Archive for August, 2009
August 27, 2009: ECO-Tyranny Protest In Sacramento Tomorrow
Posted by: | CommentsThousands are set to converge on Sacramento Friday to protest California’s radical environmental legislation that has jobs in the state drying up like the water flow from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The “March On Sacramento”, organized by the TEA Party Patriot’s and other groups, will largely focus on A.B. 32 California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. This legislation mandates greenhouse gas emissions return to 1990 levels by 2020, requires businesses to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and a schedule of fee’s paid by “regulated resources” to encourage compliance.
In California we are the canaries in the coal mine and are typically used as a petri dish. Wanna know what Cap ‘n Trade will look like for the nation if passed by Congress? Just look at California’s disastrous legislation. To say A.B. 32 is disastrous for California would be a gross understatement. In the last year alone, California has lost more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs. Businesses have made a mass exodus to other states with less regulation. The full impact of A.B. 32 will cost 1.1 million jobs, a loss of about $5.8 billion in indirect business taxes and $76.8 billion lost labor income. In a state with skyrocketing unemployment and frequent budget deficits we can little afford legislation that forces businesses and jobs out of the state taking much needed tax revenue with them as they go.
There is light at the end of the tunnel: A.B. 118 introduced by Assembly member Dan Logue (R-D3), which if enacted, would repeal the caustic A.B. 32.
If you can make it to Sacramento by all means go, if not you can still take part from home. While Californian’s are at the capital getting the message out loud and clear have your voice heard by calling, faxing and emailing your elected official. Tell them how you feel about California’s ECO-Tyranny legislation and ask them to repeal A.B. 32 by voting YES on A.B 118.
For more info on the event visit www.SAC828.org
AUGUST 20, 2009: Commission On The 21st Century Economy Workshop
Posted by: | CommentsThe details of the 21st Century Economy Commission’s workshop have finally been announced. As you have read here and here, the commission was created by Governor Schwarzenegger and Speaker Karen Bass to “modernize and stabilize” California’s tax system. The workshop’s will take place as usual, 1 in Northern and 1 in Southern California:
August 26, 2009 at 9AM at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco.
August 28th, 2009 at 9AM at UCLA in Los Angeles.
The workshop’s agenda will include panel discussions and public comments. You can find more information as well as the commission’s internal communications and the tax structure options currently being debated on the commission’s State of California website.
AUGUST 12, 2009: Congressman Schiff Brings Health Care “Town Hall” To Alhambra
Posted by: | CommentsLast night in Alhambra, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank/Glendale) hosted a “town hall” meeting on health care. The event was originally supposed to take place in the Community Room inside the Alhambra Civic Center Public Library which would have reportedly held about 200-300. Due to the at least 2,000 in attendance the event was moved outside to the other side of the street.
The town hall was moderated by NBC4’s Dr. Bruce Hensel. On the discussion panel: Dr. Benjamin Chu from Kaiser, Dr. Richard Brown from the UCLA Center for Health Policy and Research, Leeba Lessin from CareMore Health Plan and Jerry Flanagan, a “Health Care Advocate”.
We’ve all watched on the daily rotation of news town hall’s from across the country where citizens address their lawmakers on the current health care bill. Last night in Alhambra was a different story. I went with 2 friends to see it first hand. To say it was an eye opener would be an understatement. In the 2 hours the panel spoke, maybe 2 questions were taken off cards from the audience. There were no microphones for those with questions. No open dialogue between elected official and constituents. This was not a “town hall” but a sales meeting. Schiff was not there to listen, he was their for you to listen if you are not in favor of national health care.
On July 27 the Glendale News-Press published an op-ed written by Schiff detailing his support for “comprehensive health care reform with a robust public option”, which as of yesterday was removed from the Congressman’s own website. Clearly Schiff is an avid supporter of H.R. 3200. Why the need for the dog and pony show?
It sure gave labor unions a chance to show up in full force, who just happened to congregate across the street in the exact spot where the town hall would take place. I guess they got the memo before hand.
Countless politicians and talking heads have said the anger at these town hall’s are manufactured by well organized Astro Turffed-right wing conspiracy-TEA baggers. Yet they fail to mention it is the side in favor of the bill that is well organized. Just look at the pictures from President Obama’s town hall yesterday in New Hampshire and pictures from last night in Alhambra. Supporters of the plan in both town hall’s in different states are wearing the SAME button’s distributed by the SEIU and holding the SAME signs given out by various union’s including the SEIU and the AFL-CIO. Where is the outrage and name calling with the union’s organizing their members? Does that make them raciest and un-american?
We asked one gentleman holding a AFL-CIO/CA School Employee union sign if he was with a union, he told us “yes” and that he was a union rep for the CA School Employee union. We asked if he was being paid to attend he told us he was “paid a salary”. We again asked if he was paid to be there, he said “it’s part of my job”. I am not posting this man’s picture. If you watch footage from the event you will see him with his union sign. This is information he seemed proud to share. This information could have been obtained by any member of the media willing to do their job instead of flinging Astro-Turf allegations at those opposed to the health care bill. Just ask anyone carrying the union/special interest signs or wearing the union/special interest button’s if their in a union, the majority we asked said yes and the one’s that weren’t said they were given them by someone passing them out.
Last night I heard from a lot of people who think health care is a “right” and if you don’t think so you must be “rich”. When challenged none admitted to reading the bill or even knowing what’s in it. They didn’t seem to care how much “free” health care would cost and weren’t concerned with the possibility that our current quality of care could deteriorate. On blogs and in news reports about last night in Alhambra both sides of the issue will tell you they “won” at the town hall. The real victory will come when the bill goes to the floor of the House and Senate for a vote. Which side will come out victorious? Only time will tell.
Does your elected official know where you stand on H.R. 3200?
AUGUST 9, 2009: Because You Asked For It-The Link For H.R. 3200 Health Care Bill
Posted by: | CommentsWith the heated debated surrounding the current health care bill being hammered out in Congress I have received a massive amount of requests for a link to the actual bill.
To access the ENTIRE text of H.R. 3200 America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 log on to the Library Of Congress website then click on the link for “THOMAS” to access the legislative information section of the Library Of Congress. On the THOMAS main page click on the link for “H.R. 3200 America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″, then click on “text of Legislation”. Unfortunately, I have not been able to post a direct link to the bill as it “expires” after a few minutes and is useless.
To read the whole thing would amount to quite an undertaking but since we are demanding our elected officials read the bill, we also need to be informed on it’s contents.
Remember what we learned in the 80’s watching G.I. Joe cartoons…. Knowing is half the battle. Know what’s is HR 3200.
August 6, 2009: Financial Records Are In For The Governor’s Race So Far
Posted by: | CommentsWith over a year to go until the November 2010 elections, gubernatorial candidates are ramping up spending and fund raising. Financial reports are now available for the campaigns on the State of California Secretary of State website for the period of 1/9/09-6/30/09. Here’s the financial score card for each candidate:
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $4,642,884.62
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $1,551,328.73
ENDING CASH: $3,701,993.79
The largest contribution chunk to Poizner’s campaign is $4.2 billion from his own personal funds. $770,000 was spent on campaign consultants and $106,000 spent on Info/Tech/Internet.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $10,813,932.73
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $6,154,146.97
ENDING CASH: $4,962,065.61
Like her primary competition Poizner, Whitman has committed a sizable amount of personal funds, $19 million in total. Other contributions of note include $25,900 from Mitt Romney and $10,000 from Jeffrey Immelt, GE CEO and key member of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board, appointed by President Obama. The bulk of expenditures for the campaign are $2.1 million in campaign consultants and $994,000 in Info/Tech/Internet.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $305,017.02
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $161,274.01
ENDING CASH: $317,381.69
In the money race, Campbell has his work cut out for him. The campaign spent $44,855 on Info/Tech/Internet, $24,000 on employee salaries and $22,000 on consulting.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $1,710,948.71
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $1,521,761.85
ENDING CASH: $1,244,919.85
The list of Newsom’s contributors read like an entertainment trade paper. High dollar donors include actors, writers, producers, studio execs and other Hollywood notables. The most “entertaining” contributions are $10,000 from Ryan Seacrest, $25,000 from Rosie O’Donnell and $15,000 from Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. Most of the campaigns expenditures were $114,000 for Info/Tech/Internet, $62,000 for polling/survey research and $288,000 for consulting. Oh wait….let’s not forget $200 to send thank you flowers to Barbara Streisand for hosting a fundraiser.
Even though he has not officially declared his candidacy for Governor, California Attorney General Jerry Brown is likely going to be Newsom’s Democratic rival. Brown’s 2010 reelection coffers are loaded and every cent can be transferred to a gubernatorial campaign
Democrat Jerry Brown (For Attorney General)
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $3,505,218.18
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1/1/2009 – 06/30/2009: $253,181.37
ENDING CASH: $7,386,669.12
Labor Unions play a large part in Brown’s cash lead over Newsom. While Newsom’s donor list is packed with entertainment types, Brown’s is heavy with unions from as far away as New York and Chicago. The SEIU Local 1000 contributed $6,900 and since it is California there are some celebrities, though not in the quantity as Newsom. Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg each donated $13,000 and Hugh Hefner gave $5,000. Brown has been frugal, only spending $16,000 on Info/Tech/Internet and $9,900 on campaign consultants.
We’ll have to wait and see how the primaries turn to see who will win their spot on the ballot next November. The clear winner in this early stage of the race? Campaign consultants.
August 3, 2009: Tax Commission Having Trouble Seeing Eye To Eye
Posted by: | CommentsLast week we told you about the 21st Century Economy Commission, the 14 member panel charged with overhauling the states tax system. As you know, Governor Schwarzenegger called a legislative special session set for late September for the legislature to act on the commissions final report.
The tricky part is getting the commission to agree on what will make it into the report. The commission is even having trouble reaching a consensus on the topic of “workshops” that will take place for the public on August 26 and 28 in Southern and Northern California. The tax plans being debated include a “new major tax” called the Business Net Receipts tax (BNRT), which is reminiscent of a “value added tax” (VAT), a new carbon tax on fuels, and a flat tax proposal.
The commission does post all of it’s internal communications online which offers insight into their proposals and frequent disagreements. No information has been posted on the planned workshops, we will keep you posted.