DEC. 28, 2010 It’s the end of the year, which means it’s time for nostalgic looks back and fond retrospectives on 2010’s most memorable events and personalities (this is due, in great part, to the fact that nearly everyone in the Capitol is on vacation so virtually nothing is going on). So ...
December, 2010The California PlayersTuesday, December 28th, 2010Lockyer Lives In State Of DelusionSunday, December 26th, 2010DEC. 26, 2010 California Treasurer Bill Lockyer raised eyebrows last week by arguing in a newspaper column that "California isn't broken," but it's not allaying the fears of the state's hard-pressed taxpayers. If the state's top financial official is in deep denial about California's precarious s... Brown Turns Blind Eye To WasteThursday, December 23rd, 2010DEC. 23, 2010 I know you’re busy and all setting up a new administration and picking curtains for your hip, new Midtown digs, but I just wanted to drop you a brief note saying Thanks for getting rid of Laura Chick and her staff of auditors at the Office of The Inspector General. Though the offi... A Green CARB OverloadWednesday, December 22nd, 2010DEC. 22, 2010 While the rest of the world begins to show some sense of reality on global warming hysteria, California is going full speed ahead with the state’s global warming law implementation against all reason and science. Last week, the California Air Resources Board endorsed cap-and-trade... Jerry Brown’s Game of ChickenMonday, December 20th, 2010DEC. 20, 2010 We're about to witness a new twist on Sacramento's annual high-stakes budget game. Many Capitol observers believe that incoming Gov. Jerry Brown and his fellow Democrats, who no longer need GOP budget support thanks to the Nov. 2 passage of Proposition 25, which allows budget ap... Mark Leno’s Bully Bill MillThursday, December 16th, 2010DEC. 16, 2010 With California in the middle of the most devastating financial crisis in state history, Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, has introduced a bill purportedly aimed at stopping bullying in schools. But some are asking if it's merely a deflection attempt away from the state’s crumb... Paper Campaign Records DoomedWednesday, December 15th, 2010DEC. 15, 2010 Yesterday marked the final formal hearing of the Political Reform Act Task Force. Since early September, I've watched the 25-member panel, convened by Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Chairman Dan Schnur, thrash out ways to improve, tighten up and otherwise make clearer th... Brown tips his hand on taxesSunday, December 12th, 2010DEC. 12, 2010 At Jerry Brown's briefing Wednesday to discuss the dismal condition of the state budget, now plagued by a $25 billion deficit, the incoming governor said, "Everything should be on the table, and everyone should be at the table to talk about it." Whenever a California Democrat tel... Dancing At California’s FuneralThursday, December 9th, 2010DEC. 9, 2010 After watching the swearing in of the Assembly on Monday, and feeling the party-like atmosphere in the room, I couldn’t help but feel as if I was watching dancing at a funeral. Apparently, some in the Assembly feel the same. Fortunately, many Republicans have fight left in them,... Another Reason Pringle Should ResignWednesday, December 8th, 2010DEC. 8, 2010 It’s always tough to get back into the reporting grind after a week’s vacation. Well, nearly always – when the California High-Speed Rail Authority is one of your beats, it’s actually quite easy. Waiting for me in my e-mail inbox was a copy of the independent high-speed ra... |