The Bribery of Vote-Trading

“A method of legislative bribery not yet reached by the criminal statutes is that of vote-trading; a form of intimidation not yet defined in the codes is that of threatening a legislator with defeat of his important measures to force him to vote against his convictions.

“Eventually both these corrupt practices will be properly classified, both in public opinion and the law,.    Read more »

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You Don’t Say…

“Back of the ineffectiveness of our legislative system is the indifference of the public.

“The Legislature continues ineffective for precisely the same reason that at the special election — at which measures of the greatest importance to the state were voted upon — out of a registration of approximately 1,250,000 only 260,000 voted.”    Read more »

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Why Don’t You Go Foie Gras Yourself!

(Editor’s Note: It is always a pleasure for California’s Capitol to showcase the erudition and linguistic élan of former Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton, who now heads the state Democratic Party. While background on the issue which is the subject of the missive below isn’t  necessary to appreciate the contents, here’s a synopsis:)

In 2004, a bill by Burton — SB 1520 — was signed into law which said that, effective July 1, 2012, it was illegal for birds including, but not limited to, a duck or goose to be forced to “consume more food than a typical bird of the same species would consume voluntarily” in order to enlarge their liver “beyond normal size.”    Read more »

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California’s Population is Now Almost 37.7 million

California’s population grew by almost 251,000 new residents in 2011 – a 0.7- percent growth rate – to total 37,679,000 as of this January 1st, according to a new population report released May 1 by the Department of Finance.

The City of Los Angeles, California’s largest city, has a population of 3,825,297.    Read more »

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Happy Belated Birthday Governor Young!

Governor Clement Calhoun Young, born April 28, 1869, was an English teacher at Lowell High School in San Francisco before he entered politics.

His January 1927 inaugural address and two lengthy biennial messages to lawmakers in 1929 and 1931 reflect both his professorial background and his political experience.

Young, a Republican, is California’s last “Progressive” governor.    Read more »

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Can Carri Bring Him Around?

Bernadette Del Chiaro of Environment California, Steven Greenhut of CALWATCHDOG and Communications Strategist Carri Cummings-Ziegler on “Politics on Tap”    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Is How Long Most Lawmakers Served Before Term Limits Took Effect

Ad Multus Annos

“For Many Years”    Read more »

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Pet Lovers License Plate Advocates Win a Reprieve

Gov. Jerry Brown gave spay and neuter advocates an extra year to get 7,500 Californians to buy a “Pet Lover’s” license plate.

The Democratic governor signed legislation April 26 giving Social Compassion in Legislation, a non-profit trying to reduce pet overpopulation, more to reach the 7,500 minimum number of orders before the Department of Motor Vehicles will being stamping what it calls “special interest” license plates.    Read more »

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Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told*

(From the “Bad Headlines” File.)    Read more »

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Legislative Analyst Says April Revenues $2 Billion Short, Budget Hole Climbs to $12 Billion

April tax collections will fall at least $2 billion short of estimates, worsening the state’s already $10 billion budget hole by a like amount, legislative budget writers said April 25.

The Legislative Analyst says that by April 30 tax revenues for the fiscal year that began July 1 will be $3 billion short of projections.    Read more »

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