Democratic legislative leaders are in Washington, DC, today looking for more federal dollars to help fund health care programs in California.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez are scheduled to meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, White House officials and members of Congress during the three-day trip.
They said last week that they're looking to come back to California with commitments for $3 billion to $4 billion in federal dollars for specific programs.
Today's the deadline for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a bill banning smoking at state beaches and parks.
Senate Bill 4would slap smokers puffing up in the parks with a $100 fine. The law would take effect in January 2011.
The governor's office hasn't taken a position on the bill yet.
BALLOT WATCH: Proponents of a proposed initiative to suspend a law requiring California to reduce emissions say they'll submit enough signatures today to qualify for the November ballot.
The measure would suspend AB32's implementation until the state's unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent and stays there for a year.
Today's signature submission brings the total number of initiatives with a qualification count under way to five. Two measures, including the $11 billion water bond approved by the Legislature, have already made it to the ballot.
RULING: A court ruling is expected in the lawsuit challenging the state's plan to take a combined $2 billion from local redevelopment agencies this fiscal year and next to balance the budget. A coalition of local redevelopment agencies filed the suit after the plan was approved in last July's budget package.
GOV2010: Republican rivals Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner traded blows last night at the second -- and likely last -- debate before the gubernatorial primary. Click here for some of the highlights from Bee political editor Amy Chance. Find out which question neither candidate could answer here.
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