Los Angeles Times

Democrats rally the faithful as fall campaign gets underway
Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer meet with union members and leaders who will be the party's phone callers and foot soldiers heading into election day.
By Maeve Reston and Seema Mehta
California's Democratic candidates marked the start of the fall campaign Monday in the embrace of their most committed supporters — hundreds of union workers who gathered at rallies across the state to pledge thousands of hours of calls to voters over the eight weeks before election day.

Golden State's political realities may test strength of national mood
Republicans are fired up but lag in registration. Democrats have boosted their ranks but lack motivation. And top-of-the-ticket races are too close to call with eight weeks to go.
By Cathleen Decker
With the voters' verdict only eight nail-biting weeks away, the outcome of California's general election rests on the answer to one question: What happens when the national Republican wave crashes into the state's Democratic seawall?

Earlier cutoff date to enter kindergarten a step closer in California
A bill that would require pupils entering kindergarten to reach 5 by Sept. 1 and that would create another level of instruction for younger children was passed by the Legislature and awaits the governor's signature.
By Carla Rivera
At Gulf Avenue Elementary in Wilmington, 4-year-olds in a transitional kindergarten class start the day singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" before sitting down to trace the letter A and learn its sound. Nearby, students in the school's regular kindergarten class are also hard at work, reading and writing sentences.

California's union jobs take hit from recession
The state, which still has the nation's highest number of union jobs, is losing them at a faster clip than any other state, a UCLA study finds.
By Alexandra Zavis
The recession is taking a toll on union jobs, which are disappearing in California at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country, according to a UCLA study published Monday.

Cooley's donations raise questions about the line between fundraising and probes
The L.A. County district attorney, who is running for state attorney general, accepted funds from those who were close to targets of inquiries in Bell Gardens and the City of Industry.
By Rich Connell
Rene Cota was stunned when he searched the Internet and came across a $1,500 campaign contribution reported recently by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, who is running for state attorney general.

The Sacramento Bee

Wall Street sees a reliable partner in Whitman
By Jack Chang
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman was leading a triumphant rally at the state GOP convention last month when she announced that New Yorkers were excited about the California governor's race.

It's Labor Day, and Jerry Brown hits the campaign trail
By Jack Chang
As he promised to do throughout the summer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown ramped up his campaign over the Labor Day weekend, debuting his first TV ad and making a four-stop swing down the state on Monday.

Schwarzenegger allies to drop suit against FPPC
By David Siders
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is clashing with the state ethics agency over rules restricting politicians from using ballot measure campaign funds for other purposes.

Dan Walters: Fifty years later, it's still fun
It was the day after Labor Day in 1960 – exactly a half-century ago – when a 16-year-old kid climbed very steep, rickety stairs into the newsroom of the Humboldt Times in Eureka to begin a $50-a-week job as a copyboy.

The Buzz: Cheech and Chong schedule events ... after Prop. 19 vote
Could you have a weed vote without these guys? Actor-comedians Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong are kicking off the fall campaign of their "Get It Legal" tour Sept. 24 at the Redding Convention Center.

Capitol Alert
Jerry Brown: "I'm not in Sacramento. I'm from Oakland, OK?"
Jerry Brown debuts TV ad, kicks off 4-stop Labor Day

Editorial: Pérez dodges a bullet, but bad policy remains on books
One of the frustrations of editorial commentary is when a politician does the right thing before you have a chance to slam him for doing the wrong thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle

Schwarzenegger bound for Asia on trade mission
By Wyatt Buchanan
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is leading a trade mission to Asia this week to promote California products and to help secure what he said could amount to billions of dollars in business for companies in the state.

Attitude toward unions key factor in campaigns
By Carla Marinucci
In a year in which California unemployment hovers at 12 percent and the state confronts the worst recession in generations, Art Pulaski is wondering: How did his people - working people - become the bad guys of the 2010 election?

Politics Blog
Excloo! Dem Jerry Brown tosses yo-yos (VIDEO), new campaign themes and new attacks in big Labor Day stump
Democratic gov candidate Jerry Brown's first TV ad promises "the know-how to get California working again" (VIDEO)
The ten most important election contests of 2010

The Mercury News

Chevron may be seeking exemption from state environmental laws for its refinery rebuilding project
By Paul Rogers
One of Northern California's largest polluters may be trying to orchestrate a last-minute deal with Sacramento lawmakers to evade state environmental laws, potentially increasing its toxic emissions and skirting two court rulings.

Candidate for governor Jerry Brown unveils first TV commercial
By Ken McLaughlin and Mike Zapler
Democrat Jerry Brown will end his silence on the airwaves today.

Contra Costa Times

Local unions hit the grills for Labor Day campaign, backing Brown, Boxer, Lee, McNerney
By Sean Maher
A work holiday doesn't mean much to anyone struggling to find or keep a job, so even as local union members gathered for a Labor Day barbecue Monday, there was widespread talk of almost nothing but work.

Local tax measures crowd ballot as voters asked to foot bill for budget crisis
By Theresa Harrington
East Bay taxpayers in November are being asked to foot the bill for California's economic crisis, with dozens of school districts, cities and special districts floating parcel taxes, bond measures and sales tax increases to shore up flagging budgets.

Brown makes a populist appeal in Labor Day kickoff
By Steven Harmon
Jerry Brown employed a populist appeal for his Labor Day campaign kickoff Monday, excoriating his Republican gubernatorial rival Meg Whitman for campaigning in a "bubble" and for promising tax cuts to the "most powerful and affluent."

Contra Costa Times editorial: Voters should say no to Proposition 21
LIKE SO many shell games, Proposition 21 looks like a good bet at first glance. It would add an $18 surcharge to the motor vehicle registration tax, except for commercial vehicles, and the revenue would be used to fund state parks.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

Editorial: Redistricting reforms must advance
In 2008, California voters took a decisive step toward improving the performance of the dysfunctional state Legislature by approving Proposition 11 and taking redistricting authority for Assembly and Senate seats away from politicians and giving it to an independent commission. The district boundary lines that politicians drew after the 2000 census had produced a Legislature and a congressional delegation with virtually no swing districts.

Ventura County Star

Editorial: It's the wrong time for Prop. 22
Timing can be a key factor in life, and Proposition 22 on the Nov. 2 ballot comes at an awful time.

Elias: Today's children biggest losers in budget crises
Thomas Elias
The biggest losers in the state budget deficit battles that have raged for more than three years are only now becoming clear, and they are not necessarily the causes and people who have drawn the biggest headlines.

The San Bernardino County Sun

Gun carriers dodge bullet
Michael J. Sorba
Business owner Joshua Wrye is always on the move. That's why he decided to start carrying a gun on his hip as a means of protection this year.

The Press-Enterprise

Editorial: Retirement red ink
Draining money from classroom instruction to pay retirees is a foolish strategy for higher education. The University of California can avoid that prospect with prompt action: The university's Board of Regents should adopt reforms that will cut the long-term expense of UC retirements.