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Retail Giant Roams State's Political Landscape

SACRAMENTO -- After years of waging its political wars almost exclusively on the local level, Wal-Mart is spending aggressively this election in support of favored statewide candidates and ballot measures -- including donations to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Republican Party.

The world's largest corporation, which once had a tradition of trying to stay out of politics, has given more than $2.4 million on California races so far this year -- well beyond any previous sum the company has spent here in one year. On Tuesday, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company announced it would donate an additional $500,000 to the opponents of Proposition 72, a measure that will require employers to provide basic health insurance to workers.

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Another Report about Retail, and a Bit about Wages

Are shopping centers a drain on city budgets? An Oct 6 report about retail in Ohio gives a guarded "yes" answer. They take more services and don't pay enough in taxes to cover the expense.

Also, I came across an article by Dorothy Day about the GM strike in the 1930s.

Up from Ultimate Urban Dystopia

Up from Ultimate Urban Dystopia, by William Frey, details some descriptions of growth in Los Angeles and Southern California.

A lot of the people coming here are educated and help the economy to grow, by doing well-paid, complex work. Despite this, LA's poverty rate is higher than the national average, and some of the highest percentages of people without high-school educations. In other words, our current policies are fostering a split economy of haves and have-nots. (I added this last part. The author seems to be a conservative. Probably doesn't like the phrase "incipient class war.")

The article suggests that improved education is in order.

Like Dickens said, it was the best of times, and it was the worst of times.

THANK YOU (Kind of Bummed Out)

I'm kind of bummed out, because this website is pretty dead, except for my little rants and writings. There are scores of people making this fight happen. I can't name all the people involved, but, here goes: Marlene, David, David, David, Minnie, Estelle, Richard, Jim, Edward, Rose Marie, Larry, Mary, Jane, Lydia, Ving, Helen, Marie, Velia, Jean, John, June, Ron, Jerry, Lucy, Martha, Peggy, Alan, Yuki, Lori, Mabel, Fr. Mike, Alice, Juan, Fr. Ralph, Jose, Artie, Joe, Linda, Carmen, Mike, Gertie, Mary, Grace, Lynda, John, Henry, Anonymous, Anonymous. There are also at least a couple dozen more people at the church whom I don't know, another couple dozen who have gone to meetings who I haven't met, and at least as many as I forgot to include. Rosa for putting up with the stress. All the spouses who have been so supportive. The kids who got registered to support.

If you have someone to thank, you can say so in a comment, your own blog, or a forum posting. Don't let good deeds go unrecognized. Gratitude is contagious.

Wal-Mart's Political Donations

The Walton family loves to give money to politicians. The site OpenSecrets takes public political contribution information and puts it on the web.

Walton Family at OpenSecrets.org.

Not only that. Wal-Mart, the PAC, have paid $1.5 million to p

Panda Express to Open in a Wal-Mart

A Panda Express is slated to open up in a Wal-Mart in Pahrump, Nevada.

Pahrump might sound familiar, because it's where late night talk show host Art Bell is from. He's well known for his conspiracy and space alien theories.

Notably, PE came out in support of WM during the Planning Commission meeting. How's that for a c

Governer Vetos Bill to Require Studies on Big Box Retail

The governer vetoed the bill that would require developers of "big box" retail stores like Wal-Mart to produce an economic impact study to inform local governments about the likely effects of a development upon the local economy. The reports would have detailed the impacts on busineses, wages, public services, and traffic.

He also vetoed, in another bill, a raise in the minimum wage from $6.75 an hour to $7.75 an hour.

California Local Laws

California Local Government Information Website has information about local government laws.