By E.J. SCHULTZ, Fresno Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California's 120 lawmakers have set a record -- but none of them is proud. It's never taken this long to pass a state budget. Ever.Yet even as the impasse stretches into a third month, there will be few, if any, political consequences for the 38 Democrats and 22 Republicans seeking re-election in November, experts say.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Assembly's newly passed bill aimed at improving the $9.9 billion high-speed rail bond measure on the November's ballot won't be sent to the governor for an undetermined amount of time.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won't find it on his Sacramento desk until there's "a signal" he will sign it, the bill's author said.

FRESNO, Calif. -- The battle over raw milk will move from the courtroom back to the California Legislature this week.A Central Valley lawmaker plans to introduce a bill that would overturn new state health regulations that a Kerman dairy has been fighting for months.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gay couples in California can start making their wedding plans for June 17.Following through on a landmark state Supreme Court decision, a state agency Wednesday tentatively set that date as the first day counties can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When it comes to water, thirsty California farm groups normally fight as one. But it is water that is behind a growing split in the agriculture community over a measure on the June ballot.Proposition 98, backed by the California Farm Bureau Federation and an anti-tax group, would prohibit governments from seizing property, including farmland, for private use.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Dogs and driving don't mix, according to a state lawmaker who has introduced legislation that would make it illegal for motorists to keep pets on their laps.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- If you're a California independent voter, you have three choices on Feb. 5: Vote in the Democratic presidential primary, a third-party primary or stay home.