links for 2010-10-06

Well, the numbers are in in the increasingly contentious attorney general race between SF District Attorney Kamala Harris and LA District Attorney Steve Cooley, and we have to admit — we're a bit surprised. Cooley is leading the way, with more than $2.1 million collected since July 1, to Harris' $1.8 million. Cooley also has more cash in the bank — about $500,000 more — which could make a difference in this tight contest. (Cooley also spent just half as much as Harris from July through September; not surprising given she's launched some ads.)
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Television and radio in the OC and San Diego Counties. Direct mail, TV and radio in the Inland areas of California.

Private employers unexpectedly cut 39,000 jobs in September after an upwardly revised gain of 10,000 in August, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday.

The August figure was originally reported as a loss of 10,000.

The median of estimates from 38 economists surveyed by Reuters for the ADP Employer Services report, jointly developed with Macroeconomic Advisers LLC, was for a rise of 24,000 private-sector jobs in September.

The ADP figures come ahead of the government's much more comprehensive labor market report on Friday, which includes both public and private sector employment.
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No surprise here.

California leaders including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have reportedly agreed a new budget deal, but as the state attracts jeers for its lateness in taking concrete steps to pass a budget, some are booing its leaders for their willingness to sign off on tax hikes when it is being reported that California is owed about $1.4 billion in tax revenue already collected by businesses from consumers, but never remitted to the state.
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And, voters will go to the polls being asked to increase local taxes whereas state taxes that are owed are not even collected.

In November, Chula Vista residents will decide whether they wish to tack additional taxes on their cell phones, cable landlines, and internet. The measure, Proposition H, would expand the scope of taxable services under the city’s current Utility Users Tax. If passed, the city will begin to tax for the first time out-of-state and international calls at the rate of five percent .

Placed on the ballot by the City Council, Proposition H marks the Council’s second attempt to generate more revenue to the city through additional taxation. A year ago the same City Council spent more than $250,000 to order a special mail ballot election requesting a 10-year, one-cent increase to the city’s sales tax. That measure was struck down by an overwhelming margin of voters.
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They will tax the air you breathe as cities and counties need to raise revenue due to overspending and State of California cut backs.

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Summary of The Hill’s poll of districts with freshman Democrats: Republican challengers Paul Gosar (AZ-1) , Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), Andy Harris (MD-1), Steve Pearce (NM-2), Steve Stivers (OH-15), Robert Hurt, Cory Gardner (CO-4), Joe Heck (NV-3), Jim Renacci (OH-16), Mike Kelly (PA-3) and Scott Rigell (VA-2) should feel good but not yet done. Kinzinger and Kelly have the biggest leads.

Interestingly, based on the last two polls, in Virginia’s 5th District, Republican Robert Hurt is either ahead by 1 or ahead by 23.

In Michigan,Tim Walberg is tied with incumbent Democrat Mark Schauer, which is still a pretty good place for a challenger to be.
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The GOP Wave