In brief: California selling 11 state buildings

Sacramento, Calif. – California has put the “For sale” sign on 11 state office buildings, including the San Francisco Civic Center and the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles, as a way to raise cash to shrink the budget deficit.

Los Angeles-based real estate firm CB Richard Ellis released a sales brochure Friday titled the “Golden State Portfolio” as part of its marketing strategy to lure potential buyers. Combined, the buildings have more than 7 million square feet of office space.

State officials are hoping to draw offers worth more than $2 billion.

Governor quits re-election bid

New York – Less …

Sacramento, Calif. – California has put the “For sale” sign on 11 state office buildings, including the San Francisco Civic Center and the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles, as a way to raise cash to shrink the budget deficit.

Los Angeles-based real estate firm CB Richard Ellis released a sales brochure Friday titled the “Golden State Portfolio” as part of its marketing strategy to lure potential buyers. Combined, the buildings have more than 7 million square feet of office space.

State officials are hoping to draw offers worth more than $2 billion.

Governor quits re-election bid

New York – Less than a week after declaring he would seek a full four-year term, New York Gov. David Paterson abruptly dropped his election bid Friday under pressure from Democrats concerned about his faltering agenda and criticism of his handling of a domestic abuse case involving a trusted aide.

At a news conference, Paterson cited an accumulation of distractions that prompted him to end his campaign, but said he had never abused his office.

Paterson insisted that he would not resign and said he would serve out his term “fighting for the state of New York.”

Girl Scouts hit with cookie recall

Louisville, Ky. – They promise to entice the senses with a “hint of cinnamon-ginger spice” and a “refreshingly zesty lemon creme filling,” but some batches of Lemon Chalet Creme Girl Scout cookies didn’t quite turn out that way.

A Kentucky bakery that makes the cookies pulled some batches Thursday after about a dozen people complained of a foul smell and taste.

Little Brownie Bakers in Louisville, one of two bakeries in the U.S. that makes Girl Scout cookies, said Friday no one has gotten sick from the stinky, bad-tasting cookies sold in 24 states, and they are safe to eat.

The problem is caused by a breakdown of oils in the cookies, the bakery said on its Web site.

Customers who have purchased affected cookies can call their local Girl Scout council or (800) 962-1718. A message at that number said customers may receive a coupon for “a Keebler free product refund.”