Where change would come

The LA Times had another insightful piece this morning, pointing out that if control of Congress changes it will mostly take place as a result of the defeat of moderate and conservative Republicans alike in the North East. Full story

Secrets in the line of succession

In a rule change in 2003, the House amended its rules to set the order for succession in case a vacancy occurs in the office of the Speaker. The Speaker himself lists the order of succession for the entirety of the House. The paper is kept at the Office of the Clerk, and is not public. Full story

News that isn't

Rick Santorum's campaign in Pennsylvania is endangered. Really. The LA Times is ahead of the news cycle on that one . . . Some fun and light amusement included, though. Supposedely some of Santorum's English fans are prepared to cross the Atlantic to campaign for him, although no details are given. Desparation also shows in the voice of his supporters.
The article quotes Colin Hanna of conservative group Let Freedom Ring as saying that "If Rick Santorum were to lose, it would be cited as a turning point in the social conservative movement." At the article's end, Hanna is quoted as saying that the election's outcome hinges upon which group of supporters is more motivated to go to the polls. Any guesses there? As a reminder, Governor Ed Rendell is also on the ballot, which will push up Democratic turnout across the state. Of course, Santorum's prior campaigns have been tought too, which is why his 5 point deficit in the polls (he's polling 41% or so) is not quite considered lethal. Full story

"He looks like a cross between actor Wilford Brimley and Jabba the Hutt"

WaPo profiles Dennis Hastert

Radar Online ranks your Congress

The list ranks the 10 dumbest members of Congress. Coming in at #1 is Katherine Harris. Full story

Pay to play on the ballot

Dan Walters writes about the continuing practice of "pay-to-play" in the world of ballot initiatives. Full column

Oil tax fight reaches $100 million

The $4 billion oil tax, Proposition 87, has spurred over $100 million in campaign fundraising. Full story

"Most people don't read footnotes"

Dan Weintraub writes that as accounting rules change, public knowledge and interest in future health care liabilities for retired public employees is rising. The state's tab alone is estimated at over $40 billion. He explores the expample of Rohnert Park in Sonoma County, where the 44,000 resident town owes over $50 million in health care benefits alone. To cover the gap, the city would need to spend about $4.6 million/yr out of a budget of less than $30 million. Full column

"One bipartisan leader"

The Sacramento Bee joined the LA Times in endorsing Schwarzenegger's re-election. Although the Bee pronounces itself sympathetic to Angelides' ideals and his forthrightness on future budget difficulties, it deams his inability to reach the public directly or build supporting coalitions a fatal weakness in a state with many diverging interests. Full editorial

RNC cutting DeWine, others to concentrate resources

The Republican National Committee is cutting its financing of marginal races for the House and Senate in order to hold the line for their majorities. The latest victim of this is Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio. Fortunately for the Senator, he has sufficient money in the bank to run his campaign without much outside aide. Others are not so lucky. Full story

Coast Guard arms the Great Lakes

Despite local opposition, the Coast Guard has mounted machine guns plying the five Great Lakes as a counter-terror measure. Interestingly, doing so required negotiations with Canada, as the treaty ending the War of 1812 placed severe limitations on allowable armarments in those waters. Full story

Snow Blazes New Trail

Tony Snow is drawing some attention for his reshaping of the role of the press secretary. One of these changes involves campaigning. He has been raising money for Republican candidates, acting as a draw at fundraisers. Full story

Caltrans as slumlord?

An Orange County Register investigation alleges that Caltrans is in fact the largest slumlord in California. The cause? Aquisition of property for projects that were never built. Over 1/3rd of Caltrans' land inventory was purchased over 30 years ago. Of course, one needs to note here that some of this is for projects that Caltrans intended to build at that time and still may happen or be utilized for transportation capacity (i.e.: the large chunks of right-of-way land Caltrans owns for the 710 completion, the failure to complete that having more to do with litigation and politics than Caltrans). Full story

More redistricting fallout

Republican consultant Tony Quinn reiterates the point that California's redistricting is helping to protect the GOP majority in the House. Full story

Important Political Gossip

Is the 39-yr old Mayor's new 20-yr old girlfriend drinking . . . illegally? The SF Chronicle wants to know!

Measure L Heats Up

The campaign against Measure L on the November ballot in Diamond Bar is heating up. Measure L introduces a parcel tax to pay for the construction and operation of a new library facility. The No campaign has had several letters to the editor (San Gabriel Valley Tribune) published recently in response to a recent Tribune story.
To publicize their views, the campaign's Chairman, Allen Wilson, has started his own blog, No Library Tax.

Married households now in the minority

Married households have slid to just under 50% of the total number with or without children. Five years ago, married households made up 52% of all households. Full story

Arnold's appeal to drive downticket Republican wins?

The Governor's dominance Angelides and his popularity seem to be helping downticket Republicans by driving down Democratic turnout. The failure of the Mountjoy senate campaign also deprives Democrats of one reason to vote. Not to mention the fact that the state's gerrymander eliminates any compelling need to vote in federal elections. Full story

Initiatives seek to reign in judges

One of the marquee themes of state ballot initiatives this year, besides eminent domain, are propositions in South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and Oregon that seek to limit discretion and independence amongst the judiciary and in the case of Oregon makes changes to their selection. Full story

CA Looses $52B/Year

California now receives less than 80% of taxes paid into the federal treasury back. 1/5th goes to other states. California ranks 44th in the nation in this regard. Full column

"Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a solid, pragmatic governor who has steered a moderate course for California. He deserves a sequel."

LA Times endorses Arnold for re-election

Wine Notes #6: Back to Napa

Tonight's selection: 2001 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Possessed of a nice, dark, and very pleasing color. Looks positively gorgeous in the glass. This is a very fruity Cabernet. Medium finish that lingers on the palate nicely. Mostly cherry flavors, the oak is present but kept to a minimum. Thank you Liquorama for stocking this one.
Freemark Abbey

CA NAACP Scandal?

Alice Huffman, President of NAACP's California organization, received payments from various interest groups (big tobacco, telecos, big pharma) at the same time she sterred the NAACP to support legislation favoring these interests. Full story

High Turnout=Higher Initative Costs

Voter enthusiasm for Arnold, various ballot fights this year, and the rise in absentee voting will all contribute to an increase in voter turnout in 2006 vs. prior years. This, in turn, will drive up the number of qualifying signatures needed for ballot measures, also raising the cost. Full story

No on 89

The LA Times has come out against Proposition 89. The editorial board points out that the proposition fails in that 1) it attempts to finance a public good for all Californians only through taxing businesses and 2) creates an unlevel playing field for ballot campaigns by restraining only corporate contributions. Full story

Enthusiasm Vs. Machine

The NY Times posits that the midterms will come down to whether or not Democratic enthusiasm can defeat the vaunted Republican GOTV operation. Full story

Yes, the Feds watch MySpace

A 14-yr old Sacramento teen, Julia Wilson, was interviewed by the Secret Service over a picture she posted on her MySpace profile which included the words "Kill Bush." Full story

Wiccan Rights

The VA refuses to allow the pentacle to be placed on the grave of Wiccan veterans; an application to allow its use has been pending since 1997. Veterans have filed lawsuit to force th VA to act. Full story

Religion Fights Global Warming

More coverage of one of the hottest current trend stories . . . congregations across the country are increasing fighting global warming, etc., including through the upgrading of their physical plant to use solar power they generate. Full story

The Tridentine Rite is coming back?

The Pope is in the process of drafting an initiative to allow for much wider use of the Tridentine Mass as opposed to the Novus Ordo rite. WaPo article

NYT Shocked By Economics

The NY Times ran a piece today expressing a bit of shock that prices have not declined in the market for electricity, despite deregulation, in proportion to declines in the deregulated prices for other commodities (ie: phone service). This would seem to be ignoring two things: 1) electricity is competitive practically nowhere in California and this is mirrored in many other states, 2) new capacity is difficult to build and therefore hasn't, and 3) demand for the commodity has skyrocketed. Hardly surprising that these pressures have failed to reduce prices and indeed put upward pressure on them . . . Full story

Gay Marriage Issuing Waning in Salience?

Even though same-sex marriage bans are on the ballot in 8 states this year, and most will probably pass, recent polling seems to indicate that few if any will impact other races within the states in question. Full story

Abstinence Education and the ACLU

New religion in the public square debates . . . how far can "secularized" versions of religious dogma (in this case, abstinence) go without crossing the line in public schools? WaPo story

Azusa Arouses Public Opposition over Redevelopment Plans

Azusa has given its redevelopment agency the authority to use eminent domain over the areas immediately surrounding the future Gold Line station site. Many businesses are angered by this move. Full story

SGVEP Awards Gala in the Tribune

Full story

Isn't unsurprising news fun?

According to the Washington, D.C. group the Tax Foundation, California is 45th out of our 50 states for the negative impact of taxes on business. California ranks wells in terms of property tax and unemployment insurance taxes, but fared poorly in sales, corporate, and personal income taxes.
Full story

Air America Enters Chapter 11

Sinking under the weight of $40 million in losses in 3 years, bank accounts frozen by creditors, and extensive unpaid debts, Air America Radio has filed for bankruptcy.
Tribune writeup

A good satire revisited

Revisiting an old topic: another economic argument against charitable giving, and an examination of the reasons for giving. Full story

Guide to the Guide

A satirical guide to the CA voting guide

Rising Use of Trackers

The LA Times writes about the increasing scrutiny candidates face as they campaign, with opposition supporters using ever-cheaper video equipment to record their every gaffe. Full story

Follow the Cruz

A few months ago, Steve Lopez talked Insurance Commissioner hopeful Cruz Bustamante into agreeing to return campaign money from the insurance industry he would be regulating. The LA Times follows up on this, and finds that although some steps have been taken, Cruz's accounts have not been totally purified.

More on Proposition 90

The LA Times follows the SF Chronicle with its own look at the financing of Proposition 90. Full story

LA Times Says No on 90

Given their coverage on eminent domain, this is a somewhat surprising, but still welcome development. Full story

Here are the other newspapers that have also editorialized against 90:

Los Angeles Daily News, (10/10/06)
Sonoma Index-Tribune, (10/10/06)
Fresno Bee, (10/9/06)
Santa Maria Times, (10/8/06)
Modesto Bee, (10/6/06)
Palm Springs Desert Sun, (10/6/06)
Milpitas Post, (10/5/06)
San Francisco Examiner, (10/5/06)
Woodland Daily Democrat, (10/4/06)
San Francisco Bay Guardian, (10/4/06)
Paradise Post, (10/3/06)
San Jose Mercury News, (10/2/06)
Pasadena Star News, (9/27/06)
Whittier Daily News, (9/27/06)
San Gabriel Valley Tribune, (9/27/06)
Riverside Press-Enterprise, (9/25/06)
Gilroy Dispatch, (9/22/06)
Sacramento Bee, (9/16/06)
Napa Valley Register, (9/14/06) Mountain View Voice, (9/08/06)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, (9/11/06)
Torrance Daily Breeze, (8/23/06)
San Diego Union-Tribune, (8/22/06)

Silly Ads

This morning's radio programming had two conflicting and therefore amusing ads following each other by a few minutes.
The first, sponsored by the California Teachers' Association (CTA) and others, propped up Proposition 1D from the bond package, describing all of the wonderful benefits it would bring (highlights: reduced class sizes, getting rid of absbestos, safer playgrounds).
Soon comes another ad, sponsored by "California's Workers" (who could that be?) slamming the Governor for lacking any strategy for improving education, amongst other things. Like, say, Proposition 1D?

Redistricting Protects

Bruce Reed over at slate covers the story of how redistricting is protecting the delicate Republican majority in the House. Bonus California relevance: as Reed points out, Democratic sinking of Proposition 77 last year guarantees that even a Democratic sweep nationwide probably won't net them a single state in California. Full story

AQMD Moves AQMP

The SC Air Quality Management District has put out its draft Air Quality Management Plan. More updates to come on this. Of particular interest . . . AQMD wants builders/developers to start paying up for emissions from construction and future vehicular traffic. AQMD staff have expressed this sentiment before in regards to MTA's proposed Congestion Mitigation Fee. Full Story

Death of Cursive

WaPo covers the death of handwriting. Full story

Wine Notes #5: Triple Review

So, yes it has been some time. But, to make up for it, there shall be three wine reviews. In tonight's review: 2004 Archery Summit Premier Cuvee, 2004 Benton Lane Estate, 2003 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Savignon.


2004 Archery Summit Premier Cuvee
The problem here is that the alcohol (13.9%) has a way of overpowering the balance of the cuvee. Once one sees past the alcohol and the accompanying hot finish, the wine stands in good stead. Should get a bit better with age.




2004 Benton Lane Estate Pinot Noir
This got a 90 from Wine Spectator, and I have to wonder why. It is similar to the 2003, which was excellent for the price range, but the 2004 has excessive sugar. Kind of like drinking liquid Pepsi? I'm sure this appeals to some part of the population, but it doesn't make for good Pinot. Stick to the 2003 and wait for next year. I will be sampling this again to make sure that bottle variation didn't destroy this sample.


2003 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon
Although some perceive this as more of a weakeness for the SLWC brand than an asset, it is quite wonderful and comes at a very nice price break for quality Cab. Subtle and wonderful.

More problems for Airbus

Problems continue for Airbus . . . Corporate parent EADS ousted their 3-month CEO. This can only mean more good times for Boeing, which has been resurgent in the past few years. Full story

More religion news

The NYT series continues; today's installment focuses on tax exemptions and other monetary issues. Full story

Ratkovich in the news

The Ratkovich Co. will soon begin work on a new 351 unit condominium complex in Alhambra. Prices will start in the 400ks. Full story

It Has Been Filed

The anticipated challenge to the LA schools bill was filed today. Full story

Math education reform

Dan Walters' column highlights changes and reforms in the teaching of mathematics.

Debate Summarized

Dan Weintraub offers his summary of Saturday's debate. Key truism: Political debates, like the campaigns they highlight, have become largely irrelevant to the voting public.

Save the Pets

Under a new federal law, states must give FEMA a pet evacuation plan before being eligible to receive federal emergency preparedness funds.
Full story

State to loose $1.5B in annaul revenues

California is currently appealing a decision that holds the state's collection of tax from entities, primarily LLC partnerships, without locations in California to be unconstitutional. Assuming that the decision is not overturned, California will loose about $1.5 billion in annual revenues. To put this into context, it will widen next year's projected defecit of $5 billion by 30%. In addition, the state would have to pay out billions of dollars in refunds for taxes collected in prior years, going back to 2001.
Full story

More Religion News

Following yesterday's analysis of religious exemptions from regulation, today's Times includes an article focusing on this relationship in the context of employment law. Full story

Main Series Stories This Week

In the LA Times: Russia is dying, rather literally. If current trends continue, Russia's population will shrink to only a bit over 50 million by 2080. Compare this to the growing population of its neighbor and main strategic rival, China.

In the SF Chronicle: The Chronicle is running a series on sex trafficking, which seems to frequently end in California. Link is to the current installment.

Champagne Culture In LA

The Times writes up the emergence of higher forms of champagne-swilling in LA's trendier establishments. Higher prices and higher quality are emerging more regularly on the menu.

Full story

Religious Exemptions and Government Regulation

Good, long story discussing the growing plethora of regulatory and tax exemptions available to religious organizations.

Full story

Related discussion in Slate

Economist Roundup

The NYT has a roundup of a new consensus emerging amongst the nation's economists, who are increasingly unified in their support for higher energy taxes. Most prominent convert: Alan Greenspan. The current focus is on the gasoline excise tax.

While transportation advocates and others have cited the need to raise the excise tax on gasoline for quite a while (cf: inflation, increased vehicle fuel economy pinching revenues, and the coming bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund), the new consensus includes national security and other arguments to justify the increase.

Full story

"How Office Politics and Real Politics Can Mix"

In a great soft piece in today's business section, the NY Times discovers that managers really don't appreciate political debates at work.

NY Times Story

Azusa Gun Club Forced Out

The San Gabriel Valley Gun Club in Azusa is being forced to relocate due to rezoning by the city (the land is now designated as open space). As happens with these things, people moved next to the gun club and decided to complain about the "nuisance."

Tribune article

Debate fails to change dynamic

From the media coverage, it seems that while Saturday night's debate between the Governor and challenger Angelides had a few rhetorical sparks, nothing emerged to change the underlying dynamic. Which I should hope you are all familiar with by now . . .

LA Times coverage

SGV Tribune coverage

Army Outflanks Rumsfeld

According to the NY Times, the Secretary is breaking with precedent and allowing the Army to take its budget requests directly the Office of Management and Budget, instead of filtering them through his office. This is a huge internal victory for the Army, and may presage expanded growth in the service and attendant funding. Also of note: this direct request may upend the current military budget distribution, which has had static allocations between the services for over 50 years now.

NY Times Story

Older background story from Slate's Fred Kaplan

Proposition 90 Web

The SF Chronicle delves into the web of financing used by New York-based Howard Rich to channel 90% of the cash coming into the Yes on 90 campaign. Full story

Shocking News Update From WaPo

As it turns out, bills passed by Congress have . . . loopholes. Yes, indeed. Turns out that there is enough legislative wiggle room in the border fence bill to give the Bush administration a partial win for its "virtual" fence.

Full story

Designer Kitties!

A company in San Diego is making allergy-free kitties for $4,000/cat.

Full story

Evangelical Movement Fears Loosing Youth

According to the NY Times, evangelical Christian ministries are increasingly concerned about loosing the support of the nation's youth. Most of the blame is placed upon the current cultural mores. Unsurprisingly, little attention is paid to how the movement's connection to various causes that make any association with it embarrassing to many youth could be driving down participation. Think messages of strident anti-homosexuality, anti-evolution, and Jerry Falwell. Not an image likely to help them.

Full story

Times Focuses on Board of Supervisors

The LA Times uses the King/Drew closing to examine the problems the Board of Supervisors has in managing the county. Full story

Unsurprising Poll Results: Arnold Up By 17%

According to the LA Times' polling data, the governor has now surged ahead to a 50%-33% lead. Full story

Am I Reading The Onion or The NYT?

Every once in a while, one comes across an article that sparks this question. NYT's real estate section had a piece this morning that verges on Onion territory. The subject is the pickiness of children in real estate, and their tendency to make mean, hurtful comments about the inferior properties of others. Let's go to the article: "Children, once assumed to be oblivious to the nuances of real estate, now know what is prized and what is not, and often feel free to comment on what they observe." The best, however, is the caption on the accompanying photo: "Henry Friedman took his classmates on a house tour." Glad to now that's part of the news that's fit to print.

Full story

Industry Wins City of the Year

Full Tribune story

Most Unsurprising Business News Trend of the Day

The LA Times details how retiree healthcare benefits are being cut back, and premiums raised, as prices high (according to a Kaiser Foundation, study, the increase was as much as 10.4% from 04 to 05). Full story

"Doesn't seem clean or fair"

The Tribune takes aim at Proposition 89

Additionally, the LA Times has a lengthy article detailing some of the specific impacts of the measure and the politics behind it.

Lawsuit Ruling Clears Way For City of Industry

The City of Industry prevailed in state appellate court, demonstrating that it did not intend to build a dam or bypass road on a parcel of several thousand acres in Orange County. Brea had sued Industry in order to block a dam or bypass road. Industry is now decided what to do with the land, which it purchased in the 1970s. Industry owns thousands of acres in three different counties.

Full Trib article

Wine Notes #4: Double the Fun!

So, two wines to cover today.

Tonight's wine: Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir '05

No doubt still young to be drinking this, but eh, that's what everyday wines are for (this wine is currently going for $13 @ BevMo). Nicely complex, and expresses the region well. Huzzah for Burgundy! Makes for a nice Pinot Noir. Sorry, no image currently available.




Yesterday's wine: Louis Jadot Pommard AOC 2001

Strong minerality and earthiness, but quite pleasing overall. Makes for a most delicious drink. This wine drinks very well for its relatively young age.

New Biggest Waste of Hard Cash

Movie producer and real estate heir Stephan Bing donated $40 million to Prop 87. Why is this a waste you ask? 87's opponents have been on the air for weeks now and struck some hard blows against the measure. Even if gas prices have receded a bit by November, the high cost compared to historic prices will surely make voters hestitant about pulling the lever for 87. And, of course, one would be remiss to ignore the fact that with $40 million in the bank, one could finance some of the technological innovation sought by 87.

SacBee coverage

NIMBY Bites Gun Club

A classic story highlighted in the Tribune today. Some folks decided to build homes next to the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club in Azusa. Some other folks decided to buy these homes. These folks decided that the city had "outgrown" the gun club and that it was now an untenable nuisance to the community. Shocking really.

Full story

Wine Notes #3

J Vineyards 2004 Russian River Pinot Noir
jwine.com

Definetely purchase this one in the store--the list online is about over $30, but the going retail seems to be $20.

Picture will be uploaded when Blogger decides to work properly.

Pulled this out of the cellar on a whim. This Pinot is a classic expression of Sonoma--more powerful and somewhat less complex than Burgundy, but not taking these to Napa levels. Excellent fruit flavors, accompanied by excellent texture.

Wine Notes #2

Here are some notes on a wine we served tonight, the Clos Pegase 2002 Mitsuko's Vineyard Merlot. Not usually a big fan of California Merlot, but the BevMo clearance price of $16 made it quite an attractive buy.

Although not a terribly complex wine, this Merlot is a tasty and delicious quaff that goes down nicely. As to be expected, big, rich fruit flavors dominate. Again, even sitting in the bottle uncorked for a while, and then sitting in the glass, added a great deal. Highly recommended, particularly if you can get it at a reasonable price.

Unions Throw $25 Million Down Drain

Trying to create their special election glory, many of California's unions are teaming up once again to create a unified campaign against the Governor's re-election. Given how the Angelides campaign is floundering, its difficult to see how this could be anything more than burning $25 million in the public square. The special election campaign was better funded, had great press visibility, and had some potent issues. That won't be the case this time around. Full story

Happy News

The lack of new industrial space has been, and will continue to be a significant problem, for the San Gabriel Valley. One city doing something about this phenomenon is the City of Irwindale, which today opened a new 85,000 sq. ft. business park. My thanks to the Tribune and Rodney Tanaka for taking the time to write about critically important developments like this, even if they lack some of the flash of other stories.

Irwindale Economic Development manager Elaine Cullen on the project:

"Any new space that can come on the market in Irwindale for industrial uses is positive no matter what size it is," she said. "We have such a shortage. Our vacancy rate is less than 1 percent, which doesn't leave a lot of space to bring in new companies or for existing companies to expand."

Full story

Today's Big Headline . . . Rosemead Recall Fails

Councilmembers Taylor and Imperial held off challengers by a 59-41 margin to retain their seats on the city council.

Most memorable quotation from this mess:

"Public service is like a bikini: it's not a right, it's a privilege," said recall proponent Caroline Kunikoa. "And no one should be wearing one for 32 years."

Full story

Random Interesting News

I guess some people are a bit too concerned about their self-image . . . turns out Caltrans searches Blogger.com for mentions of Caltrans. The IP they used is out in San Bernardino.

Sales Decline

SoCal homes sales are down 25% vs. figures from a year ago, while prices rise less than 3%. Full story

Red Line advances

Rep. Waxman is successfully pushing his Red Line legislation through the House and Senate, allowing for the tunneling to eventually take place, according to the LA Times. House approval is expected tomorrow. As noted by the article, financing is still spotty, but this step still needs to be taken before anything can happen. Full story

The Wal-Mart draw never fails

The LA Times weighs in with its over coverage of the Rosemead special election. Full story

Homeless Accord

Not really SGV news, but of significant regional interest. According to the LA Times, the LAPD and ACLU have reached an agreement limiting the times and locations for homeless tent encampments downtown. Full story

If you wondered why traffic was bad yesterday . . .

Gas main break shuts down 57 South

Was in a meeting including Caltrans staff when they get this call. I imagine this is about the least favorite part of their job.

SB 927 and Container Fees

Interestingly enough, yesterday's link to the Trib SB 927 editorial on container fees seems to have prompted a rush of traffic redirected from Google and Blogger searches for the topic (thank you SiteMeter!). In the spirit of this public interest, I thought I would throw in a few thoughts on why our good Governor should sign this landmark legislation:

1) Creating a dedicated trade infrastructure (goods movement) funding stream is imperative. Out of the $30/TEU fee (that's $60 for the box on most trucks you see), $20 will go to support trade infrastructure projects. This is a huge policy landmark, and puts California way out in front of the feds on a key issue. Hopefully this will spur action in DC, or at least help California compete for category funds by demonstrating that the impacts are bad enough to require localized fees.
2) This should be seen as part of a broader investment package including Props. 1A and 1B. Although this legislation would be terribly unfair if it occured by itself and placed all fiscal responsibility on the beneficial owner of cargo (ie: retailers), the public is also making a costly investment in similar project categories using income and sales tax revenue. In this light, this seems like a fair distribution of financial responsibility.
3) As shown by SCAG's Port and Modal Elasticity study by Rob Leachman, if investment is done right, the returns will be extremely cost efficient. Even if no improvements are made, volumes will decline slightly while trans-loading will increase a bit (trans-loading generates far more economic benefits for our region than cargo simply passing through on the freeways). Also, given capacity restraints at other ports, diversion doesn't seem to be a significant future problem. Do you think the port of Seattle will tolerate 5 million TEUs in volume say five years from now?
4) The $500 million or so in fees SB 927 represents seems to be a relatively low cost given the total value of imports. According to the USDOT, the West Coast imported about $226 billion in goods in 2003, or which nearly 70% came in through San Pedro Bay, totalling as much as $186 billion in goods. In that light, $500 million is about a quarter of a percent increase in cost.
5) This proposal has been around at least 18 months by my reckoning, during which different shippers and importers have talked about putting together a voluntary MOU. While this would be vastly preferable and would probably have eliminated the siphoning off of dollars to pay for port security and air quality mitigation, it hasn't happened. Given the length of time involved, something would need to have at least started coming together for this to be a plausible alternative.
6) About 2/3rds of the goods coming in through the goes to consumers spread across the nation who are not contributing to impact mitigation at our ports. Since retailers will pass this cost increase along, it represents a way of getting around that problem.

OK, well that's all for now.

Trib rounds up supervisorial spending

For those who like to read about how an office budget gets spent . . . Full story

Romero Bill Before the Gov

The Times writes up Senator Romero's SB 1513 today, which has passed the Legislature and is pending at the Governor's desk. SB 1513 would instruct the BT&H to develop an international trade policy for California, and could lead to the reopening of foreign trade offices under certain conditions. Full story

$4B works to keep environmentalists onboard for the bond

According to Capitol Weekly, the $4B transit component in Prop 1B is keeping environmentalists on the sidelines. Also noteworthy . . . much of their attention is also being grabbed by Prop 90.

Rosemead Contest to be settled soon

As a reminder, the Rosemead recall election will be taking place on Tuesday.

A New Study, A New Feature

The Trib's excellent Kevin Smith reports on a study in the Journal of Labor Research which finds that social drinking can improve one's earnings. Specifically, male drinkers earn 10% more than non-drinkers, while female drinkers boost their earnings by 14%. (Full article)

In honor of this development, we'll be adding short notes on different wines from time to time. Today's feature is:

Smoking Loon 2005 California Chardonnay

Strong reminder to a recently tasted 2005 Yellow Tail. However, the oaking was significantly reduced, allowing for a much better rounded quaff. The wine was decanted and consumed over a long enough period of time that there was a noticable strengthening and maturity after an hour or so. If you're going to drink wine like this, the $20 Riedel Vivant decanter at Target is a necessary investment, helping the wine quite a bit. Very light feel on the palate. 13.8% ABV. Von's carries Smoking Loon's lineup for under $10/btl.

Press Conference Coverage

The SGVEP worked with the Coalition for Clear Roads and Clean Air to organize a press conference in support of Propositions 1A and 1B. Read the Tribune's coverage here.

Tribune Supports SB 927

The Tribune urged Governor Schwarzenegger to support SB 927, which is the gut-and-amend version of Senator Lowenthal's SB 760 container fee bill. Full editorial

Glendora Land Swap Fight Heats Up

The campaign to defeat Measure A on the Glendora ballot gained intensity, as it hosted a 400-person rally. Trib article

Lockyer Sues Rosemead/Wal-Mart

In a July 20 brief, Attorney General Bill Lockyer joined with the Save Our Community group's lawsuit against the city of Rosemead and Wal-Mart. Lockyer alleges that the environmental review documents for the project are inadequate in documenting impacts on air quality. Full Trib article