California Highway Patrol will soon release information attained from an investigation of allegations related to the new Bay Bridge construction.
Jaxon Van Derbeken reports in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Tony Anziano, the bridge project's manager, told lawmakers who called a hearing on Bay Bridge issues that he was in an awkward position in light of the CHP probe. But he denied he had acted against engineers who were critical of fabrication work done on the bridge at a factory in China.”
“A report prepared for the Senate committee said nine engineers reported being marginalized after raising concerns about welding on giant steel sections of the bridge that was being done in Shanghai or questioning what they called excessive costs. An earlier report for the panel said critics had been told not to put their objections in writing so they could not be discovered under a Public Records Act request.”
One state senator is pushing Attorney General Kamala Harris to also launch a criminal investigation of the construction project.
Charles Piller reports in the Sacramento Bee: “DeSaulnier, who chairs the committee, noted that the Bay Area Toll Authority has reserved substantial funds for possible retrofits, yet Caltrans has acted as if “nothing happened.””
““Somebody should be held accountable,” for problems on the new span, DeSaulnier said. He attributed them partly to what a team of experts called “a culture of fear” at the department.”
In a public plea, the governor makes his case for a toned down water bond.
John Howard reports in Capitol Weekly: “The governor, up for reelection in November, announced the plan on his campaign web site in an open letter to voters.”
“If approved by lawmakers, it would replace the $11.14 billion water bond already scheduled to go before voters in November. That bond, delayed for years amid fears that it would be rejected by recession-weary voters, was approved in a bipartisan vote in the Legislature and signed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
“The governor described his plan as “a no-frills, no-pork water water bond that invests in the most critical projectys without breaking the bank.””
Billionaire Tom Steyer is bracing to spend millions against one state lawmakers’ pollution cap delay.
Morgan Lee reports in UT-San Diego: “It's not clear how much Steyer might spend on the issue. Through the organization NextGen Climate in San Francisco, he has pledged to spend $50 million of his own money and raise $50 million more to help defeat politicians who deny the established science of climate change, targeting key U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections. Another campaign, called "Fair Shake," is focused mainly on approving an oil extraction fee in California, which places third among states in oil production.”
“In a new blog post, Steyer has accused fuel producers of threatening California consumers with higher prices at the gas pump in order to get out of cap-and-trade.”
For aesthetic appeal during the drought, some residents are painting their lawns green.
Clare Foran reports in the National Journal: “A Long Beach landscaper armed with a canister of paint showed up at Torres's front door a few days later. Now the lawn sports a glittering shade of emerald green that should last anywhere from three to six months.”
“"We've had lots of people stop over and say it looks good," Torres said. "It's this really bright, popping green." Some of the neighbors have even said they're thinking of dyeing their grass green to match.”
“The story is far from unique. Companies that promise to paint lawns are cropping up all over California. The service lets homeowners cut back on water use without sacrificing curb appeal.”