In the political murk lurk a few really foggy ideas

Maybe it was because this nutty daylight saving time was approaching that we had all the fuzzy thinking recently in California’s Capitol.

If there must be daylight saving time, let’s at least wait until winter’s over. Then return to nature’s time when fall begins.

But that’s the feds’ foggy thinking.

Here are my latest examples of Sacramento fuzziness, although if you can look through the mist there are some vague glimpses of logic:

* The Baby Bonus, or Kiddie Kitty.

Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), actually one of the sounder legislators, wants the state to give $500 to each newborn Californian. That money would seed a state savings account that the kid could use at 18 for college, a home mortgage or retirement investment.

I’d turn it around. Any parent who brings a newborn into overcrowded California should have to pay the state $500. Use the money to help improve the child’s elementary and high school education. Never mind far-off college, let alone retirement.

Sacramento still is spending far more than it’s taking in. The nonpartisan legislative analyst projects an $8-billion operating deficit in the current fiscal year and $3.4 billion in the 12 months starting July 1, 2008.

Steinberg’s bill would cost roughly $280 million annually.

“I’ve got no expectation that this would be -- or should be -- funded this year,” Steinberg says. He hopes to open a debate now and pass the measure in a few years. Meanwhile, he’ll “means-test” the bill, making sure the money goes to families based on their financial need.

Such a system exists in Britain, launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

But California already spends a ton on kids. More than $1 billion each year is sacrificed on $285 dependent tax credits. Plus, a couple hundred million goes for dependent care, a program that the legislative analyst says is fraud-ridden. Employers also get tax breaks for providing day care.

I’d pare down the child tax credits, at least starting with the third kid. Spend the money instead on K-12 schools.

* The Mod Squad Lockout.

Senate leader Don Perata (D-Oakland) locked three fellow Democrats out of their Capitol offices Monday because they attended a fundraiser for the Legislature’s “moderate caucus.” The donated $232,000 will help pay for a caucus research staff.

You couldn’t make up better material for right-winger Rush Limbaugh and his imitators.

Let’s see: It’s OK to have organized caucuses for Latinos and Asian Americans. A woman’s caucus is fine. So is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus. But a pro-business Moderate Caucus is going too far.

Politics can be petty -- and as ugly as sausage-making.

The difference between all those other caucuses and the “mod squad” is that the moderates act as a voting bloc, Perata insiders contend. At least, that’s the way it always has worked in the Assembly. Over there, the moderate caucus has killed several bills -- especially environmental protection measures -- that the Assembly speaker and most Democrats wanted passed. But the leaders were too weak because of term limits to muscle the measures through the house.

That isn’t going to happen in the Senate, Perata vows. There’ll be only one Democratic caucus. And it won’t have a freelancing, deal-making, pro-biz offshoot.

Perata could have stripped coveted committee assignments from the three freshmen: Sens. Ron Calderon of Montebello, Lou Correa of Santa Ana and Gloria Negrete McLeod of Chino. But he opted for a quick stun-gun shot that would leave no permanent wounds.

But why the heavy hand? Why not just a firm, godfatherly chat?

He’d already warned them twice, aides reply. “It’s like handling your child,” one says. “At some point you’ve got to give them a timeout.”

But locking elected officials out of their publicly provided offices? That’s bold politics inside the Capitol. Outside, it’s bad PR.

* Blackout for Begging.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won’t give up on his old notion of banning political fundraising while the state budget is being negotiated. He believes this somehow will reduce special interest influence on state spending. He wants to place his proposal on the February presidential primary ballot.

Advisors have tried to dissuade him of the idea. But they’ve only been able to narrow the blackout period. It would begin when the governor revises his budget proposal in mid-May and last until passage, hopefully by July.

What Schwarzenegger apparently still doesn’t realize -- or doesn’t care to acknowledge -- is that special interests give to politicians all-year ‘round. Banning donations for two or three months will only increase their flow the rest of the year.

Moreover, the budget doesn’t attract the most lobby interest. What does are the hundreds of pro- and anti-business bills that are passed or killed in August.

Anyway, it’s absurd to ban fundraising right before the state primary in June. The governor also isn’t practicing what he preaches. On June 6, he’ll raise millions at his mansion for his political slush fund.

Schwarzenegger says he wants to use his blackout proposal to start a debate on political reform.

Fine. Let’s go to complete public financing of campaigns. If not, eliminate all loophole-pocked contribution limits and require 24-hour, online public disclosure of donations.

* Pet Sterilization.

Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) wants to require all pet owners to sterilize their young dogs and cats. He’d require breeding permits, costing $100 or more for each newborn. But only official breeders could get a permit.

This just seems elitist. Pander to pedigrees. No mutts need apply.

What about the little kid robbed of seeing a pet nurture her litter?

“Get a hamster,” Levine says. “Tell your child it’s more responsible to adopt a dog then breed another one.”

California spends $250 million a year boarding unwanted pets and inducing the big sleep, he says. Government can’t afford it.

Levine is on to something. We should require human breeding permits.

Charge $500, but you could means-test it.