[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

According to a new Field Poll, Californians support a bigger role for former president Bill Clinton in his wife’s presidential campaign, more so than they support Hillary Clinton’s actual candidacy, reports the Sac Bee. Even Republicans appear to be looking upon his presidency with a touch of nostalgia.

More evidence has come forth that California’s stringent measures (known as Jessica’s Law) barring sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park may be counterproductive. According to the Torrance Daily Breeze, many parolees who have had trouble finding places to live are falsely reporting that they’re homeless in order to avoid re-arrest, making it harder for them to receive treatment. In some cities, such as San Francisco, it is impossible to live anywhere that fits these guidelines.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The fires raging in Southern California may or may not be part of a trend caused by climate change,which has led to hotter temperatures, drier forests, and shiftingweather patterns, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Global warmingwill lead to more destructive fires in general, according to experts.

The Torrance Daily Breeze reports that the fires are causing major health issues, with local emergency rooms reporting an increase in respiratory problems. "Even healthy people without chronic conditions are at risk forasthmatic episodes, allergies, eye irritation and lung damage becausethe particles in the air caused by smoke are too small to be filteredby the body," according to the article.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Governor Schwarzenegger has accepted an invitation by UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon to attend a global warming conferencein New York City, where he will promote California’s climate changelaws, reports the San Diego Tribune. The Governor has quickly becomethe darling of British MPs and European ambassadors,  who have longbeen frustrated with President Bush’s environmental record.

The Torrance Daily Breeze is suggesting that the legalization of marijuanamight be the solution to California’s perennial budget woes, as itcould bring in an estimated $13 billion or so in taxes to the state.Nationally, it could cover at least half the cost of universal healthcare. Hmm.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation that would provide unfettered media access to the state’s prisons, thus joining the ranks of former governors, including Gray Davis andPete Wilson, who also vetoed similar bills. According to the SF Chron,State Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), the sponsor of the bill,believes that it would improve the transparency of the state prisonsystem, while the Governor believes it would “glamorize murderers” and“traumatize crime victims and their families.” On the other hand,there's nothing glamorous about the condition of our prisons, either.

Acommittee commissioned by the Governor to come up with a proposal toimplement the reduction in carbon emissions mandated by AB 32 has endorsed setting up a carbon cap-and-trade systemfor the state of California, according to the Torrance Daily Breeze.Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols supports setting up amarket for carbon credits, but many Democrats and environmentalists arerightly insisting that strong regulations be put in place first. TheSan Jose Merc outlines the report’s specific recommendations here.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The daily papers have had a chance to weigh in on yesterday's hearing on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's improper political interference at the California Air Resources Board, and let's just say Team Arnold's decision to run away from the hearing was probably a mistake. The headlines say it all:

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Both the Long Beach Press Telegram and The Torrance Daily Breeze, the two newspapers that cover big chunks of the South Bay's 37th Congressional district, have endorsed State Sen. Jenny Oropeza for Congress over Assemblywoman Laura Richardson.
 
Both said they liked both candidates, but gave their nods to Oropeza based on experience.
 
The Daily Breeze noted: "We chose Oropeza because she is the more seasoned of the two when it comes to crafting bills. Richardson was elected to the Assembly last year, and we would prefer that she spend more time in Sacramento before moving on and up."

The Press Telegram notes: "So how did we pick between two politically similar Democrats who both served on the Long Beach City Council and in the state Legislature? It wasn't easy, but after much internal debate, we chose Oropeza because she is the more seasoned of the two and has a longer record of writing and voting on bills. Richardson was elected to the Assembly last year, and we would prefer that she spends more time in Sacramento before moving on and up.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his wife Corina are separating after 20 years of marriage, the Daily Breeze reported today. This is part of an unfortunate patternof high-profile elected officials being unable—or unwilling perhaps—toachieve a healthy balance between their work and personal lives. Thejob of big-city mayor is such a demanding one, arguably more so thanserving as a state legislator or even a member of Congress. Is itpossible to maintain a strong family life and serve as an effectiveexecutive?

Some have said the California Legislature is reaching new heights with respect to decorum. Those people probably missed Sen. Tom McClintock's invective the other day. "Who the hell are you?" the arch-conservative repeatedly andrhetorically directed at colleague Darrell Steinberg during a debateover planning policy, according to the Associated Press. When Sen.Carole Migden called McClintock out for using profanity, McClintockrefused to back down, saying "I do agree that 'preferred growthscenario' is a profanity." So much for collegiality.