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Victorville prison strains to handle hundreds of immigrant detainees: 'We cannot take care of these inmates' -- Immigration detainees who were sent to a federal prison in Victorville last month were kept in their cells for prolonged periods with little access to the outside and were unable to change their clothing for weeks, according to workers at the facility and visitors who have spoken with detainees. Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

As immigration courts battle record backlog, retired Bay Area judges offer solution -- Spurred into action by the country’s overwhelming immigration court backlog, two retired Bay Area federal judges have asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to appoint retired judges to help clear the more than 700,000 open immigration cases in the United States. Tatiana Sanchez in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/13/187

Abcarian: New Supreme Court decision could upend thousands of deportation cases in setback for immigration hard-liners -- On the 17th floor of Los Angeles Immigration Court the other day, Judge Lori Bass was setting hearings for juveniles who have been charged by the Department of Homeland Security with violating immigration law. Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

California DMV will expand Saturday hours to trim interminable waits -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding Saturday service to alleviate long wait times for driver license and other services at its field offices. Starting Aug. 4, 60 offices will open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the DMV announced Friday. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

Democrats push for unity in California House races after bruising primary -- California Democrats are saying all the right things when it comes to unifying the party after a bruising 2018 primary season. But the effort to bring together activists aligned with competing campaigns remains a work in progress. Emily Cadei in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/13/18

The Valley floor is sinking, and it’s crippling California’s ability to deliver water -- Completed during Harry Truman’s presidency, the Friant-Kern Canal has been a workhorse in California’s elaborate man-made water-delivery network. Dale Kasler, Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/13/18

Three-Californias campaign answers call to strike initiative from ballot -- Advocates for Proposition 9 that calls for splitting California into three states said an environmental group’s bid asking the state’s high court to strike it from the November ballot would disenfranchise voters and deny them a say in how they are governed. John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/13/18

Pushback against vaccination laws leaves California at risk of a measles outbreak -- Yet, even with the strict new law, there remain schools and neighborhoods with dangerously low vaccination rates, experts say, largely because a growing number of parents are obtaining doctors’ notes exempting their kids from the required shots. At least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent an outbreak of a highly contagious disease such as measles, experts say. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

L.A. sheriff watchdogs alarmed about new claims of secret deputy clique at Compton station -- Some members of a Los Angeles County watchdog panel are calling on Sheriff Jim McDonnell to launch a thorough investigation into allegations of a secret society of deputies that brands its members with matching skull tattoos. Maya Lau in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

Trump's Push For More Basic Insurance Plans Could Equal Big Changes For California Health Care -- The Trump administration has been pushing for the return of short-term health plans and association health plans, two types of coverage that are exempt from Affordable Care Act requirements and could offer an affordable alternative to consumers who feel priced out of the Obamacare marketplace. But some California advocates say these plans offer shoddy coverage and pose a threat to the stability of the healthcare system. Sammy Caiola Capital Public Radio -- 7/13/18

Protesters to return with weekend gun show -- A steadfast group of gun show opponents say they will return to protest outside the Crossroads of the West event in Del Mar this weekend, as they have several times already this year. And once again, they will be vastly outnumbered by firearms enthusiasts. Phil Diehl in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/13/18

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos signs off: California's plan finally satisfies federal law -- U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos approved California’s plan for meeting requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act on Thursday, just one day after the State Board of Education sent to Washington its third version of the state plan. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 7/13/18

Regret haunts Wine Country fire hero: ‘I’ve never cried this much’ -- God woke you up, you’re sure of it. He kicked you in the head as smoke filled the room. “Look out the back window,” came the voice. So you did. What you saw at 3 a.m. at the Journey’s End mobile home park in Santa Rosa was orange light where it shouldn’t have been. Row after row of tightly packed units were ablaze along Highway 101. Lizzie Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

Fox: Will CA Independent Candidate Influence a Presidential Independent Run? -- Steve Poizner made history with his Independent run for state Insurance Commissioner by nabbing the top spot in the June primary. If Poizner goes on to capture the commissioner’s job his success as an independent in arguably the most influential state in the union just might have national repercussions. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 7/13/18

12 Russians accused of hacking Democrats in 2016 US election -- Twelve Russian military intelligence officers hacked into the Clinton presidential campaign and Democratic Party, releasing tens of thousands of stolen communications, in a sweeping effort by a foreign government to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election, according to a grand jury indictment announced days before President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Eric Tucker Associated Press -- 7/13/18

Trump attacks CNN, NBC and British paper in news conference -- President Donald Trump found time to attack CNN, NBC and the British tabloid The Sun, and offer fashion advice to a fourth news organization, while talking to reporters Friday with British Prime Minister Theresa May. David Bauder Associated Press -- 7/13/18

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning

A political firestorm is about to hit the Capitol: Who will pay for wildfire damages? -- Asked this spring to identify the most important issue facing California lawmakers, the leader of the state Senate didn’t hesitate: wildfires. Laurel Rosenhall Calmatters -- 7/13/18

New rules require utility companies notify customers before cutting power in extreme weather -- State utility regulators unanimously approved Thursday new rules for power companies that de-energize lines in extreme weather conditions to safeguard against fire risk. Utilities must try to reach individual customers ahead of shutting down the grid. Kevin Fixler in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat -- 7/13/18

In California governor’s race, the debate is over how many debates there should be -- California’s gubernatorial candidates are having a hard time agreeing on debates, and their disagreement is boiling down to the choice that divides much of the country: Do you prefer CNN or Fox News? Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

Politifact CA: Did Gavin Newsom 'separate families and deport children' in San Francisco? -- Republican candidate for California governor John Cox recently claimed his Democratic opponent Gavin Newsom has flip-flopped on the separation of undocumented families and deportations, citing a policy the former San Francisco mayor imposed in 2008. Chris Nichols Politifact CA -- 7/13/18

L.A. Times sues city to get information on security costs for Garcetti trips -- The Los Angeles Times sued L.A. on Thursday after the city refused to turn over records detailing taxpayer costs for security on out-of-state trips taken by Mayor Eric Garcetti. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

Political Breakdown: Xavier Becerra -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joins Scott and Katie Orr to talk about the recent dismissal of challenges to California's sanctuary state law, how his parents dealt with bigotry as Mexican immigrants, what's to blame for California's increase in hate crimes, how he prepared for an interview with Stephen Colbert, and the story behind his appointment by Governor Jerry Brown. Link here -- 7/13/18

New Report Shows Oakland Scores Low for Racial Equity -- Oakland's newly released Equity Indicators Report is the first time the city has dug deep into the massive gulf that separates white from nonwhite residents around access to basic resources, like housing, education and health care. Chloe Veltman KQED -- 7/13/18

Republicans, Democrats Descend on 1,020 New U.S. Citizens Downtown -- From the balcony of Golden Hall, families and friends cheered 1,020 new U.S. citizens who took their oath of allegiance Wednesday. Outside, others awaited expectantly. The San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office had forms and clipboards ready at tables in the lobby of the Civic Center building downtown. Chris Stone Times of San Diego -- 7/13/18

Jesse Jackson calls for the disbarment of San Bernardino County prosecutor who made offensive comments on social media -- The San Bernardino Sun first reported that the office’s lead gang prosecutor, Michael Selyem, was under investigation for rants targeting Rep. Maxine Waters, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Mexican immigrants and the victim of a police shooting. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

Now-former San Francisco Mayor Farrell looks back on short term, future of city -- After spending nearly eight years as a San Francisco public official — the last five months as mayor — Mark Farrell is back to civilian life following the inauguration of Mayor London Breed on Wednesday. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

‘Now we have the power and control’: Golden State Killer victims show up to court hearing -- Jane Carson-Sandler stood outside the Sacramento County Superior courthouse on Thursday afternoon before a throng of television cameras and unfurled a handmade, black-and-white banner. Matthias Gafni in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 7/13/18

Kim Kardashian keeps up with California politics, lobbies Jerry Brown -- Fresh off a visit with President Donald Trump this spring, Kim Kardashian is now shifting her campaign to improve prison conditions to California. In a tweet on Monday, Kardashian asked Gov. Jerry Brown to sign a bill expanding protections for female inmates. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/13/18

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

CalPERS beats earnings target for second consecutive year -- The California Public Employees’ Retirement System reported Thursday that it had an 8.6 percent return on investments for the fiscal year that ended June 30 — exceeding its expectation of a 7 percent return. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/13/18

Inflation hits 6-year high, wiping out wage gains for the average American -- The 2.9 percent inflation for the twelve-month period ending in June is a sign of a growing economy, but it’s also a painful development for workers, whose tepid wage gains have failed to keep pace with the rising prices. Heather Long in the Washington Post$ -- 7/13/18

Why the Southern California pool industry went from ‘panic mode’ to booming -- During the five-year California drought, water agencies complied with mandatory, state-ordered conservation measures. Homeowners let lawns go brown or replaced turf with drought-resistant landscaping. Low-flow showerheads, faucets and regulated sprinkler time were the new normal. Steve Scauzillo in the Orange County Register -- 7/13/18

California's ranking as an oil-producing state is slipping -- In many ways, the oil business in the U.S. has never been better, with domestic producers in a growing number of states churning out barrels of crude in record numbers. But California’s output is going in the opposite direction — part of a larger, steady decline that began in the mid-1980s. Rob Nikolewski in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/13/18

Judge hands Hollywood developer a win, backing a plan for two residential towers -- A judge has rejected a bid by the nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation to block the construction of two residential towers next to the group’s Hollywood headquarters, handing a victory to the city of Los Angeles and the project’s developer. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

Silicon Valley employees flex newfound political muscles -- Employees at several of the world’s biggest technology companies have been exercising newfound political power where they work, pushing their bosses on business ethics with help from established and fledgling nonprofit groups. Joseph Menn Reuters -- 7/13/18

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

Tax loophole from 1960s could let the wealthy use lower corporate rate for themselves -- An obscure tax provision from the 1960s that was left untouched by President Trump’s overhaul could let wealthy individual investors seize for themselves the largest corporate tax cut in U.S. history. Joe Light Bloomberg via the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/13/18

Transit 

Electric Double-Decker Buses Are Coming to L.A. -- North America’s first electric double-decker transit bus is pulling up to Southern California in 2019. Claire Tran Citylab -- 7/13/18

Finally. LA Metro Bikes Cost The Same As The Bus And The Train -- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has slashed bike-share fares as it struggles to compete with cheaper dockless bicycle and scooter alternatives offered by private companies like Lime, ofo and Bird. Meghan Mccarty Carino LAist -- 7/13/18

Nothing Can Fix LA Traffic, So Deal With It -- Here's a dirty little secret that politicians, agencies and transportation innovators probably don't want you to know: there is almost nothing they can do to fix traffic in a thriving city like Los Angeles. Meghan Mccarty Carino LAist -- 7/13/

Guns 

‘I can’t be a felon’: Gun owners sue California over faulty weapon registration system -- Tens of thousands of gun owners were prevented from registering their bullet-button assault weapons before July 1 through no fault of their own, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday against Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Caitlin Chen in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/13/18

Immigration, Border, Deportation 

New guidance for asylum officers could send thousands back from the border -- Many asylum seekers could be turned back soon after reaching the U.S. because of instructions asylum officers received Thursday as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to stop migrants, particularly those from Central America, from seeking protection here. Kate Morrissey in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 7/13/18

Taylor: Richmond’s Mayor Butt meets ICE detainees -- When he walked over to a group of inmates sitting on couches and leaning against columns in the common area outside of their jail cells, Tom Butt, the mayor of Richmond, didn’t waste time with small talk. Otis R. Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

Grim Task In California Desert: Finding Bodies of Border Crossers -- Members of Águilas del Desierto — Eagles of the Desert — gathered before dawn one July morning in San Diego for a foray along the Mexican border. Their mission: to find the bodies of immigrants, hundreds of whom die in the desert each year. Simon Romero in the New York Times$ -- 7/13/18

Also . . . 

DMV investigates startup that has disrupted appointment process -- As the interminable lines at DMV offices grow longer and timely appointments become nearly impossible to schedule, an Oakland startup offering “expedited appointments” for $19.99 has seen its business boom. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/13/18

Robo-calls are getting worse. And some big businesses soon could start calling you even more -- Robo-calls ravaged Americans’ smartphones in record numbers last month. But some of the nation’s top businesses — from credit card companies and student lenders to retailers and car dealers — are still urging the Trump administration to make it easier for them to dial and text mobile devices en masse. Tony Romm in the Washington Post$ -- 7/13/18

POTUS 45  

‘Very stable’ Trump? European leaders beg to differ -- Trump’s wildly unpredictable performance over two days in Brussels left many European leaders convinced that there is little method to the American president’s rhetorical madness, and simply no way to anticipate what he might do next. David M. Herszenhorn, Jacopo Barigazzi Politico -- 7/13/18

Trump wants tough new Air Force One paint job -- President Trump wants to update the paint job on the next version of Air Force One, ditching the iconic robin's-egg blue (which he calls a "Jackie Kennedy color") for a bolder, "more American" look. Mike Allen Axios -- 7/13/18

Beltway 

Republicans look to squeeze Dems with vote to abolish ICE -- House Republican leaders plan to hold a vote on a liberal bill to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency — forcing Democrats to weigh in on a controversial issue that has divided the party just months before the midterms. Heather Caygle, Rachael Bade Politico -- 7/13/18

 

-- Thursday Updates 

CalPERS reports investment returns that improve the pension fund's long-term outlook -- California’s largest public-employee pension fund saw an upturn in profits generated from its investments in the last year, officials reported Thursday, a record that offered some improvement to its long-term fiscal stability. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18

San Francisco is so expensive, its new mayor has never been able to afford a home there -- "I've been a renter all my life," San Francisco's new mayor London Breed said in her inauguration speech Wednesday. "So many of my friends have left San Francisco. I don't want to see this happen to the next generation." Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/12/18

San Francisco metro area has lost 31,000 home-owning families in 10 years -- It's no secret the San Francisco Bay Area can be a tough place to raise kids, and now a new report sheds light on those families sticking out. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/12/18

Environmentalists target another bill that would relax billboard rules in California -- Two weeks after lawmakers shelved a proposal to increase the number of electronic signs along California freeways, environmentalists have shifted their opposition to a bill that they say could also impact highways — even though its author says it would only allow replacement of existing billboards, not an expansion. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18

Feinstein Fights to Deny Democratic Rival Official Party Nod -- U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is trying to convince California Democratic Party officials not to endorse a candidate in her race against fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon. Officials will vote Saturday. Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 7/12/18

Latest battle over California lending market: Should grocery stores offer large loans? -- Walk into a Northgate supermarket and, along with produce and pan dulce, you can walk out with a small loan from the store’s Prospera financial services stand. Those loans top out at $2,500. Now, a bill working its way through the state Legislature could boost that maximum to $7,500 — enough, the bill’s author said, to pay for an immigration lawyer or a funeral. James Rufus Koren in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18

Hate crimes in Sacramento County have increased by 66 percent since 2014 -- In September, Sharie Thompson received a racist note taped to the front door of her Elk Grove salon, threatening that a “coon hunt” was coming for the African American hair stylist and her staff. “Gonna get ya soon” read the note, written in black crayon. Anita Chabria, Michael Finch II in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 7/12/18

Oakland to Pay $2.2M to Former Black Panther Leader Who Sued -- The city of Oakland will pay $2.2 million to settle a claim by a former Black Panther leader who was injured in 2015 after a city councilwoman punched and pushed her. Associated Press -- 7/12/18

Authorities do not believe attack on 91-year-old grandfather is a hate-related incident -- Detectives do not believe an attack on a 91-year-old man on the Fourth of July is a hate related incident, authorities said. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18

Man cited in Northern California fire sparked by faulty electric fence -- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday the blaze was caused by an improperly installed electric livestock fence on private property, and that the responsible party had been cited under the state’s public resources code for “burning the lands of another.” Javier Panzar in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18

Cannabis Tax Goes To San Joaquin County Ballot After Supervisors Approve Pot Sales, Cultivation -- San Joaquin County voters will go to the polls in November to decide how to spend tax money generated by commercial cannabis. The Board of Supervisors approved ordinances to regulate commercial and private marijuana cultivation, all of which must be grown indoors under the rules. Rich Ibarra Capital Public Radio -- 7/12/18

Taylor: Honduran woman deported from Contra Costa jail is glad to hear ICE is getting booted -- Dianny Patricia Menendez had a fever and body pains Wednesday morning, so she went to the doctor. She made the appointment in her native Honduras, the country she begged to be deported to in October. Otis Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/12/18

With help from Dems, Trump puts a judge on court he considers a nemesis -- President Trump, who has referred to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as a “bad court” that was biased against him, now has his first judicial appointment on the court — a former Hawaii attorney general supported by every Senate Democrat and opposed by a majority of Republicans. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 7/12/18

Fox: Judges in Climate Change and Immigration Cases Tell the Executive and Congress: Do Your Job -- While the national focus on the courts is on President Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court, it is interesting that in the last few weeks two federal judges in California concluded cases on the controversial issues of climate change and immigration by both basically telling lawmakers and the executive branch to do their jobs in setting standards in these contentious policy areas. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 7/12/18

‘Whiplash’: Inside Trump’s NATO ambush, a signature spectacle casting allies as bit players -- The NATO summit was concluding on course here Thursday, with European leaders pleased that their unruly American counterpart had been surprisingly well behaved, if not truly conciliatory. Their planes were getting gassed up at the airport, and they were ready to call the whole shebang a success and jet home. Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey and Michael Birnbaum in the Washington Post$ Eli Stokols in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 7/12/18