CHANGING POLITICAL BOUNDARIES

CUT THAT OUT
For weeks, there have been rumblings at the State Capitol about political reform. Now it looks like we may have not one, but possibly two different measures that promise to change political boundaries.

On Monday, Bay Area lawyer Barry Fadem filed an initiative with the Attorney General allowing voters, not politicians, to draw the lines. The ballot measure – if it gets that far – would create an independent commission of 11 registered voters to carve up new boundaries for both the California legislature and California members of Congress. The measure was drafted with input from the League of Women Voters, California Common Cause, People’s Advocate and AARP.

NOT IN MY HOUSE
By contrast, a rival measure supported by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles, excludes Congressional districts. The Speaker told me why, “At this point, the initiative I’m working on will not include Congressional districts because we’ve heard a message loud and clear from Washington, D.C.” And what’s the message? Nunez adds, “The members of Congress are not going to support it if we include them. They in essence will run a campaign to try and defeat it.”

Democrats at the State Capitol are under political pressure, capitol insiders say, to leave the Congressional lines just where they are. The reason: they don’t want to bring any changes that could backfire against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco Democrat, potentially jeopardizing the balance of power in Washington.

BATTLE OF THE BAY

TWO SF POLS TO DUKE IT OUT
Two of the Bay Area’s most popular politicians: Assemblyman Mark Leno and Senator Carole Migden will face off against each other in a primary fight for Migden’s Senate seat in 2008.

Leno’s campaign office confirmed the Assemblyman will kick off his race on Friday, March 2nd with two Bay Area events – a morning announcement in the North Bay, most likely in Mill Valley, followed by a noon press conference in San Francisco. Leno terms out of his Assembly seat in 2008 and will challenge Migden now for the right to represent San Francisco and the North Bay in the State Senate. Migden is eligible to stay in office until 2012, unless she is defeated and the Leno forces believe she is vulnerable, citing an internal poll.

Leno’s political consultant John Whitehurst predicted his candidate has the big edge in the City by the Bay. He told Capitol Insider, “This election is already decided in San Francisco in favor of Mark Leno.” Whitehurst estimated that 55% of the voters in this Senate district are from San Francisco, while 45% are from Marin and Sonoma Counties.

In response, Carole Migden released this statement to Capitol Insider: “I’m proud of the work I’m doing and my effectiveness in the District and I’m terribly sorry that Mr. Leno is concerned that he will soon be out of a job.”

Both Migden and Leno are members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Caucus at the State Capitol. Check out their picture in the link below.

http://www.assembly.ca.gov/LGBT_Caucus/

This may be the last time you see them smiling together, as political insiders predict a very bitter and contentious primary fight.

FIRST LADY NOT RUNNING

MARIA SHRIVER IS PLENTY BUSY
California’s First Lady Maria Shriver is not interested in running for Governor in 2010 – or anytime for that matter – despite what you may have read. Shriver’s Chief of Staff Daniel Zingale says, “She has no inclination whatsoever” to succeed her husband Arnold Schwarzenegger as Governor. Shriver, a Democrat, is of course, part of the legendary Kennedy family and is the niece of former President John Kennedy.

The rumor started when Maria filled in for the Governor during his weekly radio address last Saturday to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit program – a program that provides tax refunds for the working poor. The Governor frequently uses ‘guest hosts’ for his 3 minute speech, so this was no big deal, but somehow it sparked a rumor that Maria was running for higher office.

“What she is most interested in,” says Zingale, “is looking for ways to connect people with their own legacies,” as in her work advancing the California History Museum.

TERM LIMITS
California voters may have three big items on the ballot next Winter, now that the Senate has fast-tracked California’s presidential primary next year from June to February. Voters may also be deciding on redistricting reform and another plan to extend term limits.

THE SPEAKER SPEAKS
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez tells Capitol Insider, “I’m not interested in extending anybody’s term, beyond what the voters already to in the Constitution, which is 14 years.”

But to change term limits, the politicians need to make it look like a victory for voters, and here’s how they might do it. “I’d like to reduce it to 12 years, ” Nunez says, “but allow legislators to serve the full term in either one house or another.”

Currently elected leaders can serve only three terms (six years) in the Assembly and two terms (four years) in the Senate. Of course, if he’s successful, the Speaker can then run for re-election in the Assembly – otherwise he is termed out in 2008.

RUDY GIULIANI KEYNOTES GOP CONVENTION

APPLE OF THEIR EYE
Former New York City Mayor and 9-11 Hero Rudy Giuliani will headline the California Republican Party state convention later this month in Sacramento. His Honor will be the keynote luncheon speaker on Saturday, February 10th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Giuliani is considered a leading contender for the Republican nomination in the 2008 Presidential race – and he is the only potential candidate attending the event. The Democrats are scheduled to meet in San Diego for their state convention in late April.

There is more talk floating around Sacramento about Gov. Scharzenegger’s future. Click on my video blog below for details.

The Governor’s Future