It's just a matter of weeks until gay marriages will get under way -- again -- in California: On Wednesday, the same day the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on gay marriage, Gov. Brown ordered counties to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
From the LAT's Maura Dolan: "The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Proposition 8 will lead to same-sex weddings resuming in California in less than a month, officials said Wednesday, as disappointed backers of the marriage ban questioned whether to pursue a long-shot legal battle to limit the court's action."
"After years of struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court today has made same-sex marriage a reality in California," Gov. Jerry Brown said."
"Before the weddings can take place, a federal appeals court must lift a hold on the original decision that struck down the voter-approved constitutional amendment. A spokesman for the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said it usually takes the court at least 25 days to act after a Supreme Court ruling."
The shuttered San Onofre nuclear power plant is getting the axe, and so are hundreds of workers.
From the U-T's Jonathan Horn: "Around 600 non-union workers will be laid off from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station over the next two months, Southern California Edison announced Wednesday."
"The move is the latest in the utility's efforts to reduce its workforce from 1,500 to 400 by next year as it decommissions the nuclear power plant. The utility announced June 7 that it would decommission the nuclear plant, which has been offline since January 2012 because of a small radiation leak and the subsequent discovery of rapid wear on tubing within recently replaced steam generators."
"A statement from SoCal Edison says the company will work to ensure an equitable transition for the laid off employees, and will hold a job fair for them."
First realignment, then the aboloishment of redevelopment agencies and now, Round 3, the governor's plan to dismantle California's enterprise zones, which provide hundreds of millions of dollars annually in tax incentives to businesses.
From KPCC's Julie Small: "The California Assembly is expected to vote on a bill Thursday that would effectively scrap the state’s 40 enterprise zones, including several in Southern California."
"SB93 phases out a tax credit for businesses that invest and hire in areas designated as economically depressed, and replaces it with broader tax credits for businesses that hire people who’ve have a tough time finding or keeping a job, including former inmates. There’s also a tax credit for manufacturing and technology purchases."
"Governor Jerry Brown has been pushing to eliminate the enterprise zones as part of this year’s budget. He says the $750 million dollar annual tax credit the program enjoys has been squandered on beneficiaries that include strip clubs and casinos."
Federal officials are expanding an exemption for American Indians from the new health care law, which requires that U.S. residents carry health insurance starting in 2014.
From the AP's Judy Lin: "New rules clarify that people who are eligible to receive medical care through the federal Indian Health Service will be exempt from the requirement to have health insurance or face fines from the Internal Revenue Service. The Indian Health Service, a division of U.S. Health and Human Services, oversees a network of clinics that are required through treaty obligations to serve all patients of Indian ancestry, even if they cannot document their federal tribal status."
"Today, we continue to fulfill our responsibility to consult and work with tribal communities," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement."
"Last month, The Associated Press reported that the Affordable Care Act exempted only American Indians and Alaska Natives who can document their membership in one of about 560 tribes recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Yet more than 100 tribes nationwide are recognized only by states and not the federal government."
It's not that San Francisco is particularly well organized anyway, but beginning Monday there really could be a problem: BART workers are preparing for a strike.
From the Mercury-News' Mike Rosenberg: "Setting the stage for Bay Area-wide commuter chaos as soon as Monday, BART workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike."
"Ninety-nine percent of the 2,300 train operators, station agents, maintenance employees and other blue-collar union workers endorsed the strike if a new contract is not reached before the current deal expires late Sunday, union leaders announced Wednesday. They joined AC Transit employees, who voted to authorize a strike at the same time."
"Traffic officials say beefed-up transit service on other lines will serve only a fourth of the 200,000 daily BART riders and urged drivers to stay off the roads during rush hour or to carpool.
"If there's a work stoppage, there's going to be some hurt, and it would be widely felt around the region," said John Goodwin, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission."
And from our "The High and the Mighty" file comes the tale of the man who astounded his fellow Londoners by floating along side a double-decker bus. Take that, Houdini....
"A levitating magician shocked Londoners when he appeared to float alongside a double-decker bus, but online sleuths think they have figured out his trick."
"Dynamo, a 30-year-old British illusionist named Steven Frayne, stunned onlookers Sunday as he seemingly levitated in the air while leaning on the side of a 543 bus, according to the Independent. The act was performed as part of a promotional launch for Pepsi Max's #LiveForNow campaign."
"The stunt certainly managed to create a buzz. On the street, some chased the bus to record the act with their phones, while others simply stared in amazement, according to ABC News. Many took to Twitter to discuss the gravity-defying feat."
"Dynamo might have managed to shock bystanders, but online sleuths think they cracked the code...."
