Links:

*  The Legislature will be getting some help from some major universities this session. A panel of ten scientists will be on hand to help with legislation.

*  CalBuzz sits down with future Speaker John Perez to talk issues, temperament, and how to make the Assembly most effective.

*  The SoCal ports of LA and Long Beach are fighting to maintain their West Coast position as ports up and down the coast grow.

*  UC Merced is gradually building a relationship with the City of Merced.

*  Ron Dellums has managed to work out a deal with truckers on the emissions from their trucks. The state (and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District) made an additional $11 million available, and as that money is doled out, truckers who are in line can continue to work.