Don Perata says that he will drop the Dem plan to increase health care eligibility, but that’s not enough for the GOP.  Dick Ackerman’s going for the kiddy-jugular:

Democrats are dropping a proposal to extend state health insurance programs to all California children, including undocumented immigrants, a key stumbling block in negotiations over a state budget, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said Monday.

But Republicans said they still wouldn’t vote for the $131 billion spending plan because it also includes $23 million that GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put in to shore up existing county health programs covering children who are in the United States illegally.
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“We did not want the budget to become hung up on that particular point,” said Perata, D-Oakland. “This is about children. They should not be a chess piece in this game.”

The Democrats’ change of heart leaves the governor aligned with them but on the opposite side of the issue from members of his own party.
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Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman of Irvine called Perata’s announcement Monday “a step in the right direction, but we also need to deal with the $23 million that the governor put in.” (SacBee 6/20/06)

Before it was all a bit hypothetical, because Schwarzenegger had the “it’s too expensive” line.  Now, the $23 million is his own doing.  He thought it was affordable in his budget rewrite, it is still affordable now.  How important does the governor find the children of this state? The $23 million goes to county health programs which fund increases for all children, not merely immigrants.

Apparently, it’s not that important for Ackerman and the GOP.  We’ll see how important it is for the Governator.  I already submitted a question about it in the Governor’s “Ask Governor Schwarzenegger” webcast.  The webcast begins at 10:30, so get your questions in quickly!

The SacBee notes that Antonio Villaraigosa is lobbying legislators in support of his schools plan:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited the state capital Monday to try to persuade holdout Democrats and other powerful lobbyists that his bold plan to take control of the Los Angeles Unified School District will work. The plan is in danger of collapsing in the Legislature, where Democrats are deeply divided over its reach and potential impact on teachers.
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“This is a bill that will fundamentally reform our schools,” Villaraigosa said at a press conference. “We will not allow any individual to deter this. This has to be a collective effort. … Let’s be clear about this: The opposition to this bill was about the general principal. There are those who believe that we shouldn’t have accountability.” Villaraigosa has anchored his mayoralty to his proposed takeover of the 730,000-student system – the second-largest in the nation – which includes schools in Los Angeles and more than two dozen smaller, suburban cities. The plan is modeled on similar takeovers in New York City and Chicago. (SacBee 6/19/06)

You know, there are worse things than city takeover of the school systems, like say the state having to bail out the district.  I’m not pointin’ fingers, but I see Oakland skulking in the back of the room over there.  But, I’m not sure if we should be rushing to alter the fundamentals of school governance before we have a real idea of what a replacement system would be.  Are we going to just toss out the elected officials of the school board and replace them with city officials?

But, these concepts are not fully cooked in my mind yet.  I plan to do a little research on these issues and come back at the issues.  In the meantime, if anybody else has strong opinions about Villaraigosa’s plan, let’s hear ’em.

(Forgive my not-too-subtle Avenue Q reference. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

The SF Chronicle has it on good authority that the Internet is, in fact, relevant. 

“Now we can press a button and instantly send a message to 50,000, 100,000 people,” said Bob Mulholland, senior adviser to Phil Angelides, the Democratic state treasurer who is challenging Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November.

Mulholland said the use of technology is particularly important in this race, which he expects will draw national attention from both parties. Mulholland hopes Angelides can capitalize on the deep dissatisfaction with President Bush, for whom Schwarzenegger campaigned.

“I think this race will create a big buzz on the Internet,” Mulholland said.

While one of the goals of a candidate’s Web site is to attract volunteers and to cement support among the electorate, soliciting contributions online also is a crucial component. Special interest groups, such as those focused on taxes, the environment and immigration, have Web sites and e-mail lists that they hope will influence the outcome of an election. Blogs — short for Web logs, which are journals and newsletters — also are spreading political information.
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“We’re looking forward to using technology to connect voters not only to the campaign but to each other,” said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger’s re-election bid. Soderlund said the Internet is being used to recruit and organize volunteers, solicit donations and provide a one-stop venue to view — and hear — the governor’s campaign platform. The site includes a blog and slideshows. There are plans to include podcasts and special ring tones for cell phones that Schwarzenegger supporters can download.(SF Chronicle 6/19/06)

Oooh! I wanna get me one of those Schwarzenegger ring tones! That’ll be killer, man, I mean we’ll go back to our gated community and rock “I will crush those girly man teachers” on our cellys.  Dude, That will be sweet!

Ok, now that I’m back from Newport Beach, I will give them credit for talking to people on both sides, more than the San Diego U-T did last April on their report on blogging.  Dan Wood’s blog A Progressive Alamedan was featured on the front page of the Chronicle.

All in all, the article doesn’t have any real revelations, but it’s an interesting little read.