Fresno Bee Opinion Talk

Mark W. Holmerud, bishop of the Sierra Pacific synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and John T. Steinbock, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, wrote a commentary in today's Fresno Bee calling on Congress to reform health care. You can click here to read the entire commentary.

Here are their opening paragraphs:

As Congress debates the final version of health care reform in America, our representatives must remember the central teaching of the Bible and the world's major religions; we are our brother's keeper, called to protect the life and dignity of all.

Jesus lived this, reaching out to all people, especially the needy, as in Matthew 25, where he identifies with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger and the sick. This is our moral compass. We pursue justice for the vulnerable and the most needy because it is right.

In providing health care, we have shifted from this fundamental principle. Our current broken system allows profit and economic status to define who lives and who dies, who gets that life-saving procedure or drug and who does not, who gets preventive care and who goes to the emergency room with a life-threatening condition.

Comedian Paul Rodriguez, who helped lead the California Latino Water Coalition, appeared with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at an event in Los Angeles today. He suggested the next dam be named after Schwarzenegger, and talked about the water coalition:

Some of you are wondering, what the hell am I doing here? I ask that myself. I farm a little outside of Fresno, and when the water problem became very acute we got together, a bunch of (us and) formed the Latino Water Coalition and figured out what we can do.

We found a friend in Sacramento. The Governor was able to use his muscle, both figuratively and metaphorically, to wrangle these people together. And this is historic legislation and I think there will be something that this will truly be -- he will be remembered. I think we're going to name of the dams after you. It's going to be a big dam, Schwarzenegger Dam. I can see it now.

We started to lobby, the Latino Water Coalition -- by the way, you don't have to be Latino to join, you just need $5. Very easy membership. One of our members is Caucasian, we use him as a co-signer. We got together, we lobbied the 26 Latinos of the Latino Caucus and got them together.

This is a group that you couldn't get them to agree on lunch, but when it came down to it, water was important, so important they got together. And we're very, very proud of all of the members of the House and the Assembly. We're very happy to be part of this day.

One of the criticisms of the $11.1 billion water bond is that California has passed so many bonds that the financially strapped state won't be able to handle the annual debt service on this huge bond. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the bond is structured in a way that will make the debt service feasible.

Schwarzenegger and bond supporters have two big problems: The first is selling the measure to voters at the November 2010 election when the citizenry is expected to be in a rebellious mood. The second is the bond should have cost $9.4 billion, but was loaded up with extras (pork) to get the votes of lawmakers who were on the fence in supporting the historic measure. Opponents will be pointing out the pork in this bond measure during the campaign.

But we need this bond package for many reasons, including providing enough water for San Joaquin Valley farmers to grow their crops. We also need to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and have enough drinking water for the state's growing population.

You can't argue that we need to build dams for more storage capacity and then argue that we shouldn't pass a bond to pay for the dams. That would put you on the same side as the environmentalists who oppose this bond because it would help build dams for Valley farmers. So now the environmentalists are in the fiscally conservative camp, claiming the state can't afford the bond.

Legislators told reporters after the passage of the water package that the bond has been written so only about half could be sold before July 1, 2015, which would reduce the early impact on the state's general fund.

The chart below shows the state's debt service. The blue is the existing annual debt service. The maroon is the debt service for the water bond.

Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, has moved to the top of the lieutenant governor list. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will make the appointment now that Democrat John Garamendi is going to Congress. That shows the lack of clout in the Lt. Guv job, by the way. Garamendi would rather be one of 53 members of Congress from California than lieutenant governor. That's why this job is referred to as "Light Guv."

That said, a lot of politicians want the job. Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown might even come out of retirement to take the mostly ceremonial post. Capitol insiders have been passing the rumor that Brown wants the job. Finally, a lieutenant governor with some personality. But bet your money on Maldonado.

The choice of Maldonado would have something for Democrats, who must confirm the selection in the Senate. The Democrats might do that for the chance of winning Maldonado's 15th District Senate seat. No other Republican candidate for the appointment can offer Democrats that exchange.

But it's no sure thing that the Democrats would win that Senate seat because Assembly Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, might try to jump to the Senate in the special election.

The governor also owes Maldonado something for providing a key Republican vote for the budget. The GOP members didn't like that vote, and might like trading Maldonado for a conservative they can count on.

Other possible candidates for the lieutenant governor appointment are Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto; Assembly Member Mike Villines, R-Clovis; former Rep. Tom Campbell, a GOP candidate for governor, and former Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg, a Democrat who would be a placeholder until the 2012 election.

But wouldn't it be fun with Willie Brown as lieutenant governor?

UPDATED

State Sen. Dave Cogdill, the Modesto Republican, played a crucial role in representing San Joaquin Valley water and farming interests in the historic water legislation passed this morning by the Legislature. He kept the negotiators' attention on the need for a bond to pay for storage facilities, including dams and water banks. That's no small thing in the legislative talks, with so many political divisions involving water.

This is part of what Cogdill had to say after the package of bills was passed:

"Today's historic agreement is the most significant step that the state has taken in decades to invest in its crumbling water infrastructure. Nothing is more important to the state's economic prosperity than ensuring that we have water to meet California's needs now and into the future. With this plan, we can improve the state's water supply and protect the environment, without destroying our economy. ... This agreement also delivers on the expectation that California taxpayers have for lawmakers to put aside partisan differences to achieve common sense solutions that benefit the entire state."

State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, also is praised for his work on the water package in this Bakersfield Californian editorial.

Here are other quotes on the water package from Fresno-area politicians:

-- Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin:

"This is an historic step that is profoundly important to the future of Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley and the entire state of California. Our region and our state simply could not succeed if we didn't address our water infrastructure challenges. This action should serve as a real turning point in making sure that we have water to meet our needs, both now and in the future. Our Valley legislators deserve our strong praise for continuing to push this complex and contentious issue forward. I also want to particularly commend Gov. Schwarzenegger for his commitment and leadership on this issue."

-- Fresno Council Member Henry T. Perea:

"I really believe that this has been a bipartisan effort to come up with the best possible water reform. When these bonds come before the voters next year I urge them to vote yes and help us start a new era of water management policy in California."

UPDATED

This just in from Mayor Ashley Swearengin's office: "Eddie J. Aubrey of Federal
Way, Wash., who has 29 years of public service experience as a former police officer,
deputy prosecuting attorney and judge, as the city of Fresno's first director of the Office of Independent Review."

Here's today's story in The Bee about the appointment.

This is what city officials said in their news release Wednesday:

"As director of the Office of Independent Review, Aubrey will work independently of the Police Department chain of command to provide City policymakers and the public with an objective, third-party analysis of internal investigations to ensure those investigations are conducted in a thorough, fair and unbiased manner.

"The role of independent reviewer requires excellent analytical skills, research ability, investigative skills, knowledge and experience in the profession of law enforcement, problem-solving, integrity, forthrightness, innovation, transparency and effective communication," Souza said. "Eddie Aubrey has demonstrated throughout his career that he possesses all of those essential characteristics."

Mayor Swearengin also said Aubrey's background will put him in a "unique position" to carry out the responsibilities of the independent reviewer.

"Eddie Aubrey's experience as a police officer, prosecutor and judge will give him a
360-degree view of the issues that the independent reviewer will be called upon to
address," Mayor Swearengin said. "Combined with his integrity, excellent communication skills and strong commitment to reaching out to the community, he will be a catalyst in ensuring that there is trust between law enforcement and Fresno residents."

That means there will be some disruption to the normal traffic flow this weekend, especially from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday morning, in Northeast Fresno and Clovis. Plan ahead: How will you get to your church that morning, if that's part of your Sunday routine?

A lot of people complained about the road closures and disruptions last year. This year, the course has been changed -- Willow Avenue will be open during the entire race this year. Other streets will open as soon as the race passes, instead of staying closed until 2 p.m.

Two Cities Marathon Road Closure Schedule (Fresno)

• Friant Road (Audubon to Willow) Closed 5:00 am - 2:00 pm


• Teague at Willow intersection Closed 6:00 am - 11:00 am


• Shepherd Ave (Friant to Willow - eastbound) Closed 6:00 am - 8:30 am


• Shepherd Ave (Friant to Willow - westbound) Closed 6:00 am - 11:30 am


• Cedar at Shepherd intersection Closed 6:00 am - 11:30 am


• Maple at Shepherd intersection Closed 6:00 am - 11:30 am


• Chestnut at Shepherd intersection Closed 6:00 am - 11:30 am


• Audubon (Friant to N. Del Mar - westbound) Closed 5:00 am - 2:00 pm

• Peach Avenue and Alluvial Avenue at the Old Town Clovis Trail Crossing


• Pollasky between Old Town Trail Exit (north of Sierra near Dewitt) & Eighth (partial between Sierra / Dewitt)


• Clovis Avenue both north and southbound between Eighth Street and Fifth Street


• Clovis Avenue southbound between Fifth Street and Sierra Avenue


• Eighth Street between Pollasky Avenue and Clovis Avenue


• Fifth Street between Pollasky Avenue and Sunnyside Avenue


• Sunnyside Avenue between Fifth Street and Davis E. Cook Way


• Tollhouse Avenue between Sunnyside Avenue and Fowler Avenue


• Fowler Avenue southbound between Tollhouse Avenue and Los Altos Avenue


• Clovis Adult School -- Los Altos Avenue and David E. Cook Way

Willow Avenue will remain open at all times during the event and is the main north and southbound route.

A complete list of road closures and times is listed below and can also be found on the city of Fresno website at www.fresno.gov/traffic.

The road closures are the bad news. The good news is that this event is back, and bigger than it was last year, its inaugural year. Last year, it was limited to 3,000 runners. This year, 5,000 will take to the streets (it's at 96% capacity right now, and is expected to sell out this week).

The number of volunteers has been increased as well (I'll be one of them, working at the expo on Saturday), in hopes of smoothing out rough spots and achieving a balance between keeping runners satisfied so they'll want to come back and do this again, and making residents happy so they'll want to support this event.

Why should Fresno and Clovis residents embrace this event? Because runners travel, from other states and even other countries to take part in races that are well-run, well-supported, scenic, in a temperate climate, on a flat, fast course, any number of reasons. And while those runners are here, they support our hotels, our restaurants, our economy.

So go out and cheer on the athletes. Plan ahead and be patient if road closures delay your travel a little. Recommend good restaurants to people visiting our area. And invite them back next year.

Supporters of gay marriage lost a crucial vote in Maine Tuesday in an election that had national implications on the trend toward acceptance of same-sex marriage. Maine's voters repealed a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed. But this is what has supporters of gay marriage worried: The issue has been defeated in all 31 states in which voters have had a chance to cast ballots on the question.

The polls had the measure close in Maine, but the opponents of gay marriage were able to pull ahead at the end. The final vote was not close with the measure going down on a 53% to 47% vote.

It was a year ago that voters in California overturned same-sex marriage when they passed Proposition 8.

In response to my blog posting on Sunday criticizing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his administration for the problems on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and other infrastructure challenges in the state, the administration just emailed this statement. It is from Dale Bonner, the governor's cabinet secretary for California's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

Opinion Talk Blog Editor and Readers,

As Sacramento nears a monumental water deal to rebuild our state's aging water infrastructure to ensure water reliability for more than 23 million Californians, it makes little sense for The Bee to attack the Governor's infrastructure credentials.

The Governor takes matters like those of the emergency closure of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge very seriously. Public safety is this Governor's top priority. Caltrans took the necessary precautions to test the Bridge repairs and ensure driver safety. The Governor and I take the commutes of more than 280,000 people very seriously -- but even more important are the lives and safety of those commuters.

It's no secret that the bridges in the Bay Area need to be upgraded, as do several other infrastructure projects in the state. That's why in 2005, the Governor signed AB 144 to complete and finance the construction of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and to contribute an additional $630 million in state funds for seismic retrofitting for Bay Area bridges. Caltrans worked along with federal, seismic and academic inspectors who signed off on the repairs before the bridge re-opened to ensure public safety.

In 2006, the Governor supported and won voter approval for $42 billion in general obligation bonds for education, housing, levee repair, flood control, parks and transportation. Further, the Governor formed the group Building America's Future with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2008, and they've lobbied the White House to spend more than $1.6 trillion in infrastructure investment in the next five years, as well as to make infrastructure improvements a key component in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - through which the state has captured billions of dollars to repair and improve highways and roads.

To say that there is lack of concern for an event like the emergency closure of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge or for the state's infrastructure is absurd. Caltrans worked along with federal, seismic and academic inspectors who signed off on the repairs to ensure public safety, and I'm happy to report that as of this morning, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is open for travel.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could be choosing his own lieutenant governor if a special congressional election goes as predicted on Tuesday. Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is expected to win the 10th Congressional District seat, That would vacate the lieutenant governor's post.

The Sacramento Bee reports a long list of possible appointments, including Assembly Member Mike Villines, R-Clovis, and Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto. Here's more from the SacBee story:

Political consultants have thrown out several names as possibilities. Chief among them has been state Sen. Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican from Santa Maria who provided a crucial budget vote in February and who often advocates on the governor's behalf.

Another possibility is Assemblyman Mike Villines of Clovis, who was replaced as Assembly Republican leader this spring after striking a tax-hike budget compromise with Schwarzenegger and Democrats. For the same reason, some have mentioned ousted Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto as a possible pick.

But there's a catch: Any nominee must avoid rejection by majorities in the Senate and Assembly, which means Democrats have a huge say. In 1989, for instance, now-Rep. Dan Lungren made it through the Assembly as Deukmejian's nominee for attorney general but couldn't get past Senate Democrats.

Radio talker Rush Limbaugh said on Fox News Sunday that President Barack Obama has a big ego. This is a subject that Limbaugh has some expertise in.

"I think he's got an out-of-this-world ego," said Limbaugh. "He's very narcissistic. And he's able to focus all attention on him all the time. That description is simply a way to cut through the noise and say he's immature, inexperienced, in over his head."

The AP reported that Obama adviser David Axelrod responded for the administration.

"I think it's a surreal day when you're getting lectures on humility from Rush Limbaugh. ... The fact is that he is an entertainer. The president has to run the country," Axelrod said.

UPDATED

One of the raps against the Schwarzenegger administration is the lack of attention to details on matters affecting the daily life of Californians. The emergency closure of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is the latest example. The bridge was shut down after two rods and a crossbar broke Tuesday evening, with a couple of tons of the bridge landing in the traffic lanes.

This was the result of shoddy construction over Labor Day on work overseen by the state Department of Transportation. Caltrans has no idea when the bridge will reopen, even with crews working around the clock to repair the latest damage. This afternoon a Caltrans spokesman said motorists should not plan on using the Bay Bridge for their Monday morning commute.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger needs to assure Californians that he's taking the Bay Bridge fiasco seriously and will move quickly to see that that state's infrastructure isn't endangering residents. This should be a wake-up call to fix the state's bridges, levees and related infrastructure. The state's politicians invariably wait for a crisis before fixing infrastructure problems. Why haven't we heard more from Schwarzenegger on this?

But it seems that it's business as usual in Sacramento. I'd like to see a little more sense of urgency out of the governor. What other bridges, levees and freeways are about to fail? Where is the independent investigation of the Bay Bridge construction problems?