John Chiang

Media outlets reported Thursday that final-term Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) will make a bid for state insurance commissioner in 2010.

Current commissioner Steve Poizner, a Republican, is planning a run for governor that year.

Jones could not be reached for comment Thursday evening, but told The Sacramento Bee that he already had endorsements from Democrat state Controller John Chiang and incoming state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

SACRAMENTO - Amid a backdrop of huge budget deficits, talk about the car tax, and voter perception of dysfunctional state government, former Gov. Gray Davis was able to celebrate Monday night.

Though current statehouse conditions eerily mirror those that got Davis recalled in 2003 - and replaced with current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - the former Democratic state assemblyman, controller, lieutenant governor and governor bypassed an opportunity to criticize current officeholders.

SACRAMENTO - Like many pols in the State Capitol, Tuesday's signing of a state budget was a signal to dog pile on the Golden State's new financial blue print - a document that no one on either side of the aisle likes very much -- State Controller John Chiang included.

In a press statement Chiang had this to say about the new budget:

California State Controller John Chiang said the state has enough money to pay its bills through most of October, but the lack of a state budget isn't making it any easier.

Last month, state coffers took in $79 million below the governor's estimates in personal income taxes, and $335 million less in sales taxes, but $41 million above estimates in corporate taxes, according to a press release from Chiang's office.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and much of the state's Democratic Congressional delegation are winners after scoring speaking roles in Denver this week, while the governor's inability to pass a budget earns him one of the spots on the loser list. Find out who else made this week's Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo took Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to task Tuesday for the lack of a state budget, saying the city is being affected because of the number of state workers who live in Sacramento.

Fargo, incoming League of California Cities president, joined with current president Jim Madaffer in her criticism of the governor.

She also wrote a letter to Schwarzenegger that also warned that any budget plan should leave city monies alone.

Below is a transcript of remarks made by State Comptroller John Chiang (D) at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening, as prepared for delivery.

Below is a list of notable Californians scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Committee on Tuesday. All times are local to Denver (MDT).

DENVER -- Call it Sacramento on the Platte instead.

During the massive California delegation's first breakfast meeting in Denver, the rancor over the Golden State's way overdue budget surfaced shortly after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was cheered to the podium by a capacity crowd of delegates.