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10.15.2010
If Proposition 27 Fails, a Redistricting Commission Is Near

If Proposition 27 Fails, a Redistricting Commission Is Near

Proposition 27 on the November ballot would eliminate a 14-member citizens commission, approved by voters as Proposition 11 in November 2008, that’s charged with drawing the district lines for California’s 80 Assembly seats and 40 Senate seats.

Propositon 27 was placed on the ballot by the California congressional delegation which would have its lines drawn by the commission if voters approve Proposition 20, also on the November ballot.    Read more »

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10.14.2010
In The Interest of Furthering Political Discourse…

In The Interest of Furthering Political Discourse…

Jon Fleischman of the Flash Report disagrees with the conclusions of a recent California’s Capitol post about Assemblymen Ted Gaines and Roger Niello who are two of the four candidates running in a special election for the 1st Sente seat, left vacant by the death of Dave Cox in July.

Here’s Jon’s view.    Read more »

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10.13.2010

Thank You Don Pardo and Welcome to Slater Mailer Challenge

Yes, it’s that time again. Another exciting round of  Slate Mailer Challenge where lucky contestants count the asterisks and win!

Today’s first challenge comes from “Leadership for California” prepared, the small print informs, by “California Voter Guide, not an official political party organization.” Nonetheless, the back page says it is a “Voting Guide for Republicans.”    Read more »

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10.12.2010
This Just In — Legislative Analyst Still Tepid About the Budget

This Just In — Legislative Analyst Still Tepid About the Budget

The Legislative Analyst’s assessment of the budget signed October 8 on the 100th day of the fiscal year for which dictates spending, has not changed in its updated summary of the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

This new version however includes the $963 million vetoed by Gov.    Read more »

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10.12.2010
Behind the Wheel of That Town-car. Isn’t that? Couldn’t Be.

Behind the Wheel of That Town-car. Isn’t that? Couldn’t Be.

While Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman duke it out to become California’s 39th governor, the 35th occupant of the state Capitol’s so-called “horseshoe” could care less.

He’s more worried about air in the tires and gas in the tank of his way-over-100,000-miles-and- probably-closer-to-200,000-miles-on-the-odometer town car because it has to get him and his wife across the country to Virginia.    Read more »

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10.11.2010

A Fishy Mailer That Smells Like Its Been in the Sun Too Long

This is a recent mailing from Andy Pugno, a GOP candidate for the 5th Assembly Distract, a seat from which Roger Niello is forced out because of term limits. Pugno, a lawyer and previously counsel for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign, is a former legislative staffer. His Democratic opponent, Dr.    Read more »

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10.11.2010
State’s September Receipts $1.1 Billion Above May Estimates

State’s September Receipts $1.1 Billion Above May Estimates

SACRAMENTO — Receipts for September were above the Governor’s May Revision estimates by $1.1 billion, or 15.3 percent, State Controller John Chiang reported October 11.

Corporate taxes were up $378.7 million — 46.1 percent — and sales taxes came in $60 million — 2.9 percent — above estimates. Personal income tax receipts were 22 percent above estimates, $732.9 million, although that increase is likely the result of accelerated payments caused by recent changes to the tax deadlines, rather than a sign of a significant upturn in the economy.    Read more »

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10.08.2010
The Legislative Analyst on California’s New Budget — Hate it!

The Legislative Analyst on California’s New Budget — Hate it!

It’s official.

In the Legislative Analyst’s  initial eight-page summary of the budget approved by lawmakers in the early hours of the 100th day of the fiscal year it’s supposed to dictate spending for, the conclusion is that the package is unlikely to balance and certainly won’t improve the state’s chronic gap between spending commitments and revenue.    Read more »

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10.08.2010
California’s Capitol Now Following wantedcalgov1 on Twitter

California’s Capitol Now Following wantedcalgov1 on Twitter

The decision was based solely on this tweet addressed to GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman:

“You&Jerry are disgusting. You both are Goldman Sachs Pig Demons.”

-30-    Read more »

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10.08.2010

In the 1st Senate Seat Race, Leadership Is As Leadership Does (Click More)

In the recent mailer from Assemblyman Ted Gaines, a Roseville Republican, Gaines says in the third paragraph that California lacks “leaders willing to make tough decisions, stand up to the special interests and do what’s right.”

California can be fixed — presumably not like a pet dog or cat — through “leadership and common sense,” says Gaines, who seeks elevation to state Senate District 1 formerly occupied by the late Dave Cox, also a Republican.    Read more »

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