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Tom Campbell apologizes for supporting anti-Israel professor -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Campbell apologized Friday for defending a professor at the University of South Florida in 2002 who had called for the "death" of Israel and promoted "jihad." Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert -- 3/12/10 Whitman meets the press -- After a week of miscues and taking criticism for avoiding questions from the media, Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman walked into the Republican Party convention in Santa Clara and immediately indulged more than a dozen reporters in an hourlong news conference. Capitol Weekly's Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert -- 3/12/10 Whitman: I'll release my taxes when Brown releases his -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has a message for Democrats about her taxes: I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Capitol Weekly's Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 PG&E executives ante up for Jerry Brown -- California Attorney General Jerry Brown’s gubernatorial campaign received a bunch of contributions Wednesday totaling more than $23,500 from PG&E’s upper management. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 3/12/10 Judge orders UC to repay $38 million in student fees -- San Francisco Superior Court Judge John Munter on Thursday ordered UC to reverse up to three years of fee hikes for former professional-school students. Some of those students, such as UC Berkeley law and business students, paid thousands of dollars more from one year to the next. Matt Krupnick in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Changes Ordered in Description of Open Primary Proposition -- In a response to a lawsuit brought by the California School Employees Association, a Sacramento Superior Court judge has modified the ballot description of Proposition 14 on the June ballot, an initiative that would create a so-called open primary. Greg Lucas California's capitol weblog Dan Smith SacBee Capitol Alert Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 Carly Fiorina a "lifelong Republican" -- but not in voter records -- Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has claimed repeatedly that she has been a "lifelong Republican" -- but New Jersey voter records show otherwise, records show. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 3/12/10 Open primary backers say secret deal derailed -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other supporters of the June ballot measure that would allow Californians to participate in state primaries regardless of candidates' or voters' party affiliations say they have beaten back a plot hatched by union officials and lawmakers to secretly undermine the measure. Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Newsom jumps into lieutenant governor’s race, showing that he now understands the job -- As San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared himself a candidate for lieutenant governor Friday morning, he took an important first step in the race -- demonstrating that he now understands what the job entails. Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times Susan Ferriss SacBee Capitol Alert Steven Harmon in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Florez drops out of LG race, endorses Newsom -- Valley Democrat Dean Florez said he will drop out of the lieutenant governor's race today and endorse San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is expected to declare his candidacy. EJ Schultz Fresno Bee News Blog Jim Sanders SacBee Capitol Alert Capitol Weekly's Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Podcast: Budgets & Blunders -- This week's Capital Notes Podcast stretches from the halls of the state Capitol to the campaign trail of those who want to be governor, and some political stories that we may be talking about for a long time to come. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 3/12/10 A Blue County turns Red as optimistic GOP activists arrive in town -- With statewide races heating up and Republicans nationwide sensing opportunity for big wins at the polls, the GOP faithful are gathering this weekend in one of the bluest counties in one of the bluest states. Ken McLaughlin and Mike Zapler in the Contra Costa Times -- 3/12/10 Brown campaign throws early jab at Meg Whitman -- But this week, Brown's embryonic media operation opted to engage, taking a swipe at Whitman in the process. An e-mail sent to reporters Thursday night from Brown campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford -- devoid of campaign banners or fancy desktop publishing -- noted a new poll on the liberal blog Daily Kos that shows Whitman closing in on Brown in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. Capitol Weekly's Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Wildermuth: It’s Now or Never for Poizner -- Being battered by a never-ending barrage of TV and radio ads? Check. Having trouble raising money? Check. If you listen to Steve Poizner, all that shows is that he’s got Meg Whitman right where he wants her. John Wildermuth Fox & Hounds weblog -- 3/12/10 Fox: Reform Proposals: An Irresistible Force Meets an Immovable Object -- There are some good features in the Democratic reform proposals borrowed from California Forward and announced yesterday, but the focus on the package will be the effort to lower the two-thirds vote requirement to pass the budget. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds weblog -- 3/12/10 Valero, Howard Jarvis group lead fight to suspend AB 32 -- The mystery's over: The campaign to suspend California's landmark greenhouse-gas emissions law will be led by an out-of-state oil refinery company and a California taxpayer advocacy group, newly filed documents show. Jim Sanders SacBee Capitol Alert -- 3/12/10 Campaign update: Gov, AG, Senate and more -- Rolling into this weekend’s California Republican Party convention, it seemed this was a much better week for Steve Poizner than for Meg Whitman in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 3/12/10 Street drops out of treasurer’s race -- Orange County Treasurer Chriss Street will not seek reelection and has recommended that supervisors “temporarily suspend” his investment authority while he weighs his legal options. Jennifer Muir in the Orange County Register Raja Abdulrahim in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Was $700,000 sent to Irvine mailers 'pay to play'? -- Contractors, consultants and developers with business interests in the city of Irvine have channeled at least $696,115 since 2000 toward slate mailers touting councilman Larry Agran, his allies and his causes, according to an analysis of campaign documents by The Orange County Register. TONY SAAVEDRA and SEAN EMERY in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 Orange County district attorney sues Toyota -- The Orange County District Attorney’s Office today filed a civil lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., saying the automaker endangered the public by knowingly selling defective vehicles and intentionally hiding defects by consumers. Matt Degen in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 U.S. census is immigration debate's newest flashpoint -- In Santa Ana, faith-based groups are teaching church leaders to preach the gospel of the U.S. census, encouraging legal and illegal immigrants to participate in hopes it will lead to immigration reform. CINDY CARCAMO in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 'McCain Democrat' raises questions in Assembly race -- Joseph Dovinh's entry into the Democratic primary for the 68th Assembly District is attracting scrutiny from some fellow Democrats suspicious of the Westminster candidate's intentions. MARTIN WISCKOL in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 Supergraphics firm proposes a deal L.A. is likely to refuse -- SkyTag says it would pay to preserve the land around the Hollywood sign -- if it's allowed to keep about 20 giant signs up throughout the city. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Anaheim cop notches three DUI arrests in a year – and is still on payroll -- It’s no secret that some cops have a problem with alcohol. It’s a stressful occupation, the hours are long, and the job wreaks havoc with home life. As well, it’s easy for cops to get hurt on the job — making addiction to prescription painkillers another problem. Kimberly Edds in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/10 Triple shooting tied to illegal immigrant smuggling -- Detectives are investigating whether a triple shooting that left two men dead in Moreno Valley was tied to a "drop house" used to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Robert J. Lopez and Ann M. Simmons in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Senator proposes mandate for anti-tobacco drugs, classes -- Sen. Leland Yee, the Democrat from San Francisco, has introduced legislation to require health plans and health insurers to provide tobacco cessation counseling and medication to their customers with little or no cost-sharing. Dan Weintraub HealthyCal.org -- 3/12/10 Gay California Political Groups Reach Out To Ashburn -- In response to the senator's admission, organizations advocating equal rights for gay and lesbian Californians at both ends of the political spectrum have publicly offered to meet with the embattled legislator to help him "preserve his legacy." Dan Aiello Cal Progress Report -- 3/12/10 Mercury News interview: Energy Secretary Steven Chu -- Q: A big issue for companies in Silicon Valley is project financing, because of the long time needed to get new clean tech products launched. Dana Hull in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Intruder makes return visit to Alarcon's home -- Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon. Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon claimed Friday that the district attorney's office should have notified him that the case against an intruder at his home had been dismissed and that he had been released from a state mental hospital. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Disney to close Bob Zemeckis' digital film studio, laying off hundreds -- In a cost-savings move, Walt Disney Studios is shutting down director and producer Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers Digital studio in Marin County, which employs 450 people. Claudia Eller and Dawn C. Chmielewski in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10
Whitman's funds could pose conflicts -- The Republican candidate for California governor has stakes in oil and gas concerns that seek to influence the state. Her wealth is estimated at $1.2 billion. Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Whitman stages townhall rally -- Steve Poizner’s campaign came up with yet more boffo video of Meg Whitman — this time staging a townhall meeting Wednesday night in Orange County, apparently for a future campaign ad. Steve Harmon Political Blotter weblog -- 3/12/10 What really happens inside Meg Whitman's "Town Hall" informercial -- A funny thing happened when Camp Whitman was filming its 30-minute info-mercial last night in Orange County. Oh, besides stuff like covert filming by her opponents, cops being called, crowd screening and Meg goosing the audience for applause. Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 3/12/10 GOP candidates look for votes with new books -- Both Republican candidates for California governor have released books as they campaign for their party's nomination this spring. Amy Chance in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10 Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom -- together again? -- Candidates for the top two political jobs in California don’t run as a ticket, and for Democrats this year that may be a very good thing. For Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom—candidates, respectively, for governor and lieutenant governor—too much togetherness could prove troublesome. Capitol Weekly's Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 State GOP goes into convention 'on the offense' -- More than a year after taking a beating at the ballot box, the California Republican Party is energized by "Tea Party" revivals and declining Democratic poll numbers as it heads into a three-day state party convention this weekend, charged up and "on the offense" for the statewide and mid-term elections. Carla Marinucci, Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/12/10 California Legislature takes up constitutional reforms, targets budget process -- With billion-dollar deficits and partisan spats sending faith in California's leaders to new lows, Democratic leaders on Thursday unveiled a wide-ranging set of constitutional changes they hope will shake Sacramento out of its longtime fugue. Denis C. Theriault in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Legislative leaders target two-thirds requirements -- Targeting California's bitter budget fights, Democratic legislative leaders proposed a wide-ranging overhaul Thursday that would allow lawmakers to pass budgets by a simple-majority vote and would require them to forfeit pay if they are late in passing a spending plan. Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10 Walters: Legislative overhaul likely DOA -- Democratic legislative leaders, acknowledging the dysfunction of state government, say they want to place reforms before voters this year. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10 Capitol Democrats' reform plan unlikely to get past Republicans -- Key to the plan is to ask voters to allow a simple majority to pass a state budget. But a two-thirds vote in Sacramento is needed just to put the proposal on the ballot. Jack Dolan in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 $1.33 billion spent to influence policy, FPPC says -- Of the more than $1.33 billion spent by special interests during the past decade to influence public policy in Sacramento, about three out of every four dollars were spent by an array of groups that included pharmaceutical companies, Indian tribes, petroleum and energy companies, the health care industry, and others. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 3/12/10 In Sacramento, tribes have become bigger players than power companies -- Gaming Indian tribes have emerged as bigger players in Sacramento than the power companies that dominated California politics for much of the 20th century. Lance Williams California Watch -- 3/12/10 Social conservatives put religious twist on 'tea party' message -- Many on the Christian right see growing government as a threat to religious freedom. The shared views are an opportunity to strengthen the bridge between the camps for the midterm election, some say. Kathleen Hennessey in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Podcast: Budgets & Blunders -- This week's Capital Notes Podcast stretches from the halls of the state Capitol to the campaign trail of those who want to be governor, and some political stories that we may be talking about for a long time to come. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 3/12/10 Mexico City hosts nation's first gay marriages -- The law was passed by the Mexico City legislature in December and applies only to the capital. It is the most far-reaching gay-rights law in Latin America and one of several measures that have put the city and its leaders at odds with the more conservative country. Tracy Wilkinson in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Battle over insurance measure continues in court Friday -- Looks like the California Attorney General's office agrees with itself. Marisa Lagos Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 3/12/10 Who could be chosen as next San Francisco mayor and how -- A special election for voters to pick the next mayor. A delayed swearing-in of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom so a remade Board of Supervisors could select his successor. A traditional path in which the current board selects the next mayor. Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/12/10 Counties weigh ballot measure imposing $10 auto registration fee to fill potholes -- Transportation agencies in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa and other Bay Area counties are considering seeking voter approval to increase auto registration fees by $10 a year to fix potholes, improve transit and fight congestion. Gary Richards in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Gambling experts question online poker, an idea promoted by Inland tribe -- Compulsive gambling experts had a ready opinion Thursday on whether California should legalize online poker to raise money along the lines of what an Inland tribe proposes: Bad idea. JIM MILLER in the Riverside Press -- 3/12/10 CalBuzz: Road Trip: 3 Key Questions for the GOP Convention -- Cue the elephants: Although half of our Western Hemisphere Bureau is on Special Assignment, sampling voter opinion in Cozumel, the short-handed National Affairs Desk will try to soldier on to offer our unique brand of babble-to-babble coverage of this weekend’s Republican state convention. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 3/12/10
Simitian bill takes aim at big pension payouts for public employees -- The bill, among other things, would curb a practice known as "pension spiking" where public employees count pay hikes in their final year of work, like cashed-out vacation time and career-end bonuses, toward their pension payouts. Kurtis Alexander in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 L.A. City Hall fears ripple effect of layoffs -- The workers in 4,000 targeted jobs can oust those in lesser posts. The maneuvering could take 7 months. Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 CalPERS & CalSTRS: still down $100 billion -- The nation’s two biggest public pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, lost a combined $170 billion by the time the stock market hit bottom last March. Since then, they have regained about $70 billion. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 3/12/10 California public pension funds take new hits on real estate investments -- California's two big public pension funds took fresh hits to their troubled real estate portfolios this week, suggesting the fallout from the real estate bubble hasn't completely run its course. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10 California exports rise for third straight month -- The value of Golden State exports rose nearly 18.5 percent in January compared with the same month last year, according to statistics released by the University of California Center Sacramento. Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10
Fensterwald: Stanford-run charter on ‘worst’ list -- Stanford University’s School of Education has a distinguished faculty and continues to gradate outstanding teachers, principals and nonprofit leaders. But this week it acquired a dubious distinction – and a bit of a comeuppance. John Fensterwald educatedguess.org -- 3/12/10 Fresno State prods 'super seniors' to finish -- Fresno State student Wesley Sheets figures he's banked more than 200 units in a college career spanning three campuses and nearly a decade. And he's not done yet. Cyndee Fontana in the Fresno Bee -- 3/12/10 Fensterwald: Failing schools list is final -- The list is in and final. After a four-hour hearing on Thursday, the State Board of Education unanimously approved the revised list of 188 failing schools (see here, here and here) that the Department of Education staff proposed. But not before a line of superintendents and others criticized the process, timing and content of the lists. John Fensterwald educatedguess.org -- 3/12/10 Feds delay education stimulus amid concerns over state's accounting -- Up to $200 million in federal stimulus funds could be in jeopardy unless the state answers allegations that it is using accounting tricks to cover up a lack of spending on public education. Corey G. Johnson California Watch -- 3/12/10 More California youth applying to out-of-state universities, say admission officers -- With the state's higher education system in crisis, more California students are vying for admission at out-of-state universities, applying for seats at campuses from the hills of upstate New York to the snowy flatlands of Ohio to the deserts of Arizona. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 San Bernardino superintendent defends his record amid 'worst-schools' listings -- During his 11 years as superintendent of the biggest school district in the county, Arturo Delgado has dealt with challenges ranging from homeless students to high dropout rates and low test scores. Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell in the San Bernardino Sun -- 3/12/10
Fight splits backers of ballot initiative to suspend state's global warming law -- Ted Costa says his group, People's Advocate, has been shut out of efforts to suspend AB 32, which would force oil companies to slash emissions of greenhouse gases. Margot Roosevelt in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Water issue bridges divide for California lawmakers -- Three California lawmakers who often disagree sharply on environmental protection priorities found one thing Thursday on which they could agree: Federal irrigation officials in Sacramento aren't moving fast enough to resolve the state's water woes. Michael Doyle in the Fresno Bee -- 3/12/10 More water to pour from Friant Dam to river -- Over the next month, federal officials will quadruple water releases from Friant Dam as part of the San Joaquin River restoration. Mark Grossi in the Fresno Bee -- 3/12/10 Greenaction wants Kettleman meeting canceled -- An environmental group is demanding that a state agency cancel a meeting proposed next month in Kettleman City, the small Kings County town afflicted with a rash of unexplained birth defects. Lewis Griswold in the Fresno Bee -- 3/12/10 Dune détente may end in Manhattan Beach -- City officials consider whether to reopen a towering pile of sand, which was fenced off last year amid concerns about erosion and residents' complaints about noise, litter and traffic. Amina Khan in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10 Fishermen likely to see limited salmon season -- Salmon fishermen can dust off their poles, sponge off their boats and get ready to hook some chinook for the first time in three years. Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/12/10 Coastal and ocean birds most at risk from climate change, report says -- Birds that rely on oceans and live on coastlines are more vulnerable to climate change than birds found in any other habitats in America, according to a report released Thursday by federal biologists and other researchers. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/12/10 Feinstein bill to preserve desert land gains traction in White House -- During a budget hearing this week, high-ranking Obama administration officials spoke favorably about Feinstein's legislation to create a pair of national monuments totaling 1,075,000 acres in the Mojave Desert, one northwest of Palm Springs and another in the eastern reaches of the county. BEN GOAD in the Riverside Press -- 3/12/10 Invasive moth threatens wine grape crop -- A huge swath of Wine Country, including vineyards where some of the world's best grapes are grown, was quarantined this week after an invasive moth was discovered. Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/12/10
Sacramento officials unveil plan to cap marijuana dispensaries -- Sacramento officials Thursday night presented a plan to cap the number of marijuana dispensaries in the city at a dozen and impose strict requirements for their operations. Peter Hecht in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/10
Obama won’t promise immigration reform -- President Barack Obama on Thursday would not commit to passing immigration reform this year, and a senior White House aide indicated the issue does not top the president’s priority list. Sam Youngman The Hill -- 3/12/10 Obama backing of immigration overhaul 'unwavering' -- President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken. Darlene Superville AP -- 3/12/10 Obama Links Immigration Overhaul in 2010 to G.O.P. Backing -- President Obama said Thursday that he would proceed with an overhaul of the immigration system this year if he could attract substantial Republican support. JULIA PRESTON in the New York Times -- 3/12/10
Hanks grinds press corps over coffee maker -- But before returning to Hollywood, the Oscar-winning Hanks took time to come by the White House Briefing Room to check on his coffee maker. Dan Lothian and Erika Dimmler CNN -- 3/12/10 Parliamentarian's ruling deals blow to healthcare reform chances -- The Senate parliamentarian has delivered a blow to Democrats by ruling President Barack Obama must sign the broader Senate healthcare legislation before the upper chamber can take up changes demanded by the House. Alexander Bolton The Hill -- 3/12/10 Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows -- Long before the State Dinner party crashers and the tension with her White House colleagues and the strain in her relationship with the first lady, Desirée Rogers began to understand she was in trouble when David Axelrod summoned her to his office last spring to scold her. PETER BAKER in the New York Times -- 3/12/10
DWP ratepayers facing a bigger possible surcharge -- L.A.'s mayor will propose an increase of 2.7 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity consumed. It's expected to add $2 a month to the bills of 55% of customers. Its effect on the other 45% isn't known. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/12/10
House Republicans say they will reject all earmarks --- Upping the ante in the battle over which party can be toughest on special interests, House Republicans Thursday announced their entire 178-member conference would not seek any congressional earmarks this year, denouncing all of the line-item expenditures as wasteful and corrupting. Paul Kane in the Washington Post -- 3/12/10 |
