California's institutions of higher education are asking President-elect Donald Trump to allow children of undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States.
The Union-Tribune's Kate Morrissey reports: "The University of California, California State University, and the California Community College systems each have thousands of DACA students studying at our institutions,” the letter says. “They are constructive and contributing members of our communities. They should be able to pursue their dream of higher education without fear of being arrested, deported, or rounded up for just trying to learn.”
"The letter follows one last week in which more than 380 colleges and universities across the nation supported continuation of the program, including San Diego State University, University of California San Diego and University of San Diego."
"The program allows certain unauthorized immigrants who arrived as children temporary relief from deportation for renewable two-year periods and gives them work permits."
SEE ALSO: Colleges ask Trump to grant reprieve -- Alexei Koseff in the Sac Bee; Educators ask Trump to Save DACA -- Roxana Kopetman in the Register.
Democrats have supermajorities in the Legislature, but all is not what it seems: The growth of the so-called "Mod Squad" -- the business-friendly Democrats -- complicates the picture.
From the SacBee's Dan Walters: "In fact, it could result in more real clout by business, education reformers and other interests that do battle in the Capitol with liberal groups such as unions, consumer advocates, personal injury attorneys and environmentalists – and more frustration for Gov. Jerry Brown’s legacy war on carbon emissions."
"As Democrats were capturing enough Republican-held seats to reestablish the supermajorities they lost in 2014, the ranks of moderate Democrats were also increasing, thanks to big infusions of campaign cash from business and its new, albeit informal, partners in the education reform movement."
"The Assembly’s “mod squad,” as it’s been dubbed, was instrumental during the 2015-16 session in blocking key elements of Brown’s multi-point assault on climate change, which he describes as an “existential threat.” He couldn’t win approval of a tight “low-carbon fuel” mandate or reauthorization of the “cap-and-trade” program of emission allowances."
Now here's a problem you don't see too often in California: Reservoirs that are filling up because of too much rain.
The Chronicle's Amy Graff tells the tale: "Marin Country reservoirs are rising with multiple storms arriving early in the rainy season. Two are already spilling over and funneling water into creeks and streams."
"So far this year we have received more than 17 inches of rainfall at Lake Lagunitas - we're off to a great start with 78 percent of capacity at our seven reservoirs," Lon Peterson, a spokesperson for the Marin Municipal Water District said."
"At this time last year, the reservoirs were at 65 percent, the average storage for late November."
Meanwhile, the Trump inauguration is shaping up as a massive pay-to-play event.
From the Washington Post's Matea Gold: "The committee raising money for President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural festivities is offering exclusive access to the new president, Cabinet nominees and congressional leaders in exchange for donations of $1 million and more."
"For seven-figure contributions, Trump's richest supporters will get a slew of special perks during the inauguration weekend, including eight tickets to a “candlelight dinner” that will feature “special appearances” by Trump, his wife, Melania, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, according to a sheet detailing “underwriter package benefits” obtained by The Washington Post. The 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee confirmed the authenticity of the donor brochure, which was first reported by the Center for Public Integrity."
"Other million-donor benefits include an exclusive lunch “with select Cabinet appointees and House and Senate leadership,” four tickets to “an intimate dinner” with the Pences, eight tickets to a lunch with “the ladies of the first families,” eight tickets and premier access to the inaugural ball and priority booking at “Premier Inaugural Hotel(s).”
Gasoline prices are dropping, but a consumer group says California petroleum refiners are manipulating fuel prices.
From the LAT's Ivan Penn: "A consumer advocacy group contends that California refiners are holding down gasoline production to inflate prices at the pump.
California gasoline prices remain at least 50 cents a gallon higher than in other areas of the country even though a major Southern California refinery that was mostly shutdown throughout 2015 is back in operation, said Jamie Court, executive director of Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog."
"Court on Tuesday argued to members of the California Energy Commission’s Petroleum Market Advisory Committee that the difference in the wholesale and retail prices in Los Angeles, for example, were substantially greater than in other big cities such as Chicago and New York."
"On Nov. 23, for example, gasoline cost $1.35 a gallon at the wholesale level and averaged $2.75 at retail in Los Angeles, compared with Chicago, where the wholesale price was $1.39 a gallon and retail was $2.25. New York saw $1.41 wholesale and $2.46 retail, Court said."
Two state agencies -- the official California auditor and the judicial watchdog -- are fighting each other in court.
From Greg Moran in the U-T: "The state’s judicial watchdog agency isn’t exempt from scrutiny over how it disciplines judges and handles complaints from citizens, lawyers for State Auditor Elaine Howleare arguing in an unusual lawsuit pitting two state agencies against each other."
"The arguments from Howle’s lawyers came as a response to a lawsuit filed in October by the Commission on Judicial Performance, the state agency charged with processing complaints and handing out discipline to state trial and appellate court judges."
"The suit seeks to halt an audit ordered by state legislators of the commission earlier this year. The commission contends that allowing the auditor to review the watchdog agency’s “core judicial functions” would violate the separation of powers doctrine that prohibits one branch of government from intruding on the powers of another."
SEE ALSO: State Bar asks Supreme Court for bailout -- John Howard in Capitol Weekly; State bar facing fiscal crisis -- Lisa Renner in Capitol Weekly.
