In a state where almost nothing is free of politics, the idea of tapping into California’s fossil fuel wealth to generate badly needed revenues is again touching off a partisan fight. There are two proposals being floated in front of the Legislature that would profit off of California’s oil and natural gas reserves but in two very different ways. First, Democratic Assemblyman Pedro Nava wants to impose a 10% oil severance tax on each barrel of crude pumped out of California, but he does not propose allowing any new drilling. Then, GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore estimates we can raise $16 billion by opening up new bids for oil and gas drilling throughout the state, but without onerous taxes on oil companies. What’s the best way to make a buck off of our black gold?

Governor Schwarzenegger wants to spare taxpayers by letting private companies run state prisons. Does it really save money through economies of scale and with better efficiencies? And what about oversight of those companies that would be charged with managing the incarceration of 170,000 plus inmates?

President Obama’s national security/intelligence speech

The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports that calls increased by 21% last year. Philadelphia experienced a whopping 67% increase in domestic homicides in 2008 and California is no stranger to domestic violence cases either; the Golden State has the highest number of emergency calls in the nation. While it can be difficult to prove a direct correlation between domestic violence and personal financial strain at least one national survey shows the economic meltdown is a major factor contributing to the increase in domestic violence. What is the federal government doing to assist state and local governments struggling to keep up with the demand for services but facing dwindling resources and what’s happening here in LA?