Gov. Jerry Brown says he wants to see the Legislature’s water bond revision significantly cut back from its current girth.
Melanie Mason reports in the Los Angeles Times: “Brown also made clear that he has concerns about the $11.1-billion bond now set to go before voters in the fall, according to legislative sources familiar with the conversations. That bond, originally written in 2009, would direct $3 billion for storage projects. But opposition from Brown could seriously harm its prospects if it remained on the ballot.”
“According to the sources, Brown indicated that he would want one-third of the bond — $2 billion — for water storage. Republicans and Central Valley Democrats had wanted at least $3 billion for storage projects such as dams and reservoirs, which are a top priority for agriculture interests.”
Trial courts have been allotted $121.1 million in the 2014-15 state budget, but officials say that’s not enough.
Kathy Robertson reports for the Sacramento Business journal: “There’s also $30.9 million pledged to backfill the trust fund for trial courts as needed next year if new fees don’t sufficiently cover costs in 2014-15. Trial court funding stands to get another 5 percent boost next year and future increases to cover employee health benefits and retirement costs are expected annually in what is a two-year effort to increase judicial funding.”
“This is the second year of partial reinvestment in the judicial branch after five years of severe budget cuts, Chief JusticeTani G. Cantil-Sakauye said in a statement. The judiciary needs $266 million just to keep things the way they are now, court officials say.”
Rideshare upstarts could start feeling the pangs of new state-bred regulations.
Barrett Newkirk reports for The Desert Sun: “California gave birth to Uber and other rideshare services that allow people to use smartphone apps to hail rides from drivers in private vehicles. Now as the companies grow, the state is looking at laying down more ground rules.”
“Bills to enhance insurance and background-check requirements for rideshare drivers have so far sailed through the state Legislature. And this month, the state agency that oversees the rideshares issued a stern letter about violations it says it found at California's largest airports, including two drivers in San Francisco without valid driver's licenses.”
A California Senate committee killed a Republican sponsored bill that would have implemented tough ethics and campaign finance restrictions.
Patrick McGreevy reports in the Los Angeles Times: “SB 1379 fell one vote short of the majority needed to pass out of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee after Democratic Sens. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara and Loni Hancock of Berkeley withheld their votes. Two other Democrats voted for the measure, and Republican Sen. Joel Anderson of San Diego voted no.”
“The Republican proposal would have required faster public disclosure of campaign contributions, prohibited lawmakers from paying their spouses and children with campaign funds, barred the use of certain political funds for criminal defense expenses and doubled the penalty for bribery convictions.”
Votes are still being counted, and even when they’re done a recount is likely in the race for state controller.
Jim Miller reports in the Sacramento Bee: “…the vote count could continue well into the summer. The razor-thin margin separating Yee and Pérez – representing just .02 percent of the more than 4 million votes cast in the controller’s contest – could prompt one or both candidates to launch a statewide recount – the first in the modern era – that could cost millions and upend preparations for the Nov. 4 general election.”
“Rob Richie, executive director of the Center for Voting and Democracy who has studied statewide recounts around the country, said the California controller’s race is among the closest finishes he has ever seen.”
California representative Ami Bera is cosponsoring a bill to extend visas for foreign doctors to ease hospital wait times for veterans.
Curtis Tate reports in the Sacramento Bee: “The bill, named the Doctors Helping Heroes Act, attempts to help fix a widespread problem in the Veterans Administration health care system. Audits have revealed a high percentage of veterans in multiple states who have to wait 30 days or more for appointments with the VA.”
"This is one of many steps we need to take to make sure our heroes get the health care they deserve," said Bera, a doctor who was elected to Congress in 2012.”
If you ever feel like you’re forking over too much cash at Whole Foods, well, you probably really are.
Gregory J. Wilcox reports for the Daily News: “Whole Foods Market has agreed to pay nearly $800,000 to settle charges that it shortchanged customers across California by charging more than the advertised price for a variety of items, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
The case grew out of a yearlong investigation by weights and measures inspectors for the state and Los Angeles County. Whole Foods cooperated with the inspectors during their investigation.”
