Emergency state budget cuts likely soon -- Budget negotiators have settled on a package of emergency spending cuts that would freeze a half billion dollars planned for schools, cut payments to doctors caring for the poor and vacuum up hundreds of millions in unspent funds intended for projects over the remainder of the year. AARON C. DAVIS AP -- 2/14/08

Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama -- Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention. JEFF ZELENY and PATRICK HEALY in the New York Times -- 2/14/08

Clinton Supporter John Lewis Has Second Thoughts -- Confusion erupted Thursday night amid reports that a prominent African American supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's had changed his mind. Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who is also a Democratic superdelegate, was reported by the New York Times as having decided to switch his superdelegate vote from Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama after Lewis's district, around Atlanta, went for the Illinois senator. Anne E. Kornblut in the Washington Post -- 2/14/08

Physicians group urges easing of ban on medical marijuana -- It calls on the government to drop pot's shared classification with drugs such as heroin and LSD that are considered to have no medicinal value. Eric Bailey in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

The yacht tax -- A package of mid-year budget cuts, expected to be sent to the governor Friday, contains a yacht-tax proposal that split Republican votes as the plan was approved by an Assembly committee today. Ed Mendel San Diego Union-Trib weblog -- 2/14/08

New campaign-spending disclosure rules imposed on California politicians -- Many elected officials will now have to explain how wining, dining and other expenses are tied to government business. Nancy Vogel in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Clinton sends her California campaign manager to help her win Texas -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, signaling the start of an aggressive drive in states she must win on March 4, has summoned the formidable political "closer" who led her 9-point Super Tuesday victory in California to run her Texas effort, sources said today. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 2/14/08

Black Lawmakers Rethink Clinton Support -- In a fresh sign of trouble for Hillary Rodham Clinton, one of the former first lady's congressional black supporters intends to vote for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, and a second, more prominent lawmaker is openly discussing a possible switch. DAVID ESPO AP -- 2/14/08

Bono, Condoleezza Rice among those honoring Rep. Lantos -- Tom Lantos of California, the only Holocaust survivor in Congress before his death from cancer this week, was remembered at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as a humanitarian who fought for the dispossessed worldwide. ERICA WERNER AP -- 2/14/08

Special interest donations swell into 10s of millions -- One of the most extensive campaign finance studies in California history showed today that when voters restricted direct contributions to candidates in 2001, donations from special interests flowed around that curb and swelled into an $88 million torrent. Steve Geissinger in the Los Angeles Daily News Bill Ainsworth in the San Diego Union-Trib Judy Lin in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

Simitian stripped of chairmanship -- After what one senator described as a “raucous” budget committee hearing last night, Senate leader Don Perata stripped fellow Democrat Sen. Joe Simitian of his chairmanship of an influential environmental policy committee. Shane Goldmacher and Aurelio Rojas SacBee Capitol Alert -- 2/14/08

AP: Mitt Romney will endorse John McCain -- Republican campaign dropout Mitt Romney agreed Thursday to endorse Sen. John McCain for the party's presidential nomination and ask his national convention delegates to swing behind the likely nominee, according to officials familiar with the decision. AP -- 2/14/08

Bernanke warns economy worsening -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Thursday the economy is deteriorating and signaled a readiness to keep on lowering a key interest rate to shore things up. JEANNINE AVERSA, AP -- 2/14/08

Michelle Obama getting a pass? -- Some Democrats are saying that Sen. Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, went too far -- and is getting a free pass -- after suggesting she would ''have to think about'' supporting Hillary Clinton if the New York Senator becomes the Democratic presidential nominee. Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 2/14/08

Lantos Remembered at U.S. Capitol -- Tom Lantos of California, the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress, was remembered at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as a humanitarian who fought for the dispossessed worldwide. ERICA WERNER AP -- 2/14/08

Senate panel votes to cut state expenditures -- State lawmakers Wednesday night moved on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's call for emergency cuts to the state budget, with a Senate panel voting to reduce spending in schools, healthcare and other services by roughly $2 billion. Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times Judy Lin in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

1 million votes still untallied in California -- Super Tuesday seems long gone as the nation turns its hungry eyes to the next round of presidential primaries – but for nearly a million Californians, the votes they cast in the presidential primary are yet to be counted. This mountain of absentee and provisional ballots – 960,000 of them by one estimate – equals the total number of Democratic votes cast in Virginia this week and far exceeds Maryland and the District of Columbia. Dorothy Korber in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

Calderon addresses California lawmakers -- The Mexican president says he's working to stem immigration by improving conditions in his country. He visits Los Angeles later today. Nancy Vogel in the Los Angeles Times Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle Aurelio Rojas in the Sacramento Bee Edwin Garcia in the San Jose Mercury Ed Mendel in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/14/08

Weintraub: Governor should allow a fix to workers' comp bill -- When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, early in his first term, brokered a bipartisan compromise to overhaul California's troubled system for compensating workers injured on the job, many observers thought his claims of success might be overblown, an enthusiastic exaggeration of the kind for which he was already becoming famous. Daniel Weintraub in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

Redlands' Rep. Lewis a leader of the earmark pack -- An analysis finds the ranking Republican on the appropriations panel obtained $137 million, the fifth-highest total in the House. Tom Hamburger and Richard Simon in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Sharon Runner discloses lung condition, will finish term -- Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, disclosed on Tuesday that she has a rare health condition and is seeking a lung transplant. Her husband, Sen. George Runner, R-Antelope, has said he is dropping plans to seek the leadership of Senate Republicans, saying helping his wife recover takes is a "higher priority." Malcolm Maclachlan in Capitol Weekly -- 2/14/08

Did budget woes affect the initiative votes? -- It sounds like a classic political scenario: Facing a $14 billion budget shortfall as they headed to the polls on Feb. 5, voters shot down initiatives calling for more spending and approved ones promising new revenues. Then, for good measure, they shot down Proposition 93, which would have allowed the current legislative leaders to remain in office. Malcolm Maclachlan in Capitol Weekly -- 2/14/08

Analyst tracks funds paying San Francisco Mayor's aide -- Money budgeted to hire a safety and training manager for the Municipal Transportation Agency was diverted by Mayor Gavin Newsom to fund a top-level aide in his office, according to a city report released Wednesday. Wyatt Buchanan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

After backlash, Berkeley welcomes Marines -- The City Council votes not to send a letter to the Corps saying a downtown recruiting station wasn't wanted. John M. Glionna in the Los Angeles Times Carolyn Jones, Christopher Heredia, Steve Rubenstein in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Berkeley vote may hurt coffers -- The city council's decision Wednesday to retract a statement calling U.S. Marine recruiters "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" has not stopped lawmakers from moving forward with plans to pull millions of tax dollars earmarked for school lunches, ferry service and more. Kristin Bender in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/14/08

Wiegand: How we got a full-time Legislature -- A part-time Legislature. Say it. Slosh the phrase around in your mouth as you would a willowy Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards 2005 Sonoma Coast Armagh Vineyard Pinot Noir. Or a McNeil-PPC Inc. 2008 Listerine Cool Mint Antiseptic Mouthwash, if that's your idea of fun. Steve Wiegand in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Superdelegates! -- They aren’t directly elected by anyone to the job, and many of them are unknown to the larger public — who’s Jeremy Bernard? — but this year the so-called superdelegates are likely to determine the fate of the Democratic nominee for president. This may come as a surprise to those who voted for a candidate in the primary election and thought the majority ruled. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 2/14/08

Dreaming big for Latino firms in L.A. -- Ruben Guerra, head of the Latin Business Assn., wants to expand and add programs to boost the group's profile and effectiveness. Cyndia Zwahlen in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Murdoch pursues shrewd Yahoo -- The Web firm is sizing up suitors but is hoping Microsoft will sweeten its offer, analysts say. Jessica Guynn and Dawn C. Chmielewski in the Los Angeles Times Verne Kopytoff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Allianz Life Insurance settles California annuities complaint -- The company promises to stop targeting the elderly with pitches for unsuitable products. Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Leno's airline passenger 'bill of rights' -- A bill that would require airlines to provide basic amenities for passengers - including water, snacks, fresh air, sanitary restrooms and lights - if their airplane is delayed on a tarmac in California for more than three hours is heading to state legislators for consideration. George Raine in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Kehoe's plan would assist fire protection -- Taking a cue from schools, state Sen. Christine Kehoe plans to introduce a constitutional amendment to make it easier to pass local parcel taxes for fire protection. Michael Gardner in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/14/08

Judge dismisses renditions lawsuit in San Jose -- A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday that accused a San Jose flight-planning company of helping the CIA transport prisoners to overseas dungeons for interrogation and torture, agreeing with the Bush administration that the case risks exposure of state secrets. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Law to boost sex offender monitoring falling short -- A new law aimed at protecting children by imposing tough residency restrictions and lifetime electronic monitoring of sex offenders has failed to deliver on its promise and could be making the state less safe. Bill Ainsworth in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/14/08

Heading starboard could sink McCain in California -- If the old Navy pilot can tune out the siren song luring him to starboard, he might have an outside chance of navigating California's treacherous waters in November. Otherwise, he's headed for the rocks. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

From small donors come big rewards -- Grass-roots giving is reshaping campaign fundraising, and Barack Obama has been particularly adept at cultivating it. Dan Morain in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Obama's 'big mo' could capsize Clinton's ship -- In the wake of Sen. Barack Obama's remarkable 8-0 record of Democratic contest victories in the past week, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid is threatened by an important reality in politics: her opponent's momentum. Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Clinton campaign remains upbeat -- She assures nervous donors that recent losses aren't fatal and predicts victories in Texas and Ohio. Peter Nicholas and Peter Wallsten in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

IRS investigates pastor's Huckabee endorsement -- At issue is whether Buena Park clergyman Wiley Drake violated the separation of church and state. Dave McKibben in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

What Huckabee hopes to win -- He knows he can't overtake McCain for the GOP nomination, but he stays in the race for a chance to be seen as a leader of conservative evangelicals. Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Officials are mobilizing against proposed cuts -- Educators around the state are preparing for a $4.4 billion cut in education spending outlined in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal. But even as school leaders plan for the worst, they are mobilizing to convince the governor that California schools need more funding, not less. Katy Murphy in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/14/08

California students fare well in AP exams -- About 20% of public school pupils scored three or better in at least one test. But black students lag. Mitchell Landsberg in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

UC, group disagree over report about accreditation standards -- University of California regents and executives are clashing with the association that accredits them over a report saying there are problems with the university system's leadership, governance and decision-making processes. Tanya Sierra in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/14/08

DVC's future hinges on security -- Diablo Valley College must show that it has improved grade security by June or risk losing its accreditation, regional regulators have told school officials. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 2/14/08

'Super Sunday' brings colleges to churches -- Sunday will the day that California State University administrators, trustees and professors fan out to African-American churches across the Bay Area and the state to promote college education. Andrew McGall in the Contra Costa Times -- 2/14/08

Pay-to-play fees will hit L.A. groups hard -- Hundreds of nonprofit youth groups have begun bracing for the bills to use LAUSD facilities and athletic fields as the district launches a controversial "pay-to-play" program next month. Brandon Lowrey in the Los Angeles Daily News -- 2/14/08

L.A. County may close most of its clinics -- Facing a deficit, health officials want to pay private centers to take up the slack. Critics say the plan's logic is faulty. Jack Leonard and Francisco Vara-Orta in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Heat is on health insurers -- Elected leaders in New York and Los Angeles initiate campaigns to curb and punish abuses. Lisa Girion in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Legislation would crack down on insurers -- A California lawmaker introduced legislation Wednesday that would require health insurers to get permission from state regulators before retroactively canceling a member's coverage. Victoria Colliver in the San Francisco Chronicle John Howard and Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 2/14/08

MS therapy shows promise in test -- A cancer drug greatly reduces brain lesions and relapses in patients with the most common form of the disabling disease. Thomas H. Maugh II in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Loma Linda considers smoking ban -- Soon you may not be able to walk down the street smoking a cigarette in this city without facing the threat of a $250 fine. An ordinance banning smoking in all public places and private businesses patronized by the public underwent its first reading at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. Joe Nelson in the San Bernardino Sun -- 2/14/08

L.A. mayor tours restored Lower Owens River -- Antonio Villaraigosa touts the city's diverting water back to the waterway, which had been sucked dry by the aqueduct in 1913. Louis Sahagun in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

State pension funds target climate change -- A coalition of investors led by California's two influential public pension funds today will unveil an ambitious plan to prod companies and regulators to act more aggressively to stem the potential financial risks from climate change. Gilbert Chan in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

Southern California home sales drop to a 20-year low -- Only 9,983 houses and condominiums were sold in the six-county region last month, a data-tracking firm says. Peter Y. Hong in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

California home prices still unaffordable -- Despite recent declines in the cost of California real estate, median home prices remain unaffordable throughout the state, according to a report by a liberal research and advocacy group calling on the governor and state lawmakers to confront the issue. James Temple in the San Francisco Chronicle Sue McAllister in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/14/08

Mortgage crisis relief bill would ease 'short sale' tax hit -- Homeowners forced to sell their property for less than they paid for it would escape a tax hit under legislation sponsored by state Sen. Michael Machado, D-Linden. Hank Shaw in the Stockton Record -- 2/14/08

Caltrans rejects bikeway plan for bridge -- Bicyclists who have been waiting for three decades for the chance to pedal across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge won't be able to take that trip anytime soon. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

Students steamed at Stanford -- How do you get 6,000 college students whipped up into a lather? Here's one way: Secretly install low-flow, eco-shower heads in their dorms over winter break. The slow drip has triggered a deluge of complaints in bathrooms all over Stanford University. But a compromise may be ending the water wars. Officials now promise to retrofit hundreds of showers with politically incorrect, higher-pressure nozzles. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/14/08

San Diego Clean-air plan gains favor -- The Unified Port of San Diego has made its boldest moves yet to cut air pollution from ships, trucks and other machines, but its plan lacks several elements that supporters said are critical to success. Mike Lee in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/14/08

Public's ideas sought as county updates 15-year-old bike plan -- The public can weigh in on the future of biking in Sacramento County at a series of meetings beginning tonight. The Sacramento County Bikeway Master Plan, now 15 years old, is being revamped by the county's Department of Transportation. M.S. Enkoji in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08

Developers bash housing plan -- Developers and construction workers who say they have been hard-hit by the housing crisis have formed an alliance to oppose Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums' proposed housing policy, which forces builders to include affordable housing in their projects. Cecily Burt and Kelly Rayburn in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/14/08

Smile, pay fare? Study to explore video toll system -- Cash could disappear as a way to pay tolls on Bay Area bridges. Hoping to speed traffic across the spans, a regional toll agency committee on Wednesday commissioned a $600,000 feasibility study on using a video toll system to collect the $4 tolls from drivers who now pay cash at the toll booths. Denis Cuff in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/14/08

L.A.'s antigang programs assailed -- City controller wants the mayor's office to provide oversight and to work more closely with other agencies. Duke Helfand in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Carona asks a judge to dismiss 4 charges -- The former Orange County sheriff says federal prosecutors have no jurisdiction in his case. Stuart Pfeifer and Christine Hanley in the Los Angeles Times LARRY WELBORN in the Orange County Register -- 2/14/08

Carona's wife wants to see secret transcripts -- Attorneys for Deborah Carona say federal prosecutors have abused the process. TERI SFORZA in the Orange County Register -- 2/14/08

Santa Ana's Spurgeon clock is being restored -- A resident history buff and clock connoisseur spurred officials to work on the clock, which is depicted on the city's seal. Jennifer Delson in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/14/08

Colma's mayor admits ethical mistake, steps down -- Colma's Mayor Larry Formalejo resigned today after just three months on the job, telling a packed public meeting that as a city councilman last year he committed an ethical breach in connection with the drunken-driving arrest of his son. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/14/08

A call for swift change for juvenile dependency courts -- Saying a Mercury News investigation confirmed the poor treatment that foster children and their families suffer in California's courts, the chairman of a commission examining the state's dependency system is promising comprehensive reforms - and soon. Karen de Sá in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/14/08

Santa Rosa's star cyclist to miss Tour de France -- Santa Rosa's Levi Leipheimer won't be able to compete in this year's Tour de France, one year after his career-best third-place finish in the world's biggest cycling race. On Wednesday, Tour de France organizers announced they would not invite Leipheimer's new team, Astana, to compete in this year's event, July 5-27. ERIC BRANCH in the Santa Rosa Press -- 2/14/08

Tour of California: Here they come again -- The Tour of California pro bicycle race just keeps getting better, and that's saying a lot. This year's eight-day stage race, which will include another three-lap finish around the Capitol on Tuesday, has a more challenging course and boasts an even better field than 2006 and 2007. It includes the two biggest names in all of cycling – Tom Boonen of Belgium and Paolo Bettini of Italy. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/14/08