As California Republicans struggle to regroup, one of the reasons for their dwindling numbers was their support of Proposition 187 a decade ago that was backed by then-Gov. Pete Wilson, a Republican. Now, much of the nation is seeing the same issues that California experienced in the 1990s.
From Jennifer Medina in the New York Times: "As Congress begins debating an overhaul of the immigration system, many in California sense that the country is just now beginning to go through the same evolution the state experienced over the last two decades. For a generation of Republicans, Gov. Pete Wilson’s barrages on the impact of immigration in the 1990s spoke to their uneasiness with the way the state was changing. Now many California Republicans point to that as the beginning of their downfall."
"Today, party leaders from both sides, and from all over the state, are calling for a softer approach and a wholesale change in federal policies."
"The state’s changing attitudes are driven, in large part, by demographics. In 1990, Latinos made up 30 percent of the state’s population; they will make up 40 percent — more than any other ethnic group — by the end of this year, and 48 percent by 2050, according to projections made by the state this month. This year, for the first time, Latinos were the largest ethnic group applying to the University of California system."
Meanwhile, it's Caltrans vs. Amtrak in the fight over ridership, and CalTrans hopes a hefty PR offensive will prove decisive.
From the Chronicle's Matier & Ross: "Just weeks after Gov. Jerry Brown's office quashed a $10 million public relations contract to promote the new Bay Bridge span, Caltrans is preparing to spend $9 million for a PR firm to sell people on riding trains..."
"Caltrans has tentatively picked an outfit called Tmdgroup for a three-year campaign intended to boost ridership on three Amtrak routes in the state, including the Capitol Corridor line from San Jose to Auburn (Placer County)."
"The firm will also develop a track-crossing safety program. Rocco said state taxpayers are already subsidizing Amtrak service in California to the tune of $90 million a year. Amtrak carries almost 5.6 million passengers in the state annually, but ridership on some lines has dipped - hence the need to sell the system."
Environmentalists and their allies mounted a major protest in San Francisco against the $7 billion, 2,000 mile-long Keystone XL pipeline, which would link Canada and the Gulf of Mexico.
From the Chronicle's Stephanie M. Lee: "Thousands of people rallied in downtown San Francisco on Sunday to urge President Obama to reject construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, an action they said would prove he is committed to fighting global warming."
"The demonstration across from the Ferry Building was held at the same time as similar events in cities including Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. The main event in Washington, D.C., drew tens of thousands of supporters in what was billed as the largest climate change rally in U.S. history."
"Organizers of the San Francisco protest estimated that more than 4,000 people gathered to condemn the proposed $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline, which would run nearly 2,000 miles to connect Canada's oil sands to refineries around the Gulf of Mexico. Because it would cross an international border, it requires Obama's approval."
Down south, elections for the board of the nation's second-largest school district are capturing attention from around the country.
From the LA Daily News' Barbara Jones: "The race for three Los Angeles Unified school board seats has drawn more than $4 million in donations - as well as the attention of education leaders nationwide - as the district's powerful unions and the reform movement battle for control of public education."
"The Coalition for School Reform just got a $1 million boost from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in its independent campaign in support of three candidates who favor parental choice, charter growth and data-based teacher evaluations."
"Organized labor, meanwhile, is backing a slate of pro-teacher candidates that oppose many of the policies implemented since John Deasy became superintendent in April 2011."
Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against a man who allegedly threatened a state senator.
From Robert Salonga in the Contra Costa Times: "Everett Fred Basham, 45, was charged with 10 felonies: criminal threats with an armed enhancement, two counts of possessing a destructive device, two counts of possessing materials with intent to make an explosive, one count each of forging and possessing a fake driver's license and three counts of illegally possessing an assault weapon. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts for allegedly carrying a concealed and loaded firearm in a vehicle."
"State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said Thursday that Basham sent him an email about four weeks ago threatening to "assassinate" him in objection to his proposals to tighten state gun laws."
"Among the assault weapons Basham was said to own include a Barrett .416 high-powered rifle and a Franchi SPAS 12 combat shotgun. One of the explosives counts claims he illegally modified a bird bomb, a firecracker round with a delayed explosion typically used to scare off birds gathering in an undesired location like an airport runway. The modifications Basham made were not disclosed."