Morning Buzz: Wednesday 6.24.09

The Democrats' latest budget plan in Sacramento appears to be dead on arrival. Rough & Tumble
Kudos to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for having the guts to enter recovery for politicaholism, says consultant Darry Sragow. Fox & Hounds Daily
White voters in the city of Los Angeles are about twice as likely to call themselves liberal as white voters nationwide, and are more liberal than L.A.'s Latino or black voters. LAT Poll

The City Council gave incoming city attorney Carmen Trutanich the money to hire eight political appointees. LAT
Outgoing city councilwoman Wendy Greuel and a council committee back the wishes of a small section of Van Nuys to join the Sherman Oaks rush. DN
Various sources revise the $14 million Nikki Finke reportedly got for her Hollywood blog. Romenesko
Village Voice Media executive editor Michael Lacey attacks the LAT's James Rainey and ex-LA Weekly editor Marc Cooper in response to their criticism of the Weekly. Weekly blog
Bullets sprayed the vehicle of Cudahy councilman Osvaldo Conde and his brother after they chased a car carrying men who tagged the brother's liquor store and meat market. LAT
Green Dot Public Schools will host graduation at Locke High for the first class since it took over the school. LAT
Teachers at 8 of the 10 LAUSD schools overseen by Mayor Villaraigosa aren't happy with things, Steve Lopez says. LAT
A ground-breaking ceremony will be held today for a $215.6 million extension of the Orange Line from Canoga Park to Chatsworth. DN
The state recommended more strongly than ever that fish caught in Santa Monica Bay not be eaten by women 18-45 or children under 17. Spouting Off
The Clippers pick first in Thursday's NBA draft and are intending to select Blake Griffin from Oklahoma.
L.A Times.com features editor Dean Kuipers' new book, "Operation Bite Back," on animal rights radical Rod Coronado, was published this week.
USC Annenberg and the Getty Foundation are still taking applications for the eighth annual USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Fellowship.
Early L.A. rock DJ Casey Kasem will end his final national countdown show, "American Top 20," on the July 4th weekend. Franklin Avenue
Veronica Villafañe will not post to Hispanic Media Moves this week due to the death of her father, Julio A. Villafañe. HMM
Ed McMahon, the TV personality and longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show," died at age 86. LAT