CLIMATE CHANGE BUDGET REJECTION MAY SPUR MAJOR POLITICAL CLASH

A Senate budget subcommittee this week rejected most of the governor's proposed climate change funding for Fiscal Year 2006-07, with Democrats pursuing instead a budget trailer bill to increase spending and create programs to mandate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission caps and reductions. The action is seen by some observers as setting the stage for a major showdown between Democratic leaders and the governor over how far the state should go in mandating GHG reductions on various industries. It remains unclear...