California Consumer Affairs Cabinet Secretary Rosario Marin Resigns

Sent: Thu Mar 05 15:31:32 2009 Subject: Thank you

Dearest Cabinet Colleagues,

I have given my all for this job and I believe I have held myself to the utmost level of integrity and professionalism. I truly believe in Governor Schwarzenegger and I have made it my goal to see his policies and his agenda move this great state forward.    Read more »

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Young People

(Editor’s Note: We note, regrettably, some disturbing behavioral trends in our chief correspondent as he approaches the age of 50. We have received reports of obsessive garage cleaning, uncontrollable weeping during Hallmark Card commercials and, as evidenced here, a disturbing fixation on youth. A letter has been placed in his personnel file.)    Read more »

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A Look Back — And Ahead to the May 19 Election

The conventional wisdom on special elections held in odd-numbered years is that turnout will be lower and comprised mainly of high propensity voters who tend to be older, white and monied.

“A special election is a wild card because voter turnout could be significantly lower and oriented toward older and more conservative voters,” Mark Baldassare, Public Policy Instute of California’s president and pollster tells California’s Capitol.     Read more »

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California’s Capitol Press Credential Request

March 2, 2009 

Governor’s Press Office, State Capitol

Press Corps Credentialing Coordinator: 

It is with some trepidation that we request a credential for our chief correspondent.  While Mr. Lucas does write frequently about the governor and his policies, it is most commonly in an unctuous and ill-informed manner. 

This has led to a bevy of reprimands in his personnel file and frequent reader complaints.     Read more »

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A Few Puzzlers…

Why is it people so often say “the Ukraine” instead of simply Ukraine? Is it common to hear someone say “the Senegal,” “the India” or “the Honduras?” 

It happens to Netherlands, too. And, although not a country, myriad.

An “a” in front of myriad is wildly redundant since, quoting the Free On-Line Dictionary,myriad is defined as “a large indefinite number.”    Read more »

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Take “In The Loop” Out of the Loop

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Exorcise Monetize

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Oh, Acting Governor…

MEMO 

TO: Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi 

FROM:California’s Capitol 

As you know, you are the acting governor while Governor Schwarzenegger is out of the state. Out of the country, actually. He’s in Germany – the Hannover Fair Grounds today to be exact. Or so his schedule says.  He will be there at least through Tuesday.     Read more »

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A Chat With State Treasurer Bill Lockyer

CC: Is this budget deal a permanent solution to the chronic gap between spending commitments and revenue 

BL: No. It’s far short of that. The long-term gap represents about 4 percent of the general fund which in a normal year can be closed. This was a particularly bad year. And when bigger tax increases or deeper program cuts become unpalatable people borrow, which we’ve continued to do each year.    Read more »

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California Unemployment Rate Rises to 10.1%

SACRAMENTO – California’s unemployment rate was 10.1 percent in January, and nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 79,300 during the month, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) from two separate surveys. 

The U.S. unemployment rate also increased in January to 7.6 percent. 

In December, the state’s unemployment rate was a revised 8.7 percent, and in January 2008, the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.    Read more »

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