Judge Refuses to Block $2.3 Billion Sale of 11 State Buildings

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Another Tidbit About the State’s Sale of 11 Office Buildings

One of the principals of Antarctica Capital Real Estate, a group of investors who banded together to bid on the state office buildings, is Rich Mayo. This is the sixth paragraph of his biography at Spyglass Realty Partners, the firm he heads:

“As an appointee of former Governor Pete Wilson, Rich was responsible for overseeing the privatization of the State of California’s 35 million square foot real estate portfolio.    Read more »

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More Information On Who Is Buying 11 State Office Buildings

Besides the two principal partners slated to purchase 11 state office buildings – some 7 million square feet – for $2.3 billion, there are an additional nine equity investors involved in the deal.

In assessing the bid of Antarctica Capital Real Estate, an entity formed to bid on the buildings, and Houston-based Hines Interests, the state focused mainly on a simple determination of whether the team of investors was able to come up with the $2.3 billion.    Read more »

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E-Mail Salvoes Volleyed by State GOP And Democratic Parties

This missive from State Democratic Party Chair John Burton started the exchange:

As might be predicted, Repubicasns expressed some umbrage over being likened to international terrorists. Their response:

(Editor’s Note: Imagine the tone of these two e-mails if California wasn’t basking in the Era of Post-Partisanship.)

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Signage for Sale — A New Twist on Public-Private Partnership

California motorists could be urged to tank up at Chevron, use parts from Napa Auto, shop at Office Depot or upgrade their Mac under a proposal by Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger to allow advertising on the changeable message signs lining the state’s freeways.

The idea is one of the GOP governor’s proposals to erase the current fiscal year’s estimated deficit of $6 billion.    Read more »

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Maria Shriver’s Statement on the Death of Elizabeth Edwards

“Arnold and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Elizabeth Edwards. My heart goes out to her loving family.

Elizabeth was a mighty warrior, and I’ve long admired her courage, her compassion and her personal quest for truth. She was a public servant, a dedicated mother, a tireless advocate and a loyal friend.    Read more »

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In Session for One Day, the Legislature Introduces 131 Bills

Although the members of the Assembly and Senate were sworn in December 6 and adjourned until January, they did manage to introduce 131 bills before they left the Capitol for the rest of the year.

In the Assembly 58 bills were introduced, eight constitutional amendments and nine measures dealing with the state’s projected $25.4 billion budget hole.    Read more »

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Part of Governor’s Budget Plan Lawmakers Should Enact Soon

In the wake of a projected $25.4 billion budget shortfall if lawmakers do nothing between now and June 30, 2012, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – for the last time – declared a fiscal emergency December 6 and called the Legislature into a special session to deal with the problem.

Schwarzenegger proposed $9.9 billion in actions — $7 billion of them spending cuts — to eliminate the current year’s projected deficit of $6 billion, and whittle down the expected shortfall for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.    Read more »

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Plot Thickens on Proposed Sale of 11 State Office Buildings

Read this article from the Los Angeles Times.    Read more »

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Long Before Avalon, There Was the Martyr Santa Catalina

Some 25 miles off the coast of sunny Southern California is Santa Catalina Island.

It’s another part of the Golden State named after a saint.

And it’s another part of California whose name comes from Spanish General Sebastian Vizcaino’s 1602 to 1603 voyage along the coast to find good moorings for Spanish galleons returning from the Philippines and headed toward final port in Acapulco.    Read more »

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