California state senators are considering the expansion of Prop. 57 to broaden the legal definitions of violent crimes.
Daily Californian's AHNA STRAUBE: "The state Senate is considering a bill that could expand the definition of violent crimes."
"State Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, authored SB 75 to modify Proposition 57, which passed in November and increased the likelihood of parole for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes. Bates’ bill, however, would expand the definition of violent felonies to include human trafficking involving a minor, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and rape of an unconscious person, among other offenses."
"(These offenders’) problems run wide and deep, and they really need to be under supervision for much longer than the proposition suggests they should be,” Bates said."
READ MORE related to Policy: Proposed state legislation could push back last calls for bars -- Daily Californian's AMBIKA JAYKRISHNA
Private contractors assisting in the Oroville Dam repair have fired multiple workers for taking photos of the damaged spillway while on the job.
Sacramento Bee's PETER HECHT: "Photos and videos of water gushing from the Oroville Dam spillway, many shot by journalists and authorized state photographers, have lit up social media since the crisis at America's tallest dam began in early February."
"But private contractors repairing the dam have fired five employees in recent days for posting images taken on the job."
"Chris Orrock, Department of Water Resources spokesman for the Oroville spillway incident, said at least one of the fired workers was employed by Syblon Reid, a contractor working on repairs to fortify the dam's emergency spillway. Four other private employees were also dismissed. None worked for state or other public agencies, Orrock said."
READ MORE related to Environment: A pause in storms, but flood risks persist in California -- Sacramento Bee's DALE KASLER/RYAN SABALOW/PETER HECHT; Ex-air quality workers say district illegally lowered fines for polluters -- The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO; Levee system battered by record rainfall from 'atmospheric river' -- L.A. Times' LIAM DILLON; Oroville hoping to turn dam crisis into a tourism opportunity -- JOSEPH SERNA/LOUIS SAHAGUN; 'Once-in-a-lifetime' flooding prompts hundreds of rescues in San Jose -- L.A. Times' VERONICA ROCHA
A Los Angeles lobbyist is punished for violating city rules about gifting politicians.
L.A. Times' EMILY ALPERT REYES: "The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission fined lobbyist John Ek more than $11,000 on Tuesday for inviting dozens of city officials to a birthday party with free food, drinks and musical entertainment, saying he had violated city rules that restrict gifts from registered lobbyists."
"But politicians and other city officials who attended the expensive event were able to repay Ek for party costs and avoid any penalty. Sergio Perez, the Ethics Commission’s enforcement director, said that under city and state rules, if someone quickly reimburses the gift giver, “it’s as if a gift was not received.”
"Nearly two years ago, Ek paid more than $51,000 to celebrate his 50th birthday at Perch Los Angeles, hosting an invitation-only party for roughly 250 guests at the downtown bistro. An Ethics Commission investigation found that he had invited 37 city officials to the event and had, therefore, offered them an improper gift."
READ MORE related to Local: City Council candidate Ben Gould cleared by Fair Campaign Practices Commission -- Daily Californian's KATE TINNEY; Berkeley community reacts to Milo Yiannopoulos' resignation from Breitbart News -- Daily Californian's JESSICA JIMENEZ; PHOTOS: Sen. Kamala Harris meets with refugees in Van Nuys -- Daily News' STAFF; Garcetti takes re-election campaign to Hollywood studio -- Daily News' GREGORY J. WILCOX
State Sen. Steve Glazer is pushing for a $2 billion higher education bond bill in an effort to improve UC campuses.
Daily Californian's ISHIRA SHRIVATSA: "In an effort to emphasize the importance of educational facilities, a $2 billion higher education bond bill to improve facilities across University of California and California State University campuses was introduced Thursday."
"The bill, which is co-authored by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, and Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, aims to improve the quality of higher education facilities at UC and CSU campuses. The bonds have been set to go before voters in the 2018 general election."
"For many generations, California taxpayers have been proud supporters of the greatest higher education system in America,” Glazer said in his press release. “Unfortunately, we have allowed classrooms and libraries to deteriorate, affecting our ability to educate our students."
READ MORE related to Education: Schools in Berkeley district face teacher shortage -- Daily Californian's AZWAR SHAKEEL
If the Bay Area is consistent with anything, it's political activism. Here's a list of upcoming events.
The Chronicle's STAFF: "Political events in the Bay Area"
"Rallies, protests and town hall events are part of political life in the Bay Area. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening in the next few days."
The Army Corps of Engineers has been ordered to shut down a long-standing #DAPL protest camp, but many say this will have little impact on the battle to come.
AP's BLACK NICHOLSON: "The Army Corps of Engineers' plan to close a Dakota Access pipeline protest camp that's been around for more than six months isn't likely to be the demise of on-the-ground opposition in North Dakota."
"Wednesday's deadline for the protesters to leave also may not spell the end of heavy law enforcement presence near where the Dallas-based developer is finishing the last big section of the pipeline, which will carry oil from North Dakota through the Dakotas and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois."
"The protest camp is on federal land in southern North Dakota between the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and the pipeline route. It has at times housed thousands of people, though it's dwindled to just a couple hundred as the pipeline battle has largely moved into the courts."
READ MORE related to Economy: Bay Area restaurants register as sanctuary businesses -- The Chronicle's JUSTIN PHILLIPS; Sherman Oaks company builds the sets that help the Oscars dazzle -- Daily News' DENISE QUAN; Class-action lawsuit accuses Torrance refinery owners of placing 'profit above public safety' -- Daily Breeze's NICK GREEN; $21 million sale called record breaker for Newport Coast's Pelican neighborhoods -- O.C. Register's MARILYN KALFUS
Sacramento Mayor Steinberg fights homelessness by partnering with Sutter Health, bolstering his funds by $20M.
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA: "Bolstering his attempt to use federal affordable housing vouchers to shelter Sacramento’s homeless, Mayor Darrell Steinberg was expected to announce a partnership with Sutter Health at Tuesday night’s Sacramento City Council meeting that could provide up to $20 million in funding to strengthen his proposal."
"Steinberg said Monday night that Sutter Health has promised up to $5 million over three years and has committed to help fundraising for an additional $5 million from private entities for homeless services in Sacramento – if the city and county move forward with the mayor’s plan to prioritize federal housing vouchers for homeless people."
"It’s all about the energy,” said Keri Thomas, Sutter Health Valley Area’s director of community and government relations. “Absolutely, should those units come available, we are going to be at the table to get those services."
READ MORE related to Homelessness: LA County leaders want Sylmar Armory to become year-round homeless shelter -- Daily News' SUSAN ABRAM
The father of a infant murdered in 2015 in Yolo County has been arrested for the crime.
Sacramento Bee's DARRELL SMITH: "Frank Rees has been arrested in the death of his infant son, Justice, according to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office."
"The office plans a news conference Wednesday to discuss Rees’ arrest and likely charges in the 2015 incident."
"The baby’s mother, Samantha Green was sentenced in December to 15-years-to life in prison after a Yolo Superior Court judge rejected her plea for a new trial."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Will Whittier officer's death be a turning point for AB 109? -- San Gabriel Valley Tribune's JASON HENRY; Spotlight is on local police as feds outline tougher deportation rules -- Sacramento Bee's RYAN LILLIS/STEPHEN MAGAGNINI/ANDY FURILLO; Federal appeals court upholds Maryland assault rifle ban -- Baltimore Sun's IAN DUNCAN; Woman swept to her death by a wave at a Sonoma County beach IDd -- The Chronicle's FILIPA A. IOANNOU; Police detain suspect in stabbing of Berkeley school staffer -- The Chronicle's FILIPA A. IOANNOU; Gang member accused of killing Whittier cop had cycled in and out of jail, records show -- L.A. Times' RICHARD WINTON; Off-duty LAPD officer opens fire during confrontation with teens in Anaheim; 2 arrested -- L.A. Times' MATT HAMILTON; L.A. officials want LAPD to explore ways to put more cops on city streets -- L.A. Times' KATE MATHER; A year after 20 bullets strike couple in fatal Inglewood police shooting, questions remain -- L.A. Times' ANGEL JENNINGS; Former LA County deputy sentenced 25 years to life for Sylmar shooting -- Daily News' SUSAN ABRAM; Board of Supervisors to investigate fatal shooting of Whittier police officer by probationer -- Daily News' SUSAN ABRAM; Suspect in Whittier cop killing, East L.A. slaying was AB 109 probationer -- O.C. Register's STEPHANIE K. BAER; Appeals court hears argument to restore double-murder conviction overturned in jailhouse snitch fallout -- O.C. Register's TONY SAAVEDRA
A section of Highway 50 that has succumbed to the recent sundering storms of the past couple weeks may take months to repair, experts say.
Sacramento Bee's BRAD BRANAN: "A section of Highway 50 crumbled farther down the hillside early Tuesday near Bridal Veil Falls, offering the latest dramatic reminder of how vulnerable Sierra highways have become in this winter’s deluge of rain and snow."
"Though the damaged road did not result in injuries, it prompted the closure of both westbound lanes and will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction for months to come. Crews will work on stabilizing the slope and fixing the highway, according to Caltrans."
"It’s going to be a long-term closure,” said Caltrans spokesman Steve Nelson. “The contractor is still figuring out how to fix the road. .. but whatever they come up with, it’s going to take at least a few months.”
READ MORE related to Transportation: Video shows Harrison Ford flying low over airliner at John Wayne airport -- AP; Uber sexual harassment allegations are a warning for the tech industry and its 'rock star' culture -- L.A. Times' TRACEY LIEN
Pundits mull over whether or not SCOTUS nominee Gorsuch will champion unions or work against them.
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "Two years ago, Placer County middle school teacher Michelle Raley launched a long-shot bid to change one of the state’s most powerful labor groups from the inside."
"She ran for president of the California Teachers Association, and rhymed her frustrations with the union in a campaign statement."
"My local is a closed shop. We have to pay dues. I want to be a proud member. Not sing the CTA blues,” she wrote in her platform for the 2015 CTA election."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Conservative forces clash in Trump's early days -- AP's STEVE PEOPLES; GOP members of Congress face Trump foes at town halls -- AP's ALAN SUDERMAN; Trump denounces anti-Semitism after Jewish community centers receive 68 bomb threats in six weeks -- L.A. Times' JAWEED KALEEM/ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN; Two members of Trump's cabinet are headed to Mexico. Here are five things to watch -- L.A. Times' KATE LINTHICUM; Berkeley community reacts to Milo Yiannopoulos' resignation from Breitbart News -- Daily Californian's JESSICA JIMENEZ
Trump's latest memo releases on illegal immigration crackdowns portends potential mass deportations.
The Chronicle's HAMED ALEAZIZ: "In the month since President Trump took office, conversations between Ramon and his children have become increasingly serious: The two children, ages 5 and 11, are scared about what will happen to their father, a Mexican national who is living in the Bay Area without legal documentation."
"On Monday, the day before the Trump administration released a pair of memos spelling out how it will implement the president’s executive orders cracking down on illegal immigration, his children — both U.S. citizens — asked him whether the family would be able to stay together."
“Why is this happening? You are my only family. Why do we have to separate?” his sixth-grade daughter said through tears. She started shaking — she has never been to Mexico, which Ramon left years ago. “I don’t want to go away from you."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Trump administrationclears the way for far more deportations -- L.A. Times' BRIAN BENNETT/DEL QUENTIN WILBER; Trump's new immigration directives: stricter enforcement and more deportations -- L.A. Times'; Trump immigration rules could mean 'mass deportation,' LA activists say -- Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR; Immigration reform failures set stage for Trump's strategy -- The Press-Enterprise's DAVID DOWNEY; Deporting undocumented immigrants is about to get easier, more common -- O.C. Register's GRACE WYLER/KEITH SHARON
OP-ED: Wanted: An early warning system for local governments
MARC JOFFE in Capitol Weekly: "Back in 2012, then Treasurer Bill Lockyer called for an early warning system that would give state officials time to proactively address local government fiscal emergencies before they wound up in bankruptcy court. We are now five years closer to the next recession and its attendant set of local government financial crises, but the state has made little progress toward implementing Lockyer’s proposed system."
"Lockyer offered his suggestion in the wake of bankruptcy filings by Stockton, Mammoth Lakes and San Bernardino. But after the summer of 2012, the parade of high profile Chapter 9 filings ended, and, with it, the political will to monitor local government financial health. That’s a shame because a repeat of the fiscal meltdown we witnessed in the wake of the Great Recession is almost inevitable."
"Agencies are coming under increasing pressure from CalPERS rate increases, and revenue growth for many inland cities has been weak. Even during California’s growth spurt, we have witnessed two Chapter 9 filings – by Palm Drive Healthcare District in 2014 and West Contra Costa Healthcare District in 2016."