Independent Voters a Key Predictor of 2010 Election Results

As the 2010 election year nears, some of the outcome can predicted by examining the views of independent voters.

Independent voters, those who decline to state a party preference are the only growing bloc of voters in California, now representing 20 percent of the state’s 15.7 million registered voters.

Their support is numerically necessary to elect a Republican governor, as Gov.    Read more »

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Governor’s State of the State Speech is Jan. 6; Budget Jan. 8

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Breaking News from the California Department of Food & Ag

Release #08-088 

Media Contact: Steve Lyle, CDFA Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462 

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR SANTA’S REINDEER WAIVED BY STATE VETERINARIAN

 Reindeer cleared to land in California

 SACRAMENTO – California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer has granted a 24-hour permit waiving all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer slated to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.    Read more »

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A Look at the Complicated Constitutional Convention Plan Likely Headed for the November 2010 Ballot — Part Two

Of competing proposals to call a constitutional convention, “The Call for a Citizen’s Limited Constitutional Convention” is the most likely to appear on next year’s November ballot.

It’s 16, largely single-space, pages detail a complicated and sometimes contradictory methodology for choosing some 465 delegates who would attend a convention with a budget of $95 million that must begin no later than June 3, 2011, exercise limited power to change the constitution and be paid a $95,000 salary until the convention ends, no later than July 1, 2012.    Read more »

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A Look at the Complex Constitutional Convention Plan Likely Headed for the November 2010 Ballot — First of Two Parts

Voters in November 2010 will likely have a chance to vote on an initiative called “The Call for a Citizen’s Limited Constitutional Convention.”

The convention created by the 16-page, largely single-spaced document awaiting approval by the Attorney General before signature gathering can begin, is supported by, among others, Jim Wunderman, president of the Bay Area Council.    Read more »

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There are 45 Initiatives in Circulation — And More Coming

Former Gov. Hiram Johnson, recently posthumously inducted into the California Museum’s Hall of Fame, helped create California’s initiative process to break the stranglehold of the railroads on the state Legislature.

Johnson, a Sacramento native who was governor from 1911 to 1917, is likely spinning in his grave.

As of December 14, there are 45 measures being circulated for voter signatures, another 38 are awaiting titles and summaries by the Attorney General.    Read more »

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AB 32’s Economic Cost Is Far Lower Than “Allowance Value”

   (The following is a response from Larry Goulder, a Stanford University economics professor, regarding the AB 32 allowance value discussed in a previous posting here and the actual economic cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.)

 As chair of the Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee to the California Air Resources Board, I am writing to clarify an issue relating to your recent blog concerning the value of emissions allowances under California’s AB 32.     Read more »

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California’s Next Assembly Speaker Meets With Reporters

John Perez, the unanimous choice of the Democratic majority to be the next speaker of the Assembly met with reporters December 11 and said increasing taxes should be considered as part of a solution to the state’s $20 billion-plus budget shortfall.

Perez, 40, would become California’s first openly gay Assembly speaker when he takes office some time in 2010.    Read more »

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Caltrans Swift At Putting Federal Stimulus Dollars to Work

Caltrans, the state’s Department of Transportation, has been swift in using nearly $1 billion in federal economic stimulus money, already putting out to bid projects using 92 percent of the funds, a recent report by the Legislative Analyst shows.

Transportation agencies for the state’s cities and counties have been slower in spending their $1.6 billion, with less than one-third of their funds out to bid.    Read more »

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Draft Report Assesses Financial and Economic Costs of AB 32

California entities that emit greenhouse gases could pay between $48 billion and $143 billion between 2012 and 2020 as part of the implementation of AB 32, according to a draft report by the California Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee.

The report, Allocating Emissions Allowances under California’s Cap-and-Trade Program, takes a somewhat dimmer view of the impact of the landmark legislation, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, than its champions like Gov.    Read more »

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