Archives

2.18.2009
Could Be A New Speed Record

Could Be A New Speed Record

No cobwebs on newly elected Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth of Murrieta. Elected to the post late February 17 or early February 18, the invitation below was e-mailed to lobbyists before 3 pm. 

However by 4:40 pm, Hollingsworth determined that there might be a teensy bit of bad press from his first official act being to hold a $1,000-a-person fundraiser and postponed the event.    Read more »

More

2.18.2009
On a Lighter Note: A Rather Unique Menu Item

On a Lighter Note: A Rather Unique Menu Item

(Editor’s Note: This taste treat appears to have not yet immigrated to the United States but its only a matter of time. Lest there’s some doubt about the subject, the one English word on the top part of the page is a clue. For the full woof and tweeter, click on Square 4.)    Read more »

More

2.18.2009
Guest Post:  Proposed Budget Theme Song

Guest Post: Proposed Budget Theme Song

(Editor’s Note: A reader suggests the following, somewhat dark Tom Waits tune as the best candidate. Lyrics below:) 

I‘d sell your heart to the junkman baby For a buck, for a buck If you’re looking for someone to pull you out of that ditch You’re out of luck, you’re out of luck

Ship is sinking The ship is sinking The ship is sinking

There’s a leak, there’s a leak in the boiler room The poor, the lame, the blind Who are the ones that we kept in charge?    Read more »

More

2.18.2009

Going Over the Cliff

A reader wonders where exactly the cliff is located the state is allegedly going over. How far is the drop? What is at the bottom?

Will someone be “thrown under the bus” in the process?

 

   Read more »

More

2.17.2009
Budget Vote Trading

Budget Vote Trading

California Penal Code Section 86 is explicit about the legality of a lawmaker trading their vote for some other action: 

“Every Member of either house of the Legislature, or any member of the legislative body of a city, county, city and county, school district, or other special district, who asks, receives, or agrees to receive, any bribe, upon any understanding that his or her official vote, opinion, judgment, or action shall be influenced thereby, or shall give, in any particular manner, or upon any particular side of any question or matter upon which he or she may be required to act in his or her official capacity, or gives, or offers or promises to give, any official vote in consideration that another Member of the Legislature, or another member of the legislative body of a city, county, city and county, school district, or other special district shall give this vote either upon the same or another question, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years and, in cases in which no bribe has been actually received, by a restitution fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).     Read more »

More

2.17.2009
Three Little Words

Three Little Words

Majority-vote budget. 

If the huckstering of the President’s Day Weekend demonstrated anything at all, it’s that the majority party should be able to pass the budget it considers best for California. 

If its awful the governor, should he or she be of a different political party, can slice-and-dice it through the miracle of the veto process.     Read more »

More

2.13.2009
A Nicely Articulated Budget “No” Vote

A Nicely Articulated Budget “No” Vote

 

(Editor’s Note: The following is a well-conceived statement released February 13 by Sen. Bob Dutton, a Rancho Cucamonga Republican. It outlines why he won’t be voting for the current proposed budget which, incidentally, the California Chamber of Commerce, a traditional GOP ally, has urged lawmakers to support. Of note, is Sen.    Read more »

More

2.12.2009
Major Mamey Mamacita

Major Mamey Mamacita

Lalo’s is epic for several reasons. Starting with the karmic:

Xochitl Arellano and I must have loved in another life. It’s too kismet, too comfy, too cool.

Prior to Lalo’s, my knowledge of Xochitl’s life is largely bio greatest hits: former Capitol reporter for Univision, now press secretary for Sen. Gil Cedillo and the Legislature’s 26-member Latino caucus.    Read more »

More

2.12.2009
Say That Again?

Say That Again?

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

More

2.11.2009
Budget Vote Scheduling

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 »

More