Legislators Take What They Can Get From Brown
You won’t see Gov. Jerry Brown pumping his fist and slapping high-fives with his staff today if the Legislature, as expected, approves his $96.3 billion 2013-14 budget. After all, as the governor said earlier this week, “I think prudence, rather than exuberance, should be the order of the day.” And besides, it just wouldn’t be […]
A Budget, But Not a Plan
The state could commission a symphony to commemorate an on-time, balanced budget. But I get the feeling that Gov. Brown would strike it with the blue pencil. Never mind. The celebration is on. George Skelton tells us that the legislature is no longer dysfunctional and that the voters have gotten things right. California is turning […]
Garcetti’s Open-Door Policy
I dropped in on one of Los Angeles Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti’s town hall meetings this week, one of six he is holding in different geographic areas of the city (and another he plans to hold online). As part of his transition plan, Garcetti is meeting with constituents asking them for suggestions on how the city […]
Legislative Bill Punishing Certain Viewpoints Dangerous to Liberty
For 103 years, the Boy Scouts have inspired generations of boys to become men of character. As the mother of three young children, I hope they will grow up embodying the values of responsibility and service that the Boy Scouts work hard to promote. But instead of recognizing its achievements, activists want to punish the […]
What’s in the Budget Trailer Bills?
As Dan Walters describes in his column today, budget trailer bills have become a problem. Last minute bill details involving policy changes tied to the budget are introduced with no opportunity for elected officials to debate them. In fact, the Sacramento Bee issued a call for help in discovering what is in this year’s trailer bills. “As […]