Bracing for steep pay cuts

SACRAMENTO — About 200,000 state employees are bracing for steep pay cuts as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepares to sign an executive order that would reduce their wages to the federal minimum wage — $6.55 an hour.

Schwarzenegger is slated to sign the order — which also includes laying off 22,000 part-time employees — today, the first day of the state's pay period. That has employees, legislators and public employee groups outraged and worried — especially because the budget negotiations appear to remain deadlocked.

Stark proposes law helping immigrant foster kids get green cards

FREMONT — Attempting to avoid situations in which undocumented foster children end up deported, Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont, proposed a new law this week that would help abused and neglected children get green cards.

The bill by Stark and Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, would not change federal immigration law, but would force states and local child welfare agencies to pay more attention to an existing law, on the books since 1990.

State employees bracing for steep pay cuts

SACRAMENTO — About 200,000 state employees are bracing for steep pay cuts as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepares to sign an executive order that would reduce their wages to the federal minimum wage — $6.55 an hour.

Schwarzenegger is slated to sign the order — which also includes laying off 22,000 part-time employees — Thursday, the first day of the state's pay period. That has employees, legislators and public employee groups outraged and worried — especially because the budget negotiations appear to remain deadlocked.

Perata probe drags on without charges

It has been 44 months since a federal corruption probe of state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata became public knowledge, and 43 months since federal agents searched his and his son's Oakland homes.

An unknown number of witnesses have testified before a federal grand jury. Thousands of pages of documents have been gathered under dozens of subpoenas issued to public agencies and private companies.

Perata's legal defense fund has spent about $2 million, much of that either transferred from one of his campaign accounts or given to him by the state Democratic party. Soon after the party gave Perata's legal fund $250,000 in early July, media accounts based on unnamed sources began to speculate that an indictment was imminent.

Perata probe drags on without charges

It has been 44 months since a federal corruption probe of state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata became public knowledge, and 43 months since federal agents searched his and his son's Oakland homes.

An unknown number of witnesses have testified before a federal grand jury. Thousands of pages of documents have been gathered under dozens of subpoenas issued to public agencies and private companies.

Perata's legal defense fund has spent about $2 million, much of that either transferred from one of his campaign accounts or given to him by the state Democratic party. Soon after the party gave Perata's legal fund $250,000 in early July, media accounts based on unnamed sources began to speculate that an indictment was imminent.

Is governor's pay cut threat just a threat?

SACRAMENTO — It may be just a big head fake, another step in the Kabuki dance that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says must play out before all sides come to agreement on how to solve the estimated $15.2 billion budget deficit.

But his threat to cut state workers' pay down to the federal minimum wage also signals that Schwarzenegger — to be forced out by term limits in 2010 — is beyond fears of voter retribution and is back to using a hammer to get his point across.

Lawmakers scramble to change curriculum

SACRAMENTO — How many students know that a 1946 California court case on segregation actually set a precedent for the widely heralded Brown v. Board of Education?

The case of Mendez v. Westminster is one of the great triumphs in California legal history — five Latino parents challenged a white private school in court for admission and won, leading to desegregation of all schools in the state.

"All Californians should be proud that we were the first state in the nation to desegregate," said Assemblywoman Mary Salas, D-Chula Vista.

Lawmakers scramble to change curriculum

SACRAMENTO — How many students know that a 1946 California court case on segregation actually set a precedent for the widely heralded Brown v. Board of Education?

The case of Mendez v. Westminster is one of the great triumphs in California legal history — five Latino parents challenged a white private school in court for admission and won, leading to desegregation of all schools in the state.

"All Californians should be proud that we were the first state in the nation to desegregate," said Assemblywoman Mary Salas, D-Chula Vista.

New law aimed at helping Peralta students with bus fare

East Bay community college students soon could save more than $1,000 per year on bus fares, thanks to a new law that will permit the Peralta district to discount transit prices.

The four-college district will test the discounts starting next month with a one-year pilot program that will charge students a maximum of $100 per year on AC Transit fares. Bus passes can cost nearly $1,400 per year without the discounts.

Students at the College of Alameda and Laney, Merritt and Berkeley City colleges will vote next year whether to continue the program. Supporters say it will help low-income students stay in school.

Walnut Creek City Council will gain at least one new member in November

City Councilman Charlie Abrams' decision not to seek re-election after 12 years on the council opens the door to newcomers in a way not seen in Walnut Creek in years.

Two years ago, when longtime Councilwoman Kathy Hicks stepped down, she endorsed her eventual successor, Cindy Silva. Abrams has no successor in mind.

"I would like to see who some of these candidates might be, to be perfectly honest," Abrams said. "I had been in the last little while gauging the interest of some people, and really, it's hard to see who's interested in doing it. I'm not ready to endorse anybody."

Voters support parental notification of abortions

SACRAMENTO — The campaign has yet to begin, but voters appear to support — at first blush — a ballot measure to require parental notification for pregnant minors who seek an abortion.

In a Field Poll released earlier this week, 48 percent supported Proposition 4, and 39 percent opposed it. The poll, which surveyed 672 voters likely to participate in the November election, had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6 percentage points.

Tribe seeking Point Molate casino resort scores new financing

RICHMOND — After losing Harrah's as its financial backer last year, an American Indian tribe that hopes to build a casino resort complex at the former Point Molate Naval Base has found a new partner — the tribe that runs the popular Cache Creek casino resort in Yolo County.

Financing from the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians will help the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians through an arduous federal approval process in its bid to build an 1,100-room resort with a casino, theater, convention center, retail and housing on the land at the foot of the Richmond-San Rafael bridge, said tribal spokesman Michael Derry. Rumsey would operate the casino, he said.

Moraga mayor will not seek re-election

Moraga Mayor Lynda Deschambault will not seek re-election to the Town Council this fall because she wants to spend her time on her nonprofit environmental work.

First elected in 2004, the Green Party member championed open government and open space issues while on the council. She is a vocal supporter of the Moraga Open Space Ordinance of 2008, an initiative on the November ballot that would restrict development on wide swaths of open Moraga land.

Concord homeowners want Cowell smokestack demolished

Death could be near for a 244-foot monolith that has marked the city's skyline for the past seven decades.

The Cowell smokestack, built in 1934 and considered a historic treasure in Concord, is falling apart. Chunks of concrete plunge to the ground weekly. No one mows the lawn around it anymore, for fear of getting clocked in the head.

People living around the stack — those responsible for its upkeep — have been telling the city for years the thing needs to be torn down. It would take $4 million to restore it, and $1 million to demolish it. The residents can't afford the former. The City Council will take up the issue July 28.

Fallen firefighter's friend champions pitched roof alert system

Hess spends hours tucked away in his backyard shed, a hot, cramped room with a desk, computer, phone and workout set.

In the year since the Contra Costa Fire Protection District captain's death, Hess has campaigned to ensure such an incident never happens again.

When he learned that a roof addition contributed to the July 21, 2007, fire that killed Burton, fire Engineer Scott Desmond, and two residents at 149 Michele Drive in unincorporated San Pablo, he found his mission. "If I hit a stumbling block, I turn around and look at that," Hess said, pointing to a photo of Burton holding his young son with the words, "Never Quit" scrawled across the top in ballpoint pen.

Interim is often part of the job in Vallejo

As Vallejo has reached the point of bankruptcy and its workforce is whittled away, city employees are often replaced provisionally, and only when deemed necessary.

Assistant City Manager Craig Whittom said there are "absolutely" more city management positions staffed with fill-in personnel during this time of "fiscal uncertainty." Some of that staff has moved up from existing positions; others are being hired from the outside.

Filling posts temporarily while waiting for the recruitment process to kick in has also generally become more common since personnel officials are fewer, Whittom said.

Critics assail 'self-serving' ballot measure

SACRAMENTO — Texas billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens has made no secret of his desire to open up the market for natural gas-powered vehicles. The founder of a company that develops natural gas vehicles, Pickens believes he has a foothold in an emerging field of clean energy resources — just as soaring gas prices and carbon emissions are causing many to look for alternatives.

He's gotten kudos from environmental leaders for mounting a national campaign to lead the country away from its reliance on foreign oil.

Governor signs pair of foster care transition bills

SACRAMENTO — Teen parents in foster care would have the right to consult their court-appointed attorneys before they agree to place their own children into foster care or under a supervised program under legislation signed this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill, AB2483, was one of a pair Schwarzenegger signed that address the transition foster-care youth make into adulthood. Another bill, AB2310, would require that foster-care youth are provided with documentation they need to apply for jobs and financial aid as they age out of the system.

Concord homeowners want Cowell smokestack demolished without an environmental review

CONCORD — Death could be near for a 244-foot monolith that has marked the city's skyline for the past seven decades.

The Cowell smokestack, built in 1934 and considered a historic treasure in Concord, is falling apart. Chunks of concrete plunge to the ground weekly. No one mows the lawn around it anymore, for fear of getting clocked in the head.

People living around the stack — those responsible for its upkeep — have been telling the city for years the thing needs to be torn down. It would take $4 million to restore it, and $1 million to demolish it. The residents can't afford the former. The City Council will take up the issue July 28.

Governor signs pair of foster care transition bills

SACRAMENTO — Teen parents in foster care would have the right to consult their court-appointed attorneys before they agree to place their own children into foster care or under a supervised program under legislation signed this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill, AB2483, was one of a pair Schwarzenegger signed that address the transition foster-care youth make into adulthood. Another bill, AB2310, would require that foster-care youth are provided with documentation they need to apply for jobs and financial aid as they age out of the system.

Governor signs pair of foster care transition bills

SACRAMENTO — Teen parents in foster care would have the right to consult their court-appointed attorneys before they agree to place their own children into foster care or under a supervised program under legislation signed this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill, AB2483, was one of a pair Schwarzenegger signed that address the transition foster-care youth make into adulthood. Another bill, AB2310, would require that foster-care youth are provided with documentation they need to apply for jobs and financial aid as they age out of the system.

Beer-tax debate isn't going stale

SACRAMENTO — Among things that stir people's passions, taxes and alcohol rank fairly high in the pecking order. So San Jose Assemblyman Jim Beall has learned since he proposed a large tax on beer three months ago.

The beer levy faces extremely long odds to become law, but it has generated huge publicity for Beall — more than anything he's done in his 18 months in Sacramento — though much of it has not been flattering.

Berkeley mayor announces re-election bid

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates announced his candidacy for a third term Monday on the steps of City Hall surrounded by five other council members who are endorsing him.

His challengers so far include former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and activist Zachary Running Wolf.

Bates cited his record on fighting global warming, creating a "green economy," getting homeless people off the streets and supporting development near public transportation centers.

Gas stations would have to disclose true prices under bill

SACRAMENTO — So, you've just paid $45 with your credit card to fill up a 10-gallon tank at $4.50 a gallon, and the guy next to you goes in to the food mart to pay for his in cash. He also bought 10 gallons of gas, but it cost him $43.65.

A week later, you pull into a station that's advertising prices much lower than others, and you think you finally got a break on gas prices. But when the clerk swipes your credit card, you're paying more than expected.

Gas stations would have to disclose true prices under bill

SACRAMENTO — So, you've just paid $45 with your credit card to fill up a 10-gallon tank at $4.50 a gallon, and the guy next to you goes in to the food mart to pay for his in cash. He also bought 10 gallons of gas, but it cost him $43.65.

A week later, you pull into a station that's advertising prices much lower than others, and you think you finally got a break on gas prices. But when the clerk swipes your credit card, you're paying more than expected.

Berkeley mayor announces re-election bid

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates announced his candidacy for a third term Monday on the steps of city hall surrounded by five other council members who are endorsing him.

His challengers so far include former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and activist Zachary Running Wolf.

Bates cited his record on fighting global warming, creating a "green economy," getting homeless people off the streets and supporting development near public transportation centers.

Berkeley mayor announces re-election bid

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates announced his candidacy for a third term Monday on the steps of city hall surrounded by five other council members who are endorsing him.

His challengers so far include former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and activist Zachary Running Wolf.

Bates cited his record on fighting global warming, creating a "green economy," getting homeless people off the streets and supporting development near public transportation centers.

Perata takes "textured" approach to foes

SACRAMENTO — Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has what experts say is a textured approach to dealing with his Republican foes on the budget.

The Oakland Democrat simultaneously plays villain and confidante, foe and pal. He's a partisan flamethrower who takes his rivals to breakfast.

Take last week, when Perata's opening budget negotiation move — demanding higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations — had the effect of casting Republicans as heartless country clubbers. Even as he attacked Republicans for failing to empathize with the little guy, though, he promised the wine would be flowing freely as budget negotiations got under way.

Partisan flamethrower who takes rivals to breakfast

SACRAMENTO — Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has what experts say is a textured approach to dealing with his Republican foes on the budget.

The Oakland Democrat simultaneously plays villain and confidante, foe and pal. He's a partisan flamethrower who takes his rivals to breakfast.

Take last week, when Perata's opening budget negotiation move — demanding higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations — had the effect of casting Republicans as heartless country clubbers. Even as he attacked Republicans for failing to empathize with the little guy, though, he promised the wine would be flowing freely as budget negotiations got under way.

Filing period opens for various candidates

The filing period opens Monday for would-be candidates in East Bay nonpartisan city, school board, special district and other regional races in the upcoming general election.

Numerous city councils, special districts and school and college boards in Contra Costa and Alameda counties will hold elections in conjunction with the presidential and statewide general election on Nov. 4.

Large regional agencies with elections include BART, AC-Transit, East Bay Municipal Utility District and the East Bay Regional Park District.

State weighs 'Pay As You Drive' insurance

Would you cut back on driving if your insurance company charged by the mile, and maybe by the way you handle your ride?

Some state lawmakers and regulators are betting many Californians will.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is moving swiftly on regulations for a "Pay as You Drive" system that lets carriers grant discounts to drivers who volunteer for mileage verification, with lower rates for fewer miles.

The big question: How would the companies check it, and what else might they track?

Bethel Island levee district has seats up for grabs

BETHEL ISLAND — Registered voters in this Delta community can apply to run for a spot on its levee maintenance district board starting Monday.

Three seats on the Bethel Island Maintenance Improvement District are up for grabs in the November election. Candidates have until Aug. 8 to file papers. If none of the three incumbents decides to run again, the nomination period will be extended to Aug. 13.

Meanwhile, a Bethel Island resident is continuing her efforts to recall two board members.

McNerney changes medical marijuana stance

Rep. Jerry McNerney is now willing to vote for an amendment he'd opposed last year that would bar the federal government from spending money to arrest or prosecute medical-marijuana patients in the states — including California — where medical marijuana is legal.

"In the past year, the congressman has met several patients with debilitating illnesses that use doctor-prescribed medical marijuana," McNerney spokesman Andy Stone said Friday. "Hearing their stories, he feels that he cannot in good conscience deny doctor-prescribed treatment to a person that experiences excruciating pain on a daily basis."

$9.3 billion water bond proposal goes to lawmakers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Dianne Feinstein floated a $9.3 billion proposal for new dams and Delta projects Thursday in what amounted to a last-ditch attempt to get lawmakers on board with a water bond package in time for November's elections.

The plan, however, got a cool reception in the capitol where lawmakers are struggling with an estimated $15.2 billion budget deficit and mindful that voters just two years ago approved billions of dollars in mostly unused bonds for some of the same initiatives.

State Democrats give $250,000 to help Perata fight FBI corruption probe

The California Democratic Party has contributed another $250,000 to state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata's legal fund, reinvigorating his defense against a years-long FBI corruption probe.

Until last week, the fund had collected only $60,000 in 2008 — $25,000 each from the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians and from San Diego Padres owner John J. Moores, and $10,000 from Manhattan Beach homemaker Jennifer Sizemore. But the Democratic State Central Committee of California followed up its December contribution of $200,000 with another $250,000 last week, records show.

Democrats propose $10 billion tax hike on wealthy

SACRAMENTO — The proposed $10 billion tax increase on the wealthy that Democrats unveiled Wednesday has been criticized by Republicans as standard tax-and-spend dogma out of their old political playbook. But experts say it has the full force of public opinion, which has been increasingly in favor of asking the rich to pay more as resources become scarcer and the disparity grows between the haves and the have-nots.

"Many voters believe that higher income earners have gotten breaks at the federal level and can afford to pay more," said Mark Baldasarre, director of the Public Policy Institute of California. "So, you see Democrats at the state level and national level more willing to say the wealthy need to pay higher taxes."

Foreclosure relief law gives homeowners a voice

OAKLAND — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law Tuesday that he and lawmakers say will force mortgage lenders to talk with homeowners before foreclosing, give tenants more time to vacate foreclosed properties and help prevent neighborhood blight.

It's mainly intended to delay foreclosure, as it doesn't force lenders to restructure loans. But the governor and state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, the bill's author, say it's one more tool to fight a multifaceted crisis.

Foreclosure relief law gives homeowners a voice

OAKLAND — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law Tuesday that he and lawmakers say will force mortgage lenders to talk with homeowners before foreclosing, give tenants more time to vacate foreclosed property and help prevent neighborhood blight.

It's mainly intended to delay foreclosure, as it doesn't force lenders to restructure loans. But the governor and state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, the bill's author, say it's one more tool to fight a multifaceted crisis.

Civil rights groups worried about effects of remap proposal

SACRAMENTO — Proponents of a redistricting ballot measure have been hard at work casting Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata as the villainous obstacle to reform. They have chastised him as a self-serving politician plotting a campaign against the initiative with interest groups and lobbyists to preserve the Legislature's ability to draw its own political boundaries.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Democrat is providing the operational support for the opposition campaign — the newly christened Citizens for Accountability: No on the Power Grab. It is likely to pummel voters with the message that Proposition 11 is a Republican effort to overtake the Democratic majority, financed by many of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's wealthy GOP friends.

County workers' salaries to hit Web

Child-support matters can get ugly and Rebecca Banuelos prefers that the public not know she works for the county department.

She's willing to go public because she works far enough behind the scenes that she feels relatively safe, but some of her co-workers on the front lines are concerned, she says. Their names, job titles, salaries and benefits will soon be available on the county's Web site.

"Most of us live in the same areas as our clientele and they don't know where we work," the child-support assistant said.

Council leans toward grandfathering RVs and boats already in town

By Tanya Rose

STAFF WRITER

CONCORD — City leaders are leaning toward letting people park their RVs and boats in their driveways — but only if they still own or rent their current house and if they get a special city permit.

"I'm not an RV hater," said Councilwoman Helen Allen, after a spirited, hours-long study session at Centre Concord on Monday night. "I'm a junk hater. I don't care if you have an RV — just be reasonable," she said, noting there are problems throughout town with people letting their RVs and trailers sit for years at a time and fall apart.

Remap proposal worries civil rights groups

SACRAMENTO — Proponents of a redistricting ballot measure have been hard at work casting Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata as the villainous obstacle to reform. They have chastised him as a self-serving politician plotting a campaign against the initiative with interest groups and lobbyists to preserve the Legislature's ability to draw its own political boundaries.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Democrat is providing the operational support for the opposition campaign — the newly christened Citizens for Accountability: No on the Power Grab. It is likely to pummel voters with the message that Proposition 11 is a Republican effort to overtake the Democratic majority, financed by many of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's wealthy GOP friends.

Danville town council race has begun

DANVILLE — A common desire to protect Danville's small-town charm, see the planned reconstruction of the Veteran's Hall through to completion and guard the undeveloped Tassajara Valley against possible invaders from the south are reasons enough to run for re-election, three town council incumbents said Monday.

Candace Andersen, Mike Doyle and Newell Arnerich announced that they plan to defend their seats on the five-member council this fall. The trio stopped short of saying they will campaign together, stressing their "shared vision" for Danville.

Proposed California budget cuts affecting most vulnerable

In the end, Nick Robinson just couldn't afford the Bay Area. And with pending state budget cuts threatening the foster care counselor's programs and salary, he decided to pack his belongings and leave Walnut Creek for Boston.

"There's no way anyone can manage on this type of salary," the 23-year-old said from his apartment, days before he left. Robinson started at $9.35 an hour and received 20-cent-a-year cost of living increases working at Concord's Youth Homes Inc., an emergency shelter for homeless youths.

Nunns remembered for public service

OAKLEY — Erik and Tanya Nunn were praised by loved ones Saturday as an Oakley couple who made major contributions to their community and beyond as public servants.

"They had vision that was greater than what was right in front of them," Rev. Bill Terry said at the dual memorial service.

The Nunns were killed in a plane crash last Saturday on the way home from a Las Vegas tenth wedding anniversary celebration. County supervisor candidate Erik Nunn was the pastor of an Oakley church where he and Tanya focused on community outreach.

San Ramon teen off to Congress

SAN RAMON — Among the TV channels Shahryar Abbasi watches for fun is C-SPAN, the cable channel devoted to meetings of Congress and other governmental bodies.

But this summer, the San Ramon teen will be seeing those meetings live and in person. He will be part of the Washington action as one of 68 youths chosen for the U.S. House of Representatives page program. The monthlong program begins Sunday.

"I'm trying to see (it) all from a political standpoint," said Abbasi, who will be a senior at Monte Vista High in Danville this fall.

Pittsburg looks at park annexation

A secluded park nestled between Pittsburg and Bay Point could soon be brought within Pittsburg's city limits — much to the chagrin of some longtime Bay Point residents.

Ambrose Park, 12.3 acres of land donated to the county by the Enes family in 1947, includes a swimming pool, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts and hiking trails. The park is operated by the Ambrose Park & Recreation District, whose residents are mostly from Bay Point. About 20 percent are from Pittsburg, according to district officials.

Proposed California budget cuts affecting most vulnerable

In the end, Nick Robinson just couldn't afford the Bay Area. And with pending state budget cuts threatening the foster care counselor's programs and salary, he decided to pack his belongings and leave Walnut Creek for Boston.

"There's no way anyone can manage on this type of salary," the 23-year-old said from his apartment, days before he left. Robinson started at $9.35 an hour and received 20-cent-a-year cost of living increases working at Concord's Youth Homes Inc., an emergency shelter for homeless youths.

DVC's grade-change response criticized

PLEASANT HILL — Diablo Valley College has not sufficiently improved computer security after a six-year-long grade-changing scheme, accreditors have told the school.

The school had yet to solve some problems discovered during a campus visit last year, said the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges in a letter sent to DVC leaders this week. The commission five months ago told the school to correct deficiencies by June.

Bullet train takes Senate's medicine

The project to build high-speed rail connecting Northern and Southern California survived a showdown in a State Senate committee Tuesday, beating back a Republican effort to remove a $10 billion bond measure from the Nov. 4 ballot.

The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee voted 8-4 to approve AB3034, which re-crafts the ballot measure in part to win more official and voter support for the $42 billion to $45 billion system. At the same time, the panel approved a controversial civil service work rule that some feared could tie the project up in court and erode the bond measure's support.

Voters to get final say on $500 million parks bond

The East Bay Regional Park Board agreed Tuesday to seek voter approval in November in Contra Costa and Alameda counties for a $500 million bond measure to create, expand and develop regional parks, and fund projects to improve city and local parks.

The largest share of the money — $281 million — would be spent on buying and preserving land for parks and trails in shoreline areas such as Oakland and Richmond, and inland valley territory in Dublin, Martinez, Antioch and Pleasanton.

Feinstein wants to reform electronic voting

Electronic-voting machines used in federal elections would have to produce an independent, voter-verified "paper trail" of each ballot cast, under a bill announced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Feinstein, D-Calif., had introduced an election-reform bill last year, but it had only Democratic support and didn't get far. This bill has bipartisan support, but isn't as far-reaching and won't take effect as soon.

Feinstein issued a statement calling S.3212, the Bipartisan Electronic Voting Reform Act, "the culmination of extensive efforts over several months to come together to craft a bipartisan election technology bill capable of achieving broad support from members of both parties.

Congressional committee gives initial OK to funds for Richmond anti-crime programs

RICHMOND — Three Richmond programs that assist police in crime prevention received initial funding totaling $1.25 million from the House Appropriations Committee in Washington, Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, announced today.

The committee approved $250,000 for the Richmond Youth Academy, $400,000 for the Police Activities League One-Stop Youth Center and $600,000 for the Shotspotter Gunshot Location System — a sound detection network covering a majority of high-crime areas.

After crash, new challenger may face incumbent

Relaxing on a Mexican beach with his three children, the last thing on Gary Agopian's mind Monday was his failed run for District 5 supervisor in June. But when his wife, tears in her eyes, broke the news that former challenger Erik Nunn had apparently died in a plane crash, Agopian was speechless.

"We paused and prayed for the children and for the parents. That was what was in my heart," Agopian said in a phone interview from a Cancun hotel room. "This is a great tragedy."

Supe candidate remembered fondly

OAKLEY — Beyond his reputation as an ambitious politician seeking to unseat a county supervisor, Erik Nunn was known as an East County advocate committed to God, his family and his country.

The 37-year-old licensed pilot was killed in a single-engine plane crash Saturday afternoon outside Las Vegas, which also claimed Nunn's wife, Tanya, and 36-year-old BART police Officer Craig Wilson and his wife, Michele. The couples were returning from a trip to celebrate their wedding anniversaries.