Change in the Law Governing the Scattering of Cremated Remains at Sea

Cremated remains destined for scattering at sea cannot be transferred to a “scattering urn” from the original container in which they were stored until seven days before the actual scattering.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed this new law July 10. Sponsored by the California Funeral Directors Association, the legislation attempts to establish a protocol for at-sea ash-scatterings.    Read more »

More

Revenues Up In June, Shortfall During the Last Fiscal Year Smaller, Controller Says

Controller John Chiang released his monthly report July 10 covering California’s cash balance, receipts and disbursements in June and for the complete 2011-2012 fiscal year which showed the state doing better financially than anticipated.

“The fiscal year ended with solid numbers in June – the State’s largest revenue month – but some revenue streams remain weak,” said Chiang in a statement.    Read more »

More

New Law Brings More Bodies to Three Cemetery Districts

The Great Recession has hastened the death of any number of businesses and institutions:

Cemeteries are no exception.

Over the objections of the Cemetery and Mortuary Association, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation July 9 allowing three cemetery districts – two in Shasta County, one in Solano – to bury up to 40 non-residents of each district each year, up to maximum of 400, as a way to raise revenue.    Read more »

More

A Look at Some “Government Efficiencies” in Jerry Brown’s Two Budgets

On page 9 of the Summary of the budget signed by Gov. Jerry brown on June 27, he listed as an accomplishment “eliminating over 50 boards, commissions, task forces, offices and departments.” 

The list below, compiled by Brown’s Department of Finance, shows what’s been eliminated or consolidated. A number of the entities are advisory bodies, whose members are not compensted.    Read more »

More

The Number of On-Time Budgets Since 1977

For those keeping score at home, the Department of Finance maintains this spreadsheet showing the number of on-time budgets since 1977. That period spans the final term of Gov. Jerry Brown’s first two terms as governor and incldues the administrations of George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the 2011 budget signed by, once again, Jerry Brown.    Read more »

More

State Schools Chief Announces More Than 10,000 Students Earn New “State Seal of Biliteracy”

SACRAMENTO—More than 10,000 graduating high school students across California have earned the first state recognition in the nation for achieving proficiency in multiple languages, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced July 5.

The “State Seal of Biliteracy” was established by Assembly Bill 815 — authored by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, a Santa Monica Democrat — to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.    Read more »

More

Brown’s State Reorganization Plan Takes Effect — Tweaks By Lawmakers to Follow

Gov. Jerry Brown’s reorganization plan to reduce the number of state agencies from 12 to 10, took effect July 2 after lawmakers failed to reject it.

The announcement by the Democratic governor came an hour before Senate President Pro tempore Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, told reporters he and other legislators planned to make some changes in the proposal which Brown says streamlines the delivery of services and saves taxpayers money.    Read more »

More

New Silicon Valley Patent Office a Bigger Deal Than It Might Seem

The US government made it official July 2—the Silicon Valley will be home to one of four new satellite patent offices.

A strong bipartisan lobbying campaign has been underway for more than one year by California’s congressional delegation, state lawmakers, Gov. Jerry Brown and, in particular, Lieutenant Gov. Gavin Newsom, to woo the Patent Office into establishing a regional presence somewhere in the Golden State.    Read more »

More

Who Exactly Is Defining “Stability?”

(Lawmakers are scheduled to vote July 2 on a package of measures aimed at bringing relief to homeowners with under-water mortgages. This is the “objective” summary of one of the bills:)

” DIGEST: This bill (SB 900) makes changes to California’s non-judicial foreclosure process to provide stability to California’s statewide and regional economies and housing market by facilitating opportunities for borrowers to pursue loss mitigation options.”    Read more »

More

Sad Day for the GOP and America: Fred Karger Presidential Campaign Ends

“After 2 ½ years of campaigning as a candidate for President of the United States I am officially ending my historic campaign today June 29, 2012. It’s been one hell of a ride, and I want to thank the thousands of people across this country who volunteered, contributed, opened their homes, came to our events and cheered me on.    Read more »

More