john perez

As negotiations regarding the so-called "Rigs to Reef" legislation in California continue, Orange County Coastkeeper hosted a conference in Newport Beach last weekend to continue discussion on two options for how to deal with decommissioned oil rigs — full removal or partial preservation. Participants, mainly coming from the Newport area with a few delegates from Santa Barbara — where the majority of California's 27 rigs are located — and some from further down the coast, sought to contribute their range  

We would view the furlough gambit as nothing more than a bargaining tactic, except that so little bargaining is taking place. Look at what happened on Wednesday. As the governor's press aides announced the new furloughs, Schwarzenegger was at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley conducting a mock signing of legislation to create a Ronald Reagan Day in California.  

Soccer fans couldn't wait to take part in pre-game festivities. Scores showed up at Reliant Stadium to make signs, grab freebies and hang out with other fans. John Perez of Deer Park called it a chance of a life time to watch the team he's loved since childhood, especially because it's in his own backyard.  

In a historic protest on July 21, over 300 members of California Indian Tribes and their allies peacefully took control of a Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force meeting in Fort Bragg to protest the violation of indigenous gathering and fishing rights under Governor Arnold Schwarzenenegger's controversial MLPA Initiative. Over 60 immigrant workers from the sea urchin industry, many from indigenous communities in central and southern Mexico that were forced to come to the U.S. after th  

I had read that, despite the budget stalemate in Sacramento, Republicans and Democrats agreed on a plan to close about half the state budget. Hey, that sounded good to me -- halfway there is at least a start. But this L.A. Times update shows just how fatuous the so-called agreement is, if it even exists.  

As California staggers toward the fifth week of the fiscal year without a spending plan, a month of closed-door talks in the Capitol have produced little but tension and finger-pointing. The calendar is flipping toward August with no resolution in sight. Top officials don't even publicly agree about what they agree upon.  

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is prepared to go without a state budget until he leaves office in January if the Legislature doesn't make fundamental changes in state pensions, taxes and budgeting. That doesn't bode well for California, which will run out of money to pay its bills in two months or so. It might be posturing.  

The No on 18 Campaign today announced its release of a public service announcement featuring Hollywood actors united against Proposition 18, the $11.14 billion pork-laden water bond backed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.  

These candidates are running in the Republican primary Aug. 24.