Bookending the Fourth of July parade story in the latest edition of my local town weekly are two telling and (unfortunately) common stories – both dealing with budget problems.  On one side of the picture of Uncle Sam marching through downtown is the headline “Police station needs work".  On the other side, “Property, sales tax in decline”.

California is a step closer toward creating the nation’s most ambitious program to regulate toxic substances in consumer products after publicly releasing in late June the mechanics of how its so-called Green Chemistry Initiative would work. 

Researchers at Washington State University and the University of Georgia have concluded that balanced ecosystems – such as those found in organic agriculture – are better at controlling pests and growing healthier plants than those found in conventional farm fields. 

Two important signs of economic recovery turned up in the San Jose Mercury News this week.  First is an apparent boom in the chip industry, and second is an uptick in business at Buck’s Woodside Café. 

California started a new fiscal year last week with no budget, something which happens with alarming regularity.  Sacramento legislators faced with a choice between staying there and collecting a per diem with nothing to vote on or hightailing it home for July, opted for the extended vacation.