Updating . .
‘Bailout in sheep’s clothing’ for PG&E? Advocates slam California wildfire plan -- Advocates for utility ratepayers say the California Legislature’s solution for wildfires includes a “bailout in sheep’s clothing” for PG&E that could for the first time leave customers picking up the bill for the utility giant’s negligence. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/29/18
Proposition 6 backers allege state-paid road crew was politicking against gas tax repeal -- Supporters of an initiative to repeal California’s recent gas tax increase alleged Wednesday that state-hired contractors working on a Caltrans road project in San Diego County improperly stopped traffic and gave motorists fliers opposing Proposition 6. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Gavin Newsom focuses on helping fellow Democrats take control of the House -- Ahead in the polls, California gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom plans to hit the road after Labor Day with a statewide bus tour to help fellow Democratic congressional candidates who are trying to oust Republicans so their party can take control of the House. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Earthquake early-warning system sent alarm 3 seconds before Southern California temblor -- California’s nascent earthquake early-warning system had another successful run Tuesday night when a 4.4 magnitude temblor hit the La Verne area. The quake was too small to cause much damage but was felt over a wide area. Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Calling 911 in rural California? Danger might be close, but the law can be hours away -- As urban areas such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Fresno grapple with discussions about use of force and the over-policing of minority communities, the state’s rural counties face a growing and no-less-serious law enforcement crisis: a severe shortage of staff that puts the public — and deputies — in danger. Anita Chabria, Ryan Sabalow, Dale Kasler, Phillip Reese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/29/18
GOP candidate for state attorney general faces numerous charges of judicial misconduct -- Republican candidate Steven Bailey is facing nearly a dozen charges of judicial misconduct for allegedly having misused his post as an El Dorado County Superior Court judge prior to stepping down last August to run for state attorney general. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
ICE arrests in courtrooms escalate feud between California and Trump administration over immigration policy -- Yovanny Ontiveros-Cebreros arrived at the Sacramento courthouse expecting to plead not guilty to felony drug charges and be allowed to go home. His attorney had said that was standard procedure. Brittny Mejia and Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Bill aimed at improving California fire safety inspections near final passage -- A bill that would require local fire departments to make an annual report showing how many state-mandated fire safety inspections of schools and apartment buildings they complete in a year is close to being sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. Thomas Peele in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/29/18
California Policy & Politics This Morning
California lawmakers finalize details of a $1-billion wildfire prevention plan, but tough votes lie ahead -- A bipartisan group of California lawmakers proposed on Tuesday to spend $1 billion to clear fire-prone trees and brush from across the state over the next five years while providing new relief for utility companies that have said wildfire costs could lead them to bankruptcy. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press -- 8/29/18
Last Minute Deal Allows Utilities to Pass Along Costs of 2017 Fires -- It's aimed at both protecting utility ratepayers from footing the bill for billions of dollars in damage caused by electrical equipment -- and ensuring that PG&E and other utilities don't go bankrupt. Guy Marzorati, Marisa Lagos KQED -- 8/29/18
PG&E could get bankruptcy ‘stress test’ in wildfire legislation -- Facing wildfire lawsuits that could cost it $17 billion, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. may soon be given a bankruptcy stress test by California regulators to determine just how big a financial blow the utility can survive. David R. Baker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Brown signs home replacement-cost legislation -- Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation this week requiring insurance companies to provide homeowners an estimate every two years how much it would cost to replace their homes. Bill Swindell in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat -- 8/29/18
California Assembly advances 100% clean energy bill -- California would set some of the nation’s strongest clean energy goals under legislation that cleared a key vote in the Assembly on Tuesday, bringing the state a step closer to ending its reliance on fossil fuels by phasing out their use to generate electricity. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press David R. Baker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ Ben Bradford Capital Public Radio -- 8/29/18
California Committee OKs Bill on Desert Water-Pumping Plan -- A last-minute effort to require more state oversight of a company's plan to pump water from underneath the Mojave Desert passed a key committee Tuesday, advancing in the final days of the legislative session. Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 8/29/18
Gavin Newsom: San Francisco won’t solve homelessness with more money alone -- Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom told Bay Area business leaders Tuesday that boosting the amount San Francisco spends on homeless programs by hundreds of millions of dollars would only exacerbate the problem. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Political ad attacks Gavin Newsom as a 'child of privilege' -- An independent political committee backing Republican John Cox for California governor released a new campaign ad bashing Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom as a “child of privilege” with a far-left political agenda. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
John Cox’s claim that he was raised by a ‘single mother on the South Side of Chicago’ -- John Cox, who is running against Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), is a perennial campaigner. He lost races for Congress and the Senate in Illinois in 2000 and 2002 and for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He finished second in California’s nonpartisan blanket primary for governor but faces a steep challenge to win. A recent poll found him trailing Newsom by 24 percentage points. Glenn Kessler in the Washington Post$ -- 8/29/18
Walters: Rep. Hunter indicted, but still reelection favorite -- By happenstance, the first political campaign I covered was also one of the strangest in California history because one candidate was dead. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 8/29/18
If Trump hatred hands a GOP seat to Dems, it will be this California district -- Robert Farnsworth is a moderate Republican voter, someone who thinks climate change is real but who’s skeptical about raising the minimum wage. He also hates Donald Trump — a man he labels a “coward,” “unpatriotic,” and a “racist.” Alex Roarty in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/29/18
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
Lawmakers kickstart development of BART parking lots into retail, housing -- A bill to speed up the development of housing and retail on BART parking lots and other property is headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, despite staunch oppostion from local political leaders around the East Bay. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Dan Brekke, Guy Marzorati KQED -- 8/29/18
In dismissing a fraud claim against Tesla, a judge lets Musk be Musk -- Tesla’s Elon Musk is infamous for bold forecasts that pan out late or don’t pan out at all. But in dismissing a shareholder lawsuit Tuesday, a federal judge ruled they don’t constitute fraud. Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Laguna Beach files lawsuit against county to stop 108-acre development near Orange County Great Park -- In a move to halt a 108-acre development just south of the Orange County Great Park, the city of Laguna Beach has filed a lawsuit against the County of Orange and the Lowe Enterprise Real Estate Group claiming the proposed hotel, homes, retail space and offices would bring “a significant portion of its traffic” to this seaside community and violate state planning and zoning laws. Erika I. Ritchie in the Orange County Register -- 8/29/18
Long Beach announces plan to develop entire waterfront, transform city skyline -- Anyone who thinks there’s a lot of construction and development happening in Long Beach right now should just wait to see what’s coming in the next few years, Mayor Robert Garcia said during a Tuesday, Aug. 28 event. Hayley Munguia in the Long Beach Press Telegram$ -- 8/29/18
Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds
Anaheim officially puts an end to tax breaks for Disneyland Resort -- The Anaheim City Council voted Tuesday to end agreements that offer the Disneyland Resort tax breaks for investing in its theme parks and an adjacent shopping district, a move requested by theme park owner Walt Disney Co. Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
San Bernardino County Fire moves to expand coverage; property owners could pay $157 a year in new tax -- After years of relying on the county’s general fund to help cover the cost of its services, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is asking property owners in all of the county’s unincorporated communities to pay up. Sandra Emerson in the San Bernardino Sun$ -- 8/29/18
Housing
San Diego home price increases fall behind other California cities -- San Diego County home prices in June increased 6.9 percent in a year, faster than the nationwide average but slower than other California cities, said the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices released Tuesday. Phillip Molnar in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 8/29/18
Orange County builders’ inventory at 12-year high: 1,022 unsold new homes -- Orange County homebuilders are trying to sell their largest supply of completed new homes in 12 years. Jonathan Lansner in the Orange County Register -- 8/29/18
Cannabis
Legal Marijuana Industry Tries to Shake 'Stoner' Stereotypes -- Michelle Janikian, who writes about marijuana for publications like Herb, Playboy and Rolling Stone, says after she tells someone what she does for a living, she usually spends the rest of the conversation "trying to act so friendly and mainstream" so they don't think she's stoned. John Rogers and Krysta Fauria Associated Press -- 8/29/18
Nevada's 1st Year of Pot Sales Beats Forecast by 40 Percent -- Taxable pot sales statewide totaled $529.9 million and raised nearly $70 million in tax revenue, including $27.5 million for schools, the Nevada Department of Taxation said. Scott Sonner Associated Press -- 8/29/18
Sonoma County residents sue pot grower over ‘stench’ and noise -- Frustrated residents of a Sonoma County neighborhood filed a lawsuit Tuesday in San Francisco federal court accusing a marijuana grower of violating racketeering laws by running his operation without local permits or a state license. Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Education
Why all California school buses don’t have seat belts – and when they will -- For years, California school buses didn’t have seat belts. Many still don’t. But Gov. Jerry Brown this week signed AB 1798, a bill that would require all school buses in California have seat belts with shoulder and lap belts — by July 2035. Caitlin Chen in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/29/18
Developers, philanthropists and a Pulitzer-winning novelist will help choose USC's next president -- The diverse group charged with selecting USC’s next president includes a former Goldman Sachs executive, a prominent social worker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and the founding CEO of the nation’s largest health benefits company. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
A California community college adopts a New York model that doubled graduation rates -- The challenge is real. Though the state budget has increased spending on the community college system by $2.6 billion since 2011, the system has fallen short of its goals for student graduation. As of 2017-18, less than a tenth of its students who seek degrees or certificates earned them within three years. Mikhail Zinshteyn EdSource -- 8/29/18
Health
Hiltzik: The GOP claims its proposal would protect people with preexisting conditions. That's a lie -- Republican foes of the Affordable Care Act always have taken pains to assure the public that whatever they do, they’ll protect people with preexisting medical conditions. That’s wise, because polls always have shown that the public values that feature of the ACA above almost all others. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Guns
California lawmakers approve gun-seizure bill in response to Parkland shooting -- In response to a mass shooting six months ago at a Florida high school, California lawmakers on Tuesday sent the governor a bill that would allow teachers, employers and co-workers to ask judges to remove guns from people they see as a danger to the public. Patrick Mcgreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
In some countries, the odds of getting shot are 1 in a million. In the U.S., it's 1,000 times higher -- Imagine that, in the course of a single year, a ubiquitous household item was implicated in the death of every man, woman and child in the city of Glendale, Ariz., America’s 87th largest city with a population of 251,269. The world would almost certainly take notice of such a loss. That, in essence, was the global toll of humanity’s obsession with firearms. Melissa Healy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
Also . . .
LAPD inspector general raises concern over officers' actions with people accused of resisting arrest -- The homeless man refused to take down his tent, so the police officers decided to arrest him for resisting them. As the situation grew increasingly tense, an officer used a Taser on the man, who wore only boxer shorts, even though he was not acting violently and was not likely to be concealing a weapon. Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
State criticizes, bars former Contra Costa County judge from future judicial service -- The state’s judicial disciplinary agency has harshly criticized former Contra Costa County Judge Bruce Mills for misconduct in two cases — and his “shifting explanations for his conduct” — and barred him from future judicial service. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Report calls for consistent use of emergency alert program by city police and firefighters -- It was during a broiling heat wave in September when the La Tuna fire erupted and sent firefighters and police officers scrambling to warn residents as flames swept through the Verdugo Mountains. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/29/18
San Francisco police checked on missing man 3 times before finding headless torso in fish tank -- San Francisco police went to a missing man’s South of Market home three times amid concerned calls from his neighbors and family before finally going inside and discovering a headless body decomposing inside a fish tank, officials said Tuesday. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Oriental fruit flies found in Sacramento, county says. Here’s the plan to eradicate them -- A local infestation of oriental fruit flies, an exotic invasive species that attacks over 230 different fruits, vegetables and plants, has been found in Sacramento, county officials said Tuesday. Hannah Holzer in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/29/18
POTUS 45
Trump plays to the base with attack on ‘rigged’ Google searches -- When President Trump tweeted that Google search results are “rigged” against him and other conservatives, he tapped into a growing right-wing belief that Silicon Valley is just as much an enemy as the mainstream media, Hollywood and the Washington political establishment. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/29/18
Beltway
McCain's choice of Russian dissident as pallbearer is final dig at Putin, Trump -- Even in death, John McCain has one final burn planned for two of his biggest foes — Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump — at a moment when much of the world will be watching. Josh Meyer Politico -- 8/29/18
-- Tuesday Updates
Gov. Jerry Brown signs overhaul of bail system, saying now 'rich and poor alike are treated fairly' -- Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed a landmark bill to overhaul the state’s money-bail system, replacing it with one that grants judges greater power to decide who should remain incarcerated ahead of trial. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/28/18
California passes bill to block Trump’s offshore oil drilling plans -- In the biggest move yet aimed at blocking the Trump administration’s plans to allow new offshore oil drilling off the California coast, state lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban construction of any new pipelines to get the oil to shore. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 8/28/18
Regulate Google? Trump ‘taking a look’ as he vents about ‘rigged’ searches -- President Trump took aim at Google in a burst of Tweets on Tuesday, accusing the company of rigging its search results to promote negative stories about him. Google disputed Trump’s assertion, saying it doesn’t “bias our results toward any political ideology.” Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/28/18
If Trump hatred hands a GOP seat to Dems, it will be this California district -- Robert Farnsworth is a moderate Republican voter, someone who thinks climate change is real but who’s skeptical about raising the minimum wage. He also hates Donald Trump — a man he labels a “coward,” “unpatriotic,” and a “racist.” Alex Roarty in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 8/28/18
California lawmakers want the state to collect data on drivers under the influence of pot -- After she was injured in a car accident allegedly caused by a driver impaired by pot, state Controller Betty Yee is backing a bill approved Monday by the Legislature that aims to begin addressing the problem of drugged driving on California roads. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 8/28/18
Toxic pesticides found at most illegal California pot farms -- Nine of every 10 illegal marijuana farms raided in California this year contained traces of powerful and potentially lethal pesticides that are poisoning wildlife and could endanger water supplies, researchers and federal authorities said Tuesday. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 8/28/18
San Francisco invites world to join in zero-waste initiative -- San Francisco’s color-coded trash bins — the black, the blue and the green — marked a breakthrough in waste reduction when they hit the curbs nearly two decades ago. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/28/18
Knight: Mayor in Japan lobbies San Francisco Mayor London Breed about ‘comfort women’ statue -- The controversial “Women’s Column of Strength” statue in Chinatown has now been in place for nearly a year, but the fight over whether it should stay remains as heated as ever. Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 8/28/18
Farmworker union's president is stepping down; its new president is an immigrant woman -- Arturo Rodríguez became president of the United Farm Workers after his father-in-law, farmworker leader César Chávez, died unexpectedly in 1993. Twenty-five years later, he is stepping down, and board member Teresa Romero is becoming the union's third president and first immigrant woman to lead a national union in the United States. Rebecca Plevin in the Palm Springs Desert Sun -- 8/28/18
Fox: A Political Man-Bites-Dog Story—But Much More -- There was a man-bites-dog aspect to the news last week when a bill mainly opposed by groups on the left, many associated with the Democratic Party, was killed with the help of Republican legislators. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 8/28/18