Snapshots of life in the Golden State. : Grass Is Greener on Our Side, Lobbyists Contend

Buffeted by declining sales, the state’s swimming pool industry has sought to persuade Californians that it is environmentally acceptable to buy a home swimming hole, despite the drought.

Once filled, a pool uses less water than a lawn covering the same area, lobbyists contend.

Now comes the California Assn. of Nurserymen (CAN), reacting to a drought-inspired controversy at Alameda Naval Air Station. Seems that officials at the base recently warned an environmentally conscious military wife that she could face eviction if she fails to water her lawn.

According to a CAN press release: “Homes with green grass save on energy costs since the average front yard lawn cools a house at the same rate as a one-ton air conditioner.”

One wonders: Can the air-conditioning lobby be far behind?

CAPITOL INSIDER

Budget tidbits: For the average California taxpayer, there’s no free lunch.

But for state Assembly members dickering over the long overdue state budget, there have been free dinners, courtesy of the Capitol’s leading gourmet, Speaker Willie Brown.

On the eve of what ostensibly was the July 1 deadline for passage of the spending plan, Brown invited Assembly members to Frank Fat’s, Sacramento’s landmark Chinese restaurant and political hangout. After food and drinks, members returned to the chambers just long enough to adjourn for the night.

Two days later, while the state Senate remained in session and passed two bills to help balance the budget, the Assembly adjourned again, this time for hot dogs and chicken at Brown’s annual Independence Day barbecue in Capitol Park.

Add one, budget: Meanwhile, a dozen rookie lawmakers put aside the wrangling over state finances long enough to stage a $50-per-head, 1960s style “love-in” to raise money for a scholarship fund named in memory of a lobbyist who died earlier this year.

The Sacramento newcomers, who wore love beads, peace medallions and miniskirts, lip-synced such tunes as “Aquarius.”

Among their guests was the 13th freshman, Gov. Pete Wilson, who was carrying what appeared to be a daisy but was wearing what was most definitely a beige business suit. “This is what I wore in the ‘60s, same suit,” the governor cracked.

California Counties With the Most Lawyers

According to the State Bar of California, 102,810* lawyers were practicing in the state as of July 1. Below are the ten counties with the most lawyers. Los Angeles: 37,849 San Francisco: 12,730 San Diego: 8,770 Orange: 8,762 Sacramento: 5,028 Santa Clara: 4,947 Alameda: 4,514 Contra Costa: 2,296 San Mateo: 2,041 San Bernardino: 1,450

* Note: Not included are lawyers who are eligible to practice but are inactive, or those who reside outside California but are members of the Bar.

Compiled by Times editorial researcher Tracy Thomas

MEDIA WATCH

What they’re saying: Alaska Gov. Walter Hickel’s plan to export Alaskan water to California has failed to win rave reviews at home.

An entire page of irate letters to the Anchorage Daily News refer to the 1,700-mile pipeline proposal as everything from a “pipe dream” to “Wally’s Folly.”

Suggested one wrathful writer: “For every five gallons of water we pump, Calfornia would be required to take back three of its misplaced citizens in Alaska. Maybe then all of the druggies, punks, skinheads and environmental elitists would leave our glorious state and make our streets safe once again.”

Have a nice day . . . Oregonians, on the other hand, are being urged to be nice to tourists, even if they come from California.

A new radio spot sponsored by the Oregon Economic Development Department begins: “OK, you’re driving down the road here in Oregon, enjoying the scenery and up ahead you notice a license plate that says Ohio, or maybe New York, or possibly California with a “Go Lakers” bumper sticker just below it.

“OK, now what do you do to the tourist? A: Cut them off and run them into a guardrail. B: Give the tourist directions that lead directly to a large smelly landfill. Or C: Tell them about a favorite Oregon pastime: Driving your car over the edge of Hell’s Canyon.

“And the correct answer is: None of the above. What you should do is be as nice as humanly possible to the tourist.”

EXIT LINE

“I won’t accept speaking fees, free meals, golfing trips or anything else of value from any private interest while I hold office. In other words, I won’t take bribes.”

--From the 25-point campaign platform of prospective U.S. Senate candidate Mark Bisnow, a Los Angeles native who now works as a Washington lawyer. Bisnow, who pledges to limit campaign contributions to $50 per person, readily admits that he has no chance of winning either of the two seats up for vote next year.

CALIFORNIA FACT

The current California Supreme Court, most of whose members were appointed by ex-Gov. George Deukmejian, has affirmed 31 consecutive death sentences. The Supreme Court under former Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird reversed 64 of 68 death sentences from 1980 to 1986.

California Dateline appears every other Friday.