California Faultline

Remember when it used to be a badge of shame and a tarnish on one’s character to file for bankruptcy? No?

Yesterday the Vallejo City Council voted unanimously for the city to file Chapter 9.

The city faces a $16 million deficit in the 2008-2009 budget starting July 1 and unsuccessfully negotiated with its police, firefighter and electrical workers unions for contract concessions through 2012. Public safety salaries comprise 74 percent of the city’s general fund budget. [NBC11]

According to “‘ol reliable” (Wikipedia), Councilwoman Stephanie Gomes blamed “exorbitant salaries and benefits for Vallejo firefighters and police officers” that consumed 80% of the city’s budget. “98 firefighters made more than $100,000 and 10 made more than $200,000 including overtime.”

One dissenting voice was John Riley, president of the International Association of Firefighters, who believed the city hadn’t exhausted all options and would now call for an independent state audit

NBC11’s brief history of California’s other local bankruptcies:

Orange County declared bankruptcy in the 1990s after then-Treasurer Robert L. Citron borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars while speculating in high-risk securities investments that depended on low interest rates.The county lost $1.64 billion. Desert Hot Springs also filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

STATEWIDE

A new “Top Two” primary voting system could be coming to California soon, wherein voters vote for anyone on the ballot. “The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general.” [Politics, Anyone?]

While on break this week eight state Assembly member have headed to Spain and Japan to learn more about high speed rail, solar power, and public-private partnerships. [Sacramento Bee]

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen has been awarded the JFK Profile in Courage Award for her handling of flawed electronic machines. [California Progress Report]

A federal judge has thrown out a California challenge to a national abortion law signed by Pres. Bush in 2004 allowing for “harsh financial penalties on states that discriminate against doctors who refuse to provide abortions.” [LA Times]

LOS ANGELES

Long Beach City Council approved a new on where sex offenders can live, limiting offenders to one per residential building, and none within 2000′ of child-care centers, parks or schools. [Long Beach Press-Telegram]

The City of Glendale has purchased an 85-year old sanitarium it hopes to convert in a library. [Glendale News Press]

David Zahniser of the LA Times finds the City of LA’s definition of a lobbyist to be confusing and ripe for abuse. (the def: “anyone who is paid to work 30 hours on a specific city project over a three-month period and who makes one verbal contact with a single policymaker during that time.”)

ORANGE COUNTY

Mission Viejo city council is trying to see if existing laws can be used to curb day laborers, such as their current “anti-trespassing” law, or even something within the state vehicle code. [OC Register]

Government agencies and services Orange County will now be officially rebranded as being from the “OC” to capitalize on the popularity of the TV show. I’m not kidding. [OC Register]

ELSEWHERE IN CALI

Bakersfield area churches pipe in on the Obama/Wright controversy. [Bakersfield Californian]

In November a Vallejo man was mayor for a single day when a close election appeared to be in his favor - a recount determined he’d actually lost by two votes. He since challenged the final results, and just yesterday finally dropped the case. [NBC 11]