by EmilyDu [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

From the Courage Campaign

The most extreme high priests of the tax cut cult operate right here in

California. Because Democrats do not hold a two-thirds majority in our

state legislature, a small minority of Republicans is able to hold

Californians hostage to a $20 billion state budget deficit, refusing to raise taxes on the super-rich.

It gets worse. Much worse. While California's future is being put in grave jeopardy, the tax cut cult is refusing to close a tax loophole for yacht and private jet owners.

Schools closing. Social services slashed to the bone. And right-wing Republicans are letting the uber-wealthy off tax-free on yacht and private jet purchases. It's no wonder the California Republican Party has been re-branded as the "Yacht Party" by the netroots.

To increase the pressure on Republicans in Sacramento to close this

yacht tax loophole, we need to make this "Yacht Party" brand stick. That's

why the Courage Campaign and California Nurses Association have just

teamed up to produce a new 60-second TV ad that strips naked the

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Legislative leaders have talked about a long hot summer in Sacramento, but I don't think this is what they meant. Check out the latest Courage Campaign "Yacht Party" ad below, but first, here's a letter from Arianna Huffington, including information on how you can get a rush autographed copy of Huffington's latest book, "Right is Wrong":

Dear Friend,

The tax cut cult.

That's what I call Republicans in "Right is Wrong", the new book I just wrote about how the right-wing lunatic fringe has hijacked America.

Unfortunately, the most extreme high priests of the tax cut cult operate right here in California. Because Democrats do not hold a two-thirds majority in our state legislature, a small minority of Republicans is able to hold Californians hostage to a $20 billion state budget deficit, refusing to raise taxes on the super-rich.

It gets worse. Much worse. While California's future is being put in grave jeopardy, the tax cut cult is refusing to close a tax loophole for yacht and private jet owners.
Schools closing. Social services slashed to the bone. And right-wing Republicans are letting the uber-wealthy off tax-free on yacht and private jet purchases. It's no wonder the California Republican Party has been re-branded as the "Yacht Party" by the netroots.

read more »

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I'll let folks draw their own conclusions and pick their own fights for the most part, but I thought this poll was pretty interesting (favorable/unfavorable/net):

California Nurses Association/Nurses: 53/15/+35

California Hospital Assn./Hospitals: 33/30/+3

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: 40/40/0

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez: 20/29/-8

Chamber of Commerce/Business Groups: 25/36/-11

News Media: 28/46/-18%

Republican State Legislative Leaders: 22/48/-26

Health Insurance Companies: 16/55/-39

I will throw a few rather obvious ones out along with one that may be less so. One- people don't care much for politicians. Two- they care even less for the media, which is interesting as the media keeps cutting back on news coverage. Three- they HATE insurance companies, which makes me wonder why anyone keeps trying to keep them in the equation.

Also, CNA's numbers are pretty darn impressive. Some of that is that people just like nurses I would imagine. But average Californian on the street, if they have an actual opinion of CNA proper, it's likely to be an opinion on single-payer. Which makes me think that, given the opportunity, people might be pretty supportive of single-payer.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Sheila Kuehl
Chair
California Senate Health Committee

According to the new statewide poll by the Field Institute, released Monday, the number of Californians who would prefer to receive their health care coverage “through the government” has risen by 9 percentage points since the last poll in 2006, and now stands at 31%, while those who prefer that individuals take responsibility for their own coverage dropped 6 percentage points to 20%, and those preferring employer sponsored coverage declined 4 percentage points to 38%,. “Government provided health coverage” was the only policy option showing an increase in support.

Since 2002, universal health care advocates have rallied around Senate Bill 840, the California Universal Health Care Act which I am proud to have introduced. These advocates have formed the OneCareNow coalition, made up of hundreds of supporting organizations around the state. The coalition has prioritized community education about universal health care and sponsored hundreds of public educational events throughout the year.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The California Field Poll just released a 39 page survey that should provide ammunition for those who want to reform the state’s health care/health insurance system. As is usual, the devil is in the details—and there are lot here—for proponents of various programs to crow about and spin.

One thing comes through loud and clear: California voters are concerned about California’s failure to enact health care reform this year. They are very concerned about their own status—losing health care coverage, being unable to pay medical bills, employers cutting back the amount they pay for health insurance, and cancellations by insurance carriers because of health conditions. And, in response to a number of separate questions, they overwhelmingly support reforms, including requiring health insurance companies to offer coverage without regard to health conditions, extending health insurance to Californians who do not have it, and other reforms. They expect the current system to worsen in the next 5 years.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The back and forth continues between SEIU and the California Nurses Association, with a California Superior court dismissing a temporary restraining order against SEIU and SEIU President Andy Stern filed last week. SEIU has described CNA's action as a "publicity stunt."According to an SEIU press release, the court had an opportunity to review video footage submitted by SEIU of the incidents that CNA falsely claimed to be "stalking," and on the heels of an anti-Strategic Lawsuit to Prevent Public Participation motion, also filed yesterday by SEIU, against the CNA "to prevent CNA from further efforts to silence critics of its divisive tactics," according to SEIU.<> <>"For months, CNA leaders have made inaccurate and exaggerated claims trying to cover up their own anti-union tactics in Ohio and other states. They have produced doctored 'evidence,' they have made phony allegations and they have cried wolf," said Andy Stern, SEIU International President. "Today’s court decision shows the public what the CNA is really about, but that’s little comfort for the thousands of Ohio nurses and hospital workers who saw their dreams of forming a union destroyed by the CNA.  It’s time Rose Ann DeMoro and the CNA wake up and apologize to the workers they hurt."There's more...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The health care union battle now appears is back in the courts.

Yesterday the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) filed an anti-Strategic Lawsuit to Prevent Public Participation motion against the California Nurses Association (CNA. In layman's terms, that prevents the union from further efforts to silence critics of its divisive tactics. According to an SEIU press release, the motion cites a temporary restraining order against SEIU President Andy Stern and SEIU that the CNA obtained as a publicity stunt last week as the latest effort by the CNA to suppress nurses and hospital workers who have criticized its anti-union tactics in Ohio and other states.

SEIU also filed an application to vacate the temporary restraining order, which was obtained by the CNA on April 15 from a local court commissioner -- without any notice to SEIU -- and based on what it calls "misrepresentations by the CNA."

There's more...