** Late Breaking Update: Since press time, Supervisor Lou Correa now holds a 282 vote lead over Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher for the 34 th State Senate Seat in Central OC.

National:The Dems taking control of Congress was a direct reaction to the failure of our Iraq policy. The conservative base itself was demoralized by runaway pork barrel spending and record deficits. The Dems will inadvertently bring fiscal discipline to Washington, as President Bush will have the political will to veto Democratic spending bills in a way he did not do with Republican spending.

California: Arnold’s victory was a very personal one, as only one of the six down-ticket Republicans won. That was Steve Poizner, whose self-funded campaign has landed him the Insurance Commissioner spot. The Gov helped secure passage for all of the state bonds, which promise immediate benefits but with a long term drag on future General Fund revenues. Can you say “compounded interest?”

The other state measures all went down, including my favorite--Proposition 90. Reasonable protections on property rights and values were hammered by millions of dollars in hit ads. More narrowly crafted eminent domain controls, however, did pass in 13 states, reflecting continued nationwide reaction against the Supreme Court’s Kelo decision.

Here in OC, Anaheim, Dana Point and Villa Park voters all passed eminent domain limitations that preclude the use of condemnation for private development.

Orange County: Former Assemblywoman Pat Bates survived millions in hit mail to be elected to represent South OC on the Board of Supervisors. Pat will be sworn in on January 5, the same day I officially start my second term. Supervisor-elect Bates is a fellow Occidental College grad.

Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher holds a tiny lead over Supervisor Lou Correa for the 34th State Senate Seat in Central OC. To run, Daucher had to move far from her Brea political base, but what she lacked in name ID she made up in personal energy and a strong GOP funding edge.

Fourth District: La Habra and Buena Park saw no changes, as all incumbents were reelected. In Placentia it was the opposite, as no incumbents sought reelection. The current council majority was damaged by the City’s financial bleeding because of mismanagement of the OnTrac rail undergrounding project. Fiscal watchdogs Greg Sowards and Joe Aguirre were elected to try to turn around Placentia’s financial crisis.

Incumbents lost in both Anaheim and Fullerton. In Anaheim, only a half percentage point separated the top three vote-getters, with challenger Lucille Kring elected along with incumbent Bob Hernandez. Incumbents in Fullerton aren’t nearly as safe as they used to be, either. Challenger Pam Keller edged out the sitting mayor, with Don Bankhead reelected.

A new barking dog ordinance would put teeth in abatement of one of the most intractable public nuisances local elected officials face. Streamlining the current cumbersome process, a dog owner could be fined up to $250 for allowing chronic nuisance barking.

Changes may be made to the fine schedule when the proposal comes before the Board for final approval.

It must be made clear that the OC Animal Control officers will only become involved once the concerned resident has approached their dog-owning neighbor directly. Complaining to the County should never be a first resort. Most dog-owners care about their neighbors and may be unaware of their dog’s behavior when they are gone. A dog’s chronic barking is caused by boredom and loneliness.

The new rules will apply only in the unincorporated areas, but we hope this will become a model ordinance that OC’s cities will adopt. Contact your own city elected officials should you wish similar rules.

Since Tuesday, my office has received over 30 calls and emails on this issue, showing overwhelming support for an enforceable ban on nuisance barking.

Caltrans owns nearly 5,000 different parcels statewide, some being held since the 1930s. While some are needed for impending highway projects, others are surplus and still others are held for highway projects that have long been abandoned.

Assemblyman Spitzer and I hosted a hearing on Caltrans Land Mismanagement, held in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room on November 14. Those testifying included Secretary of Business Housing and Transportation Sunne McPeak, Caltrans Director Will Kempton, numerous state legislators and tenants of Caltrans-owned properties, as well as those who lost their property to Caltrans for projects they never built.

Missing information and spotty records indicate that Caltrans has no real grip on what they own and how these properties are administered. Many lie vacant for years, become eyesores and are no longer on the tax roles. Other remaining home and apartment residents are now paying rent to Caltrans.

Caltrans’ mission is to build, own and maintain highways. It should not be in the land management business. It should not take or keep properties it does not need. It is time for an accurate accounting of what Caltrans owns, and all properties not needed for actual highway projects should be sold.

Varying definitions of aging cause confusion as to whom exactly is a senior citizen and who is still a spry middle-ager. AARP may start sending out applications to those in their late 40’s, but federal rules require you be at least 55 to be eligible for the Senior Community Service Employment Program, administered through the OC Office on Aging.

You must be 60 to qualify for numerous benefits under the Older Americans Act. These federal programs are administered by our Office on Aging through contracts with nonprofit providers. You must be 62 to begin receiving any Social Security benefits. For more information on senior services, call 800-510-2020.

What Orange County high school has graduated three current members of Congress?