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Letter from the Chairman
Dear California Democrat:
Los Angeles and Antonio Villaraigosa made history this week. Not since 1872 has Los Angeles had a Latino Mayor, and never before has there been a new coalition of voters in L.A. with such diversity. Congratulations to our former Assembly Speaker and now Mayor-Elect Antonio Villaraigosa, a new Mayor for all of Los Angeles.
Immigration:
Mexican President Vicente Fox said last week that, "There's no doubt that the Mexican men and women - full of dignity, willpower and a capacity for work - are doing the work that not even blacks want to do in the United States." Fox said that he regretted his statement but refused to apologize for his remarks. President Fox must do more than just apologize for his outrageous comments. He must create economic incentives to eliminate the illegal immigration that plagues both of our countries.
Arnold:
I am sure you all have heard that Secretary of State Bruce McPherson now estimates that Arnold's special election would cost $80 million, $10 million more than previous estimates. This substantial cost increase is yet more proof that this needless election is heading our state towards financial ruin.
Even Republican McPherson agrees that the state should bear the financial burden of this special election by reimbursing the counties for the cost they would incur - monies our counties need to pay for much-needed services for our cities, towns and communities.
Arnold needs to stop his political blackmail of forcing this needless election on our state and do the work the governor was elected to do: work with the Legislature to craft a budget solution.
Remember, as Arnold drives our state recklessly towards a special election, we need your help to counter his big business contributors. Arnold has yet another big money road trip planned with stops in Bush states Florida and Texas, and his usual swing through the east coast as well. Arnold's top fundraising consultant Marty Wilson even admitted, "Schwarzenegger expects to raise the bulk of his war chest for the special election outside California." This is what we are up against. Please consider making a contribution to the California Democratic Party to help ensure that we continue get out the message to California about this governor and his irresponsible plans for our state. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Senator Art Torres (Ret.)
Chairman, California Democratic Party
News Roundup
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Responds to Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman
www.cadem.org
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell sent a letter to Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman in response to Sen. Ackerman's recent comments that Gov. Schwarzenegger "put no more money" into education. "I am gravely concerned about your recent comments concerning education, published in today's Sacramento Bee. Suggesting that the Republican Caucus is prepared to hold up honest budget negotiations for some attempted political gain is not only crass, it is a huge disservice to California students and every other citizen of this state." More...
GOP Official Disagrees with Schwarzenegger--Secretary of State Sees Too Little Time to Do Redistricting
San Francisco Chronicle
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson distanced himself Tuesday from the political agenda of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who nominated him for the office just three months ago, saying the governor's proposal to redraw the state's political map next year would be impossible to carry out under the short time frame. "There is no way we'd be able to do it by 2006," McPherson told the Sacramento Press Club. "Maybe 2008, but that's a question mark." He also said that a potential special election later this year would cost as much as $80 million -- $10 million more than previous estimates -- and that if the governor insisted on calling a special election, he ought to make the state, rather than counties, bear the cost.
Budget Drops Special Savings
Sacramento Bee
In a tacit admission that its strategic sourcing initiative is in disarray, the Schwarzenegger administration said it can no longer guarantee the state's new contracting method will generate $144 million in savings as promised for this year and next. The admission was tucked deep inside Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's May budget revisions, which were submitted to the Legislature last week.
Governor Is Digging Himself Deeper With Denial of School Funding Deal
Commentary, Los Angeles Times
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may be confused. Perhaps he's in denial. Or maybe he's being disingenuous. Or just parsing words. Or even lying. "Right-out lying," as he said of the school lobby Tuesday. Two things are certain: Schwarzenegger is not being completely candid. And he's way too vitriolic for a governor.
Why Has 'Downing Street Memo' Story Been a 'Dud' in U.S.? A Mid-2002 British Memo Saying U.S. Was Planning to 'Fix' Intelligence to Fit Plans to Invade Iraq Has Not Been Big News.
Christian Science Monitor
There may have been a point at which the US news media would have been all over a story about a British official's report that the Bush administration appeared intent on invading Iraq long before it sought Congress' approval - and that it "fixed" intelligence to fit its intention.
Cartoon of the Week
Take Our Latest Poll
What do you think of Arnold suddenly calling our education leaders "liars" and claiming he never made any promise to repay the $2 billion he borrowed from the education budget? Take our poll and tell us your thoughts!
Quote of the Week
"His story keeps changing. That happens a lot when you're not telling the truth or you forget. I don't know which it is. All I know is we were promised the money would be put back when revenues went up. Revenues are up, and that hasn't happened."
Barbara Kerr, California Teachers Association President, speaking about Arnold breaking his promise to fully fund education this year.
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