The Swarm

It looks like California voters will finally get their way on whether to raise tobacco taxes.

It just won't be until the primary in February 2012.

The Secretary of State's office says that the latest initiative to qualify for the ballot is one that would raise the cigarette tax by $1 a pack, with the estimated $855 million in annual proceeds going to cancer research and smoking prevention programs.

As The Bee's editorial board noted last month, even as the Legislature slashes health programs, the vast majority of lawmakers won't look at most increases in tobacco or alcohol taxes to help plug the gaping budget deficit.

Bills last year in both the Assembly and Senate to increase cigarette taxes went nowhere fast. The last two major tobacco tax increases also came through the ballot box, Proposition 99 in 1988 and Proposition 10 in 1998.

While California is stuck, 20 states have increased their tobacco taxes in the past two years, so California's tax is 19th lowest in the country.

Sacramento's "crash tax" is back in the shop.

The City Council was supposed to vote tonight on whether to join a growing number of California cities and start billing out-of-town motorists who have wrecks.

But the city just announced that the debate has been put off -- tentatively until Sept. 14 -- at the request of interim City Manager Gus Vina, who wants more information on what other cities are doing.

The current proposal had already been revised to make clear that only at-fault drivers would be filled for the costs of the fire department responding to crashes, and to include a dispute resolution mechanism.

The Bee's editorial board, however, is still against the plan, which would make California's capital city a bad host and likely cost it more money in lost tourism revenue.

The state insurance association and small business advocacy group also oppose the "crash tax."

The fire department, which is strapped for cash like the rest of City Hall, wants to recover its costs on a sliding scale that starts at $435 any time it responds and goes to $2,275 if a helicopter is used to take the injured to the emergency room.

He was always going to face a really uphill battle.

But Paul Smith, the Republican challenger to Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, was running a feisty campaign. When I wrote last week, after Matsui visited the Bee's editorial board, that she was expected to win a third term easily, Smith left me an angry voicemail.

Today, however, he announced he is suspending his campaign due to a lack of money, and is going back to his day job selling homes.

He left himself a small out (and suggested this might be a fund-raising gambit), saying he would jump back in if he raised at least $20,000 by the end of the month.

"All campaigns must have some support from the voters and it has become apparent just relying on my bank account to pay for everything is no longer feasible," he wrote in an email to supporters.

"As of today, all precinct walks, meetings and events are canceled," he added. "I have appreciated meeting all of you and discussing issues that are important to America and to the 5th CD. I believe our message is right for America and the 5th CD. Unfortunately, unless folks start voting with their pocket books, I can no longer afford to pay the freight and continue to deliver the message that you the voter, needs to hear."

If there were any doubt, California's insurance industry made absolutely clear today how much it abhors a proposed "crash tax" in Sacramento.

Sam Sorich, president of the Association of California Insurance Companies, plans to testify Tuesday before the City Council against the proposed ordinance.

Under the plan, out-of-town drivers who are at fault for wrecks would be billed fees that would range from a minimum of $435 every time the Fire Department shows up at an accident scene to $2,275 if a helicopter is called in to transport an injured motorist.

Sorich says that if the fees are imposed, Sacramento would operate like a small-town speed trap and gouge unwary drivers.

"Sacramento is rightly proud to be the capital of America's largest state. It should be welcoming with open arms those from outside Sacramento who work in the city and visitors from around the world," he said in a press release. "Instead, the city plans to literally add insult to injury."

The insurers group also warns that if the fees are collected, rates could rise for all drivers in the Sacramento region.

The state's largest advocacy group for small businesses also opposes the "crash tax," saying that florists, pizza parlors and others that operate fleets of vehicles cannot afford any more bills.

"The local police and fire departments are there to serve and protect, not serve and collect," John Kabateck, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business, wrote in today's Bee.

The Bee's editorial board has also come out against the proposal. For its take on the latest version of the proposal, come back to www.sacbee.com/opinion on Monday.

A delegation of Roseville leaders came calling this afternoon to trumpet the city's efforts toward economic recovery and prosperity.

In September, the City Council plans to appoint an advisory committee of builders, engineers and others to look at development standards -- softening the city's reputation as tough on developers and making sure it's not putting itself at a competitive disadvantage. In October, the council plans to create a community development corporation to focus on infill development in downtown and older commercial corridors. Roseville is continuing to work on recruiting clean energy, medical and professional jobs, plus a possible satellite campus of Sacramento State University.

The Placer County city is "open for business," declared its new city manager, Ray Kerridge (shown in a Bee photo above).

He said he didn't want to dwell on his previous life as city manager in Sacramento. But with just a little goading from The Bee's editorial board, Kerridge also made clear how happy he is to be in Roseville -- and no longer in Sacramento. He resigned in February after a tumultuous four years, and started his new job June 17.

Kerridge said there's a different culture in Roseville, where the council and administrators have a good relationship and are all interested in moving forward. Of his leaving Sacramento, Kerridge said he decided: "This isn't a good environment to be working in, and I need to get out."

He even made a joke -- with a mischievous gleam in his eyes -- about the split vote by the Sacramento council last month on the latest K Street redevelopment proposal, when the four members of an ad hoc committee were outvoted by the council members not on the panel.

Kerridge's departure has remained somewhat murky. It was clear he was frustrated by the dysfunctional council, and that some council members were not happy with him. When he left, Kerridge talked about a private sector job, so it was something of a surprise when he landed nearby in Roseville.

He and Mayor Gina Garbolino provided much more of the back story today:

A headhunter hired by Roseville in November originally came up with 68 names. Kerridge was in a group of 13 that the consultant recommended for a closer look, then was one of four finalists who underwent intense vetting. He originally provided six references, but then was asked for more with both positive and negative views of him. He eventually offered 50 references, 36 of whom were contacted.

Kerridge wanted to leave after February budget work but before May, but eventually stuck it out until May when his hiring was announced. He is now the Sacramento region's highest paid city manager, with an annual salary of $237,700. But that's less than the $285,000 his predecessor was making.

Garbolino said she's heard little criticism of Kerridge's pay, even with the huge controversy started by the astronomical salaries in Bell. And she seemed confident that Kerridge is providing the vision, leadership and integrity the city wanted.