Today is primary election day, or as close political observers call it: a test on the state’s top-two primary system.
Michael Finnegan reports in the Los Angeles Times: “In congressional and legislative races, the top-two system took effect two years ago. Its effect on governing is not yet clear. But it has already scrambled primary politics, forcing candidates to try to appeal to a wide range of voters. Independent and minor-party voters are in play.”
“And in some cases, candidates from the same party — or from no party at all — could make it to the general election.”
Many candidates are forking up their own money to get elected into office.
Sharon McNary reports for KPCC: “The figures measure personal donations through May 14, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan research organization MapLight from the California Secretary of State. The primary election is Tuesday, and the top two candidates in each race advance to the November general election.”
“About one-third of Kashkari's $2.9 million campaign chest came from his own accounts.”
Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romeny recorded a robocall message for Kashkari that dialed voters Monday night.
Seema Mehta reports in the Los Angeles Times: “The effort was funded by Californians for Kashkari for Governor 2014, an independent effort aimed at boosting his bid. The group was created by billionaire Charles Munger and has raised $445,000. Previously, it sent Republican households mailers touting Kashkari’s bid and slashing at his GOP rival, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks).”
Several legislators are pitching in to help the veterans’ bond ballot measure going before voters today.
Jim Miller reports for the Sacramento Bee: “Late last month, the ballot measure committee of Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez, a candidate for state controller and the author of the legislation putting Prop. 41 on the ballot , reported contributions of$29,000 and $60,000 to Prop. 41's campaign committee."
"Also, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins recently changed the name of her ballot measure committee from "California Works: Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins Ballot Measure Committee" to "California Works: Yes on Prop. 41 for Veterans' Housing, supported by Speaker Toni Atkins Ballot Measure Committee."
Drawn out wait times across the country for veterans’ medical care has prompted Sen. Diane Feinstein to ask for a review wait times in California.
Curtis Tate reports for McClatchy DC: “California is home to 1.8 million veterans, more than any other state, with a high concentration in southern California. Feinstein wrote that she'd been told some veterans in Long Beach and Los Angeles were waiting as long as three months for appointments.”
"It is critical that your Department take steps to ensure that California's veterans do not suffer negative healthcare outcomes due to untimely delays in receiving medical appointments," she wrote Gibson. "I also believe that your Department should treat this matter as a public health crisis facing our nation's veterans."
California’s brown pelican is again facing the brink of extinction.
The Associated Press reports: “An annual survey completed last month found a drastic plunge in the population of breeding pairs, according to a statement released Friday by the University of California, Davis.”
“The survey in Mexico's Gulf of California — where about 90 percent of the pelicans typically breed and raise their chicks — found that areas that typically host hundreds or thousands of nesting pairs held far fewer, and a few places were completely empty, the statement said.”
The golden state is home to the world’s largest cat sanctuary that saves thousands of feline lives.
Ryan Grenoble reports for The Huffington Post: “If there is a cat heaven, it probably looks a lot like this.”
"This" being The Cat House on the Kings, the world's largest cat rescue, where more than 700 cats roam a 12 acre plot of land in Parlier, Calif.”
“Since its founding in 1992, the no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center has saved more than 20,000 cats and 6,000 dogs, not to mention the "handful of goats" who also roam the property helping keep the grass in check.”
