The question is, if she becomes ProTem are we going to see more or fewer ceremonies featuring half-naked chicken-people?
Posted on 11/19/2004 7:46:08 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO -- With the FBI and a federal grand jury reportedly investigating him, incoming Democratic state Senate leader Don Perata of Oakland almost certainly faces a coup attempt by a Southern California senator who narrowly lost that leadership post to him, sources said Thursday. The ouster attempt might even be staged by another lawmaker as a new, post-election upper house begins work next month, numerous Capitol sources said on the condition their names not be used. Removal of Perata from the post of president pro tem -- the second-most- powerful elected job after the governor -- would leave the Bay Area with no top leadership posts in the Legislature as regional motorists try to dodge solely paying multibillion-dollar cost overruns on Bay Bridge work and residents attempt to weigh in on a proposed Indian mega-casino near Oakland.
Bay Area lawmakers and local officials, with the departure of longtime Senate leader John Burton, D-San Francisco, have already declared their opposition to a Legislature run by Southern California.
"For over 30 years, leadership of the two houses of the Legislature has been divided between northern and southern California," Joe Haraburda, president of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent statement. "This balance is absolutely essential to ensuring that the interests of the Bay Area are protected and advanced."
Aides to both Perata and Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, the lawmaker he edged out, said the lawmakers were not immediately available for comment in the wake of reports that the FBI and a federal grand jury are investigating the business activities of Perata and some of his associates.
A report last month, quoting senators and other sources, revealed that Escutia had been quietly working behind the scenes to overthrow Perata following his 13-11 victory over her Aug. 24 in a private vote among majority Senate Democrats.
Escutia has denied the report, but rumors persisted.
She is reportedly interested in a coup attempt when the new Legislature convenes for a brief organizing session in December, when the Senate votes on Perata's selection -- normally just a formality.
Escutia is perhaps trying to work with new, incoming lawmakers following the Nov. 2 general election, sources say.
Perata is slated to replace Burton, who was termed out. Perata has been working in recent days to consolidate his power by making committee assignments and other appointments in advance of his installation as Senate leader.
He appointed Escutia as Energy Committee chairwoman, rather than to a top leadership post.
Instead, he named Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, as Senate majority leader, and Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Los Angeles, as caucus chairman.
He also named Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, as assistant president pro tem to preside when Perata is absent and help manage legislative business.
In addition to appointments, Perata has announced plans to combine and eliminate several Senate committees, cut the number of members on each panel and reduce the number of bills introduced next session.
Some of the changes reflect core Democratic values, such as taking a "smart growth" approach to housing and transportation matters by combining them into a single committee. But Perata also said the moves will force lawmakers to focus on fewer subject areas and reduce scheduling conflicts.
At the close of the 2004 session in August, Perata appeared to stand up to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on key Bay Area issues, criticizing the governor for throwing a proposed Indian casino at the East Bay and dumping Bay Bridge cost overruns in the laps of Bay Area motorists at the last minute.
Lawmakers blocked both proposals, leaving them to be resolved in the coming legislative session.
I hope the feds take him out completely. This is the nut who keeps proposing ammo tax.
Them Dems are startin to eat their own, down there in the Crapitol!!!
Housing & transportation combined? Oh! I get it!! They'll hold their meetings in a MOTORHOME!!!
Only trouble with that is... Arnold will blow their doors off with his Hydrogen Hummer, causing their "smart growth" to become malignant, requiring chemo-therapee!!!
"Yeah... Ol pistol packin Perata has had the FBI sicked on to him by that So Cal woman that's even way left of him!!!
Them Dems are startin to eat their own, down there in the Crapitol!!!"
If the FBI has some hard leads and maybe evidence on Perata, that info probably came from one of the Southern California Rats.
The good thing about a rat civil war is that Perata will have the N California MSM Mediot Maggots defending him and the LA Slimes will be trying slit his throat. This could get really good and bloody.
We can pull up the foot rest on our Lazy Boys, have some popcorn and a good micro brew or wine and watch the news for once to see the new reality news story: Rats slicing and dicing other Rats!
You got it, Grampa! Nothing could possibly be any more entertaining!!! (grinning like a slit watermelon!!!)
Good entertainment is good to have.
The media needs it with the Peterson Trial at end... Foxnews especially!
The question is, if she becomes ProTem are we going to see more or fewer ceremonies featuring half-naked chicken-people?
Good question .. love the skull headdress , btw.
There are two things I've heard enough about to last me the rest of my life: "The Margin of Error" and SCOTT PETERSON!!!
Now that is just plain wierd and wild... Are they presenting an Award?
They were gonna sacrifice a virgin,, but had to settle for a conservative. ;-)
The half naked guy has a skull on his head....????
The Second picture and the guy on the far left.
ROFL!!!!
I know this man's brother. Different worlds.
Which one is Martha?
She's presenting a Senate resolution honoring the guy for whatever it is he does.
This PC crap goes on more and more these days using up scarce legislative floor time.
Dang, I didn't know Sacramento celebrated Mardis Gras.
ROFL!
How did you find this?
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