Free Republic

SACRAMENTO -- -- The state's ethics agency announced fines Monday against former state Sen. Martha Escutia of Whittier for failing to properly disclose at least $340,000 in payments made by 17 special-interest firms and campaigns to her then-husband's political consulting firm. The state Fair Political Practices Commission also announced fines against former Gov. Gray Davis, related to the campaign fund he used to fight the 2003 recall that removed him from office. He failed to fully disclose $187,381 in unpaid expenses and a late contribution, and he did not keep some records required for donors who gave $5,000 or more,...

Hoping to appeal to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's immigrant roots, educators and legislators Thursday called on the Austrian-born leader to support the use of special textbooks geared toward students born outside the United States. "You're also an immigrant. You still know exactly what I'm talking about, governor," Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Whittier, said during a news conference promoting her bill aimed at bridging the gap between native and non-native students. Senate Bill 1769 would require the state Board of Education to develop an approach to teaching reading and writing that incorporates English instruction for non-native speakers. Advocates envision textbooks and teaching materials...

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...