Scores of California state offices won't be open today Scores of state offices will be closed today as more than 200,000 workers take their first unpaid day off in response to California's deepening fiscal crisis.
Rulings on gay couples' benefits question Defense of Marriage Act Brad Levenson and Tony Sears spent Thursday fielding congratulatory calls from gay rights supporters around the nation for their success in getting a federal judge to call into question the legality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
UC regents ease admission rules to expand applicant pool A much-debated plan by the University of California to expand its freshman applicant pool and reduce the tests required for admission won final approval Thursday from the Board of Regents.
California's at rock bottom If California wants its share of federal largesse, Sacramento had better get its act together, fast.California is now the Wile E. Coyote of states. Our governor and lawmakers have dickered and dawdled all of us off a cliff, but we're trying desperately to resist the realization that there is no ground beneath us. Our legs are pumping and our eyes are on Obama administration stimulus packages and bailout money on the far, sunny slope, and we might just reach them if we don't acknowledge that the bridge is out, or that we've run off the road, or that our Acme wings have failed. Once we notice that we're hanging in midair, we'll fall.
Workers under elected state officials won't abide by furloughs today Despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order for state workers to take today off without pay, one group will be showing up for work, just like always.
Experts spell out California counties' budget Counties threatened revolt against the state this week after state Controller John Chiang said he would delay payments to counties for mandated programs.
Delta drought response could pit fish against fish It's come to this. A drought approaching epic status in California may force the state to choose one imperiled species of fish over another.
Regents change UC admission requirements University of California regents Thursday approved new admission requirements intended to improve access for low-income students as well as a policy bolstering UC's commitment to financial aid.
Sacramento activist offers strategy for curbing illegal immigration If there is one issue he's close to, Arnoldo Torres says, it's immigration.
Dan Walters: Budget analyst says state can't evade reality By purest happenstance, Mac Taylor became the Legislature's budget analyst last year just as the state was plummeting into the fiscal abyss of multibillion-dollar deficits, a credit rating that's lowest in the nation, payment deferrals because of cash shortages – and no political plans, or perhaps even will, to arrest the plunge.
Capitol Alert: Schwarzenegger names new Energy Commission chair Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named Karen Douglas the new chair of the California Energy Commission on Thursday.
Capitol Alert: Solis nomination hearing postponed A confirmation hearing for Rep. Hilda Solis, a Los Angeles-area Democrat nominated as President Barack Obama's labor secretary, was postponed Thursday.
Capitol Alert: Fabian Núñez files for state Senate Former Speaker Fabian Núñez, who termed out of the state Assembly last fall, has filed paperwork to make a Sacramento comeback as a state senator.
Capitol Alert: Steinberg: Budget vote next week, as talks 'coming to a close' Senate President Darrell Steinberg said Thursday that both houses of the Legislature are planning a budget vote sometime next week, though the Democratic leader was careful to say no final agreement had been reached.
Agencies seek to preserve water in Calif lakes State and federal water managers Thursday asked for permission to keep more water in California's reservoirs this month so there will be enough cold water for salmon later in the year.
Status of some Calif offices once furloughs begin The Associated Press Many California government offices are scheduled to close Friday under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order requiring most employees to take two unpaid days off a month. Most agencies are planning to close the first and third Fridays of each month.
Budget secrecy is no public service Ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor, this early advocate of sunshine has relied on darkness to close a budget deal.
Twin Rivers' plight: Bad, but manageable With a budget stalemate and uncertain economy, local school districts face the daunting task of huge midyear cuts – even though teachers already have been hired and books bought.
State's eventual rebound could be quick The pace of job layoffs in the California economy has been much quicker in the past 18 months than in previous state economic downturns – the result of technology, globalization and the breakdown of the employer-employee relationship that reigned through much of California's post-World War II period. In turn, though, the pace of job hires likely will be far quicker than most commentators are projecting when the economy turns.
Budget gap endangers valued school programs Parents in San Ramon fear their program for gifted students will vanish. Oakland residents want to save adult education. And teachers across the state are demanding that lawmakers preserve small class sizes they say kids need.
UC regents OK admissions overhaul A lot more young people will have a shot at getting into the University of California under new eligibility rules, approved by the UC Board of Regents today, that represent the most sweeping changes in admission standards in almost 50 years.
Union: Confusion reigns as California braces for government shutdown today With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's historic furlough of more than 200,000 state employees set to begin today, a major labor union warned that the state is ill-prepared to handle the work stoppage.
California farmers struggle with impending Farmer Lax Iyers is standing on the side of a country road that splits his almond orchard into two different worlds — one abloom, the other in danger of choking in a cloud of dust.
Make it easier for K-12 school districts to pass a parcel tax If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature are intent on slashing funding for K-12 schools, the least they can do is to make it easier for local districts to raise money on their own. The obvious way is to give them a fairer chance to pass a parcel tax.
Jerry Brown urged to probe Republican vote-trading allegations Labor and environmental groups have asked California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate whether Republican state lawmakers are engaging in illegal vote trading during budget talks.
Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.
Campaign-donor law remains intact Gay and lesbian rights activists — and the rest of California — dodged a bullet last week when a federal judge threw out a lawsuit that would have kept secret the names of those who donated to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.
Will next budget phase be better? Governor, legislative leaders drop their secretive negotiations as state-worker furloughs beginThe public gets its first up-close exposure to the state's budget woes today as thousands of government workers take the day off without pay to save a few bucks. If you visit the DMV, for instance, the door will be closed. Nevertheless, we suspect most people won't notice much difference in their lives.
California agencies scramble to meet Friday State agencies were scrambling Thursday to implement the first employee furloughs in California history, ordered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save money in the face of a massive budget crisis.
UC pension system faces economic realityContribution-free days ending; benefits eyedBy James P. Sweeney SAN FRANCISCO — For 20 years, the University of California pension system seemed to be a Wall Street wonder, building assets and paying billions in benefits without any contributions from the university or its employees.
U-T Editorial: Furlough truths State can handle this reduction and moreToday is the first furlough day for state workers, part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to ease California's fiscal crisis by shuttering most state offices on two weekdays a month.
Credible casinos? Leaving casinos in charge of policing the integrity of their operations offers a faulty safeguard against corruption. Gambling ventures, which have ready access to mountains of cash, require outside scrutiny to ensure honesty. But California tribal casinos now lack that oversight, a void that tribes and state gambling regulators need to fill.
Fiscal justice?San Bernardino County should not be paying extra benefits to state employees when the county faces a $60 million budget shortfall. The county needs any savings it can find, and padding the income of state judges no longer makes policy or financial sense.
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