California News Roundup - February 6, 2009

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.

California News Roundup - February 5, 2009

California legislators' inaction hits state workers in the pocketbook Thousands of state employees learned Wednesday that they will not be reimbursed for travel expenses until a budget deal is reached, as lawmakers' failure to strike such an agreement with the governor came back to bite them in their own wallets.

State furloughs may further delay unemployment benefits Already frustrated jobless Californians may have a tougher time getting unemployment insurance benefits of up to $450 a week as of Friday when most state workers start taking off two days a month without pay.

L.A. campaigns hope to tap into Obama's pool of new voters Candidates in the March 3 primary election in Los Angeles have zeroed in on the thousands of newly registered voters who lined up at the polls in November's presidential election, hoping to boost turnout in an off-year race that lacks a big-ticket political slugfest.

UC regents move toward easing admissions requirements University of California regents Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a controversial change in freshman admission standards that would drop the requirement for two SAT subject exams and make more students eligible for a review of their applications while guaranteeing entry to fewer.

California seeks to boost transfer rates to 4-year universities Leaders of California's public college and university systems announced Wednesday that they are launching a joint task force to boost the number of community college students who transfer to the state's four-year universities.

GOP accused of vote trading in budget talksBy Kevin Yamamura Labor and environmental leaders accused Republicans of illegally trading votes in budget negotiations and asked state Attorney General Jerry Brown for an immediate investigation, according to a letter they sent Wednesday.

The State Worker: Furloughs' unseen cost -- in morale Barring some unforeseen event, Furlough Fridays start tomorrow. Tens of thousands of state workers will take an unpaid day off.

State extends annual parks passes after printing error found State park officials are extending expiration dates of current annual passes and sending out temporary park entry certificates due to printing problems in processing passes.

In budget crisis, counties plot tax revolt against California Counties in California say they've had enough – and they aren't going to take it anymore.

Q & A: A talk with CalPERS' chief investment officerBy Dale Kasler CalPERS is getting a new chief investment officer, but don't expect any immediate wholesale changes in how the big pension fund invests its money.

Capitol Alert: AD 30: Labor slaps a bull's-eye on Gilmore In politics, the next election is never far away.

Capitol Alert: The (midyear) Capitol Alert budget pool So the state's political leaders have blown past their self-imposed Feb. 1 deadline to reach a budget accord. California has already stopped paying some of its bills. Taxpayer refund checks are on hold. Furloughs are on the horizon.

Capitol Alert: Counties fighting back against state California's 58 counties, whose payments are currently being withheld by the state to conserve cash, are beginning to fight back against Sacramento.

Capitol Alert: Why furloughs compute (and pay cuts didn't) San Diego Union-Tribune editorial writer Chris Reed asked the state controller's office how it was possible for the state's computers to furlough state workers, but not pay them minimum wage temporarily.

Capitol Alert: Cal's deficit, as big as it is, not the worstPosted by Dan WaltersThe immensity of California's budget crisis is shown in a new 50-state fiscal survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures, indicating that California's income-outgo gap is nearly a third of the current state budget deficits for entire nation.

Judges ask Calif. lawmakers to fix crowded prisons A special panel of federal judges pleaded Wednesday for California politicians to fix the state's overcrowded prisons and prevent the court-ordered release of tens of thousands of inmates.

Editorial: Counties' revolt is likely to be fruitless California's counties are getting rebellious, and no one can blame them. With the state running short of cash, Controller John Chiang has told counties he will not make $171 million in health and welfare payments the state owes them this month. Most of that money goes to pay welfare grants and foster care providers and to defray the counties' cost of administering these programs.

DMV proposal for face-detection technology irks privacy Even as cost-conscious Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger looks to trim state spending every way he can, officials at the Department of Motor Vehicles are planning to spend tens of millions of dollars on new driver's license technology.

Teachers union off base in fight with Schwarzenegger The state teachers union is driving an odd stake in the fast-eroding ground of state spending on education. The California Teachers Association is trying to stir up parents by harping on changes to the program that preserves small classes in lower grades. In a TV ad, the CTA blasts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and "some Sacramento politicians" who are "using the budget as an excuse to abolish our successful class-size reduction program."


Heat coming from all sides as leaders work on budget Labor unions are threatening to recall lawmakers who vote to roll back worker rights. Right-wing shock jocks are calling for the heads of lawmakers who break from conservative orthodoxy.

Offshore oil drilling compromise diesOil company offered to shut down existing wells for ability to drill new onesIt may be true that the more things change, the more they stay the same. We were pleased at the substantive change in the works when environmentalists decided last year not to oppose an oil company's drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara. To receive environmentalists' support, Plains Exploration & Production Co. agreed to close other drilling operations off the coast and donate 4,000 acres for preservation.

California's stimulus share spelled out President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan would create or preserve as many as 421,000 jobs across California, the White House said Wednesday.

California News Roundup - February 3, 2009

California bond rating drops lower than any other state's California's bond rating was downgraded below that of every other state Tuesday by a major Wall Street rating agency, as lawmakers trying to resolve the state's financial problems faced growing resistance from powerful interest groups.

Skirmish over state prison yoga rooms intensifies The battle over California prison inmates' constitutional rights has come down to this: finger-pointing over who dreamed up the idea of giving convicted criminals taxpayer-funded bingo and yoga rooms.

California Supreme Court to hear Prop. 8 arguments The California Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it would hear arguments March 5 over the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that reinstated a ban on same-sex marriage.

Money & Co.: California's low credit rating: Investors win, taxpayers lose When the state of Georgia sold 10-year bonds on Monday, it paid an annualized tax-free interest yield of 2.99% to the investors who bought the IOUs.

It's too easy to amend California's Constitution The Proposition 8 battle showed that the process to get an initiative amendment on the state ballot should be more rigorous.Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage unleashed a storm of controversy that has moved to the state Supreme Court. The cases filed there grapple with, among other issues, the fact that the measure isn't just a garden-variety statute passed by the people but an addition to the state Constitution. Amid all the other debates caused by Proposition 8, we need to open one more: Does California make it too easy to amend its Constitution?

State's Big Five keep talks secret for fear of dooming budget deal Five Californians are trying to solve the state's budget crisis, in part by keeping the other 38 million residents in the dark.

Controller, unions keep California furlough fight alive in 2 courts With thousands of state workers facing their first unpaid day off on Friday, the fight over whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can legally cut employee hours and pay split into two courts on Tuesday.

California Supreme Court sets date for hearing on gay-marriage ban The California Supreme Court announced Tuesday it will hear oral arguments in the challenge to Proposition 8 on March 5, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated hearings in the court's recent history.

Delayed system updates a drag on state jobless claims Seven years after the federal government gave California $66.1 million to modernize its unemployment insurance call centers and claims processing systems, state workers are still manually processing claims that the jobless now submit online.

Million-dollar home sales plummet in CaliforniaBy Dale Kasler The million-dollar home became something of a rare bird in California last year, a victim of the continuing collapse in the housing market.

Capitol Alert: O'Connell: State of education is 'precarious' The Bee's Bill Lindelof and Melissa Nix have a rundown of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's State of Education speech.

Dan Walters: State budget now officially a "high-risk" zone State auditor's office maintains a list of "high risk" issues facing California and monitors their condition constantly - and now has added the deficit-plagued state budget to that list in a report that frames the difficulties inherent in balancing the state's fiscal situation.

Capitol Alert: Video: Feinstein flirts -- again -- with governor run Sen. Dianne Feinstein appeared on MSNBC's Hardball program last night with Chris Matthews.

Dan Walters: Just the facts on financing schools Schools consume more than 40 percent of the state budget and are, therefore, a centerpiece of the convoluted politics of closing the state's whopping budget deficit, but few people - even few legislators - understand the complex manner by which California finances education.

Capitol Alert: Details of furloughs in governor's office Over at our sister blog, The State Worker, Dan Smith has posted a memo that the Schwarzenegger administration has sent to its own staff detailing the furloughs they must take.

Schwarzenegger's restructuring proposals Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently released 18 proposals to streamline government, a scaled-back version of his 2004 California Performance Review. His office projects the total cost savings at $126 million in the first year. Here are his proposals:

Dan Walters: Corporate tax issue has hidden agenda Senate Bill 28X was one of many "budget trailer bills" pushed through the Legislature last September with little or no debate or even analysis as part of a political deal to end a record-long stalemate on the state budget.

Daniel Weintraub: Seeds of growth ready for fertile ground As California's economy struggles to rebound from the collapse of the housing bubble, it is difficult to imagine what will lead us out of this hole. We had the dot-com boom and bust, and then a housing-led recovery that turned out to be a mirage. Is there some industry, some idea that can reignite sustainable growth in this once-golden state?

Jerry Brown: Prison czar's plan unrealistic, intrusive California is staring down fiscal catastrophe, yet the prison health care czar believes he is wholly immune from the harsh realities of the state budget, saying the crisis is "unfortunate, but irrelevant."

Censure resolution makes little sense With California facing a $41 billion shortfall and the state nearly insolvent, a Republican Party activist has drafted a resolution to censure any GOP lawmaker who votes for a tax increase.

Threats but still no solution to state crisisThere's no state budget yet, but already the henchmen of California politics are blackmailing those who may not toe their line.

Bill would drive many car dealers out of business A BILL that would require automobile dealers in California to post the nation's highest bond to operate their businesses is well-meaning, but it is a bad idea especially in fragile economic times.

Calif. EDD call centers won't shut for furloughs California's Employment Development Department offices will be closed two days a month due to furloughs, but the call centers will remain open and workers will staff the phone lines, EDD says.

LA county supervisors consider withholding funds from state The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today discussed withholding locally generated revenues from the state, if the state begins withholding funds from the county.

Education needs more freedom, not more taxes Schools chief should try to do more with lessIt would be refreshing to hear tax-supported service providers say they will do more with less, as increasingly is being done by countless businesses and individuals in the private sector.

California judicial panel weighs inmate release A federal judicial panel heard closing arguments Tuesday in a long-running legal battle over crowding in California prisons, a case that will have far-reaching consequences for the state's corrections system, its budget and public safety.

State budget woes disrupt payments to foster The state of California comes closer every day to running out of cash, and now it is foster parents who are feeling the squeeze.

Supervisors vote to sue Riverside County supervisors voted Tuesday to sue the state to compel it to pay billions of dollars in funding for county-run social services, payments the state began delaying this week to conserve cash.

Housing delusion? Californians need to be realistic about the prospects of an economic turnaround. Despite federal efforts to stem foreclosures and boost home lending, the state will not return to the freewheeling days before the mortgage meltdown. Nor should it: That heady housing market relied on unsustainable practices.

Gallop: Obama’s most unpopular decision? Funding overseas abortions.

For those who believe that the debate over abortion is dead, I have new for you!

A recent poll conducted by Gallop revealed that of all the decision President Obama has made during his term’s infancy, it was his decision to approve funding for organizations to provide abortions overseas that is most unpopular with voters.

Gallop writes:

…Obama's decision to reverse the prohibition on funding for overseas family-planning providers may be the least popular thing he has done so far. This was an executive order that forbade federal government money from going to overseas family-planning groups that provide abortions or offer abortion counseling. Fifty-eight percent of Americans disapprove of Obama's decision to lift this ban, while only 35% approve of it. The ban on federal funds to these groups was put in place by Ronald Reagan, but lifted by Bill Clinton. George W. Bush re-instituted the ban after taking office in 2001, but Obama has once again lifted it.

Even more interesting is the fact that Republicans were not the only ones opposed to this decision. According to Gallop, 67% of independent voters disapproved as well.

And for my fellow GOPer’s who advocate for having abortion striped from our party platform, take note… 92% of Republicans polled opposed overseas funding of abortions.

Keep that in mind!

California News Roundup - February 3, 2009

California's community colleges near the breaking point Facing yawning budget gaps, California's public universities are shifting thousands of applicants into a community college system already swamped by newly unemployed adults and students priced out of other schools.

Bay Area health union seeks vote on membership California's labor battle over who will represent tens of thousands of hospital workers will apparently be determined in voting booths at dozens of hospitals and nursing homes around the state.

Same-sex insanity A California Assembly bill takes the wrong path on its goal toward equal property tax benefits.It's not that AB 103 by Assemblyman Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) overreaches in its effort to extend a marriage benefit to same-sex couples. It's that it reaches in the wrong direction.

Political contributions drop off amid recession The current recession is wrapping its tightfisted hands around its latest victim: political fundraising.

The Buzz: GOP A-list headed for state's convention Undeterred by Barack Obama winning the biggest Democratic victory in California since FDR, Republican Party A-listers will descend on Sacramento for their Feb. 20-22 state convention. Possible 2010 gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner will join attendees including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and conservative author/pundit William Bennett.

GOP official seeks to censure those who vote to raise A top GOP official has submitted a resolution for the Republican Party's convention later this month to formally censure any Republican who votes for new or higher taxes in a state budget deal.

Water watchers cast a wary Water experts are having a hard time finding the right words to describe what lies ahead, after recording a dismally dry January in California.

L.A. mayor's star on the rise again as higher office beckons Barely a year ago, Antonio Villaraigosa's political star seemed anything but luminous.

Dan Walters: 'Big 5' process seems to be near a climax The so-called "Big 5" process has often been used to forge a final state budget deal – the governor and four legislative leaders privately ironing out details that will secure enough votes in the Legislature.

Whitman, Poizner ring donor registers in 2008 Two Silicon Valley tycoons who are expected to face off in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary had the political cash registers ringing in 2008, according to year-end major campaign donor statements.

Capitol Alert: Bass: GOP values 'followership more than Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, responded to the potential threat of a censure for GOP lawmakers who would vote to increase taxes to solve the state's budget crunch.

Capitol Alert: GOP A-list to descend on Sacramento Barack Obama may have just racked up the biggest Democratic election victory margin in California since FDR. But that isn't stopping Republican Party A-listers from descending on Sacramento for this month's California Republican Party Spring Convention.

Steinberg backs Price in SD 26 Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced his endorsement of Assemblyman Curren Price for state Senate on Monday.

Donors pumped $83M into Prop. 8 race Donors gave more than $83 million to support or oppose the ballot initiative that abolished same-sex marriage in California, according to campaign disclosure reports made public Monday.

Calif, FTC say drug makers withheld generics California Attorney General Jerry Brown and the Federal Trade Commission are suing four pharmaceutical companies they say conspired to keep generic versions of testosterone from being sold.

CTA takes low road with its ads A recent editorial directed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators on these pages bore the headline, "It's a crisis; act like it's a crisis."

Private money could save public projects "California Dreamin' ," a hugely popular song from 1965 by the Mamas and the Papas, evoked hypnotic images of our golden state among America's youth. Aside from California's physical beauty and wonderful weather, our transportation, education and water systems were also world-renowned.

Calls to alter how California government works With the state drowning in red ink and the Legislature facing a seemingly endless gridlock, political reformers and business officials want to call a state constitutional convention to redraw the way government works in California.

Jerry Brown leads the fund-raising pack in 2010 race for California governor While the election to choose California's next governor remains a political eternity away — balloting begins in the spring of 2010 — a Silicon Valley-based candidate hoped to send a clear message Monday about how badly he wants the job.

California residents need to start conserving water now THE MESSAGE from state water officials is clear: Start conserving now. Don't wait.

States offer asylum to fleeing businesses California is losing jobs to states that cut taxes to attract business, even in difficult times.Even as California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger jockey for enough votes to impose even higher taxes and even more regulations on businesses, other states increasingly are offering tax breaks and incentives to lure those companies away.

Calif budget talks resume as state delays Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders resumed closed-door talks Monday in an effort to close California's $42 billion budget gap, with employee furloughs just days away and taxpayer refunds already on hold.

Action Alert! Tomorrow, the Sacramento City Council will be voting on a proposed Amicus Brief Opposing Prop 8.

How is it that a city that is millions of dollars in debt and laying off workers finds the time and resources to overstep it’s authority and file a “Friend of the Court” brief asking the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the Marriage Protection Act? Well that is exactly what the members of the Sacramento City Council will be voting on TOMORROW February 3, 2009. (Click Here to see the Report)

Sacramento would not be the only city to file a brief in this case. Berkeley, Davis, West Hollywood, Palm Springs and several other liberal cities have also gotten involved. This is in spite of the fact that state initiatives are really out of their jurisdiction.

Well it is important to let them know that there are more appropriate uses of our tax dollars that getting involved in this fight. Please call members of the council and let them know how you feel.

Kevin Johnson
Mayor
Mayor's Office
916-808-5300

Ray Tretheway
District 1
916-808-7001

Sandy Sheedy
District 2
916-808-7002

Steve Cohn
Vice Mayor
District 3
916-808-7003

Robert King Fong
District 4
916-808-7004

Lauren Hammond
District 5
916-808-7005

Kevin McCarty
District 6
916-808-7006

Robbie Waters
District 7
916-808-7007

Bonnie Pannell
District 8
916-808-7008


The FAX number for all Council Members is 916-264-7680

California News Roundup - February 2, 2009

California GOP lawmakers use budget as leverage to refight old battles With their votes needed for a spending plan, Republicans press for delaying or rolling back rules on overtime pay and diesel pollution, a move they say would aid the economy. The economy is nose-diving. Unemployment rages. A yawning budget hole looms. In these gloomy times, statehouse Republicans see a chance to spur California renewal by refighting a few past defeats.

Delay of tax refunds and payments adds to Californians' struggles As state withholds $3.5 billion, people and businesses scramble to fill gaps. Vendors, Cal Grants, child care services and programs for the developmentally disabled are among those affected.By Patrick McGreevy and Jordan Rau Reporting from Sacramento -- Wendy Hansen, a 52-year-old single mom in Monrovia, says she cannot afford a delay in her anticipated state income tax refund of $1,800.


National park backers call for creation of a service corps similar to the Depression-era CCCThe Civilian Conservation Corps put millions to work and left a lasting imprint on Yosemite and other parks. The economy was a shambles. Millions of Americans were out of work. Saying something drastic needed to be done, the newly elected president announced a massive economic stimulus package aimed at repairing the nation's sagging infrastructure and putting people back to work.

A Villaraigosa-Weiss-Greuel troika would consolidate power at L.A. City Hall L.A. mayor and his closest allies are running for the top three citywide offices on the March 3 ballot. Some say a triple win would decrease infighting; critics fear a lack of checks and balances. For the last four years, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and two of his closest allies on the Los Angeles City Council have seen their political fortunes follow a steady upward trajectory.

Mormon church reveals deeper involvement in Proposition 8 The Mormon church has revealed in a campaign filing that the church spent nearly $190,000 to help pass Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California.

Gay rights activists heading to boot camp in bid to overturn Proposition 8 Cleve Jones extended his microphone in the upscale bar as though handing a baton to the next generation.

Calif. leaders still searching for budget deal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders won't meet again until Monday as they search for a $42 billion solution to the state's budget woes.

Calif. county considers declaring fiscal emergency Kern County supervisors are considering declaring a fiscal emergency as they try to cut $75 million from their budget before July 1.

$58 million in Calif. stem cell grants delayed The governing board of the California stem cell agency is delaying $58 million in research grants at least until March because of the poor economy and credit market.

Dan Walters: California spending cap could seal deal on budget California's horrendous budget crisis has its roots in a 1978 decision by then-Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature to temporarily shoulder billions of dollars in school and local government costs in response to voters' passage of Proposition 13, which deeply slashed local property taxes.

Here's our outline for fixing budgetCalifornians are often accused of state budget hypocrisy – wanting it all but being unwilling to pay for it.

Governor to top officials: Furlough workers Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told statewide elected officials Friday that a court ruling this week allowing him to furlough state workers two days a month to help ease the state's fiscal crisis applies to their employees, too.

Californians could soon be paying more to drive, take transit When Kent Lue opened up the DMV renewal notice for his 2004 BMW motorcycle two weeks ago, he was in for a surprise. The cost had jumped from $92 to $101.

Outrageous budget fiasco has shamed California The once great state of California today becomes a national disgrace.

Bay Area lawmakers stay On a recent night at her Capitol office, Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, spent until 2 a.m. answering 150 e-mails from constituents worried about the state's fiscal crisis. That was after she'd hand-signed 500 letters she'd written about the budget.

Time for state lawmakers to solve budget messIt's time for California's lawmakers to end partisan bickering and solve the budget mess -- nowTODAY, California has become a national embarrassment. We have become the poster child for dysfunctional government.

UC regents to vote on admission standards The most sweeping overhaul of the University of California's undergraduate admissions rules in a half-century will go before regents for a vote Wednesday amid fresh skepticism of the plan.

Shortfall's effects on state soon to be seen Today in California, February comes in like a miserly lion.

$8 billion fix ill-conceived Prison plan lacks proper reviewThere's little question a federal judge was correct in ruling that California's prison healthcare system needs improvement.

Prison posturing? California officials need to match actions to words if they want to convince the federal courts to return control of prison health care to the state. The courts would be far more likely to grant that request if the governor and Legislature would enact long-needed reforms to the state's prison system.