Busy day on the local politics front:

State Sen. Alex Padilla was named statewide chairman of Gavin Newsom's campaign for governor, a pretty blatant appeal to SoCal Latino donors and voters. Newsom speaks at Taft High School in Woodland Hills tonight. Sacto Bee, LAT, L.A. Daily, DN

Judy Chu's election to Congress gives Gov. Schwarzenegger the chance to appoint a swing vote, coveted by business interests, on the state Board of Equalization. LAT

Planning commissioner Sean Burton and Councilwoman Jan Perry called out City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for inappropriate comments regarding commisioners and billboards. LAT

The City Council lost a quorum and adjourned its meeting when members walked out after gadfly Michael Hunt wore a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood during his daily turn at the speaker's podium. LAT

Also: U.S. District Court judge Gary Feess has extended the LAPD consent decree two more days, until July 17. Curiously, the court notifcations are still addressed to lawyer Stephen Yagman at his old Venice address, not his current Club Fed abode.