Updating . .  

Social Security numbers from thousands of California state workers exposed in data breach -- Social Security numbers for thousands of state employees and contractors were exposed in a recent data breach at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to a memo that the department sent to its workers this week. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

Who is Richard Pinedo? The California man who just pleaded guilty to unwittingly aiding Russian interference in the 2016 election -- A California man who pleaded guilty to identity theft as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was a self-described digital marketing strategist who once ran a website that helped people get around security measures for online marketplaces such as Amazon and EBay. Matt Hamilton and James Queally in the Los Angeles Times Patrick May in the San Jose Mercury$-- 2/16/18

Lawyer: California man in Russia probe 'has made mistakes' -- A California man who pleaded guilty earlier this month to unwittingly selling bank accounts to Russians meddling in U.S. elections made a mistake and is coming to terms with his role in the matter, his attorney told The Associated Press on Friday. Amanda Lee Myers Associated Press -- 2/16/18

Trump’s ‘Russia hoax’ turns out to be real -- According to the federal charges, Russian operatives spread pro-Trump and anti-Clinton propaganda. They posed as Americans to coordinate and infiltrate political activities. They organized grass-roots rallies. They paid for a cage large enough to hold an actress impersonating Clinton in a prison uniform. They stoked racial tensions and sowed social discord. Philip Rucker in the Washington Post$ -- 2/16/18

The sexual harassment investigation into state Sen. Tony Mendoza is complete. His peers will decide his political fate next week -- The state Senate Rules Committee on Friday received the results of an investigation by outside attorneys into sexual harassment allegations against Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza of Artesia, setting the stage for the panel recommending next week whether discipline is warranted. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Jonathan J. Cooper and Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 2/16/18

Citing Florida shooting, California bill seeks to expand law allowing judges to seize guns from persons deemed dangerous -- Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) wants to expand the current law that allows family members and law enforcement officials to seek an emergency restraining order from judges based on rulings that the person owns guns and poses a public risk. Patrick McGreevy in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

Kamala Harris to endorse Gavin Newsom for governor -- Newsom campaign has billed the event — in the hometown of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villraigosa, the candidate Newsom is virtually tied with atop a recent Public Policy Institute of California poll — as “a major statewide endorsement.” Harris will deliver it at 2 p.m. on the campus of the University of Southern California. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

More Californians could ask state to take guns from dangerous individuals under new bill -- Following a school shooting in Florida this week, a California legislator has reintroduced his proposal to expand the state’s gun violence restraining order system. Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

Lawmaker wants to force California police agencies to disclose surveillance policies -- A state lawmaker has revived legislation that would require law enforcement agencies across California to disclose all of their surveillance equipment and enact public policies for their use of the technology. The bill by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) also would require officers to fill out a report every two years on how they have used the tools. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Paint Companies' Ballot Initiative Would Hand Lead Paint Removal Costs To The State -- Three paint companies are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative that would undo a decision by the California Supreme Court this week that requires them to spend millions to clean up lead paint hazards in the state. Sally Schilling Capital Public Radio -- 2/16/18

Teen girls had no IDs and one-way first-class tickets. Why that alarmed airline employee -- Quick thinking from an American Airlines employee at Sacramento International Airport likely saved two teenage girls from lives in captivity. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

Pricey personal loans would be outlawed by bill that would reshape state lending industry -- California lawmakers are once again trying to cap the interest rate that lenders can charge on large personal loans, renewing an effort to eliminate the state's flourishing market for super-expensive debt. James Rufus Koren in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

California’s Mental Health Physician Shortage Is Bad, And Getting Worse, Study Finds -- In Butte County, homelessness advocate Lisa Currier sees severely mentally ill people on a daily basis. Through her nonprofit Crisis Care Advocacy and Triage, she tries to connect people with doctor’s appointments and other resources. Sammy Caiola Capital Public Radio -- 2/16/18

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

California’s senators split on 'Dreamers' fix as immigration bill fails -- They both want to protect “Dreamers.” But California’s senators, both Democrats, cast different votes on a bipartisan immigration bill Thursday. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Sen. Tony Mendoza sues California Senate challenging forced leave of absence and sexual harassment investigation -- State Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) filed a lawsuit Thursday against the California Senate, seeking to overturn a forced leave of absence and challenging an investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed three former female aides. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ Kevin Modesti in the Los Angeles Daily News$ Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press Ben Adler Capital Public Radio -- 2/16/18

Amanda Renteria for Governor? A Candidacy Generating More Questions Than Answers -- The sudden entrance of former Hillary Clinton aide Amanda Renteria into the race for governor of California has inspired conspiracy theories and more than a little head-scratching. Scott Shafer KQED -- 2/16/18

Political experience doesn’t equal high profile for top woman in governor’s race -- Until this week, former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin stood out as the only woman among the top candidates running to be California’s next governor. That changed when former top Hillary Clinton aide Amanda Renteria jumped into the race. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

‘Cybersquatter’ beats Breed to obvious name for her campaign website -- But Breed’s team hit a snag when it discovered that the most obvious choice for a URL, LondonBreed.com, already had an owner. When contacted, a so-called “cybersquatter” demanded nearly $100,000 for the name, and shortly after Breed’s team failed to cough up the cash, the URL began redirecting visitors to mayoral competitor Mark Leno’s campaign site. Breed’s real website is londonformayor.com. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

California ethics panel members spar over how much they are paid for state service -- The state’s ethics watchdog panel was divided Thursday in approving a proposal to retroactively provide extra pay to its members for work done on official state business. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

CA120: Chasing the GOP vote -- As reported by CALmatters last week, the Republican side of the governor’s race has become an interesting contest to watch because, if for no other reason, of the way these candidates are trying to differentiate themselves before the June primary election. Paul Mitchell Capitol Weekly -- 2/16/18

Innocent former California inmate says $2 million can't make up for lost years -- A former California inmate wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years says it was the "worst nightmare" and even nearly $2 million in state compensation can't make up for his lost time. The California Victims Compensation Board granted 70-year-old Craig Richard Coley the compensation Thursday — $140 for each day he was in prison before he was pardoned by Gov. Jerry Brown before Thanksgiving. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 2/16/18

LA Sheriff needs many more mental health teams, civilian watchdog says -- After nearly a year of study, a civilian oversight panel Thursday recommended Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell sharply increase the number of special teams that respond when deputies need help in the field dealing with individuals with mental health problems. Frank Stoltze KPCC -- 2/16/18

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

Tax cut for California renters on the table in Legislature -- A California Senate bill would double the state’s renter’s tax credit for the first time in nearly four decades. Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, introduced Senate Bill 1182 on Wednesday to increase the credit to $120 for individuals who earn $40,078 or less and $240 for joint filers with income of $80,156 or less. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ Katy Murphy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/16/18

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

Fewer travelers are visiting the U.S., but Americans are venturing abroad in big numbers -- The reason for the increase has mostly to do with finances. Americans feel good about the economy and are ready to spend on international vacations, industry experts say. Plus, air fares have stayed relatively low. Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Sacramento finalizing bid to land NBA All-Star Game -- The Sacramento Kings and the city of Sacramento are finalizing a bid to land the NBA All-Star Game in either 2022 or 2023, team and city officials said Thursday. Ryan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

ICE targeted at least three more Valley farms with employee audits, nonprofit says -- Just as the agricultural world was convening in Tulare for the World Ag Expo this week, concern and fear continued to spread across central San Joaquin Valley farmers and thousands of farm workers after three more farms were hit by employee audits ordered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rory Appleton in the Fresno Bee -- 2/16/18

Guns 

Florida school shooter may not have been able to buy the same gun in California -- The man who police say killed 17 people and wounded 14 others at a Florida high school on Wednesday legally purchased the semiautomatic rifle he used, authorities said Thursday. But he may not have been able to buy the same gun in California, experts said. Jenna Lyons in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

Trump’s focus on mental illness in shooting contrasts with spending priorities -- President Trump may be convinced that mental illness, not guns, is responsible for horrific mass shootings like the one that killed 17 people Wednesday at a Florida high school. But his actions over the past year seem to contradict those spoken concerns. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

Homeless  

Orange County leaders approve motel vouchers, food and other services for 400 homeless along Santa Ana River -- The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously during a special meeting to fund the emergency aid package as part of an agreement hammered out over several days among attorneys representing homeless people, the county and three cities named in a federal lawsuit. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Housing  

Southern Californians scrimp to get by as average rents hit $1,900 -- A $300 rent hike threw Noemi Hernandez’ finances into a tizzy in 2016, forcing the part-time cashier to apply for food stamps and curtail spending on other things. A year later, her rent went up another $160. Now, Hernandez and her parents, who share her two-bedroom apartment, are looking to move from the Ontario complex they called home for the past 18 years. Jeff Collins in the Orange County Register -- 2/16/18

Four-month study on maybe-historic laundromat to delay Mission housing -- A Mission District housing development is once again being delayed over the question of whether the building — constructed in 1924 and now a laundromat — is of historic value. Dianne de Guzman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

Education 

They’ve prepared in drills. They’ve heard prayers. Now students want real solutions to gun violence -- Turn out the lights. Lock the doors. Hide. These are the simple steps — easy to remember, hard to forget — that teachers and students across the country are told to take if a gunman targets their school. And that’s what many did at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School It wasn’t enough. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/16/18

Science project on race and IQ tests boundaries of free speech in high schools -- When does freedom of speech cross the line on a school campus? As society grows ever more polarized and controversial statements quickly go viral on social media, school leaders are increasingly confronting the boundaries. Diana Lambert in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/16/18

Youth advocates pushing to expand California’s ban on ‘willful defiance’ suspensions – With just months to go before California’s ban on so-called “willful defiance” suspensions in early primary grades is set to expire, youth advocates are pushing for a bill winding its way through the state Legislature that would both continue the ban and expand it to include all grades from kindergarten through high school.​ David Washburn EdSource​ -- 2/16/18

Cannabis 

California's licensed pot sellers want the state to crack down on illegal competitors -- Six weeks after the state began licensing marijuana farming and sales, officials have received a flood of complaints about illegal pot operations and demands for a start to tough enforcement. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Immigration / Border 

Immigrant rights activists block Homeland Security van from accessing Metropolitan Detention Center -- A crowd of immigrant rights advocates blocked a Homeland Security van late Thursday from accessing the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. Video footage showed dozens of people standing in the street, in front of a marked van, chanting, "Drive out ICE!" and "Stop the deportations!" Some held signs. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Water  

Water use climbs in California enclaves as drought returns -- Overall water use is climbing in Southern California as that part of the state plunges back into drought, driving state and regional water managers as they consider permanently reinstating some watering bans and conservation programs. Ellen Knickmeyer and Amy Taxin Associated Press -- 2/16/18

Sierra Snowpack, Far Below Normal, is a ‘Wakeup Call’ -- California’s “frozen reservoir” is already melting. With California locked in the embrace of unseasonably dry weather and high temperatures, water content of the Sierra snowpack is currently 22 percent of the long-term average for early February. That’s less than it was on this date in 2015, in the most dismal depths of California’s five-year drought. Amel Ahmed, Teodros Hailye and Craig Miller KQED -- 2/16/18

Hundreds turn out to public forum to discuss skyrocketing water bills -- For more than three hours, one resident after another stepped to the microphone to address officials with the Public Utilities Department. Nearly all had stories of being charged for water they didn’t use, causing their bills to skyrocket by hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. Joshua Emerson Smith in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/16/18

Environment 

Yosemite’s famous Mariposa Grove will reopen in June -- Mariposa Grove, one of Yosemite National Park’s centerpiece attractions, will reopen to the public on June 15 after a nearly three-year, $40 million effort to restore the area’s natural tranquility and environmental health. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/16/18

POTUS 45  

A federal court’s message to President Trump: Shut up! -- "I wish Donald Trump would just shut up!" It's a sentiment shared by a lot of Americans, especially those who follow the president on Twitter. But on Thursday this understandable sentiment was dressed up as a conclusion of law by a federal appeals court. Michael McGough in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/16/18

Beltway 

Senate Rejects Immigration Plans, Leaving Fate of Dreamers Uncertain -- The Senate summarily blocked three measures on Thursday — including one backed by President Trump — to resolve the fate of the so-called Dreamers, leaving hundreds of thousands of them facing an uncertain future. Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Michael D. Shear in the New York Times$ Ed O'Keefe, David Nakamura and Mike DeBonis in the Washington Post$ -- 2/16/18

 

-- Thursday Updates 

Chronicle investigation prompts bill to ban questionable foster care arrests -- Legislation introduced Thursday would declare a three-year moratorium on the unnecessary arrests of youth in California foster care shelters and residential facilities - an effort to halt a pipeline that has funneled hundreds of abused and neglected children into juvenile halls from Stockton to San Diego, often for minor misdeeds. Karen de Sá, Cynthia Dizikes and Joaquin Palomino in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/15/18

Digging into the data: How attainable is the ‘California Dream’ today? -- Over the past four decades, California middle-class incomes have stagnated: The median California family is making only marginally more now than they were in 1980. More than half of Californians born that year made less than their parents did by age 30. That’s a problem because at the same time, the state’s cost of living has exploded. Matt Levin Calmatters -- 2/15/18

Border Patrol changes rules at Friendship Park, upsetting frequent visitors -- Family members have gathered for years at Friendship Park to share quiet conversations and “pinky kisses” through metal mesh fencing that separates San Diego and Tijuana. A new Border Patrol policy now limits those visits to 30 minutes. Kate Morrissey in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/15/18

Montecito fire and mudslide victims accuse power utility of removing potential evidence -- Southern California Edison is removing power poles from the Santa Paula foothills that could be vital to determining the cause of the deadly Thomas fire, as well as the ensuing debris flow that devastated Montecito, according to area residents. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

California special needs students would be allowed to use medical marijuana in school under new legislation -- California minors with special needs or severe disabilities who rely on marijuana for medical purposes would be allowed to use the drug at their school under legislation introduced this week by state Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo). Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Bay Area Congressman, others seek probe in Stormy Daniels ‘hush money’ payment -- North Coast U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman is among a group of lawmakers calling on the Justice Department to investigate “hush money” paid to an adult film star prior to the November 2016 election. The item is in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/15/18

Could these simple steps help prevent homeless ‘patient dumping’ in California? -- Hospitals would be required to get written confirmation from homeless shelters before discharging patients to those facilities under a bill introduced Wednesday in the California State Senate. The bill, carried by Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-Azusa, is designed to curb the practice known as hospital patient “dumping,” or discharging poor people to the streets, shelters or other agencies incapable of caring for them. Cynthia Hubert in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/15/18

Vulnerable California Republican breaks with Trump on gas tax -- Vulnerable California Republican Rep. Mimi Walters broke with President Trump on Thursday over his desire to raise the national gas tax to pay for infrastructure. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Trump’s food-stamp plan: Government picks the meals for poor people -- Steven Summers is a 61-year-old college graduate, has a part-time job with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department, and survives in part on the $121 in food stamp benefits he gets every month. Just like 1 in 20 other Alameda County residents does. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/15/18

California lawmakers want to boost tenant protections -- Following failure of a bill that would have expanded rent control, a trio of California lawmakers is introducing legislation aimed at adding other protections for renters. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

California Latinos make up small fraction of mortgage market -- Latinos are the largest ethnic group in California but a new analysis reveals they make up just a fraction of people applying for conventional home loans and were more likely to be denied loans in two rural Northern California metro areas. Janie Har Associated Press -- 2/15/18

California lawmaker wants to stop Facebook from sharing children's information without clear consent from their parents -- Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) says an increasing number of websites and apps are collecting personal information and content from young users that can be used to market brands and products. But the consent agreements that make these practices possible are often buried in general terms and conditions for use of service, and companies often allow minors to sign up with no more than a promise that they have asked their parents for permission. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Capitol Weekly podcast: Dan Morain -- Longtime political journalist Dan Morain joins us this week to chat about former Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's surprise late entry into the current race for Insurance Commissioner as an independent candidate We talk about all that, Dan's brand new job at the indie journalism project, CALmatters, and more. Link Here -- 2/15/18

Classroom desk replaced by IKEA couches, beanbags and rocking chairs -- Anderson Elementary School teacher Alexandria Gladstone-Lamas wants her classroom to be more like a Google office. Priscella Vega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Peter Thiel, retreating from Silicon Valley's tech scene, is moving to L.A. -- Billionaire Peter Thiel, one of the most powerful men in Silicon Valley and its most prominent conservative, plans to move his home and personal investment firm to Los Angeles because he's disaffected with what he sees as the left-leaning politics of the San Francisco Bay Area, a person familiar with his plans said Thursday. James F. Peltz and David Pierson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Abcarian: Turns out Shaun White, world's best snowboarder, can be a creep. A hero would cop to his own bad behavior -- You can be a wonderful movie maker, and a sexual harasser. You can be a great television talk show host, and a sexual harasser. You can be an innovative tech genius, and a sexual harasser. It only stands to reason, then, that you can be the world's greatest snowboarder, and a sexual harasser. Why should Olympic athletes be immune to the reckoning that is sweeping across the rest of the globe? Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/15/18

Appeals court declares Trump travel ban unconstitutional -- President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban on travelers from six largely Muslim countries is “unconstitutionally tainted with animus toward Islam,” a federal appeals court ruled Thursday, delivering another blow to the policy. Denise Lavoie Associated Press -- 2/15/18