California State Capitol "Bacteria Bear" outside the Governor's office. Signs say "do not touch the bear." (Photo: Katy Grimes for California Globe)
Grand Re-Opening Day at California’s State Capitol is a Letdown
The people’s business has been done this past year away from the prying eyes of the people
By Katy Grimes, June 15, 2021 2:35 pm
Tuesday June 15, 2021 was supposed to be the grand reopening of the entire State of California, as well as the People’s House – the California State Capitol.
However, as the Globe reported Monday, “legislative leaders appear to be reluctant to allow the State Capitol to fully reopen and return to normal.”
The Globe made a visit to the California State Capitol Tuesday morning and was met outside of the building by a Sergeant wanting to know what I planned on doing inside of the Capitol. I explained that as a reporter, I would be visiting legislators’ offices to see which are opened and which are still closed, would be taking some photos, and attending a committee hearing or two. This satisfied the sergeant, who then proceeded to tell me the rules:
- Wear your mask at all times, wherever you go.
- Do not congregate with others, no lingering, and no gathering.
- Temperature check at the entrance.
The sergeant said many lawmakers are choosing to keep their offices closed off from the public, and have signs on their office doors stating this. Other lawmakers are in their offices with their staff, ready to greet the public.
The Capitol was extremely quiet. Hallways were empty, and committee hearings had few people attending, as well as few lawmakers participating. It was a ghost town and a far cry from the usual Capitol chaos at budget deadline every June 15th.
Almost immediately, the Dude from the Big Lebowski came to mind: “Bummer, that’s a bummer man.”
A Capitol staffer reminded me that there is a legislative rule stating that legislative offices must be open to the public. This has obviously been suspended during the lockdown, but what about now that the state is reopened?
We also heard the talk in the Capitol that the mask rule is remaining in place, even for the vaccinated, because there are a lot of Democrat lawmakers who haven’t been vaccinated and don’t want to take the vaccine. So legislative leaders are browbeating everyone else to wear masks as cover, claiming it’s for “safety.”
The Globe learned last week that Capitol sergeants are concerned about “anti-vaxxers” sneaking in to the building, as occurred during the lockdown under the guise of attending a committee hearing. This is one reason why the public is being met at the entrance and questioned about their plans inside.
All in all, the Grand Re-opening of the California State Capitol was a letdown. Nothing has really changed at the Capitol, other than the chain link fencing has been removed. Masks are still mandatory, legislators’ offices aren’t open, lobbyists aren’t filling the hallways negotiating with each other and lawmakers, and permission to enter the Capitol is required.
The people’s business has been done this past year away from the prying eyes of the people, and appears it will remain this way for a while. As we’ve reported several times, “Many in and around the Capitol believe too many lawmakers have used the COVID lockdown as an excuse to conduct the people’s business away from the people.”
Perhaps legislative leaders should refer to the Article l, Section 3 of the California Constitution: “The people have the right to instruct their representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and assemble freely to consult for the common good.”
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September 9, 2019
Well, okay. Nothing much is changing. Thanks for the tour anyway. Don’t really understand the “Bacteria Bear” at all; but then, not much in halls of Sacramento make much sense these days.
People, regardless whether your vaccinated or not, we need to boycott the businesses that request the experimental vaccine passport or other verification. This is the precursor to a massive freedom restricting, data collecting social credit system, and government is encouraging the private sector test run it. This must be rejected en mass by customers. This is the only power we have to fight against this tyranny. Once implemented, it will never go away. Remember “2-weeks to shorten the curve” ??
The bear is called “Bacteria Bear” because every school kid that tours the Capitol touches it. It was a joke during the Schwarzenegger admin – he bought the bear and had it installed in front of the Governor’s office.
“Bacteria Bear” must be one dirty bear! ????
Studies have shown surfaces not to be the super spreaders of the virus. Did the sign also ask , “Please do not feed the Bear” ? Why does everything concerning the virus in this state have to be so theatrical?
Just one study as example:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30561-2/fulltext
One Fed Up Cali Girl, again you are being much too rational and scientific. We must just accept the fact that we are dealing with IRRATIONAL people. They have taken a sublime symbol of this state, The Golden Bear, and made it a RIDICULOUS political prop. Sigh…..
Ahh, yes point well taken Raymond. I can’t help myself it is built in my DNA to be rational and logical.
Those with Single Payer signs have no clue that will grind to a halt research, it will make gov’t able to stifle procedures and the taxes surely to rise with longer lines with increasing foreigners to come into state and get healthcare for free on their dime and stick around because that is what happens.
Overreaction much? A state capital that still requires mask isn’t fully open. Gotta wonder what’s going on the Democratic legislators heads. Definitely taking the Covid scare precaution way too seriously.
This is disappointing but no surprise. They much prefer doing business in secret. Myself and many of my recall volunteer friends would call in on a consistent basis to oppose bills and were disconnected many times. They would cut the lines all together on certain days. Their condescension and irritation with having to hear any comment contrary to their agenda was palpable.
The people DO have the right to instruct their representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and assemble freely to consult for the common good, but this government isn’t for the people or by the people. It’s for Communism and the Great Reset along with the New World Order and screw the people and screw science, too. THERE IS NO COVID-19 VIRUS AROUND and MASKS DO NOT PROTECT ANYONE. Just a disgusting bunch of interloping criminals in the state legislature and in the governor’s office.
Thank you for the pictures and especially of the placards with names of those who are not allowing their doors open to the public! To me that’s like holding my paycheck until you feel ready to pay me!
If you can not see them or talk to them then they become……….wait for it………UNACCOUNTABLE!
Hmm, are we joining Central America’s idealism?
Thank you Katy
Stop bitching on the blog and GET INVOLVED! Stand and fight for your beliefs!
Recall Rally And Volunteer Briefing – Statewide Virtual Event SIGN UP let’s get Gavin OUT.https://reformcalifornia.org/event/recall-rally-and-volunteer-briefing-statewide-virtual-event/