Wednesday, August 13, 2008

California News Roundup - August 13, 2008

Feinstein criticizes legislators for inaction on state water plan -- Warning that California faces catastrophic water shortages from a worsening drought, Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday upbraided state lawmakers for failing to rally behind a proposed $9.3 billion water bond for the November ballot.


Dan Walters: Fuzzy outline of a California budget deal emerges -- It's still a long way from being fully cooked, but the fuzzy outline of a deal on the much-delayed, deficit-ridden state budget is becoming visible as the deadline for placing measures on the November ballot draws near.


Budget deadlock may cut Schwarzenegger's starring role -- The Border Governors Conference convenes today at Universal City.


Assembly moves to protect whistle-blowers -- A bill allowing cities and counties to set up hot lines and ensure confidentiality for whistle-blowing employees who report alleged fraud, waste and mismanagement has been approved by the state Legislature.


Algebra expansion cost pegged at $3.1 billion -- California's schools will need an additional $3.1 billion annually - $2,100 more for every middle school student - to implement the governor's new eighth-grade algebra testing requirement, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said Tuesday.


Judge says UC can deny religious course credit -- A federal judge says the University of California can deny course credit to applicants from Christian high schools whose textbooks declare the Bible infallible and reject evolution.


Yee's bill protects UC whistle-blowers -- University of California employees who were punished for reporting wrongdoing could sue for damages under legislation proposed Tuesday by a Bay Area lawmaker.


Highway 50 plan may not be green enough for state -- In what appears to be a California first, state highway officials are shelving a major Highway 50 widening plan in Sacramento until they can study whether the expansion will contribute to global warming.


Thousands whose health policies were canceled to be offered new coverage -- The state reaches agreement with Kaiser, Health Net and PacifiCare that will also provide for compensation for medical bills. Lawyers balk at the notification process.


Sacramento mayor apologizes to victims of racial profiling -- Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo called a report showing that black motorists are pulled over by city police more frequently than other drivers "very disturbing" and apologized to those who have suffered from racial profiling.

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