"A Thursday letter from the California Fair Federal Practices Commission to Consumer Watchdog said there was “insufficient evidence” of conflict of interest to warrant an investigation. But the watchdog said it would look into “the apparent failure of Ms. McFadden to disclose required information about the status of her stock ownership in Pacific Gas and Electric.”
LAT's Patrick McGreevy reports: "Two weeks after approving a package of anti-smoking bills, the state Legislature has yet to send them to the governor for final action and may not do so until mid-April. The delay could hinder a referendum threatened by the tobacco industry to overturn the measures."
"The bills opposed by the tobacco industry would, among other things, raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 and restrict public use of electronic cigarettes."
"Keeping the bills from the governor’s desk for a month would hold up the start of a referendum drive to overturn the measures in the event that Gov. Jerry Brown signs them."
In other news, the GOP is now seemingly avoiding questions about Donald Trump and the chance of his success.
The Union-Tribune's Alia Ismay writes: "Few local Republican officeholders and candidates are prepared to publicly support the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination."
"The San Diego Union-Tribune launched a survey this week asking 75 politicians to identify the candidate they support in the June presidential primary — and to say whether they would support businessman Donald Trump, should he win the party’s nomination."
"The most common answer was not to reply. Nine of the politicians have responded to the survey so far, and efforts to gather answers will be ongoing."
A decision to 'tone-down' a Proposition 65 notice for canned food made by the EPA is having negative reactions en masse.
Ellen Knickmeyer reports in The O.C. Register: "California plans to delay state-required warnings on metal cans lined with the chemical BPA, arguing too-specific warnings could scare stores and shoppers in poor neighborhoods away from some of the only fruits and vegetables available — canned ones, officials said Thursday."
"Instead, the state on May 11 will require stores to post general warnings at checkout counters about the dangers of BPA and note that some canned and bottled products being sold have liners with the toxic chemical."
"The decision and rationale of the California Environmental Protection Agency are angering some community and public-health groups."
The FPPC slams a transparency bill aimed at providing more insight into state spending, questioning the potential legislation's efficacy.
Techwire's Samantha Young reports: "The state Fair Political Practices Commission has told lawmakers that it has no business tracking state procurement as a lobbying activity — the heart of one lawmaker’s effort to bring greater transparency to state spending."
"In a March 22 letter, FPPC chair Jodi Remke wrote that AB 1200 would expand the commission’s oversight to “a highly specialized area that is best regulated by the Department of General Services” and other state agencies. She also questioned whether the bill would bring about the type of disclosure its backers seek."
"The letter comes a week after the commission voted to oppose the measure by Assemblyman Rich Gordon, D-Menlo Park. At the March 17 hearing, commissioners repeatedly expressed concern about wading into the complex world of procurement regulations and creating a new, costly system at the FPPC."
And now, fans of Seinfeld may remember the episode about the overzealous library cop on the hunt for a book Jerry rented back in 1971. Apparently, such cops exist and have arrested a man for a VHS tape that was 14 years overdue.
"A wanted North Carolina man was arrested this week on charges he failed to return a VHS tape to a video store 14 years ago, police said on Thursday."
"James Meyers, 37, of Concord, was driving his daughter to school when he was pulled over by police for a broken brake light, according to a video Meyers posted on YouTube on Tuesday."
"Meyers said officers ran his driver's license and told him he had an outstanding arrest warrant for not returning a movie to J&J Video in Salisbury, North Carolina."
