The Fair Political Practices Commission recently reported last year was the "worst ever" for violations, but this year is off to a strong start.
FPPC is preparing to target one of the state's most well-connected lobbyists for improperly reporting gifts to legislators.
Melody Gutierrez and Carla Marinucci report in SF Gate: "The Capitol buzzed Thursday with news of the impending findings of the Fair Political Practices Commission investigation, which multiple sources said involves campaign fundraisers hosted by Kevin Sloat of Sacramento-based Sloat Higgins Jensen and Associates. The investigation centers around allegations that Sloat's firm arranged lavish fundraising events with food, high-end wines and cigars to benefit candidates and elected officials, multiple sources said."
"While such fundraisers are not uncommon in Sacramento, the law requires detailed campaign disclosure by the lobbyist and politicians of all costs of putting on the event, including venue, food and flowers. Sloat has come under scrutiny for fundraisers at his home that included perks and gifts that may have been improperly disclosed either to the commission or to the politicians who may have benefited from them, sources said."
"As a result, as many as 50 lawmakers, state office holders and local government employees may receive warning letters as early as Monday from the commission indicating that they may have improperly reported donations, sources said."
California's tech industry is flexing its fiscal muscle to influence state races.
Norimitsu Onishi for The New York Times: "Mr. Khanna’s ambitions, and those of the tech elite behind him, are clear. A Democrat, Mr. Khanna is trying to oust a fellow Democrat, Representative Michael M. Honda, who remains popular after seven terms and has been endorsed by President Obama and the rest of the Democratic establishment. Using the jargon of tech start-ups, Mr. Khanna says he will be a “disruptive” force in Washington."
"Thanks to tech’s support, Mr. Khanna has significantly outraised Mr. Honda. Four months before the primary, the challenger has $1,975,000 in cash on hand, or more than triple the incumbent’s $623,000, according to campaign finance records filed last Friday."
"Whether or not this political start-up is ultimately successful, Mr. Khanna’s campaign underscores the tech industry’s push to elect candidates who will further its interests in Washington, even if that means, as in this race, trying to replace a party stalwart with a relative unknown."
Koch affiliated groups are also making their way back into the state to impact elections.
Alex Isenstadt writes in Politico: "Starting Monday, the conservative group will spend about $145,000 on ads to air on San Diego-area cable TV stations in an attempt to weaken the freshman congressman. The commercials, according to a Republican source familiar with the purchase, will air until March 2."
"Americans for Prosperity, which has been linked to the billionaire Koch brothers, has rapidly emerged as the dominant Republican outside group in the 2014 midterm election. The Peters ads are the latest front in its cross-country push to prop up Republicans and unseat Democrats in high-profile House and Senate races."
Sandra Fluke is putting a spotlight on the lack of women in the state's Legislature.
Katie Orr reporting for Capitol Public Radio: "Women make up more than half of California’s population, but just over a quarter of the state legislature. The number of women elected to the legislature has been dropping for several years. It’s an issue Fluke has been working to fix."
"It’s something that I’m really passionate about working on," she said. "And it’s absolutely the same concern I have about why need more people of color in elected office, why we need more LGBTQ folks, why we need to have folks at lower economic levels represented.”
"Democratic political consultant Robin Swanson sayd she welcomes Fluke’s candidacy. Though she points out other women may run for the seat as well."
In the 33rd Congression District, State Sen. Ted Lieu nabbed two political powerhouses for his team:
Christopher Cadelago in the Sac Bee: "Gale Kaufman and Bill Carrick were tapped to help guide the Torrance Democrat's campaign for the seat of retiring Rep. Henry Waxman."
Jean Mearl reports in the L.A. Times Lieu's adversary Wendy Greuel is also gaining strong support: "California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris on Thursday endorsed former Los Angeles Controller Wendy Greuel for the U.S. House seat being vacated by longtime Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills)."
"I've known Wendy for a very long time," Harris said in a telephone interview. "I know her to be someone who will represent California in a very important way."
"Harris is the latest officeholder to back Greuel, like Harris a Democrat, since she got into the race less than a week ago. Others include former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, several past and present members of the L.A. City Council, where Greuel served before being elected controller, and U.S. Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-East Los Angeles) and Tony Cardenas (D-Panorama City)."
California's lawmakers may push the state to become the first to offer "kill switches" in smartphones and tablets as a way to combat rising incidences of theft.
Patrick McGreevy in the L.A. Times: "Citing skyrocketing thefts of smartphones and tablets, officials proposed Thursday that California become the first state to require the devices to be sold with "kill switches" that render them inoperable when stolen."
"State Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and other lawmakers said they plan to introduce such legislation with the support of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck. L.A. had a 12% increase in mobile-device thefts in 2012, the most recent figures available."
"The theft of such devices now accounts for nearly one-third of robberies in the United States, according to the Federal Communications Commission."
Republicans in the State Assembly are seeking a revote for the state's embattled high-speed rail project.
Samantha Gallegos writes in Capitol Weekly: "Republicans said California has some $296 billion in unmet infrastructure needs, and contended their proposal would grow the state’s economy by up to $140 billion."
"But before that can happen, they added, voters must first recast their votes on the high-speed rail project they approved in 2008."
"Republicans are calling for nearly $11 billion in one-time funds and $2.4 billion annually for related statewide transportation projects, such as road construction, capital improvements and transit upgrades, among others. Up to $2.5 billion would be in loan repayments, and about $8 billion would materialize if voters decide they want to nix high-speed rail."
"They estimate their plan over the next ten years would add between 77,000 and 108,000 jobs annually and boost the Gross State Product by $110 billion to $140 billion."
The state's vulnerable electric grid is getting much needed attention from congressional lawmakers of both parties.
Rebecca Smith reports for the Wall Street Journal: "Congressional leaders in both parties are pushing to impose federal standards for protecting the electric grid from physical attacks in the wake of a Wall Street Journal report detailing a sophisticated attack on a California transmission substation last year."
"Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said she and other senators will ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to "set minimum security standards for critical substations."
"Rep. Trent Franks, a conservative Republican representing Glendale, Ariz., said "the last thing I want to do is regulate any industry." But utilities must do more to protect the grid, and soon, he said, for the sake of national security."
And here's another bipartisan glimmer of hope from Congress.
Josh Richman writing for Political Blotter: "Mark the date: This is one of the few times you ever will see U.S. Senators Barbara Boxerand Ted Cruz supporting the same cause."
"Boxer, the California liberal, and Cruz, the Tea Party darling from Texas, are among 53 Senators – 44 Democrats and nine Republicans – who have publicly voiced support for a bill to create an independent military justice system. The Senate is expected to vote next week on S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., as well as on additional sexual assault reforms sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo."
Merchandise export trade was record setting for California by the end of 2013.
Mark Glover in the Sac Bee: "For the month of December, exports totaled $14.6 billion, a 9.3 percent increase over $13.36 billion in December 2012."
"The December gains were led by a solid jump in manufactured exports – $9.58 billion, up more than 10 percent from $8.66 billion in December 2012. For all of 2013, exports of manufactured goods totaled $109.24 billion, up 4.6 percent from $104.43 billion in 2012."
“California has even started to add back manufacturing jobs,” said Jordan Levine, Beacon’s director of economic research. “Although other parts of the nation saw manufacturing jobsbounce back sooner, California created nearly 1,000 new manufacturing positions in 2013 after nearly two decades of steady declines."
Ever wonder how the state government bureaucracy operates during severe drought?
Jon Ortiz writes in the Sac Bee: "Caltrans is cutting its water use in half by delaying or canceling landscaping projects, installing “smart” irrigation systems that apply water based on weather and soil conditions. In the hardest-hit parts of the state, Caltrans is shutting off the sprinklers entirely."
"The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection won’t wash its fire engines as often, is minimizing shower times and is washing only full loads of laundry at fire stations. The department also is adjusting firefighters’ training to use dry hoses when practical."
"And officials at Parks and Recreation have turned off the outdoor showers at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area near Riverside, in addition to diverting water from the leaky Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle to landscaping needs."
And from our "One Step Too Far" File: What was PETA thinking?
Kelly Goff reports in the Mercury News: "The students at Calabash Charter Academy in Woodland Hills were anticipating a visit from a dairy cow last Thursday, part of a lesson plan about dairy farming. Many parents assumed the handouts from a group gathered near the flagpole that morning were part of the presentation."
"Instead, the children's pamphlet depicted the cartoon cow being injected with growth hormones with a terrified look on its face. Inserts in the pamphlets showed graphic photos of bulls being de-horned and an infected udder on a dairy cow."
"It's completely not appropriate for children this age," said Debra Belschner, whose 5-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter attend Calabash. "We were astonished to see what was inside."
"The materials were from animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the distribution was coordinated by a parent who is an outspoken volunteer for the organization."
"There's plenty of time as an adult to learn about the horrors of the world," said Shawn Belschner, Debra's husband, who has contacted officials at the Los Angeles Unified School District and PETA to express his outrage. "If they would have had a sign, if they had given it to parents, we probably wouldn't be here right now. But they were handing it to little kids, asking 'would you like a book about a cow's life?' That's really sleazy tactics."
