On this week’s Capital Notes Podcast, we wax poetically about some of the latest poltical and policy news… including an insurance industry crackdown, grumbling among some legislative Democrats when it comes to party politics, and the latest news on the state’s growing budget deficit.

Capitol Weekly editor Anthony York and I trek through the week’s news with our usual repartee. Consider yourself warned.

Related Information:

“State Launches Unprecedented Review of HMO Coverage Cancellations,” by John Howard & Anthony York of Capitol Weekly

“Perata’s ‘No Show’ Letter to Staff Chiefs Fuels Capitol Anger,” by Anthony York of Capitol Weekly

“Tax Blues… State Government Style,” by John Myers at KQED Capital Notes

This week’s edition of the Capital Notes Podcast has us looking at several tidbits from the world of California politics… including the election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention and several nasty (or soon to be so) grudge matches headed to a ballot near you.

Capitol Weekly editor Anthony York and I do our best to dish on the Democrats headed to Denver, the recall campaign heating up in the Central Valley, a zinger of a campaign ad on a computer near you, initiatives headed to the November ballot, and some tough talk inside organized labor in California.

And a clarification since we recorded the p’cast earlier this morning: it was the year 2000 when Democrat Simon Salinas defeated Republican Jeff Denham for a seat in the Assembly… not, as we postulated, the other way around. Not enough coffee for us, it seems.

Related Information:

“Picking Delegates: Democracy In Action,” by Mary Anne Ostrom in the San Jose Mercury News

“Democratic Party Delegate Elections,” KQED’s The California Report

This week, breaking news about a pop star’s quest for elected office… and other more, ahem, real news in California politics and public policy.

Capitol Weekly’s Anthony York and I take a look back at the local and national political dramas from last week’s California Democratic convention, the latest on health care battles at the state Capitol, the chances for changing the budget process, and the birth of a new bipartisan reform group.

[update: Reason #417 to beware of the internet… this posting has already been linked to by at least one site that tracks the pop singer in question, fully failing to take into consideration the date on the calendar when evaluating the veracity of our conversation about her political aspirations!]

Related Information:
“Democrats Need to ‘Chill Out,’ Bill Clinton Says,” by Laura Kurtzman of the Associated Press

“Dems Refuse To Endorse Migden,” by John Wildermuth of the San Francisco Chronicle

“Senate Hearing To Probe Regulation of Health Care Industry,” by Anthony York and John Howard of Capitol Weekly

“Governor’s Budget Reform: Missing Details,” by John Myers of KQED Public Radio

“California Forward Launches Reform Effort,” by Malcolm Maclachlan of Capitol Weekly