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The Associated Press has a feature on the upcoming retirement of Kern's DA, Ed Jagels.

We covered it in early October, though ours didn't quote Sean Penn.

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Politico has an in-depth look at Cardoza's (and Costa's, though he's not mentioned) deal for the possible UC Merced funding of $500 million in the health care package.

Some fun back-room details:

“It takes a lot of [chutzpah] for a guy who’s in the leadership to leverage the speaker on his own personal project and, when he got it, to continue to push,” said a senior Democratic aide.

Here's the McClatchy Washington bureau's take on the possibility UC Merced might not get any of the money, and a Cardoza op-ed on why he voted for the bill.

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

Got this fun tidbit from a friend Tuesday:

Rival political powers found themselves sharing the comforts of Dagny's Coffee Co. in downtown Bakersfield Tuesday afternoon.

Shafter Democrat Fran Florez was sitting with a group at an outside table when up walked Nicole and Pete Parra, who took a table inside. Pete Parra, Nicole's father, and Florez will duke it out for the Democratic nomination to represent the state's 30th Assembly District next year, setting up what promises to be a doozy of a race. (Nicole Parra used to hold the 30th seat).

The two families maintain a long-running political feud, though not necessarily between Fran Florez and Pete Parra.

It wasn't exactly like the Hatfields and McCoys showing up at the county fair. Nevertheless, the two parties were observed making occasional glances in the other's direction. After some 20 minutes, Florez left her table, heading across Eye Street for parts unknown, while the Parras welcomed guests for what appeared to be a meeting.


 

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The Blue Dog Dems from Fresno and Merced -- Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza -- got a lot of bang for their "yes" votes on the House health care package: More than $250 million apiece.

An amendment they'd hammered out during the week will bring $500 million, over five years (2011 to 2015) to UC Merced for a medical school and residency program in Fresno.

A second amendment, regarding incentives to members of the National Health Services Corps, is meant to lure health-care professionals to the Valley. No dollar amount is listed in the amendment.

Developing...

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

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Jim Costa, the Blue Dog Dem from Fresno, got the funding he sought for a medical school at UC Merced, including residency in Fresno, and voted for the House health care reforms Saturday. (Kevin McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican, voted against as expected.)

Here is the release from Costa's office:

FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JIM COSTA
Representing California's 20th District
Fresno County · Kern County · Kings County


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2009


Rep. Costa Statement Following Passage of The Affordable Health Care for America Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) released the following statement.

“I am voting for HR 3962 because the choice of doing nothing was not an option. During my negotiations to help improve the bill for our Valley, I was able to achieve funding for a medical school in the Valley, with studies at UC Merced and residency in Fresno as well as additional incentives to bring health professionals to our Valley. Increased funding in this bill for programs ranging from nurse training to health career opportunity programs to community health centers and increased reimbursement rate for low-paying Medicaid will go a long way in strengthening our health system in the Valley.

“This bill takes steps to end the hidden costs in our current health care systems that are now paid for by all Americans. There are also a number of important measures in the legislation which resolve issues with catastrophic care, allowing for portability, incentives for preventative care and end exclusions for preexisting conditions.

“This process is not over though. There are still challenges on cost containment which concern me. I will have a full dialogue with my constituents over the next few months to ensure all the health care needs in the Valley are met.

“I will reserve the option to oppose the final version of the bill if cost containment and Valley health care needs are not fully met.”

# # #

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Assemblywoman Jean Fuller said Friday she's leaning toward running for the state Senate and not for re-election to her current post.

If she indeed goes that way, other candidates' plans should firm up, too.

Bakersfield psychologist Dean Haddock, Kern High School District Trustee Ken Mettler and Taft College instructor Harold Pease have said they will run in the 32nd Assembly District Republican primary if Fuller does not. Most of Bakersfield is in that district.

"Constituents have been coming forward to encourage me to run for State Senate in 2010 and because of that encouragement, I am leaning more towards running for the Senate than the Assembly," Fuller, R-Bakersfield, said in a statement.

Fuller would be vying for the 18th Senate District seat now held by the terming-out Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield.

Former Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, has also filed intent to run papers for the 18th District Republican primary.

Fuller has said she will make her final decision after a water deal is done in the Legislature. Assembly and Senate lawmakers approved a package earlier this week.

"Now that the water package has passed, I am focused on ensuring that officials and constituents understand the impact the water bond would have on their area," Fuller's statement also said.

"Because of my active involvement in the water deal, I was invited by the Governor to join him at a signing ceremony this morning in Los Angeles, and will also join the Governor on Monday in Fresno as he signs the water bond."

- Government editor Christine Bedell

UPDATE: Bakersfield’s Stan Ellis, who owns the Bakersfield Jam and about a dozen other businesses, announced Friday he’s endorsing Mettler in the 32nd.

Ellis unsuccessfully sought the same seat in 2006.

“Ken Mettler is a strong candidate who will fight for the things that I care about in a representative - less regulations, lower taxes and real accountability to the voters who put you there in the first place,” Ellis said in a news release.

“Ken will provide principled representation for our community. I intend to support Ken all the way in order to gain a real fighter for us up in Sacramento.”

It’s Thursday afternoon, California time, and Rep. Jim Costa still hasn’t decided how he’ll vote on health care come Saturday.

The Fresno Democrat, whose district includes parts of Bakersfield, Arvin, Shafter, Wasco and Delano, is one of the moderate and conservative “Blue Dog” House Democrats whose yeahs and nays could determine the outcome of their party’s proposed reforms.

“We’re still reviewing and listening to concerns from Valley residents,” said spokesman Bret Rumbeck.

There’s been plenty to hear. Staffers in the D.C., Fresno and Bakersfield offices have been swamped with e-mails and phone calls in recent days. Input is coming from around the country.

Costa was in D.C. Thursday, where he is still “speaking and negotiating” with party leadership to make legislation better for the Valley, Rumbeck said. Two things are on his wish list: a medical school at UC Merced and getting more health professionals to the Valley.

Folks on both sides are vying for the congressman’s attention.

On Wednesday, a labor group rallied outside Costa’s Bakersfield office urging him to support reform. Thursday, a Virginia-based limited-government group issued a press release urging him to vote against it. Reporters, meanwhile, keep wanting to know where he stands.

One key figure is staying quiet. President Barack Obama hasn’t called, Rumbeck said.

The latest Capitol Hill rumors say a vote is likely around 6 p.m. Saturday, Eastern time, with legislative business starting in the morning.

- Staff writer Gretchen Wenner

For a good story on what's going on with other Blue Dogs, read this Politico piece.

Got this from McCarthy's office, if you're so inclined to watch:

Tune in: Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) along with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-08) will appear on CNN’s Situation Room <http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Prog...> today, November 3rd, at 3:45pm PST (6:45 pm EST).