"Arguing for employment status, the drivers said Lyft dictates their fares, routes and reimbursement, and requires them to greet passengers with a “smile and a fist bump.” The company countered that drivers choose their own work hours and decide which passengers to accept."
READ MORE related to Transportation: California vs. Washington: Smog a new battleground -- Sacramento Bee's DAN WALTERS; Proposed Trump budget slices needed federal funding for Sacramento streetcars, light rail -- Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK; Court-ordered VW settlement could bring millions to Sacramento -- Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA/DALE KASLER
Facing an administration that is hostile to arts and education, California's state librarian visited Washington DC in an effort to petition for an increase in public library funding.
Capitol Weekly's JOHN HOWARD: "Prying funds out of the Trump administration may not be easy, but California State Librarian Greg Lucas is giving it a shot. And not just for California."
"Amid heavy snows and the unveiling of President Trump’s first budget, Lucas went to Washington this week to urge Congress to double the funding for the nation’s public libraries to $300 million, including the more than 1,100 libraries in California."
"It’s going to be a tough fight: The president’s budget today proposed deep cuts into public libraries’ existing budgets, and it would eliminate perhaps a third of the state library’s budget."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Trump's budget plan would threaten 'essential' LA after-school programs and the arts -- Daily News' ANTONIE BOESSENKOOL; Trump's budget plan would threaten 'essential' LA after-school programs and the arts -- Daily News' ANTONIE BOESSENKOOL; Impact of Trump's budget proposal -- The Chronicle's STAFF; Trump 'blueprint' budget cuts domestic spending, boosts security -- The Chronicle's CAROLYN LOCHHEAD; From arts to prisons, Trump's budget means cuts in California -- McClatchy DC's MICHAEL DOYLE; Oklahoma GOP senator's fall from power is stunningly fast -- AP's SEAN MURPHY
Oakland is getting a skyscraper added to its skyline for the first time in nearly a decade.
East Bay Times' DAVID DEBOLT: "Construction crews last week began digging up a surface parking lot at 17th and Broadway, where the first new skyscraper in about a decade will rise."
"At 33 stories, the Lennar project will be Oakland’s third-tallest building and tallest residential tower. And it will soon have company. As the neighborhoods around downtown have grown over the past decade with restaurants and watering holes, a second wave of new homes is coming, causing some people to worry who will be welcome and who will be priced out."
"More than 2,000 market-rate units are in the pipeline within downtown, not far from Uber’s new headquarters at 20th and Broadway. If all are built, city officials say they could add thousands of residents and fill out the city’s skyline. Coupled with several new commercial developments, downtown Oakland is growing up."
READ MORE related to Economy: Bay Area tops nation in homebuying biding battles -- EBT's RICHARD SCHEININ; Tired of hearing 'Don't call us, we'll call you,' ex-convicts want felonies off job apps -- Sacramento Bee's ALEXEI KOSEFF; McDonald's hacker's tweet insulting Trump gets a lot of buzz -- LA Times' SAMANTHA BOMKAMP; Whether you're thrilled or furious over Trump's budget, don't be. It's going nowhere. -- Sacramento Bee's ANITA KUMAR
If you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Oakland or Berkeley, beware of checkpoints.
East Bay Times' GEORGE KELLY: "Two East Bay police departments said they plan to set up checkpoints to help keep the public safe and deter possible lawbreakers Friday."
"Berkeley police said their checkpoint will focus on southbound Telegraph Avenue traffic at Stuart Street from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., while Oakland police, who did not disclose their checkpoint’s location in in advance, said they have chosen theirs on the basis of collision statistics and arrest-frequency rates for driving under the influence."
"The checkpoints will have officers looking for signs of impairment, either alcohol or drugs, that could put other drivers or pedestrians at risk. Additional delays are likely as officers check motorists for licensing."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Here's the fallout from the LA County Sheriff's Department jail abuse scandal -- Daily News' RYAN FONSECA; From US internment to Korean War POW, Billy Kazuyoshi Hatano was a survivor -- Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE; TSA finds 58 firearms in carry-ons at US airports in a week, including 2 in Sacramento -- Sacramento Bee's BILL LINDELOF; EMT run over, killed by man driving stolen ambulance -- AP's TOM MCELROY; Vallejo kidnapper sentenced to 40 years for crime so bizarre police labeled it a hoax -- Sacramento Bee's SAM STANTON/ANDY FURILLO; Former 'Power Rangers' actor pleads guilty to killing roommate with sword -- LA Times' JAMES QUEALLY
A new bill is proposing to strip the felony charge associated with knowingly having unprotected sex while HIV positive.
LA Times' PATRICK MCGREEVY: "In a test of shifting attitudes about HIV, a group of state lawmakers has proposed that it no longer be a felony for someone to knowingly expose others to the disease by engaging in unprotected sex and not telling the partner about the infection."
"The measure by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and others would make such acts a misdemeanor, a proposal that has sparked opposition from Republican lawmakers."
"The same downgrade in crime level would apply to people who donate blood or semen without telling the blood or semen bank that they have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, or have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, the precursor to AIDS."
Trump's budget also threatens the nation's schools with massive cuts, despite promoting school choice/vouchers.
LA Times' JOY RESMOVITS: "President Trump’s proposed budget would reduce education spending nationwide while boosting money for school vouchers and charter schools."
"While most public school dollars come from states and districts, federal funds cover specific programs. Since California is the most populous state, it stands to lose the most money."
"This fiscal year, the federal government is expected to pay California $4.09 billion for K-12 programming and $4.3 billion for college programs, EdSource noted."
READ MORE related to Education: Sacramento City Unified teachers march outside trustee meeting -- Sacramento Bee's LORETTA KALB