by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

You probably heard already that Karen Bass made history yesterday whenshe was sworn in as the first African-American woman speaker inCalifornia history, as the Los Angeles Times reports. She is to be commended and congratulated, but not envied: the months ahead for the Assembly will not be easy.

How quickly Arnold has changed his tune. Administration officials told the Sacramento Bee that the Governor will release a budget that borrows from state lottery income, but does not short-change our schools or close down 48 state parks.Speaker Bass has already called the plan "risky," so we'll see how farit goes.

Before you can say "no-tax pledge," the LA Times reports that Arnold has an alternative to the lottery proposal: a sales-tax increase. The Governor deserves credit for his willingness to bend with thetimes, although it is difficult to be so optimistic about the GOPcaucus.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Is it really that bad? Governor Schwarzenegger says California's budget deficit has reached $20 billion, but there may some strategy behind an inflated figure, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Even if the deficit is alittle lower, starting out bleak can force the hand of the Republicans,who hide behind their "no tax pledge" to avoid responsibility.

Our previous governor, Gray Davis, got in hot water for inflating the budget deficit to push for higher taxes, so it wouldn't be unprecedented for Arnold to be doing the same thing, writes Dan Walters in today's Sacramento Bee.

To his credit, perhaps, the Governor continues to assist health care reform can be passed and signed into law, and wants to bring back a bill with the same elements of last year'sfailed attempt, the Associated Press reports. The one thing he forgetto mention was how he intends to pay for it.

There's more... 

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

This summer is looking to be a "blockbuster" budget-showdown, with the Democrats insisting on new taxes and a Republican caucus whosenear entire membership has signed a 'no tax pledge,' writes DanielWeintraub in today's Sacramento Bee. Weintraub is optimistic that sucha confrontation will we good for the state, and let's hope he's right.For the record: Weintraub says a modest tax increase coupled withserious spending cuts are probably in the cards.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (above) is definitely looking at aGubernatorial bid in 2010, aides confirmed to the Chronicle thisweekend. He's already hiring consultants and posting on blogs. But someworry that the "San Francisco Values" label could be a liability —although it didn't stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker.

More than one commentator has suggested John McCain might be cleaver and promise Arnold an ambassador position inorder to make California competitive, and the Los Angeles Times lendscredence to this claim today. Like we said before, if McCain could finda position the Governor is actually qualified for, maybe we could talk.But besides, all signs point to California becoming more blue, not less.

There's more...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Senate Pro Tem Don Perata's carjacked vehicle was found in Richmond today, with the Democratic leader joking that "at least it was in mydistrict," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Perata was accosted atgun-point and had his car stolen yesterday, but the Senator was fine,calling the car "immaterial." 

Calls for a balanced approach to reining in the deficit are likely to fall on deaf ears in the Republican caucus, as GOP hard-liners keep their elected officials on a "no tax pledge,"according to the Bee. Indeed, all but one of the Legislature's 47Republicans have taken the pledge and fear a primary challenge if theychange course. It's going to be a long budget year.

A tast force's recommendations signal a way forward on addressing thereliability and environmental concerns associated with the San JoaquinDelta, and it is time for Governor Schwarzenegger to step up and lead, the Bee editorializes today. The task force report is in danger ofbecoming a political orphan, as it contains provisions offensive bothto environmentalists—a call for additional water storage—and businessinterests—conservation. But we're going to need to meet in the middle.

There's more...

Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle.