It’s time for a new contest. Guess how much a pay raise Governor Schwarzenegger has given to his Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy?

We’ve heard that Kennedy and a few other senior staffers have had Christmas come a little early.

UPDATE: Ace Governor’s Press Secretary Aaron McLear responded with a phone call within like two minutes of my email asking for specifics. He sent over the list. He wanted to stress to me (so I will share with you) that the total expenditures for staff salaries in the Governor’s office has not increased, apparently they are making due with less people, but paying them more. These ‘adjustments’ follow some increases received by Cabinet Secretaries in the Spring…. So, without any further suspence… The winners are…… Read More

Not to be cynical, but I am sure that the games are now beginning. Wouldn’t it be funny if some of the bigger more liberal counties suddenly "found" more qualified signatures?

Anthony York’s latest:

All 58 counties have reported their raw count for a total of 1,105,511 signatures. 55 counties have reported their random sample numbers for a total of 757,626 projected valid signatures. Needs 763,790 projected valid signatures to qualify by random sample. 4 counties that had previously reported their random sample numbers submitted amended reports today. So,… Read More

Here what Mr. York, of Capitol Weekly, shares:

LA City Attorney has finally made the big time. Following Paris Hilton and disclosures about his family’s run ins with the law; he has been recognized… as one of the 10 worst prosecutors in the country.

Congrats Rocky ! You deserve it. See story here.… Read More

A "NO" VOTE IS CALLED FOR ON ACA 8 The League of Cities and the pro-eminent domain redevelopment industry have been lobbying very hard for the passage of Democrat Assemblyman Hector De LaTorre’s proposed constitutional amendment (ACA 8) that would put a faux (fake) eminent domain reform measure on the ballot. Their bill would NOT COME CLOSE to offering ALL private property owners the protections that they deserve against governments coming in and TAKING their property for economic gain (we’re not talking about a ‘taking’ to widen a highway, but the idea that some city planner sees a different use for the land with more economic benefit to the city, and just taking it…). ACA 8 will NEVER be amended to pass muster — because there are two diametrically opposed interests here. Property rights advocates want and demand legislation to END the proactive of governments being able to forcibly take someone’s private… Read More

This update just in from FR friend Anthony York over at Capitol Weekly on the challenges (first reported on this website) that the Nunez Career Politician Term Extension Act is having with qualifying for the February ballot…

Just got off the phone with Conny McCormack at the LA County elections office. Here’s the latest:

First, a quick reminder on the numbers.As I wrote in my earlier story, the proponents need 763,790 to avoid the full count. So far, from the counties that have reported, they have a projected 486,508 — a validity rate of about 71.5 percent.

LA has about 264,000 of the signatures. According to McCormack, they are close to completeing their sample count. In fact, they may be reporting to the SOS as early as tomorrow. Though they are not finished, she said signatures are coming back at about a 63 percent validity rate.

That would mean… Read More

On a party line vote, all 5 committee Republicans voting no. Amends to address protection of church property, amongst many other issues, falls far short for Rep support.… Read More

Another update from Anthony York at CapWeekly… Things aren’t looking good for those hoping to qualify the term limits end-run promptly…

According to the Secretary of state’s office, Sacramento and Kings have reported! In all, 50 counties have reported their random sample numbers for a total of 518,233. So again, if we add that number to the projected 166,320 from Los Angeles (assuming the 63 percent estimate given by Conny McCormack), that gives us 684,553, with eight counties remaining. The remaining counties have about 102,000 votes out standing, 83,000 of which are in San Bernardino County. Soto avoid the count, they need 79,443 –or 78 percent from the remaining eight counties.

It’s all about San Berdoo. If San Bernardino comes in at less than 78 percent, we could be looking at a full count…… Read More