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Nakanishi Radio
STOCKTON - Today Senate candidate Alan Nakanishi criticized the CALFED compromise, calling it another backdoor approach to taking more water from the Central Valley communities and agriculture industry.
"While I support the increased water storage provisions, they pale in comparison to the transfer increases of our water to Southern California, which this agreement allows," said Nakanishi.
"Not only does the CALFED plan allow for additional pumping of water from the Tracy area - water that's headed down to fill Los Angeles swimming pools, but its also a Trojan horse which will lead to the completion of the peripheral Canal."
The CALFED Agreement calls for additional pumping of up to 8,500 cfs from the Tracy area, even though farmers fear this will dry up the water table, rendering most groundwater sources unusable.
In addition, the agreement sets up water projects in both the northern and southern ends of the Delta which can easily be linked by canal to do what the Peripheral Canal was intended back in the 1970's.
"I am absolutely opposed to the idea of a Peripheral Canal in any form," said Nakanishi, "and this agreement is an incremental step to the eventual implementation of such a canal."
Democrat Assemblyman Mike Machado has generally been in favor of CALFED, and Machado's Prop 13 water bond which passed in March contained funding to continue the CALFED program.
Alan Nakanishi is a lifelong resident of the Central Valley and a physician from Lodi. He is the Republican nominee in the race to replace retiring Senator Pat Johnston in California's 5th Senate Seat.
George W. to visit top target district Thursday
LODI - Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush brings his campaign Thursday to Lodi, California, hometown of State Senate Republicans' top target candidate, Lodi Mayor Pro Tem Alan Nakanishi.
Republicans are buoyant in the wake of the recent Republican Convention, with all polls showing the Bush/Cheney ticket carrying the California's Central Valley.
"The San Joaquin Valley has been trending Republican for several years," explained Nakanishi, "but George W. Bush and Dick Cheney will consolidate those gains. We could not have nominated a better ticket for Central Valley Republicans."
Nakanishi will square off against Democrat Assemblyman Mike Machado in the race to succeed term-limited State Senator Pat Johnston. The respected insider newsletter CALPEEK announced on Monday, August 7, that it now considers the race a "toss-up."
Nakanishi, a prominent local physician recruited to run by Senate Republicans, also announced a new cash-on-hand figure as of June 30, 2000 of $143,766.
"Machado was able to carry over a large sum from his Assembly account and did not have a Primary campaign," said GOP Political consultant Tim Clark, who is working on behalf of the Lodi Republican's campaign. "The 5th Senate District is almost evenly matched now in partisan registration, with Republicans fired up about the prospects of saying good-bye to Clinton-Gore. This is more than just a horserace, this is the #1 target district in California."
Pombo calls on Machado to withdraw AB 1839
SACRAMENTO - Congressman Richard Pombo joined Congressman Wally Herger and a host of Northern and Central California legislators at the Capitol today calling on Assemblyman Mike Machado to withdraw AB 1839 - the CALFED eminent domain bill.
"CALFED already told us back in Washington that they wanted to retire 400,000 acres of California farmland, much of which is in my district," said Congressman Pombo. "This new legislation would be a huge mistake for California farms."
The current version of AB 1839 (Machado), the CALFED governance bill, would establish the Ecosystem Rehabilitation Authority. This Authority would be given powers of eminent domain, the ability to purchase water rights, the ability to own land, and the ability to hold and manage water. The Authority is composed of four appointed members, one of whom will have two votes under the proposal. None are elected.
"This legislation allows an unelected, unaccountable CALFED bureaucracy to determine its own scope and decide what falls under their own purview," said Pombo.
Congressman Herger likened the situation to that of Owens Valley, where a once plush lake was turned into a dry desert after a canal was built to supply southern California water needs.
"The government came to the people of Owens Valley and said there is plenty of water for everyone," said Herger. "What we'd like is your excess water."
"No landowner or water right holder will be safe from government control of water rights under this bill," continued Herger.
Northern California Senator Maurice Johannessen was adamant that this bill would betray CALFED stakeholders.
"Stakeholders have been told repeatedly that land and water rights would be transferred only on a 'willing seller,' 'willing buyer' basis. The inclusion of the power of eminent domain does away with that whole concept."
Northern California Assemblyman Sam Aanestad, a co-author of the bill's original version said, "I am proud to take my name off this bill the way it's written now."
Also in attendance were Senator Tim Leslie, Assemblyman Dick Dickerson, and Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti.
Pombo, GOP blast proposed Delta agency
By Jim Sams
SACRAMENTO - The government is birthing a new agency to restore the Delta, and the labor pains started Monday.
Republicans from Congress and the state Legislature attacked a plan by Democratic Assemblyman Michael Machado, D-Linden, to create a governing board for the CALFED Bay/Delta Program before the state's legislative session ends Aug. 31. Machado introduced the legislation, by amending another bill, only two weeks ago.
U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo of Tracy and other GOP critics said the proposed "environmental super agency" would pressure Delta farmers to sell their land and take control of the source of two thirds of the state's drinking water with little oversight by lawmakers.
"What we are currently faced with is a bureaucracy that is out of control," Pombo said during a press conference across the street from the state Capitol. "I think it is a mistake to try to rush this through."
Machado, however, said his bill would ensure the very oversight that Pombo says is lacking. He said CALFED is expected to put the final touches on an $8.5 billion plan to restore the Delta and boost water supplies before the end of the month and the Legislature needs to have a board in place before the agency starts spending money.
"You got money backed up in the pipeline, you got projects ready to get started and you got no oversight of those projects other than the agencies," Machado said.
Governor Gray Davis and U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt reached agreement in June on a preliminary plan that aims to boost water exports to the south state while simultaneously restoring the Delta. The state and federal governments would share in the costs, which include $1.3 billion in water-conservation loan and grant programs, $1 billion in Delta restoration work, $1 billion in storage projects and $450 million to restore Delta levees.
Pombo said he agrees that the state and federal governments should pool their resources, but he doesn't think Machado's proposed governing board is necessary. He said Congress and the state Legislature could continue appropriating money to CALFED as they do now, which would give oversight to lawmakers as they make appropriations for specific projects.
U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti, R-Rancho Cordova, Sen. Maurice Johannessen, R-Redding, several other Republican lawmakers and representatives for Indian tribes who feel they were left out of the CALFED process attended the press conference.
They singled out for particular criticism a provision in Machado's bill that would put representatives from state and federal environmental agencies in charge of a new Ecosystem Rehabilitation Authority that would oversee CALFED restoration projects. Johannessen said the structure puts government officials in complete control, leaving landowners, rural areas and water rights holders with little power to protect themselves.
Johannessen accused CALFED officials of trying to rush the bill through, but CALFED legislative coordinator Daniel McCarroll said his agency did not ask Machado to introduce the legislation and can wait until next year for the Legislature to create a governing board.
But Machado said he's in a hurry. CALFED operates with no oversight now, which led to disaster in December when a lack of coordination between environmental agencies and water-supply operators allowed salty sea water to build up to unhealthy levels in the Delta, he said. Machado said the proposed board would allow the public to hold officials who make such mistakes accountable, since members would be appointed by the governor and top federal officials.
Machado will have to move quickly to turn his proposal into law before the Legislature adjourns Aug. 31. He said representatives for Gov. Gray Davis told him Monday afternoon that they want to move forward with the bill this year. Late Monday, the Senate Rules Committee was scheduled to vote on a waiver to allow the bill to be heard by the Senate Water and Agriculture Committee today.
"Machado will fold up like a cheap accordion"
LODI - Republican State Senate candidate Alan Nakanishi predicted this afternoon that Democrat Assemblyman Mike Machado would "fold up like a cheap accordion" before day's end, and "throw in the towel on his bill to revive what amounts to another Peripheral Canal fiasco."
Machado has come under intense pressure from his constituents for his bill, AB 1839, which critics claim is just a vehicle for transferring local water supplies to Southern California.
"Mike Machado got way out from on this, and now he's feeling the heat," said Nakanishi. "The farmers are against him. Environmental groups are against him. Indian tribes are against him. Consumers are against him. All he's got left are the swimming pool owners in Beverly Hills."
Nakanishi predicted that Machado would not be able to muster the votes to move the bill in the State Senate, ever after gutting some of its most onerous provisions.
"The lesson for Mike is simple," concluded Nakanishi, "don't mess with our water."
Machado votes to saddle small business with huge tax increase
SACRAMENTO - Late yesterday, Assemblyman Mike Machado voted to foist an $850 million dollar tax increase onto California businesses over the next three years by voting to increase pay-outs for unemployment insurance.
SB 546 increases unemployment compensation benefits from a maximum of $230 per week to $380 per week. As a consequence, employers will be forced to contribute an additional $850 million over the next three years to cover the increased costs.
"Mike Machado isn't satisfied with frittering away the state surplus on one spending scheme after another," said 5th Senate District Republican candidate Alan Nakanishi. "He has the gall to propose new taxes. This is an affront to every small business person in California."
As is his custom, Machado originally abstained from the contentious vote, then has his voted recorded as "aye" only after it had enough votes to pass. SB 546 passed 46 to 31 on a straight party-line vote.
Charges of ethnic slurs fly during CALFED debate
By Jim Sams
SACRAMENTO -- Assemblyman Michael Machado raced to get legislative approval of a controversial water bill Thursday and along the way got snared in a bitter feud with Republicans who charge that he insulted two ethnic groups during an altercation on the Assembly floor.
Machado used some parliamentary maneuvering on the last day of the Legislature's session in an attempt to win approval of a bill that would set up a governing board for the CALFED Bay/Delta Program.
Sen. Maurice Johannessen, R-Redding, said Machado sniped a vulgar insult while he was on the Assembly floor trying to persuade members to reject the CALFED bill.
Johannessen said he told Machado the bill would hurt his chances at beating Republican opponent Alan Nakanishi for the 5th Senate District seat. He said Machado retorted that Republicans should find a candidate who speaks English, which Johannessen took as a reference to the fact that Nakanishi is Japanese-American.
Johannessen, a native of Norway who speaks English with an accent, said the ethnic slurs didn't stop there. He said Machado at one point told him he should go back where he came from.
"That was a bloody insult as far as I'm concerned," Johannessen said. "I don't speak that good English, but I got elected to the Senate."
Nakanishi, who heard of Machado's comment indirectly, responded: "I'm sorry he said that."
"I was born in Sacramento, and I spent my childhood in an internment camp. Maybe that affected my speech," he said. "But it was good enough for the U.S. Army and medical school."
Machado said Johannessen's allegations were "a fantasy, a fabrication," but refused to give his own account of Wednesday night's events.
"I'm not going to respond to this political rhetoric," Machado said.
A third listener, Michael Umbrello, representing the Cahto Tribe of Laytonville -- opposed to Machado's bill -- said he heard Machado yelling to Johannessen to go back to where he came from, or something to that effect. Umbrello didn't hear the entire conversation and didn't know if anything was said about Nakanishi's English.
Machado's CALFED proposal moved forward Thursday despite strong opposition by Johannessen and other Republicans. Machado gutted a bill by Sen. Patrick Johnston, D-Stockton, and inserted amendments to get around Republican senators who refused to give Democrats the two-thirds majority they needed to get a rule waiver to allow a hearing on a previous version.
Thursday afternoon, the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee voted to approve a bill backed by Gov. Gray Davis that would set up an 11-member panel to oversee the consortium of state and federal agencies that are working together to restore the Delta and boost state water supplies. That bill includes creation of an environmental restoration committee made up of state and federal agency heads that will have authority to buy land and water from willing sellers.
Late Thursday, Machado was working to move his bill to the Assembly floor, through two Senate committees and then to a final vote on the Senate floor before the Legislature's scheduled midnight adjournment.
Republicans charge that the environmental panel will oversee a government land and water grab. Representatives for Indian tribes and rural water districts said during the committee hearing Thursday afternoon that the bill will stack the CALFED board with representatives from Southern California who are primarily interested in getting more control over the north state's rich water supplies.
State Resources Secretary Mary Nichols said the bill is necessary mostly to give CALFED the momentum it needs to start building water-supply projects and restoring the Delta. She said Congress won't vote on its own governing-board proposal until next year, and in the meantime the state needs to hire an executive director and set projects in motion.
Machado Accused of Being a Bigot
By Lodi News-Sentinel Staff
SACRAMENTO - A state senator from Redding alleges Assemblyman Mike Machado spouted profanity and ethnic slurs during a heated exchange on the floor of the Assembly this week.
Sen. K. Maurice Johannessen, R-Redding, said Machado called him an "a--h---" and later asked him "Why don't you get the f--- off this floor and go back where you belong?"
Johannessen said Machado, D-Stockton, also disparaged Dr. Alan Nakanishi, a Lodi city councilman of Japanese descent facing Machado in the November election.
Johannessen said he told Machado that a bill Machado was sponsoring would hurt him in the election and that Machado replied: "Don't worry about that -- first you have to get an opponent that speaks English."
Machado said he did not recall the exchange and chalked the accusation up to "political rhetoric."
"What Mr. Johannessen says is a fantasy," he said. "What he contends is totally out of character for me and the way I conduct myself."
Johannessen, speaking Friday from his home in Redding, said Machado's comments came Wednesday as he was lobbying against Machado's bill setting up a governing body for the CALFED program. (After long and bitter debate, the bill failed late Thursday night.)
"I worked the floor of the Senate and I also worked the floor of the Assembly because I feel his bill would be devastating to the water rights of those in Central and Northern California," he said.
Machado was clearly aware that Johannessen was pressing hard against the bill, the Senator said.
At one point, Machado approached him on the floor and asked, "why are you such as a--h---?," Johannessen said.
Johannessen said he did not respond.
A short time later, Johannessen said he approached Machado and said, "Machado, get off this bill. It is damaging to your district and it will cost you problems for your election."
At this point, Johannessen said, Machado made the comment regarding Nakanishi's ability to speak English.
Machado then made the profane suggestion that Johannessen get off the floor and go back to where he belonged, said Johannessen.
"I took that as an ethnic slur," said Johannessen, who came to the U.S. at age 18 from Norway and still carries a hint of his native language in his speech. "I know we were in the heat of battle. I know that. But to me, there are certain things you just don't say."
Mike Umbrello, a leader of the Cahto tribe of California Indians based on Mendocino County, was near Johannessen and Machado on the Assembly floor when the comments were allegedly made.
"He definitely used profanity and he definitely said something about him (Johannessen) going back to where he belonged," Umbrello said. "Mike Machado needs to grow up."
Umbrello was also lobbying against Machado's bill because, he said, it did not include adequate representation of California Indians. Umbrello said he has special passes that give him access to the legislative floors.
Umbrello said he did not hear anything said regarding Nakanishi's speech and added: "It was busy and noisy and 80 people were trying to talk, so it is hard for me to get a handle on exactly what was said and who said it. But I can say that Machado was way out of control."
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Machado said he did not speak to Umbrello on the Assembly floor and that Umbrello's own behavior has caused him to be barred from the floor of the state Senate.
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Nakanishi faces Machado in the race for the state Senate, succeeding Sen. Patrick Johnston, D-Stockton, who is departing because of term limits.
"I am sorry he said that," Nakanishi said Friday of Machado's statements. "Those comments are uncalled for. I am an American. My English was good enough for the U.S. Army and good enough for medical school. That's all I care to say."
Nakanishi was born in Sacramento and spend several years in an internment camp with his family during World War II. He does speak haltingly at times and said the internment camp experience may have contributed to whatever verbal complications he experiences.
Machado said he wants the campaign to focus on issues, not personal accusations.
"I have the highest respect for Mr. Nakanishi's character," Machado said. "I would say nothing disrespectful about him and have said nothing disrespectful about him. It is unfortunate that the intensity of the issue (the CALFED bill) has brought about this type of rhetoric."
Johannessen said he realizes Machado spoke during a tense time. "Professionally, I am willing to move ahead," he said. "But I am taking this personally. I did not know about Dr. Nakanishi before this happened. Now I plan to come down and help campaign for him."
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