Ex-Brown adviser: ‘powerful interests’ run state

Most Californians sense that special interests, not voters, run the state. That’s why voter turnout hit record lows last November. And it’s why the Legislature scores so low on opinion polls. A PPIC survey last year found only 36 percent of Californians approve of the Legislature’s performance — despite the general increase in the state economy of recent years.
Steve Glazer, a former top adviser to Gov. Jerry Brown, recently explained the pressures faced by majority Democrats in the Legislature:
During a panel conversation on the impact of California’s top-two electoral system Friday, Glazer said Democrats who disagree with labor unions on school, budget and pension issues have been “demonized” by influential elements of their own party.
“The Democratic Party is controlled by some very powerful interests,” Glazer said at the forum, organized by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, “and most Democrats who have ambition are intimidated by that circumstance.”
In his Assembly race last year, labor unions backing Democrat Tim Sbranti worked against Glazer, a more conservative Democrat, in the primary election. Sbranti advanced but was defeated in the general election by a Republican, Catharine Baker.
One theme we have advanced at CalWatchDog.com is that a one-party state eventually sees fissures develop in the majority party. That may be what we’re seeing happen here.
More “conservative” Democrats, such as Glazer — and at least on budget prudence, Brown — face the free-spending ways of more “liberal” Democrats, such as state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles.
Right now, Brown has the edge because of his long experience in California politics, dating back to the late 1930s when his father, Gov. Pat Brown, was a young and ambitious politician. Jerry Brown also understands that, in state politics, balancing the budget is the key to everything else.
But after Brown leaves state politics, his less experienced successors will not have that edge, and the “powerful interests” may grow yet more powerful.
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Hey Steve
You know me amigo
Remember what I told ya about Borrloff and the csea thing?
It’s always this way no matter who is in office!
Marbury v. Madison, first case ever by the SCOTUS!
“…Democrats who disagree with labor unions on school, budget and pension issues have been “demonized” by influential elements of their own party.”
Why we call them DemoNcrats.
The RAGWUS is going to die of its own accord! 🙂
What does RAGAS mean again Duncey?
Someone said Ragu is a secret sauce consumed by Ragwhanetti on ancient scroll orders of Ragwhanatus who was Nero’s match maker and brother-in-law of Caligia’s fun and games emissary to the Roman Senate.
Ragu is reportedly available on every third leap year at Capt. Jacks in seedy Sunset Beach On Columbus Day and St. Anthony’s Day.
Solves that problem-
It was?
Ragwis? Is a sauce?
Some say it is a secret Templar spin off when they landed in Half Moon Bay about ten years after Charlemagne died.
Supposedly Peter Paul and Mary were picnicing on the beach and were inspired to write many of their songs about the Raggers!
Dang, ya go away for one day and the site completely changes…
Bob Boo
They issued a treasure map to navigate this dog! Did you get Yours?
I’ve been spreading this website around on twitter and every where I post to recall Brown. Is that even still valid? How many signatures are needed if it is. I’ll go door to door if it’s under 1,000