The Roundup is compiled and curated by GEOFF HOWARD, Associate Editor. Questions? Email him at geoff@capitolweekly.net.
State workers should lose jobs over nepotism findings, board says
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "Three state workers, including the daughter of a Sacramento-area assemblyman, could lose their jobs because a personnel audit found that they were hired under questionable circumstances at an agency riddled by nepotism."
"The targeted employees include the daughter of Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, and the son of a former staff member to Board of Equalization member George Runner."
"They were identified by their initials in a new audit that detailed nepotism in the Board of Equalization, the tax agency that lawmakers gutted in June after a series of audits showed that it failed to allocate taxes properly and that its leaders had allowed elected board members to intervene inappropriately in its daily operations."
Head of Senate fellows program on 'indefinite leave' following Mendoza allegations
Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA: "The director of the Sacramento State Senate fellows program at the Capitol has been placed on “indefinite leave,” the university said Wednesday."
"The news comes less than a week after The Bee reported allegations that Sen. Tony Mendoza invited a young woman in the California Senate Fellows Program, who was working in his office, over to his house on at least two occasions to review her résumé and others for an open position and suggested she stay in his hotel room prior to an early morning fundraiser, according to people she told about the Artesia Democrat’s alleged behavior."
"The Bee reported that the young woman spoke with David Pacheco, director of the California Senate Fellows program for more than a decade, about the situation."
READ MORE related to #MeToo: London's Old Vic says Kevin Spacey investigation found 20 allegations of 'inappropriate behavior' -- AP; UC students demand ouster of regent accused of sex harassment -- The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV; The power of #MeToo: Why hashtag sparks 'groundswell' of sharing -- and healing -- California Healthline's SHARON JAYSON
Report says UC president's office improperly interfered with financial audit
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "Officials in the University of California president’s office improperly interfered with a state audit of UC finances, instructed campuses not to “air dirty laundry” in an audit survey, and misled the regents about why they did it, according to an investigative report reviewed Tuesday by The Chronicle."
"The independent investigation by former state Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno into audit tampering finds evidence that two top executives in UC President Janet Napolitano’s office — Chief of Staff Seth Grossman and Bernie Jones, his deputy — directed the interference and oversaw changes to confidential survey answers from three campuses to put UC headquarters in a better light. Grossman and Jones also sought to keep the matter secret, warning each other by text messages to keep communications “off of email."
"The report found that a third UC executive, Deputy General Counsel Karen Petrulakis, offered her own survey revisions, but also recommended that UC officials inform the state auditor that they were changing survey answers that were supposed to be confidential responses from campuses. That didn’t happen. Petrulakis left UC in July, and Grossman and Jones resigned last week."
READ MORE related to Education: Legislative Analyst predicts healthy state revenues next year for schools, community colleges -- EdSource's JOHN FENSTERWALD; Students should be 'ashamed' for demanding he resign over sexual comments, UC regent says -- East Bay Times' EMILY DERUY; UC should be more lenient about late transcripts, stop withdrawing admissions, panel says -- EdSource's LARRY GORDON
Census: 142,932 more people left California than moved here in 2016
OC Register's JONATHAN LANSNER: "California continues to see more folks moving elsewhere in the nation rather than relocating here, a sign the state looks relatively unappealing to others."
"Last year, California had 142,932 more residents exit to live in other states than arrive, according to an analysis of a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau, released Wednesday, Nov. 15. This “domestic net outmigration” was the second-largest outflow in the nation behind New York and just ahead of Illinois and New Jersey. And it was up 11 percent (13,699 net departures) vs. 2015."
"California’s net outmigration has been ongoing for two-decades-plus. Yet the state’s population continues to grow: By this count, up 108,301 in 2016 — or 0.3 percent — to 38.8 million."
Republican seats in the crosshairs
Capitol Weekly's CHUCK MCFADDEN: "Encouraged by their Nov. 7 election victories in other states, Democrats now have even higher hopes of flipping the House in 2018, and a big factor governing whether they will succeed rests on outcomes in eight Republican-held California districts."
"The eight incumbent Republicans in Southern California and the Central Valley that Democrats hope to defeat a year from now make up one-third of the 24 seats needed to give Democrats control of the House."
"Here are the eight being especially targeted:
CA-10: Jeff Denham — Turlock
CA-21: David Valadao – Hanford
CA-25: Steve Knight – Palmdale
CA-39: Ed Royce – Fullerton
CA-45: Mimi Walters – Irvine
CA-48: Dana Rohrabacher — Costa Mesa
CA-49: Darrell Issa –Vista
CA-50-Duncan Hunter – Alpine, San Diego County"
California's lawmakers should have a surplus next year. Will they spend it or save it?
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "The state budget is in good shape to weather a moderate recession, and lawmakers should be able to sock away more money in reserves next year, according to projections the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office issued Wednesday."
"The LAO’s outlook shows the state would finish its 2018-19 budget year with more than $19 billion in reserves – assuming lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown don’t make any more spending committments. About $11 billion is obligated for the state’s rainy day fund."
"Lawmakers could spend about $7.5 billion of the surplus, although analysts recommend that they save it to prepare for a recession."
He said he was a Washington Post reporter offering a reward for dirt on Roy Moore. It wasn't true.
WaPo's MARWA ELTAGOURI/HERMAN WONG: "A pastor in Alabama said he received a voice mail Tuesday from a man falsely claiming to be a reporter with The Washington Post and seeking women “willing to make damaging remarks” about Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore in exchange for money."
"The call came days after The Post reported on allegations that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago, sparking calls by leading Republicans for him to abandon his campaign for the U.S. Senate in a special election to be held Dec. 12."
"Pastor Al Moore of Creola, Ala., said he received the call on his cellphone a little after 7 a.m. Tuesday from a private number, which he did not answer."
READ MORE related to Roy Moore: Roy Moore challenges woman's claim of sexual assault as a new groping charge surfaces -- LA Times' MICHAEL FINNEGAN; Ivanka Trump says she believes Roy Moore's accusers -- NY Daily News; Two more women describe unwanted overtures by Roy Moore at Alabama mall -- WaPo's STEPHANIE MCCRUMMEN/BETH REINHARD/ALICE CRITES; Senate Republicans look to Trump to restore order amid Alabama upheavel -- WaPo's SEAN SULLIVAN/PHILIP RUCKER/DAVID WEIGEL; In Roy Moore's Senate race, anonymous threats, deceptive texts, alternative facts -- WaPo's MARC FISHER
Parents of 4-year-old with cancer can't buy ACA plan to cover her hospital care
WaPo's COLBY ITKOWITZ: "Four-year-old Colette Briggs bounded into the dining room where her parents sat in the midst of another distressing conversation. Oblivious to their anxiety, she cheerily asked her mom to retie one of the loose pigtails atop her head."
"Ever since her brown locks regrew long enough for a ponytail, hair has been a big deal around here, her father, Christopher Briggs, said as Colette skipped off to rejoin her older sisters."
"To watch the bubbly preschooler play, a perma-smile on her cherubic face, no one would know she was sick. But for half of her young life, since the day a Lyme disease scare uncovered aggressive leukemia, she has been in and out of chemotherapy treatments."
House Republicans await audience with Trump on tax overhaul
AP's ALAN FRAM/MARCY GORDON: "Republicans are muscling their massive tax bill through the House, with President Donald Trump urging them on to a critically needed legislative victory and GOP House leaders exuding confidence they have the votes."
"But the tax overhaul hit a roadblock Wednesday as Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin became the first Republican senator to say he opposes his party's politically must-do tax legislation. That signaled potential problems for GOP leaders."
"Passage of a similar package seemed assured Thursday in the House, where a handful of dissidents conceded they expected to be steamrolled by a GOP frantic to claim its first major legislative victory of the year."
READ MORE related to Death & Taxes: Tax Bill thrown into uncertainty as first GOP Senator comes out against it -- NYT's ALAN RAPPEPORT/THOMAS KAPLAN; House is poised to pass tax bill in major step toward overhaul -- NYT's ALAN RAPPEPORT; House Republicans await audience with Trump ahead of key tax vote -- AP
OP-ED: The Senate questions the president's power to launch nukes
The New York Times Editorial Board: "President Trump and North Korea have prompted Congress to do something it hasn’t done in more than four decades: formally consider changes to the law that gives American presidents the sole authority to launch nuclear weapons."
"In a governing system that relies on checks and balances, that may strike some people as odd. But the uncomfortable truth is that Mr. Trump, like all his post-World War II predecessors, is uniquely empowered to order a pre-emptive strike, on North Korea or anywhere else. We’re talking about the authority to unleash thousands of nuclear weapons within minutes. And with scant time to consult with experienced advisers."
"As the first formal hearing on the issue in 41 years unfolded before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Senator Christopher Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, bluntly outlined the stakes with a president who “is so unstable, is so volatile, has a decision-making process that is so quixotic that he might order a nuclear weapons strike that is wildly out of step with U.S. national security interests."
'Not about polar bears, but people.' Latino lawmakers shift focus on climate change
Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO: "State Sen. Ricardo Lara’s environmental awakening came when he left home and realized he didn’t have to shut his windows to avoid the dirty air."
"Lara said he learned that not everyone played in rail yards, or had trucks idling in their neighborhoods because of the heavy congestion. When he asked his parents why they lived so close to the freeway, they told him it was out of convenience."
"The people that come from these communities are the ones that are having these discussions,” Lara said, reflecting on his upbringing this week at the UN climate talks in Germany. “There’s a been a big push for us to talk about how the policies are impacting people."
READ MORE related to Environment: Forecast prompts North Bay flash flood warning; Sierra expecting big snowfall -- The Chronicle's SARAH RAVANI; Dungeness crab season begins in the Bay Area -- The Chronicle's TARA DUGGAN; Congressman, climate change activist honored with JFK awards -- AP
Charles Manson hospitalized; severity of illness unclear
LA Times: "Authorities confirmed Wednesday that mass murderer Charles Manson is back in a Bakersfield hospital, though the severity of his condition is unclear."
"Kern County Sheriff's Lt. Bill Smallwood confirms that Manson is at a local hospital but could not say more."
"In January, Manson, 82, was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield for what authorities at the time would describe only as a serious medical problem."
READ MORE related to Charles Manson: Charles Manson reported to be in grave condition -- OC Register; Charles Manson hospitalized, source says "it's just a matter of time" -- Fox 6's KATIE DELONG; Charles Manson hospitalized in Bakersfield; prison officials say only that he is alive -- LA Times' ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN
'A madman on the loose.' Tehama shooter began spree by killing his wife, hiding her body, sheriff says
Sacramento Bee's SAM STANTON/DALE KASLER/RANDALL BENTON: "Kevin Janson Neal’s deadly rampage in Tehama County apparently began Monday night when he shot his wife to death with multiple rounds, then hid her body under the floor of their ramshackle trailer, authorities said."
"Armed with two semiautomatic rifles he had made illegally, Neal set out early Tuesday on a shooting spree that left a total of six people dead – including Neal – and eight people injured, seven of them children, Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said at a news conference Wednesday."
"Calling Neal, 44, “a madman on the loose,” Johnston said the gunman drove the streets of Rancho Tehama firing randomly at homes and structures. Johnston asked residents to check on their neighbors to ensure that they all are safe after the violent outbreak."
READ MORE related to H.J. Res. 40 & Gun Violence: Larger tragedy averted, but Rancho Tehama must be a call to action -- EdSource's LOUIS FREEDBERG; New threat of high school shootings in Anaheim and Buena Park surfaces, but there's no evidence it's credible -- OC Register's SCOTT SCHWEBKE; Gunman in California shooting spree needed mental help, sister says -- NBC's SHAUNA WILLIAMS/PHIL HELSEL
Trump's environmental rollbacks hit California hard, despite Sacramento's resistance
LA Times' EVAN HALPER: "When 50,000 acre-feet of water went gushing out of the Sacramento River last month, it fast became a test of California’s ability to protect its environmental policies from an increasingly hostile Trump administration."
"The episode proved humbling."
"Heeding the calls of big agriculture interests and area congressional Republicans, the administration pumped federally controlled water to Central Valley farms despite protest from the state that the move imperiled the endangered delta smelt. All California could do was temporarily shut its own pumps, which came at the expense of the state’s mostly urban water customers."
California health regulators level $5 million fine against Anthem Blue Cross
Sacramento Bee's CATHIE ANDERSON/MOLLY SULLIVAN: "The California Department of Managed Health Care announced Wednesday that it had leveled a $5 million fine against Anthem Blue Cross, saying the insurer demonstrated a systemic pattern and practice of failing to identify, process and resolve grievances for enrollees in its managed-care plans."
"The grievance process is fundamental to protecting consumers’ health-care rights and ensuring consumers receive the care they need,” said DMHC Director Shelley Rouillard. “Anthem Blue Cross’ failures to comply with the law surrounding grievance and appeals rights are longstanding, ongoing and unacceptable. The plan must correct the deficiencies in their grievance and appeals system and comply with the law."
"Including this latest enforcement action, DMHC leaders said, the agency has fined Anthem Blue Cross $11.66 million for grievance system violations since 2002. This figure far outstrips the $1.76 million in fines leveled against Blue Shield of California, the insurer with the next highest enforcement actions in this category."
READ MORE related to Health Care: How older patients can dodge pitfalls entrenched in health care system -- California Healthline's JUDITH GRAHAM; California firm running physician practices is closing down as scrutiny ramps up -- California Healthline's CHAD TERHUNE; Trump administration plan to add medicaid work requirement stirs fears -- California Healthline's PHIL GALEWITZ
Doctor sentenced for sexually assaulting patients at marijuana evaluation clinics.
Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE: "A physician convicted of sexually assaulting a patient at a Sacramento-area medical marijuana evaluation clinic has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison."
"Logan Vincent Ford, 33, was found guilty in September of forcible rape, forcible digital penetration and two counts of sexual exploitation of a patient, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office news release. He was sentenced Wednesday by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Goodman, who also ordered Ford to register as a sex offender for life."
"In March 2015, the 53-year-old victim went to the 420MD clinic to get a prescription for medical marijuana to treat pain for various health conditions. Ford sexually assaulted her during the examination, the news release said."
Police fatally shoot driver after someone opened fire on them from his car
LA Times' ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN: "A man was fatally shot by Los Angeles policeWednesday afternoon after he or someone riding in his car shot at officers who were tailing them, authorities said."
"About 4 p.m., Van Nuys gang officers in a marked patrol car began following a sedan they believed was stolen. Soon after, one or two people in the car opened fire at the officers from inside the moving vehicle, said LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery."
"The officers, who were not injured, called for backup and continued to follow the car until it crashed into a light pole at Sherman Way and Kester Avenue, Montgomery said."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: He was hit with a Taser and died. Now his family wants answers from the CHP -- Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA; BART attack caught on video; riders praised for response -- East Bay Times' GEORGE KELLY; Human trafficking trial reveals dark secret: Defendant kept Bay Area teen in basement for years -- East Bay Times' NATE GARTRELL
Justin Herman Plaza -- SF parks board to decide if name stays or goes
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Commission will vote again Thursday on whether to strip Justin Herman’s name from the Embarcadero plaza that’s borne his name since 1972."
"It’s the second time that the commission has taken up the issue in as many months in response to growing criticism about Herman’s fraught history with the city and calls to rename the site after a less divisive public figure."
"The commission was forced to take a second vote after an unusual clerical error invalidated its 4-3 decision last month to rechristen the space."
UCLA suspends LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, Jalen Hill over shoplifting incident in China
Daily News' THUC NHI NGUYEN: "Making their first public comments since the trio of freshmen got arrested last Tuesday, Ball, Riley and Hill were all apologetic while reading prepared statements at Pauley Pavilion, and admitted to stealing from multiple stores in a high-end shopping center next to their hotel in Hangzhou."
"We’re young men, however, it’s not an excuse for making a really stupid decision,” Ball said in front of a room full of at least 20 cameras and 50 reporters. “I don’t feel sorry for myself and I’ve learned my lesson from this big mistake and I’m 110 percent sure that I’m not making a bad decision like this one again."
"The players, who returned to Los Angeles less than 20 hours before the news conference, will not be allowed to travel with the team or suit up for home games as the school’s Office of Student Conduct investigates the incident. They may be able to attend team meetings, workouts and practices eventually, but will “have to earn their way back,” head coach Steve Alford said. They are still allowed to attend classes."
READ MORE related to UCLA Basketball Team Scandal: UCLA players credit Trump with an assist -- NYT's MATT STEVENS
The Sound 100.3 FM is set to go off the air for good at 1pm Thursday, November 16th
OC Register's PETER LARSEN: "The long goodbye for The Sound 100.3 now has a fixed end point as the classic rock station is set to go silent at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, according to statements on the station’s Facebook page."
"The station, which broadcast classic rock for nearly a decade in Southern California, and featured such longtime popular Southern California DJs as Uncle Joe Benson, Cynthia Fox and Rita Wilde, announced its sale to a Christian broadcasting company at the end of September."
"Because of the unpredictable amount of time it took for the sale to close, employees and listeners of The Sound had no clear idea of how long it would stay on the air. Initial reports suggested it would be gone by the end of October, but November came and The Sound played on."
Mater Dei water polo player rescues teammate in surfing accident
OC Register's DAN ALBANO: "Mater Dei freshman Riley Miller loves the water. He played on the frosh-soph water polo team, plans to swim in the spring and surfs on weekends. But the 15-year-old believes a recent trip to the beach could have been his last if not for the quick actions of classmate James Stanton."
"Miller, a Huntington Beach resident, woke up before dawn on Saturday, Nov. 4 to go surfing with Stanton and four other water polo teammates at Mater Dei."
"Clad in wet suits, the boys hit the surf just south of the Huntington Beach pier around 7 a.m. They surfed for a couple hours before Miller playfully dove off his 8-foot board during a lull in the action."
