Governor Launches California Green Corps

“We will utilize federal economic stimulus funds and public-private partnerships to help stimulate our economy while initiating actions to improve our environment,” Governor Arnold Schwarzengger said of the new program in a press release.

“Green jobs are exactly what our economy and environment need right now – and the California Green Corps targets that need while helping at-risk young adults realize a brighter future.”     Read more »

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Life Is Full of Rich Irony

March 16, 2009 — Capitol Morning Report states that former Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton, a San Francisco Democrat, has received the endorsement of the Computer and Internet Caucus in his quest to become the next chair of the California Democratic Party. 

As reported here previously, Burton has traditionally shunned the Internet and does not own a computer.    Read more »

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Bodacious Brunch at Venita Rhea’s

Mother Nature savagely snatches away Sunday golf. So brunch is broached with the two other two-legged members of the Lucas family. As to the four-legged members – let them eat cat chow.

Venita Rhea’s is the curiously chosen name, all-day breakfast is the game.

Find out why Venita at venitarheas.com. Randy is Randy Peters who started the place with his wife, Lisa.    Read more »

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New Budget Already $8 Billion Out of Whack — Legislative Analyst Says

Less than one month after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a budget aimed at closing a massive $42 billion gap between revenues and spending commitments, the state’s still deteriorating economy will add another $8 billion to the state’s revenue hole between now and June 30, 2010,  according to the Legislative Analyst. 

The Legislative Analyst’s assessment of the state’s fiscal outlook also says that because several of the key provisions of the recently enacted budget are short term, budget gaps will continue, growing to $12.6 billion in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and climbing to $26 billion in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2013.    Read more »

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February Cash Collections — $1 Billion Below Estimates

As reported here previously,  State Controller John Chiang’s February cash report shows revenues $1 billion below projections.    Read more »

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The More Things Change…

Still true. Still being said — with almost identical words. Circa 1962.

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Welcome To The Court

(Editor’s Note: It was a gold, desktop, battery-powered grasshopper oil derrick that, when switched on, bobbed up and down. At the time, such derricks were atop Signal Hill in Long Beach. Just under 32 months after this letter was written, in November 1986, voters removed Bird and two other justices from the court.    Read more »

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California Ineligible for More Than $10 Billion in Federal Stimulus Funds

Of the $31 billion in federal economic stimulus money California could receive over the next three fiscal years, it is ineligible for nearly one-third because of a change made in this year’s budget affecting eligibility for Medi-Cal, the state’s health care program for the poor. 

Were it eligible, the state would pocket $8.3 billion of the more than $10 billion in increased federal Medi-Cal funds available to California, allowing it to reduce general fund costs for the program.    Read more »

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Whole Lotta Prisons Goin’ On

Freshman GOP Assemblyman Danny Gilmore knows prisons. The retired California Highway Patrol assistant chief should. Seven of the state’s 33 prisons are located in the 30th District. That’s 21 percent of California’s prisons, for those keeping score at home.

The district – 6.3 percent of southern Fresno, all of Kings, 11 percent of western Tulare and 31 percent of northern Kern counties – is home to Avenal State Prison, Wasco State Prison, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California State Prison and California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility/State Prison in Corcoran and the Kern Valley State Prison and North Kern State Prison, both in Delano.    Read more »

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California To Receive $31 Billion In Federal Economic Stimulus

A new report by the Legislative Analyst says that of the $787 billion committed nationwide, California will get over $31 billion over three years to help close budget gaps and increase existing state spending in several areas, including education and health care.

There’s also the potential for billions more in competitive grants, the report says.    Read more »

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