Counting Their Sonoma Organic Chickens Before They Hatch

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's senior Capitol staff is taking a break from slinging the mud with lawmakers to bathe in the mud this week. They are heading Wednesday to a plush resort in the Boyes Hot Springs area of Sonoma County for a retreat ... to plan out next year's agenda. Schwarzenegger himself has campaign events and fund-raisers this week.

With four weeks to go before the election, Schwarzenegger's top-level government aides have been trying hard not to sound cocky about potentially beating state Treasurer Phil Angelides. But they nevertheless are busy hiring more help — some at $120,000 a year — to prepare the governor's agenda for next year.

To be fair (ew), a new governor has a hectic schedule after the election. The inaugural address, the State of the State speech, and the unveiling of a new 2007-08 budget are scheduled within days of each other in January.