On to the links:

• A very rare bit of good news: yesterday the EPA finally granted the official waiver for California to implement its tailpipe emissions law, which will allow the state to mandate an average fuel economy of 35mpg for all vehicles sold by 2016.  This is a major, long-overdue win for environmentalists who have been working on this for years.  One of them, Clean Air Act amendments author Henry Waxman, was admitted to Cedars Sinai Hospital yesterday, so hopefully this will brighten his mood.  We at Calitics wish Rep. Waxman well.

• Among other laws that take effect today, Los Angeles inaugurates its half a penny sales tax increase to pay for public transportation projects.  Because of the recession, the revenue from this is expected to be lower than at first advertised, and that may affect federal matching dollars.

• Asm. Noreen Evans has a good rebuttal to the Governor’s press conference today.  Here’s a hint: he wasn’t exactly telling the truth.

• Here’s a good report on yesterday’s public hearing over the death penalty, which turned into a day-long debate.  Hey wait, didn’t the Governor’s Department of Corrections put together that public hearing?  During a BUDGET CRISIS!  That’s not leadership…

• A great organization, The Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, has released a video of people around California opposed to the closing of the state parks. Enjoy –>

• San Francisco has become the first city in America to require composting.  Hopefully others will follow.  That said, these HIV cuts in Mayor Newsom’s budget are obscene.

• Speaking of Newsom, his campaign reports that they raised $1.6 million from over 3,600 donors in the first half of the year.  Jerry Brown, who has not yet announced as a candidate, raised significantly more.

• Dr. Howard Dean hits California tomorrow in support of his new book “Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform.” As debate on heath care reform moves forward, this is a vital perspective to include and promote. He’ll be at Warwick’s in La Jolla at 5pm signing books and meeting with bloggers, so be there or be square. If you can’t make it, he’ll be back to visit Hollywood and San Francisco later this month.

• A military board in Syracuse recommended a discharge for Lt. Dan Choi, an Arabic linguist, from the National Guard, due to the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.  On the flip, CA-10 candidate Anthony Woods, who has been endorsed by Choi, offers his reaction.  

“Today, a Military Administrative Board recommended the discharge of my friend, West Point Classmate, and fellow Iraq War Veteran Lt. Dan Choi for refusing to lie to his fellow soldiers, and for refusing to violate the Honor Code to which all Army officers are bound.  Lt. Choi is an experienced combat leader and Arab linguist-two things our military desperately needs– who is ready and willing to re-deploy with his unit.   Today’s decision only highlights the fact that the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” is undermining the strength of our military and the security of our nation.

Having served two combat tours in Iraq and brought all 81 of my soldiers home alive before being discharged under the policy last year, I understand what Lt. Choi is going through all too well.

Since 1993, the careers of tens of thousands of soldiers have ended prematurely because of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”—-at a cost of more than $400 million to taxpayers, the safety of combat soldiers deprived of experienced leaders and specialists, and the readiness of a force already stretched thin by two wars and repeated, extended deployments.  More than 70% of Americans support its repeal because Americans understand that in a time of war, America ‘s security is far more important than political expediency.

I applaud Lt. Choi’s resolve to appeal this wrong-headed decision, and look forward to leading the effort to repeal this misguided policy as the next Congressman from California ‘s 10th District.”