Budgets, Pensions & Political Reform...

Looking forward to being on KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO today around 11:55 am talking about the budget, and then guest hosting a show on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles / 98.7 FM Santa Barbara at 5pm today w/ guestsAnn Ravel Kathay Feng & Torey Van Oot.

Is Governor Brown California Dreaming in Los Angeles?

Yesterday Governor Jerry Brown delivered his "State of the State" speech. He began by ribbing the Republicans, specifically Assemblywoman Connie Conway and Senator Bob Huff, for taping their response to his speech before he was even finished.

Otherwise, it started out sounding like a pep rally. The Governor struck a firmly positive and forward thinking note: California is on the mend, he unequivocally declared.

He then went on to discuss, with enthusiasm and relative optimism, a wide range of issues including the budget, the environment, the creation of a high-speed rail, water, education and finally back to the budget with pension reform, which remains the most important issue facing California. Brown continues to push for a mix of spending cuts and temporary tax increases.

Finish reading the article on KCET.

Does New York's state comptroller have too much power?

"NEW YORK’S $140 billion pension plan is one of the largest pools of money in the world. But there is something else that makes it exceptional: it is run by just one person. The state comptroller, who is elected, is the sole trustee."

The NYT has more here.