To the links:<\/p>\n
\u2022 GM is pulling out of NUMMI<\/a>, its joint venture with Toyota. There had been rumors that Toyota might build some of the new Prius models there, but that was quashed. No word on what the job situation will be in the plant in Fremont.<\/p>\n \u2022 Those trees growing on the levees<\/a> in the Central Valley have to go, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Hopefully they won’t replace them with newspaper<\/a>, the way they did in New Orleans.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dan Walters seems moved by the PPIC report<\/a> that the half-billion-dollar enterprise zone program has no effect on employment and instead constitutes a set of useless tax breaks. Sadly, this program was not cut by Democrats or the Governor in their budget proposals. At the very least, tax break programs like these should have a sunset so they can be assessed for effectiveness.<\/p>\n \u2022 The SEIU State Council endorsed LG John Garamendi<\/a> in his bid for CA-10. In some respects, it seems the big labor endorsements are being split between Garamendi and DeSaulnier. We should see how the money is flowing after the Q2 reports emerge.<\/p>\n \u2022 Pay as you drive auto insurance<\/a> could be coming to California shortly, by the end of the year. This could make sense for people who don’t use their car very much, although I doubt it will impact congestion.<\/p>\n \u2022 CREDO Mobile is encouraging public comment<\/a> against the reinstatement of the death penalty, and they make a compelling case. The deadline is tomorrow, so get your cracks in. The ACLU, who argues that the death penalty will cost the state $1 billion over 5 years, is planning a statewide Day Of Action To End The Death Penalty tomorrow. More info on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 After bowing out of the governor’s race, Mayor Villaraigosa is now laying out his plans for Los Angeles<\/a> for his second term.<\/p>\n \u2022 Oooh, jobs for Michigan<\/a>. Apparently, Michigan Governor Granholm wrote a letter about sending prisoners to empty prisons there. Wow, “empty prisons.” That’s not a phrase you hear around here very often.<\/p>\n \u2022 It’s about a week old, but Joe Matthews’ take<\/a> on a “bailout” for California is worth reading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To the links:<\/p>\n \u2022 GM is pulling out of NUMMI<\/a>, its joint venture with Toyota. There had been rumors that Toyota might build some of the new Prius models there, but that was quashed. No word on what the job situation will be in the plant in Fremont.<\/p>\n \u2022 Those trees growing on the levees<\/a> in the Central Valley have to go, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Hopefully they won’t replace them with newspaper<\/a>, the way they did in New Orleans.<\/p>\n \u2022 Dan Walters seems moved by the PPIC report<\/a> that the half-billion-dollar enterprise zone program has no effect on employment and instead constitutes a set of useless tax breaks. Sadly, this program was not cut by Democrats or the Governor in their budget proposals. At the very least, tax break programs like these should have a sunset so they can be assessed for effectiveness.<\/p>\n \u2022 The SEIU State Council endorsed LG John Garamendi<\/a> in his bid for CA-10. In some respects, it seems the big labor endorsements are being split between Garamendi and DeSaulnier. We should see how the money is flowing after the Q2 reports emerge.<\/p>\n \u2022 Pay as you drive auto insurance<\/a> could be coming to California shortly, by the end of the year. This could make sense for people who don’t use their car very much, although I doubt it will impact congestion.<\/p>\n \u2022 CREDO Mobile is encouraging public comment<\/a> against the reinstatement of the death penalty, and they make a compelling case. The deadline is tomorrow, so get your cracks in. The ACLU, who argues that the death penalty will cost the state $1 billion over 5 years, is planning a statewide Day Of Action To End The Death Penalty tomorrow. More info on that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 After bowing out of the governor’s race, Mayor Villaraigosa is now laying out his plans for Los Angeles<\/a> for his second term.<\/p>\n