Thursday, September 25, 2008

California News Roundup - September 25, 2008

Poll: Same-sex marriage ban not wooing voters -- Opponents of a ban on same-sex marriage have the upper hand in a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, but the numbers also suggest that the third time may be a charm for Proposition 4, which requires notification of a parent or relative before a minor can receive an abortion.


Obama retains lead over McCain among state's voters, poll finds -- The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee has excited GOP voters in California, but her addition to the ticket has not changed any minds, a Public Policy Institute of California poll released today finds.


Fee increases slip into state budget
-- The no-new-taxes budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week includes at least two new fees the average Californian will pay. Drivers will be tapped for an additional $11 when they register their car or motorcycle starting Dec. 1. That will raise about $300 million for California Highway Patrol programs this fiscal year.


Deal stalls on California prisons -- Once again, progress has stalled in the efforts to fashion a fix for California's overcrowded prisons. In last week's budget negotiations, lawmakers failed to free up money set aside last year for prisons. They also did not act to approve $8 billion in other bonds for 10,000 long-term health care beds for old, infirm and mentally ill inmates.


Budget blockage cost credit union $52,000 -- The Golden 1 Credit Union lost about $52,000 in "opportunity costs" during California's budget impasse, company President and CEO Terry Halleck said. The figure represents what the credit union would have earned had it invested money that it loaned at zero interest to 1,100 state workers – legislative staff and others – who by law weren't paid until a budget was in place. This year's legislative standoff was a record 85 days.


Reforms needed to avoid repeat of budget fiasco, Panetta says -- After three months of "recrimination, passing the buck, gridlock, delays and sniping at one another," California can't afford another budget fiasco, said a leading Democrat who insisted an overhaul of government is the only way out of the constant crises plaguing the state Capitol. Leon Panetta, co-chairman of California Forward, a nonprofit bipartisan government reform group, urged political leaders to make 2009 the "year of reform."


T. Boone Pickens backs Proposition 10, from which he would profit -- The oil billionaire wants California to invest $5 billion in rebates to help promote use of natural gas in vehicles, though few consumers could benefit.


Pastors plan to defy IRS ban on political speech
-- Setting the stage for a collision of religion and politics, Christian ministers from California and 21 other states will use their pulpits Sunday to deliver political sermons or endorse presidential candidates -- defying a federal ban on campaigning by nonprofit groups.


Philip Morris sues San Francisco over tobacco sales ban -- Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company, filed suit in federal court Wednesday, arguing the city of San Francisco has unconstitutionally banned pharmacies from selling tobacco products.


Madera school board election nullified before the vote -- A judge in Central California has taken the unusual step of tossing out, in advance, the results of an upcoming school board election after finding that it violated the terms of the California Voting Rights Act.


Kevin Johnson, St. HOPE suspended from receiving federal funds -- In a rare move, mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson and at least part of his St. HOPE organization have been barred from receiving federal money until an investigation into the use of funds for its volunteer program is completed.

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