Some other items making news today.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday ordered mandatory furloughs for thousands of state workers until California passes a budget that addresses a $19 billion deficit. Schwarzenegger released a new executive order requiring state workers to take three unpaid days off per month starting in August. State workers were furloughed a total of 46 days when Schwarzenegger issued a similar order in February 2009, which translated to a pay cut of about 14 percent. There is actually a chance that Schwarzenegger may leave office without signing a budget. More from the Associated Press.

Scientists have also released what they described as the "best evidence yet" of rising long-term temperatures. The report is the first to collate 11 different indicators – from air and sea temperatures to melting ice – each one based on between three and seven data sets, dating back to between 1850 and the 1970s. The story in The Guardian. If you wish to look at the report from the NOAA, the link is here.

In response to latest scientific research that yet again shows a warming planet, Jeffrey Sachs calls on President Obama to "lay out a comprehensive and costed plan to the American people showing how he will move beyond oil." While not addressing the latest findings directly, the President did note on Tuesday he still supports the need for broad climate-change legislation and pledged to keep pushing for it. That story from the Los Angeles Times.

The Hill reports that the Senate Democrats do not have the votes to lower the 60-vote threshold to cut off filibusters.

Under pressure to find new revenues sources, Congress is reconsidering legalizing, and taxing, Internet gambling. The full story from the New York Times.