Recently in State politics Category

I was reading the L.A. TImes story on Prop 8 this morning and came across a quote I thought was interesting:

"This has been a moral battle," said Ellen Smedley, 34, a member of the Mormon Church and a mother of five who worked on the campaign. "We aren't trying to change anything that homosexual couples believe or want -- it doesn't change anything that they're allowed to do already. It's defining marriage. . . . Marriage is a man and a woman establishing a family unit."

Talking to opponents and proponents of the proposition that appears to have a victory, I asked about this quote and the issue of the dichotomy of the arguments being made.

The interesting part of this quote is where the woman says "We aren't trying to change anything that homosexual couples believe or want -- it doesn't change anything that they're allowed to do already."

The argument is often mirrored by those favoring gay marriage, suggesting gay marriage doesn't change anything about religious beliefs and practices, it doesn't affect anyone's way of life by allowing it.

And I wonder how two sides, so different, in a contentious issue that has become quite divisive could have such similar arguments. And not only that, argue that one is somehow better than the other. There is a lot of gray area on this issue.

Anyway, I just wanted to open up that topic for discussion. Most discussions on the comment boards on stories and blogs on this issue haven't been civil or helpful discussion, but I will give it one more try.

Covering Proposition 8 - the proposition hoping to place an amendment in California's Constitution making marriage exclusively between a man and a woman - one thing is very clear: people are passionate about it.

Both sides have strong feelings of support for their cause, which leads to vigorous discussions and debate on the subject of gay marriage. The problem is, since it is such a contentious issue, some are wondering if it is truly possible to have open, progressive discussion concerning the subject.

From all of the people I talked to concerning Prop 8 for stories, while having extreme differences, seemed to agree on one thing. The proposition's public debate hasn't been a healthy one.

Take a look at the comments on the stories on the Tribune's website. Each story on Prop 8 is met with hoards of comments that sling mud back and forth, often filled with personal attacks or ugly words.

"It is causing a major divide among the people of California and it is, unfortunately, doing that. It is going to cause more problems within the society," said Shawn Tanuvasa, the director of the Institute of Religion for a local chapter of the Church of Later Day Saints. .

"I don't think the campaign has been structured right. There is a lot of confusion around it," said Julie Tinney, a recently married lesbian.

"I think it can be a polarizing issue and what I am hearing a lot in the last week or two is that just as people in the presidential campaign are fed up with the politics as usual, and they want to talk about the issues, I am hearing some of that talk around Prop 8," said Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints Church in Pasadena.

It is easy to see why problems arise in the debate over the issue. One sees it as a matter of civil rights and basic freedom. The other, along very similar lines, sees it as a matter of faith and religious freedom. Either way, it is a fundamental difference in belief that is not easily swayed.

Most issues, journalists know all to well, are not black and white but carry with them varying degrees of positives and negatives. They are clouded by the nature of existence that doesn't usually allow something good without some element of unease, that doesn't create evil without some level of humanity.

And that is what seems to be missing, by all acounts, from the debate surrounding Prop 8 and gay marriage. Both sides seem to have left out the humanity. While advocating there own side, some have forgotten they are arguing against the beliefs and way of life as others. And to argue against that, often enough, is to argue against that person on a very personal level.

People carry their religion with them, as a well fastened part of their being. For some people, their worth and existence revolves around their faith in God and the Bible. Arguing against that religion, and often, trying to discredit that religion can be intensely hurtful.

On the other side, gay and lesbian individuals believe this is who they are and they have accepted and embraced that, whether or nor they chose it or not. To separate them from a portion of society because of that lifestyle can leave them feeling alone and rejected.

Either way, when this issue is decided Tuesday, someone will be left out in the cold. What the effects of that will be remains to be seen. What I do know is that whoever "wins" this battle may celebrate that victory on Wednesday, but we should all be a little sad because no matter what, that victory will come at a cost at our neighbors expense, by punishing them for who they are and what the believe. We will have taken something from them, pass or fail. And with that, we all may have lost a little bit of our humanity.

"I think there is a possibility to agree to disagree," Tanuvasa said.

On the issue of Prop 8, I am not so sure.

Local democrats vote down bailout, but all local Republican representatives voted for it, Dan Abendschein reports.

Valley Democrats Hilda Solis, Adam Schiff, Grace Napolitano and Linda Sanchez all voted against the bill. But Valley GOP congressional representatives David Dreier and Gary Miller voted in favor.

Here are the top SGV stories today:

The county budget is taking a $128 million hit now that the Governor approved the state's budget. Here's the story.

The Walnut City Council opposed to the NFL stadium. This is the first city to oppose it. Monterey Park and West Covina city councils both passed ordinances approving the stadium, Bethania Markus-Palma reports.

The state Department of Public Health faulted Citrus Valley Health Partners in connection with its employees' use of fake CPR cards, Tania Chatila reports.

AQMD hearings continue regarding El-Monte based Gregg Industries, Rebecca Kimitch reports.

Illegal immigrants who return after deportation commit more crimes, the Los Angeles Times reported today.

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 8, 2008

Illegal immigrants who have been deported at least once from the United States are far more likely than other immigrants to repeatedly commit crimes, according to a study by the nonprofit Rand Corp.

The data indicated that illegal immigrants, overall, were not a greater crime risk, according to the study, which looked at all inmates released from Los Angeles County Jail for a month in 2002.

But among those who previously had been deported, reentered the U.S. and were arrested and released from jail, nearly 75% went on to commit another crime within a year. And 28% were arrested three or more times during the one-year period.

The recidivism rate was much lower for illegal immigrants who had not been previously deported, with 32% of those inmates being rearrested within a year and 7% arrested three or more times during that year.

Since the data were collected in 2002, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has overhauled screening for illegal immigrants and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has poured resources into border security. But researchers said the analysis still could have public policy implications for L.A. County and other counties around the nation.

Read more.

Welcome back to the work week!

Here's this week's column inspired by the great dialogue by our readers last week. Thanks to everyone for participating in the conversation. There were many ideas that we've not heard from our elected leaders:

They say drastic times call for drastic measures.

We've certainly seen a lot of that as local leaders struggle with faltering revenues and excruciating budget cuts.

In West Covina, every department head was asked to cut five percent from their budget to make up for a $2.1million deficit.

In El Monte, facing a $400,000 deficit, council members slashed the Police Department's funds, maintained hiring freezes and cut back on recreation programs.

And in cities like Pico Rivera, El Monte, San Gabriel and Covina, taxes seem to be the only answer to supplement wavering incomes.

Many city council members have said this undoubtedly is a difficult time and it never is easy making cuts.

But what you would do if you were running the show?

Here are some ideas readers came up with, and they're nothing like what our elected officials have suggested:

Eliminate all car, travel and cell phone allowances for council members, as well as car allowances for city employees. "Stop paying for trips to China, Paris, Mexico, etc.," according to one reader.

Cut back on recreation departments, including youth and senior programs.

"Seniors tend to be better off than most non-retired working age folks. Seniors, though they are on fixed incomes, usually have a lifetime's worth of savings and investments accumulated ... and they also enjoy many discounts that non-seniors do not enjoy," another reader wrote.

Turn off at least half of street lights.
"We're figuratively throwing our money into the sky with all the lighting that goes up where it is not needed," one reader wrote.

Cut back on overtime for public safety, review every contract that has been in place in the city for at least three years and consider cutting staffing of "non-essential things such as school resource officers or farmer's markets," according to another reader.

Require those on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to use public transportation to attend meetings. "They're in charge of the MTA; they should be able to get to the meetings using the same public transit they govern. If it's not good enough for them, it's not good for us, either."

While some of these ideas are downright impossible others are more feasible.

Elected officials say city government is a labor of love.

So maybe they should think outside of the box a little more often. And maybe readers should get up from behind their computer screens and attend council meetings a little more often, too. Give those councils a piece of their minds.

The disappointed politicians are out in full force today.

This press release just popped up in my email from the office of Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, who said he is disappointed in the passage of the toll lane legislation that will allow the Federal Department of Transportation to implement a congestion pricing plan that would take existing carpool lanes on the 10, 110, and possibly the 210 freeway, and convert them all into toll lanes, as Dan Abendschein reported.

This is from the press release:

"I am disappointed that SB 1422 was able to move forward today. I had serious concerns about this toll lane plan from the start. This was a hastily crafted proposal that has led to fundamentally flawed legislation....

"We really needed more time to carefully consider this plan and flesh out the details before we voted on it. Not only were there obvious conflicts between the legislation we voted on today and the agreement Metro signed with the Department of Transportation, Metro only began actively seeking community input on these toll lanes this month.

In fact, the only real opportunity for affected communities to hear this plan in detail previously had been at a meeting I organized this past June in West Covina as Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus.

How could we have voted to authorize toll lanes when we don't even know what they will be charging people?"

"This whole plan is patently unfair on its face. We cannot ask people to start paying tolls to access their freeways already paid for with taxpayer dollars, especially when they can barely afford to put gas in their cars as it is... ."

To address couple of comments made earlier about the campaign fundraising of Rosemead Mayor John Tran:

According to Roman Porter, spokesman for the Fair Political Practices Commission, a candidate can transfer funds from one committee to another if he were, for example, running for Rosemead City Council and later decided to run for the Assembly. But there are a couple of rules the candidate would have to follow.

1. The candidate would have apply for the proper paperwork.
2. The candidate would not be allowed to transfer contributions that exceed the state's limit of $3,600 contribution per one individual or business. That would erase some of these contributions.

Also, $100,000 is a start to fundraising for the Assembly, but if Tran were actually considering it, which he hasn't said and only commentors are speculating, he has about another $500,000 to collect.

Driving while texting will be the next thing that could be outlawed:

Los Angeles Times
By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 22, 2008

SACRAMENTO -- Everyone knows not to get caught DWI, but tech-savvy drivers may soon be outlawed from engaging in DWT -- driving while texting.

Trying to keep pace with advances in technology, a divided state Senate approved a measure Thursday that would outlaw text messaging by motorists in California.

... 

The measure now goes to the governor, who has said he will not sign any bills until the Legislature approves a budget. Read more.

It looks like a 1 percent sales-tax hike isn't just a theory...

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to end the stalemate over the state budget Wednesday by offering a compromise spending plan that calls for a temporary 1 percent sales-tax increase and additional cuts.

In the past, the governor has said he is against raising taxes. But with the budget nearly two months overdue, he said it is time to move beyond partisan ideology. He said Republicans and Democrats must find a middle ground between taxes and cuts to state programs.

California was supposed to have a budget in place by July 1, the start of the fiscal year, but lawmakers differ over how to close the $15.2 billion deficit.

"This compromise budget proposal puts our state on the road to fiscal sanity and will give California a budget that works," Schwarzenegger said at a news conference.

The governor's proposal has put him in the curious position of having Democrats as allies, and getting criticism from his own Republican party.

Senate majority leader Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, said she appreciated the governor taking a practical view of the budget.

"I applaud the governor for forgetting about campaign pledges and ideology and trying to do what is right for California," said Romero. "We have to do cuts and we have to have new revenue ... we can't borrow our way out."

But Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, said he expected there would be no compromise as long as new taxes were part of the plan.

"It's a non-starter for us. ... it is the wrong thing to do to people in this kind of economy," said Huff. "Sadly, the governor has lost credibility on both sides of the aisle... he has not been the strong rudder he was earlier in his term."

Read more.

Local politicians had some harsh words for MTA officials today at a meeting unveiling a plan for toll roads along San Gabriel Valley freeways.

Reporter Dan Abendschein attended the meeting, which he said focused more on MTA's lack of funding for local projects rather than the proposal for HOV lanes on the 10 and 210 freeways.

Here are some snippets of information from Abendschein:

"Before I would even consider this plan, I would have to be assured that we see serious funding for the Gold Line," said Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina.

If the plan is approved, MTA would receive $214 million in federal money, which it could use to spend on additional bus and van service to use the lanes.

Richard Katz, an MTA board member appointed by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, told the Los Angeles Times last week that MTA should not approve the Gold Line unless the toll lane project is approved.

"It wouldn't make sense for us to fund the Gold Line at the same time that [some members of Congress] are trying to take money away from congestion pricing," said Katz. "That doesn't make sense to me. If you're going to oppose this chance to get $213 million, why should we support 80 million over there?"

Sounds like the transportation debate could get heated...

There are some fighting words in Fred Ortega's article about the open Senate seat in the 29th District. State Sen. Bob Margett is vacating the seat, and now Bob Huff and Dennis Mountjoy are going to duke it out to represent the convservative district.

"Bob Huff has no name ID and Margett's endorsement doesn't mean much," said Mountjoy, whose father served in the Assembly from 1978 to 1995 and authored Proposition 187, the controversial measure that would have denied state services to illegal aliens. "The Mountjoy name has been on the ballot for 30 years and is still good and strong. It stands for principle."

Cruz Bustamante, former Lt. Governor and possible consultant for the city of Irwindale, lost his throne today as the "King of the Highest FPPC Fine" to Sen. Carole Migden, the Sacramento Bee reported. Bustamante was fined $263,000 in April 2004 for a variety of FPPC violations

Commission approves Migden fine
By Aurelio Rojas - arojas@sacbee.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008

California's political watchdog agency today approved an agreement under which state Sen. Carole Migden will pay a record $350,000 fine for 89 campaign spending and disclosure violations, including illegal personal use of campaign funds.

The fine is the largest against a single state official in the Fair Political Practices Commission's three decades of existence and comes as the San Francisco Democrat is battling to retain her seat in a June primary election against Assemblyman Mark Leno and former Assemblyman Joe Nation.

Migden was campaigning in the Bay Area today and did not attend the FPPC hearing.

But her attorney, James Harrison, told reporters the violations occurred because of inadequate record keeping by Migden's former campaign treasurer and his assistant.

Harrison said the senator delegated authority because she was battling cancer at the time and her energy was focused on her duties as an officeholder.

"She's not pointing the finger at anyone," Harrison said. "At the end of the day, she's the candidate and she's responsible."

Interesting comments, such as "Get the ILLEGALS out of this country," to "screw u bob huff"  made in response to Bethania Palma's story that ran today about Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, who is proposing a package of bills aimed at discouraging illegal immigration. Here's a clip of the story. Read more.

5-bill package targets illegals
Huff's legislation aimed at migrants said unlikely to pass
By Bethania Palma, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 10:06:00 PM PDT

A package of Assembly bills aimed at discouraging illegal immigration is circulating the Assembly, though none of the five measures is likely to become legislation.

The bills, authored by Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, aim to revoke the constitutional birthright to citizenship for children whose parents are not U.S. citizens and eliminate other rights for undocumented immigrants.

"Most people don't think that just because you happen to be in this country and have a baby, it should be a citizen," Huff said. "What is it that inherently entitles that person to all the rights that belong to people here legitimately?"

Harry Pachon, professor of public policy at USC, said the bills are too extreme and not well thought-out.

"It's posturing to a certain ideology that believes unauthorized immigrants are the root of all problems," he said. "Drafting draconian proposals on them is easy, because who speaks for the unauthorized immigrant?"

Reporter Dan Abendschein wrote this story today about a bill proposed by Sen. Ron Calderon that would open medical records to pharmaceutical companies. Oh, and by the way, Calderon got $15,000 in contributions from these companies, Abendschein wrote.

In 2007, Calderon received more than $15,000 in contributions from pharmaceutical companies and retail pharmacies, records show. Two of his contributors, Rite Aid and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, are supporters of the bill. The sponsor of the bill is a drug company, Adheris, which is a for-profit company that works to keep patients taking their medications.

Company officials did not return phone calls Friday. Calderon says the bill would help companies like Adheris carry out their mission. He added that his concern is for patients, and it is irrelevant whether drug companies and pharmacies benefit or not.

But don't worry. It doesn't have any impact on Calderon's decision, Abendschein reported.

"I never look at who my donors are before I decide to sponsor a bill," said Calderon. "My idea is to help people get their medications."

The Sacramento Bee reported on Sunday that the Legilslature "plays by its own rules" when it comes to open government.

Legislature's secrecy puts cloud over Sunshine Week, critics say By John Hill - jhill@sacbee.com Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, March 16, 2008 Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

After years as a county supervisor, Todd Spitzer believed in open government and wanted to bring a dose of it to his new home in the California Legislature.

He was about to learn a hard lesson: When it comes to open government, the Legislature plays by its own rules.

A bill Spitzer carried in 2004 would have made the Legislature subject to the same public records law that applies to everyone from the governor to Galt City Council members.

Spitzer's Assembly Bill 2714 sparked a rare instance of bipartisanship. No one on the committee, Democrat or Republican, made a motion to consider it.

"I didn't even get a courtesy vote," Spitzer recalls.

The Orange County Republican had just run up against the Legislative Open Records Act – a state law with a name that some, including Spitzer, find ironic.

"We're great about telling everyone else about having open government," Spitzer said. "When it comes to ourselves, we're complete hypocrites."

Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, is proposing legilsation that could result in cost savings by reducing reliance on IT contractors, the Sacramento Bee reported today.

Union decries increasing number of outsourced IT contracts for state of California By Aurelio Rojas - arojas@sacbee.com Last Updated 12:23 am PDT Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3

The number of information technology contracts awarded by the state of California has tripled since 2003, and the state could save up to $100 million annually by reducing its reliance on contractors, according to a new union study.

The report, titled "Too Many, Too Costly, Too Little Oversight," was compiled by the Service Employees International Union in preparation for a hearing today in the Legislature and based on information provided by the Department of General Services.

SEIU represents 7,800 state IT employees, 80 percent of whom work in the Sacramento region. The union is sponsoring AB 2603 by Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, that would require state departments to report IT contract expenditures so that they could be compared to the cost of state employees doing the work.

According to a 2006 report by the independent California Research Bureau, outsourcing IT work cost 50 percent more than doing the work in-house.

"At a time when we have so many budget issues and a ($8 billion) budget deficit, it's very important that we pursue any avenues in which might save money," said Eng, who will chair today's joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Business & Profession and Public Employees, Retirement & Social Security.

The Sacramento Bee posted the economic interest forms for all statewide elected officials. Among them are Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, who received nearly $1,000 worth of golf trips, $264 in Disneyland tickets and a $1,700 trip to Taiwan; Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, who received a nearly $3,000 trip to France; and Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena, reported receiving $264 worth of Disneyland tickets, Rose Bowl parade and game tickets, totalling $390, and a three month gym membership at Capitol Athletic Club totalling $285. By the way, I also learned in reviewing these statements that Scott is a part-time minister at the Sierra Madre Church of Christ.

Have fun looking these over!

Just got this from Crime Scene blogger and City Editor, Frank Girardot:

Apparently the gov's press office is actively reading our web-site. They called this afternoon after reading a brief online about an "edumacation" protest at the Capitol. The purpose of the call was to give Ar-nuld's side of the story.

So I asked the press girl to put him on the phone.

She said he was busy.....I didn't tell her I was to busy to pay attention to the rest of the call. I would listen to arnold though.

Sac Bee looks into the gifts that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger received this past year, which were disclosed in an annual statement filed on Monday with the Fair Political Practices Commission.

The gifts include $144 in spark plugs, a $60 dog tethering kit, an $86 clock from Clint Eastwood, a $280 food basket from Danny DeVito, $120 in chocolates from Tom Arnold, and about 90 gifts totaling nearly $14,000 – including about $2,500 in cigar products and $1,500 in liquor.

Here's my favorite quote in the story:

"In what other job in America do people get gifts just for having the job?" said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "I think there's a real problem when people consider their job a perpetual birthday party."