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Dateline Sacramento (7/3/2009)

Dateline Sacramento
News with a View from the California Capitol
July 3, 2009
Budget Impasse Results In State IOUs
Another week of squabbling between legislative leaders and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger over the $24.3 billion deficit has resulted in the state issuing IOUs or RAWS (Revenue Anticipation Warrants) to cover its expenses. Earlier this week, the Governor re-iterated his refusal to approve any budget measure that included tax increases and did not address the entire deficit; nonetheless, legislative leaders in the Assembly and Senate attempted to pass several “stop-gap” measures that would have lowered the state obligation for the coming budget year and provide some fiscal relief that potentially could avert the issuance of IOUs. However, the Governor, with the assistance of Senate Republicans, would not approve the measures. Stating that he was also not supportive of piecemeal efforts that did not solve the whole problem, the governor declared that such attempts were “dead on arrival.”
After intense negotiations, political strong-arming and incensed dialogue, Tuesday night Senate session ended with no resolution and State Controller poised to issue $53 million in IOUs to state vendors and contractors, students and taxpayers (which expecting refunds). Further, failure to resolve the budget by July 1, has added another estimated $2 billion to the deficit – now $26.3 billion. 
With the beginning of the new fiscal year, which began on July 1, negotiations appear to be restarting. According to the President Pro Tem of the Senate, Darrell Steinberg, taxes are apparently off the table. Without taxes, future budget remedies will likely mean increased budget cuts, additional gimmicks and borrowing from local government. 
In response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s comments deriding the Assembly for “wasting time” discussing the legislation that would prohibit the cutting of cow tails, while the state was undergoing a fiscal crisis, Steinberg also canceled all committees until budget is solved. The Governor also declared a state fiscal emergency, which means if a resolution is not found in 45 day, the Legislature is prohibited from conducting any other business except the budget.
 Proposition 8 Begins Journey Through Federal Court
Today in the U. S. Federal District Court in San Francisco, Judge Vaughan Walker ruled against a preliminary injunction to block Proposition 8. The courtroom was filled with two dozen attorneys representing various parties, including the ProtectMarriage.com coalition, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown, the two same-sex couple plaintiffs, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Also, Judge Walker approved the ProtectMarriage.com coalition’s motion to intervene as a defendant in the suit. As the official proponents of Proposition 8, the coalition’s intervention in the suit is critical to the defense of traditional marriage’s definition in California’s Constitution, as both the governor and the attorney general oppose it. 
Known as Perry v. Schwarzenegger (link), this case brings the issue of same-sex marriage into the federal court system, with strong potential to eventually be considered by the United States Supreme Court. Lead attorney for ProtectMarriage.com is Charles Cooper.  Mr. Cooper has more than 25 years of legal experience in government and private practice. President Reagan appointed Mr. Cooper to the position of Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel in 1985, and Mr. Cooper has made several appearances before the United States Supreme Court and scores of other successful cases on both the trial and appellate levels.
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is serving as co-counsel with Mr. Cooper and the coalition’s general counsel, Andy Pugno. ADF continues its strong commitment to the defense of traditional marriage in many states and at the national level.
Judge Walker was named to the federal bench by President George H.W. Bush. In his remarks today, he stated that he expects this case will only be “touching down” in district court, and “its life will extend well beyond this court.” For this reason, Martin believes this court’s responsibility is to “narrow the issues” and to establish “a record for further deliberations” as the case moves through the federal court system.
In an attempt to expedite the case, attorneys for the parties have been directed to meet together to identify areas of legal agreement and to report to the court in writing by August 7 on the agreed upon matters to resolve. A second court hearing has been set for August 19 in Judge Walker’s San Francisco courtroom.
In a related matter, the National Education Association, conducting its annual conference this week in San Diego, will be considering a potential declaration to support the legal recognition of same-sex couples. Focus on the Family’s education analyst, Candi Cushman, said the NEA’s participation in the issue of same-sex marriage “has nothing to do with education or a child’s best interest.” Link here for Focus on the Family’s Special Alert.
Leno’s Bills Undermine the Family
In the coming weeks, several bills authored by Senator Mark Leno, a homosexual San Francisco legislator, will be heard in policy committee and on the Assembly Floor. These measures, Senate Bills 54, 543 and 572 are direct assaults on California families. Senate Bill (SB) 54 is another attempt to undermine marriage by requiring the state to validate out-of-state same-sex marriages that were performed before the passage of Proposition 8. SB 543 wrongly permits children as young as 12 to receive mental health treatment without the knowledge or consent of parents. Finally, SB 572 designates May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, and encourages schools to set aside invaluable classroom and instructional time, replacing it with “commemorative exercises” honoring Harvey Milk, the first openly homosexual politician.  
Local Links
MODESTO – A divided Modesto City School Board has voted to permit junior high and high school students to leave campus during the school day for ‘confidential medical services,’ including abortions, without the consent or knowledge of their parents. Read more on the California Catholic Daily website.
BIG BEAR LAKE – The rise in hostility towards parents has reached the level of public school administration. Investigations into the refusal of Big Bear High School to permit a parent to opt their child out of a so-called "diversity" training program has revealed biased and insulting comments directed at concerned parents.  According to state law, parents are only allowed to opt their children out of health education and not diversity training, but only if said health education conflicts with the student's religious belief. Using that law, school officials denied the request to opt out. Read more on Onenewsnow.com website.
Opportunity “knocks”
RIVERSIDE – California Family Council continues to expand its offerings of the acclaimed Truth Project group leader training seminars. Training in biblical worldview is a prerequisite to living out authentic Christianity in today’s postmodern culture with its subjective claims of truth. 
Make plans now to attend one of the upcoming seminars to learn about matching your belief system, your actions, and your biblical worldview; equip yourself to lead others through this DVD series that asks, “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?” Find out more! 
*July 18 at Peoples Church in Fresno
If you are interested in hosting a Truth Project training seminar in your area, please call (951) 354-8362 and ask for Trudy Thomas.
 
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