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What will it take to get California’s government working effectively again? Proposals for a state constitutional convention died quickly earlier this year, but some other promising ideas are now struggling to gain traction instead. 
Planning for the "Rebooting California" symposium (see the full schedule here)began last spring, when many political observers expected a measure calling for a California Constitutional Convention to be on the November ballot. Now that such a gathering appears unlikely in the foreseeable future, symnposium speaker suggested an alternative, reports KRCB-TV Senior Political Analyst Dick Spotswood. Cal State Fullerton professor Raphael Sonensheir, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commision, put forward that body as a possible role model for the state.
There are several initiatives on the November 2nd ballot that address issues of governance, including two, Props 20 & 27, that focus on redistricting. Additionally Prop. 25 would lower the threshold for passing the state budget from two-thirds to 50%, while Prop 26 would extend the 2/rds requirment for approving new taxes to cover fees as well. When Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, expressed cautious support for the two ideas in tandem, Spotswood admits, it got him thinking.
Dick Spotswood blogs for the Marin Independent-Journal as The Militant Centrist.
Over the past 40 years, Sesame Street has transformed our expectations of what children’s television can and should be. And they’re still at it.
ActressSonia Manzano has played the role of Maria on Sesame Streetsince the 1970s, and before long joined the show's staff of writers, winning 15 Emmny awards in that capacity. As one of the program's most familair human faces, she says she often triggers some recognition from people she meets offstage, but it's frequently rather vague.
From the beginning, Caroll Spinney has provided the voice and characterizations for both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. This Associated Press video clip offers a look at the man inside the costume.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCpQW-k9sdw&NR=1&feature=fvwp 360x240]
California has long since met its goal of recycling at least half of the state’s waste stream. So north coast Assemblyman Wes Chesbro thinks we should reset the goal to be even higher.
Achieving further reductions in overall waste generation will require working closely with manufacturers to adjust processes and materials so that their products are more readily recyclable.
Concurrently, Chesbro suggests that the soft market for recycled materials, especially in China, may represent an opportunity for entrepreneurs in California to develop new businesses to use those materials closer to home.
Click here for updates on the ride as it comes through Sonoma County.
