The holiday surprise in California this year was that Gov. Schwarzenegger didn't wait to the usual date -- often January 9 or 10 -- to release his budget proposal for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Instead, the proposal was released on Dec. 31. And in another departure from protocol, the governor wasn't there to do the releasing. He was at his vacation home in Idaho with his family. Finance director Mike Genest handled the chore.

The release seems to be a way to accomplish two political goals: 1) to show urgency (we're releasing the budget early) while 2) burying the news of a horrible budget proposal that includes big spending cuts, borrowing and tax increases, many of which represent a reversal from previous Schwarzenegger positions. Shaking things up is a good thing, but I'm not sure if this early budget release accomplished much. The proposal itself is unlikely to spark fast action by a dysfunctional legislature. But it's not clear if there's any force in the universe that can force consensus in the California legislature.

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.