Sen. Michael Rubio, Shafter Democrat, Resigns; Joins Chevron

From the Capitol Morning Report:

SACRAMENTO – Senator Michael J. Rubio issued the following statement this morning:

“As many of you know, a little over a year ago I decided not to run for the United States Congress to meet the needs of my growing family. My time serving since then has been a blessing, but it has also been a challenge.    Read more »

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Who Would Buy An Animal at a Flea Market Anyway?

Dickinson Introduces Legislation to Ban the Sale of Animals at Swap Meets and Flea Markets 

Sacramento – The sale of animals at swap meets and flea markets would be prohibited under legislation introduced February 13 by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, a Sacramento Democrat.

Dickinson’s legislation, AB 339, seeks to prevent the suffering of animals, protect consumers, and eliminate the public health and safety risks and potential threats of disease outbreaks associated with such sales.     Read more »

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Free Media Advice

In the immortal words of Gov. Jerry Brown during his first eight years as California’s chief executive: “Less is more.”

Labor Chair Roger Hernández Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Roger Hernandez released the following statement on the President’s State of the Union Address:

“I welcome President Obama’s enthusiasm and energy in creating new jobs in our nation.     Read more »

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Legislation Would Boost Number of Californians Eligible for State-Paid Medical Care

Democratic leaders of the Assembly and the Senate introduced legislation January 28 to carry out a federal mandate starting in 2014 to expand eligibility to 1.6 million Californians for Medi-Cal, the state’s health care system for the poor.

The action coincided with the beginning of a special legislative session called by Gov.    Read more »

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Brown Offers Upbeat State of the State Speech

Saying California was “back” and “on the move,” a chipper Gov. Jerry Brown urged lawmakers in his annual State of the State speech January 24 to streamline funding for schools, focus on implementing federal health care reform and keep a tight rein on spending so the budget stays balanced.

The Democratic governor said he had “never been more excited” about California’s prospects, praising the Golden State’s promise and improved fiscal condition while largely reiterating the same policy agenda contained in the budget he unveiled January 10.    Read more »

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Bipartisan Effort to End the Legislature’s 30-Days-in-Print Anachronism

One of the Legislature’s archaic rules that lawmakers say needlessly delays action on bills would be eliminated through a newly introduced constitutional amendment Republican and Democratic lawmakers hope to place on the 2014 ballot.

If voters approve, the change would end the Legislature’s 30-days-in-print rule, which requires exactly that:

No hearing or vote can be taken on legislation until it sits for 30 days after being introduced.    Read more »

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As an Alternative, Eliminate the Archaic 30-Days-In-Print Rule

On January 7, 2013, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, violated one of the chief rules of public relations by trying to blunt potential criticism of the upper house by drawing attentiont o the opportunity for leveling it. 

As the Senate’s first floor session of 2013 drew to a close, Steinberg allowed that the public and might  be critical of the lack of legislative business conducted during the first months of the legislative session.    Read more »

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So Far, 2013 Is The Year of the Well Read Legislator

On the January 6, 2013 Viewpoints page of the Sacramento Bee, Assemblyman Jeff Gorrell, a Camarillo Republican, opines that despite he and the members of his party holding less than one-third of the seats in both the Assembly and Senate for the first time in 80 years, they still influence the legislative process.    Read more »

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Remembering John Quimby

John Phillip Quimby, a craggy Capitol fixture for five decades first as a legislator and then a lobbyist for the Inland Empire, died December 23, 2012 of complications from pneumonia. He was 77.

A Democratic Assemblyman from 1962 to 1974, he subsequently lobbied for the counties he previously represented, San Bernardino and Riverside.     Read more »

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The Case of the Stolen Overcoat

The California Assembly’s Indomitable John Quimby Had a Lion’s Build, a Cheery Wit and a Hound’s Tooth Coat He Didn’t Own

By James R. Mills

San Diego Magazine, December 1983 

“Hire the handicapped,” John Quimby used to say. “They’re fun to watch.”

Upon his arrival in Sacramento in 1962, John had become the most popular member of the State Assembly, partly because he carried on so cheerfully and indomitably in spite of his own handicap.    Read more »

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