California: Alberto Torrico

Days after launching his campaign for attorney general, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico is proposing a crackdown on the Legislature he will be termed out of next year.

The Newark Democrat announced legislation Wednesday that would require lawmakers to pass a state budget by June 15 each year or permanently lose their $173-per-day payment for living expenses until they send the governor a spending plan.

The measure, Assembly Bill 1411, also would bar campaign fundraising after June 15 until a state budget is passed.

"These are steps to change the public's perception of the Capitol's culture," Torrico said in a written statement.

To be honest, I (Brian) actually typed open primary without even thinking.  I thought it was funny, so I left it.  Anyway, to some links and events

• The Monterey chapter of the NAACP is having an event on Saturday night at the Seaside Embassy Suites with Bill Monning to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NAACP.  More info at their website.

• Josh Richman has the scoop on Asm. Alberto Torrico  entering the very crowded AG race.  With this being one of the few open seats vacated at the state level, there might be a few more entries here.  In addition, largely crazy person George Runner is

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will be on hand at the Capitol today with Assemblyman Alberto Torrico.

Armstrong will be highlighting the LiveSTRONG Global Cancer Campaign.

No word on whether Armstrong will also be pushing a VoteSTRONG campaign before the Assembly's floor session scheduled for Saturday, just as the Tour of California starts gearing up.

Meanwhile, SEIU members and others will be out on the south steps of the Capitol building today to urge legislators to vote "no" on the budget deal.

That would be the very same budget deal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger described Thursday as making use of his "four-legged stool" -- in other words, cuts, revenues, streamlined government and an economic package.

Democratic lawmakers are crafting a package of bills to reform family courts in California. One Assemblymember is seeking an audit of the family court system, while another has submitted a bill that would limit the types of testimony that can be used in custody proceedings.

Several other Democratic legislators are currently evaluating whether to introduce bills addressing other facets of the family courts. The legislation is being pushed by a variety of children and family groups, notably the Marin-based Commission on Judicial Excellence (CJE), which has also submitted 20 unbacked bills to Judicial Counsel.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, said she’s asking the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) to conduct an audit of family courts in Marin and Sacramento Counties.