A state appellate judge questions the legality of California's cap-and-trade program.
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "California’s marquee climate-change program faced tough scrutiny on Tuesday from a state appeals court judge who seemed skeptical that the $4.4 billion raised from the state’s cap-and-trade program complied with laws regulating taxes and fees."
“Where does this end?” Associate Justice Harry Hull asked state lawyers at a hearing in a long-running lawsuit that challenges the state’s ability to collect revenue from the cap-and-trade auctions it has sponsored since 2012."
"Despite Hull’s questioning, two of three justices at the 3rd District Court of Appeal appeared to be leaning toward upholding the California Air Resources Board’s greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. It aims to gradually reduce greenhouse-gas emissions over time by compelling industries to change the way they do business under the authority of the landmark 2006 law, Assembly Bill 32."
California's soon-to-boom legal cannabis economy still faces hurdles before regulations are definitive.
Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA: "Californians legalized recreational marijuana in November, and the state is expected to begin distributing licenses to businesses by January 1, 2018."
"But least one state senator, who represents California’s marijuana-rich northern counties, doubts the state will be able to write regulations fast enough to hit the deadline."
"Being blunt, there is no way the state of California can meet all of the deadlines before we go live on January 1, 2018,” said Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg. “We are building the regulatory system for a multibillion dollar industry from scratch."
READ MORE related to marijuana: State writing new pot regulations -- John Howard in Capitol Weekly.
Newly sworn in AG Xavier Becerra preps for a 2018 election.
Sacramento Bee's ANGELA HART: "Shortly after he was sworn in as California’s new attorney general, Xavier Becerra, a longtime liberal Democrat from Los Angeles, said he intends to “officially” form a campaign committee and launch a 2018 run for the influential post as the state’s top cop."
"I’m committed to do this work as long as the people of the state of California will allow me to ... 2018 is around the corner,” Becerra said after he was sworn in Tuesday by Gov. Jerry Brown. “Now that I’m official, can’t take it away from me … I hope that I can prove to the people of this state that I will be able to earn their support to be re-elected."
"In letters submitted Tuesday morning to House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Becerra resigned from the House seat he’s held since 1993. At 58, he is the first Latino in California history to head the state’s Department of Justice."
Placer County is now in a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions and safety hazards.
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "Placer County officials declared a state of local emergency Tuesday, hoping the designation will help the county obtain emergency funds to help deal with damage from a series of heavy January storms."
"The county that stretches from Roseville to the Nevada border was among the hardest hit in the region by record rain and snowfall over the last three weeks. The series of atmospheric rivers that swept through the mountains caused Placer particular damage, including downed power lines, avalanches and road washouts amid flooding along the western slope."
"County officials estimate Placer has suffered at least $8 million in damage to public infrastructure, but officials warn that more damage will be discovered as the county digs out from the heavy snow."
READ MORE related to Climate: California's stormy winter sets snowfall record for Mammoth resorts -- over 20 feet in one month -- L.A. Times' JOSEPH SERNA; Death toll climbs to at least 5 from California's stormiest winter in years -- L.A. Times' JOSEPH SERNA; San Diego adopts urban forestry plan to boost tree canopy, slow climate change -- Union-Tribune
Experts wonder if professional golf will find a resurgence in Sacramento.
Sacramento Bee's STEVE PAJAK: "There is no momentum for the return of professional golf at the major-tour level to Sacramento."
"The departure of Brian Flajole darkens an already bleak picture."
"Flajole ran the LPGA Tour’s Longs Drugs Challenge during its 10-year stint in Lincoln and Auburn, along with numerous other LPGA and Champions Tour events across the country. He was the director of the 2015 U.S. Senior Open at Del Paso and the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle."
READ MORE related to Economics: Trump signs orders advancing Keystone, Dakota pipelines -- The Chronicle's JULIE PACE; California set to fight Washington over environmental protections -- The Chronicle's CAROLYN LOCHHEAD; The vanishing San Diego single-family home -- Union-Tribune's PHILLIP MOLNAR
The drama surrounding Aliso Canyon is relentless.
L.A. Times' IVAN PENN: "Southern California Gas Co. tapped the troubled Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field Tuesday after issuing an alert about potential supply shortages because of increased consumer demand."
"Hours after withdrawing gas from Aliso Canyon — a facility that has been shut down since it experienced the worst methane leak in U.S. history in fall 2015 — the utility stopped using the facility because demand declined, although warnings about shortages of natural gas remained in effect."
"Cold weather is expected in the greater Los Angeles region tonight and into tomorrow, which could impact demand for natural gas,” the company said in a statement. “Additionally, low temperatures forecasted east of California for this week could impact the availability of natural gas supply to the Southern California region."
READ MORE related to Energy: Federal lawsuit against San Onofre deal survives motion to dismiss -- Union-Tribune
President Trump continues doling out executive orders as the immigration hardline ramps up to full effect.
AP's JULIE PACE/VIVIAN SALAMA/RACHEL ZOLL: "President Donald Trump will begin rolling out executive actions on immigration Wednesday, beginning with steps to build his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to two administration officials. He's also expected to target so-called sanctuary cities and is reviewing proposals that would restrict the flow of refugees to the United States."
"The president is expected to sign the first actions — including the measure to jumpstart construction of the wall — Wednesday during a trip to the Department of Homeland Security. Additional actions will be rolled out over the next few days, according to one official."
"Trump is said to still be weighing the details of plans to restrict refugees coming to the U.S. The current proposal includes at least a four-month halt on all refugee admissions, as well as temporary ban on people coming from some Muslim majority countries, according to a representative of a public policy organization that monitors refugee issues. The person was briefed on the details of that proposed action by a government official and outlined the expected steps for The Associated Press."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Anti-immigration groups are pushing Trump to stick campaign pledge to deport Dreamers -- L.A. Times' NOAH BIERMAN; Trump to sign executive orders enabling construction of border wall and targeting sanctuary cities -- Union-Tribune's JERRy MARKON/ROBERT COSTA/ABIGAIL HAUSLOHNER; Poet laureate celebrates dual immigrant, migrant identity -- Union-Tribune; National Park Service blames former staffer for climate change tweets -- Union-Tribune
And on the Beltway, Nikki Haley has been confirmed for U.N. ambassador.
L.A. Times' LISA MASCARO: "The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Nikki Haley, the popular South Carolina governor with little foreign affairs experience, as President Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations."
"Haley has received a more favorable reception than other Trump nominees now tangled in confirmation battles. The vote was 96 to 4."
"The two-term Republican governor has split with Trump on key foreign policy issues, particularly her skepticism of Russia. But Haley agrees with the president's goal of relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem — a controversial move because both Israelis and Palestinians view the city as their capital."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Trump repeats voter fraud falsehood to make himself look better -- The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI; Gag order, freeze put on EPA, other federal agencies -- The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER/PETER FIMRITE; Pro-Trump site that published fake news gets 1st question at White House briefing -- Union-Tribune
Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento's newly minted mayor, comes out swinging against homelessness after proposing to divert a multitude of federal housing vouchers to vagrants most in need.
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA/ELLEN GARRISON: "Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg wants to divert 1,600 federal housing vouchers to homeless people, letting them jump the line on a list of disabled, elderly and low-income residents who have waited years for a chance at one of the coveted subsidies."
"We have to make some choices,” Steinberg said. “The people on waiting lists are in need, but they are housed. The people who are on the streets are in the most desperate conditions.”
"An estimated 70,000 applicants are on wait lists in Sacramento County for about 910 spots that open up each year, between vouchers and public housing units. For the next two years, Steinberg wants the majority of those housing opportunities – about 800 annually – to go to homeless people."
Jerry Brown eyes California's future and the Trump administration in his annual State of the State address.
Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO/ALEXEI KOSEFF: "Gov. Jerry Brown, plunging into position as a Democratic bulwark against Donald Trump’s presidency, warned Tuesday of looming battles with Republican-controlled Washington, using his State of the State address to assuage fears that California would turn its back on progressive policies."
"Brown reiterated promises to protect undocumented immigrants, provide health care to the needy and continue his signature fight against climate change. Yet he pledged to work with Washington on infrastructure improvements to, as Trump said, “build and build big."
"I say ‘Amen to that,’ man!” Brown told a joint session of the Legislature, drawing bipartisan applause. “Amen to that, brother! We’re there with you."
Speaking of State of the State, Minnesota Govenor Mark Dayton suddenly collapsed while giving his own speech on Monday, slamming his head on the podium; thankfully, he's reported to now be in good health.
Breitbart's KATHERINE RODRIGUEZ: "Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed while giving his State of the State speech Monday, hitting his head on a podium."
"Dayton, a 69-year-old Democrat who will turn 70 this Thursday, appeared to be conscious as he was helped into a back room several minutes after the event, the Associated Pressreported."
"Dayton fainted about 40 minutes into his address, but quickly recovered, according to Dayton’s chief of staff Jaime Tincher."
L.A. Metro saw a spike in ridership on Women's March day.
L.A. Times' LAURA J. NELSON: "Stations jammed with passengers and trains too full for riders to board were early signs that the women’s march downtown on Saturday had overwhelmed Los Angeles County’s rail system."
"Just how many riders the system carried on the day of the rally became clear Tuesday, when officials said riders boarded Metropolitan Transportation Authoritytrains about 592,000 times Saturday— more than twice the typical weekend ridership."
"Officials did not make data available for the county’s sprawling bus system, which carries nearly three-quarters of Metro’s riders in a given year. The figures also do not include Metrolink, the commuter rail system that serves six counties."
READ MORE related to Transportation: California utilities propose a $1-billion electric vehicle push -- L.A. Times' ROB NIKOLEWSKI
An East Sacramento brewery faces mounting criticism after protesting the Women's March on social media.
Sacramento Bee's BLAIR ANTHONY ROBERTSON: "Calls for a boycott and a public outcry over social media posts left Twelve Rounds Brewing owner Daniel Murphy reeling Tuesday morning as he expressed shock at the instant reaction to his Facebook political rant and concern that his East Sacramento business could be severely hurt."
"The controversy erupted on Twitter late Monday after word got out that Murphy had posted on his personal Facebook page: “I am disgusted at all of the people and politicians that supported this anti-Trump event.” He was referring to the women’s march in the nation’s capital and scores of similar protests in cities throughout the country."
"In largely Democratic East Sacramento, the comment unleashed an immediate and widespread backlash as several loyal customers said they wouldn’t return and others pledged to never spend their money at the popular business."
A ski patroller has died in Squaw Valley, prompting an investigation into the cryptic world of controlled avalanche demolitions.
Sacramento Bee's BILL LINDELOF/BRAD BRANAN/ED FLETCHER: "The investigation into the death of a ski patroller at Squaw Valley will focus on the hand-held devices commonly used to trigger controlled avalanches at ski resorts, officials said."
"Joe Zuiches, 42, died Tuesday in what officials believe was the accidental detonation of a hand charger."
"The Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows resort said the fatal incident happened at 8:35 a.m. and shut Squaw Valley for the day. Squaw Valley will not operate ridge lifts on the upper mountain Wednesday, resort officials said. No other injuries were reported."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: City Council approves ballot measure that could put more civilians on LAPD discipline panels -- L.A. Times' KATE MATHER; Woman who stole Scott Wiener's iPhone strikes plea deal in SF -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY; CA inmate stole identities of fellow prisoners while behind bars -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY; 'All-out search' for missing kayaker in SF bay -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY; SDPD: Cops shot gunman as he scaled fence at preschool -- Union-Tribune
The 'Hollyweed' prankster has struck again.
L.A. Times' VERONICA ROCHA: "The artist responsible for the “Hollyweed” sign prank now has his sights set on President Trump."
"On Saturday, Zachary Cole Fernandez hung a large sign with the word “IMPEACH” scrawled in blue and red paint over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Under the bulky letters, “YOU’RE FIRED!” was written in smaller print."
“I think the message there is pretty clear,” the Pomona artist told The Times."
Spontaneous produce kiosks are an iconic Northern California roadside attraction, and now a recent Sacramento County ordinance ensures their protection.
Sacramento Bee's ROBIN OPSAHL: "Residents of urban and suburban Sacramento County will be able to legally grow and sell crops, keep bees, and raise chickens and ducks at home under an urban agriculture ordinance that county supervisors unanimously passed Tuesday."
"Proponents say the new legal framework will make life easier for small-scale farmers and provide fresh food in areas that lack full-service grocery stores."
"This sets up a foundation for people working as urban farmers that wasn’t there before,” said Randy Stannard, chairman of Oak Park Sol, a group that helps residents turn vacant lots and underused outdoor areas into community gardens and urban farms."