About Presidents: Those Who Want to Be; One Who Wanted to Be; One Who Was
The Iowa Debate
For Californians who watched the Republican presidential
debate in Iowa yesterday, they probably had a sense that former House Speaker
Newt Gingrich’s reality check on Congress’s super committee on debt reduction
struck a note of truth.
Gingrich argued the Select Committee on Debt Reduction
should not substitute for an open, legislative process and said members of
Congress should not sit around while the committee does its work and then
presents a terrible choice such as, "We can either cut off your right leg or we
can shoot you, which one do you prefer?"
The reason Gingrich’s rant may feel right to Californians is
because he described the super committee in terms familiar to the Big 5 process
that produced a state budget for so many years here. The discussions occurred
behind closed doors then the final surprise package was presented to the
legislature for a pretty much up and down vote.
AT&T Merger Is the Right Thing for Sacramento & California
The California Public Utilities Commission recently held a series of public hearings and workshops to discuss the pending merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, up and down the state this past month. I understand that during the hearings, an overwhelming majority of citizens from all walks of life testified in support of the merger and believe the benefits are in the best interest for California.
As a former Sacramento City Unified School District Board President – and the father of two children – I know that giving my children the ability to use the Internet as a learning tool has been vital to their success and continued education, supplementing not only their studies but how they communicate with others as well. I heard also that many of those who spoke at the hearings discussed how better access to broadband Internet is necessary for their children to succeed in school and keep up with how we access information. Access to broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, and making sure this is affordable and available to everyone is a priority for our state.
July Sales Tax Revenue Surpassed Budget Projections by Half a Billion Dollars
Tax revenues received by the State Board of Equalization last month exceeded projections.
Although I continue to remain deeply concerned about California’s economic recovery, I’m pleased to report that our state’s budget picture—at least when it comes to sales tax—isn’t quite as bleak as it might seem.
On Tuesday, the State Controller reported that sales and use tax general fund revenues for the month of July were $977.6 million, 12.5% below the Department of Finance projection of $1.12 billion.
However, BOE actually received $1.64 billion in July, more than half a billion dollars above the budget projection.
It’s really comparing apples and oranges to talk about the state’s budget picture without acknowledging every dollar we received last month.
Green dot to take over Vernon?
A MODERN FABLE
Reliable but unnamed sources at the state capital insist that AB 46,
Assembly Speaker John Perez’ Vernon disincorporation bill, contains a
secret clause. According to a highly placed aide in the Speaker’s
office, interviewed under an assurance of anonymity, the final version
of the bill will turn Vernon over to Green Dot, the charter school operator, giving a whole new
meaning to "charter city."
Rather than disincorporate Vernon, the city will maintain its legal
identity but will technically be managed by Green Dot. Applying to
cities the Green Dot principle that any one can run a school, a short
list of candidates for Green Dot’s city manager include former LAUSD
Superintendents David Brewer and Ray Cortines.
But former Green Dot executive Steve Barr is favored to be tapped for
city manager. He disappeared from public view following what was
mistakenly thought to be his ouster from Green Dot. In fact, he
secretly entered Eli Broad’s Institute for City Government, a newly
organized training facility to mold municipal administrators with the
proper outlook on city management. The Institute is an offshoot of
Broad’s successful counterpart that indoctrinates "school choice"
superintendents.