Feinstein had a Chinese spy connection she didn't know about -- her driver
The Chronicle's MATIER & ROSS: "A staffer in U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s San Francisco office was fired a few years back after being linked to Chinese spying in the Bay Area."
"According to a Politico Magazine story on Silicon Valley espionage, the Feinstein staffer was suspected of providing political intelligence — but nothing classified — to his handlers, with one former intelligence official telling author Zach Dorfman that the suspected informant was “run” by officials based at the local Chinese Consulate."
"A local source who knew about the incident confirmed to us that the FBI showed up at Feinstein’s office in Washington, D.C., about five years ago to alert the then-chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee that her driver was being investigated for possible Chinese spying."
Trump's order to penalize SF, other sanctuary cities ruled unconstitutional
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "President Trump abused his authority by ordering the denial of federal funds to San Francisco and other sanctuary cities for refusing to cooperate with immigration officers, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday."
"In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said Trump acted unconstitutionally in an executive order he issued in January 2017, five days after taking office, declaring that local governments that refused to provide information or access to federal immigration agents would be ineligible for federal grants. Federal courts since then have refused to enforce the order or other administration efforts to withhold funding from sanctuary cities."
"The United States Constitution exclusively grants the power of the purse to Congress, not the president,” Chief Judge Sidney Thomas said in the majority opinion. Because Congress has not passed a law authorizing the president to deny funding to sanctuary cities — and, in fact, rejected such legislation even during President Barack Obama’s administration — Trump’s order “violates the constitutional principle of the separation of powers,” Thomas said."
SCOTT SORIANO in Capitol Weekly: "Two California counties profit from a loophole in the “sanctuary state” law, while most others have canceled their U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts under public pressure or let them expire."
"When California’s sanctuary state law, Senate Bill 54, was approved, the public assumed that local law enforcement would be prevented from cooperating with ICE agents except when dealing with people “convicted of a serious or violent felony,” such as murder, rape, child abuse or battery."
"However, buried in the bill’s text, there is a five-word addendum in a line that prohibits a “California law enforcement agency” from contracting with the federal government to house “federal detainees.” That addendum reads, “except pursuant to Chapter 17.8."
Skip work and go surfing? California has given you an excuse: An official holiday
Tribune News's GABBY FERREIRA: "The state of California has officially given you permission to go on a “Surfin’ Safari” this year: A resolution recently passed by both the Assembly and the Senate declares Sept. 20 California Surfing Day."
"The purpose of the holiday is to “celebrate the California surfing lifestyle,” and it “would commend those who honor the history, culture, and future of surfing,” according to the text of the resolution. The resolution says the holiday will also celebrate the sport and protecting the “beach and ocean environments."
"There’s no mention of getting the day off, so telling your boss you skipped work to celebrate California Surfing Day might not fly."
Obama backs Gavin Newsom, other California Dems -- but not all of them
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "Former President Barack Obama jumped into the November elections Wednesday, endorsing Gavin Newsom for governor and several other California Democrats running for office — but not all of them."
"I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates — leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent,” Obama said in a statement. “I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love. ... But first, they need our votes."
"Obama singled Newsom out for the work he did as mayor of San Francisco, noting that the city was the first in the U.S. to enact a universal health care plan “and the first to recognize the right to marry who you love.”"
PG&E spends more than $1M to lobby California officials on wildfire laws
Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA: "PG&E spent $1.7 million on lobbying over three months this year as the utility pressured California officials to reduce its legal liability for wildfire property damages."
"The San Francisco company dished out more money from April through June than it spent to influence state leaders in all of 2017, according to state filings. Southern California Edison also reported spending $900,000 and Sempra Energy disclosed $502,000 in lobbying payments during the quarter."
"The lobbying surges took place as the utility companies urged Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators to rethink how the state pays for damages from massive wildfires. For the year, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has spent $2.2 million."
READ MORE related to Energy & Environment: California fires: Over 5 days, requests for 900 engines wnent unfilled -- The Chronicle's JOAQUIN PALOMINO
Unwanted hugging, kissing complaint upheld against former top Assembly staffer
Sacramento Bee's ALEXEI KOSEFF: "A former high-ranking staff member in the California Assembly sexually harassed a colleague over the course of a year and a half, according to an internal investigation released Wednesday, including forcibly kissing her on the lips on one occasion."
"It is the second time in less than a year that the Assembly has a substantiated a complaint against Pedro Reyes, the former chief consultant to the Assembly Appropriations Committee."
"Reyes could not be reached for comment."
Dispute over 3D-printed guns raises many legal issues
AP's LISA MARIE PANE: "A little-known dispute over 3D-printed guns has morphed into a national legal debate in the last week, drawing attention to a technology that seems a bit of sci-fi fantasy and — to gun-control advocates — a dangerous way for criminals to get their hands on firearms that are easy to conceal and tough to detect."
"The gun industry calls the outcry an overreaction that preys on unwarranted fears about a firearm that can barely shoot a round or two without disintegrating."
"It also raises a host of constitutional questions involving First Amendment protections for free speech and Second Amendment rights to own guns."
Donation from prominent LA politician roils USC, which referred case to feds
LA Times's MATT HAMILTON/HARRIET RYAN: "When state Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas resigned suddenly in December, it marked an abrupt halt to a promising political career."
"The son of powerful Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas had enjoyed the backing of his father’s donors and the Democratic Party establishment."
"Ridley-Thomas, 30, said at the time that unspecified health problems left him no choice but to step down. He needed “an extended period of time to recuperate,” he wrote in a statement."
Trump, Mueller near final stages of talks for interview in probe
Bloomberg's SHANNON PETTYPIECE: "President Donald Trump's lawyers and special counsel Robert Mueller appear to be nearing the final stages of negotiations over whether the president will sit for questioning as the two sides continue jockeying over the scope of a possible interview."
"Mueller's team responded earlier this week to a proposal Trump's lawyers submitted some 11 days ago that suggested the president would only answer questions about whether his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia, not whether Trump obstructed justice, said Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani."
"Giuliani wouldn't describe Mueller's offer in detail, but The Washington Post reported Mueller pared down his list of questions, which still include ones related to obstruction of justice."
READ MORE related to POTUS45: Trump calls on Sessioons to stop Mueller's Russia probe, raising specter of attempted obstruction -- LA Times's CHRIS MEGERIAN/NOAH BIERMAN/ELIZA FAWCETT
Killing of George HW Bush's doctor may have been an act of revenge, police say
AP: "A man suspected of killing one of former President George H.W. Bush's doctors may have been seeking revenge for his mother, who died on the doctor's operating table more than 20 years ago, authorities said Wednesday."
"Joseph James Pappas, 62, should be considered armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a news conference."
"There was a lot of planning that went into this. There was a lot of planning and, sadly, some skill," Acevedo said of the July 20 attack on Dr. Mark Hausknecht."