



THE NOONER for April 29, 2013

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Good morning from the coffee shop of the Morongo Casino & Resort in Cabazon, where I'm speaking this morning. While not a frequent patron of California's tribal casinos (because the only game I really like is true craps, which the state doesn't have, and which requires neighboring casinos to be able to shop tables), I have to say that this is a very nice resort. And, it's a beautiful morning in the desert.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave $560,400 in political contributions in 2012, with the largest contributions of $100,000 to Governor Brown's Prop 30 committee and $125,000 to the state Democratic Party. The state GOP received $25,000, but that may be more of a testament to the decentralized fundraising of the Reps last year.

Speaking of, the UT San Diego reports that the county's casinos are showing signs of an improving economy, or at least rebounding consumer confidence. A February SacBee story reported a comeback for the state's tribal casinos in 2011, showing a 1.6% gain to $6.91 billion, and another study shows that tribal gaming returns $7.5 billion in economic activity to the state.

California Schools Win as Taxes $4.5 Billion Over Budget [Michael B. Marois @ Bloomberg] - "Brown's budget office warned that it is still possible that much of the additional revenue in January was an idiosyncrasy from early tax payments. 'We don’t yet know how much of this is associated with high-income individuals accelerating income into 2012 because of uncertainty over federal tax policy at the end of last year,' said H.D. Palmer, Brown’s budget spokesman. 'While it is certainly a welcome development, we are urging people to exercise an abundance of caution on how this revenue can be used.' Brown’s budget office also isn’t sure yet if some of the surge in January came from residents who paid some of their higher state taxes early."

Friday's cash report follows the gnus.

UNGOLDEN or GO ON, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN: With Obama's pick of Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx as Transportation Secretary and expected announcement of Penny Pritzker as Commerce Secretary, we now have a Presidential cabinet without a Californian. With increasing criticism and the possible filibuster of Tom Perez at Labor, it's possible that a spot will open up, although Acting Secretary Seth Harris (New York) is thought to be the favorite is Perez is blocked.

Here's an update of my chart from our March 18 discussion on the topic:

Department Obama 1.0 "Home" State* Obama 2.0 "Home" State* State Clinton NY/IL Kerry MA Treasury Geithner NY Lew DC Defense Gates/Panetta* DC/CA Hagel NE Justice Holder NY-DC Holder NY-DC Interior Salazar CO Jewell WA Agriculture Vilsack IA Vilsack IA Commerce Locke/Bryson WA/CA Pritzker IL Labor Solis CA Perez? MD HHS Sebelius KS Sebelius KS HUD Donovan NY Donovan NY Transportation LaHood IL Foxx NC Energy Chu CA Moniz MA Education Duncan IL Duncan IL Veterans Shinseki HI Shinseki HI Homeland Napolitano AZ Napolitano AZ

* Few people that reach the height of cabinet secretary can easily be put in a one-state box.

CD31: The Democratic field against Gary Miller grew larger over the weekend, as attorney Eloise Gomez Reyes joined the race. Gomez Reyes joins Pete Aguilar and Joe Baca. While the debacle that led to two Republicans continuing to November in 2012 is unlikely as no serious Republicans are considering the race, more candidates makes June more expensive, making it less likely the Dems will be able to knock off Miller in November.

SD28: Senate hopefuls differ on strategy [Erica Felci @ Desert Sun] - "The race for endorsements in the state’s 28th Senate race says a lot about how two local Republicans are shaping their early campaigns. . . The race pits former Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, who now resides in Palm Desert, against Indio Councilman Glenn Miller."

SD32: Leon doesn't receive major financial backing in 32nd District race [Andrew Edwards @ IVDB] - "A chance to pick up a vacant state Senate seat and demonstrate the California Republican Party and their allies are serious about backing Latino candidates may seem like a golden opportunity for the state's GOP, but the party seems to be setting its sights elsewhere than the 32nd state Senate District."

AD03: Former congressional candidate and attorney Jim Reed (D) joins Sutter supe James Gallagher and farmer Ryan Schohr in the race to succeed Dan Logue.

AD09: Lodi Tea Party activist Manuel Martin (R) will run to succeed Richard Pan.

LOCAL GOV'T: San Gabriel council deems itself judge over election results [Frank Shyong @ LAT] - "San Gabriel Councilman-elect Chin Ho Liao was the second highest vote-getter in the city's March elections, but his first time on the council dais last week was as a witness under cross-examination. . . The City Council voted not to seat Liao after resident Fred Paine filed a complaint alleging that Liao's true residence is outside of the city's borders. Though Liao has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court to contest the council's vote, the city has also created its own hearing process to determine Liao's residency."

Let me just say that this residency thing is really stupid. If you are friends with the legislative body--whether it's a city or the state Legislature--no problem. If you're not, or if the district attorney is not your friend, you can be prohibited from running for office or, worse, be indicted. I know good legislators in both parties who do not have their primary residences in their districts, and I am sure there are plenty of local government officials in the same boat. I don't know what the rules should be, but it shouldn't be left up to legislative bodies to play judge and jury. I could easily argue to apply the congressional rules (no district, only a state, residency requirement) to state legislative offices, although local government is a bit harder.

It's time for the Legislature to adopt clear standards on what determines residency.

In a first, black voter turnout rate passes whites [Hope Yen @ AP] - "America's blacks voted at a higher rate than other minority groups in 2012 and by most measures surpassed the white turnout for the first time, reflecting a deeply polarized presidential election in which blacks strongly supported Barack Obama while many whites stayed home."

LANDING ZONE: GOP hires fiscal hawk for caucus work [Christopher Cadelago @ UTSD] - "Senate Republicans have hired former GOP legislator Sharon Runner to work part-time at the Capitol as a liaison to the women’s caucus, among other duties."

SMOKIN': California conservative defends state's pot law in Congress [Richard Simon @ LAT] - "Rep. Dana Rohrabacher says federal interference with state medical marijuana laws wastes money, but his effort to prevent it is an uphill battle."

NOOOOOOOOOOOO: Assemblymember Mariko Yamada lets us know that Capitol Tea Garden--the all day dim sum spot near the Capitol--is closing after 25 years:

"After 25 years, the iconic (and rustic) dim sum house at 1110 T serves its last shrimp bonnet on Monday, 4/29. Sunday wait staff were pleasant but tight-lipped, saying only that new owners plan a remodel and are expected to re-open in about 90 days--but as what, no one was willing or able to say."

Of course, I'm out of town and can't get a final chee cheong fun today.

FAREWELL, FOR NOW: SacBee reporter Torey Van Oot is heading east, along with boyfriend Chase Davis, who took a job with the New York Times.

MONDAY LAUGHS: House of Nerds [spoof of House of Cards played at the White House Correspondents Dinner]

THE CASH REPORT:

LAO (April 26): Month-to-Date Collections and Refunds: $12.863 billion. (96.7% of budgeted projection for the month)

Controller (April 25): $12.117 billion

Some readers watching the daily take wonder how the LAO and Controller can be so far off. The answer comes from Jason Sisney at the LAO:

Controller's cash is not used for budgetary tracking or forecasting purposes. We report figures directly from the tax agencies — agency cash. Agency cash and Controller's cash always differ (and have for decades), sometimes substantially, due to lags in when the cash shows up in Controller's accounts. The bottom footnote of the revenue table in the monthly Finance Bulletin from DOF mentions the timing issues as well.

We have tracked agency cash daily in April for many years now. The numbers bounce around a lot, both in agency and Controller's cash, on a daily basis. This is normal.

Finally, can I get a "LET'S GO GIANTS"? What an ugly week, two games of which I saw with my own eyes.

**CLASSIFIEDS**

California League of Bond Oversight Committees: Second Annual CaLBOC Statewide Conference - May 10, 2013 in Sacramento - Keynote speakers Bill Lockyer and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan - More info and registration

Common Cause FREE Screening & Panel Discussion - Bill Moyer's "The United States of ALEC" Crest Theatre May 1st RSVP

Join Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Councilman Steve Hansen, Supervisor Phil Serna, the Rev. Faith Whitmore and Dr. Claire Pomeroy as they are honored as recipients of Four Freedoms Awards at the Sacramento Stonewall Democrats' 9th Annual Gala, Wednesday, May 15 at the Red Lion Hotel Woodlake Conference Center, Sacramento. Purchase tickets @ www.sacstonewall.org/events/4freedoms2013.

Take action with GrassRoots On Call advocacy tools: Product Brief. Email: Wes Krasko, Phone 1-(877)-394-2799 www.grassrootsoncall.com.

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