California Insider

Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi says workers comp costs should drop about 21 percent this summer because of overhauls passed at the end of the Davis Administration and in early April. The commissioner attributes more of the decline to the Davis reforms than to the changes brokered by Schwarzenegger, but says more reductions should come after the latest package is fully implemented. Garamendi's advisory is not binding on insurance companies but is often used as a benchmark in setting rates. Here is an AP story from sacbee.com.

Senate Democrats have decided to delay choosing their next leader until late August and to keep their current leader, John Burton, in office through the elections. In a letter signed by 20 members of the caucus, senators committed to choosing Burton's successor on Aug. 24 in a closed caucus, and taking that decision to a vote in the full Senate two days later. Burton, the letter says, should serve until Nov. 15. The calendar is seen by some as a setback for Sen. Martha Escutia, who had been pushing for an earlier decision. Her chief rival for the pro tem job is Sen. Don Perata. In any case, the letter is a sign that most Senate Democrats believe Burton would be better than either of his aspiring successors at steering the caucus through the budget negotiations and the upcoming elections.

The Field Poll has Barbara Boxer widening her lead to 55-32 over Bill Jones in the U.S. Senate race. The full poll isn't posted online yet but should be here later today. Meanwhile, here is a story from the Bee.