WHAT’S THE rush? After 4.5 years of talking, the Nevada County Biomass Task Force has TENTATIVELY decided to hire a contractor to conduct a feasibility study. I’m betting we’ll see the next ice age before we generate any energy from local biomass…CLUELESS? KCRA-TV News reports a surge in demand for swimming pools despite the drought, with demand particularly strong in affluent areas like Granite Bay. I guess price is no object when it comes to buying the water to fill those pools…A SACRAMENTO City Council candidate is the target of hit piece criticizing his large CalPERS pension. Does that remind you of anybody around here?…IT’S AN article of faith among conservatives that tax hikes kill economic growth, so how do they explain the surge in California’s economy after voters approved a temporary sales tax increase?…I DON’T  buy Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s campaign claim that “He’s One of Us.” I don’t own a cowboy hat and I rarely eat rice…