Dianne Feinstein to Arnold Schwarzenegger: Go Pound Sand

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein isn’t buying Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s claim in his State of the State speech that the federal government is short-changing California.

The senior senator from California issued what used to be called a “sharply worded” statement to that effect, documented by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Marisa Lagos in a January 6 posting at Capitol Insider.    Read more »

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Key Points From Gov. Schwarzenegger’s State-of-the-State

The governor said the state faces a $19.9 billion deficit — $6.6 billion in the current fiscal year and $13.3 billion for the upcoming budget year. He called on the federal government to pay California the money it is owed and to create more equitable funding formulas.

Schwarzenegger said there is no choice but to cut deeper to close the budget gap but that he will protect education funding, including higher education.    Read more »

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Resources Secretary to be Replaced by Water Resources Head

Resources Agency Cabinet Secretary Mike Chrisman, a veteran of both the Schwarzenegger and Pete Wilson administrations, will step down in February and be replaced with current Department of Water Resources head, Lester Snow, administration sources told California’s Capitol.

Snow’s replacement is said to be Mark Cowin, a deputy director and 25-year veteran of the department, who coordinates efforts to make regions of the state more water self-sufficient.    Read more »

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Letter May Telegraph State-of-the-State and Budget Themes

Some clues as to the themes Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sound January 6 when he gives his sixth – and final – State of the State speech can be found in a December 22 letter he wrote to California’s congressional delegation regarding federal health care legislation.

The contents of the three page letter also may forecast some of the action the GOP governor will propose January 8 in his budget, which must close a roughly $20 billion gap between spending commitments and revenue.    Read more »

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The New Year’s Fundraising Fever — Same As It Ever Was

 Happy New Year!

We hope you will be able to join us for Back to Session Bash 2010 on Monday, January 25th.

Please see the invitation below and let me know if you have any questions about our Program Memberships or 2010 Events. 

 Many thanks and hope to see you soon.    Read more »

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