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Budget boss jumps off train wreck

Mike Genest, who announced recently that he's resigning as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget director, deserves a respite after four years of dealing with the state's chronic fiscal crisis.

Editorial: Maldonado can weather lieutenant governorship

If you believe the buzz, state Sen. Abel Maldonado is almost certain to be the governor’s pick for California’s second-in-command.

Earmark tale underscores big difference

A batch of amendments to a massive water bond bill was submitted to the state Senate's clerical desk Monday, and one, as it turned out, had nothing to do with water.

Bouquets and Brickbats: Two failures emerge in Paso election

We don’t know what’s more disappointing — the fact that the Paso Robles water rate increase failed at the polls, or that more than half the city’s registered voters were no-shows on election day.

Dan Walters: Capitol labors long on water but produces a drop in the bucket

Winston Churchill paid tribute to the young fighter pilots who staved off Nazi Germany's aerial assault on England during the Battle of Britain with characteristic eloquence: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

Editorial: A sensible plan for state parks

Finally, the state of California has released a sensible plan for reducing operating expenses at state parks, campgrounds, beaches and other popular recreation spots.

Fiscal reform requires the nerve to do it

Scott Pattison, executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers, testified at a recent legislative hearing on how California might improve its bollixed budget process by emulating other states.

Vote ‘yes’ on Paso water rate increase

If you are one of the 4,000 or so Paso Robles residents who have already cast a ballot in to-day’s special election on water rates, congratulations! Your job is done. If you haven’t yet voted — and as of Monday morning, approximately 10,000 of you had not — this is your last opportunity.

Voters can expect more reality denial

Exactly one year from today, California voters will pretend that electing a new governor will somehow improve their chronically ineffective state government.

Stage set for battle on districts

When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and political reform groups enacted a ballot measure to shift legislative redistricting from the Legislature to an independent commission, they purposely left congressional redistricting in lawmakers' hands.

Editorial: A cooperative approach better serves bars, patrons

It’s not exactly a shock that bars and taverns in downtown San Luis Obispo generate more police calls than, say, shoe stores or stationery shops.

School reform duel shifts to surrogates

One of the more obscure – and probably more important – of California's many political conflicts pits an organization called EdVoice against the California Teachers Association and other school unions.

Bouquets and Brickbats: Pooch ‘rescuers’ in the doghouse

They may call it puppy love, but we call it pure insanity on the part of the pair who broke into the county animal shelter Sunday night to retrieve a pit bull.

Land use real issue in big water wrangle

They're fighting over water in the Capitol, but lurking just below the surface is the real issue – how and where California develops land in the years and decades ahead.

Editorial: Public radio is worth supporting

No, it isn’t pledge week. But as Viewpoint writer John Brannon pointed out in last week’s Tribune, it’s never a bad time to show our support for local public radio station KCBX.

A new state water plan is elusive goal

The "Steve Peace death march," so-named for the state legislator who pushed a massive overhaul of the state's electric power system through the Legislature in 1996, occupies a special niche in Capitol lore.

Dan Walters: At CalPERS, inside deals raise a stench

Remember the old saying, "Once burned, twice shy"? It's supposed to mean that when one has a bad experience, one should be more cautious in similarly dangerous circumstances.

Editorial: Our story-telling strategy

Behind the scenes: In recent years we have taken a different tack in putting together our daily state, nation and world report.

    California's misbegotten boondoggles

    For decades, Stockton has been pumping money – often taxpayers' money – into its moribund waterfront/downtown area, hoping it would become an entertainment destination that would recapture its 19th century prominence as a portal into California's gold fields.

    Editorial: No need to rush purchase of land at Oceano Dunes

    The state of California is showing renewed interest in purchasing a 584-acre chunk of the Oceano Dunes that’s owned by San Luis Obispo County.

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