LA Represents

Yay LA! Way to keep it in the family, kind of.

Fabian Nunez is passing on the Speaker-ship to LA's own Karen Bass.

The announcement was made last night after many more secret, closed door meetings. Why? Because that's the way democracy works.

Still Bass and new Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg are both considered much more on the up than their predecessors. We can only hope.

Surf's up! Pilings down!

For those lucky enough to live by the shore - how have you fared? The high surf has beaten the crap out of local piers and beaches and even swept some unlucky few out to sea. Most have been rescued, except for one 23 year old who is still missing.

Here's a tip from a bean who grew up by the breakwater: when the waves start to crash over wherever you're standing - move the hell away! Seriously, water is strong stuff. Try this test: get a firefighter to hose you down. Are you still standing? No? Right, the ocean is even stronger.

MexiCAN

Just because tacos are so damn good.

"He wanted tacos. The victim, a 35-year-old Fontana man, had just bought about $20 in tacos from a stand at San Bernardino and Fontana avenues and was riding home when the bandit confronted him.

“He approached him from behind, saying, `Give me your tacos,”‘ said police Sgt. Jeff Decker. “He grabbed the bag of tacos, punched him in the face and began to flee.”

The victim demanded his tacos back when they were taken. “The suspect then pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the victim”."

Because it was SUCH a good law the first time around

It turns out Jessica's Law may actually have increased sex crime risk.

It turns out when you don't let people live anywhere, they turn homeless. And homeless people are harder to track. Especially homeless sex offenders.

And since most sex offenders are acquaintances or family members (which is messed up anyway), this law really didn't do much except violate a whole shitload of civil rights.

Re-deregulation

The LA Times has a complicated and interesting article on the energy utilities and deregulation.

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case this week on whether the contracts signed during the crisis 7 years ago can hold up.

If you're wondering why these things matter, check your utility bill. Customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric are still paying for the energy mess circa 2000-01.

A sample bill from Edison lists the ways.

There's the "DWR bond charge" to repay bonds the state Department of Water Resources issued so it could buy power during the crisis. And there's the cost of the electricity the agency bought -- and is still buying -- under long-term contracts. Edison's bill lists that as "DWR generation."

Then there's the "trust transfer amount," earmarked for repaying 10-year bonds that funded rate reductions for the first four years of the deregulation plan. The utilities' customers are paying an estimated $3.4 billion more than they will have gotten from the rate rollback.

Finally, there's the competition transition charge, which Edison calls "ongoing CTC." That reimburses the utilities for expensive energy contracts and power plant investments that weren't fully recovered when the companies sold them as part of deregulation.

The CTC is getting smaller but will be on Edison bills until 2028. There's little chance of relief on the bond charges. But the cost of DWR's power contracts is another matter. The state believes it is due between $1.45 billion and $3.08 billion on four contracts that were never renegotiated -- money that could go back to electric customers in some form, possibly by reducing or eliminating future charges.

That's what the Supreme Court fight is about.

And on top of that, the Public Utilities Commission is considering re-deregulating the utilities. Isn't that what got us in trouble in the first place?

Super-Deciders.

Here is the list of superdelegates in California.

Ah, democracy, so wonderful how important people get to decide with no regard to your vote.

St. Valentine

My computer is back together again and it's nice to be back! You'll notice, also, that I enabled comments, so feel free to leave them.

If you'd like to watch a great video of the Mayor paddling through Lower Owens River, find it here.

"This is a great opportunity to see and feel this restored habitat, which we had desecrated for 100 years," Villaraigosa said after stepping out of his canoe. "I feel gratified."

You know, after he helicoptered in with his entourage and helicoptered out. I bet he felt gratified.

LA may also be closing most of its health clinics. Which is good, because it's not like LA has a lot of people with health problems and no money.

And our lovely Fabian Nunez met with the Mexican President a few days ago.

And what did they talk about?

"Sitting on opposite ends of the speaker's couch, Núñez explained, in Spanish, the significance of his office, saying at one point that he found it 'interesting' that his personal office space is 'larger than the governor's.' "

Definitely more important than
the budget cuts that are getting voted on today.

Someone please put these people back to work already

Yea, more TV! Or more importantly, fewer annoying emails from my WGA friends about how well their workouts are going, how much time they've spent surfing, lunching, whatever.

So hopefully, by Wednesday, it'll be pencils up!

Can we be car uncultured?

Blogging LA's outspoken and always thought-provoking David Markland suggests 10 ways to improve LA's public transit - most of which do less to improve public trans than to discourage car driving. Of course, that strategy probably would improve public trans if you operate on the theory that the more hostile a place is to cars and the more people that are thusly driven (ha! pun!) to buses and rail, the higher the demand for improved services would be. Or, you might just end up with some serious road rage and resistance out there.

I agree with his suggestion #4 - to install "stand to the right" signs on all escalators. Amen to that. Idea #3, though - "Ban additional conditional use and building permits for parking lots except for those adjacent to outlying MTA stops" - I'm not such a fan of. His #1 idea for the Mayor and city council to be forced to ride trans to and from city hall I agree with in so far as they all should do it every so often just to check it out, but I'm not sure about making it part of the job description.

I'd like to see suggestions for improving public trans in a way that makes it more attractive to drivers without needing to effectively punish drivers.

Can you photograph your ballot in the booth?

One LA blogger gets some static for trying. The short answer is: you can't take pictures of other voters if that sort of thing is aimed at intimidating them, but otherwise, go for it. The even shorter answer is: don't try to argue with a volunteer poll worker. Just move it along.

Beware the 'bubble trouble'

As my fellow blogger indicated below, some stuff was goin' down in LA County today, apparently, with an extra bubble causing trouble for Decline to State voters. Even the SF Chron picked up the coverage, using it to highlight some of its own area issues.

I'm sympathetic. Voting shouldn't be made purposely more confusing, or even allowed to be inadvertantly confusing. But at the same time, read the directions, right? And further more, pick a damn party. There, I said it. If you want to vote in the Democratic Primary, then register to be part of the Democratic Party. Don't wuss out with excuses about wanting to avoid direct mail, etc. That's the weakest of weak sauce, kids. Pony up that opinion, make a stand, and avoid any problems with extra bubbles later. Sheesh.

1-800-COMPLAIN

Is actually a toll-free number I want to start.

But, today, if you notice anything going wrong with voting or any shady shit, let the good people over at Mayor Sam know.

Vote, Vote, Vote

Today is the day to vote, for your information. And voter turnout might just set records. It seems some people (me) are a little excited.

Though it could be a little while before we necessarily know anything about the Presidential race. Especially if we have to wait on Alaska and American Somoa.

In Case You Were Watching the Superbowl Instead

Maria Shriver showed up, fresh from an equestrian show (?), to give a suprise endorsement to Obama. And yes, that IS Oprah in the background.

Know Your Rights

Obama's people sent this out: (not that anything shady ever happens in LA)

VOTER RIGHTS SUMMARY

Precinct captains and observers may play an important role for the campaign at polling places that do not have an attorney monitor observing the facilities. Below is a summary of a voter's rights, and you may be instrumental in protecting these rights if you observe any of these rules not being followed at a polling place. You may not interact directly with the voter and the poll worker, however. You should note down what you see that violates any of these rights, and quietly mention it to the poll manager. If the problem is not rectified, call the CA Obama Election Protection Hotline.

Voters have the right to cast a provisional ballot if their name is not listed on the voting rolls. However, if a voter is at the wrong polling location and has time to get to the correct polling location, we encourage them to go to the correct location instead of casting a provisional ballot. If the voter can't get to the correct location before poll closing (8pm), he or she should request a provisional ballot.

Voters have the right to cast a ballot if they are present and in line at the polling place prior to the close of the polls (no earlier than 8pm).

Voters have the right to vote in the Democratic primary if they are not registered with any political party. (Decline to State) To do so, they should indicate that they are voting in the Democratic primary. If their ballot asks which primary they are voting in, they must mark "Democratic" for the vote to be counted in the Democratic primary.

Voters have the right to cast a secret ballot free from intimidation. Signs, banners, and passing out pamphlets or cards for any candidate or ballot initiative are not permitted within 100 feet of the polling place, and by no means inside the polling place.

Voters have the right to receive a new ballot if, prior to casting their ballot, they believe they have made a mistake.

Voters have the right to assistance in casting their ballots, if they are unable to vote without assistance. Voters may take someone into the booth with them to assist.

Voters have the right to return a completed vote-by-mail ballot to any precinct in their county.

Voters have the right to bring children under the age of 18 years with them into the voting booth if the children are under their care.

Those new voters who registered to vote by mail may be asked to show ID. The voter rolls will indicate which voters are subject to this requirement. Other voters should not be asked to show any ID. For those voters who do need to show ID, many forms of ID, including many without a photo, are acceptable. Some examples of acceptable photo ID are: driver's licenses or IDs from any state, student IDs with photo, health club IDs with photo. Some examples of acceptable non-photo ID are: a recently dated utility bill or bank statement, or the official sample ballot from this election that was mailed to the voter. If you are at a location that is requiring all voters to show ID, or is insisting only on photo ID, call the Election Protection Hotline immediately.

Polling locations must open by 7am and cannot close before 8pm. If a polling location runs out of ballots or other supplies, supplies must be replaced immediately. If you are at a location that runs out of ballots, has not opened at 7am, or is attempting to close before 8pm, call the Election Protection hotline immediately.

Exit pollers are permitted to be closer to the polls than people engaging in canvassing or visibility. Unless you have been specifically directed to do so by a campaign staff member, you should not attempt to collect exit poll information yourself at the polling place.

OBAMA ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE NUMBERS:
LOS ANGELES: (310) 801-9546 or (310) 779-0816
SAN FRANCISCO/BAY AREA: (415) 606-6043
0AKLAND/EAST BAY: (510) 520-5025
SAN DIEGO: (619) 770-7105

Attorneys will be monitoring these phone lines all day on Election Day. Please call to report any problems at a poll or any conduct that seems inconsistent with the rules above. (However, if all is well, no need to report this to the hotline, so we can keep the phone lines free for others who may have concerns to report. Thank you for your cooperation