Terrorists?

From the Washington Post-

"Our second trade priority is to encourage the Doha Development Agenda now being pursued by the World Trade Organization. This new framework is the largest negotiation of its kind in history, and it would reduce and eliminate terrorists in key industry sectors, and unfair agricultural subsidies, and open the global market in services." Maybe tariffs?

-- President Bush , at yesterday's swearing in of Rob Portman as U.S. trade representative.

Around the State

This is from the Sacramento Bee -

Reform the Capitol (not that one)
Citizens to Save California, a business group backing initiatives for Schwarzenegger, has sent packets to voters containing petitions for ballot initiatives.

The back of the large envelope exclaims that "2005 is the Year of Reform" and shows a beaming photo of Schwarzenegger. The envelope states, "Join me in reforming California so we can rebuild California." Next to those words is a picture of the Capitol dome.

Only problem? It's not the one in California. The dome depicted sits atop the U.S. Capitol.

Quote of the week
"Everyone should submit whatever they want to submit. This is true democracy and then let the people decide if they want those kinds of things."

- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Gifts

From the Union Tribune -

Councilman Brian Maienschein went to the circus. Councilman Jim Madaffer went to the opera. Councilman Ralph Inzunza got his toilet fixed.

Those are examples of gifts San Diego City Council members received last year, according to annual statements they filed with the city clerk.

Budget fun...

from the Union Tribune -

City Attorney Michael Aguirre began a high-stakes game of chicken with the San Diego City Council yesterday, saying he would block funding for next year's budget unless more money is spent on the deficit-ridden pension system.

But John Witt, San Diego's city attorney from 1969 to 1996 and a supporter of Aguirre's opponent in November's election, said the city charter allows Aguirre to reject the city's appropriation ordinance if he considers it illegal.

That's never happened to his knowledge, Witt said, but Aguirre's position leaves the council two options: give in, or ask a judge to rule that the council's funding for the budget is valid despite the city attorney's concerns.

ELECTIONS

From the Union Tribune -

Former state Sen. Dede Alpert, who was interested in being appointed temporary successor to Mayor Dick Murphy, and Councilman Brian Maienschein, who has been long interested in the job, said they would not run.

Sanders, board chairman of the local Red Cross chapter, has scheduled a news conference this morning outside police headquarters downtown to announce his candidacy.

He will join Councilwoman Donna Frye as the only other officially announced candidate to replace Murphy, who steps down July 15.