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Whitman's fortune entwined with Goldman Sachs -- Candidate Meg Whitman touts her experience at eBay, the online auction house that made her rich, but her career and personal fortune are entwined with another company: the Goldman Sachs investment bank, a major player in public finance in the state she wants to lead. Lance Williams and Carla Marinucci California Watch -- 4/11/10 Pensions batter California's governments -- This year, San Luis Obispo County will spend five times as much on pensions as it does prosecuting criminals. San Mateo County will spend more to fund its pension plan than it does on public works. Phillip Reese and Brad Branan in the Fresno Bee -- 4/11/10 Stanislaus trails piper it can't pay — blame bubble, bad advice, politics -- Eight years after giving a major boost in pension benefits to employees, Stanislaus County is trying to keep from getting buried in retirement costs. Ken Carlson in the Modesto Bee -- 4/11/10 Walters: California pension funds' shortfall may be something to cuss about -- The Legislature, whose public standing in polls is rock-bottom, did it itself no favors when it approved a resolution calling for Californians to observe a "cuss-free week." Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Waste Watchers tips spur action but don't dent California's deficit -- It's not blowing up the boxes of state government, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's officials say their online Waste Watchers suggestion box has prompted changes from shutting off lights in a vacant office to selling hundreds of used state vehicles. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Think you could fix California's budget woes? -- California's latest budget deficit is approaching $20 billion, and the state's natives are growing restless. Denis C. Theriault in the San Jose Mercury -- 4/11/10 Political independents poised to help pick winners in GOP primary -- In the past, independent voter George Philipp has voted for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer because the liberal Democrat has always been consistent in her views. But for the June primary, the 40-year-old Hayward man is considering voting a Republican ballot. Ken McLaughlin in the San Jose Mercury -- 4/11/10 Poizner tells supporters he'll continue to fight -- Republican state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner told a group of supporters Saturday in Modesto that he's still in the fight to become California's next governor, despite trailing badly in the polls. Rosalio Ahumada in the Modesto Bee -- 4/11/10 Herhold: By the book — How Poizner and Whitman differ -- But if you believe that past is prologue, even in the fun-house mirror of autobiography, the two books yield insights into what kind of governor each Silicon Valley figure would make. Scott Herhold in the San Jose Mercury -- 4/11/10 Morain: PG&E flips the switch on a ballot power play -- It was an unhappy anniversary that passed without public fanfare. But nine years ago last week, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., ravaged by the energy crisis, plunged into bankruptcy. Dan Morain in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Alumnus turns passion for CSUS against Palin -- Once a leader in the Vietnam Veterans of America and like-minded groups, Leaveck is among the most outspoken opponents of Palin's scheduled June 25 appearance at CSUS. Michael Doyle in the Fresno Bee -- 4/11/10 4,000 attend Tea Party's rally in Fresno -- Saturday's rally carried a distinct political theme, with conservative-leaning candidates -- or their representatives -- speaking and manning booths. Others collected signatures for statewide initiatives related to taxes and global-warming laws. Cyndee Fontana in the Fresno Bee -- 4/11/10 Dems running for state AG speak at abortion forum -- Democrats vying to be California's next attorney general reaffirmed their support for abortion rights at a forum in San Francisco Saturday organized by the group NARAL Pro-Choice California. SUDHIN THANAWALA AP -- 4/11/10 California court officials, judges spar over costly computer system -- Court administrators are jockeying with disgruntled judges for the support of lawmakers who will help determine the fate of a statewide computer system as budget season begins. Robert Lewis in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Concealed-weapons issue dominates El Dorado sheriff's race -- Everywhere the six non-incumbent candidates for sheriff go – even Monday's forum in an upscale retirement community – Topic A has been who gets a license to carry a concealed weapon. Carlos Alcalá in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Fired Orange County investigator wins his job back a second time -- A veteran Orange County district attorney's investigator who was fired after he refused to drop his probe into one of the district attorney's close friends and political contributors has, for a second time, won back his job and will probably get more than $1 million in back pay. Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 'L.A.' is an epithet in a race in Orange County -- After Orange County's sheriff was indicted on corruption charges on 2007, supervisors made a point of looking beyond the county limits to find a replacement who was free of the cronyism and scandal that had tainted the office. Raja Abdulrahim in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 Latino power comes full circle in L.A. -- The announcement last week that Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio will replace Cardinal Roger Mahony as head of the local Catholic diocese capped an assertion of power on the part of Latinos in Los Angeles that is remarkable in its seeming speed. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 Saunders: Will Goodwin Liu sink the left-leaning Ninth Circuit? -- There are two ways the Senate can approach a president's judicial nominees, and specifically President Obama's nomination of UC Berkeley law Professor Goodwin Liu to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Debra J. Saunders in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 4/11/10 Breton: Obama nominee faces bumpy ride -- Kimberly Mueller has done nothing in a distinguished legal and political career to incur the wrath of U.S. Senate Republicans, but she probably will anyway. Marcos Breton in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10
In down economy, police agencies seeing an older, weathered recruit -- College-educated and career-shifting recruits have started filling the ranks of aspiring police officers, ushered in part by an economic downturn marked by layoffs and job scarcity, according to recruiters in both counties. Robert Salonga and Sophia Kazmi in the Contra Costa Times -- 4/11/10 Homeowners hope for a lifeline -- Connie Garrison doesn’t fit the usual profile of a homeowner in need. DEREK MOORE in the Santa Rosa Press -- 4/11/10 Underground cash economy thrives in Sacramento -- He plies his trade at Arden and Howe, one of the city's busiest corners. An advertising sign holder for hire, Trandell McCauley makes his money a couple hours a day or a week at a time. And he earns it in cash. Darrell Smith in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Feds give Fremont $333,000 to study reuse of NUMMI land -- Commerce Department officials chose a forum on export and manufacturing growth to award Fremont a grant to find new uses for the former NUMMI auto plant. Matthew Artz in the San Jose Mercury -- 4/11/10
Teachers agree to shorten LAUSD school year -- Union members OK the deal that could save the district up to $140 million, save about 2,100 jobs and maintain class sizes. It will become effective if approved by the school board Tuesday. Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 Study: Most teachers pan No Child Left Behind -- As early as kindergarten, California teachers spend as much as 40 minutes to an hour a day doing assessments of their small charges in preparation for the years of testing to come. Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell in the San Bernardino Sun -- 4/11/10 Richmond fights truancy with daytime curfew -- On any given school day, an estimated 450 Richmond teenagers are truant, hanging out on the streets, at parks, in shopping malls, or worse, committing or falling victim to crime. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 4/11/10
Taking New Tack in Hetch Hetchy Battle -- Generations of environmentalists have looked upon John Muir’s unsuccessful battle to save Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite as the beginning of their modern movement. And just as many have wondered if the majestic, granite-walled valley might some day be restored to its natural state. DANIEL WEINTRAUB in the New York Times -- 4/11/10 Water: Conservation, recession cause wave of rate hikes -- Water rates appear poised to shoot up across Southern California, as conservation efforts and the recession cut into water agency revenues. BRADLEY J. FIKES in the North County Times -- 4/11/10 LA billionaires sued over California water sales -- They grew their fortune in the California sun, turning pedestrian fruits and nuts into a vast and varied empire that secured their place in Hollywood. GARANCE BURKE AP -- 4/11/10 Supporters make final push for funds to buy land near Hollywood sign -- Rally featuring live music and a bake sale comes four days before the deadline to raise $12.5 million for Cahuenga Peak, with hopeful buyers facing a $2.8 million shortfall. Kim Christensen in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10
Valley doctors worry deep Medicare pay cuts may remain in place -- Medicare patients in the central San Joaquin Valley could have a harder time getting medical attention this year, if the government goes ahead with a deep pay cut for doctors. Barbara Anderson in the Fresno Bee -- 4/11/10 Landmark health care bill takes first steps -- Ultimately, the legislation will touch nearly every American. But its many provisions, to be rolled out gradually over the next several years, will affect people differently. Factors include age, health, employment status, family situation and income. LORA HINES and BEN GOAD in the Riverside Press -- 4/11/10 Health insurance will change for many workers -- Most are expected to continue getting insurance through their employers, but some new benefits will be offered - and some may be scaled back. Noam N. Levey in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10
Migrant filing of taxes up --- Alondra Velasco is part of the underground economy, but she's a legitimate taxpayer in the eyes of Uncle Sam. The 22-year-old Rialto resident works at a Mexican restaurant. She gets paid in cash because she's in the country illegally and doesn't have a Social Security number. Stephen Wall in the San Bernardino Sun -- 4/11/10 Hispanics skeptical that Obama, Democrats will deliver immigration overhaul -- Among Hispanics, one concern often voiced is that Obama has not moved quickly on changing immigration law. Sandhya Somashekhar in the Washington Post -- 4/11/10
Replacing Justice Stevens on high court is not just a matter of ideology -- In nearly 35 years on the Supreme Court, Justice John Paul Stevens went from idiosyncratic maverick to the leader of the court's liberal wing. Robert Barnes in the Washington Post -- 4/11/10
Lopez: Attention Cirque du L.A. ringmasters: Do your jobs -- For years, leaders have complained about fiscal mismanagement. For years, the complaints were ignored. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 Valley lawsuits over disabilities law raise questions -- A San Jose lawyer has filed dozens of federal lawsuits on behalf of five clients since August claiming Valley businesses haven't done enough to accommodate handicapped patrons. Marc Benjamin in the Fresno Bee -- 4/11/10 Sacramento County DA has nuanced approach to prosecution -- But in 16 years as a leading voice in law enforcement, Scully also has demonstrated a more nuanced approach to the prosecution business, one that belies any kind of rightward-leaning ideology. Andy Furillo in the Sacramento Bee -- 4/11/10 Homeless ex-reporter opted for Berkeley streets -- Known as Mark Hawthorne when he was a New York Times news reporter from 1961 to 1970, Hate Man has lived mostly on the streets in Berkeley since opting out of normal society in 1986. The item is in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 4/11/10
G.O.P. Weighs Political Price of Court Fight -- The retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens presents a test for Republicans as much as it does for President Obama as they weigh how much they want to wage a high-profile battle over ideological issues in the months before crucial midterm elections. PETER BAKER and CARL HULSE in the New York Times -- 4/11/10 Romney wins presidential straw poll by a single vote -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney defeated Texas Rep. Ron Paul by a single vote in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference’s 2012 straw poll on Saturday. Peter Hamby CNN Politics BEN SMITH & JONATHAN MARTIN Politico Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 Should Republicans be a party of yes, or no? -- Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin are among those who disagree on strategy at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference -- although they're all united against Obama. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/11/10 |
