Republican Senator Roy Ashburn has been a ‘point person’ of sorts for Senate Republicans on redistricting reform, but a controversial proposal that he introduced yesterday, Senate Constitutional Amendment 9, on term-limits, redistricting reform, and bans on fundraising is not legislation that is supported by the Senate Republican Caucus — nor Assembly Republicans for that matter. Specifically, Ashburn’s bill seems to be seeking a ‘middle ground’ to try to achieve sort of compromise. But Ashburn gives away too much to try to move something forward… ALL THREE aspects of Senator Ashburn’s proposed constitutional amendment are flawed… First and foremost, and probably most egregious, is that Ashburn’s proposal includes virtually the same end-run on voter-approved term limits that Speaker Fabian Nunez has been championing himself. According to what I read, this proposal by the Bakersfield Senator would allow for "termed out" legislators to serve at least one more term in the… Read More

Republican Senator Roy Ashburn has been a ‘point person’ of sorts for Senate Republicans on redistricting reform, but a controversial proposal that he introduced yesterday, Senate Constitutional Amendment 9, on term-limits, redistricting reform, and bans on fundraising is not legislation that is supported by the Senate Republican Caucus — nor Assembly Republicans for that matter. Specifically, Ashburn’s bill seems to be seeking a ‘middle ground’ to try to achieve sort of compromise. But Ashburn gives away too much to try to move something forward… ALL THREE aspects of Senator Ashburn’s proposed constitutional amendment are flawed… First and foremost, and probably most egregious, is that Ashburn’s proposal includes virtually the same end-run on voter-approved term limits that Speaker Fabian Nunez has been championing himself. According to what I read, this proposal by the Bakersfield Senator would allow for "termed out" legislators to serve at least one more term in the… Read More

Anemic Numbers on FEC Finance Reports highlight freshman’s weakness in the 11th CD’s population base.

In the latest filings with the FEC, congressman Jerry McNerney raised a total of $347,192.52 and reported a cash on hand total of $296,893.16. The amazing part about this is the total raised from San Joaquin County. Less than $4000 in itemized contributions were received from San Joaquin County. Stockton, by far, is the largest community in the 11th district and turned in $3550 to the McNerney fundraising effort. With another $850 from the rural portion of San Joaquin, that brings his total haul for San Joaquin County to $4400. Other San Joaquin communities did not even appear on the report including Tracy, Manteca, Lodi and Ripon.

Meanwhile, Stockton was eclipsed by such notable 11th district communities as Kew Gardens, NY ($4600), Tucson, AZ ($4600), Belvedere, CA ($4000), as well as the typical McNerney influx from Berkeley, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi came in $1450 ahead of Stockton with $5000 from her PAC to the Future (Haven’t seen any Syrian donations… Read More

USA Today has a good report out today on salaries for the nation’s top companies — big bucks. I’m not alarmed by any of the compensation packages. If a CEO is going to deliver big returns for investors, pay them whatever they need to keep them on the job. If they aren’t delivering returns, they’ll be losing their jobs soon.

I wonder if this USA Today site gets as many hits from CEOs as Capitol Weekly gets from staffers when it releases its next legislative salary report in May.

Perhaps USA Today will retool next year, allowing us to know which CEO is the most searched — that would make it much more entertaining.… Read More

There are a lot of issues that come up in the State Capitol, and, where the significant legislation is concerned, you can usually see a breakdown occurring on partisan lines. This is because there are distinct differences between the philosophies of the parties, and when bills seek in increase the size and scope of the government, Democrats support them and Republicans oppose them. Similarly, when legislation shrinks government, it is often hard to get a Democrat to support it. There are some pieces of legislation, though that will divide Democrats or Republicans, and clearly Senate Bill 670 authored by State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), and advocated by state realtors, is one of those bills. Senator Correa’s bill seek to ban a type of ‘transfer cost’ that is starting to become more prevalent in home sales. The very short version of what happens is this — a home builder places this transfer cost (or fee) on the original deed, requiring that some small percentage of the purchase price (typically one percent or less) be paid to the builder at the time of sale, and perhaps what is most unusual, and disturbing to most, is that… Read More

There are a lot of issues that come up in the State Capitol, and, where the significant legislation is concerned, you can usually see a breakdown occurring on partisan lines. This is because there are distinct differences between the philosophies of the parties, and when bills seek in increase the size and scope of the government, Democrats support them and Republicans oppose them. Similarly, when legislation shrinks government, it is often hard to get a Democrat to support it. There are some pieces of legislation, though that will divide Democrats or Republicans, and clearly Senate Bill 670 authored by State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), and advocated by state realtors, is one of those bills. Senator Correa’s bill seek to ban a type of ‘transfer cost’ that is starting to become more prevalent in home sales. The very short version of what happens is this — a home builder places this transfer cost (or fee) on the original deed, requiring that some small percentage of the purchase price (typically one percent or less) be paid to the builder at the time of sale, and perhaps what is most unusual, and disturbing to most, is that… Read More

Reports from the College Republican convention write that Ryan Clumpnerwon the spirited campaign220-82….and that all of his down ticket slate members won by similar margins.

"After serving under our last two Chairman as Executive director and a hard fought campaign over the last few months, I am honored to have been chosen to lead CCR as Chairman. I’m looking forward to expanding on our aleady successful progams, starting new clubs in targeted areas, and fighting the left on campuses throughout the state… this is your movement, this is your organization, and this is your victory" Ryan Clumpner

Congratulations, Mr. Clumpner, and cheers to the College Republicans for the hard work they have given the Republican Party and its candidates over the last several years.… Read More

In 1978, Chicago Tribune political columnist Mike Royko coined the moniker "Governor Moonbeam” to describe then-California Governor Jerry Brown. "Governor Moonbeam" would become part of the national political lexicon to permanently refer to Jerry Brown and his quirky and often strange behavior as an elected official and perennial political candidate (Jerry Brown would often stand for election to offices of which he had no chance to win).

Out of elective office for 15 years, Brown rediscovered success in 1998 with his surprising victory in an open seat for the mayor of Oakland, Jerry Brown’s adopted hometown. The mayoral victory in one of the nation’s most Democratic and liberal cities suggested that Brown was in the beginning stage of a political comeback.

Last year, Jerry Brown – a figure whose eight-year governorship frequently drew the ire of law enforcement organizations due to his multiple vetoes of tough-on-crime legislation… Read More