[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The Bakersfield Californian urges a no vote on Proposition 98 and a yeson Proposition 99, arguing that the first measure would lead to an "avalanche of lawsuits involving government, developers and landowners." The Californian also criticizes 98's abolition of rent control and potential to harm the environment.

Legislative Democrats are trying to be reasonable about how to increase revenues this year, with a myriad of proposals targeting strip clubs, six packsof beer, even plastic bags, the Los Angeles Times reports. If theRepublicans cannot accept these tiny bites, they should at least agreeto repeal the mortgage deducation for $1 million vacation homes.

Recalls have the tendency to be wasteful endeavors no matter what party is pushing them,the LA Times editorializes today. The Times supports Senate Pro Tem DonPerata's decision to stop pursuing the "dump Denham" effort, which mayhave served as a distraction during budget negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Bee reports that Denham will continue campaigning, even though support for the recall has been pulled. I guess when you're that unpopular, you can't take anything for granted.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The Dump Denham recall campaign issued the following statement after voters successfully qualified the petition for the ballot, setting the stage for a probable June recall election:

"The voters have caught on to Jeff Denham - they're recalling him for the same reasons people take unsafe toys off the shelf and tainted meat out of supermarkets - because they're no good, and because we deserve better.

“Voters thought they were electing the kind of straight-talking independent the region is known for - but they got just the opposite.

“Denham hasn't been honest about supporting schools, about giving his vote away to special interests or even about his own paycheck.

“Denham keeps pointing fingers at other politicians, but it's voters who put this recall on the ballot, and it's voters who will have the last word. We call that democracy."

The recall effort began after Denham - breaking his pledge to voters - gave his vote on the state's budget to the Senate's Orange County Republican leadership, jeopardizing funding for schools, healthcare and other local services over the objection of Governor Schwarzenegger.

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

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

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

The Dump Denham campaign came to life in the midst of last year's budget wrangling, helped in no small part by Senator Don Perata.  Well Jeff Denham may or may not ultimately face recall, but he'll be termed out in 2010 if he lasts that long, and it looks like Democrats have themselves a challenger ready.  It seems that Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani recently moved into Denham's Senate district.

Galgiani, who succeeded the ever-popular Barbara Matthews in 2006, says she just wants to live closer to the center of her Assembly District, but it certainly is convenient that she also happens to enter SD-12.  Denham's district is at or near the top of nearly every Dem-target list for the near future, especially as the 2/3 rule collides with the year's budget crisis.

Just a hunch, but I'm guessing that budget flexibility is going to become a bigger issue over the course of the year, what with that whole budget shortfall thing.  And healthcare funding.  And Indian Gaming compacts.  Might just be that ambition is finding a place in all this.