A Diamond Amongst the Dross

“Spot” bills, “placeholders” or “intent” bills are pieces of legislation that aren’t yet legislation. They await amendments that will convert them into “real” legislation. Their language is usually boilerplate and, nearly always, features the word, “intent,” since, properly, the bills don’t change law, they merely express a future desire to do so.    Read more »

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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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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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Tim Donnelly, Possible GOP Contender for Governor

The Assemblyman from Hesperia wants Californians to tell him whether he should enter the fray of the 2014 gubernatorial election  for a chance to be thrashed by whomever the Democrats nominate. Despite being posted on Facebook, the following is unlikely to resonate with enough of the California’s 3.7 million regitstered independent voters — even more by the time the eleciton rolls around — who now are the key to statewide elections.     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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Controller’s January Cash Report — California $4.3 billion More Flush Than Expected

Total revenues for January 2013 were $4.3 billion above estimates found in the Governor’s budget plan presented early in the same month, according to State Controller Johan Chiang.

The spike in revenues – 39 percent higher than anticipated – appears in Chiang’s report covering California’s cash balance, receipts and disbursements for the first month of the calendar year, released February 8.    Read more »

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Do These Questions Really Reveal the “Truth About Republicans?”

In a four-page letter that, no doubt, House Speaker John Boehner wept over numerous times while composing, he urges his fellow Americans to counter “liberal talking points saturating the media airwaves.”

Apparently, Democrats in Congress and their “liberal special interest allies” as well as their allies in the media “slanting coverage in favor of the liberal point-of-view” are misrepresenting the Republican Party  and attacking its “conservative, pro-jobs agenda.”    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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