Legislation to create an automatic recount system--which would mitigate headaches like this year’s state controller primary--was introduced in the Assembly yesterday.
John Myers reports for KQED: “On Thursday Mullin introduced legislation to create a process for an automatic statewide recount in California — something other states have, and something supporters say will make clear just how and when to tally votes a second time.”
““It strikes me as a fundamental fairness question,” Mullin said.”
A new audit has uncovered California’s toxics agency has failed to bill or collect payments for nearly $194 million in cleanup costs since 1987.
David Siders reports in the Sacramento Bee: “According to Howle, the Department of Toxic Substances Control as of March had more than 1,600 projects with outstanding costs totaling almost $194 million. Of that amount, nearly $142 million was unbilled, and almost $52 million was billed but uncollected.”
“According to the department, the statute of limitations for cost recovery has expired for 76 projects totaling about $13.4 million in outstanding costs, the audit said.”
Lawmakers are at odds over whether or not a pending fuel tax should be delayed past election season.
Audrey Fox reports in Capitol Weekly: “Taxing oil and gas companies is a step in reaching this goal, as petroleum-based transportation fuels add up to roughly 40 percent of California’s greenhouse gas emissions according to the Air Resource Board.”
“In late June, along with 15 other Assembly members, Perea sent a letter to the board to urge delay or redesign the program.”
” “The cap-and-trade system should not be used to raise billions of dollars in new state funds at the expense of consumers who are struggling to get back on their feet after the recession,” said Perea in a press statement.”
Military veterans from any state could soon get in-state tuition rates for California’s public higher ed institutions.
Jeremy B. White reports in the Sacramento Bee: ““It was always our belief that this was a way to attract the best and the brightest to our community,” said Chávez, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.”
“Assembly Bill 13 would cover the University of California, California State University and California Community College schools. The latest version of AB 13 is more comprehensive than last year’s stalled bill, which would have been voluntary and only applied to students’ first year.”
Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer and his wife top a list of the nation’s political donors last year.
Carla Marinucci reports in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Tom and Kathryn Steyer of San Francisco gave $20.4 million to candidates, causes and political action committees in the 2013-14 election cycle, according to the group OpenSecrets.org. That was more than twice as much as the No. 2 giver, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who gave most of his $9.5 million in donations to Democrats and liberal groups, the group said.”
“Tom Steyer, 57, is a former managing partner at the investment firm Farallon Capital Management, co-founder of a community development bank in Oakland and a board member of the environmental activist group Next Generation.”
Ride-sharing company Uber is using old-fashioned methods to target lawmakers behind an insurance bill.
Cheryl Miller reports in The Record: “Uber sent mailers to constituents of Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, the author of the main ride-sharing bill moving this session, accusing the lawmaker of serving as an insurance industry pawn and "leaving consumers and entrepreneurs on the curb." The notices have also hit mailboxes in a wider Senate district that Bonilla may run for in a future election.”
“The political piece includes the photo of a sad-looking girl and an admonition to call Bonilla and "tell her to drop AB 2293."”
The federal case against suspended state Sen. Leland Yee and 28 others is being split up.
Lee Romney reports in the Los Angeles Times: “A prosecutor with the U.S. attorney's office told Breyer on Thursday that "no one is under the illusion that we will go to trial with 29 defendants," but said there was overlapping wiretap evidence and it would be "premature" to divide the cases now.”
“Charging all defendants under one indictment has made for strong media headlines but has created a courtroom mess that Breyer is methodically trying to untangle. It also swept defendants with relatively minor charges in with those facing much more serious allegations.”
Mercury Public Affairs is looking to expand their lobbying network into Mexico.
Laurel Rosenhall reports in the Sacramento Bee: “The company is in talks with a Mexican public affairs firm that it hopes to acquire this fall, Núñez said Wednesday. The goal is to expand Mercury’s lobbying, public affairs and public relations practice by helping businesses navigate the Mexican government, he said.”
““Mexico is no longer a developing country, Mexico is a modern society now,” said Núñez, a Democrat who represented Los Angeles in the Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and is now a partner with Mercury, which has offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and five other U.S. states.”
And in national news, the White House perimeter was breached last night… by a toddler.
Ryan Parker reports in the Los Angeles Times: “The Secret Service made light of what would otherwise be a serious incident - if the perpetrator was old enough to understand what he did, that is.”
“"We were going to wait until he learned to talk to question him, but in lieu of that he got a timeout and was sent on his way with his parents,” Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said in a statement.”
