NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS AT THE BALLOT? Using a ballot initiative as contract negotiation tool? Well, Denver sheriff's deputies want to change that. They're planning a ballot initiative that would allow the deputies themselves to file criminal charges themselves.

DISEASE COULD BE THE CURE: The LA TImes' George Skelton, an opponent of "ballot box" budgeting, says using the ballot box is the only way out of the state's fiscal mess. This makes more sense than it sounds like in just one sentence. So much of the budget is determined by initiative or constitutional amendment that changing the budget structure requires constitutional changes, which require the approval of voters. Skelton also passes along a truly scary fact: without a budget, the state could run out of cash in early September. Skelton includes important (and dire quotes) from finance director Mike Genest and treasurer Bill Lockyer.

GAY MARRIAGE TO U.S. SUPREMES: That's where the Mercury News seems to think it's headed.

SIG GATHERING IN ARKANSAS: A Fayetteville paper takes a look at the circulation of an Arkansas ballot Initiative that would deny services to unauthorized immigrants.

NON PARTISAN ELECTIONS: An initiative in King County, Washington, would make county elections non-partisan.

HOUSING ON THE BALLOT: The city of Morgan Hill, Calif., may change its affordable housing policy at the ballot.

NUNEZ FOR MAYOR? The speaker emeritus of the California State Assembly tells his hometown paper (he grew up in San Diego) that he could run for mayor there. This is news, because Nunez has been talked about as a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, though he is in bad enough odor with the labor movement in Southern California that such a candidacy might be difficult. A San Diego run might be a bit harder, too. Nunez moved his permanent residence to Sacramento for family reasons.