State lawmakers seek millions in earmarks for colleges, universities
Flickr photo by cliff1066Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland
Members of Congress have submitted their 2011 requests for earmarks – federal money that lawmakers direct to organizations of their choice.Requests are not a guarantee of funding, but they offer a peek at what projects might receive appropriations funding in the fiscal year that begins this October. More than 100 of the members' requests would funnel cash to California colleges and universities, which stand to reap hundreds of millions of dollars for special projects, according to a review of lawmakers' disclosures.
An analysis by the the California News Service found that Democrats in the state requested $7.5 billion for the coming year, an average of $220 million per member.
Members of Congress posted their earmark requests on their websites in recent weeks as part of a 2009 reform
Governor's school board appointee is rejected over conflicts – again
Conflict-of-interest concerns devoured another of the governor's appointees to the State Board of Education.
The Senate rejected the nomination of Jeannie Oropeza to the state education board yesterday, according to theSacramento Bee.
Oropeza is a budget analyst for the Department of Finance. Senate President Darrell Steinberg told the Bee that while Oropeza was qualified, her position at finance created a conflict.
Questions about the financial management of an Oakland charter school and staunch opposition from education
Arizona immigration law has roots in California border turmoil
The Senate rejected the nomination of Jeannie Oropeza to the state education board yesterday, according to theSacramento Bee.
Oropeza is a budget analyst for the Department of Finance. Senate President Darrell Steinberg told the Bee that while Oropeza was qualified, her position at finance created a conflict.
The point of a four-year, individual term is that it be independent. If Ms. Oropeza's day job is defending the governor's budget and helping the governor create policy, how can she under any circumstance act independently of those positions as a voting member of the Board of Education?Oropeza is the third of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's appointees to fail to be approved or confirmed in the last three months.
Questions about the financial management of an Oakland charter school and staunch opposition from education
Arizona immigration law has roots in California border turmoil
Turbulent events in California nearly two decades ago have helped create the conditions for the current backlash against illegal immigrants in Arizona.
Senate Bill 1070, the controversial law just approved in Arizona, has its roots in the anti-illegal immigrant movement that swept through California during the recession of the early 1990s and the border controls that were
Senate Bill 1070, the controversial law just approved in Arizona, has its roots in the anti-illegal immigrant movement that swept through California during the recession of the early 1990s and the border controls that were