A POSSIBLE BREAK IN BUDGET STALEMATE?

ASSEMBLY DEM SUPPORTS GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PLAN:

Cathleen Galgiani, an Assembly Democrat from Tracy, is creating shockwaves today around the Capitol. She is the first legislator, to the best of my knowledge, who is now publicly endorsing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s compromise budget plan.  Galgiani is saying today, “I have decided to break ranks with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues. I am rejecting both sides’ budget proposals and will vote for the taxpayers.”

The Governor’s plan calls for a temporary sales tax increase and in a written statement, Galgiani says, “A short-term 3-year increase of 1 cent in the sales tax along with cuts in expenditures will get California out of this fiscal mess. This short-term increase will be followed by a long-term permanent reduction in sales taxes – a quarter cent below today’s sales tax rate.”

The Governor’s office is of course delighted to see the first sign of movement. Press Secretary Aaron McLear told me today, “The Assemblywoman is right — both Republicans and Democrats should step across the partisan divide to end this budget impasse. That is why the Governor is urging compromise to end the stalemate.”

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED?

Did Cathleen Galgiani upset her colleagues by breaking ranks with the Democrats?  Take a look at the updated statement issued by Galgiani’s office late today, “Let me make it clear. I would support the Governor’s budget proposal if it reached the floor of the Assembly.  However,  I remain confident that my Democratic colleagues will craft a budget in the next few days, and I will continue to stand with them to protect education and the taxpayers.”

Sounds like Galgiani  ruffled some feathers by showing  too much independence in trying to break the stalemate on her own.  Assembly Democrats have now been locked in a stalemate with Republicans for 73 days.

DMV SHUTS DOWN SATURDAY SERVICE

MOTORISTS ARE THE LATEST BUDGET VICTIMS

The Department of Motor Vehicles announced today it is shutting down its popular Saturday office hours for the second month in a row, because of the budget stalemate.  DMV will shutter 53 field offices around the state on Saturday, September 20. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order prohibits overtime in non-emergency situations, and the “staff is there on an overtime basis,” DMV Spokesman Mike Marando told me today, adding that DMV’s Saturday service attracted 270,000 Californians last year.

LONGER LINES

“Right now (4:35pm Friday) there is an average one hour wait at DMV’s 135 field offices” Marando noted, saying “the wait numbers are trending up by 20-25 minutes” on average statewide since the Saturday shutdown began. In all, up to 8 million Californians use the DMV field offices each year.

BAY AREA OFFICES

DMV says the following Bay Area field offices will be closed on September 20: Daly City, Oakland Coliseum, Pittsburgh, Redwood City, San Francisco,  San Jose, Santa Clara,  Santa Rosa, Vallejo, Walnut Creek.

One way to beat the lines is to go online. You can access the Department’s Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

REEPS READY TO PLAY HOOKIE

SOME GOP LAWMAKERS TO SKIP TOWN FOR ST. PAUL

California is now 64 days without a budget, but Senator Abel Maldonado (R) Santa Maria is still planning to fly to Minnesota after the Senate ends its session tonight in Sacramento.  As we first reported last week, the McCain campaign asked Maldonado to deliver a nationwide television speech to the GOP convention on Wednesday,  September 3. You can see the speech on TV around 5:45pm California time Wednesday evening.

In an interview last week, Maldonado told me, “I plan on giving a good speech for Senator McCain. Obviously it’s important. It’s great to be able to go to a convention, number one and number two to be asked by obviously a nominee of a party.”

But in the tense political climate around the Capitol, critics charge that leaving Sacramento for a political convention simply reinforces the perception that politicians are more interested in advancing their own agendas ahead of the people they serve.

ONE ASSEMBLYMEMBER ALREADY THERE

I’ve been receiving good information from my sources in Minnesota that at least one Republican Assemblyman is already in St. Paul for the convention and I received confirmation today from the office of Assemblyman Van Tran (R) Costa Mesa. The Assembly has been in recess Monday and Tuesday, but Van Tran apparently plans to stay put for the final two days of the convention on Wednesday and Thursday.

Van Tran’s office sent me a written statement saying, “Serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention is a responsibility I take seriously.”

But what about his responsibilities to reach a budget deal? Well in his written statement, Van Tran says, “I am following developments in Sacramento closely and trust in Republican Leader Mike Villines to negotiate a budget compromise that is fair for California…I am in regular contact with both the leader’s office and my office and am ready to return to Sacramento at any time.”

But now that California lawmakers have set the record for the latest date ever for a budget agreement, you can bet that Van Tran and other Republicans will be criticized for leaving town…just as Assembly Democrats Fabian Nunez of  Los Angeles, Lori Saldana of San Diego,  Dave Jones of Sacramento  and Budget Chair John Laird of Santa Cruz were blasted last week when they abandoned the Capitol and took off for Denver.

PALIN GENERATES BUZZ AT CAPITOL

POLITICAL UNKNOWN IS TALK OF THE TOWN

Female lawmakers from both parties reacted positively today to the surprise selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate.  Republican Assemblywoman Mimi Walters of Laguna Niguel told me today the election dynamics are changing, “I think those Hillary Clinton supporters have been looking for a candidate that they can really connect with and I believe that she will be that candidate and I’m very excited.”

Republican Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia of Cathedral City was excited too saying, “She’s a young Governor, she’s already demonstrated leadership. She’s not part of the old guard, she’s not part of old Washington. She’s certainly had some personal challenges. I think she will appeal to working moms and soccer moms and career professionals all across the board.”

And Audra Strickland (R), Camarillo Assemblywoman was gushing with praise for Palin, saying “I’m very impressed with what I know about her, a working mom with five kids and doing the job that she does. Her focus on renewable energy and how to bring about the energy needs for the state of Alaska as well as the country.”

Even some Democrats had positive things to say. In my interview today with  Lori Saldana (D) San Diego, the chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus said, “I think it will spark not only Hillary supporters,  I think it will spark a lot of interest in the people who think that it’s important for women to have leadership positions in national politics.”

But no matter whether the Obama-Biden ticket or John McCain and Sarah Palin win in November, this will be a historic election. Saldana put it this way, “We think women will get involved, more women will pay attention to this election. I think it will bring forth conversations about family, about finances.” Then she added, “Sarah Palin, you know she has a child with disabilities. And here with the state budget we’re discussing cutbacks to exactly those kind of families, people trying to raise children with Downs, with Autism, it’s very interesting how these national conversations have a very direct impact on California conversations also.”

McCain Looking for California Gold

THE GOLDEN STATE

John McCain, the GOP nominee-to-be, may be way behind in the race to capture California’s 55 electoral votes, but he’s hoping to mine some political support and more importantly – money out of the Golden State.  The U.S. Senator from Arizona will be in Rancho Cucamonga, California this Friday, August 22 for a meet and greet at a senior center. The event is sponsored by the Health Care Professionals and it’s set for 2 p.m.

McCain is scheduled to be in Sacramento on Monday, August 25 for a noon fundraiser at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

GOV DOWN ON DOWNER COWS

Signs Food Safety Legislation

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed a new law prohibiting slaughterhouses from buying, selling, processing or butchering any animal that can’t walk by itself….so called “downer cows”.   In signing the bill,  the Governor said he is, “committed to ensuring California’s food supply is safe and secure.”

The health concern here is that meat from the “downer cows” exposes consumers to increased risk from E. Coli, salmonella and mad cow disease. The penalty for breaking the law is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $20,000 or both.

Earlier this year we showed you the undercover video shot by the Humane Society of the United States, documenting how workers at one California plant rammed cows with forklifts and used water pressure to try and force sick animals to stand.  HSUS is now supporting Prop 2 on the November ballot, requiring chickens and other animals have enough room to turn around and extend their limbs.  In other words, the idea is to ban cages for chickens – an act that would raise egg prices according to the opposition. Stay tuned for some emotional ads on the air this fall.

CAT FIGHT AT THE CAPITOL

FUR FLIES OVER MEASURE TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET

Timmy and Lassie are coming to the Capitol on Wednesday, along with dozens of other pet lovers to demonstrate their opposition to a yet another new bill requiring pets to be spayed or neutered.

AB 1634 by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D), Van Nuys would allow animal control officers to issue citations to pet owners–$50 fine for the first offense, $100 for the second, and mandatory spay or neuter for the third.

Officers won’t be knocking on doors to enforce the law, but can check out your pet while in the course of investigating complaints. Critics contend pesky neighbors can file complaints against people they don’t like to get them in trouble.

Supporters counter that Timmy and Lassie have been hired to be there to help kill the bill. We’ll profile the nasty dog/cat fight in the battle to reduce overcrowding in pet shelters.

 

 

LAWMAKERS VOTE TO PROTECT THEIR PAYCHECKS

DON’T CUT MY SALARY: State Senators just voted down a constitutional amendment that would have prevented them from getting a pay raise whenever there’s a budget deficit. The final tally was three to one, with only Senate President Don Perata (D) Oakland, voting in favor of the measure that could have opened the door to possible pay cuts – not only for lawmakers – but also for Constitutional officers…everyone from the Governor on down.  Although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger does not take a pay check, future Governors could have seen a change in the $212, 179 salary.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Abel Maldonado (R), Santa Maria was clearly peeved when I talked to him just moments ago, telling me, “I don’t think it’s right,” then adding, “In three weeks we’re cutting everybody and everybody else gets a raise.” Last year, the Legislature received a 2.75% increase with most members making a base salary of  $116,208, while Assembly and Senate leaders make even more.

Those voting to preserve their salaries were Democrats Gilbert Cedillo and Alex Padilla, both of Los Angeles. Republican Senator Jim Battin of La Quinta also voted no, while Republican Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga took the easy way out and decided not to vote on the matter.

 

GOV MAKES NBA BET

Riding Kobe to Victory: Will the Lakers beat the Celtics in the NBA finals? Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks so…in fact he’s betting on it. California’s Governor is making a friendly wager with his cross-country rival, Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. Schwarzenegger is so confident that Kobe, Lamar and Luke will beat up the Celts, he’s expecting to receive 17 pounds of clam chowder from the Bay State, which he will then donate to a charity of his choosing.

But if the Lakers should lose, Schwarzenegger will provide a shipment of California-grown fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese and wine to Governor Patrick’s favorite charity. 

“The Lakers in five.”  Aaron McLear told me today. But when I reminded Governor Schwarzenegger’s press secretary the Lakers are down 1-0 and would have to win four in a row for that to come true he replied, “Unlike John Kerry, I’m not gonna flip flop. When I make a prediction, I stick with it.”

Game two is Sunday night.

 

CA WANTS TO PROPOSITION YOU

FOUR MEASURES ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

Secretary of State Debra Bowen made it official today, announcing that at least four measures have now qualified for the November ballot. The newest one requires a waiting period and parental notification before an underage teenager can have an abortion.  This proposition would prohibit teens under 18 from getting an abortion until 48 hours after a physician notifies the girl’s parents or legal guardian. The parental notification measure received nearly 700,000 valid signatures to make the ballot…and is very similar to another proposition that failed at the ballot just two years ago.

The other three items we’ll be voting on include a high-speed rail bond, a measure on the treatment of farm animals and a children’s hospital bond.