Trump's tax cut not for everyone: 1 million Californians will owe $12B more next year
Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON: "President Donald Trump’s tax cuts will be anything but for about 1 million California taxpayers who will owe Uncle Sam more money a year from now."
"They’re the Californians who will lose a collective $12 billion because the new law caps a deduction they have been able to take for paying their state and local taxes, according to a new analysis by the Franchise Tax Board."
"Very wealthy Californians earning more than $1 million a year will pay the lion’s share of that money, with 43,000 of them paying a combined $9 billion."
READ MORE related to Development & Economy: Supreme Court to decide if online sellers must collect sales taxes across America -- LA Times's DAVID G. SAVAGE; Gunmakers, with sales slumping at home, ready for eased export rules -- McClatchy DFC's KEVIN G. HALL; Former Wells Fargo trader alleges pay incentives could have led to foreign-exchange overcharges -- LA Times's JAMES RUFUS KOREN; In new sign of trade battle, China slaps US sorghum producers with 179 percent deposit -- WaPo's EMILY RAUHALA
Dems and 'single payer' -- a house divided?
CHUCK MCFADDEN in Capitol Weekly: "It goes by various names: universal health care access; national health care; Medicare for all; government-run health care; even socialized medicine. Most news reports call it “single payer.” It threatens to tear asunder California’s Democratic Party."
"Single payer, in which the government ultimately covers the cost of health care, has become the bright line of demarcation between the more liberal Berniecrats and more moderate Establishment Democrats. Among party activists, it is an emerging litmus test for party purity."
"Opposition is fierce. The influential California Medical Association said in January that single-payer legislation in the Capitol, SB 562, “would eliminate Medi-Cal, Medicare, all private insurance and the Covered California exchange for a singular health care insurance product provided by the state, without offering any way to pay for it."
READ MORE related to Health & Healthcare: Organs from drug overdose victims could save the lives of patients on transplant waiting list -- LA Times's MELISSA HEALY; California insurer faces whistleblower complaint over health law taxes -- CHL's CHAD TERHUNE; Congressional advisers urge Medicare payments to many stand-alone ERs be cut -- CHL's MICHELLE ANDREWS
Some Republican lawmakers, once critical of marijuana, now think highly of it. Here's why
LA Times's KURTIS LEE: "States that have passed laws legalizing recreational marijuana in recent years appear to have found some new, unexpected supporters: Republican politicians."
"Since voters began to pass recreational marijuana measures in 2012, the pro-pot movement has seen swift support from many Democrats, with Republicans often pushing back against legalization. Those expressing concern or opposition have cited, among other things, the potential for pot to be a gateway drug, and they have regularly sided with law enforcement, which has established a unified front against recreational marijuana."
"But a recent mix of public opinion, an influx in tax revenue and questions surrounding states' rights has in part led to a shift in rhetoric and legislative proposals."
Villaraigosa, Cox battle to advance in California governor's race
The Chronicle's JOE GAROFOLI: "The two candidates fighting it out in the polls to be the second and final contender to advance to the general election in the governor’s race couldn’t be more different politically. But they do have one thing in common: They seem a bit insulted when asked to describe how they diverge."
"Oh, come on,” Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa said during an interview with The Chronicle’s editorial board Monday when he was asked to outline his differences with Republican John Cox."
Democratic challenger outraises Tom McClintock -- again
McClatchy DC's EMILY CADEI: "For Congressman Tom McClintock, a new year hasn’t changed a fundamental campaign weakness. The veteran Republican lawmaker was again outraised by his leading Democratic challenger, Jessica Morse, in the first three months of 2018, new federal fundraising reports disclose."
"It marks the third quarter in a row that Morse has outraised McClintock, leaving her with more cash in the bank going into a crucial phase of the campaign."
"According to reports filed to the Federal Election Commission over the weekend, McClinctock raised $327,000 in the first quarter of the year and had $676,000 cash on hand as of March 31. Morse, a former staffer at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, raised $357,000 and ended the quarter with $715,000 in cash."
This local city council will let voters decide whether to impose term limits
Sacramento Bee's ELLEN GARRISON: "Folsom City Council members could face term limits for the first time if a ballot measure is approved in November."
"After a lengthy debate, the council decided last week on a ballot measure that would restrict council members to four consecutive four-year terms. After that, a council member could choose to run again after a four-year time-out. The council also approved a ballot measure raising the campaign contribution cap for residents from $150 to $500."
"Both measures were pillars of Councilman Roger Gaylord III's election campaign. He had run in 2012 and 2014 before successfully breaking through in 2016."
READ MORE related to Local Politics: Willie Brown backs off rename Lotta's Fountain for Ed Lee after public outcry -- The Chronicle's RACHEL SWAN
With SF seawall crumbling, $425 million bond for repairs likely to make ballot
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "A proposed $425 million San Francisco bond measure to kick-start vital repairs to the city’s fragile Embarcadero seawall cleared an important hurdle Monday, pushing it closer to a spot on the November ballot."
"Citing an urgent need to make the crumbling seawall more resilient to earthquakes and the effects of sea-level rise, the city’s Capital Planning Committee voted unanimously to put the bond before the Board of Supervisors, which is expected to take up the measure within a month. The proposed general-obligation bond measure needs the board’s blessing before it could go before voters."
Tax guns instead of arming teachers, California lawmaker proposes
Sacramento Bee's ALEXEI KOSEFF: "Following the February school massacre in Parkland, Fla., California legislators responded as they often do after a mass shooting, with proposals to further tighten the state's strict gun control laws."
"But the killings – and a national protest movement that they inspired – have also raised questions across the country about how best to keep children safe in school."
"Assembly Bill 2497, unveiled last month by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, would create a tax on firearm and ammunition sales to fund grants for high schools that want to hire police to provide campus security. The money would also pay for a counselor at every middle school, whose primary responsibility would be to detect and report potential threats of violence."
READ MORE related to Education: Why are schools in Sacramento seeing more homeless kids? -- Sacramento Bee's CYNTHIA HUBERT; Beutner emerges as a top pick for LA schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying -- LA Times's HOWARD BLUME; Focusing on the language skills of English Learners key to boosting math scores --EdSource's ASHLEY HOPKINSON
Bay Area legislator moves to protect immigrants, others in court cases
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "A Bay Area lawmaker is proposing to allow Californians to file court cases anonymously if they can show that use of their names might expose them to some type of harm. Getting deported, for example."
"Given the national climate, many immigrants are extremely hesitant to appear in court or take part in proceedings for fear of deportation,” Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, author of AB2185, said Monday."
Judicial panel's budget could be in play over state audit standoff
The Chronicle's CYNTHIA DIZIKES: "State lawmakers on Monday suggested that funding for a small but powerful agency that disciplines unethical judges could be affected if it does not release thousands of confidential judicial complaints and investigations to the state auditor."
"The first audit of the San Francisco-based Commission on Judicial Performance was approved by a state legislative committee in August 2016 and has been stalled ever since as the commission has fought in court to keep the records secret."
California housing showdown draws key interest groups
Sacramento Bee's ANGELA HART: "Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, faces his first major legislative test today on his controversial housing bill that has split special interests in Sacramento."
"Opposition has grown more intense over the past three months, with major California cities resisting the proposal that would strip local governments' land use authority in transit-rich areas. San Francisco and Los Angeles are against it, along with the Sierra Club, tenants rights' groups and influential housing advocacy groups including Housing California and the California Housing Consortium."
"On the other side, a new political coalition has emerged amid California's unprecedented housing affordability crisis. Backed by wealthy Silicon Valley tech CEOs, California YIMBY, the chief sponsor of Wiener's Senate Bill 827, has made the proposal its biggest priority this year. Development interests also are backing the agenda, and the Natural Resources Defense Council supports the concept, as do professors of urban planning in California's major universities."
READ MORE related to Homelessness & Housing: Fixing California's housing crisis: What candidates for governor would do -- The Chronicle's MELODY GUTIERREZ
New Stephon Clark videos are released. Help us watch them.
Sacramento Bee's EMILY ZENTNER/ANITA CHABRIA: "The Sacramento Police Department Monday released 52 new video files and one audio fileof the Stephon Clark shooting. The video and audio predominantly come from the body-worn and in-car cameras of officers responding to the scene of last month's fatal incident."
"The Sacramento Bee is asking for your help to review this additional footage."
"A team of a dozen reporters and editors in the newsroom is currently examining each clip, and will report on key moments in coming hours."
READ MORE related to Stephon Clark Shooting: New Stephon Clark videos raise questions about time taken to render medical aid -- Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA/EMILY ZENTNER/RYAN LILLIS/NASHELLY CHAVEZ/ELLEN GARRISON/MOLLY SULLIVAN
State Bar charges SF prosecutor with misconduct in 2013 murder case
The Chronicle's EVAN SERNOFFSKY: "The State Bar of California has charged a top San Francisco homicide prosecutor with misconduct related to a 2013 murder case he tried while working for the Solano County district attorney’s office, officials said Monday."
"Andrew Ganz, 40, was charged in State Bar court with six counts of misconduct, including intentionally suppressing evidence and violating the defendant’s constitutional rights. He has 25 days to respond to the State Bar’s notice of disciplinary charges. If found culpable, he could face discipline ranging from probation or suspension to disbarment."
READ MORE related to Prisons & Public Safety: 2 SF police commissioners to leave in coming weeks -- The Chronicle's RACHEL SWAN; Survivors of violent crime raise their voices in California to call for a new approach to criminal justice -- LA Times's JAZMINE ULLOA
Southern California News Group asks for public support -- and perhaps a shift to nonprofit status -- amid cuts
LA Times's ANDREW KHOURI: "The Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Daily News, is pushing back against its owner, Digital First Media, calling for public support in the face of steep cuts that have hollowed out its newsrooms."
"A series of opinion articles published in print Sunday across the local chain urged readers to pay for professional journalism and pondered a nonprofit ownership model that "plows proceeds back into smart local reporting and civic engagement."
"In 10 articles that went online Friday, editors and current and former reporters didn't mention Digital First or its controlling owner, Alden Global Capital, by name — eschewing the approach taken by the Denver Post, another DFM paper, which referred to Alden as "vulture capitalists" in its own editorial published earlier this month."
Clean up SF's streets, tourist industry pleads
The Chronicle's HEATHER KNIGHT: "As president of S.F. Travel, the city’s visitors bureau, Joe D’Alessandro’s job is to promote San Francisco. You’d think he’d be hyping the city’s gorgeous vistas, top-notch restaurants and glorious museums."
"Instead, he’s getting honest."
State officials say giant gator sighting in Elk Grove was a hoax
Sacramento Bee's BENJY EGEL: "Rumors and a photo of an alligator swimming through Camden Lake drew crowds to Elk Grove over the weekend, but state officials say people who swamped the nearby residential neighborhood were chasing a reptile thousands of miles away."
"A Shutterstock video surfaced over the weekend with images identical to the viral shot posted to Facebook by Elk Grove resident Karen Keeslar last Thursday. Keeslar’s post, captioned “I think an alligator is swimming in the lake in my neighborhood park,” appears to have been deleted as of Monday morning."
"California Department of Fish and Wildlife agents searched the area around Camden Lake and set traps for the elusive reptile, spokeswoman Kirstin Macintyre said. In the end, they determined the reports were “a hoax."
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This mayor wants to beautify the freeway in her city with cherry blossoms
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "Rancho Cordova Mayor Linda Budge loves cherry blossoms. Each year on her April lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., she notices many others as well flock to view the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin."
"It's given her an idea. How about a row of them over Highway 50?"
"She knows just the place. Rancho Cordova this spring is building a 1.4-mile bike and pedestrian path that will run from Folsom Boulevard north of the freeway to Mather Road and Mather Airport south of Highway 50."
Trump lawyer forced to reveal another client: Sean Hannity
AP's TOM HAYS/LARRY NEUMEISTER: "A legal fight over what should happen to records the FBI seized from President Donald Trump's personal attorney took a surprise twist Monday when the lawyer, Michael Cohen, was forced to reveal a secret — that he had also done legal work for Fox News host Sean Hannity."
"The disclosure came as a New York judge disappointed a lawyer for Trump by letting prosecutors proceed with the cataloguing of evidence including multiple electronic devices that were seized in raids while a system is set up to ensure that records protected by attorney-client privilege aren't disclosed to investigators."
"Lawyers for Cohen and prosecutors both had reason to claim success after three hours of arguments before U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, who said she may appoint a special master, a neutral lawyer, to help decide which materials should stay confidential."
READ MORE related to POTUS45/KremlinGate: US and Britain warn businesses worldwide of Russian campaign to hack routers -- WaPo; Federal judge weighs special master to review seized Trump-Cohen records -- WaPo's PHILIP BUMP/DEVLIN BARRETT; 'This is not some tin-pot dictatorship': Comey pushes back against Trump's suggestion he be jailed -- WaPo's JOHN WAGNER
