Senate Republican Caucus
Daily Briefing
James L. Brulte, Chairman
Wednesday, August 25, 1999



PETER SCHRAG COLUMN

School Accountability -- Fast Road To A Voucher?

Anyone who wants to know how quickly noble political slogans turn into administrative sausage need look no further than the recently enacted California Public Schools Accountability Act and the convoluted processes it now sets in motion. Sacto Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/voices/news/voices05_19990825.html

BUSINESS

Davis, Lawmakers Move To Save Indian Gaming

Hours after a California Supreme Court ruling placed the future of Indian gambling in flux, key lawmakers and Governor Gray Davis began scrambling to help tribes keep their casinos and avoid a costly initiative war next year. SF Chron

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/25/MN31780.DTL

EDUCATION

State Senate To Consider Confirmation Of Bergeson

Former Orange County lawmaker Marian Bergeson returns to a familiar spot today--the hot seat--as a state Senate committee considers her nomination to the State Board of Education over the opposition of teacher unions and minority activists. LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/POLITICS/CALPOL/t000075866.html

A Visible Revolution In California Schools

After decades of duct tape and prayers, aging California school districts are in a construction renaissance. SF Chron

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/25/MN29894.DTL

HEALTH and HUMAN SERVICES

Needle Exchange Bill Sent To Davis

After an emotional debate on the influence of illegal drugs in modern culture, a sharply divided state Senate on Tuesday sent Gov. Gray Davis a bill to legalize needle-exchange programs for drug users in an effort to reduce the spread of disease. Sacto Bee

http://www.capitolalert.com/news/capalert01_19990825.html

NATIONAL NEWS

Bush Builds Lead In State Among GOP Hopefuls

Texas Governor George W. Bush has bolstered his lead among California GOP voters, but remains locked in a virtual dead heat with Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 presidential race, a new California Field Poll shows. SF Chron

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/25/MN107366.DTL

MISCELLANEOUS

State Senate OKs License Plate In Reagan's Honor

With overwhelming bipartisan support, the state Senate on Tuesday approved a new license plate bearing former President Ronald Reagan's likeness to raise money for his presidential library. LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/POLITICS/CALPOL/t000075781.html

State Bar Reform Bill Sent To Governor

Legislation intended to reform the State Bar and set its annual dues for member lawyers at $395 was given final approval Tuesday by the state Senate and sent to Gov. Gray Davis. Sacto Bee

http://www.capitolalert.com/news/capalert06_19990825.html

SACTO BEE EDITORIALS

New Gambling Measures Likely Headed For Ballot

Still, if gambling must be allowed on Indian lands, an agreement negotiated by the governor and the Legislature that limits the scope of gambling as much as possible and that considers the interests of the wider public is clearly preferable to an initiative pushed by gambling tribes and their greedy consultants.

http://www.sacbee.com/voices/news/voices01_19990825.html

SJ MERCURY EDITORIALS

Our Hope Against Gridlock

Credit Jim Cunneen for going against the grain when the political reality is no pain, no gain. Twice in recent editorials we've singled out the Republican assemblyman as one member of his party who might be maverick enough to support a tax proposal authored by John Burton, the top Democrat in the state Senate. SCA 3 would make it easier for voters to approve sales taxes for transportation.

http://www.sjmercury.com/premium/opinion/edit/PASSTHATTAX4.htm

LA TIMES EDITORIAL

Indian Gambling, New Chapter

Just as it was predicted that Proposition 5 would not lay the matter of Indian lands gambling to rest, the latest court decision is just another stop on a deep-pockets legal excursion fought by the tribes and Nevada casino gambling interests.

http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/COMMENT/t000075764.html

Yes To Safer Theme Parks

Supports a bill by Tom Torlakson to increase oversight of permanent theme parks.

http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/COMMENT/t000075767.html

SF CHRONICLE EDITORIALS

Sunshine In State Prisons

California has severely limited one-on-one interviews and confidential correspondence between inmates and journalists. Gov. Davis will soon be forced to make a decision on whether to change the rules. A measure to repeal the restrictions, AB1440 by Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, has just cleared the state Senate this week. 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/25/ED21493.DTL

An Initiative's Bad Bet

It would be tempting for the electorate to simply lash out at the six justices for overruling the 63 percent of Californians who voted to allow casino-style gambling on Indian land. But, in reality, the court rejection of Proposition 5, while a close call, was on solid legal footing.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/25/ED45097.DTL