[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

History was made on Tuesday May 13, 2008 under the dome of the California State Capitol when Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) was sworn in as the first African-American female Speaker of the California Assembly. She is the first African-American female to hold such a high legislative post anywhere in the United States. In her speech after the swearing in ceremony Speaker Bass said she’s ready to begin tackling the many challenges facing the state.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Not a Single Prison Bed Built Since $8 Billion Bond Passed a “Year Ago

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Text of Letter Sent to Governor Schwarzenegger and Speaker Nunez

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
THE BAYNE OF BLOG'S CALIFORNIA NOTES

Over 2000 school employees and nurses formed an impressive sea of blue and red as they packed the grounds on the north side of the state capitol on Tuesday to call for health care for all. More specifically, they wanted legislators and the governor to know they want single payer, also know as Medicare for All. Senator Sheila Kuehl, who spoke at the rally, is carrying the bill they want – SB 840.

A thousand California School Employee Association (CSEA) members arrived from all over the state by bus. I talked to CSEA members from as far away as Palm Springs, and saw some I know from San Diego. They piled out of the buses and then marched about four blocks the north steps to shouts of support and horns honking along the way as they chanted demanding "health care for all."

Red shirted nurses gathered to escort the CSEA members up the walk to the capitol steps.

by California Nurses Shum [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

Over 1,000 nurses and patients marched on the California State Capitol today to demand guaranteed healthcare, at an event sponsored by the National Nurse Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association. 

This is why we're going to have genuine healthcare reform: because we have a beloved, engaged constituency pushing for it.  What do the insurers have? A bunch of mercenary lobbyists.  We're linking to some pictures here...take a look.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The California State legislature will be voting on a multi-billion dollar prison construction program tomorrow in a bill that is expected to be sent to the Governor before the end of the week. The Assembly will vote first at an unusual 8:30 a.m. session followed by the Senate at 10:30 a.m.

Late this afternoon Senator Perata, President pro Tem of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly Nunez sent the following letter to the Governor outlining some of the differences that have surfaced in negotiations over prison overcrowding and other issues in the state’s penal system.

There will be more information on the legislation being voted on shortly.

April 25, 2007

Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814