Bloomberg's Super-PAC spends $2.35 million to defeat Rep. Baca

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Super-PAC "Independence USA" poured an additional $2.35 million into a television advertising campaign to defeat Democratic Rep. Joe Baca of Rialto.

Baca is being challenged by fellow Democrat, state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod of Chino, in the 35^th Congressional District in San Bernardino County.

Bloomberg, a billionaire political independent who has endorsed Democratic President Barack Obama for president, in October announced that he was forming the Super-PAC to back candidates in either party who support his top causes, including tougher gun laws and same-sex marriage. The Super-PAC is targeting Baca because the mayor believes he is weak on gun control laws, he told the New York Times.

The $2.35 million will support a television ad campaign opposing Baca and supporting McLeod, according to a disclosure filed with the Federal Election Commission. That will be in addition to more than $400,000 spent by Bloomberg’s PAC on the race for mailers and other campaign material.

Baca, in a statement released Thursday, criticized Bloomberg’s campaign as being “full of lies.” Baca, first elected to Congress in 1999, is the only Democrat representing the Inland Empire in Congress.

“It is appalling that an East Coast outsider like Mayor Bloomberg is trying to dictate the outcome of a congressional race thousands of miles away,’’ Baca said.

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-- Phil Willon in Riverside

Photo: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Source: Associated Press.

Schwarzenegger performed two same-sex marriages as governor

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who opposed a California constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, officiated at the same-sex nuptials of his chief of staff, Susan Kennedy, in the governor’s office, he told CBS News.

Schwarzenegger told interviewer Lesley Stahl that Kennedy’s ceremony was one of two same-sex marriages he performed as governor during a five-month window in 2008 when gay marriage was legal in California.

Schwarzenegger also presided over the marriage of a then-aide and his same-sex partner at the then-governor’s Brentwood home.

The former bodybuilder and Hollywood star said he personally believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. But as governor, he refused to fight for Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment approved by state voters banning same-sex unions.  

Schwarzenegger made his comments during an interview with CBS News’ Lesley Stahl. The comments were not part of Stahl’s interview with the former governor that ran on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, but they were posted on the "60 Minutes" website.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento

California ethics panel fines state senator, foes of Proposition 8

The state's ethics watchdog agency gave final approval Thursday to fines against 15 public officials and campaigns for violations of state rules, including levies against state Sen. Roderick Wright and three political committees that fought a 2008 ballot measure banning gay marriage in California.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission voted unanimously to impose a combined $80,000 in fines against the three groups that fought the gay-marriage measure: No on 8 -- Equality for All, the Human Rights Campaign California Marriage PAC, and the Equality California Issues PAC.

The three committees admitted that they failed to meet deadlines for reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions they received. Proposition 8 stirred passions nationally, and the committees struggled to process thousands of small contributions sent in from all over the country, campaign officials said. The Human Rights Campaign committee made a "good-faith effort'' to comply, said spokesman Michael Cole Schwartz. 

Last month, the commission imposed $49,000 in fines against ProtectMarriage.com -- Yes on 8 for failing to properly report more than $1 million in contributions.

The panel also voted Thursday to approve a $200 penalty against Wright for failing to report a gift of more than $13,000 in travel provided by a nonprofit that paid the Inglewood Democrat's expenses to get a master's degree in international relations.

Wright said he and the Wisconsin-based Legislative Leadership Institute were not aware that the travel expenses had to be reported as gifts.

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Photo: Steve Ledoux, left, and his spouse, Mark Becktold, who were married before Proposition 8 was passed, are shown in February celebrating an appellate panel ruling striking down the measure. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Watchdog agency approves $49,000 fine against Prop. 8 campaign

The state’s campaign watchdog agency gave final approval Thursday to $49,000 in fines against the campaign committee for Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot measure banning gay marriage in California.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission determined that the campaign committee ProtectMarriage.com—Yes on 8 failed to properly file public reports disclosing late contributions and political checks over $5,000, as well as failing to properly dispose of an anonymous $10,000 contribution. An investigation concluded that more than $1 million in contributions was not properly reported.

The campaign committee admitted to the violations and agreed to pay the fines.

Los Angeles activist Ellen Sturtz called the fines "modest" and urged the commission to investigate further whether the campaign and a national group associated with it violated other laws and refer evidence to the U.S. Justice Department.

"I come here today, urging you to do your utmost to protect our democracy against those who have contempt for it, us and our laws," Sturtz told the commission.

However commission enforcement chief Gary Winuk said the investigation turned up no evidence of additional wrongdoing that would warrant further action.

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Photo: Steve Ledoux, left, and his spouse, Mark Becktold, who were married before Proposition 8 was passed, are shown in February celebrating an appellate panel ruling striking down the measure. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

California politicians praise Obama's support for same-sex marriage

Top California politicians hailed President Obama's statement of support for same-sex marriage on Wednesday.

Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles), the first openly gay person to hold that position, said he was "very proud" of the president's statement, made in an interview with ABC News.

"As with many Americans, his views on this issue have evolved toward an embrace of dignity, respect and justice for every American," Perez said in a statement.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has pushed the Democratic Party to include the issue in its national platform, said on Twitter that "love doesn't care if you're gay or straight. Love doesn't discriminate."

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) issued his own statement saying, "I have never been more proud of our President than I am today." He added, "Denying the right for any two people to marry is discrimination."

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, another outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage, called Obama's comments a "historic moment" on Twitter. "So proud to see our President come out in support of marriage equality and full equal rights for ALL Americans," he wrote.

Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in California, thanks to a state Supreme Court decision in 2008, but voters passed Proposition 8 later that year, banning it with a constitutional amendment.

[Updated 5:10 p.m.: Gov. Jerry Brown refused to defend Proposition 8 in court when he was attorney general. He posted on Twitter that, "Equality before the law is a pillar of American democracy. I applaud President Obama's support for the right of same-sex couples to marry."]

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-- Chris Megerian in Sacramento

Proposition 8 ruling sparks applause from California politicians

 

Proposition 8's demise at the hands of a federal court was roundly praised by California's top elected officials on Tuesday.

"The court has rendered a powerful affirmation of the right of same-sex couples to marry," Gov. Jerry Brown, who as attorney general declined to defend the ballot measure in court, said in a statement. "I applaud the wisdom and courage of this decision."

The current attorney general, Kamala D. Harris, said in a statement: "Today's ruling is a victory for fairness, a victory for equality and a victory for justice."

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who kicked off California's gay-marriage debate in 2004 when, as mayor of San Francisco, he ordered the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, also cheered the ruling, as did former San Francisco Mayor and current U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

The state's top two legislators, both Democrats like every statewide officeholder, also praised the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal. "This is another proud moment for Californians of conscience," Assembly Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles), who is openly gay, said in a statement.

The leader of the upper chamber of the legislature, State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), said: "Every big step forward is a step closer to eliminating discrimination in our society."

The few catcalls against the decision in Sacramento reflect the one-party nature of the town nowadays. A relatively modest portion of the small number of Republican lawmakers issued statements. Those accused the judges of ignoring the will of the people.

"Our democracy is based on the power of individuals and their right to express their voice through the ballot box," said State Sen. Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster). “This court decision not only disregarded voters’ rights, it muffled their democratic freedoms.”

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-- Nicholas Riccardi in Sacramento

Photo: John Lewis, center, and others cheer as Molly McKay reads the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal decision ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional in front of the James Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco. Credit: Dan Honda / Contra Costa Times

Gavin Newsom, who initiated California gay marriage, hails ruling

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling striking down Proposition 8 was cheered by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who kicked off the gay marriage debate eight years ago as mayor of San Francisco by allowing same-sex couples there to get marriage licenses.

"We put a human face on that issue," Newsom said at a press conference in his office in the state Capitol. "You can talk about discrimination in the abstract. You can read about it. But when you see it, it has a different impact, a different richness."

As mayor, Newsom announced in February 2004 that San Francisco would grant same-sex couples the same marriage documents that it gave opposite-sex pairs. The lines of gay and lesbian couples that quickly flocked to City Hall were swiftly broadcast on national television, and Newsom became an instant political celebrity.

The San Francisco nuptials were eventually barred by the state Supreme Court. But in 2008, the court ruled that prior bans on gay marriage violated California's Constitution. It was that second ruling that triggered the campaign for Proposition 8, which once again banned same-sex marriage in the state.

Now Newsom occupies a fairly low-profile post in state government. But, moments after the ruling striking down Proposition 8 was announced, he issued a five-paragraph statement. It began: "Today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stands as a victory for the fundamental American principle that all people are equal, and deserve equal rights and treatment under the law.  "

At his press conference he was more personal, noting that his own father had initially opposed same-sex marriage in 2004 but has since changed his mind. The public, Newsom said, is doing the same.

"This is the one last big piece of the civil rights movement," he said, "and it's happening in our time."

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-- Nicholas Riccardi in Sacramento 

Photo: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated at the 2004 wedding of octogenarians Del Martin, left, and Phyllis Lyon, right, a ceremony that kicked off the same-sex marriage debate in California. Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez / AFP/Getty Images

Attorney general debate: Kamala Harris, Steve Cooley clash

Kamala Harris and Steve Cooley exchanged harsh words in a spirited first debate Tuesday, the only scheduled face-off between the two major-party candidates for California attorney general.

Republican Cooley focused on Harris' refusal to seek the death penalty for the killer of a San Francisco police officer. And Democrat Harris criticized Cooley for his refusal to take a position on Proposition 23, the November ballot measure that would repeal the state's greenhouse-gas law.

Cooley also took a swipe at Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown for championing local control on the campaign trail, even as he pursued legal action against cities for violating state environmental laws.

The debate covered a wide range of issues, including marijuana legalization, gay marriage, the federal healthcare law, as well as the state prisons.

Harris said that state officials "must comply" with mandates handed down by three federal judges who were currently holding the state's prison system in receivership. Cooley said he would fight the judges' recommendations to the state's highest court.

"The experience with these panels and these recommendations is they are very costly, often very ineffective, and I would appeal the decisions of the three-judge panel all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," he said.

And Cooley said he would not hesitate to collect his local pension if he were elected attorney general. The attorney general makes about half of what Cooley currently collects as Los Angeles district attorney.

"I've definitely earned any pension rights I have," the candidate said.

When asked for a response, Harris said with a laugh, "Go for it, Steve. You've earned it; there's no question."

Live coverage of the debate is available here.

-- Anthony York in Davis, Calif.

First Take: Execution canceled. Whitman versus Allred. Schwarzenegger's signatures and vetoes.

State officials have called off the execution of Albert Brown, who was originally scheduled to be put to death this week.

The public-relations battle between Meg Whitman and Gloria Allred continues Thursday morning, with both appearing on "Good Morning America" and Allred scheduling another press conference for noon Thursday.

In case you missed it, Allred appeared with former Whitman housekeeper Nicky Diaz to allege mistreatment at a press conference in Los Angeles Wednesday. Whitman acknowledged she hired Diaz, who was in the country illegally, but said she was unaware of her immigration status.

Still no budget deal, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed and vetoed more than 200 bills Wednesday. He has until Friday to act on the remaining legislation on his desk.

Vaughn R.Walker, the federal judge who ruled California's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, announced his retirement Wednesday.

-- Anthony York

 

Brown rips Whitman's jobs plan, defends climate-change law and his decision not to fight for Prop. 8 [Updated]

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown tore into Republican rival Meg Whitman on Thursday morning, accusing the billionaire of having a major conflict of interest concerning her proposal to eliminate state taxes on capital gains.

“Her so-called jobs plan, which is as phony as a three-dollar bill, is to give tax breaks to herself in one of grossest conflicts of interest I’ve ever seen in a campaign,” Brown said during his weekly interview on KGO radio in San Francisco.

Whitman has said previously that several other states do not tax capital gains and that such a move would spur investment and spending.

Brown on Thursday countered that the proposal would rip a $5-billion hole in the state’s already troubled finances and that, instead of providing tax relief for ordinary Californians, it would only benefit the wealthiest who have investment income.

“It’s a gigantic ripoff,” Brown said.

[Updated at 9:34 a.m. The Whitman campaign said her proposal will spur job growth. "Jerry Brown's nonsensical statements are further proof that he will do anything to protect the status quo and appease the unions who have raised and spent $18 million in support of his campaign. Millions of middle-class Americans and retirees pay the capital gains tax every year," said spokeswoman Andrea Jones Rivera. "Meg's plan encourages people to invest their money so more jobs can be created -- something this economy desperately needs."]

Pressed for how he would revive the economy, Brown pointed to his green-jobs plan, which he said would create 500,000 jobs over the next decade.

He criticized reports that attorneys general from four other states are preparing a legal challenge to AB 32, the state’s landmark global-warming law, if it is not put on hold by voters in November. He said the law would reduce dependence on oil, which would be good for the environment, the economy, national security and public health.

“Those four AGs, those states, they are either unwilling dupes or conscious allies of not only oil companies from Texas, but oil companies from Iraq, Nigeria, Venezuela, all the people who enjoy grabbing our dollars because of our oil addiction,” Brown said.

Brown, the state’s attorney general and a supporter of same-sex marriage, also defended his decision not to appeal a legal ruling that found Proposition 8, which denies gay couples the right to marry, unconstitutional. The state Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to force Brown and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to defend the proposition, which was passed by voters in 2008.

Brown said he took an oath to uphold state and federal law, including the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which says that no person shall be denied equal protection of the law.

“The federal law is supreme and takes precedence over state law,” Brown said.

Whitman has said that if she were elected governor, she will appeal the ruling. The former EBay chief supports civil unions for same-sex couples, but opposes gay marriage.

-- Seema Mehta in Los Angeles