Governor may seek special election for budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that the budget deadlock could last for several more weeks, a delay that would force him to call a special election. Two significant pieces of his budget require voter approval, and many state lawmakers consider Sunday to be the drop-dead deadline for placing new measures on the ballot for the November election.

Steinberg elected as Senate leader (in waiting) -- Six months after the decision was made, Darrell Steinberg - a former labor lawyer and unabashed liberal - was formally elected Senate president pro tem Thursday in a unanimous voice vote by his colleagues. But in the longest legislative transition in modern California history, the Sacramento Democrat won't assume office until Nov. 30 - one day before current Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, is termed out of office.

Dan Walters: GOP spending a major player in California budget gap -- Republicans are largely bystanders in a Legislature controlled by liberal Democrats - except when it comes to the state budget. If they maintain discipline, the two-thirds budget vote requirement gives Republicans a pivotal role, one very evident in this year's game of political chicken over closing a $15 billion-plus deficit. But what kind of role?

Q&A: Governor says sales tax increase is right for state -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to The Bee on Thursday after embracing a temporary 1-cent sales tax proposal to help bridge a $15.2 billion budget shortfall. Under the plan, the sales tax after three years would drop permanently by 1.25 cents, and lawmakers would agree to support long-term budget changes. The state is now 53 days into the fiscal year without a budget.

Bill would aid young violent-crime witnesses -- California children who witness violent crime - the killing of a neighbor or assault of a friend - would be eligible for up to $5,000 in mental health services under a bill awaiting the governor's signature. The bill would close a loophole in current law, which currently offers state victims assistance funding only for those directly affected by violence or those living with or related to the victims, said the measure's author, Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

Texting while driving? California Senate says 'GTG' -- Everyone knows not to get caught DWI, but tech-savvy drivers may soon be outlawed from engaging in DWT -- driving while texting. Trying to keep pace with advances in technology, a divided state Senate approved a measure Thursday that would outlaw text messaging by motorists in California.

Killer must be paroled, state high court says -- A convicted murderer who is eligible for parole, and poses no demonstrable threat to the public, can't be kept behind bars solely because of the horrific facts of a crime that occurred many years earlier, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The 4-3 decision rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to override the state parole board and veto the release of a Los Angeles woman who spent 24 years in prison for killing her lover's wife.