Paging Franz Kafka. Mr. Franz Kafka

While this news item, culled from the most recent Cal-TaxReport, needs neither commentary nor cockroach to sharpen its point, the length of time this legal tussle has dragged on is both remarkable and indefensible. 

A protest over a tax audit took more than a decade to be fully adjudicated by a state agency?    Read more »

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Chemical Interdependency

Assemblyman Cameron Smythe, a Santa Clarita Republican, was speaking to a group of chemical industry executives Thursday morning and joked that it wasn’t until he became vice-chair of the lower house’s Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials committee that he learned how truly dangerous the world is. 

Smythe said that sometimes the actions of the committee’s majority can be baffling and that the “science” used to justify some pieces of legislation isn’t always reliable.     Read more »

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The Plus Side of Term Limits

Karen Bass sworn in as California’s 67th Assembly Speaker    Read more »

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Long-time Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill to Retire

Elizabeth Hill, the Legislature’s top budget and policy analyst for nearly 22 years is retiring at the end of the 2008 legislative session. she announced Thursday (March 13).

“Her dedication to examining the policies — not the politics — of issues was remarkable. I and my colleagues will sorely miss her thoughtful analysis and sound advice.    Read more »

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Karen Bass, California’s Next Speaker

Karen Bass appears to be the next speaker of the California Assembly, the first African-American woman to be elected to the post. 

Bass and current Speaker Fabian Nunez told lobbyists and others Wednesday night that she had endorsement letters from 33 members of the 48-member Democratic caucus – well more than needed to elect her speaker.     Read more »

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Dear Sen. Cogdill:

WRITESTUFF INK 

Greg Lucas

1130 K Street, Suite 290

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-446-2013

February 21, 2008 

Dave – 

Just a note to offer my congratulations, which I assume is the right word, on your election as Senate GOP leader. 

Ross Johnson, a predecessor in your new post, once described the job of Assembly Minority leader as “herding cats through a minefield while juggling hand grenades.”     Read more »

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Reprieve — Albeit a Pricey One

When we left our intrepid family of three they faced the fearsome task of procuring health insurance as the clock ticked rapidly and inexorably toward a March deadline. 

Bugles blaring, Colts firing, the cavalry has just come over the ridge. 

Apparently, the nine months of COBRA health coverage the former employer of one of the family members was willing to pay to get that hard-working wretch to split does not expire until May 1.     Read more »

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Senate Picks New Pro Tem As Jockeying Intensifies for Assembly Speaker and Senate GOP Leader

Senate Democrats have selected Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, as the next leader of the California State Senate. 

In a closed-door caucus Thursday morning, the liberal, pro-labor lawmaker was picked by the upper house’s 25 Democrats to succeed Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, D-Oakland. 

Perata’s state political career ends this year because of the defeat of the term limits initiative, Proposition 93, on Tuesday’s ballot.     Read more »

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Steinberg New Senate Leader

Senate Democrats have selected Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat, as the next leader of the California State Senate. 

In a closed-door caucus Thursday morning, the liberal, pro-labor lawmaker was picked by the upper house’s 25 Democrats to succeed Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, D-Oakland. 

Perata’s state political career ends this year because of the defeat of the term limits initiative, Proposition 93, on Tuesday’s ballot.     Read more »

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Health Care, Health Care

The big deal this week is the January 23 hearing of the Senate Health Committee on Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez’s overhaul of California’s health care system.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, chair of the 11- member committee, opposes the legislation. All the Republicans on the committee are expected to vote, “no” although Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria has broken ranks with his team in the past at the governor’s behest.    Read more »

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