• Pinboard Links

    Flap’s Links and Comments for April 19th on 09:44

    These are my links for April 19th from 09:44 to 09:54:

    • Rob Stutzman is in final push to delay NBA’a Sacramento Kings’ move – Sacramento political consultant Rob Stutzman is on the verge of tossing a wrench into Joe and Gavin Maloof's efforts to move the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim.

      By early this week, Stutzman expects to have collected roughly 11,000 signatures needed to challenge by referendum Anaheim City Council's $75 million deal to upgrade that arena where the Kings would play, and help the Maloofs with the cost of relocating.

      "What we're doing is very real and matters legally," Stutzman said, adding that he can gather the requisite number of signatures with "one arm tied behind my back."

      He does, however, need a little more money. But assuming he gets it–and there are some wealthy people who have an interest in his success–the referendum would place the Anaheim financing deal on hold until the next election, likely in June 2012, long after the next basketball season is over.

      Stutzman's effort comes as lobbyist Darius Anderson and billionaire Ron Burkle press to try to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

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      With the Clippers and Lakers in LA, I really don't see that much of a market in Orange County anyway.

      But, if the Sacramento Kings owners want to move the team and they are foiled then suppose they can sell.

    • California State leadership PACs loading up – California lawmakers are preparing to bankroll their congressional colleagues, some more aggressively than others.
      In new campaign filings, a special leadership committee established by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, surpasses most of its congressional competitors in amount of money stockpiled.
      Nunes can use the $120,000 he's saved to help his colleagues, and himself. But though he stands out, he's not alone. From conservatives like Nunes and Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, to liberals like Lois Capps, D-San Luis Obispo, incumbents are forming leadership fundraising committees in record numbers.
      "It's something that as part of the team you're expected to do," Nunes said. "It's a way for me to help my colleagues, and possibly my future colleagues."
      More than 400 leadership political action committees are currently registered with the Federal Election Commission. They enable lawmakers to collect contributions in chunks of up to $5,000 each, and then distribute the money to colleagues. They also enable contributors to effectively increase the amount they give to politicians.

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      Read it all.

      With redistricting California Reps. had better stock up and stock up fast since some of their CD's will be competitive.

    • Arnold Schwarzenegger defends Nuñez sentence reduction, slams Whitman | – Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger justified his eleventh-hour sentence reduction for the son of a fellow Sacramento politician, saying “of course you help a friend” and that he felt good about the decision.

      Schwarzenegger came under heavy fire for the move, which took place hours before he left office in January. In May, former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez’s son Esteban accepted a plea deal in the death of Luis Santos, a 22-year-old college student. Schwarzenegger decided to reduce the sentence from 16 years to seven years, which infuriated prosecutors as well as the victim's family, which was not notified beforehand.

      “I understand people’s disappointments. I understand the parents’ anger. I would probably feel the same way,” Schwarzenegger told Newsweek in an article published Sunday. “My office definitely made a mistake in not notifying the parents beforehand … and I’m ultimately responsible.

      “I feel good about the decision …. I happen to know the kid really well. I don’t apologize about it,” said Schwarzenegger, who noted in his commutation order that Esteban Nuñez, 21, did not deliver the fatal wound that led to Santos’ death. “There’s criticism out there. I think it’s just because of our working relationship and all that. It maybe was kind of saying, ‘That’s why he did it.’ Well, hello! I mean, of course you help a friend.”

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      Arnold was the worst California Governor EVER.

      Help a friend?

      What an idiot……

      Next time I see him riding his bicycle in Santa Monica I think I will shout out to him on what a despicable moron he is.

      And, yeah….no more movie tickets with him starring.