Soda, oil companies back initiative to limit taxes in California
From ALEXEI Koseff in the Sacramento Bee: "Business groups are prepared to spend tens of millions of dollars this year on a California initiative that would make it more difficult to raise state and local taxes."
"The proposal, which is currently gathering signatures for the November ballot, would increase the threshold for passing any new tax or tax hike to two-thirds of voters or an elected body — a change that supporters say is necessary after several recent court decisions weakened previous voter-approved initiatives to protect taxpayers. It would also require the money from those taxes to be spent on specific purposes."
"When we see a slowdown in the economy, as you know, money gets moved around quickly," said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, who is leading the campaign. "We at least want to make sure that the money is going where it’s intended to go."
The #MeToo push could lead to limits on binding arbitration in California
OC Register's MARGOT ROOSEVELT: "Buoyed by the #MeToo movement, California lawmakers are mounting a new push to prevent businesses from forcing workers into closed-door arbitration over sexual harassment, wage theft, discrimination and other complaints."
"A bill authored by Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), AB 3080, would affect 67 percent of private California employers–those who require their nonunion workers to sign agreements waiving their rights to file a lawsuit or to complain to state or federal agencies in the event of a dispute."
"“In forced arbitration, settlements often require the victim to refrain from discussing the case publicly,” Gonzalez Fletcher said."
Can California fix its sexual harassment problem? State workers are trying.
From the Sacramento Bee's MARJIE LUNDSTROM: "In late 2017, as the Me Too movement unleashed a torrent of daily news and revelations, a group of California state leaders began to meet."
"Harvey Weinstein was one thing. But how, they wanted to know, was the state of California dealing with these matters in its own workplaces?"
"It's not enough that employers are explaining that they have zero tolerance, that they do training... That's not enough," said Marybel Batjer, the secretary of the Government Operations Agency and a participant in the group."
How Jerry Brown pulled a fast one on Trump
The Chronicle's WILLIE BROWN: "Gov. Jerry Brown found himself caught in no man’s land when it came to deploying the California National Guard to make President Trump happy. He still managed to come out a winner."
"Brown knew he had no choice but to go along with Trump’s request to call out the Guard, even though the waves of illegal immigrants that the president cited as a reason exist mainly in his head. Trump held the ultimate weapon — he could federalize the state Guard, removing it from Brown’s control. It would be a drastic step, but it’s easy to imagine Trump doing it."
Gavin Newsom touts same-sex marriages, ammo background checks in new TV ad
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has raised more money than anyone else in the race for governor, and on Monday the Democrat started spending a chunk of the $19 million he has in the bank by launching a “seven-figure” TV ad campaign that stresses his leadership on issues like same-sex marriage and gun control."
As central figures in immigration debate, many Latinos answer call of the Border Patrol
LA Times's BRITTNY MEJIA: "Piled into a white van driving along the United States-Mexico border, the young men and one woman beheld the wall and weighed just how easily it could be conquered."
"Isaac Antonio did not seem impressed."
"That’s easily climbable,” the 20-year-old declared."
READ MORE related to Immigration: As Syrian refugees flee and Muslims face persecution, a San Fernando Valley-based group shines a light -- LA Daily News
Cannabis growers, manufacturers have yet to get the green light from LA
LA Times's EMILY ALPERT REYES: "Months after California legalized the marijuana business, pot growers and manufacturers lament that they are still locked out of the legal industry in Los Angeles."
"More than 100 shops have already gotten city approval in Los Angeles, but not the companies that have historically furnished them with cannabis, which were supposed to be second in line under a complex set of city regulations passed in December."
Government wants to take blighted property neglected after LA riots; owner objects
LA Times's ANGEL JENNINGS: "Ever since the 1992 riots, there have been promises but not changes at the corner of Vermont and Manchester avenues."
"Property owner Eli Sasson has over the years proposed a shopping center, a housing development and an entertainment complex for a vacant lot the size of three football fields in South Los Angeles."
Hospitals and device makers still struggle to rid medical scopes of infectious bacteria
LA Times's CHAD TERHUNE: "In an ominous sign for patient safety, 71% of reusable medical scopes deemed ready for use on patients tested positive for bacteria at three major U.S. hospitals, according to a new study."
"The paper, published last month in the American Journal of Infection Control, underscores the infection risk posed by a wide range of endoscopes commonly used to peer deep into the body. It signals a lack of progress by manufacturers, hospitals and regulators in reducing contamination despite numerous reports of superbug outbreaks and patient deaths, experts say."
READ MORE related to Health & Health Care: Decoding your baby's DNA: It can be done. But should it be? -- LA Times's SOUMYA
New, simpler plan for SF's downtown rail extension
The Chronicle's MICHAEL CABANATUAN/JK DINEEN: "San Francisco’s latest vision for South of Market preserves Interstate 280, gets rid of the Caltrain rail yard, and has the commuter rail line’s downtown extension bypass Mission Bay, instead dipping underground a mile before its current station at Fourth and King streets."
"A study to be released Monday, after 3½ years of work, significantly revises an idea raised by then-Mayor Ed Lee in 2013 to improve transit connectivity and create a new neighborhood."
In Mexico's own Motor City, billion-dollar investments but also fear of Trump's trade moves
LA Times's MARC VARTABEDIAN: "In a swath of Mexico locals call the "New Detroit," General Motors is hiring hundreds of workers and expanding operations at a truck factory. BMW is on track to finish building an assembly plant next year."
"Just last month, Canadian parts manufacturer Linamar announced it would pour $50 million into expanding operations at two of its Mexican plants."
LA Times's MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE: "Scores of calls poured in last week. Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria were anxiously contacting lawmakers and advocates, fearful they were about to lose federal assistance that has allowed them to live in hotels since the storm ravaged the island seven months ago."
"The government had warned the assistance would end April 20."