Editor’s note: This commentary was adapted from an interview the Press-Banner conducted with Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel, regarding California’s budget. The interview was July 21, shortly before the Legislature passed a budget with no tax increases and more than $26 billion in cuts.

EDITOR,

• Stryker Austin Silva was born at 8:10 a.m. July 15, 2009, to Nancy Maureen Caputo and Gavin Daniel Silva of Scotts Valley. He weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces, at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital.

Within a short drive for most of us, there are some hot bites in the water right now. Most of the action is coming from the ocean, and Santa Cruz is at the top of the charts, with albacore, halibut, striped bass, rock fish, ling cod and even thresher sharks.

Madilyn Rose Pollock was born at 10:57 a.m. July 8, 2009, to Lacy Dee Goodman and Christopher Robert Pollock of Scotts Valley. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital.

Cyclists take to local roads Saturday

EDITOR,