The Place of “Morality” in Public Policy

Morality can’t be legislated, the timeworn saying goes.

Two initiatives in circulation appear to attempt to do that — without defining what constitutes “moral.”

Like “reform,” morality tends to be in the eye of the beholder.

The two initiatives, which require 504,670 valid signatures before June 11 to qualify for the November ballot, use the word “moral” a total of eight times.    Read more »

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From 1850: A History of California’s First 27 Counties

Among the tasks of lawmakers during California’s first legislative session, which began December 15, 1849, was naming the state’s counties.

Twenty-seven counties were established. Mariposa, for example, was the largest covering one-fifth of the state. Twelve subsequent counties were created in whole or in part out of Mariposa. Some original counties didn’t survive like Branciforte which became Santa Cruz.    Read more »

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Space is Extremely Limited! This Event Will Sell Out!

According to the Secretary of State, AT&T spent $270,001.43 in  2011 hosting the 14th Annual Speaker’s Cup at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay.

The “Ultimate” package — golf for four for two days — was $60,000.

Apparently, the economy is on the mend because the identical package is $65,000 this year.    Read more »

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Political Acts As Well…

“Contemplating any business act, an employee should ask himself whether he would be willing to see it immediately described by an informed and critical reporter on the front page of his local paper; there to be read by his spouse, children and friends.”

        — Warren Buffett    Read more »

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The More Things Change…

As adopted December 19, 1849 – four days into California’s first legislative session – the 6th Rule of the Senate reads:

“No member shall speak to another or otherwise interrupt the business of the Senate or read any newspaper while the journals or public papers are reading and while the President is putting a question, no senator shall walk out of, or across the house, nor while a senator is speaking pass between him and the chair.”    Read more »

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“Looking Forward to Working” for “Real Reform”

Lots of folks have lots to say about Gov. Jerry Brown’s January 18 State of the State speech, which, certainly seemed to generate more comments than the content warranted.

(Lamentably, none of these myriad statements note that the arguable highlight of the speech was use of the adjective “dystopian” in the sixth paragraph to define a certain brand of journalists the governor believes exists.)    Read more »

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California’s Capitol Reacts to Gov. Brown’s 2012 ‘State of Disbelief’ Speech

“Facta non verba.”

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Couldn’t Resist: Gov. Brown Issues Short Statement on Think Long Committee’s Decision

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. released the following statement in response to the Think Long Committee’s decision today to place a long-term tax reform measure on the 2014 ballot: 

“Think Long is doing very important work and I look forward to working with them on the critical issue of more permanent tax reform.”    Read more »

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News Would Have Been If She Got Less Than 100 Percent

HANCOCK RECEIVES 100% RATING IN SUPPORT OF WORKERS

STATE LABOR FEDERATION’S “FORCE FOR PROGRESS” SCORECARD GIVES HANCOCK PERFECT SCORE

 Sacramento — Senator Loni Hancock, an Oakland Democrat, announced January 17 that she has received a perfect score on issues relating to workers’ rights and worker protection from the California Labor Federation.    Read more »

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“…Twisted By Those Who Would Use His Name for Their Own Political Gain.”

(Editor’s Note: Donnelly is a Republican from Hesperia. He was detained and cited at Ontario International Airport on January 4  for trying to board a plane with a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage.)

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