(It’s not always easy to think policy when you are concerned about politics, but AB32 is well (fairly) good policy. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

I suppose I should be upset that California has voted to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the latest in a series of wins for the Democratic-controlled legislature in the state.  I’m supposed to be upset because, as a rabid partisan animal, anything that gives the Governor a victory, symbolic or not, helps his re-election chances and hurts those of his opponent, Phil Angelides.  Because it’s all about winning with folks like me, and I’m simply too stubborn to look past politics for even one second to look at the issue on its own terms.

Except that I breathe.  And as a breather, my being able to breathe, and continue to live on this planet with other people, who like to breathe, and who won’t be as threatened by the potentially disastrous effects of climate change, is of paramount importance.  

The bill will use a “cap-and-trade” market-based solution to force polluters in the state to either reduce emissions (by 25% over the next 14 years), or pay significant amounts in noncompliance penalties, or trade with other companies who fall under the targets for the right to produce more emissions.  There are also safeguards to exempt the standards for up to a year in the event of a state catastrophe.  That sounds curiously like last years Prop.76, which would have allowed the governor basically to line-item out spending on education and health care and any other entitlement in the event of a “budget emergency.”

But compromise is often how things get done in our political system.  Although this so-called “grand compromise” between a Democratic legislative majority and a Republican governor really isn’t much of one.  The ENTIRE Republican caucus in the State Senate voted against it, and the ENTIRE Republican caucus in the Assembly is likely to follow suit.  This is exactly the same scenario as the minimum wage (without a COLA adjustment) bill, which all but one Republican (Abel Maldonado) refused to support.  These deals represent a compromise between a dominant Democratic legislature and a neutered puppy of a Governor who needs to go along with this stuff to save his job.

I applaud Dom Perata and Fabian Nunez for recognizing that this Governor was at his lowest ebb of power, and deciding that now was the time to get something done for the state.  It would be a tragedy to hold fire because of an election year while the climate crisis continues and the federal government remains unconcerned with doing anything about it.  Progressive legislative agendas at the state level have a way of bubbling up to the surface and eventually forcing themselves onto the federal stage.  And California is the world’s 12th-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, so the victory is not symbolic but tangible.

The politics of this are of less concern to me than ensuring our children’s future by fighting global warming today.  Phil Angelides has a tough sell, but would be right in saying that he supports the same basic goals and would go further in making California the world leader in the alternative clean energy industry.  Where he would be even righter is to note that not one Republican in both State Houses supported this legislation.  “Do you want a Democrat or Democrat-lite?” is the question.  Leading Democrats are making progress on a wide range of legislation.  Republicans are obstructing all of it, to a man.  If Arnold Schwarzenegger is re-elected and he is unconstrained by the voters, will he shift again to the side of pretty much every member of his party?

But for now, I say, good for California, for doing something to protect the environment and help save the planet.

P.S. It’s been a week now since the Honest Corporate Tax Reporting Act reached the governor’s desk.  Will he sign, veto, or just misplace?

And while both candidates have come out against Shiela Kuehl’s universal health care bill, which candidate has consistently fought against any measure that expands health insurance for Californians?

AND, Yes on Prop 89’s diary is a must-read.  Remember that Phil Angelides SUPPORTS Prop 89, an act of political courage.

There are plenty of points of contrast, despite the neutered puppy’s lurches leftward attempting to curry favor with the dominant ideology in the state.

At Political Interviews I have the full video of the moment when maybe the sea really did change and the Admin began it’s fall. The full transcript is on the jump. The Video is in Flash format with an autostart so if you have audio you are in the deal.

I’ve seen this happen once before….when Walter Cronkite publically turned against the War in Vietnam. It was the beginning of the end. This may be the same thing.

At Political Dogfight is more commentary and the emails to use to support Keith Olbermann.

Watch this if you haven’t…it’s better resolution and more like the TV show than You Tube.

It truly was an enthralling moment last night. This one will be talked about for years if not decades.

Olberman was right. This is a democracy. Barely.

And we have to fight for what’s left when Administration figures demand unthinking
loyalty and question the patriotism and intelligence of those who may ask questions or dissent.

I try hard. But if you don’t read and watch…it means nothing.

Why should this be on a California blog? Because we are all Americans first.

Cross-Posted at Daily Kos.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Highway Patrol — I am not making this up — has taken to warning public interest groups they could be considered a “Homeland Security Threat” for capturing video to put on YouTube.

Here is the background. This is the final week of California’s legislative session, so lawmakers and lobbyists get together for literally dozens of fundraisers each day as legislators decide the fate of bills. Today’s LA Times headlined an article, Checks Roll In as Laws Flow Out which noted $193,000 moved Monday alone. Even worse, the lobbyist have found a new way to dodge reporting until after the session ends, making accountability reports like this LA Times story more difficult. The tactic is called “pledging” where the lobbyists show up at the big money fundraiser to demonstrate support for a legislator and talk shop, but the money doesn’t actually change hands until after the session is over to dodge the disclosure requirements.

To cast some sunlight on this process and help support this fall’s Clean Money, Proposition 89 initiative, a government watchdog group started showing up at the fundraisers with a video camera and started a website — Channel 89 — with links to all the YouTube video of the events.

The response: intimidation:

Proponents of Proposition 89, which would reduce the role of big money in politics, were warned by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer yesterday that they could be considered a “homeland security threat” as they filmed lawmakers and lobbyists wrapping up end of the session deals.

“When did the CHP become a private security force for corporate lobbyists? Prop 89, the campaign finance overhaul, will make the Capitol a public space again,” said Jerry Flanagan of the nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR).

FTCR’s public interest news crew, Channel 89, was in the Capitol yesterday filming lawmakers and lobbyists as they exchange favors and campaign contributions in the final days of the legislative session. A CHP officer warned the Channel 89 staff that they could be considered a “homeland security threat” for filming the democratic process in the Capitol. Shortly after, Channel 89 staff members were stopped as they tried to interview Assembly Speaker Nuñez outside his office. The CHP called FTCR staff to suggest they were breaking the law.

It is easy to understand why the powers that be fear Proposition 89. In addition to strict contribution limits and tough enforcement, Prop 89 also creates public financing of elections in California. Not only would this clean up the special interest strangehold on the state, but by fundamentally reforming the political economy of the largest state, Prop 89 would be a beacon for electoral reform nationwide. Apparently, clean elections and accountability are a threat to Homeland Security.

You can stay up to date on this historic campaign at the Proposition 89 Blog.

(Not only will Debra be, like, the coolest Secretary of State, EVER, but Bruce is a big fat liar. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

Schwarzenegger appointed California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson went negative against his opponent Senator Debra Bowen of the California Elections Committee last night when he sent out an email claiming that Sen. Bowen is funding her campaign with Wal-Mart stock.

So, how is it that the current Secretary of State, who is in charge of all of the official records – i.e. reporting for candidates and lobbying, how is it that he could have received such bad intelligence??Could McPherson just not find the right FPPC file?    

I think Mr. McPherson must have used a DIEBOLD electronic search to get his information!  OOPSY!

McPherson sent this email to his supporters yesterday afternoon:

Accusing Senator Bowen of not only possessing Wal-Mart stock, but using that stock to fund her campaign for fair elections in California.

McPherson went so far as to make up a quote from Senator Bowen – saying

“I realize that makes me a hypocrite since it runs counter to my Democrat ideals but, hey – the ends will justify the means when I’m Secretary of State!” – Brucie Mc`P’ doing a really pathetic impression of Sen. Bowen

What Mr. McPherson failed to mention is that:
1.  Senator Bowen DOES NOT own Wal-Mart stock.
2.  If Senator Bowen DID own Wal-Mart stock – in California it is NOT permissible to loan stock to a campaign. (how does he not know this again?)
3.  Senator Bowen, unlike Mr. McPherson, has actually been voting in support of working people for the last 14 years – and is endorsed by the California Federation of Teachers, the California Nurses Association, AFSCME, the United Teachers of Los Angeles, and the State Council of Laborers.  

Mr. McPherson, on the other hand – (according to Project Vote Smart a non-partisan, non-profit group that catalogues and tracks votes and rankings from various groups)
in 2003 had a 4% Rating with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
in 2005 had a 20% rating with the California School Employees Association
Too:
McPherson approved Diebold voting equipment even after computer scientists declared the software possibly illegal and has security holes

Does this guy just not get it?

Or is he just bought and paid for by the right wing extremist machine to disenfranchise working people??

If asked these questions Mr. Mc “p” (now little “p”) might respond:

“I realize this makes a mockery of our voting system and our Constitution and runs counter to the ideals of every voter who cares their vote is counted accurately, but HEY – the ends justify the means when I certify the count!” -Me pretending to be Mc “p”

For goodness sake – CONTRIBUTE to stopping these lies!!  or use ActBlue and get some good government over there in California… ya’ll are killing me!! Little P frightens me!

California appears set to become the first state to actively regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Frank at the C.P.R. has more: (By the way, Frank has been doing some excellent work in the last few weeks covering the end of the session.  He’s running himself ragged to get to cover as much as possible in the Capitol.)

The California State Senate has passed greenhouse gas emission reduction bill AB 32 (Nunez/Pavley) by a vote of 23 to 14 with three abstentions. All 23 votes in favor were cast by Democratic Senators and all 14 votes against the measure were cast by Republicans.

Earlier today it was announced by Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, and coauthor Fran Pavley that Governor Schwarzenegger was in support of the message. The Governor has hailed this as a bill he was looking forward to sign.(California Progress Report 8/30/06)

The deal includes an optional cap-and-trade provision, which appears likely to happen along with an escape clause that would allow the governor to unilateraly stop the implimentation of the law based on economic factors:

Schwarzenegger had insisted on creating an escape clause that would allow for a delay in the deadlines in case of a natural or economic disaster. He got that. (SF Chron 8/31/06)

I’m still not sure about whether or not there has been a clear definition of what an economic disaster is; I’ll look into whether there are some restrictions on the governor’s power in that area.

In the end, the legislature worked hard to get as many people as possible on board with the plan. They even got PG&E to give its blessing to the deal.  Ultimately, if people choose to stick their head in the ground and disbelieve good science, there’s nothing we can do. 

Republican State Senator Tom McClintock, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, acknowledged that the climate was in fact warming, but ascribed that to the waxing and waning of the climate cycle and said that the next time we have an ice age, it will go down. He predicted financial ruin for the state and that it would increase the state deficit.(California Progress Report 8/30/06)

If this is a token measure, then so be it.  Somebody has to lead the nation towards a better future.  California has always been that leader and should continue to be so.  We are the worlds’ 5th largest economy, and the effect of our pollution is no trivial matter.  This is a major step towards promoting the reduction of global warming emissions internationally and Speaker Nunez, Assemblywoman Pavley, and Senator Perata should be commended for their work on this bill.

The PPIC released their statewide survey for August tonight.  It’s not the best news ever.

Republican Governor Schwarzenegger leads his Democratic challenger, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, by a 13-point margin among likely voters (45% to 32%). Voter preferences have changed little since one month ago (43% to 30%). Possible explanations for Schwarzenegger’s lead? While 82 percent of Republicans favor Schwarzenegger, only 58 percent of Democrats choose Angelides. Independents are choosing Schwarzenegger over Angelides by a wide margin (42% to 23%). Schwarzenegger’s lead in Republican-leaning areas is commanding – 30 points in the Central Valley and 23 points in the Southern California counties outside of Los Angeles . Angelides’ performance in key Democratic enclaves is less convincing: He leads by 10 points in the San Francisco Bay Area, while Schwarzenegger actually enjoys a slight lead in Los Angeles (41% to 36%). And finally, Democrats (42%) are much less likely than Republicans (58%) to be satisfied with their gubernatorial choices.

The silver lining:
1) Arnold is below 50%
2) Phil will get much of that D support back as people start to pay anttention to the race. That will tighten up the race considerably.