Record gas prices, electricity woes show California’s worsening energy vulnerabilities
LAT, GRACE TOOHEY: “California is getting another reminder of the volatility of its energy supply as shutdowns at several oil refineries have sent gas prices soaring, including to all-time highs Monday in Los Angeles.
At least five plants have recently faced maintenance-related stoppages or slowdowns, limiting supplies of California’s special blend of gasoline mandated to reduce pollution.
And unlike the nationwide spike in gasoline costs this summer — driven by high oil prices and a surge in travel — the recent rise in gasoline prices is unique to California and some of its Western neighbors, underscoring yet again the fragility of the state’s transitioning energy markets.”
These two massive weather patterns will determine California's rain outlook this month
THE CHRONICLE, GERRY DIAZ: “From record-breaking heat waves to historic rainstorms, September was nothing short of a meteorological roller-coaster ride and the Bay Area was given a front-row seat.
This roller coaster of temperatures and intense back-and-forth between extreme heat and strong rains has come to a halt, though. A quiet, mostly dry pattern looks to be taking center stage for October as California is set to enter its third consecutive year of La Niña.
But another weather pattern could shake up our chances of seeing at least one more storm roll into California before the end of the month.”
How will California weather a recession compared to other states? See ‘stress test’ rankings
The Chronicle, KATHLEEN PENDER: “Thanks to its large budget surplus, California is very well prepared to get through a moderate recession without having to raise taxes or slash spending, according to a new study by Moody’s Analytics.
In fact, California ranks fourth out of 50 states when it comes to recession readiness. That’s up from 15th place in 2019, the last time Moody’s did the same type of “stress test” on the states.
On the Orange County coast, voters fume about gas prices but fear for climate’s future
LA Times, SEEMA MEHTA: “When Amy Sibley heads to the Costco here from her home in nearby San Clemente, her best friend, Lisa Miller, tags along — to save gas money.
“I hitch a ride with her,” said Miller, 58, an unemployed business consultant, as the temperature in the black-tar parking lot topped 100 degrees. “If I put gas in my car, I can only put in five or six gallons at a time. It hurts when you have the minimum coming in and a lot of obligations. There’s only so much you can do — pay the bills or get in the car and drive around.”
Miller is a Republican who voted for Donald Trump in the last presidential election; Sibley is a Democrat who voted for Joe Biden. Both say the cost of gas — and groceries and other goods — is top of mind as they decide how to vote in the November midterm election that will determine control of Congress.
California removes hurdles to building teacher housing
EdSource, DIANA LAMBERTL :Newly signed legislation loosening zoning requirements will soon make it easier for California school districts to build affordable housing for their teachers and other staff.
It is the latest in a series of bills passed by lawmakers over the last seven years to remove hurdles around building teacher housing.
The new legislation, part of a suite of 41 housing bills signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week, will allow staff housing to be built on any property owned by a school district without requiring the district to request zoning changes from city or county officials.
Talking Proposition 28 with Austin Beutner
Capitol Weekly, STAFF: “CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Today we look at Proposition 28, an Initiative on the November 8 Ballot that would guarantee substantial annual funding (+/- $1 billion per year) for Arts and Music programs in California schools, without raising taxes. If that sounds like it should be a popular idea, it is: Proponents say that the measure is polling above 70%. Perhaps most telling is the official opposition: There is none.
Proponents include the California Teachers Association, Fender Musical Instruments, actor Sylvester Stallone, and performers Dr. Dre and Katy Perry.
The Measure was authored by former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner who cites his own childhood experience in a school music program as a life-changing opportunity. Beutner learned cello in 5th grade, moved to string bass, then electric bass, ultimately playing in jazz and rock groups before going on to work in journalism, politics and finance, where he made more money than most rock stars ever will. Beutner is active in philanthropic circles, and has spent about $4 million in support of 28.”
What’s next for Fiona Ma as California treasurer?
CALMatters, SAMEEA KAMAL: “Fiona Ma has a few factors working in her favor to win a second term as state treasurer.
She’s an incumbent and a Democrat in a majority-blue state. She has vastly outraised her opponent, Republican Jack Guerrero, $2 million to $20,000. And thanks to soaring state tax revenues fueled by stock gains by some of the richest Californians, plus billions in federal relief during the COVID pandemic, the state has had record budget surpluses the last two years while she’s been the state’s top banker, responsible for managing its assets and investments.
That may be why Ma is more focused on seeing through policies she’s managed or introduced in her four years in office — not on dramatically shifting gears. “
Federal Ag Department’s climate-smart funding fails the grade (OP-ED)
Capitol Weekly, JENNIFER MOLIDOR: “President Biden’s Department of Agriculture surprised everyone this week by announcing it would triple expectations for funding the Partnerships for the Climate-Smart Commodities Program.
The announcement seemed like a welcome signal that the administration’s getting serious about tackling agricultural emissions. But without evidence of a science-driven review process, it’s not clear how smart the “climate-smart” plan really is.”
COVID in California: CDC changes what it means to be 'up to date' on COVID vaccines
The Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: “U.S. COVID cases and deaths fell significantly over the past week, according to CDC data.
The CDC changed what the agency considers to be fully “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccines with the advent of bivalent boosters.
A new study showed that people who took Paxlovid were significantly less likely to be hospitalized and die from a coronavirus infection. “
Dueling sports betting measures appear headed to defeat despite record spending, poll finds
LAT, TARYN LUNA/PHIL WILLON: “Online sports gambling companies, California tribes and card rooms have spent more than $410 million on a pair of dueling ballot measures to legalize sports betting in person and online.
If either side thought Proposition 26 or 27 could win, they placed a bad bet.
A new poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by The Times, shows little chance voters will approve either measure in November.”
California stuck in Dem-GOP binary
CALMatters, EMILY HOEVEN: ““If people just vote for an R or D then all of our conversations are a waste of time.”
Robert Howell, the Republican candidate for California insurance commissioner, shared that somewhat fatalistic sentiment — that voters cast ballots for candidates simply based on the letter designating their party affiliation — in a Los Angeles Times interview published Monday.
But, in the same interview, Howell appeared to reaffirm the very concept he was denouncing: He said he decided to run for insurance commissioner against Democratic incumbent Ricardo Lara because there initially weren’t any other Republicans in the race, giving him a better shot of advancing to the Nov. 8 general election. (Howell also acknowledged that he isn’t familiar with the nuts and bolts of the insurance industry, which he would be in charge of regulating if elected.)”
The Chronicle, GREGORY THOMAS/YOOHYUN JUNG/SRIHARSHA DEVULAPALLI: “There’s a dark underside to Lake Tahoe’s famously crystal-clear water.
Millions of visitors stream into the Tahoe basin each year, and tens of thousands of them venture onto the lake to sightsee, kayak, fish, wakesurf, water ski, tube or just hang out in the sun. And every year brings unfortunate accidents: People crash their boats, get caught in rough weather, run aground and, occasionally, drown.
Locals say the vast alpine lake behaves more like an ocean, catching people off guard with its frigid waters, strong currents and high afternoon swells.”
No widespread, systemic release of confidential data in LAUSD cyberattack, Carvalho says
LAT, HOWARD BLUME/TERRY CASTLEMEN/ALEJANDRA REYES-VELARDE: “A criminal syndicate largely failed to steal valuable data from the Los Angeles Unified School District in a cyberattack, but a relatively small number of individuals have had their sensitive information released on the dark web, Supt. Alberto Carvalho said Monday.
School district and law enforcement analysts have been able to review about two-thirds of the data that were published Saturday, after Carvalho refused to authorize a ransom payment to the hackers. The overwhelming majority of students, parents and employees can breathe easier, the superintendent said.
“Based on what we have seen, there is at this point no evidence of widespread impact as far as truly sensitive, confidential information,” Carvalho said. “The release was actually more limited than what we had originally anticipated.””