This story was reported for San Diego News Network on September 10, 2009.
An assemblymember feels bad about his sex comments and steps down while investors take another interest in California and shelter animals see shorter days. I promise I’m not making this up. Keep reading…
Boastful Duvall: Assemblymember Mike Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) resigned Wednesday after a news station reported he was having sex with lobbyists — and one may be in San Diego.
The news station, KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, caught Duvall on tape telling Assemblymember Jeff Miller (R-Corona) about his sex life with the women.
“I’m getting into spanking her,” was just one thing he told his colleague.
The Orange County Weekly is speculating that Heidi DeJong Barsuglia, SDG&E lobbyist, may be his lover. They believe so because Duvall mentions his sex partner was born on July 6 and Barsuglia ‘s birthday is that day.
Duvall didn’t hesitate to step down immediately (in fact, his official Web site is even off the Net) and told colleagues he was distressed about his behavior – meaning his comments, not extramarital affairs.
“I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state,” he said.
“Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work.”
Duvall was elected in 2006 to represent an Orange County district that includes Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Orange, Brea and Yorba Linda. Before that, he served six years on the Yorba Linda City Council.
He also owns an insurance agency.
The lawmaker had received a 100 percent rating from Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative advocacy group, for his votes on legislation considered pro-family during the 2007-08 legislative session.
Love for California lives: It seems that investors are still interested in California, or its municipal bonds.
According to The Los Angeles Times, prices for California’s tax-free bonds increased by 3 percent in the past three weeks – to $6.81 a share.
In addition, “counting principal gain and interest earnings, the average California long-term muni bond fund has risen 14.8% this year.”
The Times writer stated that although many investors were “scared off” by the state’s budget crisis, the passage of a balanced budget in July made their worries disappear.
“Bond buyers’ mood improved after the major credit-rating firms last month said they were satisfied enough with the budget agreement to keep their ratings on California’s general-obligation debt stable for now.”
Poor pets: The holding period for animals at public shelters has gone from six days to three.
According to Mother Nature Network, the change made to California animal shelters will save the state “about 0.1 percent” of the state’s budget shortfall of $26 billion.
The MNN writer said the original six-day law was passed to give pet owners “more time to locate their lost animals and to give unclaimed animals more time to either be adopted or transferred to a rescue organization.”
The provision has animal advocates on their hind legs, demanding legislators to change the cut.
Erica Gaudet Hughes, executive director of the State Humane Association of California, told MNN: “This is a critical juncture for California’s animals. If the ‘animal adoption mandate’ is suspended, shelters will need a safety net to help them continue with their hard work of promoting the adoption of homeless pets.”
Associated Press writer Juliet Williams contributed to this report. Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.