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Opinion: The next Arnold? A lot like this one

November 17, 2009

Source: Opinion: Dan Schnur/Los Angeles Times

Almost three years ago, in the glow of a decisive reelection victory, Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed himself a "post-partisan" leader who would not be limited by the dogma of the two major parties. Ever since, conservative Republicans in California have quietly smoldered, avoiding open revolt against their party's nominal leader but counting the days until one of their own could replace Schwarzenegger in the governor's office.

But as the field of candidates for the 2010 election begins to take shape, it is increasingly likely that the eventual Republican nominee will strongly resemble the current governor in almost everything other than the depth of his accent and the size of his biceps.

Poizner says he'd cut spending, taxes

November 17, 2009

Source: Alicia Robinson/Riverside Press Enterprise

State insurance commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner on Monday proposed a combination of tax cuts and spending reductions as a remedy for California's budget woes. Poizner told a business audience in Riverside that as governor he would cut corporate, income and sales taxes 10 percent, cut state spending by 10 percent in two years, and build a $10 billion rainy day fund in one term. The tax cuts will make the state more competitive and encourage taxpayers to stay here, he said.

Campbell takes Silicon Valley in new San Jose State poll

November 17, 2009

Source: Ken McLaughlin/San Jose Mercury News

Tom Campbell, Silicon Valley's onetime Golden Boy, is still, well, golden.

In a San Jose State University poll released Monday, Campbell, a former Silicon Valley congressman seeking the GOP nomination for governor, crushed his competition — former eBay chief Meg Whitman and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, a valley entrepreneur.

Among 200 Silicon Valley Republicans who indicated they were likely to vote in the June primary, Campbell won the poll with 39 percent. Eleven percent preferred Whitman; 7 percent chose Poizner. Forty-one percent were still undecided.

Opinion: Different 'Moonbeam' may govern California

November 16, 2009

Source: Opinion: Norma Jeanne Strobel/ Appeal-Democrat

They know about the new Jerry Brown in Pleasanton. "Small" is no longer beautiful to Brown, who is suing that city for limiting the unbridled growth that millionaire developers love. Brown invoked a little known provision of state law to force Pleasanton to remove its restrictions on the number of residences that can be built in the city. He claims that growth limitations increase pollution, traffic congestion, and prevent local workers from finding a home there.

Brown sued Pleasanton, but what does he think about the City of Industry? While 80,000 workers commute into that city daily, it has less than a hundred registered voters but vast areas of vacant land where homes could be built. However, Industry also has what must be the most rigid no-growth policy in the state. Nor has he objected to Industry's use of slum redevelopment funds to build infrastructure for a football stadium on land that has never seen a slum. It's no surprise that this benefits a billionaire who contributes heavily to both political parties.

Jerry Brown is Paddling on the Right Side of the Canoe

November 16, 2009

Source: Joel Fox/Fox & Hounds Daily

When he was governor three decades ago, Jerry Brown explained his political philosophy this way: “You paddle a little bit on the left, then you paddle a little bit on the right and you keep going straight down the middle.” As John Wildermuth pointed out here on Fox and Hounds, Brown is not the first politician to try this system. Bill Clinton and friends called it triangulation. But, Brown’s description is more appealing and it makes it easier to examine what he has been up to lately.

Brown has been paddling hard on the right side of the canoe.

Brown bemoans Calif. budget process

November 16, 2009

Source: Chris Rizo/Legal Newsline

SAN FRANCISCO -California's budget woes have been made significantly worse by partisan bickering and interference by the courts, state Attorney General Jerry Brown said.

Brown, a Democrat, said while the state's growing budget gap is "very difficult to figure out," one thing is for sure.

"The clear indication is people don't want any more taxes," Brown said in a speech this week in San Francisco to the civil defense bar.

Brown: California is over-regulated

November 12, 2009

Source: Chris Rizo/Legal Newsline

Sounding more like a Libertarian than a Democrat, California Attorney General Jerry Brown on Wednesday said the state's regulatory framework "burdens" businesses and the courts.

Speaking to Legal Newsline, Brown decried over-regulation and the abundance of laws on California's books. In the interview, he said the state has reached a point when legislating, in some instances, has become counterproductive.

Jerry Brown again? Some Calif. Dems express unease

November 11, 2009

Source: Juliet Williams/Associated Press

Attorney General Jerry Brown has relied on a stealth fundraising campaign and his near universal name recognition to wipe out the field seven months ahead of California's Democratic primary for governor.

That has left the 72-year-old political icon, who already has served two terms as California governor, as the party's presumed candidate for governor in 2010, even though Brown has not officially declared.

Governor gains leverage in coast oil drilling fight

November 11, 2009

Source: Timm Herdt/Ventura County Star

Supporters and opponents of what would be the first new offshore drilling in state waters in 40 years are looking toward the selection of a new lieutenant governor as the next act in a long-running regulatory drama that has thus far kept the Tranquillon Ridge project at bay.

The State Lands Commission rejected the project in January on a 2-1 vote, with then-Lt. Gov. John Garamendi casting one of the decisive no votes.

Letters to the Editor: Whitman's backward views on jobs, climate

November 11, 2009

Source: Napa Valley Register: Opinion

Dear editor, in your Oct. 31 article (“Whitman in Napa: ‘Put jobs first’”), gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman inexplicably argues that backtracking on our state’s efforts to address climate change will somehow stimulate our region’s economy and bring new jobs to wine country. Her remarks reveal Whitman has no understanding of the wine industry’s impact on our state’s economy, nor of the inextricable relationship between wine industry jobs, profits and climate.