Mayoral candidate Walter Moore has raised $150,000, the threshold he needed to qualify for matching funds and a seat at the debates. Mayor Villaraigosa, who has already raised over $1 million, must now decide if it’s worth risking a debate with Moore in order to receive another million in matching funds. You can bet his advisors are cautioning against it.
An appeals court has upheld Measure R, the City Council term limit extension, ruling that the “single subject rule does not apply to a city council sponsored ballot measure.” David Hernandez plans to appeal to the California Supreme Court.
Bernard Parks accuses former Villaraigosa campaign consultant, Anthony Thigpenn, of organizing campaign activities for Mark Ridley-Thomas out of an old firehouse in CD8:
We saw it with our own eyes. Twenty or 30 cars parked around the building and people told us they were involved in political campaigns, and that is not appropriate on city-owned property.
Villaraigosa stepped in to save his buddy after Parks served Thigpenn’s non-profit with an eviction notice. The matter may now be headed for a Council vote.
I have a hotsheet at Mayor Sam this morning discussing California’s FY’08–09 budget, the prison guards union, and Proposition 8.
Endorsements for Prop 8, the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, read like a who’s who of state Republican lawmakers. Irresponsibility reigns in California, policy at every level is straining families, taxpayers, and business owners — but rather than save the day (and broaden GOP appeal in the process), state and county Republicans continue pooling time and energy into self-marginalization. Thankfully I’m not only one watching this and resenting it. A number of high-ranking LA County party members are speaking out:
A group of Los Angeles County Republicans is protesting the local party’s decision to host a forum featuring supporters of the gay marriage initiative on the November ballot.
Eleven members of the Los Angeles GOP said in a letter to county chairwoman Linda Boyd that they were angered by her refusal to give local Republicans who oppose Proposition 8 equal time to present their side during Thursday night’s meeting.
“How bankrupt must our party be if we believe the only way to grow Republican turnout in Los Angeles is to attack the freedom of our fellow Americans,” wrote the group, which consists of current and former members of the county Republican executive and central committees.
Million Dollar Theater — Photo by befrank
Yesterday we combined walks 33 & 34 for a 2½-mile plaza and landmark adventure through Civic Center and the Financial District — perfect for out-of-towners. Many hills and stairs, so wear comfortable shoes.
P.S. The goats may have left Angels Knoll park, but they were still downtown yesterday. From Angel’s Flight we spotted then grazing in an elevated garden at the Angelus Plaza. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.
I have a hotsheet over at Mayor Sam this morning. Topics range from Barbra Streisand to the May Day Melee.
Is a county employee posting politically incorrect blog comments and whitewashing Gloria Molina’s Wikipedia? (H/T: Mayor Sam)
Also:
Heavy borrowing, no new taxes, and no budget reform. See you next year — same time, same place.
California lawmakers are set to approve a new budget for the largest state in the US Monday night, allowing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to end the longest budget impasse in California history.
The 77-day impasse was prompted by a record 15 billion dollar shortfall in state finances. The Democratic majority in the legislature wanted to raise taxes and avoid drastic cuts but were stymied by the Republicans. The budget needs a two-thirds vote to pass.
The compromise proposal increases spending for education and healthcare, while borrowing huge sums against the state lottery. It d relies heavily on manoeuvres that would push the state’s financial problems into the future at a time when economists have little hope that revenue is on the rebound.
* Measure R proponents breathe a sigh of relief.
** Assemblyman Chuck DeVore says the compromise budget does include budget reform provisions, but nothing the Democrat-controlled Legislature can’t throw out down the road.
