Say That Again?

“If the Starbucks crowd likes it then its not my cup of tea.”    Read more »

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Budget Vote Scheduling

Attention: Editors & Interested Media

Budget Vote Scheduling

— For Planning Purposes Only — 

As you know, because of the two-thirds vote needed for passage of a state budget, the “aye” votes of at least three Republicans in both the Assembly and the Senate will be required. Tax increases, temporary and/or permanent, will be part of the budget package.     Read more »

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What About That Pesky Public’s-Right-to-Know Thing?

The Democratic leaders of the Legislature claim there will votes within days on the floors of the California State Assembly and Senate on a spending package that is supposed to close a $42 billion chasm between state revenues and spending commitments.

The proposal contains well more than $10 billion in tax increases and, potentially upwards of $20 billion in spending reductions that affect homecare workers, the developmentally disabled, welfare recipients, school children and the state’s poorest aged, blind and disabled population.    Read more »

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Reflections on Inaugurations Past and Present — By Jerry Waldie

Like millions of viewers, I marveled at the excellence of the Inaugural celebration of President Obama. Every moment seemed unique and positive.

Not all such celebrations in which I had personally participated while in Washington, D.C. have had a similar positive effect on me. I do not recall any particular moment of President Nixon’s first Inauguration — though it certainly was not viewed by the huge numbers President Obama’s ceremony attracted.    Read more »

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Some Facts to Consider

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the 10 most commonly spoken languages in California, by percentage of population usage, are: 

English………………..60.5%

Spanish……………….25.8%

Chinese…………………2.6%

Tagalog…………………2.0%

Vietnamese…………….1.3%

Korean………………….0.9%

Armenian……………….0.5%

Japanese……………….0.5%

Persian………………….0.5%

German…………………0.5% 

French is 11th.

The census also found that more than 40 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home.    Read more »

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Hearing It Once Is Too Often

On behalf of lobbyists everywhere, put an end to this fundraiser phrase which too often is the opening gambit rather than the coda:

“Max out.”

     Read more »

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Save the California Conservation Corps

That’s what the four governors who preceded Arnold Schwarzenegger — two Democrats and two Republicans — are urging the GOP governor to do. 

Schwarzenegger’s budget released December 31 would eliminate the state conservation corps July 1, to save $17 million, a fraction of the state’s $42 billion budget shortfall. Its responsibilities would be transferred to local corps.    Read more »

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All Politics Are Local

“I appreciate the Democrats fighting the good fight on state worker furloughs but my commute this morning was never easier.”

                                             — A non-furloughed downtown Sacramento worker     Read more »

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Deja Vu All Over Again

For the second time in its 60-year history, California’s unemployment insurance fund is insolvent – this time in a big way. 

In 2004, a $214 million loan from the federal government coupled with an improved economy pulled the fund out of the red and allowed benefits to continue to be paid to out-of-work Californians.     Read more »

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Memo to Budget Negotiators

To: Legislative and Gubernatorial Budget Negotiators 

From: Concerned Citizenry 

 Much has been said by each of you about the severity and magnitude of California’s estimated $42 billion budget gap. 

While $42 billion is a hefty chunk of change it represents the difference between revenue and spending commitments – if no cuts or tax increases are enacted — as of June 30, 2010, a little less than 18 months from now.     Read more »

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