California Policy & Politics This Morning  

“We need the food that we lost.” Low-income families still reeling from blackouts -- Pacific Gas & Electric turned off power to Ana Patricia Rios’ neighborhood in Sonoma County for eight days in October, three at the beginning of the month and five near the end. The mother of three young boys watched twice as nearly all of the food in her refrigerator spoiled. Jackie Botts Calmatters -- 11/23/19

Suspect in BART killing had been arrested 12 hours before brutal stabbing -- Twelve hours before a BART passenger was brutally stabbed to death aboard a moving train, the suspect in the killing was apprehended by police in San Leandro for an alleged assault, police records show. Anna Bauman and Alejandro Serrano in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

Two suspects in Orinda Halloween shooting arrested, charged with gun possession -- Two Bay Area residents were charged Friday with illegally possessing guns as part of an expanding investigation into the Halloween night shooting at an Orinda house party that left five people dead, officials said. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

People who lost everything in California fires get break from bureaucracy -- Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday designed to give victims of last month’s wildfires relief from regulatory restrictions and bureaucratic annoyances as they rebuild their lives. The order waives fees for Californians to replace government documents lost in the fires and eases rules that prohibit living in trailers or temporary housing on lots if the homes once there are gone. Dustin Gardiner in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

California is about to allow former felons to serve on juries. Here’s why -- James Binnall is no stranger to the courtroom. He worked as a defense lawyer in San Diego on several homicide cases. Then he was summoned for jury duty at the same courthouse, and arriving via a special entrance designated for attorneys, began filling out his juror questionnaire. Question #7 asked if he had ever been convicted of a felony. He checked “yes.” Elizabeth Castillo Calmatters -- 11/23/19

California recycling director to resign in December -- Scott Smithline announced Friday that he’ll leave his post with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery at the end of December. A spokesman for the agency, known as CalRecycle, confirmed the news. Adam Beam Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Prosecutors: Political donor sought to silence witnesses -- A political fundraiser accused of funneling foreign money into U.S. elections offered six witnesses in his case more than $6 million to keep quiet, federal prosecutors said Friday. Prosecutors also revealed new allegations that the donor, Imaad Zuberi, acted as an unregistered agent for the Turkish government and Libyan government officials, among other foreign countries. Brian Melley, Jim Mustian and Alan Suderman Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Giuliani associate willing to testify Nunes met with ex-Ukrainian official, attorney says -- The attorney for an indicted associate of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer says his client is willing to tell Congress that Rep. Devin Nunes, R-California, met with Ukraine's former top prosecutor about investigating the activities of Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Kristen Welker NBC News -- 11/23/19

Report: Navy secretary sides with admiral on Gallagher review: ‘I believe the process matters -- U.S. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said on Friday that SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher should face a planned “trident review board,” despite President Donald Trump’s tweet Thursday that Gallagher should remain a SEAL. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/23/19

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

New artificial intelligence patents threaten white-collar jobs, study says -- Now, artificial intelligence wants the jobs in management, analysis, programming and information technology. That’s the summary of a Brookings Institution study on growing capacity of computer programs that can sift data and trends, learn from it and predict outcomes with ever-growing sagacity. Christopher Quinn in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

Changing lives — and credit history — one micro-loan at a time -- It’s a Catch-22: to get good credit, consumers must first have good credit scores. Programs like the one run by the nonprofit Mission Asset Fund bridge informal traditional lending practices with the mainstream financial system. Farida Jhabvala Romero KQED via Calmatters -- 11/23/19

H-1B visa: Promised major change delayed for third time -- Homeland Security said two years ago that in order to cut “fraud and abuses” in the H-1B program while obtaining the “best and the brightest” workers from around the world, it would change the definition of what constitutes a “specialty occupation.” The agency’s new rule would also re-define “employment” and the “employer/employee relationship.” Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/23/19

US officials: Don’t eat romaine grown in Salinas, California -- U.S. health officials on Friday told people to avoid romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California, because of another food poisoning outbreak. The notice comes almost exactly one year after a similar outbreak led to a blanket warning about romaine. Candice Choi Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Google workers protest suspensions of activist employees -- About 200 Google employees and other tech workers assembled outside the company’s downtown San Francisco office on Friday to call for the reinstatement of two workers placed on leave this month for reasons they claim are connected to their internal activism. Johana Bhuiyan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/23/19

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

Oakland appeals ruling that bars it from collecting education tax -- Oakland is appealing a ruling on Measure AA, the city’s embattled plan for early childhood education, after a judge declared that implementation of the tax would have been a “fraud on the voters.” Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

Parcel tax to give Alameda teachers a raise on March ballot -- The city’s voters will be asked in March to approve a parcel tax to give Alameda public school teachers a pay raise. If the tax is approved by two-thirds of voters, property owners would pay 26.5 cents per building square foot. The owner of a 2,400-square-foot house, for instance, could expect to pay about $636 annually. Peter Hegarty in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/23/19

Housing  

Concerns Growing Over Rent Hikes Ahead Of California’s New Rent Cap Law -- A law that controls rent increases in California goes into effect on Jan. 1. The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 caps yearly rents increases to 5% plus inflation on apartments built before 2004. It also protects tenants from being evicted without good cause. Marissa Cabrera, Maureen Cavanaugh KPBS -- 11/23/19

Education 

Mystery donor gives $500,000 to fight hunger at California’s community colleges -- The money will go to stock up campus food pantries with fresh produce, bread and soup at the 25 neediest community colleges in California, the chancellor’s office announced on Friday. ”There’s never been a donation like this for this purpose,” said Paul Feist, vice chancellor for communications. “We’re very grateful.” Steve Rubenstein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

San Jose police probe possible connection between suspect, school bomb -- San Jose police are investigating whether a man arrested early Friday morning — who they said was found with “several improvised explosive devices” at his home — is connected to the explosive device found at the nearby Oak Grove High School earlier this week. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/23/19

AR-15 rifle found, student arrested after threat to South L.A. school, sheriff says -- A 13-year-old student and an adult family member were arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats against a South Los Angeles middle school, and an AR-15 rifle and a list of targeted students and staff members were seized at the boy’s home, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials announced Friday. Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Matthew Ormseth, Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/23/19

Cannabis 

California boosts pot taxes, shocking unsteady industry -- California is increasing business tax rates on legal marijuana, a move that stunned struggling companies that have been pleading with the state to do just the opposite. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Guns 

Former San Diego sheriff’s captain, four others indicted in connection with illegal gun sales -- Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Capt. Marco Garmo and four other men were indicted Friday by the U.S. attorney’s office in an illegal-gun-sales case that involved more than 140 transactions over six years, including for two years after the career lawman was warned about his practices. Jeff MCDonald, Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ Julie Watson and Stefanie Dazio Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Environment 

Newsom administration sends mixed signals on delta endangered species protections -- California officials sent mixed signals Thursday when they said they will sue to block a Trump administration rollback of endangered species protections for imperiled fish — while also proposing new water operations that mimic parts of the Trump plan. Bettina Boxall in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/23/19

Critics: Tahoe resort project would hamper fire evacuations -- Conservationists trying to block expansion of the Lake Tahoe ski resort that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics say the developer is trying to hide the impacts of the project on the pristine mountain environment. Scott Sonner Associated Press -- 11/23/19

Open space district drops plan to kill mountain lions and coyotes -- One of the Bay Area’s largest open space agencies has dropped a controversial plan to kill mountain lions and coyotes on its lands to help cattle ranchers. Late Friday, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, based in Los Altos, announced that the proposal no longer was under consideration, following an outcry from environmental groups and the public. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/23/19

Also . . . 

U.S. judge awards $180 million to reporter held and tortured by Iran -- A U.S. judge has awarded a Washington Post journalist and his family nearly $180 million in their lawsuit against Iran over his 544 days in captivity and torture while being held on internationally criticized espionage charges. Jon Gambrell Associated Press -- 11/23/19

POTUS 45  

In rollicking 53-minute conversation, Trump embraces conspiracies, spreads falsehoods and insults opponents -- Speaking to his favorite morning television hosts Friday, President Trump offered a window into his state of mind as he faces his greatest political threat yet. Toluse Olorunnipa in the Washington Post$ Linda Qiu in the New York Times$ -- 11/23/19

Trump opens up Camp David as an ‘adult playground’ to woo GOP lawmakers during impeachment -- President Trump, partial to gold and marble elegance, never took a shine to rustic Camp David. So acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney pitched to him an unusual idea at the start of the House impeachment inquiry: Use the secluded mountainous presidential retreat to woo House Republicans. Seung Min Kim, Rachael Bade and Josh Dawsey in the Washington Post$ -- 11/23/19

A Senate Trial Could Put Trump’s Use of Aggressive Defense Tactics to Their Biggest Test -- The White House and congressional Republicans allied with Mr. Trump are preparing for a Senate trial in which they will not only declare Mr. Trump’s innocence but also present a version of events that portray him as the victim of a broad plot to undermine his presidency even before it began. Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 11/23/19

Beltway 

State Dept. documents reveal contact between Pompeo and Giuliani -- The State Department released a cache of records Friday night revealing communication between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Rudy Giuliani, even as the Trump administration continues to stonewall the House impeachment investigation. Matthew Choi Politico -- 11/23/19

John Bolton resurfaces on Twitter, claiming the White House locked him out -- Former national security adviser John Bolton accused the White House on Friday of holding his personal Twitter account hostage for more than six weeks and suggested on his restored account that the Trump administration might be concerned about information he could share with his followers. Anne Gearan in the Washington Post$ Peter Baker in the New York Times$ Del Quentin Wilber, Eli Stokols, Jennifer Haberkorn in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/23/19

 

-- Friday Updates 

AR-15 rifle found, student arrested after threat on South L.A. school, sheriff says -- Two people, including a student, have been arrested in connection with a serious threat against a South Los Angeles middle school, and an AR-15 assault rifle and a list of targeted students have been seized, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Friday. Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times$-- 11/22/19

Two new suspects arrested in connection with Orinda Halloween shooting -- In the latest round of police raids connected to the Orinda Halloween party shooting that left five dead, federal and state authorities arrested two men in their late 20s Thursday afternoon. Nate Gartrell in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/22/19

Drier, hotter and deadlier: Stanford’s Michael Wara talks about California wildfires -- Addressing wildfires touches upon a host of issues, including: Hotter temperatures and drier brush, homes constructed in forested areas, whether homeowners can access insurance and — of course — how much all this will cost beleaguered Californians already saddled with high taxes and utility rates. Rob Nikolewski in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/22/19

Dangerous L.A. apartment buildings most at risk in an earthquake are quickly being fixed -- An earthquake safety revolution is spreading along the streets and back alleys of Los Angeles, as steel frames and strong walls appear inside the first-story parking garages of thousands of apartment buildings. Jon Schleuss, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

L.A. venture capitalist and Trump donor Imaad Zuberi could face new federal charges -- Federal prosecutors in New York have informed a major donor to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee that they intend to charge him with obstruction of justice and failing to register as a foreign agent. The donor, Imaad Zuberi, is already charged in a separate case in Los Angeles with campaign finance violations, tax evasion and another offense related to work he did for foreigners looking to influence U.S. policy. Jim Mustian Associated Press -- 11/22/19

Witness to BART killing describes horror aboard the moving train -- The man on the elevator at San Leandro BART Station wore no shoes and moved in erratic, twitchy motions. Sophia Humphrey, who uses a wheelchair, was nervous enough next to him that she boarded a different car on the train. Anna Bauman and Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/19

After mass shooting, Fresno’s Hmong community is left mourning and afraid -- On the second night of candlelight vigils outside the Fresno home where four men were killed Sunday in a mass shooting, the daughter of one victim looked up at the sky and spoke directly to her father. “I love you, Dad,” 5-year-old Alina Xiong said into a microphone. “Can you hear me? I love you so much.” Andrea Castillo, Anh Do, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

Climate action threatens Sempra’s natural gas company. It’s using customer money to fight back, critics say -- The Los Angeles-based utility — one of America’s largest private gas companies — has been charging ratepayers, rather than shareholders, for some of its contributions to APGA and other gas industry advocacy groups, according to data shared with The Times. Sammy Roth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

EVs have a sales problem. One possible solution: Make them bigger -- Automakers have a sales challenge: How can they persuade U.S. car buyers, addicted to gas-guzzling SUVs, to start buying electric vehicles in quantity? Their solution is on display at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public today: Build battery electric SUVs. Charles Fleming in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

San Diego police sees biggest class of graduating recruits in 25 years -- In a police department with more than 1,850 officers, a few dozen more faces might not seem to be a big deal. But for San Diego police, Thursday’s police academy graduation was notable, hitting a high-water mark not reached in a quarter-century. Teri Figueroa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/22/19

Foster youth scramble to find housing after county tells them they must move, citing youths’ ‘best interest’ -- Los Angeles County Children and Family Services director Bobby Cagle said in an emailed statement to The Times that “it is in the best interest of youth residing in transitional housing through David & Margaret Youth and Family Services to be placed with a different, locally based service provider.” The county did not provide additional details about the reasons for its action. Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

Winter sanctuary getting dropped. Shelters are full. Where will Sacramento’s homeless go? -- “The only thing I can wait for is winter sanctuary,” said Ross, 50. She was referring to the long-standing program that has provided 100 homeless men and women with relief from rain and winter temperatures by busing them to places of worship, where they are given warm beds, hot meals and basic medical services. Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/22/19

Southern California home sales jump for second month, prices rise nearly 2% -- After years of sharp price increases, the housing market slowed markedly late last year. Sales plunged and this spring prices dipped for the first time since 2012. But recently there’s been signs of a pickup. Economists attribute the change to rising incomes and falling mortgage rates that have made housing relatively more affordable. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

Timber! SF’s next architectural trend could be eco-friendly buildings made of wood -- The large panel of wood that hovered in the air above a De Haro Street construction site last Friday was something never seen before in the city. It’s formed from seven layers of black spruce grown in Quebec, 24 feet long and 8 feet wide, each layer glued one-to-the-next and then pressed together like a panini. John King in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/19

L.A.’s free tree giveaway for yards and streets hopes to bring 90,000 new plantings -- Want a free tree for your yard or neighborhood? L.A.’s Green New Deal to plant 90,000 trees in the city over the next two years is a bonus for residents. Sharon Boorstin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

UC Berkeley keeps a lid on 2,000 protesters, allowing conservative commentator Ann Coulter to speak -- Mogulof said protesters were “passionate and agitated” and that many came determined to end the talk. But this year the campus was ready after Chancellor Carol T. Christ, who took the helm in 2017, began working with UC police to improve crowd control methods and launched “Free Speech Year” with panels to demonstrate how to exchange opposing views in a respectful manner and learn about the 1st Amendment. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/19

SacPark partners with ticket and navigation apps to speed parking in Sacramento’s core -- The Sacramento parking reservation system allows people to buy spaces in advance at city lots and garages. It is sold through websites for SacPark, Sacramento Kings, Golden 1 Center, Broadway Sacramento and events through Ticketmaster. Mack Ervin III in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/22/19

Fox: The State Spending Limit is Dead -- Once upon a time in California, voters decided that when state and local governments reaped big revenue windfalls strongly exceeding governments’ budgets, some of that excess should go back to hard working taxpayers. Voters passed a strong spending limit 40 years ago. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 11/22/19