[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

“Ghost Voting”, the practice of one lawmaker voting for another in the California Assembly, regularly makes “news” as an abuse—another malfeasance by politicians.

In fact, abuses of the practice are rare, and the practice itself is both necessary and constant. While the smaller State Senate uses a ‘voice’ vote for its tallies, the Assembly has used a mechanical tote machine since the mid-1930’s. It requires a lawmaker to unlock the buttons on his or her desk and push either the green or red button on each vote. To do so, the lawmaker must remain in or quite near the desk. A Senator can roam the floor and the rear of the Senate chamber in conversations with other Senators and staff and still call out “aye” when his or her name is called.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

History was made on Tuesday May 13, 2008 under the dome of the California State Capitol when Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) was sworn in as the first African-American female Speaker of the California Assembly. She is the first African-American female to hold such a high legislative post anywhere in the United States. In her speech after the swearing in ceremony Speaker Bass said she’s ready to begin tackling the many challenges facing the state.

by WhatAre Progressive Values [courtesy of Blog for America]

This is part of a continuing series of interviews of progressives telling stories about their progressive values.  I am working on a documentary to answer the question, What are Progressive Values? So far, I have interviewed over 100 progressives and have placed over 350 video clips on YouTube with the various replies. See ProgressiveSpirit.com  

 This interview is with Loni Hancock, California Assembly member representing the 14th Assembly District: Serving Berkeley, Richmond, Albany, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Kensington, Emeryville and Oakland. Loni says that empathy and caring are the most important progressive values to her. She tells a childhood story about empathy and her visit to the zoo.
 
 Progressive Values Stories: Loni Hancock on Empathy and Caring

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The Capitol Weekly got the scoop:

"Assemblywoman Karen Bass captured the speakership Wednesday night to replace Speaker Fabian Nunez following a round of closed door meetings.

Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat and the Assembly's majority leader, received a majority of support in the Democratic caucus to win the job. Nunez helped put together the deal that put her over the top. Several legislators, including some who had hoped to be speaker themselves, announced as they left the meeting that  Bass had won."

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

It's one hull of a story!

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Recent studies show hate crimes, especially those focused on gays and lesbians, are on the rise in California. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report the Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes was told during a special informational hearing this week more and more of the hate crimes are taking place in public places.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblymember Mary Salas, Chair of the Assembly Veterans Committee, and Assemblymember Lori Saldaña remind everyone to thank a veteran this weekend as the nation marks Veterans Day. In the radio address Assemblymembers Salas says: “Irrespective of our differences on this latest war, we in the California Assembly recognize that the needs of our veterans come first. So as the wars rage overseas, imperiling thousands of American military personnel, I encourage each of you to find at least one veteran and simply say, “Thanks.”

You may listen in English or Spanish.

Here is the transcript:

Hello, this is Assemblymember Mary Salas, chair of the Assembly Veteran’s Committee.

This Monday we celebrate Veteran’s Day.

Many schools and businesses will be closed, and for far too many of us, it will mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

But I hope each of you takes at least a moment of your time to reflect and recognize why we set aside this day to honor our country’s veterans.

On November 11th 89 years ago, Germany signed an armistice ending World War I.