And If They Don’t Pass a Budget, Taunt Them A Second Time

State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Urges State Legislature and Governor to Pass Budget Budget Impasse Forcing Some State Child Care Centers to Close

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today reports that state-funded child care centers, already burdened by severe cutbacks over the past few years, are now bearing the brunt of the current state budget stalemate.    Read more »

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Legislature and Governor About to Set a Dubious Record

Thursday September 16 will be the 78th day of the current fiscal year without a budget.

That’s just over two and one-half months, almost a full quarter, without a spending plan in place.

It’s also a record for California’s 160 years of statehood.

Previously, the longest budget stalemate lasted 77 days into the fiscal year.    Read more »

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Attention Golfers: Democrats Have a Foursome Just for You

(Editor’s Note: A pricey one but a foursome nonetheless.)

-30-    Read more »

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Somewhat Reminiscent of Chuck Devore’s Solicitation Letters

Dear XXXX,

Over the past 24 hours, thousands of people have watched the Boxer campaign’s first TV ad, and the response has been tremendous!

But to keep our new ad running as far and wide as possible, we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising an extra $200,000 for our media fund before midnight Sunday.    Read more »

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Will Young Skiers and Snowboarders Don Helmets in 2011?

Skiers and snowboarders under 18 years of age would join bicyclists under the same age and be required to wear helmets under a bill awaiting action by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Failure to obey the law could lead to a fine of up to $25 levied against the child’s parents.

Supporters offer the same arguments as those who backed the 1993 measure requiring bike helmets for non-adult riders and the 1992 law mandating helmets for all motorcyclists: Helmets reduce injury.    Read more »

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What Happens When The Two Bills Below Are Acted On?

State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Urges Governor to Sign ?Education Funding Bills Into Law Before Going on Asia Trade Mission

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today urged Governor Schwarzenegger to sign into law Senate Bill (SB) 847 and Assembly Bill (AB) 185 before he leaves the state tomorrow to embark on a trade mission to Asia.    Read more »

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September 11, Chinese Time, is the 72th Day of the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1 for Which No Budget Has Been Enacted

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Governor Considers Bill That Would Prohibit Marijuana Dispensaries from Being Located 600 Feet from Schools

Medical marijuana buyers’ clubs and dispensaries would be prohibited from being within 600 feet of public or private school under legislation on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.

Through local zoning ordinances, cities and counties already have the ability to restrict where various types of establishments are located. Los Angles, for example, faces court challenges over an ordinance that took effect in June that will close 439 marijuana collectives and forbids any remaining ones to be located within 1,000 feet of a school or another dispensary.    Read more »

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September 3 is the 65th Day of the New Fiscal Year. The Legislative Session is Over. No Budget Has Been Approved

The Assembly and the Legislature did manage to pass 772 bills in the final days of the session, 423 of which have already reached the governor who has until the end of the month to act on them.

In fairness, the Legislature couldn’t pass a bill to ban single-use plastic bags, either.    Read more »

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This Was the Assessment of One Senate Debate Combatant

Dear XXXX,

I just left the St. Mary’s campus in Moraga after my debate with Carly Fiorina. And let me tell you something: I feel great!

Tonight’s debate showed what a clear choice the people of California have in this election.

It’s a choice between someone who’s fighting for jobs, day in and day out, right here in America — versus someone who, when she had her chance, laid off 30,000 employees and shipped jobs overseas.    Read more »

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