In his final address to the Sacramento Press Club, state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg proposed altering the state's climate policy to include a tax on carbon.
From KQED's Molly Samuel: "State Senator Darrell Steinberg is proposing a carbon tax on gasoline that would put a price on the pollution that causes climate change. The plan would also preempt a key piece of California’s existing climate law, due to kick in next year."
"The state’s cap-and-trade program, created by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, puts a limit on how much companies in California can pollute by pumping out greenhouse gases. Right now, it only applies to factories, refineries and other industrial polluters."
During an event at Tom Steyer's San Francisco residence, the hedge fund billionaire was praised for his climate policy impact.
Darren Goode writes in Politico: "Former Vice President Al Gore made an appearance at a Democratic fundraising dinner Wednesday night at the home of Tom Steyer and referred to the California billionaire as “Mr. Tipping Point” in the fight against climate change, according to a source who attended."
"Gore “discussed the need to not just win — but to win quickly enough to make a difference,” according to the source."
Four people at a Northern California tribal headquarters were shot dead by a former chairwoman of Cedarville Racheria.
The Associated Press in Alturas reports: "Police said tribal members were meeting about evicting Rhoades and her son from her home at the Rancheria which, according to its website, is a federally recognized tribe with 35 members."
"The station’s report said that Rhoades allegedly pulled out a gun and shot four people in the Cedarville Rancheria Tribal Office and a fifth person who tried to flee. After running out of bullets, authorities said, Rhoades grabbed a butcher knife and stabbed a person."
A loophole in the state's health care law has Medi-Cal recipients concerned their assests are in risk.
Eryn Brown reports in the Los Angeles Times: "Following the advice of state-trained medical insurance enrollment workers, he filled out the paperwork required to get coverage — but has a nagging fear that he may have put his family's financial assets at risk."
"That's because, in certain cases, Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, will be able to collect repayment for healthcare services from the estate after a recipient dies, including placing government liens on property."
How to address the impending shortfall of the California's teachers' pension fund is a tough call for state officials.
Chris Megerian reports in the Los Angeles Times: "Today, the pension fund is one of the biggest financial problems in a state with more than its share of money woes."
"Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders are pledging to repair and replenish the $181.1-billion retirement system that is supposed to finance more than 800,000 retirements for public school teachers, administrators and community college instructors. Hearings on possible solutions began in the Capitol on Wednesday."
A San Diego lawmaker doesn't think lawns should be required to be green and lush, while the state suffers from a historic drought.
Mike Gardner in the UT-San Diego: "Residential outdoor landscaping accounts for 35 percent of all urban water use, according to the state Department of Water Resources. The San Diego County Water Authority estimates that more than half of residential water in the region use goes to gardens and lawns."
"Previous measures have been either killed or weakened by powerful interesting representing homeowner associations. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010 vetoed a bill by former Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego, that would have allowed residents of common interest developments to plant synthetic grass to save water."
The country's two housing giants are paying back taxpayers, five years after being bailed out by the government.
Politico's Jon Prior reports: "On Friday, Fannie said it will send another $7.2 billion to the Treasury Department after reporting a $6.5 billion fourth quarter profit. Freddie is expected to release its earnings in the coming weeks and will likely also report a profit."
"On Friday, Fannie said it will send another $7.2 billion to the Treasury Department after reporting a $6.5 billion fourth quarter profit. Freddie is expected to release its earnings in the coming weeks and will likely also report a profit."
State Sen. Norma Torres is another state lawmaker considering a run for Congress.
Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee: "Let the musical chairs begin again — Inland Empire style."
"When San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt decided not to seek another term, Democratic Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod of Chino slid into the race, setting up a clash with Republican Assemblyman Curt Hagman of Chino Hills."
"The maneuvering has provided yet another opening for Sen. Norma Torres of Pomona, who just last year won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Negrete McLeod's elevation. In a statement, Torres talked about moving up the ranks of local politics, from serving on the city council to becoming mayor and then being elected to the Assembly."
And finally, GOOOOAL.
Ryan Lillis and Dale Kasier report in the Sacramento Bee: "Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said Thursday that Sacramento is being considered as a potential expansion city for the nation’s premier professional soccer league."
"Garber told reporters during a conference call that Sacramento, Atlanta, Minneapolis, San Diego and San Antonio are among the cities the league is exploring as it plans to expand from 21 to 24 teams over the next six years."
