The Sacramento Bee posted just after 3 p.m. that state lawmakers have approved budget fixes.

The plan will borrow heavily from local governments. Local Governments have vowed to sue over parts of the plan they call illegal.


Posted July 24, 2009

A brief AP News Alert went out Friday morning just after 6 a.m. that the California Senate has approved the budget plan to close the state’s $26 billion deficit. Now, legislation goes to state Assembly.

PublicCEO.com ran an editorial on Thursday, calling for Legislature to vote no on the budget. Looks like it’s too late.

We’ll continue watching this throughout the day and keep you updated on the local government fallout.


Posted July 23, 2009

A sign displayed at City Hall in Pittsburg reads, “Wanted: For Grand Theft of $17.5 Million and Extortion of HUTA Funds.”

The blog also notes the “Big Five” is refered to as the “Gang of Five” around Pittsburg City Hall.

The blog note in the Political Blotter section of the Contra Costa Times can be read here.

Posted July 22, 2009

Only Hollywood Roosters Shine in LA

Roosters … they’re so Hollywood.

The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance earlier this week that will allow just one rooster per property.

Of course, exceptions have been made for film-star roosters. Yes, those leading role roosters continue to get it all.

Thanks to famous rooster superstars such as Foghorn Leghorn and the cast of Chicken Run, a golden road has been paved for all rooster stars.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood-bound birds – roosters used for film and television – are spared the limit with a permit.

The goal of the public safety ordinance is to address nuisance complaints, the spread of disease and to battle cockfighting. Fines are $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense.

“Little Jerry” from Seinfeld, was unavailable for comment.

Oakland to Make Money Off Green?

The City of Oakland continues to be acknowledged for “Going Green.” So it may not come as a surprise that the city will be the first in the United States to have a business tax category for marijuana merchants.

Voting closed on Tuesday to pass Measure F, which will impose a special tax on sales of medical marijuana in local dispensaries.

Time to Figure it Out: Just Delete the E-mail

Back in March, PublicCEO ran an editorial about the poor decision-making of former Los Alamitos mayor, Dean Grose, who sent a racially derogatory e-mail depicting the White House lawn planted with watermelons.

He made a colossal misjudgment and paid for it with his job.

Now, another prominent city official has disgraced his position. Atwater City Councilman Gary Frago sent e-mail to city staff and members of the community containing racist jokes aimed at Presdent Barack Obama.

Frago told the Modesto Bee that he has no regrets sending out the e-mails and didn’t mean them to show any disrespect or cause any harm.

But the bottom line is this: If you are a leader, act like it.

Fargo isn’t racist, but he shows terrible judgment. As a public official, you simply need to be smarter than that. That’s what is scary.

To read more about public officials acting out of line, click here.

Naked Mayor?

This sounds like more of a California thing. The “Naked Cowboy” of New York’s Time Square is setting his sights on the position of New York City’s mayor.

No news if Michael Bloomberg has any interest in stripping down and playing guitar. Stayed tuned.

James Spencer can be reached at jspencer@publicceo.com