California seeks to move Trump sanctuary lawsuit from capital to San Francisco
Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA: "Attorney General Xavier Becerra is asking that a federal lawsuit between the state and the United States over immigration laws be moved from Sacramento to San Francisco, where legal experts said California may have a better chance at prevailing."
"Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice sued California over three state "sanctuary" laws it argues violate the U.S. Constitution by interfering with federal authority to set and enforce immigration laws."
"On Wednesday, Becerra filed a motion asking federal district court judge John Mendez to move that case to San Francisco, where last year the state sued the federal government over a similar issue of state versus federal powers."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Undocumented immigrant appointed to state post in California -- Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA/BILLY KOBIN
Democrat's apparent win in GOP stronghold holds lessons for California
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "Democrat Conor Lamb, who shocked the nation with an apparent win in a strongly pro-Trump Pennsylvania congressional district, is anything but the “San Francisco liberal” that Republicans love to scorn."
"And that’s one reason why his surprise victory could be bad news for the true progressive Democrats looking to flip GOP seats in California."
"Lamb was leading Republican Rick Saccone by a few hundred votes Wednesday with 100 percent of precincts reporting and all the absentee ballots counted from Tuesday’s election. He vowed during the campaign not to support House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, said he was personally opposed to abortion and declined to say much about the environment in a district that’s in the heart of steel, coal and natural gas country."
Crucial court pension-cut ruling not on fast track
Calpension's ED MENDEL: "The state Supreme Court is proceeding at a judicious pace after agreeing to hear appeals of two rulings that would weaken or eliminate the “California rule,” allowing state and local government pension cuts."
"Briefing has yet to begin on a groundbreaking Marin County appellate ruling in August 2016 that employees only have a vested right to a “reasonable” pension, not to a pension offered at hire that can’t be cut without a comparable new benefit, erasing any savings."
"The Supreme Court put the Marin case on hold while awaiting an appellate court ruling in a similar union challenge to “anti-spiking” provisions in Gov. Brown’s pension reform, a consolidation of cases from Alameda, Contra Costa and Merced counties."
California doesn't want this towering water project. Trump administration may build it anyway
LA Times's EVAN HALPER/SARAH D. WIRE: "The Trump administration is pushing forward with a colossal public works project in Northern California — heightening the towering Shasta Dam the equivalent of nearly two stories."
"The problem is that California is dead-set against the plan, and state law prohibits the 602-foot New Deal-era structure from getting any taller."
"But in these times of unprecedented tension between Washington and California, the state's objection to this $1.3-billion project near the Sacramento River is hardly proving a deterrent. The Trump administration is pursuing the project with gusto, even as it seeks to make deep cuts in popular conservation programs aimed at California's water shortages."
READ MORE related to Energy & Environment: Yosemite's March run: lodging, snow treks wide open -- The Chronicle's TOM STIENSTRA
Caltrans porn ring could cost taxpayers more than $5 million
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "The attorney who represented a former Caltrans employee in a salacious workplace pornography lawsuit is taking credit for the resignations of two high-ranking state executives and requesting millions of dollars in legal fees for his work over the past five years."
"The recent resignations of California Department of Transportation Director Malcolm Dougherty and Chief Deputy Director Kome Ajise coincided with milestones in the lawsuit. Dougherty testified in the case. Ajise was on the witness list, but did not testify."
"Both former Caltrans leaders have moved on to new jobs, Ajise with the Southern California Association of Governments and Dougherty with engineering firm Michael Baker International. A Caltrans spokesman said their departures were unrelated to the case."
California lawmaker wants to crack down on organized retail theft by making it a felony
LA Times's JAZMINE ULLOA: "A state assemblyman wants to create a new felony offense to penalize organized retail theft, a crime some have called an unintended consequence of a 2014 ballot initiative that reduced drug possession and some theft crimes to misdemeanors."
"Under Proposition 47, a theft crime has to involve $950 worth of property in a single incident to rise to a felony. That threshold, some retailers have said, allows members of organized crime rings to steal from multiple stores, or from the same store numerous times a day, without facing tougher punishment."
"Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) first proposed a change last year by asking voters to amend Proposition 47 — which passed with 60% approval — making it a felony to steal $950 worth of property in a year. But after much debate, his legislation was shelved in February in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Now its chairman, Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), is pushing a bill of his own to tackle the problem."
What makes Democrats run -- besides loathing Trump
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "Regardless of what they think of President Trump, Democrats should thank him for one thing: His election inspired a lot of smart, engaged people to run for office. And against everything he stands for."
"The problem isn’t just that there are too many of these new candidates for the Democratic Party’s own good. It’s that too many of them want to start their political careers at the top of the food chain: governor, senator, state treasurer."
"I’ve been baffled as to why more of these people don’t channel their newfound political enthusiasm by running for say, the state Assembly. Or county supervisor. Or the water board."
OP-ED: Cannabis: Locals must not neglect small businesses
DON SMITH in Capitol Weekly: "Some might find it a small irony that not even the alleviative powers of marijuana are helping with the growing pains of its own industry. No one expected California’s legalization of recreational cannabis, barely two months’ old, to be without plenty of problems."
"In a mixed metaphor so often the trait of politicians, state Sen. Mike McGuire noted, “… as I have always said, this is a tall mountain to climb and we are currently building the airplane and flying it at the same time."
"McGuire made his remarks at the first-ever meeting of all the state agencies charged with implementing California’s new cannabis law since Proposition 64 took effect the first of the year. The meeting took place in Ukiah on March 1."
READ MORE related to Cannabis: Colombia looks to become the world's supplier of legal cannabis -- WaPo's ANTHONY FAIOLA; Weedmaps to state regulator: Work with us, not against us -- LA Times's JOSEPH SERNA
Dylann Roof's sister accused of bringing weapons to school
AP: "The sister of church shooter Dylann Roof was arrested for bringing drugs, pepper spray and a knife to her South Carolina school, authorities said."
"The Richland County Sheriff's Department tells WIS-TV18-year-old Morgan Roof was arrested Wednesday after an administrator at A.C. Flora High School had contacted a school resource officer."
"Morgan Roof is charged with marijuana possession and two counts of carrying weapons on school grounds. A judge set her bond at $5,000, and she was screened for a public defender. She is not allowed to return to the school."
READ MORE related to Gun Violence Pandemic: This Monterey teacher just proved exactly why arming instructors is such a dumb idea -- Sacramento Bee's MARCOS BRETON; Yountville veterans center where 3 were shot to death suspends operations -- The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER; LA students join nationwide walkouts and actions to remember Parkland victims, push gun control -- LA Times's ANGEL JENNINGS/SONALI KOHLI/HOWARD BLUME/ESMERALDA BERMUDEZ; Thousands of Sacramento area students walk out in call to action against gun violence -- Sacramento Bee's RYAN LILLIS/DIANA LAMBERT/ANITA CHABRIA/BILLY KOBIN; This district in a liberal California city marked down the names of student protesters -- Sacramento Bee's ED FLETCHER; East Bay schools debate effects of having cops on campus -- The Chronicle's SARAH RAVANI; Students at Concord's Mt. Diablo High break through gate in gun protest -- Mercury News's ANNIE SCIACCA/JOHN WOOLFOLK; California voices from the National School Walkout -- EdSource STAFF
UC price tag for out-of-state students going up, to $41,622 a year
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "Thousands of University of California students from out of state can expect their annual tuition to rise by $978 next fall, after a UC regents committee approved the increase over the objections of two candidates for governor."
"The full Board of Regents is expected to adopt the 3.5 percent increase for nonresident undergraduates Thursday at its meeting at UCLA. The higher price tag would raise nearly $35 million for the university and bring out-of-state tuition and fees to $41,622 a year."
"UC officials say the increase is needed because Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed giving UC a 3 percent increase in state funds for next year instead of the 4 percent that the university requested. UC officials are still lobbying state lawmakers for more, and say that if they fail, they will ask the regents in May to approve higher tuition for state residents as well."
READ MORE related to Education: Mountain View: Parents stunned and angry over removal of four principals -- Mercury News' KEVIN KELLY; State Board postpones vote on revising California's education plan to meet federal requirements -- EdSource's JOHN FENSTERWALD
Covina doctor sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prescription drug, money laundering case
The Press-Enterprise's ALEJANDRA MOLINA: "A San Gabriel Valley doctor was sentenced Wednesday to more than 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally distributing the opioid known by the brand name OxyContin, officials said."
"Daniel Cham, 49, of Covina, pleaded guilty in April 2016 to one federal count of distribution of oxycodone — a painkiller marketed under a number of names, such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Norco, U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Thom Mrozek said in a written statement. Cham also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering."
"Cham used to operate a clinic in La Puente."
READ MORE related to Health & Health Care: Lifting therapy caps is a load off Medicare patients' shoulders -- CHL's SUSAN JAFFE
Supreme Court draws criticism for shielding police against wrongful-shooting claims
LA Times's DAVID G. SAVAGE: "It all happened in less than a minute. Three police officers arrived outside a small house with a chain-link fence near the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. They were responding to a "check welfare" report of woman hacking at a tree with a knife. They saw a young woman emerge from the house holding a large kitchen knife and walk down the driveway toward Sharon Chadwick, who owned the home."
"The officers called out, "Drop the knife!," but Amy Hughes did not acknowledge them and kept walking. Cpl. Andrew Kisela dropped to his knees and fired through the fence, hitting her with four shots. Hughes was wounded but survived, and later sued Kisela, claiming unreasonable seizure and an excessive use of force."
"But the Supreme Court will decide whether she can take her claim before a jury. Lawyers for the Police Department have appealed a 9th Circuit ruling that allowed Hughes to sue, arguing her case should be tossed out because there is no proof of a "constitutional violation."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Jury awards $33.5 million to parents of 29-year-old man killed by San Bernardino County deputy -- LA Times's ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN; Two Sacramento deputies are under investigation after elderly woman is put on overseas flight -- Sacramento Bee's NASHELLY CHAVEZ; Homeless man couldn't afford $330,000 bail, so judge orders him free for now -- The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO; SF Police Commission approves Taser policy for officers -- The Chronicle's EVAN SERNOFFSKY; Funeral set for fallen Pomona police officer Greggory Casillas -- The Press-Enterprise's ALEJANDRA MOLINA; Officer cleared in fatal shooting of mentally ill San Jose man who charged with knife -- BANG's ROBERT SALONGA
Puppy's death in overhead bin on United flight raises questions about airline's track record
AP: "United Airlines, under siege over the death of a puppy on one of its flights, says the flight attendant who ordered a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin didn’t know there was a dog inside."
"The airline’s account was contradicted by the family that owned the French bulldog, and also by other passengers on Monday night’s flight."
"Eleven-year-old Sophia Ceballos told NBC News that her mother told the flight attendant, “‘It’s a dog, it’s a dog,’ and (the flight attendant) said we have to put it up there,” in the bin."
Russian Hill park expected on abandoned reservoir
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "After more than a decade of planning, countless community meetings and tedious inter-agency squabbles, San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department is expected to approve on Thursday the transformation of the long-abandoned Francisco Reservoir into a gleaming, 4.5-acre park on Russian Hill, of one of the city’s densest neighborhoods."
"The reservoir, built in 1859 to accommodate the city’s surging population, has been an eyesore since it was decommissioned in 1940, following the construction of the Lombard Reservoir just a few blocks away."
"If all goes according to plan, the new Francisco Park could be open as soon as next summer, providing the public with commanding views of the city’s northern shores, the bay and the Marin coast."
