AB 417 would increase bicycle transit plans

by Brian Leubitz

Every so often I delve into the joy of filed legislation, and now seems like a good time. There hasn’t been too much progress made at the subject matter committees. So, with that, I jumped into the decrepit website that the state pretends is a suitable California legislation tracking system with a random number. My choice this time: 417.

I had my choice between an SB 417 and an AB 417. Considering that SB 417 was a technical change to the Dept of Consumer Affairs, off I went to check out AB 417, a bill by Asm. Jim Frazier (D-Oakley). AB 417 is one of many CEQA reform bills that are up for consideration this year. While CEQA reform brings a lot of political baggage, this one wades into another big question of green planning: bicycle transit planning. Here’s the Leg Analyst’s take:

This bill, until January 1, 2018, would exempt from CEQA a bicycle transportation plan for an urbanized area, as specified, and would also require a local agency that determines that the bicycle transportation plan is exempt under this provision and approves or determines to carry out that project, to file notice of the determination with OPR and the county clerk. This bill would require OPR to post specified information on its Internet Web site, as prescribed.

Here in San Francisco, we’ve had a fight over our bicycle transit plan for years upon years with CEQA used as an extremely blunt instrument to slow implementation. While I’m very careful about CEQA reform, this is one area that clearly needs it.

That being said, this may be swept into the broader CEQA reform conversation, for better or worse.  

Bench is deep for California Democrats

by Brian Leubitz

Congressional seats don’t come up often, and when people get there, they tend to stay. The California Congressional delegation is no different. Except right now, the delegation has several septuagenarians, and as Pete Stark learned, there are always a few people spoiling for a fight. And so Roll Call, a publication that caters to DC insiders, takes a look at some of the potential replacements.

In 2012, an aging delegation mixed with a fresh round of redistricting and a reformed primary process resulted in an extensive new crop of California members of Congress. In all, the largest state in the country elected 14 new House members last cycle, a 26 percent turnover rate in a state known over the past decade for its dearth of competition.

Despite losing one of their own seats last year, Democrats netted four new seats, expanding their delegation majority to 38 of the 53 seats. And with two-thirds of the state legislative seats, there are plenty more Democrats in the pipeline ready to move up at the next opportunity.

They go on to highlight a few legislators and local leaders that are looked on locally as replacement for some of the more senior members of the delegation. Todd Gloria, a San Diego City Councilman, for Rep. Susan Davis. Sen. Mark Leno for Minority Leader Pelosi, Das Williams and Hannah-Beth Jackson for Rep. Lois Capps, and a few more.

But Congressional seats are valuable, and nothing is ever that simple. Many of these races will end up in a tough race for the Top-2, with the possibility of some Dem-on-Dem general elections in the next few election cycles.

Photo credit: Asm. Das Williams from his website.

Senate will regain supermajority

by Brian Leubitz

A split decision in yesterday’s Special Election, as Asm. Ben Hueso exceeded the 50% mark in his bid to replace Juan Vargas in the Senate, but Norma Torres was not able to break that mark in her bid. Torres will go on to a run off on May 14, where she will be a big favorite against Republican Paul Leon.

Now that the Senate is back at 2/3, what does this mean for the supermajority in the Assembly? Torey Van Oot breaks it down:

The Assembly will hold onto its supermajority status when Huseo departs for the upper house, but not for long. At least one other Assembly Democrat, Bob Blumenfield, is expected to resign this summer to take a Los Angeles City Council seat he won in a recent primary. Successors to both Blumenfield and Hueso will be selected in later special elections. (SacBee)

Round and round…

Special elections mean supermajority will come and go

by Brian Leubitz

You would need a supercomputer to keep up with the supermajority these days. But perhaps the better question is what that means for the state.

With the recent Los Angeles elections, the Assembly will certainly lose Bob Blumenfield, and the May run-offs could mean that Curren Price will need a replacement for his Senate seat. The LA Times attempts to break it down:

Blumenfield, chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, won’t leave state office until July 1. But his planned departure is among a handful of resignations in both houses that have set off a round of musical chairs for the Democrats who dominate the Legislature.

Their numbers in the Assembly will dip below the supermajority threshold they achieved in November if two members move to the Senate in special elections that start Tuesday. The numbers will fall again when Blumenfield leaves. (LAT)

Got that? Well, that’s not really all of it. Two Senate seats are scheduled to be filled in heavily Democratic districts for now Congress members Gloria Negrete McCloud and Juan Vargas. Then Michael Rubio of Chevron will be replaced by a special election in May. And then Price and Blumenfield…

You get the picture. Whatever the reason, what it does mean is that votes on serious reform measures will wait until a sure supermajority is in place. That means that the few modest reforms that Leadership is looking at right now, while not really stuck per se, they are in a state of limbo.  That being said, there aren’t any 2/3 votes that are strictly time-sensitive coming up anytime soon. Revenue isn’t really on the table, except in the long-term 2/3 reform sense.  If that waits another few months, well, it waits a few months.

The other question is whether this will continue to be normal. State legislators will always jump at non-term-limited Congressional seats. That much will never change. However, with the new term limits laws, we are likely looking at the last generation of Assembly members that will be looking to hop to the Senate. Sure, it’s a bit smaller, but why bother when you can just ride incumbency. And reducing some of that turnover is a very, very good thing, beyond the question of the supermajority.

Current CDP Chair launches with broad endorsements for another term

by Brian Leubitz

CDP Chair John Burton already suffered through his “bankruptcy workout” by clearing up a tough financial situation at the CDP upon his arrival. While his task was nowhere near the mess that Jim Brulte is looking at right now, he chose and built a staff that lead the party forward towards a brighter future. (Hint: See the results in 2010 and 2012)

Now the former State Senate Majority Leader, Congressman, and a list of other titles, is announcing that he will be running for reelection as Chair of the California Democratic Party:

We’re coming off an exciting election in 2012. We exceeded our goals every step of the way, and that’s due to your activism and support of Democrats across the state.

Together, we defeated Proposition 32 the Anti-Union measure, and passed the Governor’s Proposition 30 to help our public schools. Not only that, we picked up six brand new Democratic seats in Congress and achieved a 2/3rds majority in the legislature.

I want to continue our fight for a more progressive California for another four years.

I remain committed to winning elections and speaking out on the issues and values that keep our Party in the liberal forefront of Democrats throughout the nation.

He launched a new website for the campaign with a broad list of endorsements, including one Brian Leubitz, Regional Director.  I am proud to support John because of the work that he has done not only in the infrastructure and capacity of the party, but that he has been, and will continue to be, a great leader for progressive values. When it comes to John Burton, you know where he stands. Whether it is calling for the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan in 2009, or fighting for health care reform, he will be using his resources to push for our shared values.

I hope you will join me in supporting John Burton for another term as CDP Chair.

Blumenfield, Bonin win outright Council seats

by Brian Leubitz

The Los Angeles mayoral election went largely to expectations, as Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel won the top two spots and will head for the runoff. In other races, Mike Bonin won his seat outright, as did Asm. Bob Blumenfield. That, of course, means another vacancy in the Assembly and further erosion of the Democratic caucus until the seat can be filled. That being said, it was something of a scattershot night as the results rolled in.

Mike Feuer will face Carmen Trutanich in a run off for the City Attorney job, as Feuer was unable to get to the 50% mark. And unfortunately, Measure A, the sales tax increase for emergency and other critical city services did not pass. LA Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman had this to say about it:

Unfortunately, the special interests have managed to twist the truth and defeat our efforts to save critically needed emergency and vital city services in Los Angeles.  The Los Angeles County Democratic Party will continue to stand up for Angelenos and fight back the special interests that have time and again impeded progress in Los Angeles.

If you’re in LA, expect to see many more commercials as the Mayoral contest continues in earnest.

Photo credit: flickr user waltarrrrr

Garcetti and Greuel favorites for run-off

by Brian Leubitz

With no clear favorite, Los Angeles looks ready to set up a run off for mayor, and possibly several other elections. As of the most recent LATimes/USC poll, Garcetti and Greuel are deadlocked on the trail of the top two runoff spots:

The survey, taken last Sunday through Wednesday, found Garcetti at 27% and Greuel at a statistically even 25%. Bunched behind the two Democrats were Republican lawyer Kevin James at 15% and Democratic Councilwoman Jan Perry at 14%. Former technology executive Emanuel Pleitez trailed at 5%. (LA Times)

However, numbers on all of the candidates are soft. A sizable chunk (14%) were undecided, and around half of the committed respondents said that they may change their minds before they voted. In other words, nothing is final until the last vote is cast tonight.

With a bevy of open City Council and school board seats up and open, candidates and their volunteers are doing their best to hit every voter.  Anybody have any favorites?