Government roundup: Fuller likely to run for Senate
| Friday, Nov 06 2009 04:19 PM
Last Updated Friday, Nov 06 2009 04:19 PM
Assemblywoman Jean Fuller is leaning toward running for the state Senate and not for re-election to her current post, she said Friday.
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 professor 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."
Meanwhile, 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."
- Government editor Christine Bedell on the "Politics, anyone?" blog at Bakersfield.com/blogs.
ORGANIZATION TO TACKLE PG&E ISSUES
After state Sen. Dean Florez's hearing in Bakersfield Oct. 5 regarding problems with PG&E's SmartMeters and rate hike, a local group was formed to try and deal with this issue.
TURNaroundBakersfield is a local chapter of the state utility watchdog group called TURN (The Utility Reform Network) based in San Francisco.
The local group hopes to keep pressure on PG&E as well as the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to correct billing problems and get some independent verification of the SmartMeters' accuracy.
The locals are also circulating a petition with a laundry list of demands to the PUC and Legislature including an investigation of the SmartMeter program.
For more information contact Liz Keogh at 872-1898 or elizkeo@aol.com.
After Florez held a similar hearing in Fresno, a local group there was also formed.
For more information on the Fresno group, contact Marin Cantu 559- 224-1935 or mifamiliacantu@yahoo.com.
- Californian columnist Lois Henry
FOREST SERVICE WAIVING FEES
In honor of Veterans Day Wednesday, the Sequoia National Forest fees will be waived for all visitors to Auxiliary Dam, Old Isabella Road, South Fork Recreation Area and Camp 9 Day Use Area.
These four areas are one hour from many surrounding mountain areas, where visitors have a great opportunity to play and have fun at destinations along the shoreline of Lake Isabella.
The U.S. Forest Service honors the sacrifices of America's veterans and armed services personnel on Veterans Day.
You can lan your Veterans Day holiday by visiting www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia.
- Forest Service press release
