• School Inoovation and Achievement
  • San Diego Water Authority

Updating . .   

Bernie Sanders backers say Democrats are ‘in absolute crisis and denial’ -- RoseAnn DeMoro, the outspoken leader of the California Nurses Association, looked out at a horde of red-clad supporters as they prepared to march on the state Democratic Party’s convention Friday to advocate for public-funded, universal healthcare. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

California Democrats flip off Donald Trump -- The anti-Trump fervor at California’s Democratic Party convention this weekend can be summarized in choice words from outgoing chair of the California Democratic Party, John Burton: “F*%! Donald Trump.” The always foul-mouthed Burton, 84, stood before thousands of Democratic delegates at Saturday’s general assembly and as a rallying cry asked the crowd to join in. Angela Hart in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

Kimberly Ellis calls for an audit of the election for California Democratic Party leader -- Democratic organizer Kimberly Ellis, who lost her bid to lead the California Democratic by a razor-thin margin, on Sunday questioned the validity of the election and called for an audit of the vote. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Some rehabs use loopholes, Obamacare to exploit addicts -- Chronic drug users like Solomon are commodities, exploited by a growing world of drug and alcohol rehab operators who put profit ahead of patient care. Teri Sforza, Tony Saavedra, Scott Schwebke, Lori Basheda, Mindy Schauer and Jeff Gritchen in the Orange County Register -- 5/21/17

Most California farm-water suppliers are breaking this law. Why doesn’t the state act? -- During California’s epic five-year drought, most of the state’s irrigation districts didn’t comply with a 2007 law that requires them to account for how much water they’re delivering directly to farmers, a Bee investigation has found. Ryan Sabalow and Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

Election of new California Democratic Party leader may face legal challenge -- Lawyers are now involved in the California Democratic Party’s election of a new chairperson. Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman won a razor-thin victory Saturday to be elected the party’s next chairman, beating rival Kimberly Ellis by just more than 60 votes, according to the state party. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Comparing Donald Trump to 4-year-olds isn’t fair to 4-year-olds, Cal professor says -- Over her four-decade career as an author and scholar in child development, UC Berkeley professor Alison Gopnik has emerged as one of the world’s foremost experts in explaining how humans learn. Martha Ross in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/17

Anger, protests erupt over results of the California Democratic Party's election of a new leader -- Supporters of the losing candidate in the California Democratic Party’s race for chairperson were out en masse early Sunday morning at the state convention in Sacramento, many calling for an investigation of the party’s voting process. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Feinstein scalded by anti-Trump fervor -- Liberal hecklers have protested outside Dianne Feinstein’s home. She’s been confronted at a Los Angeles fundraiser and a San Francisco town hall meeting by progressives angered by her skeptical view of single-payer health care and support for some of Donald Trump’s earliest nominees. David Siders and Carla Marinucci Politico -- 5/21/17

New Silicon Valley flood project at risk because of red tape, water district says -- Three months after Coyote Creek overflowed its banks and caused $100 million in damage to homes and businesses in San Jose, a flood control project straddling the city’s northern edges with Milpitas may be in danger of being shut down because of red tape. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/17

McMaster does not deny details of Trump’s discussion with Russian officials -- McMaster would not directly address details of the meeting, but he did not deny reports that Trump revealed classified intelligence information in that meeting and told the Russian officials that Comey’s firing eased “great pressure” on the White House. Kelsey Snell in the Washington Post$ -- 5/21/17

Protesting Notre Dame students walk out of Pence’s commencement speech -- Some graduating seniors at the University of Notre Dame walked out of their own graduation ceremony to protest Vice President Pence when he began to deliver the commencement speech on Sunday morning. Valerie Strauss in the Washington Post$ -- 5/21/17

Trump Urges Muslim Leaders to Purge Their Societies of ‘Foot Soldiers of Evil’ -- Mr. Trump, who during last year’s presidential campaign said he thought that “Islam hates us” and proposed a ban on all Muslims entering the United States, sounded different themes in a speech to Muslim leaders here in the Saudi capital. Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear in the New York Times$ -- 5/21/17

Gingrich spreads conspiracy theory about slain DNC staffer -- Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a stalwart supporter of President Trump, used a Sunday-morning appearance on “Fox and Friends” to spread the conspiracy theory that former Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich was killed last year to cover up the true story of how WikiLeaks obtained tens of thousands of hacked Democratic Party emails. David Weigel in the Washington Post$ -- 5/21/17

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Eric Bauman named new chairman of the California Democratic Party — but his rival refuses to concede -- Longtime Democratic leader Eric Bauman won a razor’s-edge victory Saturday to be elected chairman of the California Democratic Party, beating rival Kimberly Ellis by just more than 60 votes, according to the state party. But Ellis did not concede, saying late Saturday night that she had been in touch with attorneys. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/17

California Democrats say farewell to party leader John Burton. To no one's surprise, he responded with profanity -- California Democrats said farewell to chairman John Burton on Saturday, and John Burton said farewell to Democrats, in his usual fashion. Most of it cannot be printed. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

California Democratic Party chairman to protester: ‘Put your f–ing sign down’ -- John Burton, the outgoing leader of the California Democratic Party, had nothing but F-bombs and sarcasm for the protesters who disrupted the welcome reception of the California Democratic Convention Friday, calling for universal health care and chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, corporate Dems have got to go.” Katy Murphy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/17

Activists intent on flushing oil money out of Democrats' campaigns stage a rally outside governor's mansion -- A few dozen protesters, many of them state Democratic Party delegates, marched to Gov. Jerry Brown's downtown Sacramento mansion Saturday to demand that politicians stop taking campaign money from oil companies. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Political Road Map: Democrats not only dominate California elections, the party is king of campaign cash -- As California Democrats wrap up their weekend convention, progressive activists have said loudly and clearly that they want big money out of politics — a position that’s been in the state party’s official platform for years. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Amid ‘Resistance,’ activists try to push California Democratic Party to the left -- An all-star lineup of Democratic leaders on Saturday took turns throwing carefully crafted barbs at President Donald Trump at the California Democratic Convention, b ut the biggest-yet meeting of “The Resistance” was not as scripted, nor as unified, as many party faithful had hoped. Katy Murphy and Casey Tolan in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/17

California Democratic activists want Trump’s head, but leaders bat down impeachment calls -- Bob Handy remembers what Republicans and then-candidate Donald Trump said about Democrat Hillary Clinton before last year’s presidential election. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

California Democrats take aim at Trump, GOP Congress -- California's elected Democrats had tough words for President Donald Trump and the GOP Congress on Saturday, urging their party's fired-up activists to work against the 14 Republicans in the state's congressional delegation. Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press -- 5/21/17

Rep. Adam Schiff calls for Democratic unity in speech that suggests an ambitious future for himself -- Rep. Adam B. Schiff has been one of President Trump’s most able tormenters in Washington as the ranking Democrat on the House committee looking into the involvement of Russia in the 2016 presidential election. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti vows to fight President Trump's policies: 'The California bear don't scare' -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was the final scheduled speaker Saturday at the California Democratic Party convention after more than two dozen others addressed a marathon session. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Governor’s race heats up among California Democrats -- Californians won’t pick their governor until November 2018, but one story line is emerging among the Democrats battling to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown: Because they largely agree on the issues, the race to lead the world’s sixth-largest economy is likely turn more on style and biography. Joe Garofoli and John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/17

Delaine Eastin says she has the 'brass backbone' required to govern California -- Former state schools chief Delaine Eastin said Saturday that her gubernatorial bid is founded on righting California’s priorities so that the economy serves all the state’s residents, regardless of class. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Villaraigosa tells Democrats to focus less on people who drive Teslas and more on Californians who ride the bus -- Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told California Democrats at their convention Saturday that too many people in the state have been left behind in the economic recovery, saying the party needs to “look in the mirror” and bring a renewed effort to creating jobs and improving public schools. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

California's top elections officer calls Trump voter fraud allegations a 'smokescreen' to distract from Russia charges -- California's secretary of state told delegates to the state Democratic Party's convention that President Trump's allegations of voter fraud last year are an effort to divert attention away from questions about his own presidential campaign. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom calls on California Democrats to be the 'resistance' to Trump -- Newsom laid out an agenda that he said he would adopt if elected governor next year. He said ending childhood poverty in the state would be his “north star.” Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

State Treasurer John Chiang says California will take 'a different road' than the Trump administration -- Chiang, who announced his candidacy for governor last spring, said the state must take an active role in opposing Trump on a range of issues, including immigration crackdowns and a rollback of existing climate change policies. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Sen. Kamala Harris on Republicans who voted to repeal Obamacare: 'You need to lose your job' -- California's junior U.S. senator told California Democrats on Saturday that they should focus on defeating Republicans in the state's congressional delegation who voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Pelosi tells Democrats that GOP is 'stonewalling' on the investigation into Russia and Trump -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Saturday that Republicans in Washington are blocking efforts to investigate allegations of Russian influence in the election of President Trump. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Trump Impeachment Talk Swirls Among California Lawmakers -- Two members of California’s congressional delegation are re-upping talk of impeachment after two reports published Friday revealed more about President Trump and his administration’s relationship — and conversations — with Russia. Ericka Cruz Guevarra and John Sepulvado KQED -- 5/21/17

Single-payer healthcare backers disrupt California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon's convention speech -- Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) introduced himself to convention-goers as a "slacker turned professor" now representing a southeast Los Angeles district in need of "environmental justice... social justice... economic justice" from progressive Democrats. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Walters: Democrats dominate California but squabble among themselves -- One might think that a political party wielding virtually total control of the nation’s most populous state – i.e. Democrats in California – would be satisfied. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

Willie Brown: The day Robert Mueller asked for my help -- The appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel looking into the possible ties between our president and the Russians was a brilliant pick — one for which I may be able to claim a tiny bit of credit. Willie Brown in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/17

New records show how state reworked secret cell phone warnings -- Newly released public records show that California public health officials worked for five years on a set of guidelines to warn the public about the potential dangers of cell phones, revising their work 27 times with updated research before abandoning the efforts without ever making their concerns public until ordered by a judge. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/17

Why did passenger train nearly derail? Elected officials want answers -- Rail officials in Sacramento and the Bay Area are calling on Amtrak to publicly explain what safety actions – if any – it has taken after a passenger train jolted violently at high speed in December outside Davis rattling riders, including two members of the train system’s board of directors. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/21/17

What San Diego might expect under Attorney General Sessions' new prosecution guidelines -- Harsher penalties against drug couriers and immigrant smugglers who cross the border. The scaling back of a diversion program aimed at reforming youthful, first-time offenders. Fewer plea deals and more trials. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/21/17

New study looks at ways to stop suicides off Coronado bridge -- Long sought by members of the island community, the study will evaluate the feasibility, cost, impacts and risks of fencing or other barriers. John Wilkens in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/21/17

Abcarian: Forcing women to have children is akin to slavery, says a devoutly Christian abortion doctor -- Willie Parker is a 54-year old physician, nattily dressed, standing in the sumptuous backyard of a large home in the flats of Beverly Hills. Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/17

Education 

Amid public search for next Fresno Unified superintendent, parents still don’t trust the district -- When asked what the next Fresno Unified superintendent’s resumé should look like, teacher Manuel Bonilla stood up in Roosevelt High’s auditorium and suggested a profound prerequisite. “We need a healer,” said Bonilla, who teaches at McLane High. “Somebody that could heal the divide that has happened over the last few years with district leadership.” Mackenzie Mays in the Fresno Bee -- 5/21/17

Guns   

State releases new assault weapon rules after threat of legal action -- Regulations on the ownership and registration of assault weapons in California were released to the public late Thursday after a coalition of Second Amendment proponents threatened legal action against state agencies if the rules were not disclosed. Jim Guy in the Fresno Bee -- 5/21/17

Also . . . 

‘Cool pavement’ to cut urban street heat gets first California tryout in Canoga Park -- The morning temperature of the black asphalt in the middle of a nearby intersection read 93 degrees. The new light gray surface on Jordan Avenue read a cool 70 — on what would turn out to be the first heat wave of the year. Dana Bartholomew in the Los Angeles Daily News -- 5/21/17

POTUS 45  

Saudis give Trump a reception fit for a king -- From his airport greeting by King Salman of Saudi Arabia — a courtesy that was never extended to his predecessor, President Barack Obama — to the military flyover and cannons that accompanied his descent from Air Force One, to a lavish cardamon coffee ceremony and medal presentation at the Royal Court, the American president on Saturday was treated like a real-life king. Annie Karni Politico -- 5/21/17

House Inquiry Turns Attention to Trump Campaign Worker With Russia Ties -- Michael Caputo, who served as a communications adviser to the Trump campaign, has been asked by the House committee investigating Russian election meddling to submit to a voluntary interview and to provide any documents he may have that are related to the inquiry. Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 5/21/17