The California Observer

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138284122026-02-14T00:52:56.557-08:00The California ObserverThe daily observations of Shane Goldmacher, a Capitol<br> reporter covering the policy, politics and people of Sacramento.Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.comBlogger1384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1169652861699197732007-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:002007-01-24T07:37:19.963-08:00CA Observer passes, Capitol Alert begins!

So, if you haven't noticed from the lack of posts, the blogging days here are the California Observer have been indefinitely suspended. But that doesn't mean I am not still writing stories in cyberspace. In fact, today marks the official launch of the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert, a spanking new subscription-based Web site that aims to be your new home for California political news.As for me,

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164926319227731922006-11-30T14:37:00.000-08:002006-11-30T14:38:39.233-08:00Reiss looking back

CW's Anthony York has a sit-down with Bonnie Reiss, the governor's close friend and a top adviser, as she leaves Sacramento.Here's one telling passage:That night, Schwarzenegger's political advisers from his Proposition 49 campaign, including George Gorton and Bob White, were huddled at the house trying to cram for the historic election to come. That's when the actor and his wife called Reiss. "

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164925865483191532006-11-30T14:25:00.000-08:002006-11-30T14:31:05.486-08:00New in CW 11.30.06 (My last week)

For those of you who do not know, this is my last week at Capitol Weekly. I am joining the Capitol bureau of the Sacramento Bee next month, after a short jaunt of doing normal things that do not involve writing stories about California politcs.I will still be covering Capitol politics at the Bee and the paper is launching a very exciting Web site early next year that I will be heavily involved

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164925526872367532006-11-30T14:10:00.000-08:002006-11-30T14:25:27.493-08:00Schwarzenegger's D.C. rep departs

Today marks another departure in Gov. Schwarzenegger's administration. David Wetmore, who has served as assistant to the governor and director of his Washington, D.C. office since early 2005, is leaving to join Carpi & Clay, a California-based government relations firm.A Republican, Wetmore held the same post for Schwarzenegger that he did under Gov. Pete Wilson, directing the then-governor's D.C

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164821423958406612006-11-29T09:26:00.000-08:002006-11-29T09:30:24.163-08:00Tamminen backs Lockyer automaker suit

Terry Tamminen, a former top environmental aide to Gov. Schwarzenegger, had written a piece in the Chronicle today defending Attorney General Bill Lockyer's suit against automakers for causing global warming.Let us say Bob's BBQ opens next to your home. Bob refuses to do anything to stop the greasy soot and the smell of burning ribs that pour into your windows each night, because he has permits

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164753599872434432006-11-28T14:35:00.000-08:002006-11-28T14:39:59.966-08:00Updates from the blogosphere

Today has brought about a few interesting posts in the blogs-o-California-politics.First up, is this from Calitics, where an activist plots to take over the California Democratic Party--from the inside.Then, the FlashReport's Mike Der Manouel says the stories about new GOP leader Mike Villines are a joke and that Villines is no partisan warrior. "Call it partisan if you will - but in reality,

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164736751209495852006-11-28T09:55:00.000-08:002006-11-28T09:59:11.266-08:00The Jerry Brown Interview

The must-read of the day is a NY Times with Attorney General-elect Jerry Brown.As a Democrat accustomed to being in charge — you’re the mayor of Oakland as well as a former two-term governor of California — how do you feel about having to answer to a Republican governor?You don’t answer to a governor. The attorney general is autonomous.But isn’t Schwarzenegger over you?No. The attorney general

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164673773032410712006-11-27T16:28:00.000-08:002006-11-27T16:29:33.076-08:00Slow week

This may be the definition of a slow news week. Today, there were, count 'em, zero press conferences that I was aware of in the Capitol. And tomorrow? Another goose egg.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164659583167828152006-11-27T12:29:00.000-08:002006-11-27T12:33:03.210-08:00CTA sues to campaign on campus

The California Teachers Association, one of the biggest and most powerful unions in the state, is launching a lawsuit to enable the union to campaign for partisan offices on public school grounds.The Contra Costa Times has the story today.In a debate that pits electioneering laws against free speech, California's largest union has launched a legal battle to permit political endorsement on public

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164649762421680742006-11-27T09:48:00.000-08:002006-11-27T09:49:22.426-08:00No Otto win

The OC's Buzz reports that Lou Correa ekked out his victory over Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher by more votes than GOP write-in (and Democratic-funded spoiler Otto Bade)."Now I don't have to name my next son Otto," Correa quipped.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164649541319895962006-11-27T09:42:00.000-08:002006-11-27T09:45:41.380-08:00Expanding the blogpen

Jon Fleischman just keeps adding new names to his list of conservative bloggers.Just added, former Assemblyman Ray Haynes, incoming Assemblyman Anthony Adams, and Adam Aleman from San Bernardino. With Adams and Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa both "blogging" for the FlashReport, that gives Fleischman precisely 1/17th of the GOP caucus.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164587883616518902006-11-26T16:29:00.000-08:002006-11-26T16:40:39.853-08:00Arnold on Meet the Press

Gov. Schwarzenegger made an appearance this morning on NBC's Meet the Press with Tim Russert. Find the full transcript hereHere's some highlights:On what an "Arnold Republican" is:Well, it’s basically being fiscally conservative, being socially moderate and you know, being environmentally progressive. I think that’s what it basically means. And you know, Tim, one of the most important things, I

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164225420844876962006-11-22T11:56:00.000-08:002006-11-22T11:57:01.006-08:00Happy T-Day

Eat turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and be merry. See you all next week.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164156069708123142006-11-21T16:40:00.000-08:002006-11-21T16:41:09.783-08:00From Mulholland

This was the priceless little Thanksgiving message sent out by Democratic party guru and Angelides confidant Bob Mulholland:Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. There is hope coming for the world with a new Congress on January 4, 2007. Winston Churchill once said, “Americans will always do the right thing … after they’ve exhausted all the alternatives.” Think Iraq!

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164148595884417712006-11-21T14:32:00.000-08:002006-11-21T14:36:35.936-08:00The Gov's staff

Read the following list of Schwarzenegger administration departutres very carefully from the LA Times' Jordan Rau on the Political Muscle blog. The second paragraph is good for a laugh.Chief administration lobbyist Richard Costigan.Beloved press secretary Margita Thompson, whose departure leaves few Latinos in Schwarzenegger's administration, excepting Rosario Marin, secretary of the State and

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164137817640155182006-11-21T11:34:00.000-08:002006-11-21T11:38:53.253-08:00Paying the bills

Phil Angelides logged a $39,959 contribution to his campaign yesterday and the Democratic Party chipped in another $78,000.Also, if you've ever listened to San Francisco Giants baseball on the radio (and I have done my fair share of listening) you will recognize the name of Catholic Healthcare West, which contributed $25,000 to Don Perata's ballot-measure account.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164135967704469412006-11-21T10:22:00.000-08:002006-11-21T11:06:07.986-08:00The Pelosi-Harman rift

I know I know, it's not happening in California. But there is a big decision brewing in Washington between two Californians, new Speaker Nancy Pelosi and ranking Democrat on House Intelligence Jane Harman.At issue is whether Pelosi will appoint Harman to chair the House Intelligence committee. As the ranking Democrat, Harman would seem to be in line for the post. But last year Pelosi's camp

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164133192700319752006-11-21T09:55:00.000-08:002006-11-21T10:19:53.646-08:00About that GOP GOTV

Bill Leonard, the recently reelected Republican Board of Equalization candidate, has a blog post wondering what happened to the Victory '06 get-out-the-vote effort.I had been excited about it. I saw what microtargeting accomplished for the President in Ohio two years ago and was eager to replicate that success in California. That excitement faded as results were tallied.Accusations have been

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164072131749360532006-11-20T17:20:00.000-08:002006-11-20T17:22:11.823-08:001070 Votes

That's Democrat Lou Correa's new lead in his race against Assemblywoman and GOPer Lynn Daucher for state Senate, according to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164063429185410732006-11-20T14:56:00.000-08:002006-11-20T14:57:09.223-08:00Ackerman to concede

The OC Register's Martin Wisckol says that Senate GOP leader Dick Ackerman is set to concede the 34th Senate District to Democrat Lou Correa.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1164048500962100432006-11-20T09:48:00.000-08:002006-11-20T10:48:21.230-08:00New limits

The Bee's Buzz reports that contribution limits are rising with the new year:The FPPC also raised per-person campaign contribution limits. For legislative hopefuls, the limit goes from $3,300 to $3,600 per election. Max totals to would-be governors go from $22,300 per election to $24,100, and for other statewide office wannabes, from $5,600 to $6,000.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1163698512944752462006-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:002006-11-16T09:35:13.066-08:00Schwarzenegger administration turnover

Leg Secretary Richard Costigan and education adviser Alan Bersin are out.And Capitol Weekly's Skinny column reports that Ross LaJeunesse, a former chief of staff to Steve Westly, the Democratic challenger who lost to Phil Angelides in the primary, is joining the administration.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1163697628689087572006-11-16T09:19:00.000-08:002006-11-16T09:20:28.733-08:00New in CW 11.16.06

Perata, Núñez hold seven-figure reserves heading into 2007California's two top legislative Democrats have combined to raise more than $11 million in unlimited donations this year using accounts not governed by the state's contribution limits.Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, has led the way, pulling in $8.65 million in the first 10-plus months of 2006, while Assembly Speaker Fabian

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1163631553971885712006-11-15T14:56:00.000-08:002006-11-15T14:59:14.010-08:00Sebeck joins Nunez's team

Senate leader Don Perata's communications director Dave Sebeck is going from the red side of the building to green, taking a new job a "speechwriter and communications guru" for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. “Dave brings a ton of history and experience with him and I think he’ll be a great addition to one of the best communications shops around,” Nunez said in a statement. “In terms of being

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828412.post-1163616399308092362006-11-15T10:46:00.000-08:002006-11-15T10:46:39.550-08:00October revenues up

The Department of Finance is reporting that October revenues are $204 million above forecast.

Shane Goldmacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187550709882879514noreply@blogger.com1