[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

CMR will have more later. Here's the transcript:

"Like all of you, I've been worried a lot about the economy - falling home prices, rising gas prices -- and how hard it's getting for people to find a job.
I've talked with both Treasurer Lockyer and Controller Chiang about the state's cash situation -- and the need to do everything we can to reach an agreement on the budget.

A long stalemate is the last thing we need. Without a budget - we run out of cash - the richest state in America gone broke!

We won't be paying our bills - and we won't be giving our schools, our emergency rooms and our police the resources they need.

There's more...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Insurance take more in profits than benefits provided
Bill to restore disability benefits passes Senate committee

By Frank D. Russo

When the legislature passed Governor Schwarzenegger’s workers’ compensation bill in April of 2004, the Governor said it was not his intention to take away benefits from seriously injured workers—those with lifelong permanent disabilities. Although he has repeatedly promised to make sure that those workers do not fall between the cracks--often saying this in his veto messages of bills the legislature has passed to do so—no action has been taken and California stands fourth from the bottom in what we pay permanently disabled workers.

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

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Today I'm headed out to the OC for the Democratic Party of Orange County annual convention, where I'm participating on a panel about Prop. 93 (and debating Tim Steed of the California Young Democrats).  I respect the opinion of those on this site and elsewhere who support Prop. 93.  I can't join them for the following reasons:

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

The supporters of AB 1x1 are pulling out all of the stops. A group of health care reform leaders signed a letter to Sen. Shelia Kuehl urging her to support the bill. Sen. Kuehl is a huge proponent of single payer and has stated she will not support the bill sitting before her committee. It cannot pass unless she votes for it or Sen. Perata replaces Sen. Yee from the comittee.

Here is the letter they sent (h/t to Anthony)

read more

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

 (Brian's Disclosure)

Today in the LA Times, the Editorial Board endorsed Proposition 93. In the end, it's not a huge deal. Newspaper endorsements have been gradually declining in importance over the last 20 years or so. That decline was seen starkly in the 2006 Democratic primary, where Steve Westly got 49 of the top 50 newspaper endorsements. (I think that's the right figure, but I could be wrong on the exact figures.)

Nonetheless, the Times editorial makes the argument that I've been (at least attempting) to make on Prop. 93 for a while. It's not perfect, but it puts California in a better position for the long run. From the Times editorial, over the flip.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

One of the key provisions of the Democratic health care bill (AB 1x1/Nunez-Perata) is a requirement that health insurance companies spend 85 percent of the cost of a premium on health care. Blue Cross, one of the largest health insurance companies (and not to be confused with the nonprofit Blue Shield), I'm told, spends about 35 percent on health care -- and pockets the rest.<> <>So it shouldn't come as any surprise that Blue Cross would oppose the bill. But here's what its lobbyist testified, out loud, to the Appropriations Committee on Monday when discussing the provision in the bill that would erase the ability of insurance companies to deny coverage. Blue Cross rep Mike Paive said it would allow "sick individuals to further corrupt the pool."<> <>Imagine that. Providing health insurance to sick people.