does it make WHERE these inmates spend their time? What’s important is that they serve their full sentences, something that may not happen without resourceful options such as out-of-state housing of inmates…
- Barack Obama performed a ‘cashectomy’ on the Hollywood-set yesterday as his campaign for President sweeps through California. Today, GOP contender Senator John McCain of Arizona is set to make a public appearance with our own Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger here in California. This is notable given that on the recent campaign swing of Rudy Giuliani through the Golden State, the Mayor met with the Governor, but it was behind closed doors. Clearly a message is being sent with a public event for the two. Apparently the two will discuss (what else?) California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, etcetra. Perhaps when the Governor is done appearing with candidates to talk about the need for more regulations, he can also then do a ‘lower federal taxes’ tour with the candidates as well? The appearance will take place at Terminal Island in Los Angeles this morning at 11 a.m.
- Oh, and of interest is the recount taking place in Orange County, where the certified results of the recent special election for Orange County Supervisor in the First District (which was vacated by Lou Correa when he was elected to the State Senate) showed that GOPer Trung Nguyen bested fellow Republican Janet Nguyen by seven votes (the Democrat, Tom Umberg, placed third). But the first of what is expected to be four days of a recount have seen Trung’s lead cut in half… Should be interesting drama the next few days. Either way, this seat is a pickup for the GOP, and makes the OC Board of Supes all Republican once again…
Read about these items and more on the main page today (except the McCain story — you’ll have to wait on those until tomorrow).
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