Los Angeles Times

UC regents recoil at idea of 16% tuition increase
Faced with steep cuts in state funding, University of California regents debate a budget plan that could lead to tuition increases of 8% to 16% by 2015-16.
By Larry Gordon
The University of California regents Thursday were so divided over a proposal that could raise tuition by 8% to 16% a year through 2015-16 that a vote on the plan is now expected to be delayed until next year.

The Sacramento Bee

UC regents propose 16 percent annual funding hike
By Laurel Rosenhall
University of California regents are debating a proposal to craft a four-year budget based on the assumption that UC needs 16 percent more money every year – a premise state budget analysts say is unrealistic.

GOP group sues to block new state Senate maps
By Jim Sanders and Michael Doyle
Arguing that California's newly drawn Senate districts are unconstitutional, a Republican Party-backed group filed a lawsuit Thursday asking the California Supreme Court to kill the new maps.

Charles T. Munger Jr. puts more than money into California Republican politics
By Torey Van Oot
Charles T. Munger Jr. isn't your run-of-the-mill Republican donor.

Dan Walters: An overhaul of California boards is long overdue
Juan Vargas is right about abolishing the state's Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board – for all the wrong reasons.

The Buzz: Jon Coupal says Jarvis group open to negotiating with Jerry Brown
Gov. Jerry Brown used to accuse GOP lawmakers of taking their cues from anti-tax activist Grover Norquist or Los Angeles radio hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou.

Editorial: Prison release policy will save money, lives
California's plan to release nonviolent female inmates, most of them mothers, is long overdue.

The San Francisco Chronicle

UC regents balk at mandating annual tuition hikes
By Nanette Asimov
The University of California regents dodged a controversy Thursday by ignoring a proposal from UC President Mark Yudof that would have mandated annual tuition increases of 8 to 16 percent for the next four years.

Feinstein weak in poll, but no GOP challenger yet
By Joe Garofoli
Two years ago, two major Republican campaigns swarmed the California GOP fall convention, confident that they could drum up the support to beat three-term incumbent Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer, who was considered vulnerable because of her low voter-approval ratings.

The Mercury News

Feds: High-speed train planners must improve small biz outreach
By Mike Rosenberg
Federal authorities on Thursday ordered California's high-speed rail planners to do better at reaching out to small and minority-owned businesses or risk losing billions of dollars.

Mercury News editorial: Jerry Brown should sign bills to improve governance in California
Gov. Jerry Brown has a full in-box, with some 600 bills awaiting his signature or veto by Oct. 9. He definitely needs to sign three of them that will improve the way California's democracy works.

Contra Costa Times

Environmental toxins in San Francisco Bay could increase with Delta water plan
By Mike Taugher
A naturally occurring poison responsible for one of the nation's worst wildlife disasters a quarter-century ago is a looming problem in San Francisco Bay -- one that could worsen if aqueducts are built around the Delta, new research suggests.

Ventura County Star

Sen. Fran Pavley to run in new east county Senate district
By Timm Herdt
Sen. Fran Pavley, whose existing district was blown to pieces under the new maps adopted by the Citizens Redistricting Commission, announced today she will run for re-election in the new 27th Senate District, which covers eastern Ventura County, the western San Fernando Valley, Malibu and portions of Santa Clarita.

Thomas Elias: For many, genetic bill will be year's key law
There was plenty of publicity when California lawmakers debated for months over the state budget, yet the outcome — many cuts, almost no revenue increases — was a foregone conclusion once it became obvious tax receipts were running below projections and Republicans would never vote for new tax levies.

The San Bernardino County Sun

Editorial: Tax pact works, if imperfectly
Amazon.com's agreement to compromise on an online sales tax last week doesn't mean the Web-based behemoth has transformed itself into a good corporate citizen. California is just proving more adept than other states at forcing the bully to play fair in the corporate sandbox.