California Insider

The government is spying on peace protestors in Sacramento and killing a 92-year-old woman in Atlanta after breaking down her door in a "no-knock raid" while looking for a drug dealer. Maybe it is time for the government to take a time-out.

Steve Maviglio, the Democrats' master spinner, takes a turn at defending the Capitol's Republican leadership with this piece detailing all the GOP achievements in this year's budget deal and the bond package.

An excerpt:

There were no new taxes -- the bottom line of all Republican legislators. In addition, Republicans negotiated nearly $3 billion in debt pay down; got a larger reserve than the Governor proposed; held the line of fees; won full funding for transportation and a pay down of transportation loans; forced into law a different school funding formula that helped suburban, Republican districts as well as more local control; and received mandated reimbursements for local government.

Despite their rhetoric about spending and new programs being the problem, Republicans sought -- and received -- funding increases for Valley Fever programs and the new Central Valley Partnership. (Apparently Republicans are only against new spending and programs unless they are for them.)

The most public battle of the budget also was a Republican “victory” – the denial of funding for children’s health program expansion proposed by Governor.

On the bonds, Republicans also won the only specific transportation earmark -- $1 billion for Highway 99. In the education bond, Republicans won $1 billion for charter schools and career technical education (the largest amounts ever). Democrats also included dozens of other Republican demands.