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

by Be_Devine [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

As previously reported, Carole Migden was recently hit with the largest fine in the history of California's Fair Political Practices Commission ("FPPC").  She was found guilty of 89 separate violations of California law and fined $350,000.

The record FPPC fine, however, is only the tip of the iceberg for Senator Migden.  She still has several unresolved violations of California law, which the FPPC chairman calls "serious and deceitful."  Rather than letting the FPPC proceeding run its course, Senator Migden chose instead to join forces with radical right wing Republicans by filing a lawsuit in Federal Court to declare California's campaign finance laws unconstitutional.  Senator Migden is happy to undo years of valuable campaign finance reform just for a shot at saving herself from her clear violations of the law.

This is the long and sordid tale of Senator Migden's numerous violations of California law.  It is a tale not only about her recent lawsuit (Migden v. The Fair Political Practices Commission), but also a tale about Carole Migden's serious and deceitful assault on the notion of fair political practices in general (Carole Migden versus fair political practices).  It will take a while to unravel the mess that Carole Migden has created.  So grab a beverage, get a comfy chair, and hold on for the ride . . . 

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

FPPC chairman Ross Johnson has proposed closing a loophole in travel gift regulation that currently allows elected officials toroute the costs through government employers. "We want gifts to betreated in such a way that it's clear when a personal benefit isconferred on an elected official or high-ranking official," saidJohnson.

When all is said and done, geography may be the determining factor in Ohio's primary today, says the LATimes. The state's urban north largely supports Obama, while the ruralsouth and Governor Ted Strickland back Clinton.

A national survey finds that San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley are among the greenest cities in the nation,reports the Contra Costa Times. "The survey combined data from the U.S.Census Bureau and the National Geographic Society's Green Guide, whichcollected survey data and government statistics for American citieswith more than 100,000 people in categories including air quality,electricity use and transportation habits."

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Image courtesy of Sacbee.com

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

For more than two decades I had staff oversight responsibilities for the California Fair Political Practices Commission with the State Assembly. During that time I also represented, on my own time and without compensation, various targets of FPPC enforcement actions. And, as someone who used his vacation time as a manager of political campaigns, I often filed charges of violations with the Commission.

This background simply to say that I have some familiarity with the Commission’s enforcement actions over time.

Let me use that background to defend Ross Johnson, Chair of the Commission, as he’s skewered by “good government activists” on the charge of being soft to his fellow politicians (Johnson served in both the State Assembly and State Senate). The evidence of his “soft” policy is that fewer dollars in fines were exacted last year than the years prior to his service.

Nothing could be further than the truth.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

All of this over whether Jesus Christ is messiah? Capitol Ministries head Ralph Drollinger has blasted a bipartisan groupof legislators' bible study, a group that includes Republicans likeRick Keene (left), for not conforming to his strict interpretations,according to the Sacramento Bee. Get over it. Most sincere Christianswould acknowledge that reasonable people can come to God in a number ofways.

A memo released by Senator Barbara Boxer reveals the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in shambles, with a top official calling for Stephen Johnson's resignation if herejected California's greenhouse gas law, the San Francisco Chroniclereports. That's the kind of reputation you get when you overallnear-unanimous scientific and technical opinion.

Quetions abound about whether Arnold appointee and former legislator Ross Johnson is being light on the fines as head of the California Fair Political Practices Commission.According to the LA Times, Johnson says his "philosophy" involvesdifferent priorities, and to be fair, a Common Cause spokespersonsomewhat backs him up.

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Photo courtesy of Redding.com

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]