At the United Nation’s conference, Gov. Jerry Brown touted California’s work in combatting climate change through state regulations.
Chris Megerian reports for The Los Angeles Times: “He said the state's cap and trade program, which charges polluters fees, has been a success, and he pledged to continue defending it against critics who are concerned about higher gas prices.”
“Brown highlighted familiar themes in his remarks, warning that even though carbon-based energy has brought economic progress, the gains are unsustainable and threatening the environment through climate change.”
A new poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California shows Brown is sitting comfortably for reelection, voters’ drought concerns boost Prop. 1’s favorability.
PPIC found: “Brown’s job approval rating is at 55 percent among likely voters compared to 42 percent two years ago (September 2012). His record-high job approval rating is 60 percent, reached in January this year.”
“As Californians cope with a severe drought, they will vote on Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion water bond to pay for water quality, supply, treatment, and storage projects. When read the measure’s ballot title and label, 58 percent of likely voters say they would vote yes, 29 percent would vote no, and 14 percent are undecided. Majorities of Democrats (68%) and independents (59%) support Proposition 1. Republicans are more likely to vote yes (44%) than no (36%). Majorities across regions favor the bond, with support highest in the San Francisco Bay Area (64%) and Inland Empire (62%), followed by the Central Valley (55%), Los Angeles (55%), and Orange/San Diego (51%). Half of likely voters (51%) say the outcome of Proposition 1 is very important to them.”
New voter data released by the secretary of state shows Californians have registered with “no party preference” at an all-time high.
Jim Miller reports for The Sacramento Bee: “San Francisco has the greatest share of no-party preference voters, at 31 percent, followed by Santa Clara (29.7 percent) and San Diego County (27 percent.) No-party registration exceeds Republican registration in San Francisco and 11 other counties: Santa Clara, Lake, San Mateo, Yolo, Imperial, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma, Alameda.”
“California’s most Democratic county is San Francisco, where Democratic registration is 55.8 percent. The most Republican county is Modoc, where Republicans make up 49.8 percent of the electorate.”
Embattled by accusations of nepotism, head of the state Senate's human resources, Dina Hidalgo, announced her retirement yesterday.
Laurel Rosenhall reports for The Sacramento Bee: “The Senate has agreed to pay Hidalgo $85,400 as part of a separation agreement. The bulk of the money will come in the form of cashing out her sick time, Steinberg spokesman Rhys Williams said, and about $13,000 of the package is intended to cover Hidalgo’s legal costs for attorneys who negotiated her separation with the Senate. The separation agreement says Hidalgo will not sue the Senate and that the Senate will not make public “records relating to any Senate investigation relating to Ms. Hidalgo.”
“In a letter to Steinberg, Hidalgo said she is retiring effective Oct. 15 and wrote that “the time has come for me to move on to the next chapter of my life.” She touted herself as the first Latina to hold the position of deputy secretary of human resources for the Senate and described her work to expand “hiring opportunities for women, people of color, the LGBT community and people with disabilities.””
Conservative groups are risking Silicon Valley support due to their refusal to accept climate change science.
Joe Garofoli reports for The SF Chronicle: “The social media giant in Menlo Park would be the second Silicon Valley giant in recent days to sever ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, known as ALEC. On Monday, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt told a radio show that the company would end its membership with the group.”
“ALEC was “literally lying” about climate change, Schmidt said.”
“Silicon Valley firms, which are relatively new to politics, have supported both liberal and conservative candidates and groups. But public pressure on such issues as global warming is forcing tech companies to rethink their strategies.”
California’s congressional delegation is still trying to get the Golden State a Tesla battery factory.
Lauren Helper reports for Silicon Valley Business Journal: “Their pitch: “The nation’s smartest workforce,” a growing green energy industry, lucrative consumer markets and better quality of life for employees. No details on any potential incentives are outlined, but lawmakers aren’t exactly playing hard to get.”
““Our delegation is dedicated to continuing our thriving relationship with Tesla and supporting its prosperity in every way possible,” the letter notes.”
“A Tesla spokeswoman declined to comment on the letter from California’s congressional delegation or on whether Tesla is even planning to build a second Gigafactory.”
Other states have ‘snow days,’ should some California schools be allowed ‘heat wave days?’ Newport Beach is considering it.
Hannah Fry reports in the Los Angeles Times: “Though schools in the district are near the ocean, the heat wave earlier this month and in May drove up temperatures even along the beachfront. And most of the schools in the district were built before air conditioning was widely used.”
“Installing air conditioning at the district’s 26 campuses would cost an estimated $42.5 million. The district also would incur additional energy and maintenance expenses, facilities director Tim Marsh has said.”
“"It's not a problem that can be solved in a day by flipping a switch," Foley said.”
