[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Peter Schrag

PPIC, the staid San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California, has been trying to make more of a mark in Sacramento, and last week it succeeded, not with its customary research reports but by putting on the best entertainment of the season.

The stars, at an event called "Restoring Confidence in the Legislative Process" that packed a large hotel ballroom, were four former high-profile politicians with almost as many exes attached to their names as all three Gabor sisters combined.

Among them: ex-Gov., ex-U.S. Sen. ex-San Diego Mayor and ex-Assemblyman Pete Wilson; ex-Republican state Senate leader and ex-Assembly Republican leader Jim Brulte; ex-Assembly Speaker and ex-San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown; and ex-Assemblyman, ex-U.S. Rep. and ex-Senate President Pro Tem John Burton.

Collectively they didn't cast much light on how to restore confidence in the legislative process or whether such a restoration was even needed, but they certainly reminded the 400-plus people jammed into in the room how much fun politics can be – or at least used to be.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

At yesterday's entertaining PPIC forum on improving the legislature, reforming term limits got support from two unexpected movers and shakers: former Governor Pete Wilson and former Republican State Senate leader Jim Brulte. They, along with former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and former Democratic Senate President pro Tem John Burton, all threw their support behind efforts to reform term limits as a way to cure what they believed was a "dysfunctional" legislature.

Senator Brulte spoke strongly in favor of Prop 93, the term limit reform initiative, saying it was essential to improve legislative performance. And Governor Wilson kicked off the session by talking about the need for legislators to cross party lines and building relationships -- something that's become more difficult as legislators spend more time politicking than policy making.

The endorsements are welcome good news for the Yes on 93 campaign. Polls have continued to show strong support for the initiative among Republicans.

Former Gov. Gray Davis endorsed Prop 93 last month in an appearance before the Sacramento Press Club.

Image courtesy Sacramento Bee.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Last night in LA, the Governator got "roasted" by Hollywood types. And former Sen. Pres. Pro Tem John Burton. And for a few hours of being made fun of, Arnold picked up a cool $800K to retire 2006 campaign debt. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig, I'd love that.

And, let's not forget that all of this was organized just 3 days after the sign/veto deadline:

Kathay Feng, director of California Common Cause, lamented that the governor raised so much money right after the bill-signing period. Schwarzenegger previously has advocated for a fundraising ban during the bill-signing period, though the latest fundraiser would have been legal under his proposal.

"I think our system is unfortunately set up such that politicians have to chase dollars," Feng said. "The governor promised not to, but he finds it difficult, just like all our legislators, to be able to avoid catering to contributors." (SacBee 10/19/07)

Hmm, 12 of 12 "job killer" vetos, and $800K for his campaign from business titans. The Money goes in, the favors go out?

One of Burton's jokes over the flip.