Some of Silicon Valley’s largest tech companies will face a class action lawsuit by thousands of former employees for an alleged hiring conspiracy.
Jeff Edler reports in the Wall Street Journal: “The stakes behind the case are large, with some 64,000 employees seeking $3 billion in damages. But for now, a series of recently released documents are putting the spotlight on some potentially embarrassing details of an inner corporate circle.”
“If no settlement is reached, the $3 billion in damages could be tripled under antitrust rules. That would equate to $140,000 per worker, though the money wouldn't be divided evenly.”
Democrats from across the country flock to Silicon Valley because of the new fundraising rules put into play by a recent Supreme Court decision.
Carla Marinucci reports in S.F. Gate: “In the next few days, with the Senate in recess, the Bay Area's political ATM, crowned by Silicon Valley, will attract Mark Begich of Alaska, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mark Warner of Virginia, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.”
“And other U.S. Senate members reportedly heading this way are Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Chuck Schumer of New York and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, as well as Democratic National Committee chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee connects the delay in a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline to California Democrats facing tough reelections.
Curtis Tate reports in the Sacramento Bee: “Obama is under pressure from environmentalists to nix the project, but many of his fellow Democrats are feeling the heat from Republicans eager to turn it into an election issue.”
“The GOP accused Democrats in competitive House races, including Rep. Ami Bera of Elk Grove, John Garamendi of Walnut Grove and Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert, of standing with their "far-left liberal donors" rather than supporting the pipeline.”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari unveils his education plan today.
From Mercury News’ Josh Richman: “State funding would be routed directly to schools so principals, teachers and parents can spend it as they see fit while much of California’s Education Code would be eliminated under a plan unveiled Tuesday by Republican gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari.”
While in the Legislature, California’s Tea Party darling and leading GOP candidate for governor Assemblyman Tim Donnelly has tuned down his bombast.
Seema Mehta reports for the L.A. Times: “But even as he rails against the political establishment, he says that serving in the Legislature has changed him, particularly in how he deals with political adversaries.”
"Instead of looking for ways I can do a frontal assault against this massive wall, I found a way to chip away at a single brick," Donnelly said. "The key is you have to pick the right brick, and that means people have to agree with it."
California Latinos for the first time surpass white students for offered freshman admission to the University of California.
L.A. Times reports: “Reflecting demographic trends, 28.8% of those admitted to at least one UC campus were Latino, compared with 26.8% white. At 36.2%, Asian Americans again made up the largest ethnic group among admitted students from California. Blacks from California were just 4.2%, a number that officials said was disturbingly low.”
Scientists have discovered mercury-tainted fish unfit for human consumption in a high-country lake in Yosemite National Park.
Mark Grossi reports in the Fresno Bee: “Overall, the U.S. Geological Survey study found 5 percent of the freshwater fish sampled in the 21 parks had levels of mercury that were high enough to endanger the lives of fish. It showed that even isolated, backcountry lakes in places such as Alaska have potential mercury problems.”
America is ready to taste powdered alcohol – or “palcohol” – according to the U.S. Government.
From The Independent’s Kashmira Gander: “By the autumn, it will be legal to sell seven flavours of Palcohol in the US, including Cosmopolitan, Mojito, and a so-called ‘Powderita,’ which its creators say “tastes just like a Margarita”.
“What's worse than going to a concert, sporting event, etc. and having to pay $10, $15, $20 for a mixed drink with tax and tip. Are you kidding me?! Take Palcohol into the venue and enjoy a mixed drink for a fraction of the cost,” the Telegraph reported the product's promotional material as reading.”
