News

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    On Being Propositioned

    Byadmin

    There is a complicated inter-relationship between various propositions on the November ballot.  Prop 30 (the governor’s tax initiative) is paired against Prop 32 – a “paycheck protection” initiative that would largely cut unions out of political funding which often means funding Democrats.  Prop 32 is thus supported by Republicans and has gotten considerable campaign support from CharlesMunger. Prop 30 is also paired partly against Prop 38 – the MollyMunger school tax initiative.  So you have to keep track of your Mungers who are both aligned against 30 but not 32.  (Molly is the liberal who wants more money for schools…

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    Obamajam coming Sunday-Monday

    Byadmin

    Another Obama fundraiser coming to our general neighborhood: LAPD is suggesting avoiding the streets listed below in the UCLA and Westside area: Sunday 12:30-2:30 p.m.Pico Boulevard between Overland Avenue and Beverly Drive.Avenue of the Stars between Beverly Glen and Doheny Drive.Sunset Boulevard between Beverly Glen and Doheny Drive. 3-5 p.m.Sunset Boulevard between Beverly Glen and Doheny Drive.N. Whittier Drive between Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. 5-7 p.m.Avenue of the Stars between Wilshire and Pico Boulevards.Motor Avenue between Pico Boulevard and the 10 Freeway.Streets around L.A. Live and the Nokia Center. 9:30-11:30 p.m.Motor Avenue between National Boulevard and Pico Boulevard.Avenue of the…

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    One Bill That Got Away (from our attention last month)

    Byadmin

    As Governor Brown was signing or vetoing bills last month, we tried on this blog to point to those affecting UC.  However, one – AB 1955 – got away from us and escaped our attention.  It deals with the aftermath of the UC-Davis pepper spray incident.  As is often the case, while the bill mandates CSU to do something, it just “requests” the Regents to do the same because of UC’s constitutional status.  Gov. Brown signed this bill which you can read below: AB 1955, as introduced, Block. Public postsecondary education: campus law enforcement agency and student liaison. Existing law…

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    Cautionary Note About CalPERS Long-Term Care

    Byadmin

    Although UC employees are not covered by the basic CalPERS retirement plan, they are eligible to buy long-term care insurance through CalPERS as state employees, if such policies are offered. Some UC employees, who would be reluctant to buy such policies from commercial insurance companies, may have bought or considered the CalPERS version in the past. Today’s Sacramento Bee carries a cautionary story for you, if you have bought a CalPERS long-term care policy or might consider doing so in the future (if they are again offered).  Excerpts below: …CalPERS is considering imposing a 75 percent increase in premiums on…

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    Preliminary Announcement: Nov. 7 Forum on Future Funding of UC

    Byadmin

    On Wednesday, November 7, the Faculty Association at UCLA is sponsoring a noontime program on the Future Funding of UC. That’s the day after Election Day and, unless the results are very close, we will at least know the outcome of the various state propositions on the ballot dealing with taxes.  The program will be at the Faculty Center. Prof. Steve Lippman of Anderson will introduce the event.  Prof. Karen Orren of Poli Sci will be the emcee.  Speakers will be Prof. Chris Newfield of UC-SB (English), Prof. Robert Anderson of UC-Berkeley (Economics and past chair of the Academic Council),…

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    Waiting for Brown’s First Prop 30 TV Ad

    Byadmin

    Prop 30 is the governor’s initiative for temporary tax increases that has been endorsed by the Regents.  So far, a full-scale campaign, i.e., TV ads, has yet to occur.  But a note on the LA Times‘ PolitiCal blog says the TV campaign is supposed to start today. So we’re waiting. There have been opposition radio ads and some more general “issue” ads that oppose tax increases.  Brown has a lot more money in the bank for his campaign than do the opponents.  He appears to be following the later-is-better strategy used in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.  In that campaign, his…

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    UC History: Ansel Adams Photos

    Byadmin

    A report in the San Francisco Chronicle today indicates that in 1964, UC President Clark Kerr hired famed photographer Ansel Adams to take pictures of the UC system.  The photos came out in a picture book later which has not been reprinted until now when copies were made for incoming UC-Berkeley freshmen. Only a few photos are reproduced in the Chronicle such as the one on the right of a class for veterinarians at UC-Davis.  It’s nice that Adams gave us the horse’s head rather than the reverse. You can find the report at:http://www.sfgate.com/art/article/Ansel-Adams-prints-found-at-UC-Berkeley-3909179.php

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    They gotta have their meds!!

    Byadmin

    UC Riverside medical school clears hurdle === Larry Gordon, LA Times, October 3, 2012 (excerpt) A national accrediting agency has approved UC Riverside’s long-embattled plan to open a full medical school and to start enrolling future doctors next summer, officials announced Tuesday. It would be the sixth medical school in the University of California system and the first to open since the late 1960s. Last year, the same panel rejected the proposal because it looked too risky after the state refused to fund the school. But UC Riverside officials have since secured enough other public and private financing for a program that…