It's not often that you hear about the state not using every dime it can get its hands on, but when it comes to helping veterans, that's apparently what's happening.
From the U-T's Michael Gardner: "California has the authority to tap more than $1 billion to help veterans buy single-family homes even as thousands of those who served their country live on the streets because of a shortage of affordable apartments."
"This dichotomy is the product of a mix of developments. Among those: voter-approved restrictions on selling bonds for housing veterans, the recession and the wind-down of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that has greatly increased the number of returning troops in need of a place to stay."
"California lawmakers are convinced they have come up with a relatively simple strategy to help ease the housing crisis confronting veterans — as long as voters agree."
The costs of realignment are mounting, but the question of who is really paying for it isn't all that clear.
From Capitol Weekly's John Howard: "As the state shifts more and more responsibility to local governments, disputes over the size of the tab and who picks it up are growing."
"In theory, the transfer of state authority to the locals, such as in the $6.3 billion realignment program in which some state prisoners are sent to county lockups and myriad services are shifted to the counties, is supposed to be a wash, or revenue neutral."
"In fact, the counties say they are getting less than they bargained for."
The sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Bob Filner are getting more traction by the day, and even his own Democratic party is split about what to do.
From the U-T's Mark Walker: "The San Diego County Democratic Party is dividing into two camps over the lurid sexual harassment accusations dogging Mayor Bob Filner — those who want him to step down immediately and those who argue he’s entitled to the due process he’s demanding."
"The interparty debate comes to a head Thursday night when five dozen members of the central committee meet behind closed doors to determine the party’s formal stance."
"Party Chairwoman Francine Busby said Wednesday she will detail that position is at the conclusion of the meeting. Filner has been invited to attend."
The dispute over the the petroleum exploration technique know as fracking is drawing a significant amount of public scrutiny.
From the LAT's Patrick McGreevy: "State officials have been flooded with more than 20,000 comments and suggestions regarding proposed regulations of a controversial oil and gas drilling technique known as fracking, officials said Wednesday."
"Members of the California Water Commission voiced concerns of their own Wednesday about whether the state should treat the recipes for some fracking liquids as trade secrets, not to be disclosed to the public."
"Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals into the ground to break up rock formations and release the oil and gas trapped inside."
The choice of Janet Napolitano to run the University of California is expected to become final today with a vote of the UC Regents. Not everybody is enthralled with thre choice.
From Katy Murphy in the Oakland Tribune: "Others wonder if Napolitano will support the university's public mission and worry its leaders will want to capitalize on her ties to the defense industry."
"The real concern isn't so much what she doesn't know. It's what she does know," said Bob Meister, president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations and a professor at UC Santa Cruz."
"Napolitano's association with the deportation of illegal immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been another source of controversy. A group of students and alumni announced Wednesday they would demonstrate against the nomination on Thursday."
