From the “Life Is Full of Rich Irony” File…

A sandwich board outside the entrance to the California Musuem at 10th and O Streets in Sacramento touts one of its current exhibits:

“Riding Concrete – Skateboarding in California.”

The exhibit is curated by Nathan Pratt, Z-Boy and co-star of “Dogtown & Z-Boys,” a 2001 documentary about the 1970s Zephyr Competition skateboarding Team, known as the Z-boys.    Read more »

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Of Vetoes, Free Speech and Funeral Picketing

 One of the benefits of Gov. Jerry Brown’s self-penned veto messages is that they open small windows into his personality.

In one such missive, the Democratic governor expresses regret that he can’t sign a bill making it a misdemeanor to picket funerals within one hour before the funeral begins and one hour after it concludes.    Read more »

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A lively September “Politics on Tap”  with Ray Sotero, Communications Director for Sen. Ted Lieu; Dale Debber, Publisher of Workers’ Comp Executive; and Scott Lay, President of the Community College League of California.    Read more »

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Jerry Brown on Adoption

“Current law allows the courts in cases of necessity and good and compelling cause to make available information regarding the birth of children who have been adopted.

“This bill would radically change the law to require when both an adopted person and the natural parent each request from the Department of Health information with respect to identity of the other that a meeting will be arranged between the two without any requirement of just cause, without any notification to the adoptive parents and without any judicial review.    Read more »

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Truly…

“Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.”                                            — G. K. Chesterton    Read more »

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Sound Advice on Speechifying…

 “I have read all presidential speeches on both sides up to now and the winner is the man smart enough to not make any more. There is a great chance for a ‘silent’ third party.” 

“There is not a voter in America that 24 hours after any speech was made could remember two sentences in it.”    Read more »

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Dr. Linda Halderman and Medi-Cal

In her official biography, Assemblywoman Linda Halderman says she closed the doors of her Selma medical practice that she opened in 2003 primarily because of the low reimbursement rate by Med-Cal, the state’s health care system for the poor.

Sixteen miles south east of Fresno, Selma, population 22,846, is 78 percent Latino with a median income of $43,683 – nearly $16,000 lower than the statewide median.     Read more »

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A Closer Look at the One ‘Job Killer’ Bill Signed by Jerry Brown

Of the five bills branded “job killers” by the California Chamber of Commerce that reached his desk, Gov Jerry Brown signed one.

The bill prevents employers – except financial institutions – from using a credit report to determine whether to hire or promote someone.

Exceptions to the prohibition include managerial slots, peace officers and positions involving access to money or confidential information.    Read more »

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Truly, a Vintage Jerry Brown Veto Message

“I am returning Asembly Bill 4055 without my signature. 

“This bill requires the Energy Commission to create a 20-member advisory commission. One Energy Commission is enough.” 

     — September 30, 1976    Read more »

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The State of the State’s Economy is Sluggish, Brown Administration Reports

The important budget news in the state Department of Finance’s September bulletin isn’t that the California took in $62 million less than expected and is now $654 million below forecast for the fiscal year that began July 1.

Being short revenue is one of many considerations influencing whether spending cuts approved as part of the budget deal in June of up to up to $2.5 billion – more than 75 percent falling on public schools — will be imposed beginning on the first of next year.    Read more »

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