Members of the legislature decided to shelve a measure that would have reversed the state’s ban on affirmative action in public universities.
Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross report in SF Gate: “Assembly Speaker John Pérez, D-Los Angeles, said he was sending SCA5 - a proposed constitutional amendment that would restore racial and gender preferences for public university admissions - to a special task force for further study.”
“Perez made the announcement after it became clear the proposal didn't have enough Democratic support to win the two-thirds Assembly vote needed to send it to the ballot.”
California’s Asian-Americans showed their strength in shelving the amendment
Katy Murphy reports in the Mercury News: “The strong opposition and quick success of a relatively small and reliably Democratic ethnic group -- 14 percent of the state's population in 2012 -- revealed a new political strength.”
“The bill's rapid demise culminated with about-face by three Asian-American senators who voted for the bill in January. And its author, Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, is making no promises about its revival.”
Gov. Jerry Brown took jabs at his GOP competitors and highlighted his achievements at last night’s Joint Legislative Conference.
From the LA Times’ Phil Willon: “Brown, who is running for a unprecedented fourth term, also took a few shots at Republicans in what had the tone of a red-meat campaign speech, complete with a list of his accomplishments over the last three years and a warning of the work that lies ahead.’’
Four freshmen congressional incumbents face tough reelection battles.
Jean Merl reports in the LA Times: “Without a presidential race to spur Democratic turnout — historically lower than the GOP's in such elections — and with minuscule registration differences between the two major parties in their districts, the freshman Democrats know they've got their work cut out for them.”
A proposed oil severance tax has remerged, but is expected to fizzle out.
Capitol Weekly’s John Howard reports: “The latest attempt by Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, would establish a 9.5 percent severance tax on oil and natural gas and raise perhaps $2 billion annually, with half the money going to public universities, community colleges and the other half divided equally between parks and social services. Her bill, SB 1017, needs a two-thirds vote in the Legislature and the governor’s signature to become law.”
Attorneys say federal authorities tried to record conversations with then-LA County Sheriff Lee Baca in their investigation of inmate abuse.
Robert Faturechi reports for the LA Times: “Deputy James Sexton is one of seven current and former sheriff’s officials who have been charged with obstructing the federal probe of the jails. The details about the FBI’s attempt to covertly record Baca were found in declarations filed Monday by Sexton’s attorneys.”
California’s chief justice continued to push lawmakers to recover funding for the court system.
From the Associate Press’ Don Thompson: “It was her third annual "state of the judiciary" speech to lawmakers. She has been seeking to restore the courts' funding since she was sworn in more than three years ago by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican.”
Demonstrating the weakened state of the Democratic caucus’ supermajority, Republicans yesterday blocked a campaign finance reform bill that required a two-thirds vote.
Jeremy B. White reports in the Sacramento Bee: “The basic premise of requiring more disclosures of campaign donations is sound, said Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, but he objected to the timeline. The bill carried an urgency clause that would allow it to take effect in July, before the upcoming election.”
The Assembly voted to make Toni Atkins (D- San Diego) the next speaker.
Fenit Nirappil reports for the Associated Press: “A transition date has not been set, but Atkins will assume the role later this spring. Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat, is termed out this year and running for state controller.”
“Atkins, the Democratic majority leader, was elected to run the 80-member Assembly by unanimous voice vote.”
A California man was arrested near the Canadian border in Washington state for suspected terrorism ties.
CBS News reports: “Nicholas Teausant, 20, of Acampo, Calif., an unincorporated area near Lodi, was taken off a northbound Amtrak bus overnight just short of the border. He is a National Guard reservist, reports CBS affiliate KCAL-Los Angeles.”
“A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Sacramento described him as a student at San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton and a member of the National Guard who is being discharged for failing to meet basic academic requirements.”
Some states want community college to cost students $0.
Steven Dubois reports for the Associate Press: “Amid worries that U.S. youth are losing a global skills race, supporters of a no-tuition policy see expanding access to community college as way to boost educational attainment so the emerging workforces in their states look good to employers.”
“Of course, such plans aren't free for taxpayers, and legislators in Oregon and Tennessee are deciding whether free tuition regardless of family income is the best use of public money. A Mississippi bill passed the state House, but then failed in the Senate. ”