Comments on: CD10 outcome could trigger more elections

By: M. Davis

M. Davis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:57:53 +0000

You forgot to mention the name of Speaker Karen Bass. It could shake things up given the fact that the nominee possibly would need the approval of the legislature. It might also be historical!

By: Ed Riquelme

Ed Riquelme — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:16:27 +0000

If state legislative Democrats were shrewed, they would inform Republican Schwarzenegger that either a Democrat of their choosing or a GOP place holder will do. Otherwise, Democrats should make clear, they will reject every appointment and run out the clock on Mr. Schwarzenegger.

By: Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:02:15 +0000

Lisa, I was also trying to account for the fact that the non-CD 10 portion of Contra Costa gets to pay.

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:44:42 +0000

Steve,
Well, sort of. 68 percent of CD10 is in Contra Costa County. But heck, it’s better than 100 percent, right?

By: Snark

Snark — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:41:41 +0000

So, if I’m getting all this, we’re looking at some interesting scenarios.

1. A Desaulnier or Buchanan win triggers endless special elections that bankrupt local governments (maybe voters will get to use cocktail napkins for ballots this time, unless you can you pay for an election with an IOU).

2. Garamendi win gives Schwarzenegger (who has nothing to gain by apponting a democrat to replace him by the way) cart blanche to appoint a new Lite Gov who will rubber stamp oil platforms off the coast from Oregon to San Diego.

3. AD 15 is top target for GOP either way next year. If Joan doesn’t win, I hope there’s a lot more where that last 850K came from.

4. A Woods or Hampton victory means Progressives win and 1-3 are avoided.

For once, I agree with Elwood. The mind boggles.

By: Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:39:30 +0000

I had a vague memory of some sort of reimbursement for Congressional elections, but I guess that’s not right. At least CD 10 taxpayers can sleep a little better knowing that county taxpayers outside the district are sharing the burden (on the order of half of it, at a guess).

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:36:56 +0000

Hmmm, interesting question? They do say that Americans are obsese …

By: Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:34:22 +0000

Also, in my continuing efforts to avoid a cliched existence, I prefer to keep my tax burden in a fanny pack. And just out of curiosity, what portion of the taxpayer anatomy is associated with government spending and benefits?

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:32:59 +0000

Steve,

Counties, not the state, pay for legislative and congressional elections. (Counties are still hoping the state will pay for the cost of running the ballot measures in the May 19 special election.)

And since the bulk of Congressional District 10, Assembly District 15 and Senate District 7 falls within Contra Costa County, its taxpayers will bear the bulk of the costs.

By: Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:29:29 +0000

“All of which translates into millions of dollars to pay for more special elections and all on the backs of the district’s taxpayers.”

I think that’s the taxpayers of the whole state, not just the district.