by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Our friend Tim Russert, the "Meet the Press" host who died unexpectedly on Friday, was the subject of a special remembrance program this morning on NBC,hosted by Tom Brokaw, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sundays will notbe the same without this gifted and politically astute host, and fineman.

Who's next for Meet the Press? The LA Times reports that "Hardball" host Chris Matthews and NBC political correspondent David Gregory are in the running.

The budget deadline is today, but not that we expected anything to come of that. In fact, legislators have only met the deadline four times since 1977, according to Capitol Alert.

Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett is continuing to mix church and state inher refusal to issue marriage licenses and has conceded that she soughtlegal counsel from a right-wring group, according to the LA Times. A resignation might be in order.

There's more... 

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Sometimes It’s How the Question is Asked That Makes a Big Difference

By Frank D. Russo

The California Field Poll has just released today, on the 30th anniversary of Proposition 13, findings of a survey of registered voters. It shows strong support for Proposition 13 and that it would pass again if presented to the voters.

The generally available numbers at the moment are in a special digest from Field. To get a better understanding of the responses Field asked, which include questions on taxes in general as well, one must dive into the 61 pages of crosstabs, which are available through the Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Alert.

There are no two ways about many of these findings. Let’s take a look.

First of all, how familiar do registered voters say they are with Prop 13?

Field asked: “Thirty years ago in 1978 California voters approved Proposition 13, which reduced local property taxes and limited the amount they could be increased each year. How familiar are you with Proposition 13 – very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar?”

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

Shane Goldmacher at the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert has a useful compilation of some of the reactions to the budget. Here's some that touch on the health budget, from Health Access board leaders, member organizations, allies, and others:

Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers: “The governor’s budget revision tries to protect education, but lacks the funding to do it... Shifting the bulk of the cuts to health and human services is a disguised cut to education. These programs aren’t isolated from schools. Our students need to come to school ready to learn, and they can’t do that hungry or sick.” “School kids did not cause this crisis,” said Hittelman. “Their teachers and school staff are being confronted with uncertain futures. It’s time to put in place a fair, stable and progressive funding source for education and other vital services.”

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

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

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]