Hot Off the Trail election blog

The McClatchy Washington Bureau reports the latest from the presidential race. Read

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Schwarzenegger plans to cut state worker pay to cope with late budget

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign an executive order next week that will temporarily reduce pay for more than 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash in the midst of a month-long budget standoff, according to a draft copy of the order obtained by The Bee....(more)

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Farm workers rally for Schwarzenegger water plan

Chanting "agua, agua, agua," busloads of farm workers joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Capitol today to demand that lawmakers spend state money on dams and canals to ease a growing water crisis....(more)

Governor, lawmakers rate low in Field Poll

At the risk of mixing metaphors, when it comes to California's elected leaders steering us through the state's current dark and perilous economic seas, Susan Priddy figures we're in deep tapioca....(more)

State unemployment appeals board fires executive director

The state board that rules on appeals from unemployed workers fired its executive director Tuesday, citing a case backlog and what it described as other shortcomings in processing benefits....(more)

Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger flip-flops like Jerry Brown

When Jerry Brown was serving his first stint as governor 30 years ago – but perhaps not his last – he gained a well-deserved reputation for changing positions as easily as most folks change their socks....(more)

Law restricts hallucinogen

No longer will children be permitted to buy a hallucinogenic drug that has been readily available in California....(more)

Bush rejected EPA advice on California air-quality waiver, whistle-blower says

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency told the Bush administration that by law California should be able to set air-quality standards tougher than federal law, but President Bush rejected the advice and made clear he wanted a single national standard, a former EPA official said Tuesday....(more)

Trees trump solar panels

Chalk one up for trees....(more)

Downer cattle law signed

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Tuesday to crack down on the sale of downed cattle for human consumption in response to the largest beef recall in U.S. history....(more)

Iraq parliament approves Oct. 1 elections, but plan faces a veto

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi parliament approved a bill Tuesday that calls for crucial provincial elections on Oct. 1, but the approval via a secret ballot alienated Iraqi Kurds and very likely will lead to the postponement of the process until next year, several members of parliament said....(more)

Survey finds Chinese upbeat ahead of Olympics

BEIJING - As they prepare to host the Summer Olympics, Chinese are extraordinarily satisfied with their nation's economic growth and the way things are going for their country, chalking up much higher levels of contentment than earlier in the decade, a survey released Tuesday showed....(more)

Backhoe driver killed during rampage in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM – A Palestinian driving a heavy construction backhoe went on a short rampage Tuesday afternoon, smashing into a bus and several cars before being shot dead....(more)

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

• Q&A: Next Senate leader: State has 'a revenue problem'

• Poll: State voters not aware of initiatives on November ballot

• Battle brews between beer giant, small makers over free swag

• Children gain right to speak at California placement hearings

• Dan Walters: State budget is late -- is it a big deal?

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Monday, July 21, 2008

• California bill would extend jobless benefits in drought areas

• Bill bets prizes would get kids to pass tests

• Dan Walters: Villaraigosa's promises on police crumble in L.A.

• Red tape, legislative differences tie up state-owned property sales

• The Buzz: Sen. Steinberg takes plunge in emergency

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Sunday, July 20, 2008

• Some see taxing more services as way to ease California budget crunch

• Sen. Dave Cox says GOP won't accept tax hikes

• Dan Walters: Truth on budget numbers hard to come by

• Pelosi blocks vote on Bush request to lift ban on offshore oil drilling

• Obama arrives in Afghanistan as part of war-zones visit

• World powers give Iran ultimatum on freezing uranium enrichment program

• Sunni bloc rejoins Iraq Cabinet, raising reconciliation hopes

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

• Field Poll: California voters' disapproval rating on Bush highest since 1961

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