Monday Round Up: Speaker's Initiative; Arizona Transportation

NEW SPEAKER MAKES BALLOT INITIATIVE A PRIORITY: Here's another example of how thoroughly California has become a blockbuster democracy: the state's new Assembly Speaker, the formidable Karen Bass, has announced three priorities for her time as speaker. One is a ballot initiative to set aside funding for foster care. That's right, the speaker of the assembly, with considerable power, must look to the voters for a budget item. And her other two priorities -- balancing the budget and reforming the tax system -- almost certainly would require voters to sign off on constitutional changes at the ballot. 

ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION: A $42 billion transportation tax initiative is expected to be filed in Arizona this week. And The Republic has a preview.

LEAGUE OF CITIES INVESTMENT: The California League of Cities has now put more than $4 million into its no on Prop 98/ Yes on Prop 99 campaign on eminent domain. The campaign's goal, which includes the counter measure Prop 99, is to stop an effort by property rights and taxpayer groups to limit municipalities' ability to take property. Hat tip, Election Track.

STATE GOP HAS A PULSE: California Republicans finally have been galvanized by something--the attempt to recall State Senator Jeff Denham. Via the LA Times.

SO WHAT ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DO? Most of the time, your blogger doesn't understand conservative rage at the press. But once in a while, after an editorial like the following, he gets it. The Contra Costa Times says eminent domain shouldn't be changed at the ballot. But the legislature has failed to act one way or another in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that dramatically expanded the rights of local governments to take land. In California's governing structure, where else would you suggest property rights advocates go?

ANOTHER LOOK AT CALIFORNIA ENERGY POLICY: Gov. Schwarzenegger has gotten very little criticism for his efforts on energy and global warming, but the Wall Street Journal had an interesting piece this weekend taking him on. I don't agree with much of it -- it's the classic conservative argument that mandates won't work -- but he draws blood in talking about California's self-congratulation even as it continues to rely on dirty, coal plants outside the state for much of its energy needs.