• School Inoovation and Achievement
  • School Inoovation and Achievement

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Sacramento police close sexual misconduct investigation into California assemblyman -- Sacramento police on Thursday closed their investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct by Assemblyman Devon Mathis without bringing charges against the Visalia Republican. Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17 ** auto start audio on this link

UC regents chastise UC President Janet Napolitano for approval of interference in state audit -- University of California regents meeting on Thursday admonished UC President Janet Napolitano for agreeing to a plan that led to interference in a state audit on the operation of her office. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/17/17

Keystone pipeline leaks 210,000 gallons of oil in South Dakota -- The Keystone pipeline is part of a 2,687-mile system that also is to include the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which has faced persistent opposition from environmental groups, American Indian tribes and some landowners. Associated Press -- 11/16/17

Most of California's House Republicans vote to pass GOP tax bill; three vote against it -- Eleven California Republicans joined their House colleagues Thursday to approve a tax overhaul expected to have broad negative effects on Californians' taxes. Several said they supported the bill because they think the Senate will make it better. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Patrick May in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/16/17

See how every California House member voted on the GOP tax bill -- Most California Republicans joined House colleagues Thursday to approve a GOP tax overhaul. Several said they supported the bill because they think the Senate will make it better. Sarah Wire and Chris Keller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Trump's environmental rollbacks hit California hard, despite Sacramento's resistance -- When 50,000 acre-feet of water went gushing out of the Sacramento River last month, it fast became a test of California’s ability to protect its environmental policies from an increasingly hostile Trump administration. The episode proved humbling. Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Weathering the Heat -- In the decades ahead, as temperatures rise and droughts intensify, Northern California's climate, vegetation, and wildlife may look more like Southern California does today. Alastair Bland East Bay Express -- 11/16/17

Sen. Al Franken accused of kissing, groping KABC’s news anchor Leeann Tweeden -- Leeann Tweeden, KABC-AM’s news anchor and host of “McIntyre In The Morning,” has accused Minnesota Sen. Al Franken of kissing and groping her during a USO Tour to the Middle East in 2006. Alma Fausto in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 11/16/17

White supremacist hate crimes, violence against transgender people surge in LA County, report finds -- Nearly a quarter of all hate crimes reported in Los Angeles County last year were based on sexual orientation, making gay men, lesbians and LGBT organizations and businesses the group most frequently targeted for the first time in many years, according to a new report. Brenda Gazzar in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Covered California sees 23 percent jump in health insurance signups -- The number of new customers signing up for health insurance through the state exchange Covered California jumped 23 percent during the first two weeks of open enrollment compared to the same period last year, Covered California officials said Thursday. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

As the housing supply shrinks, San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland are the nation’s three most competitive markets -- The supply of homes for sale fell nationally for the 25th consecutive month in October, down 12.2 percent from a year earlier. But it’s the San Jose metropolitan area that took the cake for the nation’s steepest year-over-year plunge in home supply: down a precipitous 51.6 percent. Richard Scheinin in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/16/17

California's state budget could soon be flush with $7.5 billion in unexpected cash, analysts say -- Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers could have a net budget windfall of some $7.5 billion by the summer of 2019 under a new analysis that attributes most of the cash to capital gains income earned by California's most wealthy taxpayers. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

He was hit with a Taser and died. Now his family wants answers from the CHP -- Kristina Compher worries that her three children are not the same people they were a year ago, before their father Christopher Murphy died after an auto accident and subsequent encounter with two California Highway Patrol officers who allegedly hit him with a Taser, hog-tied and handcuffed him after finding him wandering near the crash. Anita Chabria in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17

Officials are still searching for the source of 4 Legionnaires' cases. Disneyland cooling towers haven't been ruled out -- The outbreak has sickened a total of 15 people, two of whom have died. Eleven of those people visited Disneyland in September, said Orange County health agency spokeswoman Jessica Good. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

California’s problems with money bail were created by the courts, bond agents say -- A high-profile push to scrap California’s bail system, which critics contend has created an unequal system of justice based on wealth, fell short in the Assembly last session amid concerns about cost and the effect on public safety. But Gov. Jerry Brown announced he would continue to work on the issue with legislative proponents and Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17

Police still on alert after new social media threat against Orange County high schools deemed not credible -- Multiple Orange County schools will continue to have an increased police presence this week even after investigators deemed threats on social media of campus shootings to be not credible, authorities said. Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Scenic San Mateo County beach linked to singer Chris Isaak to become new public park -- For the past few years, this magnificent mile-long stretch of remote oceanfront property seven miles south of Half Moon Bay has become known for its abandoned bluff-top house, rowdy overnight beach parties and rumors about a rock-star absentee land owner. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Whiting: Southern California soon will have a lot more old people, and that will change everything -- In a state known for youth, a recently released report unmasks the face of California and reveals we’re getting more wrinkled by the minute. The number of people age 60 and older will jump 40 percent by 2030, says the federally mandated California State Plan on Aging. David Whiting in the Orange County Register -- 11/16/17

The Spanish Teaching Shortage -- In Oakland, where the shortage of language instructors is particularly acute, the school district has been recruiting teachers from Mexico and Spain. Robert Gammon East Bay Express -- 11/16/17

Want to help Wine Country’s workers? Buy a bottle. Or better, a case -- As soon as the wildfires hit the North Bay, the California wine industry jumped into action, with dozens of wineries across the state donating portions of wine purchases, tasting room fees and event ticket sales to relief funds. While several of these donation programs ended in October, many are still going strong. Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Jeffe & Jeffe: Healthcare May Be Hazardous To Political Health -- Many Democrats at the state and national levels are playing with fire as they pursue a complete overhaul of the healthcare system. In California, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom’s gubernatorial bid and State Senator Kevin DeLeon’s US. Senate campaign could founder if they push too hard for a government takeover of health insurance. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe & Doug Jeffe Fox & Hounds -- 11/16/17

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

U.S. threatens localities with sanctuary policies, despite previous court rulings -- The Trump administration on Wednesday told 29 local and state governments with “sanctuary” policies, including San Francisco, Berkeley and Contra Costa County, to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement or forfeit some federal grants — despite federal court rulings that such demands are unenforceable. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Head of Senate fellows program on ‘indefinite leave’ following Mendoza allegations -- The news comes less than a week after The Bee reported allegations that Sen. Tony Mendoza invited a young woman in the California Senate Fellows Program, who was working in his office, over to his house on at least two occasions to review her résumé and others for an open position and suggested she stay in his hotel room prior to an early morning fundraiser, according to people she told about the Artesia Democrat’s alleged behavior. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ Nick Miller, Ben Adler and Julia Mitric Capital Public Radio Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

‘Not about polar bears, but people.’ Latino lawmakers shift focus on climate change -- State Sen. Ricardo Lara’s environmental awakening came when he left home and realized he didn’t have to shut his windows to avoid the dirty air. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17

Leaving Europe, Brown says he’s talked enough, wants to ‘get something done’ -- The camera and lights switched on and Ole Torp, the Charlie Rose of Norway, leaned in, silver hair flashing, and posed his first question to Gov. Jerry Brown. “Is the world going to hell?” “Yes,” Brown answered swiftly. The interview, taped last week in Oslo, was declared a fabulous success, one the television audience would quite enjoy. Julie Cart Calmatters.org -- 11/16/17

California’s lawmakers should have a surplus next year -- The state budget is in good shape to weather a moderate recession, and lawmakers should be able to sock away more money in reserves next year, according to projections the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office issued Wednesday. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17

California's effort to prevent racial profiling by police is ready to go -- The Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and other large law enforcement agencies across California will soon begin collecting racial and other demographic data when they stop drivers and pedestrians. The new program will begin in July, as outlined by Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra's final regulations released Wednesday. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Despite court order to give up weapons, Tehama gunman fired guns with impunity, frightening neighbors -- In March, a Tehama County judge ordered Kevin Janson Neal to stay away from neighbors and turn in his firearms. But that edict, part of a temporary restraining order sought by his neighbor, did not keep Neal away from his weapons. Paige St. John and Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ Robert Salonga in the San Jose Mercury$ Don Thompson and Paul Elias Associated Press -- 11/16/17

At Tehama vigil, tears, cheers and a reminder: 'Please, please report everybody who shoots -- Tears for those who were killed or hurt, applause for the schoolteachers who saved lives and loud cheers for the strength of their small rural enclave filled the community hall here Wednesday night. Paige St. John in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Investigation Finds Nepotism At Tax Board -- State workers are supposed to be hired on merit, keeping the public sector free of political patronage jobs, but an investigation by the State Personnel Board found evidence of widespread nepotism at the Board of Equalization. Ben Bradford Capital Public Radio Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Walters: Poll finds California voters don’t like gas tax hike -- California’s top politicians and interest groups celebrated a few months ago when the Legislature passed a package of taxes and fees to pay for long-neglected improvements to the state’s transportation systems. Dan Walters Calmatters.org -- 11/16/17

Skelton: Realtors are worried about Trump's tax plan. California homeowners should be too -- If President Trump and congressional Republicans have their way, homeownership in California will become less attractive. And that really worries Realtors and builders. And, of course, it also should greatly disturb home buyers. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

1.7 million fewer Californians would have insurance if health mandate is repealed, UC Berkeley Labor Center estimates -- Up to 1.7 million people in California would no longer have health insurance by 2027 if the requirement under the Affordable Care Act to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty is repealed, according to estimates released Wednesday by the UC Berkeley Labor Center. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Majority of California House Republicans support tax bill, but passage could hinge on the undecideds -- Failure or success for the House GOP tax bill in Thursday's expected vote could hinge on a handful of undecided California Republicans. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

This California Republican has been begging his colleagues to change the tax bill. He's still undecided -- Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) stood up at a closed-door meeting of House Republicans this week and urged colleagues to “leave no taxpayer behind” as they weigh the tax bill scheduled to come before them Thursday. Lisa Mascaro and Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Rep. Darrell Issa pressured by both sides on tax bill -- Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, is getting pressure from conservative and liberal groups alike over his stance on the GOP’s tax overhaul bill. Joshua Stewart in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/16/17

How California's GOP House members plan to vote on the tax bill -- California's 14 House Republicans are under intense pressure: Failure or success of the GOP tax bill in Thursday's scheduled vote may depend on them. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

California fines Anthem $5 million for failing to address consumer grievances -- The state Department of Managed Health Care criticized Anthem, the nation's second-largest health insurer, for systemic violations and a long history of flouting the law in regard to consumer complaints. Chad Terhune in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Company that runs physician practices is closing down amid heightened scrutiny -- SynerMed, a company that manages physician practices serving hundreds of thousands of Medicaid and Medicare patients across California, is planning to shut down amid scrutiny from state regulators and health insurers. Chad Terhune in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Bill would raise minimum salary for H-1B holders -- A bill focused on “H-1B dependent” companies passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning — another step toward the Trump administration’s promises to curtail a foreign worker program it says is rife with loopholes and threatens American jobs. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

In diverse Bay Area, racial disparities continue, study says -- While many of California’s 58 counties are by all means prosperous, “antiquated systems and policies” perpetuate deeply-rooted racial disparities that leave disadvantaged communities struggling to keep up, the report said. Tatiana Sanchez in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/16/17

Housing  

They’ve spent years building their ideal community. Now they just need the homes constructed -- The future residents of Fair Oaks Eco-Housing will live in a “cohousing” or intentional community of private homes clustered around some common buildings, amenities and a shared ethos. “ Ed Fletcher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Education 

UC regents seek ways to expand financial support and speed graduation -- University of California regents are looking at ways to make UC educations more affordable, including handing out grants for summer school and giving students multiyear financial aid commitments. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

UC students demand ouster of regent accused of sex harassment -- A band of UC Berkeley students showed up at the University of California regents meeting in San Francisco Wednesday to demand the resignation of Regent Norman Pattiz, a year after he was recorded asking an actress at his podcast company if he could hold her breasts. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

New threat of high school shootings in Anaheim and Buena Park surfaces, but there’s no evidence it’s credible -- A possible copycat threat has been discovered on social media claiming that a shooting spree at Anaheim and Buena Park high schools will be carried out on Friday, Nov. 17, authorities said. Scott Schwebke in the Orange County Register -- 11/16/17

Berkeley school board votes to strip LeConte’s name from elementary school -- For decades, a Berkeley elementary school has carried the name of a prominent conservationist and co-founder of the Sierra Club. But that 19th century geologist, Joseph LeConte, was also a slave owner and munitions supplier to the Confederacy during the Civil War, and parents want his name off their children’s school. Jill Tucker and Annie Ma in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Taylor: Oakland schools are millions in the hole — yet again -- Changing a culture is hard to do. But until the Oakland Unified School District drastically shifts the way it operates internally, the district will be mired in an interminable financial crisis. Otis R. Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

Legislative Analyst predicts healthy state revenues next year for schools, community colleges -- Uncertainty over the impact of a proposed Republican tax cut on the state’s economy and budget is hanging like a cloud over California, but at this point, the Legislative Analyst’s Office is projecting robust growth in state revenue for K-12 schools and community colleges in the coming year. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 11/16/17

House G.O.P. Tax Writers Take Aim at College Tuition Benefits -- Not only did Mr. Vautour have the rare distinction of handing each of his children their diplomas, but he was also able to pay for their nearly 18 years of schooling by collecting trash, scrubbing toilets and mopping floors while the campus slept. Erica L. Green in the New York Times$ -- 11/16/17

Cannabis 

For Oakland’s Black Weed Entrepreneurs, It’s Not a Level Playing Field -- Linda Grant has lived in East Oakland most of her life. In the early 1980s, she went to Elmhurst Middle School (now Elmhurst Community Prep) on 98th Avenue and Cherry Street. Alyssa Jeong Perry KQED -- 11/16/17

Health 

Anaheim Legionnaires' outbreak grows; 11 cases linked to Disneyland visits -- The number of people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after spending time in Anaheim or Disneyland increased to 15, Orange County health officials said Wednesday. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Environment 

What's an 'atmospheric river' and why do we get these supercharged storms? -- On the West Coast, they most often originate in the South Pacific, and as they travel from the tropics across the ocean, they collect incredible amounts of moisture, and funnel it into cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle, where the runoff systems are often unequipped to deal with the days-long deluge. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/16/17

High-speed rail authority says environmental reviews won't be completed until 2020 -- The state's bullet train authority acknowledged Tuesday evening that it would fail to meet its self-imposed deadline to complete by 2018 the project's environmental reviews, which determine the exact route that the electrified rail line would take between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ralph Vartabedian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Lawsuit challenges California warning that links Roundup weed killer to cancer -- A coalition of a dozen national and Midwestern agricultural groups sued Wednesday to try to overturn a California decision that could result in labels warning that the popular weed killer Roundup can cause cancer. David A. Lieb Associated Press -- 11/16/17

New Bay Area rule aims to cut cancer risks from polluted air -- A pioneering rule approved by pollution regulators Wednesday aims to lessen the cancer risk from breathing air around Bay Area oil refineries, power plants, crematoria, sewer plants and many other businesses. Denis Cuff in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/16/17

Also . . . 

Charles Manson hospitalized in Bakersfield; severity of illness unclear -- Manson was initially sentenced to death. But a 1972 ruling by the California Supreme Court found the state's death penalty law at the time unconstitutional, and his sentenced was changed to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He has been denied parole 12 times. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Morongo tribe’s Thanksgiving giveaway is 10,000 turkeys big this year -- On Tuesday, Nov. 14, and Wednesday, Nov. 15, tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center to help package the turkeys for 102 non-profit organizations, churches, food pantries, schools, veteran groups and homeless shelters. The item is in the Riverside Press Enterprise$ -- 11/16/17

Identities sought after two bodies found in El Dorado County lake -- A body similar to that of a woman missing since 2001 was recovered Aug. 29 with no indication of foul play, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. An Oct. 27 search for David Ward, who was 21 when he vanished in 1996, was unsuccessful but turned up another male body that appeared to have been in the lake for many years. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/16/17

POTUS 45  

Trump’s ‘Tremendous Success’ Abroad Is Overstated -- Deterred only by a struggle to quench his thirst, Mr. Trump listed numerous achievements against terrorism and for United States workers in claiming that “America is back.” But some of those statements don’t hold much water. Here’s an assessment. Linda Qiu in the New York Times$ -- 11/16/17

Appeals court weighs whether to reject Trump University settlement so former student can take the president to trial -- The $25-million settlement, reached days after President Trump's election, stemmed from lawsuits alleging that Trump engaged in fraud by inducing people to sign up for worthless real estate classes. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Beltway 

Some GOP senators raising doubts about revised Republican tax overhaul -- A gambit by Senate Republicans to make a large corporate tax cut permanent by having benefits for individuals expire at the end of 2025 created new problems for the legislation Wednesday as lawmakers were still grappling with the controversial decision to add the repeal of a key Obamacare provision. Jim Puzzanghera and Lisa Mascaro in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Rep. Darrell Issa says women should 'name names' in Capitol Hill sexual harassment accusations -- Rep. Darrell Issa encouraged female members of Congress to “name names” of members who have sexually harassed Capitol Hill staff. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

Secrecy surrounds sexual harassment settlements in Congress -- State governments’ practice of spending taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment lawsuits against legislators and staff has created an uproar in California’s Legislature and other statehouses around the country. Now a picture is emerging of how the U.S. Congress is doing the same thing, with less fanfare and even less transparency. Emily Cadei McClatchyDC -- 11/16/17

Lazarus: Scary thought: Trump now gets to pick the country's top consumer watchdog -- After this week naming a former drug industry executive to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, President Trump now will be able to appoint his own pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Maybe someone from the payday lending business? How about the former head of Wells Fargo? Or Equifax? David Lazarus in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/16/17

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

UC President Janet Napolitano's aides interfered in audit of her office, investigation finds -- Top aides to University of California President Janet Napolitano interfered with a state audit of her office, suppressing campus criticism of its services and operations, according to findings of an investigation ordered by the UC Board of Regents. Patrick McGreevy and Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/15/17

UC regent responds to resignation demands: Students ‘ought to be ashamed of themselves -- Embattled University of California Regent Norman Pattiz wasn’t at the board of regent’s meeting Wednesday morning when a group of student protesters demanded his resignation over inappropriate sexual comments he made on tape about a podcast host’s breasts. But he had something to say about their demand: “They ought to be ashamed of themselves.” Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/15/17

Wife of Tehama County shooter found dead under floorboards at home -- Investigators said they found the body of the wife of the man who went on a shooting rampage Tuesday here, and believe she was the first of five fatal victims before he began roaming the community firing homemade rifles at seemingly anyone he encountered. Evan Sernoffsky and Kevin Fagan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/15/17

State workers should lose jobs over nepotism findings, board says -- Three state workers, including the daughter of a Sacramento-area assemblyman, could lose their jobs because a personnel audit found that they were hired under questionable circumstances at an agency riddled by nepotism. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/15/17

Toxic rule to make air safer around Bay Area industries is approved -- A rule designed to lessen the cancer risk from breathing air around Bay Area oil refineries, power plants, crematoria, sewer plants and many other businesses was approved Wednesday by the region’s air pollution board. Denis Cuff in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/15/17

Iraq War security contractor now protecting buildings in San Francisco -- A Virginia company best known for providing security in Iraq has won a $116.3 million contract to protect federal buildings in San Francisco and elsewhere in Northern California. Triple Canopy Inc. merged three years ago with former rival Academi, which used to be known as Blackwater. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/15/17

California may limit liability of self-driving carmakers -- California regulators are embracing a General Motors recommendation that would help makers of self-driving cars avoid paying for accidents and other trouble, raising concerns that the proposal will put an unfair burden on vehicle owners. Michael Liedtke Associated Press -- 11/15/17

Walters: Brown preaches carbon reduction, but does he do it? -- Jerry Brown, like most of humankind, is a mixture of positive and negative tendencies, and sometimes they run together. Dan Walters Calmatters.org -- 11/15/17

California flooding, sea-level rise linked -- As officials in Washington try to repair the nation’s flood insurance program, scientists in California are grappling with a looming threat that will complicate flooding hazards in the state: sea-level rise. Sophia Bollag Capital Weekly -- 11/15/17

House Dems introduce impeachment articles against Trump -- A half-dozen Democrats on Wednesday introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, accusing him of obstruction of justice and other offenses, in a long-shot effort that stands little chance in the Republican-led House. Kevin Freking Associated Press -- 11/15/17

Fox: The Interesting Challenge of a Neighborhood Legislature -- John Cox spent over a million dollars to end money influence in politics. The seeming irony exists because Cox believes the only way to reduce special interest money in candidate campaigns is to make districts so small that big money is not needed to win a seat in the Legislature. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 11/15/17