California Assembly Speaker, Karen Bass, to headline Buchanan campaign fundraiser, Sept 10
August 15, 2008
Speaker of the California Assembly, Karen Bass, will headline a special dinner, Wednesday, September 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., to benefit Democratic candidate for the 15th Assembly District, Joan Buchanan. To be held at Patrick David’s Event Center in San Ramon, tickets begin at $150. Download the PDF to RSVP.
Constitutional Amendment proposes California Legislature do its budget duty on time
August 14, 2008
Reader James Kyle writes…The current and past budget crises in California should show the public that the Legislature is no longer capable of doing what they are charged with in the state Constitution when it comes to spending and budgeting. Their inability to provide the electorate with a balanced budget by the Constitutional deadline is no longer acceptable. They promised to reform the budget process, they promised to reform redistricting, they promised to repair our infrastructure. They have failed us time and again, it is time for the Voters to take control of our State back. I therefore propose a amendment to the State Constitution that will require the Legislature to perform their duties according to the wishes of the Voters and not their whims. The following should be passed into state law. The Amendment reads: Read more
Don Perata says California budget negotiations are finished
August 13, 2008
Don Perata says the Passion Play over California budget negotiations” is finished,” according to Jim Sanders of the Sacramento Bee. The proposal negotiated by Senate Democratic leaders with California Governor Arnold Scharzenegger, reportedly includes: a spending cap to limit annual state expenditures, a temporary 1-cent increase in the state sales tax, and a rainy-day fund to sock money away in boom years. Accroding to Sanders, “Perata did not elaborate on details of the proposed spending cap, but said it was intended to break the current standoff with Republicans.” Perata said the next step is to place the compromise spending plan before the Senate for a vote and that the settlement would require some Republicans to break ranks over the term “temporary.”
CoCo Tax meets Aug 22, to discuss County budget and November ballot issues
August 13, 2008
View Larger Map The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association will meet on Friday morning, August 22, when it discuss and take positions on the issues of interest to CoCoTax on the November ballot. Updates on the County and state budgets
will also be discussed. The breakfast buffet and discussion begins at 7:45 a.m., at the recently updated(sic) Greenery, located at 1551 Marchbanks, in Walnut Creek, off Ygnacio Valley at the Diablo Hills Golf Course. $20 includes full breakfast and program. Make reservations by calling
925-228-5610, or by e-mailing krishunt@cocotax.org
County Supervisors consider further budget cuts, Aug 12
August 11, 2008
Contra Costa County Supervisors (BOS) will consider options for further county budget cuts and possible “revenue enhancements, on Tuesday. The BOS will hear a staff report that outlines the increasing drop in revenues from distressed property and finance markets, as well as the spiraling increase of energy, employee and retiree benefits. Among the options outlined in the staff report: across the board program cuts (nuclear strike), eliminate specific programs (surgical strike), spend reserves (pre-emptive strike), enhance revenues (three strikes), reduce salary, benefits, or introduce rollbacks (labor strike).
Clinton Obama campaign memos due Monday
August 8, 2008
The Washington Post reports today that Josh Green, author of an upcoming article about the Clinton campaign for the Atlantic Monthly, will post 130 internal memos to the Internet early next week, and it won’t be pretty. Want to know what the Clinton campaign really thinks about Obama’s electability? “Readers will be able to scroll through the memos, from senior strategists such as Mark Penn, Harold Ickes and Geoff Garin, and see what exactly was going on inside the infamously fractured Clinton organization.” Wonder who leaked these to the press…hmmm.
Diablo Dems celebrate Walnut Creek headquarters with Ice Cream Social, Aug 23
August 7, 2008
The Diablo Valley Democratic Club will celebrate the opening of the United Democratic Campaign Office with a Sweet Treat Social at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the campaign headquarters, 1501-A N. California Blvd., at Bonanza, Walnut Creek. Guests will enjoy sweet refreshments, meet neighbors, learn about the club from its officers and acquaint themselves with the activities of the headquarters during the upcoming election 200 campaign season. Read more
California losing good jobs to other States
August 6, 2008
OUR ECONOMY NEEDS A SHOT IN THE ARM, NOT TO BE SHOT IN THE FOOT — By Assemblyman Houston — In recent weeks both AAA and Toyota have announced they are closing or relocating because of the high cost of doing business in California—a loss of more than 3,000 jobs. Why? Because it is simply cheaper to do business in other states. Read more
Contra Costa Libertarians meet 2nd Tuesdays
August 5, 2008
The Contra Costa Libertarians meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Lafayette Round Table Pizza located at 3637 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA
Meetings address local party business, news, planning and meeting new people. Public is welcome. For more info call (925) 283-0404, or e-mail Camden McConnell.
