State of the State

An Oakland firm has been selected to redraw California’s political districts. The state’s 14-member redistricting commission awarded Q2 Data and Research the $510,000 contract. The new districts will be adopted by Aug. 15. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_17656014?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Among redistricting outcomes, Mission Viejo could have a new State Assembly representative. Jeff Miller’s 71st Assembly District is the one of the fastest growing. Splitting his district could result in Miller representing only communities in Riverside County. Mission Viejo would become part of a new district in Orange County.

Redistricting could also impact Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s slow-growing 47th Congressional District. A geographic increase would dilute her stronghold of Democrats. http://drunkonpolitics.com/2011/03/14/democrat-sanchez-faces-gop-redistricting-gains

Gov. Jerry Brown failed to get Republican support by March 10 for a special election on June 7. With Brown’s missing his self-imposed deadline, prospects are dimming, but it’s not a guarantee against an election to extend taxes. To meet the two-thirds requirement to put a tax increase on the ballot, Brown needs two Republicans in both the State Assembly and State Senate.

California Republicans held their three-day convention over the weekend in Sacramento. On March 18, incoming chairman of the California Republican Party Tom Del Beccaro said he’s confident Republican legislators will reject Brown’s special election on taxes. While at the convention, Del Beccaro said of the five Republican state senators who have been negotiating with Brown, “That’s the only way we’ll be able to persuade them with our ideas about what truly needs to be done.” http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/18/3487411/california-gop-convention-kicks.html

KFI’s John and Ken are railing daily about putting all five heads on a stick. The five Republican state senators who have been negotiating with Brown are Sam Blakeslee, Anthony Cannella, Tom Harmon, Bill Emmerson and Tom Berryhill.

From a Wall Street Journal article last week, “…Brown might still corral enough stray Republicans to get his budget package before voters this summer. Yet even with the proposed all-mail ballot he wants to use to gin up turnout, its prospects are iffy.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704608504576208470356264808.html#articleTabs%3Darticle