Guest Post: An “Interview” with B.T. Collins

AN INTERVIEW WITH B.T. COLLINS 

On March 19, 1993, B.T. Collins died in a Sacramento hospital of a heart attack following a prolonged bout with a series of medical conditions.  He was anything but the average 52-year old who died too young. B.T. was an exceptional person, as anyone who knew him will attest.    Read more »

More

Rumor du Jour: Budget Vote February 3

A budget vote February 3 is the latest rumor du jour rolling through the state Capitol. 

Allegedly the spending reductions – and tax increases – have been agreed to and the focus of continuing budget talks is the shape of the so-called “economic stimulus” legal changes sought by Gov. Schwarzenegger and his GOP allies.     Read more »

More

Meg Whitman Sighting

9:50 a.m., Sacramento, January 28:

The former eBay CEO and GOP governor wanna-be was jay-walking on 10th St. between L  & J Streets heading toward the California Teachers Association World Headquarters.

Not unlike the State Capitol, would one enter those doors voluntarily?

-30-    Read more »

More

Even More Inauguration Observations

From Justin Knighten of Lucas Public Affairs: 

The re-occurring nightmare of blood-chilling weather, coat-check lines and traffic was worth the 10 minuets we stood 15 feet from President Obama and our nation’s First Lady at the Western Region Inaugural Ball. I had the opportunity to experience every moment of this grand trip, from gala to inauguration day, with a good friend – a state Capitol staffer.     Read more »

More

Northern California Bias?

A lobbyist for a large Southern California interest opined recently that Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, stacked his recently announced committee assignments to favor Northern California. 

That would appear to be the case looking at the composition of Senate Appropriations.

Although San Diegan Christine Kehoe is chair, six of the remaining eight Democrats on the 13-member committee represent Northern California districts.    Read more »

More

More Inauguration Observations

From Ann Veneman, former head of the California Department of Food & Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture and now executive director of UNICEF: 

I am so sorry to be slow in responding.  I have been buried the last couple of days as I just got back from Africa on Sunday.     Read more »

More

Schwarzenegger to Appoint New Education Cabinet Secretary

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to name Glen Thomas, a veteran Sacramento educator, as his cabinet secretary for education, administration sources say. 

Thomas, 62, who was executive director of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association for eight years, has held a variety of education posts over a 38-year career including stints helping to shape the state’s curriculum and improve arts education.     Read more »

More

Some Inauguration Observations

From Nancy Miller, Sacramento lawyer and restaurant reviewer:

The transportation went without a hitch whether it was cab, metro or bus…kudos to the planners. The inauguration was unbelievable. The crowds were intense but the sentiments soaring.  Welcome to the new age!

I’m in the Hyatt bar where the California delegation is.    Read more »

More

Proposition 98 and the Budget — Who’s Right?

A central part of this year’s budget negotiations is funding for schools and the intricate workings of Proposition 98, the voter-approved 1988 initiative whose formulas dictate the level of state financial support for public education. 

Gov. Schwarzenegger is proposing schools receive $6.6 billion less during the current school year –  $2.5 billion in actual cuts plus $4.5 billion in deferrals and transfers the administration says are aimed at not harming classroom instruction.     Read more »

More

Mixed Messages

Governor Schwarzenegger’s brief State of the State Speech January 15 focused largely on the need to pass a budget, a deed that can only be accomplished with the aide of the Legislature – particularly a handful of its Republican members. 

Schwarzenegger called on the Legislature to “be courageous” for California. 

“The Legislature is currently in the midst of serious and good faith negotiations to resolve the crisis, negotiations that are being conducted in the knowledge we have no alternative but to find agreement,” the GOP governor said.     Read more »

More