Fund-raising Memo Obtained By California’s Capitol

TO: Wendy Warfield, Dan Weitzman, Amber Moran, The Bovee Co., AimPoint Inc., Bertolina & Barnato, Inc., McKinley Pillows and other Sacramento Area Fundraisers 

FROM: Greater Sacramento Chamber of Commerce 

RE: Legislative Fundraisers 

First, congratulations on another robust year. It appears from the list we’ve been provided, which is somewhat dated, that there are at least 82 legislative fund-raising events during the final month of the Legislature’s 2009 session – 37 events on August 25th and 26th alone!    Read more »

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No More IOUs

In good news for the California taxpayers and businesses who received $1.5 billion in registered warrants – IOUs – from the state, the state controller and state treasurer announced August 13 that the warrants will be paid back September 4, one month earlier than expected.

The state will seek a $1.5 billion short-term loan to begin redeeming the IOUs.    Read more »

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The Cowboy Code

“The Code…The Past Life. Whatever they’ve been involved with rides along with them.”

                                      — Clint Eastwood on the characteristics of the traditional Western hero    Read more »

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Clearly, Momentum is Moving DeSaulnier’s Way

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2009 Contact: Katie Merrill (510) 883-9780

PEACE ACTION WEST ENDORSES MARK DESAULNIER FOR CONGRESS

OAKLAND, CA – Peace Action West has announced its endorsement of Senator Mark DeSaulnier for Congress in the 10th Congressional District. Peace Action West joins other progressive organizations endorsing Mark DeSaulnier for Congress, including the California League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club.    Read more »

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What Exactly Is An Appropriation?

What is an appropriation?

That is the fundamental issue in the lawsuit filed August 10 by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg seeking to overturn Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto of nearly $500 million in spending in the package of bills designed to close a $26 billion hole in the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.    Read more »

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Chuck and Diane DeVore — Redefining Herculean for the New Millenium

Message from Diane DeVore

Pedal to the Metal

I had quite a bit of feedback on the Father’s Day note which many of you received.

(Editor’s Note: The campaign solicitation was showcased here at California’s Capitol, Diane, as you may recall.)

Some suggested that I write a book about our campaign adventures.    Read more »

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Does John Garamendi Know?

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Sen. Dave Cogdill on Governor Schwarzenegger’s Williamson Act Veto

Senator Dave Cogdill, former Senate GOP Leader from Modesto, sent the following letter August 5 to county supervisors in Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties regarding the Williamson Act:

Dear Local Government Partners:

 With my background as a city council member, I could not support the recent budget package in its entirety because it puts the state’s budget problems squarely on the backs of local governments and only postpones more tough decisions into the future.     Read more »

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August 25 — Early Leader in Fundraiser Derby, By a Head

While the Legislature doesn’t return until August 17 — and things can change dramatically before then — it appears that August 25 holds the early lead for day with the most scheduled fundraisers during the final four weeks lawmakers will be in Sacramento this year.

There are 16.

August 26 is a close second at 15, however.    Read more »

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Whither the Williamson Act?

One of the odder victims of the budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Williamson Act which helps keeps farm and ranch lands from being sold and, potentially, developed.

Of the budget’s spending – some $84.6 billion in the general fund – the Williamson Act represents $27.8 million in state payments to reimburse mainly rural counties who offer property tax subsidies to farmers and ranchers.    Read more »

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