California Policy and Politics This Morning

California energy panel promises millions to ethanol firm founded by Schwarzenegger ally -- The money from a tax on car owners goes to a fund for clean-energy technologies. But backers say it was not to be used for corn ethanol, which they say harms the environment as much as oil. Jack Dolan in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

Experts see political benefits in Fiorina's 'personal' trip to Israel -- GOP Senate candidate will tour Israel over Labor Day weekend and meet 'a number of people at high levels' of government. The trip could draw the attention of some Jewish voters. Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

CalBuzz: Tom Meyer: eMeg’s the Life of the Party -- The record will show that it was six years – to the day! – before California’s Nov. 2, 2010 election that alert customs agents at the Tecate Port of Entry on the U.S. –Mexico border foiled a nefarious smuggling plot to sneak into the country a little girl hidden inside a piñata. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 8/28/10

Whitman and Brown in iPhone app flap -- California Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman’s campaign today launched its official iPhone application, offering “a menu of options for supporters and voters to learn more about Meg and her plan for California.” Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 8/28/10

Whitman plans 'big offensive' in Bay Area -- Meg Whitman's gubernatorial campaign is so flush with money that it can afford to start spending more in a part of California where top strategists concede they'll lose: the Bay Area. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/28/10

Vernon official relieved of duties pending city review of finances -- Executive got $243,898 through a consulting firm headed by his wife plus an annual salary of more than $380,000. He claimed to have worked six months straight, including 13 hours on New Year's Day. Kim Christensen and Sam Allen in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

full honors for Obledo -- Covered by the national flag the coffin where his body lay in the midst of examinations, blanks and loudly singing the song ' Cuatro Caminos 'of Mexican composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez went Mario G. Obledo, considered a champion for workers, the homeless and the powerless. Araceli Martinez La Opinión -- 8/28/10 Translated by Google Translate (good, but not perfect).

Appointee to campaign finance panel raises eyebrows -- Businessman and lobbyist Darius Anderson has been a target of pension fund probes by state and federal authorities, though he hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing. Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

Federal receiver downsizes turnaround plan for prison medical care -- Nearly a decade ago, one state prison inmate a week died because medical care inside prisons was so poor. Julie Small KPCC -- 8/28/10

With Federal Help, Bill Seeks to End California’s Food Deserts -- Converting food deserts into oases is the goal of the federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative – and of legislation by Assembly Speaker John Perez. Greg Lucas California's capitol weblog -- 8/28/10

Free wine, beer or liquor? Bill gives taste testing thumbs up -- Sip some beer, wine or hard liquor? Taste testings could be as near as your neighborhood supermarket under legislation that passed the Legislature on Friday and went to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jim Sanders SacBee Capitol Alert -- 8/28/10

Bag-ban author amends bill, awaits Senate vote -- A bill to ban disposable plastic carry-out bags at grocery, pharmacy and convenience stores was amended today by the state Senate's Rules Committee, and may come up for full legislative approval early next week. Tim Sheehan in the Fresno Bee Susan Ferriss in the Sacramento Bee -- 8/28/10

BOE says no raises for local governments -- The state Board of Equalization said Friday that August sales tax allocations to local governments statewide will remain flat due to economic conditions. Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee -- 8/28/10

Proposal to require Legislature to post salaries has stalled in Senate -- Failure to act on Assembly Bill 2064 sends the wrong message to voters, said Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who crafted the measure. Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee -- 8/28/10

Jury hung in candidate Tan Nguyen’s case -- The jury was hung this evening on two felony counts against former congressional candidate Tan Nguyen, who faced federal charges related to a controversial letter sent to Latino voters in 2006. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 8/28/10

   Budget

Legislature set to vote on budget proposals -- The Legislature will vote on two competing budget proposals next week, lawmakers announced Friday, though neither is likely to be approved as the impasse at the Capitol is set to move into its third month. Wyatt Buchanan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 8/28/10

   Tax Measures

Perata at odds with police union over parcel tax -- Don Perata, the former state Senate leader who's now running for mayor, earned the endorsement of the Oakland Police Officers Association last fall, long before the city laid off 80 police officers and warned it could let go 122 more because of severe budget problems. Cecily Burt in the Contra Costa Times -- 8/28/10

   Economy - Jobs

Developer's use of Sacramento railyard loans raises eyebrows -- In early 2007, with the economy still buoyant, a billionaire developer from Georgia and a well-heeled investment firm from Illinois saw gold in downtown Sacramento's dilapidated railyard. Tony Bizjak and Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 8/28/10

   Education

State budget delay creates trouble for California colleges -- As California enters its ninth week without a budget, state higher education leaders said Friday the delay is creating financial problems and uncertainty for public colleges and universities. Terence Chea AP -- 8/28/10

UC, CSU, community college chiefs plead for quick budget passage -- Chancellors say that without a state budget, 'We are operating with a blindfold on.' The delay has already forced campuses to borrow money and threatened some students' enrollment and financial aid. Larry Gordon in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

Banks: Begging for an education -- In another year of budget cuts, Cal State students are left to plead, strategize and guilt their way into critical courses. Sandy Banks in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

   Environment

Traces of dairy antibiotics found in groundwater, UC Davis report says -- Core sampling at dairy A recent report by UC Davis scientists found that antibiotics administered to dairy cattle do end up in manure lagoons and on the ground, but that only a small amount enters the groundwater -- and that the majority of the drugs break down before then. P.J.Huffstutter in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

Green goal line in sight: 33 percent renewable electricity bill nearing key votes -- As the final days of the 2010 legislative session wind down in Sacramento, a Silicon Valley lawmaker is pushing to give California the most far-reaching mandate for renewable energy in the United States. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury -- 8/28/10

Region's smart growth Blueprint finds favor with feds -- Sacramento may have a powerful new partner in efforts to steer more development to existing neighborhoods and be less dependent on single-occupant cars that contribute to global warming. It's the U.S. government. Jim Wasserman in the Sacramento Bee -- 8/28/10

   Health Care

L.A. County supervisors want to see doctors' peer review documents from hospitals -- They cite patient safety and malpractice claims. Hospital administrators are opposed. Molly Hennessy-Fiske in the Los Angeles Times -- 8/28/10

   Beltway

Where Dr. King Stood, Tea Party Claims His Mantle -- It seems the ultimate thumb in the eye: that Glenn Beck would summon the Tea Party faithful to a rally on the anniversary of the March on Washington, and address them from the very place where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech 47 years ago. KATE ZERNIKE in the New York Times -- 8/28/10