From the “Geez, No Irony Here” File…

This is too rich to ignore.

Freshman Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, a Republican, is hosting a breakfast in his district at the Costa Mesa Country Club on Friday August 5 to benefit his 2012 re-election campaign.

For a contribution of $3,900, the maximum allowed under state campaign law, two people can attend eight such breakfasts over two years and any other district events Mansoor choses to throw.    Read more »

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State Fraud Investigators Not Handsomely Rewarded by the Budget

Among the rake offs used to help restore the cash-starved general fund for the fiscal year that began July 1 is $20 million from the Department of Justice that is part of a recent $241 million settlement with Quest Diagnostics involving overcharges to Medi-Cal, the state’s health care program for the poor.    Read more »

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There’s At Least One Thing Gov. Brown and Former Gov. Schwarzenegger Agree On

A legislative attempt to outlaw prohibitions on the use of artificial turf in condominium complexes and planned communities was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown June 15.

Sponsored by the San Diego Water Authority, the bill would have declared any provision in the governing documents of a homeowner’s association, such as the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, precluding use of Astro Turf or other synthetic surfaces unenforceable.    Read more »

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The Cost of Simply Going to Court

It’s not cheap filing a civil case in California, the nation’s largest court system.

For the past five years, fees for probate, family law matters and civil cases have steadily increased.

A few have doubled.

One batch of increases that took effect in 2009 created a revenue stream to pay debt service on bonds for new courthouse construction.    Read more »

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California Place Names: San Quentin — Sans “San” and Avec “San”

Initially Point Quentin, where San Quentin state prison is located, was named for a Miwok Indian warrior named Quentin who was captured there. Quentin fought for Chief Marin.

As it is with San Ramon – first named for Ramon, a local sheepherder – Quentin’s “San” came late.

Saint Quentin is Quintinus, supposedly the son of a Roman senator named Zeno.    Read more »

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Another Spanish Explorer’s Contributions to California Place Names

The 1769 expedition led by Gaspar de Portola from San Diego to Monterey, of which Father Junipero Serra was a member, is responsible for a number of California place names.

Spain was eager to establish missions and outposts in what was then Alta California to avoid the territory being claimed by the English, who had recently taken Canada.    Read more »

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Will California’s Other Deficit Be Eliminated by the Federal Government?

While a new state budget is in place, California has done nothing to eliminate its other deficit – a $10.6 billion-and-climbing hole in the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Insolvent since January 2009 and kept afloat through federal loans, the fund pays weekly benefits of up to 99 weeks to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.    Read more »

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“Government Nannyism” for Nannies and Babysitters?

Opponents call it the ultimate government nannyism legislation because it gives nannies, babysitters and other caregivers overtime, meal breaks and paid vacation benefits.

Irrational and impractical, opponents say of the bill, AB 889 by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat.

Equity and fairness for domestic workers, counter Ammiano and the bill’s backers which include the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.    Read more »

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Every Little Bit Helps — June Tax Collections Above Estimates

State tax collections for June helped move the state toward the $4 billion in additional unexpected revenue the new spending plan is premised on.

June income tax collections were $3.8 billion — $655 million more than the $3.2 billion Gov. Jerry Brown’s Department of Finance predicted the Franchise Tax Board would collect for the month.    Read more »

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State Starts Fiscal Year with A Budget in Place — For a Change

On the last day of the fiscal year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a $120 billion spending plan that he and his fellow Democrats say reduced the state’s chronic ongoing gap between revenues and spending commitments by 75 percent.

The spending blueprint also largely holds state spending on public schools at last year’s levels although some $2.1  billion in payments from the state are deferred.    Read more »

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