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.