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.