The gubernatorial race in California has escalated, and now Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman are locked in one of the more memorable duels California has recently seen. However, unlike in other races, where cultural or social issues often provided most of the ammunition, in this case the battle is one of raw economics.

The rhetorical war over passage of a state budget, which the constitution says the Legislature should have approved by June 15, centers on taxes. 

The Supreme Court recently upheld a ban on Monsanto's genetically modified alfalfa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was ordered to perform an adequate environmental impact study before planting could continue, something it failed to do when it allowed Monsanto to commercialize the crop in 2007.

On Monday evening, Californians learned that U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein opposes the legalization of marijuana in California, and will be participating in a campaign to oppose Proposition 19, The Tax Cannabis Act.

At least 75 cities, counties, and public entities in California are considering cutting public pension benefits as well as raising the amount employees must contribute. Four localities, including San Francisco, will probably have pension-related ballot initiatives in November.

As California undergoes implementation of the federal health care reform legislation over the next four years, the experiences and challenges Massachusetts has faced in its implementation of its own state-run health care reform can serve as a helpful guide.