Government Watch

• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 107, authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, which amends California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard law to ensure that the companies that build and buy power for sale to buy more renewable power such as solar, wind or other on-going natural processes sooner. The bill moves up the requirement in current law to require 20 percent renewable power by 2010, increases appropriate flexibility for retail sellers by allowing the verifiable use of renewable energy credits and requires energy utilities to address carbon emission in their long-term procurement plans.

• Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City, was named by Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, as chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources. The committee has jurisdiction over $5.7 billion and primary responsibility for the annual budgets of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Department of Water Resources, the Energy Commission and the Air Resources Board.

Regional government

• The San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, representing 18 agencies in the county, sent a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger strongly opposing Assembly Bill 2987. The bill, also known as the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act, is awaiting signature or veto. The bill would let telephone companies compete against cable firms by obtaining a state-issued franchise rather than negotiating separately with cities and counties.

County government

• The San Mateo County Vocational Rehabilitation Services is holding a grand opening for its VRS Cafe at the County Government Center. The cafe serves as a training facility and provides catering. The opening will take place Thursday, Sept. 28 with free coffee and baked goods from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to mark the occasion and a ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

City government

• The San Carlos City Council issued requests for the design of two new playgrounds, including one with a water feature at Burton Park. At the same meeting Monday night, the council approved requests for the City Hall remodel project and appointed Gordie Burton and Neil Chichizola to the Museum of San Carlos History Board of Directors. The council also passed a resolution supporting the San Carlos fire assessment in the upcoming election.

• The Redwood City Council rejected every construction bid for a library in Redwood Shores and will re-open the bidding process in mid-November. Even the lowest bids would require the city to re-design the library or approve an extra $5.3 million to cover costs. The original budget estimate is $10 million.

<