California Policy & Politics This Morning

In parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama -- The president outlines more than $160 million in federal assistance to California. He ties the drought directly to global warming. Diana Marcum and Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times$ Jessica Calefati and Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ John Ellis in the Fresno Bee -- 2/15/14

Obama's visit excites Fresnans, even if they don't actually see him -- Playing the "Star-Spangled Banner" on his trumpet, one excited man outside Fresno Yosemite International Airport was eager to proclaim the arrival of President Barack Obama. Carmen George in the Fresno Bee -- 2/15/14

California faces critical drought, despite recent rains -- A severe drought persists in California despite the recent precipitation, and parts of the state will face critical water shortages later this year without more rain and snowfall, water experts said at a Friday symposium. Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Top-two primary system is shaking up California elections -- While Miller's is the only one of the five open House seats in California that analysts say is likely to flip from one major party to the other in this year's elections, the state's relatively new "top two" primary system is helping to reshape all of them. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Radio host, former Clinton aide Matt Miller to run for Waxman seat -- Matt Miller, newspaper columnist and former Clinton White House aide, said Friday he is jumping into the already crowded race to replace retiring Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills). Miller announced his candidacy on "Left, Right & Center," the political program he co-hosts on KCRW-FM (89.9). Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$  Emily Cahn Roll Call -- 2/15/14

CA11: Alameda’s Tony Daysog is considering a run -- Alameda Councilman Tony Daysog says he’s considering a run for the 11th Congressional District seat from which Rep. George Miller will retire at this year’s end. Josh Richman Political Blotter -- 2/15/14

San Bernardino DA 'looking into' Tim Donnelly's handling of guns --One of the conditions of Tim Donnelly's probation after a loaded firearm was discovered in his carry-on bag at an airport in 2012 is that the Twin Peaks assemblyman - and now-candidate for governor -- could not "personally use, own or possess any firearm that is not registered to him." David Siders in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Donnelly defends gun use on radio show -- "It's considered rude if you don't fire someone's gun when it's offered to you," Donnelly said.  Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

San Francisco 49ers drop Kevin Sloat as team lobbyist --Team spokesman Bob Lange confirmed to The Sacramento Bee on Friday that the NFL team has severed ties with Sloat, who agreed on Monday to pay a record-setting fine -- $133,500 -- to the state's political watchdog for violating lobbying laws. Laurel Rosenhall and Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ Will Kane in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/15/14

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom: Spend high-speed rail money elsewhere -- Now leaving the station: Gavin Newsom's support for high-speed rail. Jeremy B. White in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

'We'll see' the results of prison order --State gets court reprieve, but loses its leverage. Steven Greenhut UT San Diego$ -- 2/15/14

Bill would outlaw mug shot publishing websites in California -- State Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) on Friday introduced legislation that would outlaw websites that publish mug shots and arrest records and charge money to remove them. Ricardo Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Federal judge dismisses Nevada ‘patient dumping’ lawsuit -- A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a patient who was bused to Sacramento from a Nevada state psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas. Phillip Reese and Cynthia Hubert in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Supervisors chair gets free car plus 'two-Mercedes' car allowance -- Labor leaders criticize Shawn Nelson for taking the freebie from the air-quality board on which he serves, on top of the county’s car allowance. Mike Reicher in the Orange County Register$ -- 2/15/14

Target, Neiman Marcus will be no-shows at hearing on data breaches -- Two Assembly panels will convene next week to examine consumer data safety, but lawmakers won't be hearing from two companies that have been hit with recent high-profile security breaches. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Taxes/Fees

BOE to consider lowering excise tax rate on gasoline by 3.5 cents -- The state Board of Equalization will consider adjusting the excise tax rate for gasoline downward by 3.5 cents during its Feb. 25 meeting in Culver City. Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Economy, Employers and Jobs

City, Kings PAC, unions fight back against arena subsidy lawsuit -- Invoking the Seattle investor who tried to buy the Sacramento Kings and then secretly funded the arena-subsidy petition movement, a coalition of arena supporters went to court with city officials Friday to fight back against the lawsuit demanding a public vote on the Kings arena project. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Occidental Petroleum to move HQ to Houston, spin off California assets --Occidental Petroleum, the longtime Los Angeles-based energy giant, announced Friday that it would move its headquarters to Houston and spin off its California assets into a separate company. Shan Li in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Workers' wage hike faces protest by hotel managers -- An L.A. proposal would nearly double the minimum wage paid to workers at large hotels, but owners and managers say it could lead to job cuts. James Rainey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Judge tosses Santa Monica's airport lawsuit -- The city had sought to take control of its airport from the federal government. Supporters of that plan vow not to give up. Dan Weikel in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

What Cities Really Need to Attract Entrepreneurs, According to Entrepreneurs -- The answers: talented workers, and the quality of life that the educated and ambitious have come to expect—not the low-tax, favorable-regulation approach that many state and local governments tout. Richard Florida National Journal -- 2/15/14

Education

Bill seeks to ban use of school bond money for iPads -- A new bill introduced Friday would prohibit California school districts from using voter-approved construction bonds for non-facility related items -- a move spurred by the Los Angeles Unified School District’s $1-billion plan to purchase iPads for every student, teacher and administrator. Stephen Ceasar in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Environment

Yosemite National Park drops plans to ban bike and raft rentals -- In a major reversal, Yosemite National Park officials have dropped controversial plans to ban a wide variety of recreational activities in Yosemite Valley, including ending bike and raft rentals and tearing out swimming pools at the Yosemite Lodge and famed Ahwahnee Hotel. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/15/14

Immigration/Border

Obama tells Democrats he's limited on immigration actions -- President Obama told House Democrats on Friday that his executive power to help immigrants who are in the U.S. without legal status is limited and urged them to keep pressing for legislation to overhaul the immigration system. Michael A. Memoli and Lisa Mascaro in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Some immigrants may lack documents for new driver's licenses -- As the California Department of Motor Vehicles prepares for a historic expansion of driving privileges, some immigrants may be left out because they lack documents proving who they are or where they live. Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14

Senator hopes to provide healthcare to immigrants lacking legal status -- State Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced legislation Friday that would allow immigrants without legal status to receive or buy health insurance through the state. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ Laurel Rosenhall  in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/14

Also...

Banks get a primer on pot money -- Obama administration offers institutions new guidance in an effort to bring dispensaries into the mainstream. Timothy M. Phelps and Jim Puzzanghera in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/14