You really have to read the letter to appreciate its full horror.
The short story is this: California's "single payer health care" proposal for this two-year session had to pass the State Senate by January 31 in order to stay alive. Despite the fact that Democrats control the Senate 25-15, it fell two votes short. Two Democrats, Lou Correa and Ron Calderon, voted no; four others refused to vote at all.
This was a shock without being a surprise. It's shocking that Democrats can control the legislature and yet fail to get one of our signature proposals through even one chamber. Yet we've dealt with these Senators before -- we've seen who gives them money -- so it was not a surprise.
The surprise came yesterday. Apparently, it was our fault that SB 810 failed. Not the insurance industry that fought so hard against the measure; not the pusillanimous Democrats who wouldn't defend it. Our fault: activists' fault. Why? Because we kept calling Senators' offices and some of us were allegedly obnoxious.
That's what the letter from the Director of Public Policy of the lobbying branch of the California Council of Churches says.
(More great stuff on redistricting California from cali_girl_in_texas - promoted by Brian Leubitz)
Here is my attempt at redistricting the California State Senate. With over 936,000 people per district, satisfying communities of interest becomes a bit more challenging. Here are the districts I ended up drawing.
The Netroots community has been allover of the story of California state Senator Leland Yee, who began receiving death threats after he demanded an apology from Rush Limbaugh, who delivered a rant on his show ridiculing individuals of Chinese descent.
Media Matters and diarists at Daily Kos deserve thanks for their coverage; our own recap of those events is available here.
Sadly, this story is growing uglier by the day - but now there's a new way you can help.
Senator Yee's office has reported receiving a new set of threatening letters, some of which bear crosshair graphics. Meanwhile, Limbaugh's supporters are flooding Senator Yee's office with hundreds of phone calls actually supporting Limbaugh's hateful remarks!
That means it's more important than ever to show Senator Yee and his staff that they're not alone - that we stand with Senator Yee as he stands against hate.
The Yacht Party continues to desperately search for any reason to devour itself. The Secretary of State's office has confirmed that there is now an effort going forward to recall Sen. Bob Huff [R-Diamond Bar] because he voted in favor of putting prop 1A on the ballot. He, like the rest of the Church of Reaganomics, signed a pledge to vote down any tax increases and apparently this violates it.
Huff won about 54% of the vote in 2008, but the Democrat only carried 38% and the remainder went to an unusually strong Libertarian candidate. Does anyone have a better idea of how well we'd be able to run candidates in this district if the recall is successful (and for that matter, Anthony Adams' district?)
As the rumors fly about the budget "deal" and whether any Republicans will actually vote for it, it seemed like the best move was to actually call up Republican offices and ask. sean mykael of Bear Flag Blue took the lead on calling the 15 Republican State Senators and we got some...interesting responses.
There were 5 outright "No" responses, from Sam Aanestad (SD-4), George Runner (SD-17), Bob Huff (SD-29), Dennis Hollingsworth (SD-36) and Mark Wyland (SD-38). Robert Dutton (SD-31) is leaning no.
Most responses fell into the "no position, haven't seen any details, but we oppose taxes." This includes Tony Strickland (SD-19) and Mimi Walters (SD-33) but also Jeff Denham (SD-12). Abel Maldonado's office (SD-15) repeated the "no position, haven't seen details" line but didn't make note of the tax issue. So it's possible that means he might stop putting chairs over children.
UPDATE by Brian: I've just heard from Denham's folks. He's going no. I suppose that the quest for the losing nomination for LG is on!
And then there was Dave Cogdill, who as David Dayen noted yesterday refused to commit to the deal he negotiated. The only thing his office would say is "everything is on the table."
This whole thing is a ridiculous joke. Just as in the Congress with the stimulus, Sacramento Republicans demand all kinds of things, from gutting of environmental review to more corporate tax cuts, that they can never get otherwise - and yet they refuse to vote for the bill anyway.
And the underlying reasons are similar. Both in Sacramento and in DC, Republicans have two related goals in mind: First, break the economy so that their large corporate allies can more thoroughly dominate the market; and Second, prevent effective government action on economic recovery to as to have a hope of escaping permanent political oblivion.
Republicans in CA and DC are in the same political position - voters have rejected them, but they have just enough power through procedural quirks (the 2/3 rule, the cloture rule) to obstruct things. If Republicans can use that to prevent economic recovery, then they might have a chance at reversing their series of losses by blaming ongoing economic weakness on the Democrats.
It's a cynical, suicide cult strategy. But that's what modern Republicanism has become.
The full list of Republican Senators and responses are over the flip. Of course if any of them or their staff want to send along priceless statements like the one from Dennis Hollingsworth, just drop me an email (click on my username).
The former speaker of the Assembly hasn't actually been gone all that long, and it was always anticipated that he would might make a run at the State Senate in 2010 (among other possibilities). Fabian Núñez has filed papers to run for the SD-22 seat currently held by Gil Cedillo - a seat that might open up even sooner if Cedillo wins a special election to replace Hilda Solis in the Congress:
This week, he filed paperwork to fill the seat of termed-out Sen. Gil Cedillo in 2010. Cedillo's seat could be vacated even sooner, as the Los Angeles Democrat is running for Congress to replace Rep. Hilda Solis, who President Barack Obama has tapped as labor secretary.
Núñez would be a prohibitive favorite, should he run. His campaign treasury was stuffed with nearly $5 million as of the end of 2008.
The filing could also simply be a place to legally store all that campaign cash. Many former leaders keep accounts open for races in which few if anyone expects them to compete.
Although it's possible Núñez is just parking the cash, this would seem like a sensible move for him to make. He'd have at least another 8 years in the Legislature, potentially longer if term limits reform ever gets implemented (and I hope it does). And I have to believe that Núñez would indeed be the favorite for the seat, given his profile as Speaker and his campaign warchest.
Still, Núñez would do well to build his campaign around a solution to our state's ongoing budget mess. He was in the Big Five room for the last four years of negotiations, and should have as good an idea as anybody what could be improved in the system.
And he also has a responsibility to voters to explain how he would do better - Democrats failed to offer a clear alternative to the Republican tax cuts mantra while he was speaker, making it very difficult for Democrats and progressives in 2009 to mount a successful pushback against Republican demands. That's not say this crisis is all his fault, but as one of the recent leaders in Sacramento, he would do well to give voters a clear sense of how he would use his experience to chart a different course in the Senate.
Gary Paul Pritchard is a 37 year old teacher at a Community College in South LA, Cerritos Community College to be exact. He is a tenured Professor in their Fine Arts Department, music to be more specific. In 2006, Gary finally finished his Ph.D. in 2006, which allowed us to also purchase our first home here in South Orange County.
Gary has been the chair of his department and he recently got a grant for the Fine Arts Division, a very important grant that I think shows what an amazing legislator he has the possibility to be.
When the grant was first proposed the prior year it was rejected. The Chair of the Fine Arts Department asked Gary to come aboard and help rewrite the grant. He was happy to do so and this year in June, the grant was fully funded. So what is the grant for?
The 33rd District has a chance to elect a great new leader in the State Senate this year. With the problems that face our district and state, new common-sense leadership is desperately needed. Gary Prithchard is an educator, and a respected member of the community. He offers a new vision, and will fight to represent the 33rd district and insure that our voices will be heard.
Crossposted from my high speed rail blog where there is a lot more information on the project
The Senate Transportation Committee today approved AB 3034 by an 8-4 vote. But as Erik Nelson at the Contra Costa Times reports it included some great amendments, including Sen. Leland Yee's plan to restore the primacy of LA-SF:
The committee, at the urging of Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, restored language that restricted use of the $9.95 billion in bond proceeds to the "spine" of the 800-mile system, which is now slated to run from Anaheim to Los Angeles to San Jose and San Francisco through the Antelope and San Joaquin valleys.
Cathleen Galgiani was not aware of that change before entering the hearing room, which may cause some problems in reconciling the bills between the Senate and the Assembly. But the Senate's version is superior. LA-SF is necessary to be the spine of the project and the notion of building it in pieces was always a poor approach to the project's politics and efficiency. The original plan was sound: LA-SF first, then the extensions to SD and Sacto as a guaranteed Phase II. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will HSR.
Nelson also reports that a rule change giving project design work to Caltrans is causing controversy:
One change that caused Republicans to bristle along with representatives of private contractors was one that says the High-Speed Rail Authority "shall utilize" the engineering and project design services of Caltrans, the state's transportation department.
Republicans, of course, are bent on privatizing all aspects of state government, even the good ones, regardless of whether it's actually cost-effective to do so - see a earlier post of mine on Calitics about the matter. Caltrans' record is excellent (the issues with the east span of the Bay Bridge were due to external political meddling), but there are apparently Constitutional questions surrounding this aspect of the amended bill, and the committee has not committed itself to that language.
Other aspects of the Senate Transportation Committee's amended AB 3034:
Among the bill's 33 provisions are limiting bond money from paying more than half of any track or station construction cost so that federal, private or local funds would have to pay for the remainder, and allowing only 10 percent of that money for planning and engineering costs.
The bill also would establish an eight-member independent review committee appointed by state financial and legislative leaders.
Both changes should help address the concerns with financial risk of the system, although the HSR deniers will surely not be appeased. The committee also directed the CHSRA to come up with a revised business plan by October.
Republicans opposed the proposal, unsurprisingly. Although some Republicans like Curt Pringle strongly support HSR others remain opposed to any action that will help the state address its energy and environmental crisis. Senate Republicans want to shackle the state to oil and cars and eliminate alternative transportation. Thankfully Senate Democrats have come around and understood the value of high speed rail and provided some necessary fixes to AB 3034.
We will now work to ensure the bill passes the Senate and that these changes are accepted by the Assembly, so that we can move forward with the Yes on Prop 1 campaign for November. High speed rail's time has come, and the California legislature is showing some welcome if overdue leadership on this.
This year's June primary was one of the most exciting Democratic Party races in recent memory. Despite record-low turnout, every crucial Bay Area race was decided in favor of an experienced, progressive Democrat. With our help, they will lead our state and our country to a landslide victory this November.
For many in the East Bay, AD 14 was the race to watch. A little background: I am proud to have been one of Councilman Thurmond's early supporters. Tony is a real hero to me, and he ran a solid race. He received the endorsements of every newspaper in the district, but given the role of mail-in ballots and unprecedented low turnout, they came too late to make much of a difference. But I sincerely thank him for running, as well as all of you that worked to help get him elected. I hope we'll be seeing more of Tony Thurmond in the future.
Our future Assemblywoman from the 14th, Nancy Skinner, received over 51% of the vote, a truly remarkable feat in a four-way race. As anyone who has met her can attest, she is an incredibly sharp woman with a real grasp on the issues facing California. In particular, she has years of experience on environmental issues that are close to the hearts of East Bay voters. Once again, our district will have another true progressive representing us in Sacramento. I am sure Nancy Skinner will make all of us proud here in the 14th AD.
For what they are worth, here are my personal recommendations for the June 3rd California ballot. I do spend quite a bit of time reviewing competitive races before making my recommendations.
Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, forward, or ignore. But please Vote on Tuesday (polls open 7a.m.-8p.m.) or vote-by-mail if you already have an absentee ballot.
As of tonight, it looks like it is indeed a two-way race for the State Seanate District 3. A new Survey USA poll gives Mark Leno a strong lead over with Joe Nation and Carole Migden tied for a distant second place.
Greg Pettis, in his 14th year as Cathedral City Councilman, former-Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, has now received the endorsements from every member of the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus in Sacramento. Pettis has widespread support in the LGBT community Nationally, State-wide, and locally because of his progressive stands on issues important to the LGBT communities: Pettis fully supports the HIV/AIDS communities, universal healthcare, a strong local economy, good local schools and responsible academic oversight, a healthy environment, equality and justice for all Californians, and mentoring other members of the LGBT community.
Last week I learned that Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer was hosting a Thrusday fundraiser for Carole Migden along the Embarcadero. It was a cheap event and, though I am a Leno supporter, decided to drop a little spare change and check it out. It was a small room that was pretty packed. Betty Yee was the most prominent official there. But what struck me was that Migden knows how towork a room when her mood is on an even keel. She was even quite funny and actually had me questionning the rationale for change. Then I read the events at the State Convention and remember why. She really is Jekyle and Hyde.
In the excitement of the presidential race, I overlooked some big news here in The City. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has endorsed Mark Leno for the State Senate over incumbent Carole Migden.
In February, Californians will vote on Proposition 93 - which would modify the term limits law for the state legislature. Supporters claim that it will help legislators serve longer, but reducing the total length of time one can serve in the legislature (from 14 to 12 years) will cut short the career of some officials. In June, Assemblyman Mark Leno will challenge Senator Carole Migden in the 3rd District. If Prop 93 passes in February and Leno prevails in June, he could not run for another Senate term in 2012 - but Migden would be able to if she wins.
While Prop 93 would shorten Leno's career, the measure's drafters were eager to create loopholes for other legislators to avoid a similar pitfall. Under an earlier draft of the measure, State Senate President Don Perata would have been ineligible to run for another term; when the drafters of Prop 93 realized this, they promptly fixed the situation. Incumbents like Migden also got an escape clause so they can run again. Prop 93 is not about extending the term of all state legislators -just the ones who are currently in power.
In 2004, well below most people's radar, the FDA approved the implantation of VeriChip and other forms of RFID chip in human beings. While "chipping" is a lifesaver for pets, there is a certain "squicky" factor about implanting chips in human beings.
It was very stupid of the Dems to not hang the FDA decision around George W. Bush's neck. After all, "chipping" was the method used to enable the Mark of the Beast in the "Left Behind" series of bestselling books. Bush has been wrapping himself in the Bible now for his entire presidency. Why we didn't put leaflets about "Bush Administration approves Mark of the Beast" under windshield wipers of cars at Evangelical megachurches is beyond me.
We missed that opportunity. Here's another we cannot miss in 2008. I'll explain after the flip.
Just one of many actions around the state on the budget standoff. This one targets Republican State Senator Jeff Denham, who ran as a moderate in his Democratic leaning district.
SEIU 521
MONTEREY COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, NONPROFIT PROVIDERS AND WORKERS WILL HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE DEMANDING SENATOR JEFF DENHAM END STATE BUDGET STALEMATE
SALINAS, Calif. - Monterey County community members, nonprofit providers and workers will hold a press conference outside State Senator Jeff Denham's office at 369 Main Street, #208 on Monday, Aug. 13, at 12:00 noon.
The press conference will highlight the devastating impacts the state budget impasse is having on community social service and healthcare providers, educators, children, students, and seniors in Monterey County.
