More of Hal Holbrook Bringing California’s Capitol Masthead Member Mark Twain to Life    Read more »

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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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Today’s Latin Lesson Is a Treasured Occurence in the Capitol

Silentium Altum

“Deep Silence”

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All Too True…

“Hatred plays the same part in government as acids in chemistry.”

–Winston Churchill, 1929    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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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 505

On Machiavelli:

“The Prince is concerned to discover, from history and from contemporary events, how principalities are won, how they are held and how they are lost. Fifteenth century Italy afforded a multitude of examples, both great and small.

“Few rulers were legitimate; even the popes, in many cases, secured election by corrupt means.    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Describes How Often Lawmakers Talk

Haud Longis Intervallis

“At Frequent Intervals”    Read more »

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Another “Politics on Tap” Conversation with Kim Belshe, Sen. Mimi Walters and Steve Smith    Read more »

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