Texas Gov Rick Perry may be the early national front-runner for Republicans, but in California he trails former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a GOP primary matchup, according to the latest Field Poll.
From the Bee's Dan Smith: "The poll shows Romney's support has dipped slightly since June while Perry more than tripled his. But Romney still holds an eight-point lead."
"Perry really hasn't taken it out of the hide of Romney, and that's good news for Romney," said Poll Director Mark DiCamillo."
"Romney and Perry are the only Republican candidates with positive image ratings among GOP voters. "It looks like it's boiling down to a two-person race," DiCamillo said. "The others just aren't stacking up as well in comparison."
Meanwhile, California is solidy Democratic, but special-election losses in New York and Nevada this week are leaving Democrats here nervous, notes the Bee's Dan Morain.
"California is a Democratic state. There is virtually no chance that the Republican presidential nominee will spend money to compete here next fall, let alone win California's 55 electoral votes. But Obama's standing is shaky, and that could be prompting lesser Democrats to rethink strategy."
"There are a lot of people who are gnashing their teeth," Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta said, adding that candidates can't count on Obama for much help. "You're not going to have the same passion that you had in 2008.""
"Rep. Joe Baca, a Democratic congressman from San Bernardino County, calls himself "Working Joe." But he probably won't sweat much in 2012. He decided to seek a safely Democratic seat, rather than take on Republican Jerry Lewis, who has been in Congress since 1978."
There's at least one bill on Gov. Brown's desk that has received scant attention, but in fact is a significant piece of legislation. It would allow L.A.-area air pollution fighters to cash in on the research and other clean-air ventures it sponsors. The Press-Enterprise's Jim Miller tells the tale.
"The South Coast district currently gives out about $12 million annually for research in such areas as clean diesel, hybrid vehicles and other technologies meant to reduce emissions."
"It's unknown how much the district could make from sharing in recipients' revenue. The amount depends on the outcome of any negotiations if SB 170 becomes law, Wallerstein said."
Districts would have to report to the Legislature annually on any intellectual property talks, whether or not they resulted in a deal. The bill would be re-evaluated in 2017. Brown has until Oct. 9 to act on measures delivered to his desk before the Sept. 9 conclusion of the 2011 legislative session."
California, which has been something of a model for the new federal health care reform plans, actually is turning into a headache for the Obama administration and may hinder reforms in other states.
From Noam Levey in the LA Times: "Though still outpacing much of the nation, cash-strapped California is cutting its healthcare safety net more aggressively than almost any other state, despite billions of dollars in special aid from Washington."
"And state leaders are pressing the Obama administration for permission to place some of the toughest limits in the nation on government-subsidized healthcare, including a cap on how often people with Medicaid — the healthcare program for the poorest Americans — can go to the doctor."
"A decision on some of California's requests is expected this month. If approved, the limits could open the door to deep cutbacks nationwide."
And from our "Student Daze" file comes the tale of a 15-year-old who was driving down the street with a rocket launcher in the car. This is another reason to avoid the Bay Area.
"What started with a simple traffic stop Tuesday morning ended with a teen under arrest after officers spotted a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in the back seat of his SUV..."
"After the stop, officers saw the AT4 rocket propelled grenade or RPG launcher sitting unconcealed in the back of the vehicle. The single-shot, recoil-less weapon was developed in the early 1980s and is made in Sweden and the United States."
"It's unusual for Novato to recover an RPG from the back of a vehicle," said Novato Police Cpl. Nick Frey."
It sure is, Deputy Fife....
