Brown the Elder & Brown the Younger

At a wide-ranging meeting with reporters to discuss his accomplishments in 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown “invoked” — his verb — his father, Gov. Pat Brown several times.

Discussing the role of the chief executive and the Legislature and how, in the interest of “comity” the governor sometimes signs bills with little impact or import merely to forge a better working relationship with lawmakers, Brown noted that his father was “very hesitant to veto” bills that had a “strong vote” in the Legislature.     Read more »

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For the Edification of Governor Brown: “Income Inequality in the Roman Empire”

A subscriber forwards this article by Tim de Chant, a science writer.

In the piece, he examines an academic study that measures how much wealth was concentrated in how few hands during the height of the Roman Empire in 150 C.E.*

At a December 13 press conference, Gov. Jerry Brown, holder of a 1961 degree in classics from the University of California at Berkeley, said the current gulf between America’s haves and have-nots is akin to Ancient Rome where “it was the same fight between the aristocrats and the plebians.”     Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Comes from The Governor of The Great State of California

Gov. Jerry Brown’s 1961 undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley is in Classics.

Lest there was some doubt, at a December 13 Capitol press conference explaining that California must exercise fiscal disicpline and spend within its means, Brown said:

“Nemo dat quod non habet.”

Translated: “No man gives what he doesn’t have.”    Read more »

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The Great Cost Cutter Cometh

Edmund G. Brown Jr., the Tight-With-a-Taxpayer-Dime Democratic governor hath issued an executive order, his signature affixed thereto, this day (December 12) in the Year of Our Lord 2011 ordering “agency secretaries and department directors (to) prepare a list of all reports that they are required to submit to the Legislature and identify those that may no longer be of significant value to the Legislature.”    Read more »

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Sound Familiar?

“I am concerned about the uncertain and increasing tax burden created by many publicly sponsored pension systems. This particular bill goes too far when it authorizes local jurisdictions to pay 50 percent of the employees’ pension contributions and at the same time permits employees who leave the job before retirement to receive a windfall in the form of a refund of all such employer contibutions.”    Read more »

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Space: The Final Metaphor

Unveiling his “Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan,” Gov. Jerry Brown was asked at an Oct. 27 press conference if less generous retirement benefits necessitate larger salaries for employees. The Democratic governor acknowledged that such was the case but notrd that the salary of an employee can always be reduced in a subsequent year or that employee can be sacked.    Read more »

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Of Vetoes, Free Speech and Funeral Picketing

 One of the benefits of Gov. Jerry Brown’s self-penned veto messages is that they open small windows into his personality.

In one such missive, the Democratic governor expresses regret that he can’t sign a bill making it a misdemeanor to picket funerals within one hour before the funeral begins and one hour after it concludes.    Read more »

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Jerry Brown on Adoption

“Current law allows the courts in cases of necessity and good and compelling cause to make available information regarding the birth of children who have been adopted.

“This bill would radically change the law to require when both an adopted person and the natural parent each request from the Department of Health information with respect to identity of the other that a meeting will be arranged between the two without any requirement of just cause, without any notification to the adoptive parents and without any judicial review.    Read more »

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A Closer Look at the One ‘Job Killer’ Bill Signed by Jerry Brown

Of the five bills branded “job killers” by the California Chamber of Commerce that reached his desk, Gov Jerry Brown signed one.

The bill prevents employers – except financial institutions – from using a credit report to determine whether to hire or promote someone.

Exceptions to the prohibition include managerial slots, peace officers and positions involving access to money or confidential information.    Read more »

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Truly, a Vintage Jerry Brown Veto Message

“I am returning Asembly Bill 4055 without my signature. 

“This bill requires the Energy Commission to create a 20-member advisory commission. One Energy Commission is enough.” 

     — September 30, 1976    Read more »

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