Updating . .   

Mass confusion over new COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as L.A. senior citizens face weeks of delays -- The hoped-for rollout of COVID-19 vaccine to people 65 years and older in Los Angeles County was met with chaos and confusion Thursday with the county saying it could be weeks before that group can be vaccinated. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

CHP denies permit for pro-Trump rally, 6-foot-high fencing added at California Capitol -- With officials bracing for the possibility of civil unrest and armed conflicts at state capitols nationwide following last week’s siege at the U.S. Capitol, California Highway Patrol officials have denied a permit for a rally in Sacramento that had been set for Sunday and cleared its calendar of permitted events for the weekend. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

An L.A. councilman lied to the FBI. Probation officials say he deserves no jail time -- It was the first blockbuster case to surface in the federal corruption probe of Los Angeles City Hall — a multi-count indictment accusing former Councilman Mitchell Englander of taking envelopes of cash, lying to the FBI about that money and obstructing its investigation. David Zahniser, Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

California fighting endless war with unemployment fraud. Why state is a prime target -- Criminals are still brazenly attempting to steal millions in COVID-19 benefits from California’s beleaguered unemployment agency, but now they’re operating from the four corners of the globe and targeting the state with cyber-weapons. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Coronavirus relief may shortchange Bay Area landlords, renters -- With U.S. rental assistance on the horizon for struggling landlords and tenants, Bay Area housing advocates say the region could be shortchanged in a federal distribution that favors population more than costs and number of renters. Louis Hansen in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/14/21

These Californians don’t get stimulus checks — why advocates want Newsom to do more for them -- Gov. Gavin Newsom last week unveiled a budget proposal that if passed would dole out billions of dollars in aid to taxpayers affected by the coronavirus pandemic, sometimes in the form of direct cash payments. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Some California jobs lost to COVID will never be the same. Here’s what experts say -- Jobs such as restaurant staff may shift away from cities and into suburbs as more people work from home. Younger workers may find themselves competing for a job against people thousands of miles away because of companies’ embrace of virtual offices. Jeong Park in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Here’s what you’re paying for Prop. 22 -- Gig companies told California voters that rides and deliveries would cost more unless they passed Proposition 22, a measure that keeps drivers and couriers as independent contractors. It did pass, but many gig companies are still charging more in response. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

After abuse reports, California approves $8 million for youth returning from troubled treatment programs -- California will spend more than $8 million to find safer homes for children returning from troubled out-of-state residential programs, in response to a Chronicle and Imprint investigation into rampant reports of abuse at the facilities. Joaquin Palomino, Cynthia Dizikes and Sara Tiano in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Street  

‘They’ve been hidden too long’: report details LA Sheriff’s deputy gangs and violence toward communities of color -- For the past several years, Sean Kennedy, a Loyola law professor and his students noticed a troubling pattern forming within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and its well-documented deputy gang problem. A sheriff downplays or denies the problem of the deputy cliques. Jonah Valdez in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/14/21

Covid 

Don’t expect fast rollout of COVID-19 vaccine for elderly as California faces logistical woes -- In many areas of California, it is going to take time and patience before residents over 65 years old have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Melody Gutierrez, Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Where, when and how can you get a COVID vaccine in Sacramento? Key questions answered -- When, where and how will you get your COVID-19 vaccine shot? That’s the biggest and most confusing question in the Sacramento region and California. Tony Bizjak and Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Is the COVID vaccine less effective in older adults, and should I worry about which one I get? -- According to an analysis of the Moderna vaccine trial in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients 18 to 65 years showed an efficacy of 95.6%, while the rate was 86.4% for those older than 65 years. Pfizer, on the other hand, reported that efficacy was over 94% in individuals older than 65 years of age. The item in in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

1 in 3 L.A. County residents have been infected by coronavirus, new estimate shows -- One in three Los Angeles County residents have been infected with the coronavirus, according to new estimates by county scientists, an astonishing sign of how rapidly the virus is spreading in the hard-hit region. Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Deaths among Latinos in L.A. County from COVID-19 rising at astonishing levels -- As the coronavirus spreads relentlessly through Los Angeles County, poor neighborhoods and the region’s Latino and Black communities continue to bear the brunt of illness and death, according to data released Wednesday. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Chaotic COVID-19 vaccine rollout leads to more deaths, experts say -- As roughly 4,000 Americans die each day from COVID-19, public health and medical experts are aghast that the vaccines that could save them remain beyond reach — due to multiple governmental failures involving planning, coordination and public communication. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Climate  

2020 rivals 2016 for hottest year on record — we got fires and other disasters in return -- The year 2020 was either tied for the hottest on record or second hottest, depending on how the federal government chooses to crunch global temperature data. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

 

California Policy and P  olitics Thursday Morning  

California throws open COVID vaccines to anyone 65 and older -- As complaints mount about the state’s lagging vaccine rollout, health officials allow any seniors to seek the shot now — but not younger people with preexisting conditions. Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 1/14/21

How do I get my coronavirus vaccine if I’m 65 and older? Here is what we know -- It’s a major expansion of who can get vaccinated, but there remains an open question about whether everyone who wants the vaccine can get it, especially right away. Colleen Shalby, Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/14/21

‘We are flying blind’: Bay Area politicians say they’re in the dark about vaccine rollout -- As residents wonder where and when they can get vaccinated, some Bay Area officials are getting inundated with calls and emails from constituents, many of whom are angry at the slow rollout and confusion about the process. Trisha Thadani and Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

San Diego County plans to vaccinate 1.9 million San Diegans by July -- San Diego County residents 65 and older can now get vaccinated against COVID-19 — provided their health care provider has the doses. But with vaccine demand far exceeding supply, that’s likely to be an issue. Jonathan Wosen, Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/14/21

‘We can’t do this anymore’: Burlingame skilled nursing workers overwhelmed by COVID outbreak -- Workers at the Burlingame Skilled Nursing facility pleaded for help Wednesday as a coronavirus outbreak raced through the facility over the past two weeks, with scores of employees out sick or quarantined and patients “dying every day.” Julia Prodis Sulek, Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/14/21

L.A. wants to impose tougher enforcement for mask violators -- Under Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Safer at Home” order, individuals who don’t wear masks can face up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail. But there’s been little enforcement of the rule. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

One L.A. County hospital ICU is operating at triple its capacity amid COVID-19 surge -- While new COVID-19 hospitalizations have leveled off recently in Los Angeles County, many medical facilities remain overwhelmed. The intensive care unit at one hospital in the South Bay, Memorial Hospital of Gardena, is at 320% occupancy, officials said Wednesday. Hayley Smith, Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Charts show why lockdown is ending in the Sacramento region, but not the Bay Area -- California officials released the Greater Sacramento region from strict stay-at-home orders this week, even though the 13-county area falls far short of the state’s benchmark of at least 15% ICU availability. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

15 Kaiser San Jose patients test positive for coronavirus after Christmas Day outbreak -- The number of staff members infected has also grown since last week from 60 to 77. One staff member has died of COVID-19 complications. Erin B. Logan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Mistakes worsened deadly COVID-19 outbreak at L.A. federal prison, investigation finds -- A new report from the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General paints a dire picture of problems that exacerbated a deadly coronavirus outbreak last year at Terminal Island federal prison. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

As COVID-19 cases rise at a state psychiatric hospital, a federal judge mulls releasing patients -- With coronavirus infections soaring inside a locked California psychiatric hospital, a federal judge this week is weighing whether to release and transfer hundreds of patients from the facility or to wait for vaccines to be administered. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Scant COVID testing for CA’s arrested children -- Rasjan sat with his hands folded at a metal table inside a white-walled tank of the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility. A mask hung around his neck as he peered into a webcam and listened to three adult voices — belonging to a judge and two attorneys — discuss whether he should be released into his grandmother’s care. Raheem Hosseini Capitol Weekly -- 1/14/21

Covid Workplace  

Major retailers hit hard as L.A. County investigates record COVID workplace outbreaks -- Los Angeles County is investigating 538 workplace coronavirus outbreaks — the highest number ever — as health officials continue to plead with residents and businesses to do all they can to blunt the spread of the virus. Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Sacramento-area restaurants reopen for outdoor dining with excitement, trepidation -- The Fig Tree Coffee, Art & Music Lounge’s outdoor patio reopened around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Customers sat down five minutes later. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Santa Ana considers $4 hour hazard pay for grocery, pharmacy workers -- The Santa Ana City Council asked city staff during a Tuesday night meeting to look into the pros and cons of drafting an ordinance, which would be a mandate, or a resolution, which would be largely symbolic. Roxana Kopetman in the Orange County Register -- 1/14/21

Covid and Business Fees  

San Francisco restaurant owners join wave suing the state and counties over permit fees -- Filed on Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court, the lawsuit seeks refunds for permits, licenses and other annual fees the restaurants paid to all three entities throughout the pandemic in 2020. Justin Phillips in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Covid and Farmworkers  

Farmworkers lose out on $1.5B COVID-19 safety funding after USDA springs surprise spending -- Farmworkers lost out on up to $1.5 billion in grants and loans for COVID-19 safety needs after the USDA committed funds earmarked as such for a food box program. The USDA announced on Jan. 4 that it planned to spend $1.5 billion in a fifth round of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. It has yet to commit additional funding for farmworker safety. Kate Cimini CalMatters -- 1/14/21

Taxes - Fees  

California Democrats propose higher business taxes to pay for homeless programs -- State and local Democratic leaders are pushing for an increase in California’s corporate tax rate to tackle the state’s homelessness crisis, a proposal that could generate billions of dollars in new funding but faces long odds to becoming law. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Policy & Politics 

Rep. David Valadao, a Central Valley Republican, says he voted his conscience to impeach Trump -- Rep. David Valadao, one of 10 Republicans who joined Democrats Wednesday in impeaching President Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, said he voted his conscience after concluding that the president’s “inciting rhetoric” was “un-American, abhorrent and absolutely an impeachable offense.” Gale Holland in the Los Angeles Times$ Nicole Nixon Capital Public Radio -- 1/14/21

Few hearts broken in Bay Area over impeachment of Trump -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was heartbreaking to sign the article of impeachment against President Trump on Wednesday, but the Bay Area was anything but heartbroken by the action. Michael Cabanatuan, Steve Rubenstein, Lauren Hernández and Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Skelton: Schwarzenegger was right. Many of his fellow Republicans are ‘spineless’ -- Kudos for Arnold Schwarzenegger. He spoke up when too many other Republicans cowered behind lies, afraid of their voters and the truth. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Pro-Trump protest organizer in Sacramento calls off rally after permit is denied -- It’s unclear whether supporters of President Trump will gather at the state Capitol this weekend to protest Joe Biden’s election victory after the organizer of the only known demonstration canceled her event because the California Highway Patrol denied her a permit. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Giants owner Charles Johnson donated to QAnon sympathizer Rep. Lauren Boebert -- Charles B. Johnson, the Giants’ largest shareholder, and his wife each donated the maximum amount before the 2020 general election to Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., who has voiced support for QAnon and faced criticism for her actions during last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol. Matt Kawahara in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

No, Efforts To Recall California Gov. Newsom Are Not ‘A Coup’ -- In remarks described by political observers as both factually wrong and politically foolish, California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks called the growing effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom as “the California coup.” Chris Nichols Capital Public Radio -- 1/14/21

Settlement aims to improve ‘insufficient’ conditions at L.A.County’s juvenile halls -- State investigators announced an agreement Wednesday with Los Angeles County to improve conditions in its troubled juvenile detention centers — the result of a two-year investigation that found the lockups had insufficient services and endangered youth safety. Matt Stiles in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

Capitol Siege  

Chapman professor will retire after uproar over his speaking at Trump rally -- Capping days of growing uproar, Chapman University announced Wednesday that a professor who participated in the pro-Trump rally the same day that a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol would retire immediately. Nina Agrawal, Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ Brooke Staggs, Andre Mouchard in the Orange County Register -- 1/14/21

In Wake of Capitol Mob, California Officials Brace for More Unrest -- As state and local officials join federal law enforcement agencies in investigating the role any Californians may have played in last week’s attack on the nation’s Capitol, they are also preparing for the possibility of more unrest in the coming days. Marisa Lagos KQED -- 1/14/21

Eric Swalwell gets prominent role as Trump impeached a second time -- No American president had been impeached twice — until the House voted Wednesday to seek Donald Trump’s removal from office for the second time in 13 months. That means Democrats, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, also have an unprecedented second opportunity to try to convict him. Tal Kopan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

GOP’s Kevin McCarthy inches away from Trump, but most California Republicans stick with him -- Few Republicans know the GOP base better than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy — which is why it was telling that the Bakersfield Republican started to distance himself from President Trump during Wednesday’s impeachment of the president. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Twitter CEO on Trump ban: ‘right decision’ but broader bans could be ‘destructive’ to internet -- Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said Wednesday that the company’s ban of President Trump was the “right decision” with ongoing risk of violence resulting from online speech and admitted the company had previously fallen short. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/14/21

Street  

DA drops or reduces charges in 67 cases because OC sheriff’s deputies mishandled evidence -- Spitzer’s office announced Wednesday, Jan. 13, it had finished its joint review with the Sheriff’s Department of cases in which deputies had potentially mishandled evidence. Tony Saavedra in the Orange County Register -- 1/14/21

Education 

Frustration mounts in Berkeley over ongoing school closures -- Two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $2 billion plan to help the state’s public schools return kids to classrooms, parents are seeing little movement toward opening the doors and patience is wearing thin, with many fearing even a fall reopening is uncertain. John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/14/21

After COVID-19 cases increase, Roseville High School returns to distance learning -- Roseville school officials announced on Wednesday that they will pause on-campus learning at Roseville High School and return to distance learning beginning Jan. 14 through Jan. 22. Sawsan Morrar in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Newsom calls textbooks “racket,” proposes money to create free ones -- Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend $15 million to develop more degree programs that include free textbooks, taking aim at the “usurious costs” of commercial textbooks today. The state spent $5 million on a similar program in 2016-17. Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters -- 1/14/21

Court dismisses discrimination lawsuit against Christian Brothers High School -- A discrimination lawsuit filed by a former principal against Christian Brothers High School was dismissed in court on Tuesday after a federal court judge said the principal could not be considered a regular employee of a religious institution and therefore was not protected from anti-discrimination laws. Sawsan Morrar in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/14/21

Why attorneys for Southern California schools blame victims for their own sexual abuse, bullying -- When lawyers representing Moreno Valley Unified School District argued that 13-year-old Diego Stolz and his family were partly to blame for his death at the hands of two bullies, it wasn’t the first time such an argument was used — and likely won’t be the last. Beau Yarbrough in the Orange County Register -- 1/14/21

California community colleges' Oakley doubles down against Capitol violence after top college leaders face sharp attacks -- Some California community college leaders who made public statements last week critical of the insurrection at the U.S Capitol that left five people dead have received sharp rebukes to those positions, including at least one from a retired faculty member, officials said. One of the criticisms included a racial attack on a San Diego college district chancellor. Thomas Peele and Ashley A. Smith EdSource -- 1/14/21

California school officials push for standardized testing waiver amid Covid-19 spike -- As Covid-19 cases continue to soar in California, a majority of the State Board of Education is now in favor of pursuing a waiver from the federal government that would remove the obligation to carry out standardized testing for the second year in a row. Sydney Johnson EdSource -- 1/14/21

California's higher education leaders pledge to improve transfers from community colleges -- Only 19% of community college students who intend to transfer reach that goal within four years, and 28% do so within six years, according to a September 2020 report from the Public Policy Institute of California. Ashley A. Smith EdSource -- 1/14/21

Also . . .   

Ghost Ship warehouse founder to receive plea deal in fire that claimed 36 lives -- The founder of the Oakland arts collective that became the site of one of the deadliest fires in California history will receive a plea deal in which he will serve less than 10 years in prison, ending a years-long legal saga that followed the deaths of 36 people inside the Ghost Ship warehouse. James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

NTSB to hold Feb. 9 hearing to determine cause of helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, 8 others -- The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a hearing on Feb. 9 to determine the cause of the helicopter crash a year ago that killed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others when it struck a fog-covered hillside in Calabasas. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/14/21

POTUS 46  

As His Predecessor Is Impeached, Biden Tries to Stay Above the Fray -- The president-elect has long tried to keep from being sucked into President Trump’s dramas. He may find that posture hard to maintain when he takes office and the Senate puts Mr. Trump on trial. Michael D. Shear and Michael Crowley in the New York Times$ -- 1/14/21

POTUS 45  

Trump is isolated and angry at aides for failing to defend him as he is impeached again -- With less than seven days remaining in his presidency, Trump’s inner circle is shrinking, offices in his White House are emptying, and the president is lashing out at some of those who remain. Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker in the Washington Post$ -- 1/14/21

-- Wednesday Updates

Trump impeached after Capitol riot; historic second charge -- President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House for a historic second time Wednesday, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office. Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Jonathan Lemire and Alan Fram Associated Press -- Sarah Ferris, Kyle Cheney and Heather Caygle Politico Janet Hook, Jennifer Haberkorn in the Los Angeles Times$ Dominic Fracassa and Rita Beamish in the San Francisco Chronicle$ David Lightman and Kate Irby in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/13/21

Here are the House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump -- Among those Republicans, Rep. David Valadao was the only California lawmaker who voted for impeachment. Just hours before the vote, Valadao had said he was undecided, according to the Washington Post. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/13/21

Sheltering in a Capitol office, California lawmaker sent text and got impeachment ball rolling -- Still taking refuge in a Capitol Hill office after violent Trump supporters besieged the House and Senate floors, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) fired off a text message to every Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. Jennifer Haberkorn, Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

What they said at Trump impeachment trial: Key quotes from California lawmakers -- One California congressman was among the 10 Republicans in the House who joined Democrats in the 232-197 vote for impeachment. Rep. David Valadao of Hanford endorsed Trump last year but opposed GOP efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election. Rita Beamish in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/13/21

California will begin offering COVID vaccine to residents age 65 and older -- California officials announced Wednesday a dramatic overhaul of their vaccine program, saying that counties can now begin vaccinating anyone over age 65 “in order to increase the pace of COVID-19 vaccine distribution to those at greatest risk.” Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 1/13/21

Some Bay Area health care workers declining COVID vaccine; some are changing their minds -- Savonnda Blaylock, a pharmacy tech at Kaiser in Tracy, was nervous about getting a coronavirus vaccine when she first heard she’d have the opportunity several weeks ago. “I believed the vaccine had been rushed,” she said, “and I just didn’t want to be used as a test project.”. But then, Blaylock got infected with the deadly disease and her thinking shifted. Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/13/21

COVID-19 infections in Kaiser outbreak linked to costume near 100 -- Kaiser said Wednesday that 74 employees who were working Dec. 25 and 15 patients "related to Dec. 25" have tested positive. An employee working in the emergency room on Dec. 25 passed away as a result of COVID-19 complications. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/13/21

LAPD sergeant dies of COVID-19 as virus rages through department -- A 53-year-old Los Angeles police sergeant died Tuesday from complications related to COVID-19 — the second such death in a week for a department that, like the city around it, is being ravaged by the coronavirus. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

How close is California to bending the coronavirus curve? -- In a nation wracked by a long-feared winter surge of the coronavirus, California has emerged as the emblem of the pandemic’s devastation. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money, Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

What’s open and closed in SoCal under state’s latest COVID rules -- The calendar may have changed but COVID-19 restrictions haven’t let up in 2021. Mary Forgione, Christopher Reynolds in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

Serial killer, respected guard and many others killed by COVID-19 surge in California prisons -- Despite repeated assurances that corrections officials have made progress in controlling spread of the coronavirus, California prisons are in the midst of a deadly surge. Richard Winton, Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

‘It will never completely go away.’ New details emerge on COVID’s toll in Placer County -- COVID-19 is surging in Placer County. And there’s no end in sight. Molly Sullivan in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/13/21

Arellano: His business is body bags. Thanks to COVID-19, it’s booming -- Your 2020 was probably terrible, but this past year was the best ever for Laguna Hills-based Salam International — moneywise, at least. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

Policy & Politics 

How California’s budget depends on staggering wealth gap -- The state’s progressive tax structure is reaping billions from the wealthiest to fund the state’s safety net. But it also reveals how the pandemic has widened the economic gulf for millions of Californians — more than the rest of the country. Jackie Botts CalMatters -- 1/13/21

After anonymous donation to Newsom recall, Democrat revives campaign finance proposal -- A California Democrat is reviving his effort to force more large political contributors to disclose their identities after an Orange County investor kicked in $500,000 to a campaign seeking to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom and remained anonymous for weeks. Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/13/21

What will happen to California health care plans when Joe Biden takes office? -- As a result, the changes Californians can expect for their health care include smaller steps that might make health care more affordable and more stable, such as increasing subsidies to low-income Californians from the federal government. Kate Irby in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/13/21

Newsom keeps politically connected picks in medical watchdog role past deadline -- Gov. Gavin Newsom used his emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic to extend the confirmation deadlines for three politically connected appointees to the state board that licenses and regulates doctors, allowing them to continue serving on the board without legislative approval. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/13/21

Street  

A deputy testified falsely. Was he lying or just ‘sloppy’? -- In his testimony against two men facing weapons charges, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Honea was clear: While searching a car the men were in, he had found a gun in a box in the front seat area. But prosecutors who later watched video footage of the May 2019 stop saw that account was wrong: It was another deputy who had discovered the weapon — in a bag that had been shut away in the trunk. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21

Capitol Siege  

Smolens: Trump, violent Capitol siege rupture San Diego’s congressional delegation -- Rep. Issa’s votes challenging election results may make past unity on local issues more difficult to achieve. Michael Smolens in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/13/21

Chapman University will not fire law professor who spoke at pro-Trump Capitol rally -- Chapman University’s president says he cannot and will not fire a professor and former law school dean amid growing campus calls for action against the faculty member’s participation in a pro-Trump rally during which he made claims about election fraud on the day a violent mob stormed the Capitol. Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/13/21