Big bucks

Jun 22, 2017

 

Traditionally, the idea of public service didn't mean making big bucks. But that has changed.

 

From TERI SFORZA at the OC Register: "Except for a Vallejo firefighter who got a $2 million payout for wrongful termination, the list of California’s highest-earning public employees for 2016 is dominated by medical personnel – surgeons, physicians, psychiatrists, hospital directors – and a few investment officers from CalPERS, the world’s largest public employee retirement system."

 

"The top paid folk from that world, not including benefits, ranged from $591,653 to $1 million, according to the most recent data from Transparent California, a nonprofit that would like a reboot of public employee benefits."

 

"But some first responders did pretty well, too, according to the data. Michael Rubino, chief port pilot II in Los Angeles, topped the state among first responders, with pay of $582,734. Patricia Knudson, chief deputy sheriff in Riverside, was second, with pay of $505,520."

 

Speaking of big bucks, billionaire Tom Steyer has got a decision to make -- to run or not to run?

 

The LAT's PHIL WILLON: "In California, the billionaire Democratic donor became known for fighting climate change and tapping his bank account to attack politicians who denied it."

 

"More recently, he helped fund a successful state ballot measure to raise cigarette taxes, warned at the California Democratic Party convention of the corrupting influence of corporate America, and released a policy paper on the state’s growing income inequality."

 

"Now the former hedge fund manager who has spent tens of millions funding Democratic candidates and liberal causes across the country is mounting a challenge to President Trump on his own, going so far as to call for impeachment and use his nonprofit, NextGen Climate, to encourage citizens to lobby their congressional representatives for it."

 

Staying with the "big bucks" theme, let's take a look at affluent Marin County, which hopes to avoid having to build affordable housing.

 

The LAT's LIAM DILLON: "Lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow parts of Marin County to limit growth more tightly than other regions of California. The provision, inserted last week into a bill connected to the state budget, lets Marin County’s largest cities and unincorporated areas maintain extra restrictions on how many homes developers can build."

 

"Housing advocates say the carve-out runs counter to the push by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers for more development as a way to combat the state’s housing affordability problems."

 

"Since the changes are tied to last week’s passage of the state budget, which Brown has yet to sign, the measure does not have to go through the regular committee process. It’s had just one public hearing and lawmakers could vote on the bill as early as Thursday."

 

An investigation into the Oakland Police Department's handling of a sex scandal last year doesn't put the department in a very good light, to say the least.

 

The Chronicle's Kimberly Veklerov reports: "Detectives and top brass of the Oakland Police Department conducted a careless and hasty investigation into allegations that officers had sex with a minor, and kept the mayor, city administrator, district attorney and others in the dark, according to a report released Wednesday about the sexual exploitation scandal that rocked the city last year."

 

 

The next redistricting based on the U.S. Census is nearly three years out, but that doesn't stop the political pros from getting their ducks in a row.

 

Capitol Weekly's PAUL MITCHELL takes a look: "California’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission was established by two ballot measures in 2008 and 2010, following several unsuccessful pushes by Republicans who saw themselves as perpetually sidelined when it came to drawing the state’s political boundaries."

 

"Success came when they were joined by a coalition of non-partisan groups and deep-pocket Silicon Valley funders, who saw the commission as a part of overall reforms, like the creation of an open primary. They believed independent redistricting would moderate politics, reduce the control exerted by the two major political parties and give more voice to independent candidates."

 

"Debate continues about whether it accomplished those goals. But one thing is for sure: The first commission created chaos for dozens of lawmakers in a process that is already keeping current incumbents up at night."

 

Some people say, "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"  -- but that really isn't true. California and its neighbors are trying, but things have come to a halt since Donald Trump's election.

 

From Capital Public Radio's BEN BRADFORD: "California energy regulators say the state could benefit from sharing more electricity with its neighbors during heat waves such as this week’s, but a proposal to do so has stalled after the election of President Trump."

 

"While an enormous electric grid carries power throughout the western United States, it’s divided into 38 fiefdoms, where regional operators figure out their own power needs. That can leave solar energy unused in one state while another fires up reserve gas plants to meet demand."

 

"The Brown administration last year looked to create a centralized authority that could plan power use across the west. Ralph Cavanagh, co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, is a major proponent of "regionalization."

 

In a deep blue state like California, Republicans may not have a lot to cheer about. But they certainly are cheering about one thing: Karen Handel's victory in Georgia's 6th Congressional District.

 

From Politico's DAVID SIDERS: "Nowhere, with the exception of the White House, was the news of Republican Karen Handel’s special election victory more welcome than in Orange County, California."

 

"With four local GOP-held congressional districts considered in play in 2018, it’s arguably the epicenter of the Democratic Party’s effort to win a House majority. But Republicans are glad to point out how similar the local political landscape looks to Georgia’s affluent, suburban 6th District."

 

"Tuesday’s outcome laid bare the difficulty Democrats face even in a suburban California county where Donald Trump isn’t especially popular — Orange County voted for Hillary Clinton last year, backing a Democrat for the first time since 1936. Republicans still outnumber Democrats in each of the contested suburban districts, and some local political winds appear to be blowing in the GOP’s favor."

 

The track and field championships tonight at Sac State highlight athletic prowess and determination, and nowhere is that more true than in the case of Gabriele Grunewald.

 

From the Bee's Matt Kawahara: "Gabriele Grunewald intends to be on the starting line for the women’s 1,500-meter race Thursday night at the USA Track & Field Championships at Sacramento State."

 

"On Sunday, her 31st birthday, Grunewald plans to return home to Minnesota, where she will have a party. On Tuesday, she’ll receive her next scheduled chemotherapy infusion."

 

"Grunewald, an elite middle-distance runner, has a form of cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma. It first appeared eight years ago in her salivary gland and later spread to her liver, requiring surgery last year to remove a large tumor. In March, a post-op scan revealed new tumors in her liver. This is Grunewald’s fourth bout with cancer."