Educator 'envisions' art, future, Daily Bulletin
When you yank it off its academic pedestal and wipe it clean of pretense, art can be a tool to shape and improve communities.

30 percent university fee hike likely, Chico Enterprise Record
A 30 percent fee hike - the second increase since December - will almost certainly be imposed for California State University students this week, but even with a fee deadline coming at the end of this month Chico State University's chief financial officer says there is no need to panic.

CSUCI orients incoming freshmen, Ventura County Star
The two-day introduction to college will be offered several times between now and the start of class Aug. 25 and incoming freshmen are required to attend one of the sessions.

Crucial bond deal may be dicey, Sacramento Bee
With California set to run out of cash by September, the state is finding it increasingly difficult to borrow its way out of trouble.

Cash cushion for state workers, Sacramento Bee
They'll look to no-interest loan offers if paychecks dry up amid budget fight.

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College tuition likely to jump, Sacramento Bee
Students brace for a 30 percent increase that CSU and UC officials say they'll approve.

High school exit exam delay doesn't end suits, controversy, Contra Costa Times
The California Board of Education's decision last week to suspend the high school exit exam for two years will not quell controversy over the exam or stop the threat of lawsuits, some educators and civil rights advocates say.

No 'knight' poised to rescue software firm from Oracle, Contra Costa Times
Don't expect a "white knight" to charge into the fracas and rescue PeopleSoft Inc. from Oracle Corp. in the near future, an analyst said Friday.

Solar cars begin cross-country race today, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
College students usually have to scrape together gas money, but for those riding in the 30 solar- powered cars that start racing across the country toward Claremont today, this will not be a problem.

Editorial: Recall dropouts, Sacramento Bee
Will Democrats deny voters an alternative?

California's sales tax is the ultimate roller coaster, Sacramento Bee
It's become an article of faith in California that our income tax base is wildly volatile, having produced the roller-coaster ride that pushed revenues toward the heavens in the late 1990s and allowed them to come crashing down again a few years later.

Dan Walters: Davis' popularity nose-dived as his media coverage soured, Sacramento Bee
Davis' popularity began a sharp slide two years ago, as the state was hammered by an unexpected, scary energy crisis, and it has continued to decline ever since.

Dan Walters: Budget impasse -- and likely solution -- are signs of deeper ills, Sacramento Bee
As the state's budget stalemate grinds along, chances are increasing that when Gov. Gray Davis and the Legislature finally reach agreement, it will be another expedient, gimmick-filled deal that builds on the state's already miserable record of fiscal irresponsibility.

Opinion: Good news on taxes , Contra Costa Times
Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature have been glaring at each other for several months over the prospect of tax increases to balance the budget. A few days ago, the Democrats blinked.

Opinion: Budget delay puts campuses in a bind, San Jose Mercury News
Demand for community college courses is up and last year's budget was down. The state's 108 campuses are caught in a vise being tightened by legislative dithering.

Foes say Davis overspent, then covered up shortfall, Sacramento Bee
But Democrats blame dot-com crash and a slumping economy.