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Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1, Page 306…
Helping to raise $1.8 million for Booker T. Washington and his Tuskegee Institute, at which “students are not merely furnished a book education but are taught 37 useful trades,” the 70-year-old Twain delivers a speech at a Carnegie Hall benefit. Twain wonders aloud what knowledge he can possibly impart that a Tuskegee student would not became aware of as a result of their studies. Read more »
No Compliment But Clearly Said By a Student of the Classics
“Diane Harpy”
— A Legislative Staffer referring to Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, a Laguna Niguel Republican
(Editor’s Note: In Greek mythology a Harpy is a winged creature with a woman’s face. In the Odyssey, they are winds that carry people away. Over time, they evolved into ill-tempered, loathsome, food-stealing monsters. In the lower-case, a harpy is defined as a “harridan” or “shrewish woman.” Read more »
How Many Jobs Do Redevelopment Agencies Actually Create?
According to a report issued December 31, 2010 by the state Controller, California’s 425 redevelopment agencies created 14,723 jobs during the fiscal year running from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
The information is contained in an annual audit of the agencies conducted by Controller John Chiang. The agencies provide him with the information. Read more »
Battle Continues Over the Future of Redevelopment Agencies
A special 10-member, two-house committee began its work February 23 reconciling the differences between spending plans crated by the Senate and the Assembly.
They could be done within days.
Not because an estimated $26 billion gap between state spending commitments and revenue isn’t vexing but because there aren’t many large differences between the two budget plans. Read more »
Senate Wants to Cut Aid to Utility Ratepayers in Budget Plan
Among the strategies employed by the state Senate to close California’s $25.4 billion budget hole is a legally questionable $162 million cut in energy efficiency programs paid for from the Gas Consumption Surcharge Fund.
The fund is created by a fee on residential and commercial users of natural gas.
An annual review of the surcharge is conducted by the Public Utilities Commission, which can then raise or lower the amount. Read more »
The Campaign Site is Up and Debra Bowen Wants More Ideas
If elected to Congress, my top priority will be working to jumpstart our economy. But how do we make sure that happens?
Despite what national Republicans in Washington will tell you, the solution to our current deficit problem isn’t to cut vital services and investments in our future. The best way to balance the nation’s checkbook is to get our economy moving again through job growth and increased economic activity. Read more »
A Little Too Much Heavy Breathing Over Spending on Swag?
(Editor’s Note: Gov. Jerry Brown issued this press release today:)
Governor Brown Eliminates “S.W.A.G” Memo bans state spending on key chains, stress balls, ashtrays, t-shirts and other “freebie” items
SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown’s administration today directed all state agencies and departments to stop spending taxpayer dollars on free giveaway and gift items—such as key chains, coffee mugs and squeeze toys—as part of continuing efforts to cut costs and tackle the state’s budget gap. Read more »
A County Named For the Reeds of a Vanished Lake
Tulare County, officially named such in 1852, owes its origin to Don Pedro Fages, comandante of California and, later, the second Spanish military governor of Las Californias.
Fages, who accompanied Gaspar de Portola on his first and second expeditions to California in 1768 and 1770, was an exacting and short-tempered commander. Read more »
More Debra Bowen — News Would Be If It Wasn’t “Amazing”
Amazing!
Since I announced my candidacy for Congress on Tuesday, grassroots supporters like you have already delivered big time by donating over $13,000 online — making us one of the top 5 “hot pages” on ActBlue almost immediately!
Getting off to a fast start is crucial in a short campaign like this, and this kind of early fundraising success is going to make a real difference. Read more »
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