Archive for CA Political News
OCTOBER 1, 2009: Governor Moonbeam Makes It Official
Posted by: | CommentsWell…it’s official. After many months of speculation California Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown has thrown his hat into the 2010 gubernatorial race. This week Brown crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s by filling his exploratory committee with California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. ”Brown for Governor 2010 exploratory committee” is now all set to collect donations for the race.
Brown, affectionately called “Governor Moonbeam” served as California’s Governor from 1975-1983 and is eligible to serve again on a technicality, the two term limit only applies to Governor’s after November 1990.
Timing of Brown’s filing is no mere coincidence. This week a Rassmussen poll has Brown easily beating all three Republican hopefuls.
Brown has national name recognition, his primary opponent San Fransisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has little outside of San Fransisco. In the cash race, Brown has a leg up over Newsom. Things get interesting if…say…another notable Democrat enters the race. Hmmm….I wonder what the polls would look like if that notable was Senator Dianne Feinstein?
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009: POLITICAL CALAMITY IN INDIAN WELLS-CRP’S FALL CONVENTION
Posted by: | CommentsCalifornia’s 2010 gubernatorial candidates jockey for position, Fred Barnes relaxing poolside for breakfast, Andrew Breitbart at the bar, a chicken on the loose, This past weekend was a conservative utopia in Indian Wells for the California Republican Party Fall Convention.
One can learn a lot about the candidates running for our states highest office just by observing them when few are watching….not to mention their convention table set up. Tom Campbell spent a decent amount of time at his table with very little fan fare. His set up was crisp and looked like a candidate running for office. Meg Whitman was like a whirlwind with a thick entourage in dark business suits. When she walked in you knew someone important had arrived. She briefly stopped at her 2 tables to shake hands and pose for a photo op, then with a confident stride was off as quickly as she came. Whitman’s table set up was clearly the most interesting. Her 2 tables were loaded with vases and bowls filled to the brim with orange and green candies and a mega-store that only a former Ebay CEO could put out. Every Meg item imaginable was for sale. As for any indication on where she stands on issues, there was a really pretty glossy brochure. The set up was heavy on branding and light on substance. Steve Poizner in comparison looked relaxed and walked the floor with only a handful of handlers. His table was lackluster with literature in stacks. Quite indicative of an Insurance Commissioner running for Governor.
Ok…now on to the most exciting kibbles and bits, the dirty politics. A table set up across the room from the Mega-Meg tables showed a looped video clip of Whitman expressing what a “huge fan” she is of Van Jones, the Presidents former Green Jobs Czar and self avowed communist. The most entertaining was a person in a chicken suit running around with a sign proclaiming Whitman was to chicken to debate as it’s handler briskly handed out paper fans with Meg’s picture on it with the slogan “I’m a huge fan of Van Jones”. The strangest was a guy in a rubber president mask and a mock secret service agent. That had something to do with Steve Poizner and former Vice President Al Gore. Still trying to figure that one out.
If this early stage of the 2010 race is any indication, it will only get more interesting from here on out. The CRP Spring convention in Santa Clara will take place in March, only a few short months before the state primary in June. That one should prove to be worth the price of admission.
From talking to folks at the convention one thing is clear, very few have committed to a candidate yet. It’s any one’s race.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009: Poizner Makes A Mess
Posted by: | CommentsWith 9 months to go before the June 8th California primary election, Insurance Commissioner and 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner isn’t wasting anytime getting messy with his primary opponent Meg Whitman.
The single-sided mud slinging started a few weeks ago when Poizner launched a new website www.PoiznerFacts.com to share facts about his opponent and refute “Meg’s smear campaign”. The site hits Whitman’s inconsistent voting and “ducking” of debate invitations:
“FACT: Meg Whitman and her campaign are willing to say and do anything to avoid open debate.”
Ouch. As for the “smear campaign”, Poizner has posted what appears to be an email from Whitman Press Secretary Sarah Pompei to Jarrod Agen with an attached MP4 file named “Steve Poizner on prisons” What that’s about, who knows? Poizner says the smear campaign is a diversion from Whitman’s imperfections:
“Clearly, Meg Whitman and her team will do and say anything to hide the fact that she doesn’t vote, won’t debate, and is not a conservative”
RINO (Republican in name only) name calling, double OUCH!
This past week, Poizner ramped up the rhetoric with an internet video parody titled the “Love Boat”. In this web gem (which is actually funny) Whitman is nailed for her praise of President Obama’s Green Job’s Czar Van Jones, who resigned this weekend under the cloak of darkness in controversial disgrace. In July 2008 Whitman went on a climate change cruise with Van Jones and Jimmy Carter and Jones made quite an impression. In the video Whitman claims to be a “huge fan” of Van Jones and gushes on how “bright” and “articulate” he is.
Whitman being linked to a self avowed communist and 9/11 truther gives more than enough ammunition to Poizner to use against her, and he was smart to make such clever use of it. As for the debate “ducking” someone should tell Poizner it’s September. It might be prudent to engage in a debate when California is actually paying attention to the Governor’s race. For example, ask anyone in California who is running for Governor and you’ll see a lot of head scratching. Whether or not Poizner’s politics as usual will have the desired effect remains to be seen next June. I suspect Whitman will continue to keep the focus on her strategic initiatives for California: economy, jobs and education.
Just in case your keeping score: 0 references to opponent’s on Meg Whitman’s website.
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 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.
JULY 2, 2009: Federal Government Threatens California Land Grab
Posted by: | CommentsThe state of California’s financial affairs continue to deteriorate at a rapid pace.
Yesterday state officials released a letter from Jonathan Jarvis, National Park Service Regional Director, warning if the Governor follows thru on his plan to close 220 state parks the federal government will seize 6 of them. Schwarzenegger proposed the closures in an effort to save the state $143 MILLION dollars. When you are $26 BILLION dollars in the hole I guess every bit helps.
The six parks include Angel Island, Mount Diablo, Point Sur State Historic Park, Fort Ord, Point Mugu State Park and Border Fields. Each of the parks were conveyed to the state under the Federal Lands to Park Program. All land conveyed under this program must be used as a public park as a condition of the deed. If the state decides to close these parks the federal government would be in a position to snatch the land.
How’s that for kicking us when we’re down?
JUNE 30, 2009: Budget Rhetoric Ramps Up In Sacramento
Posted by: | CommentsMonday in Sacramento, another wasted day of budget drama.
Yesterday, Senate Democrats passed a budget package that included some cuts, tax/fee increases and creative accounting, without a single Republican vote. Their hope is to force it to the Governor’s desk where if signed, would take effect in 90 days in accordance with state law. Schwarzenegger had this to say about the Democrats plan:
“What they’re working on right now is, I think, all part of the kabuki. They’re wasting time by going through those drills, by trying to pass a simple majority illegal tax increase. I will never sign anything like this.”
The tax and fee increases in the package include $1.50 on a pack of cigarettes, $15 vehicle license fee, a 9.9% extraction tax for oil companies and a new fee on homeowners insurance premiums. These are projected to amount to around $2 BILLION in new taxes. Keep in mind, we currently pay some of the highest taxes and fee’s in the nation, which apparently isn’t enough to appease the insatiable appetite of our Legislator.
Still on the table is a 3 bill option that passed with bipartisan votes in the Assembly but was shot down by Senate Republicans. This plan would have given the state $5 BILLION to float it’s checkbook until a complete budget could be passed. The piecemeal approach cancels the need for Controller Chaing to issue IOU’s starting on Thursday.
My question is if they need to in essence buy time to pass a complete budget….what have they been doing all this time? We go thru this every single year in California. They know when the budget is due, and yet it’s consistently late with last minute drama. And if I hear one more Legislature say it’s because budget and tax increases require a two-thirds vote I think my head just might explode. Maybe our Legislature should be more focused on the immediate needs of our state instead of taking up how many juice boxes a kid can have in state day care facility (AB 627) and if law-abiding California citizens can buy their ammunition from a catalog (SB 962). Do the state Legislatures not owe it to their constituents to complete a fundamental task of their employment on time?
They have until tonight at midnight to pass a budget or Thursday the IOU’s will roll. I say let them, then maybe the Legislature will see the magnitude of the crisis if nothing else out of sheer embarrassment. The stalemate appears to have no easy end in site. Democrats will not make any further cuts to social programs, Republicans won’t raise taxes and the Governor wants reforms and will not sign a bill that includes tax increases.
This may take awhile or could turn on a dime as politics in California often do.
JUNE 26, 2009: Assembly Passes Budget Package-Senate Shoots It down
Posted by: | CommentsIn a sudden twist in the budget saga, the Assembly passed a budget package yesterday afternoon. With unanimous support, each of the 3 bills were passed without a single “no” vote. Governor Schwarzenegger vowed to veto the bills if they were to pass the Senate. Never fear…they didn’t. Every Republican Senator voted against the measures except for Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria who did not vote either way.
On a side note, rumor has it, after Maldonado completes his final term in the Senate he will reemerge as a Democrat to seek another office. His failure to vote either way on the budget package bodes well for not wanting to alienate Democrats.
The three bills would have added about $5 BILLION in cash back into the states checkbook. That would have bought time to pass a complete budget and end the need for IOU’s.
A robing Peter to pay Paul scenario won’t work with our current state of affairs. Another day wasted on peicemeal stopgap measures with no hope for a complete balanced budget. Let the IOU’s roll….maybe then the Legislature will wake up to the magnitude of California’s financial crisis.
JUNE 25, 2009: Budget Vote Falls Flat
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday in Sacramento, an attempt to pass a state budget flopped. The Legislature took up 1 of the 20 bills contained in the latest plan backed by Democrats. All Republicans in both the Assembly and Senate voted no as well as 2 Democrats in the Senate and 1 in the Assembly.
Assembly minority leader Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) said they feel “shut out” in the process. Which is understandable considering Republicans only received a copy of the proposed budget about an hour before the scheduled vote, which made it impossible to read the massive text. According to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Democrats see it as a “moral obligation” to oppose steep cuts to programs that Governor Schwarzenegger say are needed.
Republicans won’t raise taxes. Thank you! We are taxed enough in California. Hopefully they hold true to that. Democrats won’t make cuts. We could be at this awhile.
In a press release out today, Controller John Chaing expects to start issuing IOU’s instead of payments as soon as next week if a budget is not passed by July 1.
“Next Wednesday we start a fiscal year with a massively unbalanced spending plan and a cash shortfall not seen since the Great Depression,” Chiang said. “The State’s $2.8 billion cash shortage in July grows to $6.5 billion in September, and after that we see a double-digit freefall. Unfortunately, the State’s inability to balance its checkbook will now mean short-changing taxpayers, local governments and small businesses.”
All general fund obligations except for those protected under the state Constitution, court order and federal law will be “paid” with IOU’s. This includes all payments to local governments for social services, private contractors, state vendors, income and corporate tax refunds, and payments for State operations including legislative per diem. But according to Chaing, IOU’s won’t be enough.
Earlier in the month Governor Schwarzenegger revoked Chaings authority to secure high interest, short term loans from Wall Street called Revenue Anticipation Warrants (RAW loans) to float the state checkbook.
The date to pass the state budget as required by the California Constitution came and went on June 15th with little to no fan fare. As you previously read here in a quote from the Governor’s office, Schwarzenegger brushed off last weeks deadline for his new one of July 1st, which is next Wednesday.
The current Legislative proposed budget fixes only address part of the deficit and would take MILLIONS from each local government from gas and property tax revenue to total about $1.9 BILLION, as well as adding new tax hikes, a minor reduction in spending and some really creative accounting. None of which amounts to a real budget solution. The Democratic controlled Assembly and Senate do not have enough support from Republicans to push a budget thru with the required two-thirds majority. Governor Schwarzenegger has said that he will not sign a budget brought to him by the Legislature that raises taxes. He even launched an email campaign last week from his “California Dream Team” asking citizens to email their Legislator’s and ask for them to vote no on a budget that includes tax increases. This is quite a turn around from the same Governor that pulled out all the stops in trying to get people to pass the largest tax increase in history on the May 19th special election ballot.
The inevitable stalemate doesn’t bode well for getting a budget passed by next Wednesday, which starts the next fiscal year for California. We can only hope our Legislature will grow a backbone and get a stiff dose of common sense.