A coalition of pro-marijuana groups is preparing to launch a well-funded campaign to place an initiative to legalize the use of recreational marijuana on the 2016 ballot. Jessica Calefati, San Jose Mercury News:
“Once the marijuana legalization coalition known as ReformCA files its initiative with the state Attorney General's Office, the group can begin gathering the 365,000 valid signatures it will need to put a proposition on the ballot -- something coalition chairwoman Dale Sky Jones says she's confident it can do…
“The campaign's success will hinge in part on tapping into Californians' passion for pot legalization, and that's why ReformCA hired Joe Trippi, a veteran political consultant who became a household name a decade ago when he ran former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign.
“On Thursday's conference call with reporters, Trippi said the group has already amassed an e-mail list of 70,000 supporters without spending a dime on advertising.”
While ReformCA works to open access to one smokable plant, California legislators are trying tighten access to another one, reviving anti-tobacco legislation that seemed dead as of last month. Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee:
“California lawmakers have resurrected stalled efforts to raise the smoking age to 21 and regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products.
“Health advocates saw their tobacco-control legislation thwarted earlier this month in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. But they will get a new chance in the Legislature’s special session on healthcare – and they have their leaders’ blessing.
“’Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, and treating tobacco-related illnesses costs California taxpayers billions of dollars,’ Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins said in a joint prepared statement. ‘We applaud our members for taking on this public-health crisis for the people of California.’”
Governor Brown had a busy day Thursday, signing nearly a score of bills into law.
GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush visited SF yesterday, arriving at one speaking engagement in an Uber car. Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle:
“Hours after a judge proposed fining ride-service giant Uber $7.3 million for failing to meet state regulations, GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush pulled up at a San Francisco campaign stop Thursday in an Uber car and lavished praise on the company as an example of firms that are ‘disrupting the old order.’
“When asked if he had any concerns about a state administrative law judge’s recommendation that Uber be suspended from operating in California for failing to provide data to regulators, the former Florida governor replied, ‘Not at all. If they’ve done something wrong, they should pay a fine. I’m sure they’ll appeal it.’”
The next national election may be 15 months away, but congressional campaign coffers are already swelling. So far, incumbents are in the lead in the contest for cash. Jean Merl, Los Angeles Times:
“Early fundraising can be a barometer of a candidate's strength or vulnerability, and money raised soon after the start of a campaign — though it might not be spent for many months — can attract more donors and discourage competitors.
“GOP allies of Rep. Stephen Knight (R-Palmdale) have stepped up to fill his coffers, which had been nearly empty, as other vulnerable House members also raked in significant contributions….
“Meanwhile, most of the dozen incumbents vulnerable to an election challenge were substantially outraising their opponents. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), for example, collected more than his Republican challenger, military veteran Paul Chabot, $820,829 to $105,340.”
As the drought news goes from bad to worse, California regulators came down on farmers in the West Side Irrigation District, ordering them to stop pumping from the San Joaquin River. The order sets up further clashes between water rights holders and the state. Fenit Nirappil and Scott Smith, AP:
“The State Water Resources Control Board issued the cease and desist order against an irrigation district in California's agriculture-rich Central Valley that it said had failed to obey a previous warning to stop pumping. Hefty fines could follow.
“The action against the West Side Irrigation District in Tracy could be the first of many as farmers, cities and corporations dig in to protect water rights that were secured long before people began flooding the West and have remained all but immune from mandatory curtailments….
“The state has just 23 inspectors who have performed 250 field visits since May, when the state started to send more than 9,000 letters informing farmers and large water users of low flowing rivers and streams, said Kathy Mrowka, the state's water rights enforcement manager.
“Meanwhile, courts must sort out whether the state has the power to tell farmers what they can do with water claimed before the government got involved in 1914.
“Buzz Thompson, a water rights expert at Stanford Law School, expects California to prevail in the fight to pursue its unprecedented water cuts because courts have consistently expanded its authority.
"’It's only when you get into a really serious drought that you finally face the question,’ he said.”
OK, we know you’re waiting for it: just who is singing those Golden State Blues about the #WorstWeekinCA politics?
Tough call this time. There was plenty of bad news to go around: SF Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi is still taking a beating over the release of killer Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez; Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has to be sweating Wednesday’s court decision levying a $7.3 million fine against the company and proposing a suspension of service; and we’re sure Congressman Mike Honda would really rather that the news hadn’t gotten out that his office is under review by the Office of Congressional Ethics. But, none of them is our pick this week.
Instead, we have to hand it to California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker, who finds himself under investigation by the FPPC over solicitations for a dinner honoring his former boss, Michael Peevey. From Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union Tribune:
“Enforcement agents from the California Fair Political Practices Commission are scrutinizing the president of the California Public Utilities Commission over tens of thousands of dollars he raised from labor groups and energy lawyers to pay for a gala dinner honoring his predecessor.
“Spokesman Jay Wierenga said Wednesday that ‘FPPC enforcement is looking into’ donations solicited by utilities commission President Michael Picker ahead of the February tribute to former President Michael Peevey.”
One would think that if the guy you are replacing is having his home raided by agents from the AG’s office, that you would make every attempt to keep everything you do squeaky-clean. That Picker goofed up by allowing even the appearance of impropriety - even if there was no actual wrongdoing – doesn’t say much for his judgement.
OK, see you next week…
