It is not often that the phrases “California budget” and “good” are spoken in the same conversation, let alone the same sentence. And though the Golden State’s budget looks rosier these days, it is not time to stop working toward a stronger fiscal future. In another bit of good news, the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget analyst said Monday that the state budget is balanced. Just a short time ago, the same analyst said there could be a shortfall of more than $1 billion. But now the analyst has revised the numbers, which line up with the budget Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled last week. Read More

I do not have high hopes for the continued existence of City College of San Francisco considering some of the actions coming from the faculty. They managed to run a once excellent institution into the ground with historically poor practices that threaten its very survival. It is overwhelming consensus that there needs to be a house cleaning and practices of the past completely discarded with outside intervention and wholesale changes made. Read More

➤ “Despite years of talk, San Francisco still mulling ban on plastic water bottles,” Local News, Thursday Water bottle ban is wrong approach I was disappointed by your story in favor of banning plastic water bottles in San Francisco. Using the law to bully people into being more environmentally responsible is not the best approach. Read More

As the saying goes, if you love something, set it free. The story of Charlie the death row dog has become an international sensation ever since the young American Staffordshire terrier was condemned for attacking a U.S. Park Police horse in August. Many folks have come to the defense of Charlie — and his owner — because the Crissy Field incident was the first documented incident in which the dog behaved in such a way. Supporters are confident that their outrage is justified. Read More