Capitol Alert

Now that the Capitol's frogs have been kissed, the impasse over the state budget jumps back under the dome.

Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan is coming under attack from peace activist Cindy Sheehan and others, who say they'll begin occupying the Capitol next Monday to protest what they're calling his "savage austerity measures."

Peace of the Action, United Progressives, the California Alliance for Retired Americans, the Peace and Freedom Party and several other organizations are backing what their news release bills as a "prolonged occupation" in support of a statewide push next week by the California Teachers Association and other unions to urge lawmakers to extend tax hikes to avoid deeper cuts.

Sheehan made the news back in 2005 for starting an encampment near President George W. Bush's Texas ranch to demand a meeting with him about the death of her son in the Iraq War.

She and others will announce details about the Sacramento protest at a news conference at 9:30 a.m. on the east side of the Capitol building.

Hints of what they plan next Monday can be found at the protesters' website, strikemay2011ca.org, which says protesters will "set up tent city occupation of Capitol grounds, 'refuse to move,' " and conduct "teach-ins, die-ins, human be-ins, and more."

Meanwhile, several subcommittees will be looking at budget issues, including K-14 education, the fiscal status of school districts statewide, transportation and resources, and state government administration. Click here for Senate committee agendas and here for the Assembly.

Those subcommittees will meet after floor sessions adjourn. Both houses have set a start time of 9 a.m., with the Assembly expected to take up Assembly Bill 130, part of the California Dream Act by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo.

Cedillo's measures would allow longtime California residents who are undocumented immigrants to receive college financial assistance.

The Los Angeles Democrat is also pushing for an Assembly committee to vote on its companion, Assembly Bill 131, before the fiscal bill deadline at the end of the month.

CHILD CARE: A forum expected to draw Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, and other local and state leaders who will discuss state budget cuts to child care. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, 925 Del Paso Blvd., in the Sequoia Room.