Apparently, all it took was some quality time in Southern
California to make dramatic progress in the long-stalled state budget.
The Chronicle's Wyatt Buchanan and Marisa Lagos take
a look: "State leaders have made a breakthrough in the record-breaking budget stalemate, announcing Thursday they
have agreed on a framework for solving California's
$19 billion budget deficit."
"The bare-bones announcement came after the second day of meetings
in Los Angeles, where negotiations were moved because
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been sick and unable
to fly to the capital."
The LAT's Shane Goldmacher notes that the negotiators
huddled in the governor's Santa Monica office.
"After two all-day negotiating sessions in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's
private Santa Monica office, the governor's spokesman
said they had reached 'a framework of an agreement'
on eliminating the state's $19.1-billion deficit. Top legislators concurred."
"Proclamations of such accord have proved premature
in the past, but the negotiators said they could strike
a final deal as early as Monday."
Doug Begley of the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports that the budget wrangle is hitting travelers below the belt.
"Seven of the nine rest stops along freeways in San
Bernardino and Riverside counties are closing today
because Caltrans cannot pay a contractor needed to
keep them open.
Despite reports late Thursday that lawmakers hammered
out a budget deal, workers will start closing the rest
areas this morning, Caltrans spokesman Jason Goldman
said."
"Just because there is a framework doesn't mean we
can pay the vendor," Goldman said.
By the way, speaking of SoCal, Los Angeles is on track
to have a record-low number of homicides, reports Joel Rubin at the L.A. Times.
"To date this year, 216 people have been killed at the hands of another -- compared with 236 homicides in the same period last year. In total,
the city finished 2009 with 314 killings."
And now, back to politics.
Incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer opened up a six-point lead over former HP chief Carly Fiorina in the race for the U.S. Senate, according to the
latest Field Poll.
"Boxer, a three-term incumbent, leads 47 percent to 41 percent. She led by three points in July," reports the Bee's Rob Hotakainen.
"The poll found that impressions of Boxer are sharply
divided and highly partisan, with 93 percent of all likely voters having an opinion of
her. It found that Boxer still has a high unfavorable
rating of 48 percent. But it has declined from a high of 52 percent two months ago."
Meanwhile, a liberal Democrat slamming a Republican for raising
taxes? Yes, indeedy -- in the lieutenant governor's race.
Reports the Bee's Susan Ferris: "Newsom's ad hits GOP Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado for cutting
"a backroom deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger" and says
he voted "to cut our public schools and supported the
biggest tax increase in California history."
"Maldonado was roundly criticized by many GOP activists
for his vote. He defended his decision as necessary
to prevent fiscal chaos and deep cuts to solve a massive
state budget deficit."
What the Legislature couldn't do, the Air Resources
Board did -- approve a major expansion of renewable energy use.
"The California Air Resources Board approved one of
the strictest renewable energy regulations in the nation
Thursday, requiring utilities to get a third of their
energy from renewable resources by 2020," reports the Chronicle.
"The action came after the Legislature failed last
month to pass a bill that would have put such a standard
into law and the board and other groups said they will
continue to press for that to happen."
And now from our Cutting Edge files, if you like power tools and hot rods -- and who doesn't? -- just strap yourself into Bolt Lightning.
"DIY fans from around the world are strapping themselves
into the speedy cars powered by the engines from everyday
tools such as leaf blowers, disc cutters and chainsaws."
"The mini dragsters can reach speeds of up to 112kph (70mph) on a 100m (320ft) strip because of their lightweight bodies. Competitors
will be hoping to blow away the opposition this weekend
at the national Power Tool Drag Racing Championship
in Yeovil.."
"Barry Lee, 35, will be behind the wheel of Bolt Lightning, which
is powered by six 40cm (16in) Makita circular saws."
Just where is Yeovil?
