by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Things are not looking very good for the prospect of health care reform in California at the moment. The bill AB 1x1 is going to come up in the health care committee tomorrow. Sen. Kuehl, the chair of the committee already indicated she would not support it. That meant if only one other Democratic Senator on the committee pulled their support the bill would not be able to advance on a straight vote. CapAlert has the goods.

On the eve of a hearing for landmark health legislation, a spokesman for Sen. Leland Yee said the San Francisco Democrat will oppose the health care measure. The move throws into limbo whether the legislation has the necessary votes to move forward.

“The costs are a big concern for him,” said Adam Keigwin, a spokesman for Yee, regarding the $14 billion health care price tag that coincides with a projected $14.5 billion budget hole.

We have not yet see the report from the Legislative Analyst that Perata requested. This seems to be an early indication that the report was not particularly favorable.

Meanwhile the It's Our Health Care coalition just sent out an email encouraging their members to contact their Senators.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Big Tobacco's $12 million campaign -- about $3.50 per voter -- to defeat a proposal that would have raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $2.20 went down in flames in Oregon yesterday. So what's that mean for the Democratic proposal formally introduced by Speaker Nunez and Senate President pro Tem Perata on Tuesday that relies on a $2 per pack cigarette tax increase?
 
Next to nothing.
 
Measure 50, as the Oregon ballot question was called, directed funds only to children's health care, not the universal health care plan proposed by California Democrats. It's constituency was smaller, and voter turnout miserable (no other major elections on the ballot). And supporters couldn't match the record amount spent by Big Tobacco. The result: a lopsided 59% to 41% defeat.
 
In California, the pro-health care coalition promises to be broader and well-financed when Schwarzenegger agrees to sign on. In addition to labor, there is a strong coalition of big business that's ready to move forward, lead by Steve Burd of Safeway. The strange bedfellows campaign combo of Schwarzenegger/Legislative Democrats/Unions/Business would be a formidable foe for Big Tobacco.

The California initiative would not be the David vs. Goliath fight the Oregon battle was.

There's more...

Image courtesy Regina Nuzzo.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Governor Schwarzenegger is considering turning over his health care plan over to California votersin a ballot initiative, in order to sidestep the intransigence ofRepublicans in the state legislature, reports the San Jose MercuryNews. The Governor is counting on the seven out of ten Californians whobelieve in health care reform, and his ability to put together the“strongest, most robust health care coalition ever put together” tocounter what would inevitably be a very well-financed oppositioncampaign.

The Governor’s speech to the California Republican Party at its annual conventionon Friday likewise didn’t go over very well for many, according to theSac Bee. Speaking out in favor of inclusiveness and broadening theRepublican Party’s appeal, the Governor adopted a critical tone towardsthe party’s attempts to shut out independents and its self-induced falltowards irrelevance. Whether Arnold’s image of a progressive party inthe mold of TR will be sustained after he leaves office will certainlybe up to them.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

"Together for Health Care," the odd-bedfellows coalition of nonprofit insurers, unions, and business groups pushing health care reform, has a new 30-second advertisement out that focuses on small businesses. <> <>The 30 second ad, entitled "1959," features Craig Cowie, co-owner of the family-run Baller Hardware Store in Los Angeles.<>   <>This is the third in a series of planned TV ads and will begin airing in Northern California and the Central Valley (Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield) today. Over the coming weeks, this ad will be supplemented by others on broadcast affiliates and cable networks around the state. <> <>The Together for Health Care Coalition includes: AARP, Bay Area Council, Blue Shield of California, California Labor Federation, California Medical Association, California Teachers Association, Catholic Healthcare West, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. <>