Ted Lieu Votes to Kill Jobs; Bill Fails Cal Senate

California politicians continue to kill jobs left and right; this time we dodged a bullet.

A bill that would tie corporate tax rates to executive compensation was rejected by the state Senate on Wednesday. SB 1372 would have replaced current tax rates for publicly traded corporations with a rate based on the ratio between its highest earning employee and its median workers’ salary.

Senator Ted Lieu, currently a candidate in next Tuesday's election to replace the retiring Representative Henry Waxman in Congress, voted for this nonsense Even liberal Democrat Stuart Waldman, President of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, who opposed the bill, had the good sense that this was goofy legislation writ large. “I’m not sure in what world this would have increased worker pay,” said Waldman. “It’s ridiculous to think that further complicating our corporate tax system would do anything but encourage business to leave the state.”

Lieu is Mayor Garcetti's pick for the seat; especially since his primary opponent is La Wendy. The Mayor has frequently called for tax reform for business. Let's hope he doesn't support this type of social engineering for the City.

Downtown Chamber et al Backs Sales Tax Increase; VICA Says No

Last line of defense
against Herb Wesson?
VICA's Stuart Waldman

Well, duh.

VICA, though it has it's moments, is one of the last of the true business advocacy organizations out there.

Those "business" organizations that are supporting the sales tax increase pushed by Council President Herb Wesson (doesn't he represent a low income district?), giving the City one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, are part of the downtown cabal that have joined in a symbiotic and blood sucking relationship along with developers, out of town banks & corporations with a presence in Downtown LA, "community" organizations, unions, politicians and the "affordable housing" lobby to make sure each of them get their own crack at any combination of the following:

• Money.
• The ability to bed attractive lobbyists, staffers, commission members, whomever has something in exchange.
• Invitations to great cocktail parties, sporting events, awards shows, etc.

Sales tax, one of the most regressive forms of taxation, disproportionately impacting the poor and devastates small business. This particular increase would hit hard on communities like Sunland-Tujunga, North Hollywood, Venice, etc. that all border on cities with lower tax rates and where consumers can easily travel a few blocks to save some cash.

The Downtown interests, in this case driven by the real estate industry, want to shift this tax burden to consumers. Where is Occupy LA when you need them?

VICA presser after the jump...

Read more »

Jack Humphreville's Cheap Shot

Jack Humphreville, an otherwise good guy who some folks would like to see run against Tom Le Bong, nearly loses all credibility in a screed against VICA and it's President Stuart Waldman for VICA's opposition to the idea of a Ratepayer Advocate for the DWP.

How did Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, this time Jack is being a dick do that?

He opens up his rant with an unkind reference to Waldman's weight.

Now perhaps as a calorically challenged American myself I'm a bit sensitive to such charges even if I have dropped 60 pounds since the end of June. But it really makes Jack lose all credibility - and when it comes to the DWP Jack has a lot - to let his anger at Waldman's position let him take a cheap shot.

I've known Stuart for nearly 20 years since our days at Valley College and working on the Clinton campaign (yes sadly I was once a Democrat but I got over it). He was skinny then. But age, marriage, whatever brings more weight and its not an easy struggle.

On the surface the Ratepayer Advocate sounds like a nice idea. But nice ideas are not necessarily good ones. The devil is in the details. The DWP is so messed up it may take more than the Ratepayer Advocate to fix things.

Jack has a right to disagree with VICA; I've done more than that myself calling it a useless organization and getting a nasty email from my old friend Stuart. But I don't think I called Stuart fat.

Reasonable people can disagree and perhaps if they are willing, we would love to have Jack and Stuart reasonably disagree on this topic at this blog.

Jack, however if he wants to be a politician, must not let his anger get the best of him and call names.

That's my job.

Have a nice weekend dum dums.

Stuart Waldman is a Podcaster Now!

Watch the VICA show featuring (some of) the candidates for CD2.

Random Musings on CD2

Looks like candidate Christine Essel is fast becoming the joke of the campaign. Between writing her wrong address on a petition and getting lost in Sunland-Tujunga its not looking good for her. More concerning, her big wad of cash from all the you-know-whos.


Several candidates have taken up the offer by Joe B. for his famous Sunland-Tujunga tour. Having taken this tour myself I highly recommend, followed by the de rigueur visit to Joselito's, one of ST's favorite watering holes.

Grassroots candidates like Frank Sheftel and others are making the yeoman efforts of attending the usual events such as chamber of commerce mixers, neighborhood council meetings and tonight's National Night Out. The question is are you guys as well building an effective get out the vote organization or falling in the Walter Moore trap of making signs and hats?

Essel - sounds kind of like Edsel.

The more reports I get about Paul Krekorian's staff the more I am convinced he is the choice for CD2. Residents in his Assembly District report getting excellent service from his field reps. With CD2 suffering some serious neglect right now we need someone who can hit the ground running with constituent services. We don't have the time for Essel, Galatzan or the others to figure out how to hire a staff and outfit them with GPS devices to find Sunland-Tujunga or West Van Nuys. It will be far more effective to put in a local guy, with a team already on the ground that can start untangling things from day one.

Whatever happened to those rumors about Stuart Waldman or Jim Alger running for CD2?

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Memorial for the "King of Pop N Chaos in Downtown ??", and some other News

Let July 7, 2009 go down in history as the day Los Angeles and the World sang a collected "BEAT IT" to Michael Jackson as thousands descend on Downtown Los Angeles for the Memorial to the "King of Pop".

City officials are pleading with the general public to stay away from the area around the Staples Center unless they have tickets to be there, but a "Beat of History" is sure to draw thousands to be a part of an historical farewell to a conflicted pop icon.

Some in the local political community are singing a "BAD TUNE" when it comes to the millions that it will cost the City of Los Angeles to maintain the peace from the Jackson Family Compound in Encino, with a stop at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, to the Staples Center downtown.

Councilman Dennis Zine in the Los Angeles Times and on the Kevin James Show Wednesday evening, called on the City Attorney to explore ways to recoup the full cost from the owners of the Staples Center, Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG) , and a large majority agree.

People in Downtown Los Angeles are speculating that 500,000+ may head their way and if you are looking for a place to stay?? Good Luck!! All hotels are full.

But if one is an nightowl one may consider watching the Elephants from the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus make their way from the railyards near Union Station to the Staples Center where the Big Top will open on Wednesday.

*Morning update on the "March of the Elephants" with comments from an early rising Councilwoman.

Acting mayor and city councilwoman Jan Perry sat in her car with a smile on her face as she watched the elephants trek along Washington Avenue in the wee hours of the morning. She woke up at 3 a.m. to catch a rare glimpse of the animals.

"I wanted to come down and see how this worked because I've never seen it before," she said. "I'm impressed at how quiet they are."

Here is hoping that todays festivities will not desolve into a disruptive circus and be an positive celebration of the Entertainer, Michael Jackson.

* KFI is reporting that Michael's remains will be transported to Staples Center from Forest Lawn for the Memorial.

** LAPD announces that 3,200 officers will be deploy for today's Memorial

Other Political News..........

Los Angeles School Board Member Tamar Galatzan announced Tuesday evening that she is a candidate for the City Council District Two Seat vacated by City Controller Wendy Greuel.

"Tamar Galatzan announced at Valley Glen NC tonight that she is running for CD2. Her husband, as you may remember, is Brendon Huffman, former head of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association".

Huffman, who's position with VICA now resides with Stuart Waldman will draw the ire of those in Sunland-Tujunga who remember Huffman shilling for Home Depot in their failed attempt to open a store in the S.T. (BTW Stuart, many of us involved with the Southwest Museum will not forget that you through VICA and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of the Autry National Center at last week's Board of Referred Powers hearing)

And does this mean that Political Consultant Mike Trujillo will help Galatzan and attempt to end his losing streak of failed candidates and causes ??

So with the list of candidates growing larger in CD 2, the question is who will make it to the runoff after the prelims ??

Your thoughts............

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Labor Day

The lobbyists who try to convince LA City Council members to vote in favor of their clients' projects and who direct millions of dollars to influence local elected officials are up in arms over an LA City Ethics Commission plan to require them to wear badges at official City meetings.  Some lobbyists feel the rule should be extended to representatives of homeowner groups and community activists.

It's a typo but in Labor Day themed post at LA CityWatch, SEIU LA/OC Regional Director Julie Butcher refers to the presumptive Democratic candidate as "Barack Osama."

Daily News blogger Greg Hernandez reports from the Democratic National Convention.  Among his observations was Council President Eric Garcetti welling up over speeches by Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton and that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom seemed to have more star power than Mayor Villaraigosa.


High-end retailer Neiman Marcus is coming the San Fernando Valley.  The store will open a new branch at the Westfield Topanga Mall this week.  Councilman Dennis Zine told the Daily News "We want to be better than Beverly Hills," in referring to his West Valley based district.

He lost a tough primary battle to get elected to the State Assembly but Stuart Waldman has found a place to land.  The San Fernando Valley based business advocacy group, VICA, has chosen Waldman as it's new president, replacing the husband of school board member Tamar Galatzan, Brendan Huffman, who is stepping down from the position.  Let's hope that under Waldman VICA articulates a progressive, creative business vision for the Valley that is more than car dealerships, condos and Home Depots.

Primary Post-Mortem

Presidential politics bore me to tears, and for some reason, this cycle is especially bad. The posturing, the panting pundits, the pageantry, the puppets—err, candidates. It all just grates on my nerves. So, let’s go local, because despite a record low statewide turnout, it was a fun night with a few unexpected twists in the Mayor Sam faves.

Who knew? Despite Stuart Waldman’s key endorsements and perceived front-runner status, Bob Blumenfield pulled an impressive—and decisive—53% in a four-way race. Waldman and Laurette Healey each drew 21%.

No surprise there… Fran Pavley defeated Lloyd Levine 2-to-1. Unfortunately (as others have pointed out), this doesn’t mean he will now go away. Someone, somewhere, will find him a public teat to nurse while planning his next run.

Lord, have mercy! In recent weeks, Bernard Parks locked up a series of big endorsements and the momentum appeared to be on his side, but yesterday he fell short of the magical 50%—and, um, short of Mark Ridley-Thomas by five. The two face a run-off in November. Here’s to five more months of great bloggings from Parks!

This is your open thread for the day. Feel free to gloat, lament, and analyze—or, completely change the subject.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Zuma Dogg reports that the LA City Council was bamboozled by an Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes authored law that would remove much of the Council's control over planning decisions. Speculation is that Fuentes was inspired to write the law at the behest of his mentors, City Clowncilmen Richard Alarcon and Tony Cardenas in order to facilitate development at the controversial site of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. I would imagine if the Clowncil spent less time on public proclamations for Mickey Mouse and cheerleaders and passing nonsense resolutions against the war they'd have more bandwidth to recognize shadiness right under their noses.

The Daily News endorses Assembly Candidate Stuart Waldman and State Senate Candidate Fran Pavley in this morning's paper.

Mayor Villaraigosa gets behind the wheel in the Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade Monday. One blogger forgave the mayor's "ineffectiveness" in handling the City's finances.

KNX reports that City Controller Laura Chick says the city is doing a horrible job in promoting it's tourist attractions. Chick is pushing for the city to have multi-lingual greeters at LAX, neighborhood tours and more publicizing of the various festivals held around the City.

Los Angeles World Airports is working to grow service at it's LA/Palmdale Regional Airport but its finding tough going. Currently United Airlines has two daily flights to San Francisco. The City hopes to expand the number of flights by encouraging the use of more fuel efficient turbo prop airlines, yet some passengers are leary of the planes and prefer jets. At the same time airlines are reluctant to expand into Palmdale until there's more demand; yet demand is driven by availability.

LAist repots that the state's ban on talking on your cell phone while driving finally goes into effect on July 1st. However a loophole in the law technically allows you to still send text messages while driving.

Zev Yaroslavsky has put the wheels in motion for the County to meet the State Supreme Court declared date of June 16 to allow gays to marry and get marriage licenses. To facilitate the crush, the County will open up a special branch license office in WeHo. In the meantime, the Court's ruling will mean a cash bonanza for political consultants on both sides of a coming ballot measure seeking to overturn the Court's decision on the November ballot - donations are pouring in from all over to the yes and no campaigns.

FLASH: Daily News Endorses Waldman, Pavley

Though he has to sit first through a verbal spanking from the MOLDY GREENSHEET OF RECORD, 40th Assembly District Candidate Stuart Waldman garners the endorsement of the Daily News, a significant victory for the former Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and current seat holder Lloyd Levine.

Though the News is disgusted by the spat between Waldman and chief opponent Bob Blumenfield over Blumenfield's questionable campaign financing, they gave the nod to Waldman based on his past experience and their hope once in office he'll put all this behind him. The paper also stated that fellow candidates Laurette Healey and Dan McCrory "just aren't viable candidates."

In a related story, the Daily News endorsed Levine's opponent for the Democratic nomination for the 23rd State Senate District, Fran Pavley. The News compared Levine to Blumenfield saying the Assemblyman's "tenure has been more about serving himself than the Valley."

Voters in both races go to the polls June 3rd.

Mayor Sam Scoops The LA Times; More Charges Against Blumenfield

More of the news before it happens here on the blog. We reported last week about Fair Political Practices Charges filed against 40th Assembly District candidate Bob Blumenfield by the campaign of fellow AD40 candidate Stuart Waldman. The Waldman complaint alleges illegal laundering of campaign funds by Blumenfield's father, political consultant Michael Blumenfield and the younger Blumenfield's employer, Congressman Howard Berman. Blumenfield, Sr. and Berman are accused of funneling additional campaign funds to an independent expenditure committee (IEC) that is campaigning on the candidate's behalf. Under the law individuals can contribute larger amounts to these committees than they can to individual candidates provided there is no coordination between the independent committee and the candidate. Typically these committees are formed by unions, political groups and other special interests who favor a given candidate and want to ensure their election. It is not at all common for these committees to be formed by family members and/or employers in that it's difficult to maintain the wall of separation necessary to deflect charges of coordination.

A few days after our story the LA Times picked up on the thorny issue of the Blumenfield independent expenditure committee. The article mentions "Observers say they've rarely seen a candidate's family run a campaign outside the control of the candidate, although in 2001, five brothers and other relatives and friends financed a $10,000 radio ad campaign on behalf of Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge."

The latest twist in the AD40 saga includes yet another complaint filed with the FPPC against Blumenfield. According to the Waldman campaign, a television commercial (below) released by the elder Blumenfield's IEC that features video allegedly shot by the campaign.

Corruption in AD 40 Race? Charges filed Against Blumenfeld and Healey

We all know how shady local politics are but Assembly candidates Laurette Healey and Bob Blumenfeld are quickly becoming the poster children for alleged shady dealings.

First off, we've become aware of a complaint filed with the State Labor Commissioner by a person employed by the campaign to secure Laurette Healey the Democratic nomination for the 40th Assembly District seat being vacated by Lloyd Levine. The individual claims that they were to be paid $3500 a month for their services. Three weeks into the engagement the campaign worker was asked to sign a contract. They asked if they could time to have a lawyer review it. When the worker told the Healey campaign there were elements of the contract they could not agree to; the campaign allegedly refused to pay the individual for work performed prior to the request by the campaign for a contract. To see the complaint filed against Healey, click here.

The other bad little kid in the AD 40 Democratic race is Bob Blumenfeld. A third candidate in the race, former AD 40 Chief of Staff Stuart Waldman, has filed charges with the Fair Political Practices Commission alleging that Blumenfeld's employer, Congressman Howard Berman and Blumenfeld's father, political operative Michael Blumenfeld created an independent expenditure committee - the Santa Monica based "Valley Democrats for Change" - as method to launder contributions from Berman and the elder Blumenfeld to the candidate's account. If this allegation is correct, Berman and Blumenfeld would be in violation of campaign laws which limit the amount an individual can contribute to a campaign. According to the complaint released by the Waldman Campaign, Berman and Blumenfeld reached this limit last year. Additionally, the law prohibits independent expenditure committees from working in concert with the candidate; Waldman's complaint details and alleges involvement and coordination from Berman and his staff in the Blumenfeld campaign.

In a related story, bad news for the man Waldman, Healey and Blumenfeld are seeking to replace. Levine's opponent in the 23rd Senate District Democratic race, Fran Pavley, is running 2-1 ahead of Levine in recent polls.

Blumenfeld's "Stacking the Room" Comes to Head Tonight

40th AD Democratic candidate Bob Blumenfeld got caught with his pants down around his knees trying to "stack the room" (his words) to gain the endorsement from two different Democratic organizations. In both instances the candidate failed and no endorsement was given.

Linda Sutton writing at Calitics captures the next site in the circus tour, the endorsement of the Stonewall Democratic Club. According to Sutton, the father of our favorite backstabbing nanny bachelor (you know who) bought at least 80 memberships (and hence votes) putting them on his credit card just before the deadline hit. The fun starts tonight.

In the meantime, Blumenfeld's opponent Stuart Waldman announced an endorsement that didn't require a credit card, that of Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

Mayor Sam's Afternoon Hotsheet

One of the arguments for allowing illegal immigration is that those who sneak over the border for a better life do "the jobs Americans will not do." But a major problem that illegal aliens can not help with and in fact may make worse is the growing shortage of skilled labor in California. As baby boomers retire, there are fewer doctors, nurses, computer progammers, etc. while at the same time the rise in population caused by illegal immigration creates more demand for these services. Ernesto Cortes Jr., Southwest regional director of the Industrial Areas Foundation, told the Temple Daily Telegram, “Right now we’re headed toward becoming a Third World city."

We need more police officers! There's compelling reasons for police officers to join other departments than LAPD. So the City has offered $5000 signing bonuses to new officers and $10,000 bonuses to officers who transfer from other departments. Mercury Insurance kicked in $1 million to help with it. But now the Clowncil wants to end the program (and spend the money elsewhere I guess).

You might think I'm shilling for the billboard companies, but I have no issue with the signs, especially if they're electronic ones put up along the freeway or in entertainment districts like Hollywood, NoHo, Downtown, etc. They might be too ugly for the Anglo Westside but if folks downtown want them or in other areas, let them do it. We don't need suburban blue-hair cranks telling us what to do in other parts of the City.

Mayor Gavin Newsom's fiance sounds like a bright chick. Jennifer Siebel planned to change her voter registration from Republican to decline to state. However, she instead registered with the right wing American Independent Party. Maybe he should have stayed with the 19 year old.

Just like the City, British bankers are seeing their expense accounts sliced. Most notably cut is reimbursement for trips to strip clubs and brothels (note to American readers: those are generally more accepted in Europe than in the US.)

Stuart Waldman picks up an endorsement from a teacher's union.

We don't hear much about NIMBYs in Beverly Hills but of course they have them in spades. They're against a new hotel on the site of the Beverly Hilton; though probably you'd have to live there to afford it. Swimmin' pools, movie stars.

Waldman Racks Up More Support

The Stuart Waldman for Assembly campaign reports, after interviewing all three major candidates in the 40th AD race, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the candidacy of the former Chief of Staff of Assembly Member Lloyd Levine and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

Press coverage is finally kicking in on Jamiel's Law. I corresponded earlier with Jamiel Shaw, Sr. who has been quite busy with interviews. Unfortunately, the behavior of some of our City Council members to the appearance today by the Shaw's in chambers was quite disturbing. Not daunted, the Shaws will continue on in suport of Jamiel and Jamiel's Law.

Joe Mailander has an excellent piece that touches on something we've been saying for a while but he puts it better - the Mayor is scared to death of a conservative populist movement in the City and it may find it in the anger over gang violence that is motivating the Jamiel's Law campaign.

The Daily News takes to task some Clowncil members who are also hoarding millions of dollars of taxpayer money that should go back to the general fund during the budget crisis. Chief among the hoarders is everyone's favorite "George W. Bush of LA" Zuma's friend Tom LeBong who says he has to hold on to the money so he can "deliver for his district." Is there a bigger clown on the Clowncil than LeBong? You tell me.

NIMBY/CAVE/BANANA types normally fight against condos, stores and other nasty things near their homes. I didn't think it was possible but we have a new monster in LA, the NIYBY - not in your backyard! Busybody Westside White Guys and Gals from Holmby Hills, Brentwood, et - including Wacko Jacko - al are protesting construction of an electronic billboard miles away in South LA. The billboard is supported by the local residents and the local Clowncilman because it will generate funds for much needed parkland in the area. Let's hope the South LA'ers tell the WWGGs to go to hell.

Fellow Mirthala Banger Fabian Knucklehead Nunez is holding onto $4 million meant to support Democratic candidates and the unions want it back. A spokesman for the disgraced, termed-out Assembly Speaker said nuts to you, "We don't question how labor runs its operations. It's unfortunate they don't offer the same consideration to the speaker."

I've reported on the nutty security cameras Clowncil people are squeezing Neighborhood Councils for. Many of them wind up broken due to a lack of maintenance. Our favorite ex-motorcycle cop turned Councilman Dennis Zine makes an excellent point: arrests deter graffiti, not cameras.

Stuart Waldman has yet again nabbed more big name endorsements as he rolls to the Democratic nomination for the 40th Assembly District. This time, among more unions, he picks up the support of two current Assembly Members he'll work with - neighboring seat holders Paul Krekorian and Anthony Portantino.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

OVER THE WEEKEND

Parents of a teenager allegedly murdered by an illegal alien will go to City Hall on Tuesday to call for support of Jamiel's Law, rolling back Special Order 40 protection for illegal alien criminals.

Rumors abuzz that a Latina from a Central California Coast Fishwrap of Record could be the next editor of the Daily News.

Saturday evening I had the opportunity to warm up the crowd and introduce KABC's John Phillips who was the emcee for the California Jaycees Foundation's Outstanding Young Californian Awards. Among the winners was Council President Eric Garcetti. Councilman Garcetti was nice enough to come and introduce himself to me; it was my first opportunity meeting him. Though Garcetti has pursued some things I absolutely disagree with, he is certainly the brightest person on the Council.

In Sunday's Daily News, KABC's Doug McIntyre offers his view on the sad story of the murder of Jamiel Shaw and the need to pass Jamiel's Law.

A great piece from Joe B. on how Los Angeles shanghaied Sunland-Tujunga to become part of the City of Angels.

LA POLITICS

We've told you before that Zev Yaroslavsky is running for Mayor on an anti-development platform. Marc Haefele takes a look at the Fifth District County Supervisor from a pro-Villaraigosa point of view. Zev still says he's not running. Yet.

Despite the City Clowncil's goofy ban on murder, a lot of people got shot and some were killed this weekend in the Valley. A total of 13 shootings were logged citywide. I guess the criminals didn't get the Clowncil's memo. If the Mayor and Chief Bratton want to keep putting their head in the sands on at least one of the issues driving crime, they can. But the chickens will come home to roost.

CALIFORNIA POLITICS

More support for Stuart Waldman. The Assembly candidate reports an endorsement from the 179,000 member AFSCME (AFL-CIO) California PEOPLE. This follows endorsements for the 40th AD Democratic candidate from a number of firefighter unions.

Immigrations and Custom Enforcement agents have arrested about 50 illegal aliens working in various Los Angeles area warehouses. No word on if the employers were sanctioned.

Looks like Absolut Vodka supports the reconquista. No wonder I only drink Grey Goose, Ketel One and occasionally, the cheap shit, UV.

BLOGS-LA-PHERE

If you miss your daily dose of Joseph Mailander, don't fret. You can catch Joe at his new blog, Street-Hassle and still get all your early morning hotsheets and Sunday Mimosas. In the recent Mimosa outing, Mailander exposes the usual bullshit that runs through LA. Also, there's links to the surviving better halfs of the legendary Martini Republic. It appears the best the dum dums visiting Street-Hassle can do is attack Joe's photos. Keep trying guys.

Blumenfield Suffers Party Defeat

Bad news for Democratic 40th Assembly District candidate Bob Blumenfield who was dealt a significant rebuke by the California Democratic Party during its convention this past weekend. Nearly 60% of Democratic delegates at the state convention overturned Bob Blumenfield’s endorsement recommendation, leaving the state party with a ‘No Recommendation’ position in the 40th Assembly District.

Blumenfield's opponent Stuart Waldman's campaign issued the following statement:

"The endorsement reversal on the convention floor was historic; such a turnaround has only occurred three times in the past decade. The vote was brought to the floor after Waldman’s team of volunteers successfully collected over 460 delegate signatures – far more than the 300 needed – in less than 5 hours. Waldman said, 'This was a rejection of Blumenfield’s back-room deal politics that allowed him to stack the local caucus vote with over 20 brand-new delegates. I am pleased that rank and file Democrats recognized my years of service to the party and voted to keep the California Democratic Party out of this race.' Calitics.com blogger “Robert in Monterey” wrote that the rescinded AD 40 endorsement was evidence of 'a huge divide between the party grassroots and the Sacramento leadership in particular.'"

The Waldman campaign, having received the endorsement of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, quickly claimed the support of the Democratic rank and file over Blumenfield and decried the "backroom politics" that failed to engineer an endorsement for the Congressional aide.

Is Laurette Healey Challenged When It Comes To Counting?

We've covered before 40th AD Democratic Assembly Candidate Laurette Healey's reported inability to properly account for campaign expenditures but what happens when you catch a candidate in an outright falsehood?

In an email to supporters, Healey claimed to have received the highest amount of contributions in the race. Yet, as noted below, Secretary of State figures show that distinction belongs to her opponent Bob Blumenfield who raised nearly half as much more than Healey. When it comes to cash on hand though Healey only has about a third the bank account of Blumenfield and a fourth that of other opponent Stuart Waldman.

However, according to state records Healey has spent nearly twice as much as Blumenfield and another $20K more than Waldman.



Maybe that's what she really meant - she spent the most, not earned it. Not the kind of person I want in charge of the state budget.

Jack Hoff's "This Just In!": Easter Bunny Endorses Waldman For AD40

Breaking News: In a late-Sunday night speech to The San Fernando Valley Progressive Christian Democrats Between The Ages Of Five And Six, a tired Easter Bunny endorsed Stuart Waldman for Assembly District 40...

...at least, that's what the Waldman camp claimed after reviewing the enclosed videotape.