Our co-author, CW's Anthony York, is in Denver this week, and will be blogging his experience, or at least the parts that are fit for print.
Here's the last we heard from him:
"The flight is about two-thirds full, less crowded than I thought a non-stop from Sacramento to Denver would be the day before
the Democratic National Convention is set to begin.
Maybe the empties are from all the legislators who
cancelled their trips. Maybe it’s because it’s Sunday night, and the party’s already started without us.
"There are a few Capitol types on the plane. There are
assorted lobbyists, vaguely familiar political faces,
and at least one elected official. Lt. Gov.
John Garamendi is on this last flight into the Mile High City, with
his wife and body man, prepping for his four days in
Denver.
"For pols like Garamendi, and others, conventions are
prime schoomzing time, a time to introduce, or reintroduce,
yourself to activists and potential donors. And the
fact that Garamendi comes into Denver as the only declared
candidate for governor (Gavin Newsom is still ‘exploring’), it allows him to speak about 2010 with a bit more clarity – to more openly make the ask.
"Barack Obama may be the main story, but there are thousands of
pols gathered in Denver to write the next chapter in
their own political narratives. And Garamendi hopes
Denver will be part of the two-year road that launches him into the governor’s office in 2010."
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who years ago blasted legislators as "girlie men," is at it again – characterizing them as fearful and lacking backbone
to do the right thing," writes the Bee's Jim Sanders.
"Schwarzenegger, speaking of the state's two-month budget standoff, told The Bee that lawmakers
are so afraid of political fallout that they can't 'step over their own shadow.'
"'Everyone is kind of frightened to make any move,' he said.
"Schwarzenegger's release this week of his "compromise" budget proposal, anchored by a temporary sales tax
increase, lifted the curtain on tense closed-door talks with legislative leaders over a $15.2 billion deficit.
"The governor said he is 'trying to act as the grown-up in the budget negotiations.'
"By taking the fight directly to voters, however, strategists
for both parties said Schwarzenegger could antagonize
the very lawmakers he needs to strike a deal.
"'The problem with using that kind of bullying language
is that he's tried it in the past and it didn't work,' said Democratic political consultant Roger Salazar.
"Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines of Clovis questioned the governor's own gutsiness.
"'I don't believe it shows strong backbone to have said (no tax increases) publicly for years and years and years – and then to change your position overnight,' Villines said."
George Skelton gets his chance to sit down with the governor to talk about the budget.
"Sunday was supposed to have been the drop-dead day for passing a reform measure in time for the
November ballot. Schwarzenegger said he might call
a special election next year.
"'No one here should think that because they go past
the deadline that now they've pulled a nice trick,' he cautioned. 'There will be no budget signed without a good budget
reform.'
"The governor chided Republicans for not producing their
own budget. He has. Democrats have.
"'Republicans talk about the borrowing scenario and about
the cuts,' he said. 'I'd like to see their budget. Why haven't we seen any numbers? Wouldn't it be wonderful? 'Here are the cuts in education and in healthcare and
in prisons and law enforcement.' '
"Schwarzenegger expects the fight to drag out a lot
longer, even if the budget already is 56 days late. The fiscal year began July 1.
"'Lock the building and don't let anyone leave until there's a budget,' he declared."
While the budget impasse continues, the sausage factory
continues to churn out bills.
The Assembly and Senate both meet today, and noses
will be counted to see who has left for Denver. Not
to worry, as there are still seats available on tonight's 6:45 p.m. nonstop Southwest flight to Denver.
And, for Assembly Democrats, as long as you show up
today and Friday, you'll get your per diem for the week.
"[I]n what many observers are calling the most significant
environmental bill of this year's state legislative session, builders and environmentalists
have found common ground on a compromise they hope
will limit global warming by changing where homes are
built," reports Paul Rogers in the Merc News.
"The bill would make California the first state in the
nation to attempt to reduce global warming emissions
by drawing up regional plans to reduce miles driven
by passenger vehicles, then directing most transportation
funding only to so-called "smart growth" projects.
"If it becomes law, the measure could affect everything
from San Jose's proposed Coyote Valley development to future construction
in eastern Contra Costa County, Watsonville and Napa.
"'We know people are going to drive. We want them in
their cars for less time,' said state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who authored the bill, SB 375.
"The measure is expected to face key floor votes in
the Assembly and Senate early next week. Because Democrats
have the majority, the bill faces likely passage. Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has not said whether he would
sign it.
"But it has sparked controversy. In June, state Sen.
Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, lambasted a version as all but un-American.
"'Most people don't want to live in dense urban cores. Most people want
a little elbow room - they want a yard for their children to play in,' McClintock said.
"'They want a little grass, a little garden, a little
breathing room they can call their own. And who the
hell are you to tell people they can't?'"
"From the city of San Francisco to Los Angeles County,
more than a dozen local governments around the state
have proposed or passed plastic-bag restrictions, ranging from recycling mandates to outright bans," reports Jim Downing in the Bee.
"Now, a proposal in the Legislature would put a 25-cent fee on all disposable bags – paper or plastic – given out at drug and grocery store check stands starting
Jan. 1, 2010. It has won key support from the grocery and retail
industries and faces its next legislative step today.
"Those in favor of the fee, led by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, and a collection of environmental groups,
point to dirty oceans, sewers fouled with plastic and
millions of dollars in litter-cleanup costs. Opponents – mainly bag-industry and taxpayer organizations – say plastic bags draw more blame than they deserve
and the fee would be a burden on consumers.
"'People have completely lost their perspective,' said Stephen Joseph, a Tiburon lawyer who runs savetheplasticbag.com,
an industry group."
"An ambitious proposal crafted in the dwindling days
of the legislative session would for the first time give state regulators broad
authority to oversee chemicals in consumer products ," writes Steve Wiegand in the Bee.
"The two-bill deal, negotiated among legislators, the Schwarzenegger
administration and environmental and chemical industry
groups, also would lay the foundation for the administration's "Green Chemistry Initiative," which would fundamentally change the way the state
handles hazardous materials.
"'I think we're on the verge of enacting groundbreaking legislation,' said Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles.
"Feuer's measure, Assembly Bill 1879, would give the Department of Toxic Substances Control
until January 2011 to establish a science-based process to identify and evaluate problem chemicals
in their manufacture, use and ultimate disposal.
"It would give the department authority to regulate
the chemicals, including banning their use in California.
"It also would create a "Green Ribbon" panel of scientists to advise the department.
"Senate Bill 509, by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, would create a state-run Web site where consumers could search for information
on chemical hazards."
The Bee's Jim Sanders sits down with United Farm Workers President Arturo
Rodriguez and talks about major issues pushed by the union.
Bee:
"Why alter the system of ballot-booth voting for union representation?
Rodruiguez:
"We know that when farmworkers have representation,
they feel security. … (Under the current system) there's just too much intimidation and coercion that takes
place – abuse of the system (by growers seeking to discourage participation).
Bee:
"Will Cesar Chavez Day ever be a national holiday?
Rodruiguez:
"I definitely think it will come about. I don't have a real indication as to when. But I think people
want to have heroes. … Cesar Chavez is someone who made huge sacrifices and
dedicated his life toward improving farmworkers and
their lifestyles and giving them opportunities.
Bee:
"Will California ever allow undocumented immigrants
to apply for driver's licenses or college aid?
Rodruiguez:
"Definitely (within four years) we're not only going to have changes in immigration reform,
but we'll see farmworkers – immigrant farmworkers – be able to have … their children go to colleges, and universities, and
to begin to access the American dream like everyone
else does. There's a lot of hope."
Finally, as two weeks of conventions begin and with
John McCain at a lunchtime funder at the Sheraton today,
it is time to take a reading of the tea leaves.
The AP reports:
"This presidential race was no contest: John McCain sped to the finish while Barack Obama was reluctant to leave the starting point.
"But there's no guarantee giant Madagascar hissing cockroaches
will predict the real result in November.
"The roach race Thursday was part of the New Jersey
Pest Management Association's annual clinic and trade show.
"Organizers liken the race's prediction success to that of Punxsutawney Phil on
Groundhog Day.
"Association Executive Director Leonard Douglen says the 2000 roach race came close. The Gore roach won by an antenna,
hanging chads not included."
We're not going to ask what the Pest Management Association
did to the roaches after the race.
