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John Myers is Sacramento Bureau Chief for KQED's The California Report, heard on public radio stations around the state. More about John ...
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A glimpse of the policies, people, and politics of California state government, from John Myers of The California Report
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Uncertain Fate for Prison Fix-Lite
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For those who wanted a quick fix to California's prison woes, some advice: don't hold your breath. Eleven days after the state Senate narrowly approved a wide-ranging plan to change the prison system, the Assembly has now approved a much … Continue reading
Jailhouse Blues
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As we reported in this morning's radio story for The California Report, yesterday's action (and inaction) by the Legislature on a major prison reform bill fell victim to one of the essential truths in politics: a deal's not done until … Continue reading
Prison Plan Likely to Spark Fireworks
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It won't be the only proposal before the Legislature on Thursday, but it will definitely be the main event: a plan to save money and lower the population of California's prisons. That plan, endorsed both by legislative Democrats, is expected … Continue reading
"We Will Not Be Rushed"
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That was the sentiment this morning from the President pro Tempore of the California Senate, universally known as a nice guy but perhaps ready to make sure that no one equates nice guy with pushover. Implicit in that comment from … Continue reading
Cash Woes For State, Not Campaigns
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As the Legislature reconvenes for its final sprint on issues small and large, a new compilation of campaign finance data shows that almost $61 million was raised in the first six months of 2009 for campaigns near and distant, expenses … Continue reading
On Sept. 4, Come Get Your Money
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Summer doesn't officially end until September 22. But the state's Summer of Debt — at least from a cash perspective — will end on September 4, according to Controller John Chiang.
Govt Reform For All To Love... And Hate
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A bipartisan group of seasoned ex-politicians and policy wonks has settled on a package of government reform proposals while sending a pretty simple message to those inside the state Capitol: work with us or stand aside. The leaders of the … Continue reading
Prisons Debate: A Numbers Game?
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Quick, jot down the following numbers: 167,000… $1.2 billion… $3 million… 4%… 37%… 2.4. They're going to come in handy when lawmakers soon wrap themselves in a one of the most complicated and controversial areas of public policy: prisons. The … Continue reading
Podcast: Recess Kerfuffle
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With the Legislature on recess and our Capital Notes Podcast back after a pause, it's a good time for a reset on budget politics. Capitol Weekly's Anthony York and I recap Governor Schwarzenegger's budget vetoes, the likely legal kerfuffle over … Continue reading
Line Item Vetoes: Legal or Not?
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My Wesbter's Dictionary defines an appropriation as "money officially authorized to be paid from a public treasury." If only it were that simple. Expect a heated debate in the near future as to whether Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision last week … Continue reading
