Lawmakers Back More Money to Confiscate Illegal Weapons from Californians

The state Department of Justice is likely to win legislative approval by the end of April to use $24 million in registration fees paid by gun owners to speed up taking away weapons from Californians prohibited from owning them.

Emergency legislation is awaiting action on the Assembly floor that would earmark the money, already collected by the department, to enforce the findings of its Armed Prohibited Persons System, which has identified 38,563 handguns and 1,647 so-called assault weapons in the hands of 19,770 Californians, such as felons or the mentally ill, who the law says can’t possess them.    Read more »

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Jerry Brown and Oliver Wendell Holmes

“Feeling begets feelings and great feelings beget great feelings,” said Gov. Jerry Brown in his January State of the State speech, quoting Oliver Wendell Holmes.

The Democratic governor used the line in relation to public education:

“I salute the teachers and the students, the parents and the college presidents, the whole school community.    Read more »

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Fitting That Jerry Brown Honors Ronald Reagan Since Reagan Aided Brown’s Political Career

For the  third time in as many years, Gov. Jerry Brown declares February 6 to be Ronald Reagan Day in California. To wit:

“From his humble Midwestern origins, through a successful career in Hollywood, and on to the highest offices in his state and country, Ronald Reagan lived the California dream.     Read more »

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Jerry Brown Yet to Settle Up His Super Bowl Wager — But Working On It

Gov. Jerry Brown won’t be paying off his losing bet on the Super Bowl for a week or so.

Not that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is griping about it.

Brown said before the game that if the San Francisco 49ers didn’t prevail he would send O’Malley a copy of “California: The Great Exception,” the insightful 1949 examination of what makes the Golden State unique by Carey McWiliams.    Read more »

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Jerry Brown on the Viability of High Speed Rail

“We all know the story of ‘The Little Engine That Could.’

 “The big engines were asked to haul the freight train over the mountain. They said, ‘Can’t do it.’ They asked another, ‘Can’t do it.’ The little train said, ‘I think I can.’

“And so the engine pulled in front of the long line of freight cars and started puffing away.    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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Gov. Jerry Brown Presents His Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1

Watch it here.

 Read this at Capitol Weekly.

     Read more »

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A New Legislature Begins Work

California’s 120 legislators were sworn in December 3 for the two-year session that runs through 2014. Both houses have “super-majorities” of Democrats meaning there are enough Democratic votes to pass taxes or place constitutional amendments on the ballot without the need to compromise with Republicans to win the necessary votes.

While not a stampede, several Democrats are introducing constitutional amendments that lower the approval threshold for local taxes and bonds.    Read more »

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Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Thanksgiving (Not a Moment Too Soon!)

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 

The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a celebration of the harvest that brought together the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation and the Native Americans who helped them adapt to their new environment. Over the years, Thanksgiving became an American tradition and one of the first holidays we celebrated as a free and independent nation.    Read more »

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Not Every Veto Message a Gem

Gov. Jerry Brown writes and edits all his veto messages. That’s what Brown insists, a statement echoed by his staff.

His veto messages are invariably forthright, sometimes trenchant and often droll but, like anyone, there are a few arid patches where the mojo just ain’t risin’, to quote famed political analyst Jim Morrison.    Read more »

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