Antonio Villaraigosa for governor in 2014? What are his chances against Brown, not to mention the others who might be in the same primary – Newsom, Harris, Chiang, even Lockyer?

Brown wins. Next question.

If it’s time to contemplate 2014 let’s go long: Philandering politicians Villaraigosa and Newsom split the middle-age-males-in-crisis vote; turnout disappoints Brown

“Getting rid of term limits in conjunction with a return to a part-time Legislature. Brown’s thinking about this. What do you think?”

It’s Back to the Future … or should we say Forward to the Past!  Part-time Legislatures work well in other states.

I’m betting a part-time Legislature would poll (before arguments) at about 75

“Dwindling property values are slamming the counties and, in turn, the state. Is it time, finally, to repeal Proposition 13?”

An interesting question if doing so meant property taxes would go down. If nothing else, it’s time to repeal how Prop. 13 has frozen property taxes for businesses/commercial properties.

Absolutely not. Raising taxes will increase

“What’s your take on the independent redistricting commission? Court fights, VRA problems, partisan criticism, communication issues, etc., but is it doing its job and will we be better off because of it?”

Commission was a great idea but has had poor execution.  They have spent all their time determining communities of interest and have yet

“CSU raised its tuition for the second time in less than a year and approved a $100,000 salary boost for a new chief at the San Diego State campus. UC is recruiting out-of-state students because they pay more. What’s wrong with this picture?”

It’s often said that you get what you pay for.  San Diego

“How about a report card for Gov. Brown after six months in office? No pass-fail here: looking for a letter grade of A through F.”

B for legislative relations, D for communications, and an E for effort.

A solid D. He spent the entire first five and a half months in office closeted in Sacramento

“A question that arises with the passage of the latest budget and next year’s elections: Are California Republicans irrelevant?”

They are close to irrelevant – and richly deserve to be so. They had a chance to negotiate some real reforms with Brown, but their ideological blinders wouldn’t let them see that in politics, you have

An amazing move: The controller, on his own dime, blocks lawmakers’ pay. A great decision and a boon for Brown or the first move in a constitutional crisis?

The only decision. Legislators: Shut up and deal.

Neither, the controller was in a proverbial box.  No clear deal in sight, but certain litigation follows.

Given

The new redistricting maps will be released Friday. Assuming – a big assumption – that more districts will be competitive, what does this mean for 2012? Will Democrats get a two-thirds control of the Legislature?

The maps do not guarantee the Dems two-thirds; they could get to two-thirds but they would have to do it

A “paycheck protection” initiative is brewing for next year’s ballot. If it qualifies, what impact do you think it will have on the election?

Unleash the hounds.

Ironically, “paycheck protection” will motivate the Democratic base to turn out more than the Republican base.

The same impact it always has: to rev up and turn