Not Good

California’s unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent in July, the state Employment Development Department announced August 21.

The United States unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent in July. 

In June, the state’s unemployment rate was 11.6 percent. In July of last year, the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent. 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this:

“These numbers indicate that we must do everything possible to get California moving forward again.    Read more »

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Predictable Prison Bill Outcome

Predictable. Almost on every level.

The budget-related measure reducing state prison spending by $524 million was approved by the Senate August 20. Predictable. All 15 Republicans voted against it – predictable — and, given the length of the debate over the already foregone conclusion of the bill’s passage, it felt like all 15 rose to speak against the bill too.    Read more »

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Prison Spending Cuts Pose a Political Problem and, Therefore, a Math Problem

The budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, assumes that state prison spending will be reduced by nearly $1.2 billion – but doesn’t say how more than $631 million of that savings will be achieved.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says only that it will be accomplished by new policies – “reforms” — that will lower inmate and parolee populations.    Read more »

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Old News About California’s Water Woes

At the first informational hearing on water and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta August 18, lawmakers heard a lot of things that have been said to them — and by them — for a long time.

Former Assemblyman, now lobbyist, Phil Isenberg told the joint hearing of the Assembly and Senate water committees that “if you do something significant, a lot of people will be mad at you.”    Read more »

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One Reason a Delta Solution is So Elusive

(Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, August 18, in the 159th year of California’s water wars, amid the dust of a three-year drought, the first of three special hearings by the Senate and Assembly’s water committees is scheduled.

The purpose is to find areas of accord between the myriad water interests, which include farmers, environmentalists, irrigation districts, cities, counties, utilities, the federal government, the state and Native Americans.    Read more »

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The Indignities of Turning 50

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An Interesting Fundraising Appeal

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A Look at the July Budget Package “Assumptions”

While not rivaling Clive Cussler, James Patterson or Ian Fleming for pacing or excitement, the Legislative Analyst Office’s appraisal of the budget package signed July 28 is worth perusing – if only to note the number of times the word “assumes” appears.

The package of bills which include eliminating automatic cost-of-living increases in state programs aimed at helping the poor and infirm, were an attempt to close an estimated $24 billion hole in the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.    Read more »

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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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