The Morning News Links - April 1, 2009

• Real-estate investment trusts (REITs) took a surprise dive in the first quarter of 2009.
• Fairmont Hotels made a new pledge to gain LEED certification.
• Mayor Newsom announces that the City will remove parts of I-280 and possibly replace it with open space and affordable housing.
• Guess what city was the least wasteful in America?
• San Francisco's garbage and recycling companies are doing their part to produce high-quality 'boutique' compost for Bay Area growers.
• California State Controller John Chiang announces that the state has enough cash for the fiscal year (ending June 30th). You can read all about it here; if you are really interested, you can view a chart of the numbers here.
• Oakland has a new contender for mayor (hint: it's Don Perata)
• Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina, may challenge Senator Barbara Boxer in 2010.
• Bad news will be coming if California voters reject the budget propositions in May.