California’s Internet and Digital Media Maven?
July 24, 2008
Sadly, this is not a joke. Democrat Assemblyperson of Long Beach, Betty Karnette (D-54), is in charge of digital TV and Internet Media in California. Uh-oh. Notice the job description of her plum committee and how Internet Media is an afterthought? “Primary jurisdictions are programs and policies affecting the recording, motion picture and other entertainment industries, tourism and arts programs and museums, professional and amateur sports including the State Athletic Commission and the regulation of athlete agents, and Internet media.” Scary to think that not being able to balance a budget, the Assembly wants to horn in on the conversion to digital TV in 2009. Holding hearings on this? Give me a break. Note how Betty is already chatting up potential chaos that typically precedes some boneheaded Assembly intervention. Sorry, Mr DeMille, we don’t think Betty is ready for her closeup.
California Democrats plan to eat the rich with tax proposal
July 9, 2008
The Sacramento Bee reports that Democrats are determined to eat the rich in California as it proposes “billions in tax increases on businesses and high earners to help bridge California’s budget shortfall. The proposed hikes include rolling back the dependent child income tax credit expanded in the 1990s, creating two higher income tax brackets for the state’s biggest earners and increasing corporate taxes.”
Voter compares records of Supervisor Piepho and Assemblyman Houston
May 19, 2008
When I make a decision to mark my ballot, I do my homework first. When it comes to choosing a candidate, I look at their record and pretty much ignore their campaign promises. It can be a real eye opener. Read more
Abram Wilson fundraiser for Assembly D-15 campaign, Mar 13
March 6, 2008
San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson’s campaign for the Republican nomination for Assembly District 15 announced it will hold a fundraiser on March 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Canyon View Dining Hall at 680 Bollinger Canyon Way in San Ramon. Tickets start at $250. RSVP to Rob Flanigan at 916-203-3488.
Sheriff Charlie Plummer endorses Scott Kamena for Assembly (AD-15)
March 5, 2008
Law enforcement legend Sheriff Charlie Plummer has announced his decision to back Republican Scott Kamena for State Assembly. Plummer with 54 years of service, served five terms as the Sheriff of Alameda County from 1987 to 2007, and is a statewide leader in law enforcement. “I have spent my life protecting our community from crime,” said Plummer. “Scott understands what it will take at the state level to keep families and neighborhoods safe. Simply put, nobody will be tougher on crime.”
Legislative candidates takes steps to switch places as nomination filings proceed June 3 election
March 4, 2008
By Pat Keeble
Editor, contracostainsider.com
There have been no surprises so far in the filing of nomination papers for the June 3 primary election. The top candidates, even with few incumbents running, were pretty much decided when Prop. 93, the term limits extension, failed in February. Most of these had announced their intentions last year.
The February election left all five of the incumbents in legislative districts in the county termed out of their respective offices as of early December. Three of the five are seeking to switch legislative houses. State Sen. Don Perata of Oakland is collecting funds for a run at the State Board of Equalization in two years. Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, is going down the ladder, looking for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors.
Candidates have until this 5 p.m. this Friday, March 7, to complete their nomination papers and turn them in, except in the cases where incumbents do not file for re-election. They then have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 12.
Candidates in the county’s three congressional districts will all have to file by this Friday, since all the incumbents are seeking re-election. All are multi-county districts, so the list here is incomplete, including only Contra Costa candidates.
In addition to the partisan primaries, voters will decide three county supervisor seats , nine Superior Court judgeships and seats on political party county central committees. None of the nine incumbent judges is being opposed so far.
As of last Friday, most candidates for partisan office or supervisor have taken out nomination papers, but have not filed them to get on the ballot. The Contra Costa Elections Office listed the following candidates. Other would-be candidates can take out papers and complete filing by Friday or, in the case of extensions, March 12. (*=incumbent) Read more
Loni Hancock demonstrates tin-ear when it comes to California budget deficit
March 1, 2008
What kind of Kool Aid is Loni Hancock drinking? On the front page of Friday’s Contra Costa Times, she responds to the California budget crisis by saying,
The ability of Republicans to block spending represents a tyranny of the minority. We need to make budget decisions in California the same way they do it in nearly every other state and in Congress.
For heaven’s sake! She’s blaming Republicans for not letting Democrats spend more money California doesn’t have as a way to grapple with the State’s deficit. Are all Democrats such blockheads?
California Dems dream of two-thirds majority, veto-proof legislature
February 19, 2008
Democratic bloggers including California Majority and California Progress Report are reporting that Assembly Leader, Fabian Nunez, is going all out for a two-thirds Democratic Party Majority in the Legislature during this Fall’s election cycle. To achieve that goal, among other things, three competitive districts are targeted, including Assembly District 15, currently held by Republican Guy Houston who will be termed out. This news harbors two noteworthy implications:
1) A veto-proof, 2/3 Democratic Majority in the Legislature spells the ruin of California.
2) Legislative leaders in Sacrmento don’t trust the County party organizations to get the job done.
David Dayen reports in California Progress that, “Each of the marquee races are expected to be $1 million+ contests. The new Assembly Speaker will be responsible for raising funds and overseeing the campaigns.” Dayen goes on to question why
the Speaker (and the President Pro Tem of the Senate) have the sole responsibility of overseeing these elections and creating advertising, GOTV, etc. It seems…that the California Democratic Party would be able to do a much better job in these districts, with their membership already on the ground and involved, and with a larger fundraising base to conduct the operations necessary. Yet for some reason, there is this bifurcation: the CDP deals with statewide races and Congressional seats, and the Assembly and Senate leadership do the legislative races. Is this just tradition? Why can’t the CDP play in whatever race they wish?
On the Republican side, in addition to losing Pombo’s 11th Congressional seat, AD-15’s strong Republican registration lead has slipped into coin-toss territory thanks to the leadership of Tom Del Beccaro, chair of the County’s Republican Central Committee. Across the aisle, Nagaraja Rao, who seems to spend more time outside the country than in it is under fire by party members and the public for raising false alarms over sham death threats and ham-fisted support of Maria Alegria during the recent Pinole Recall campaign.
If the current Contra Costa County Democratic and Republican Central Committees responsible for election results in AD-15 are any indication, it is no wonder that legislative party leaders Nunez and Perata in Sacramento want to run the show to make sure some incompetent petty fiefdom doesn’t get in the way and botch the job.
Contra Costa Prosecutors endorse Houston for Supervisor
February 19, 2008
In another sign of election season in Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney’s Association has endorsed Assemblyman Guy Houston for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 3. In addition to the endorsement of the Deputy DA’s Association, Houston has also garnered key county endorsements from Contra Costa County’s Treasurer Bill Pollacek, Assessor, Gus Kramer, and Sheriff, Warren Rupf. Last week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Houston. For more information call (925) 242-1489, or visit www.guyhouston.com.
