Saturday political briefing 3.15.08

Democrats want Morse on ballot v. Denham – Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II said Friday that he was approached last month by state Senate Democratic leader Don Perata, D-Oakland, about running against Denham in a recall election. "I have listened to what has been said and presented and haven't been asked to make a decision," he said, "and I certainly haven't made a decision." Merced Sun-Star article

Costa reveals ‘super’ role in election – The phone just keeps ringing for Democratic Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno, whose popularity has soared this presidential campaign season. As a Democratic superdelegate, Costa will help select the party's presidential nominee. And he's uncommitted -- which means he's getting lobbied hard. Fresno Bee article

Top legislative staff high on salary list – Legislative staff members are more likely than most state workers to earn six figures, though Senate and Assembly staffers typically make about the same as their peers elsewhere in state government. Those and other facts were gleaned from a Bee analysis of state salary data, which has just been updated with salaries for legislative staff members and is available at www.sacbee.com/statepay. Sacramento Bee article

Sacramento Bee: Tax bill played out predictably, disappointingly – Wednesday's collision between Assembly Democrats and Republicans over a proposed tax on California oil production was hardly a shining moment for either caucus. It suggests that lawmakers are gearing up for a protracted season of political theater over the state's budget crisis. Sacramento Bee editorial

Sacramento Bee: Liz Hill for Governor? -- Someone needs to organize an exploratory committee. Liz Hill for governor in 2010. It has a ring, doesn't it? Sacramento Bee editorial

Walters: California a 'sinner' on lawsuits -- California is listed as a “sinner” when it comes to the risk and cost of liability lawsuits, according to a new state-by-state study by the conservative, San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute. Walters blog

Governor signs Ashburn bill expanding checks of caregivers – A bill authored by state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, to expand background checks for caretakers of seniors and disabled people was signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Visalia Times-Delta article

Lemoore tribe settles with state on campaign contributions – A Lemoore Indian tribe has reached a settlement with the state's political watchdog agency, agreeing to comply with state rules on reporting campaign contributions, an agency spokesman said Friday. The agreement between the Santa Rosa Indian Community and the Fair Political Practices Commission ends litigation that began in 2002. Visalia Times-Delta article

Some voters can choose ballots – Tulare County voters not identified with a particular party will be able to vote on Republican, Democratic or American Independent ballots in the June 3 primary for state and local races. Voters who cast ballots at polling places may ask for one of the party ballots. Visalia Times-Delta article

Tech titan joins McCain -- Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has promised a serious bid to win California in the fall presidential election, bulked up his dream team of Silicon Valley managers and advisers Friday by naming Atherton billionaire and outgoing eBay chief executive Meg Whitman co-chair of his national campaign. San Francisco Chronicle article