Santa Maria Sun / News

Political Watch

• Lompoc resident Robert Cuthbert, who’s running as a 33rd State Assembly candidate, recently released a statement in response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to make statewide job and pay cuts until the state’s budget impasse is resolved: “The governor’s following through with his threat to eliminate 10,000 temporary and part-time workers, and to pay 20,000 workers the Federal Minimum Wage, is politics at its worst,” Cuthbert said in the release. “State Controller John Chiang’s refusal to follow all aspects of the executive order shows true leadership.” 


• Matt Kokkonen, Republican nominee for the 23rd Congressional District—running against incumbent Lois Capps—will make his first formal speech on Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., in downtown Santa Barbara. 


• A group of California veterinarians opposed to Proposition 2, the Standards for Confining Farm Animals Act (formerly the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act), recently formed the Association of California Veterinarians. Based in Sacramento, the association is comprised of veterinarians and veterinary students supporting food animal and poultry medicine. The association was formed after the California Veterinarian Medical Association chose to support Proposition 2. According to a press release, the Association of California Veterinarians promotes and supports science-based standards, practices, and policies, which enable California's livestock and poultry producers to continue as leaders producing a wholesome, safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply.