House Republicans have unveiled their Affordable Care Act replacement and the effects to seniors and lower-income consumers appear to be potentially injurious: Here are 5 critical things you should be aware of before the bill heads to the floor.
Money's ALICIA ADAMCZYK: "At long last, House Republicans have unveiled their replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act."
"The bill drastically cuts tax credits for the oldest and poorest Americans, while giving the upper class a major tax break. It also rolls back the Medicaid expansion and nixes the individual mandate, which required everyone to buy health insurance. Crucially, it has not been scored by the Congressional Budget Office, so overall impacts are tough to gauge at this early point."
"House committees will begin work on the bill this week. In the meantime, here are five key things to know now:"
READ MORE related to Health: While Trump tweets grab spotlight, appointees make crucial changes -- The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH; GOP reveals Obamacare repeal plan, alarming California Democrats -- McClatchy DC's TONY PUGH/ALEX DAUGHERTY/CLAUDIA BUCK/SAMMY CAIOLA; Republicans unveil plan to repeal and replace Obamacare amid conflicting pressures -- L.A. Times' NOAM N. LEVEY/LISA MASCARO; GOP plan to replace health care plan is released -- The Chronicle's CATHERINE HO; Highlights of House GOP health care legislation -- AP
Oroville Dam spillway's collapse has brought California's aging dam network under scrutiny; Jerry Brown's Delta twin tunnel project and the security of California's future water supply hang in the balance.
Capitol Weekly's CHUCK MCFADDEN: "Brown’s legacy proposal is the most ambitious water project California has seen in more than 50 years."
"It’s also not the first time he’s sought a major plumbing change in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta: His plan during his earlier years as governor to build a 42-mile-long canal around the periphery of the delta was approved by the Legislature but rejected by voters in a bitter 1982 referendum."
"No one believes California can manage water infrastructure improvement and repair without federal help."
Anthony Silva, Stockton's disgraced ex-mayor, is accused of embezzling funds earmarked for indigent children.
Sacramento Bee's DARRELL SMITH: "Former Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva stole hundreds of thousands of dollars meant for San Joaquin County’s most economically vulnerable youths over a four-year span, laundering cash and charging trips on credit cards, San Joaquin County prosecutors said Monday. Prosecutors detailed a six-count grand jury indictment accusing Silva of money laundering, embezzlement, grand theft and misappropriation of public funds."
"The alleged theft took place from 2010 to 2014 and involved money given by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Silva, who controlled the bank accounts for the Stockton Boys & Girls Club, for use at the local club."
"A significant portion of money flowed from the Boys & Girls Club to Anthony Silva’s personal account,” said Deputy District Attorney Robert Himelblau, standing in front of a cart of binders that he said were records supporting the prosecutors’ case."
READ MORE related to Local: Your guide to the 2017 Los Angeles general election -- L.A. Times' BENJAMIN ORESKES; Valadao spends hours in one-on-one meetings with constituents -- and away from the crowds -- L.A. Times' PHIL WILLON; SF may require breastfeeding-friendly workplaces -- The Chronicle's LIZZIE JOHNSON
A British lawmaker's article on a FISA warrant request appears to be the epicenter of Trump's ObamaGate wiretapping accusation.
WaPo's KARLA ADAM: "A former British legislator is at the heart of the Trump administration’s explosive allegation that President Barack Obama was spying on him during the 2016 campaign."
"But who exactly is Louise Mensch?"
"For starters, the politician-turned-journalist is the writer behind an article published on the eve of the election titled: “EXCLUSIVE: FBI ‘Granted FISA Warrant’ Covering Trump Camp’s Ties To Russia.”
READ MORE related to Beltway: Donald Trump's hiring freeze brings concern, creativity to federal offices -- Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON; Top Trump security adviser faces questions in rare hearing -- AP's RICHARD LARDNER
Trump's new, revised travel ban is facing a pocket of resistance at SFO airport.
The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY: "Protesters returned to San Francisco International Airport on Monday night to rally against President Trump’s new travel ban. But they lacked the numbers that helped drive a nationwide backlash to a first round of restrictions in late January."
"A couple dozen demonstrators lined the arrivals gate of the international terminal about 8 p.m., chanting “No hate, no fear” as bemused travelers filtered through the makeshift welcome committee. Half a dozen San Francisco police officers watched nearby, but all was peaceful."
"The group had the same concerns of protesters five weeks ago, when more than 1,000 people turned out at the airport for a weekend of rallies against the travel ban. They didn’t like that Trump’s restrictions single out individuals from Muslim-majority nations and make it harder for refugees from war-torn areas to find safety in America."
Kim Jong Un's multi-missile deployment has prompted a response from the US military: deployment of a THAAD battery in South Korea as show-of-force which tacticians hope will assuage North Korean aggression, and annihilate any ballistic threat should one present itself.
AP's KIM TONG-HYUNG: "U.S. missile launchers and other equipment needed to set up a controversial missile defense system have arrived in South Korea, the U.S. and South Korean militaries said Tuesday, a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan."
"The plans to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, within this year have angered not only North Korea, but also China and Russia, which see the system's powerful radars as a security threat."
"Washington and Seoul say the system is defensive and not meant to be a threat to Beijing or Moscow. The U.S. military said in a statement that THAAD can intercept and destroy short and medium range ballistic missiles during the last part of their flights."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Woman killed by falling 200-foot tree at Yosemite was a park worker -- L.A. Times' VERONICA ROCHA; Jurors award $1.5 million to LAPD detective who claimed he was victim of retaliation -- L.A. Times' CINDY CHANG; UC proposes its first enrollment cap -- 20% -- on out-of-state students -- L.A. Times' TERESA WATANABE; South Bay cop arrested for stealing marijuana while on duty -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY
SCUSD is planning a campaign to make district schools sanctuary zones in defiance of Trump's immigration hardline.
Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE: "The Sacramento City Unified School District will launch a campaign Tuesday to protect undocumented students in the face of deportation threats and attacks targeting immigrants."
"The board of trustees adopted a resolution in December declaring district schools “safe havens” that are off-limits to immigration authorities and anti-immigrant rhetoric."
"Board member Jessie Ryan said the resolution and the campaign are intended to reassure undocumented students, teachers and their families that they need not fear coming to school. The campaign seeks to make community and legal resources available to families at school sites, Ryan said."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Sheriff Scott Jones says 'sanctuary state' bill is invalid: 'Federal law reigns supreme' -- Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO; Afghan family detained in L.A. despite having special visas will be freed -- L.A. Times' CINDY CARCAMO; New travel order may still have legal obstacles, analysts say -- The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO; Trump's new travel ban seeks to avoid 1st edict's flaws -- The Chronicle's HAMED ALEAZIZ/JOE GAROFOLI
The Downtown Sacramento Foundation is soon holding its 5th annual 'Calling all Dreamers' competition -- a contest aimed at rewarding business startups with venture capital.
Sacramento Bee's MARK GLOVER: "Applications are open for the Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s fifth annual “Calling All Dreamers” competition for startups and growing businesses."
"Applications will be accepted at callingalldreamers.org through 5 p.m. April 10."
"The competition involves Sacramento-area entrepreneurs pitching business plans in hopes of getting the top prize of startup incentives valued at about $100,000, including a period of free rent in a downtown Sacramento storefront, accounting help, legal services and cash."
READ MORE related to Economy: Two Southern California executives out at Wells Fargo amid stream of departures -- L.A. Times' JAMES RUFUS KOREN; Shares in Snapchat maker fall below initial trading price -- and analysts think they'll drop more -- L.A. Times' NINA AGRAWAL; E-coli outbreak tied to soy-nut butter sickens 2 in Santa Clara -- The Chronicle's TARA DUGGAN
The damage from Oroville Dam's disasterous spillway catastrophy in February has left damage along Northern California riverbanks unlike any seen in recent memory.
Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER: "For three generations, Phillip Filter’s family has tended orchards that grow on a shelf of floodplain above the Feather River."
"Because the trees stand between the river and a major flood-protection levee, Filter’s family is no stranger to floods that sometimes spill over the river banks, inundate the orchards and then recede back into the channel below."
"But Filter has never seen damage to the riverbanks like what happened last week after the state suddenly shut down flows from Oroville Dam’s badly damaged spillway upstream."
READ MORE related to Environment: Oroville Dam: Farmers blame sudden spillway shutoff for eroded riverbanks -- Sacramento Bee's RYAN SABALOW/DALE KASLER; UC regents expected to limit enrollment of out-of-state students -- The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is an early education specialist with decades of experience behind him, and now he's trying to channel that experience into the 'Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education.'
EdSource's LOUIS FREEDBERG: "Opening the first meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, said that the reason he ran for office was to address child care needs."
"Rendon, who convened the commission, worked in early education for two decades before coming to Sacramento, including running a Head Start program."
"He said he established the bipartisan commission, made up of 18 lawmakers, advocates and practitioners, “to have a forum outside the budget process to discuss our early childhood education system and how to improve it.”
READ MORE related to Education: Charter groups and unions spend millions for control of LA Unified school board -- EdSource's MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN
