In confronting coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom takes California on its own path
TARYN LUNA and PHIL WILLON, LAT: "When it comes to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom has made clear he’s not concerned that California’s way may be different from that of other states.
While the arrival of the novel coronavirus has prompted governors across the country to issue sweeping statewide orders in the name of public health — legal mandates to cancel school, quarantine the sick and close down businesses — Newsom’s historic directives for the state’s 40 million residents have come with a deliberately light touch.
The Democratic governor has advised schools to consider shuttering in communities with COVID-19 cases, asked event organizers to cancel large gatherings, urged — but not ordered — bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms to close their doors and recommended that seniors and people with underlying health conditions shelter at home."
California governor places National Guard on alert
From the U-T's ANDREW DYER: "Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday he has put the California National Guard on alert to help protect communities and fight the spread of COVID-19.
In the statement, Newsom said the troops should be prepared to perform humanitarian missions such as food distribution and supply.
“As Californians make sacrifices over the coming weeks and stay home, we are immensely grateful for medical providers, first-responders and National Guard personnel who are assisting those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Newsom said in the statement."
Ex-California GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter gets 11 months in prison
The Chronicle's JULIE WATSON: "Former California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter was sentenced Tuesday to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter’s birthday party.
The ex-Marine’s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement, citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his nearly six terms in Congress. Hunter resigned from Congress in January after representing one of Southern California’s last solidly Republican districts.
Prosecutors submitted 87 pages of details to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Whelan ahead of Tuesday’s sentencing that showed a corrupt congressman who intentionally and repeatedly stole from his campaign funds for a decade."
Biden wins Arizona, Florida and Illinois primaries in sweep that could lock up Democratic nomination
From the LAT's MARK Z. BARABAK: "Joe Biden swept the Arizona, Florida and Illinois primaries Tuesday, taking a long stride toward clinching the Democratic nomination on an extraordinary election day shadowed by growing fears of the coronavirus pandemic.
The former vice president prevailed over Bernie Sanders in convincing fashion, forging a now-familiar coalition of party moderates, older and pragmatic voters as well as African Americans, who once more supported Biden in landslide numbers.
It takes 1,991 delegates to win the nomination at the party’s summer convention, and Biden’s powerful showing Tuesday pushed him past 1,100, lengthening his already sizable lead over Sanders and leaving Vermont’s senator with only the faintest hopes of a comeback."
State Capitol closes to public
Sac Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "The California Capitol building in Sacramento has closed its doors to the public in an effort to slow the spread of a coronavirus that’s sickened hundreds of Californians, killed nearly a dozen and all but halted ordinary life in the Golden State.
The Senate and Assembly Joint Rules Committee issued a memo on Tuesday that saidSacramento County’s order for residents to stay at home necessitated the building’s closure to the public.
“Pursuant to Sacramento County’s ‘stay at home’ directive issued today, the State Capitol Building and the (Legislative Office Building) are closed to the public, effective March 18, 2020, until further notice,” an internal memo sent to staffers said."
READ MORE related to COVID-19: Newsom puts National Guard on alert -- The Chronicle's STAFF; Sacramento adopts ban on some evictions during ou tbreak. How it will work -- Sac Bee's THERESA CLIFT; Sac County identifying hotels where homeless will be sheltered -- Sac Bee's THERESA CLIFT; State workers waiting for new coronavirus guidance after shelter-in-place orders -- Sac Bee's WES VENTEICHER; Gun sales surge amid virus fears -- and lockdown -- The Chronicle's STAFF; National Park Service mandates widespread closures of facilities, from Yosemite to Everglades -- The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER; Where can I get a coronavirus test? -- The Chronicle's CATHERINE HO; Bay Area hospitals say they have enough ventilators -- for now -- The Chronicle's PETER FIMRITE; SF cuts red tape to speed up hiring of public health nurses -- The Chronicle's TRISHA THADANI
CW Podcast: Richard Schuetz on sports betting
STAFF: "Many people in politics have led colorful lives, but Richard Schuetz has most of them beat. He began working in casinos as a dealer while still in college, and has since held senior positions in gaming establishments across the country, notably in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He served on the California Gambling Control Commission until 2015, when he left to head the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission.
Today, Schuetz splits his time between Pennsylvania and Florida and works around the globe as a consultant on gaming. He joined John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about the impact of the pandemic on the gaming industry, the competing sports-betting proposals currently in play in California and more."
Expect schools to stay closed through summer break because of COVID-19, Newsom says
Sac Bee's SOPHIA BOLLAG/SAWSAN MORRAR: "California parents and students should expect schools to stay closed through summer break as efforts continue to contain the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday afternoon.
“Don’t anticipate schools are going to open in a week. Don’t anticipate schools are going to open in a few weeks,” Newsom said during a news conference. “I would plan and assume that it’s unlikely that many of these schools, few, if any, will open before the summer break.”
Newsom says he believes in being straight with Californians, as he is with his own family."
Trump wants to cut payroll taxes to cope with viral fallout. Would it help the economy?
Sac Bee's DAVID LIGHTMAN: "Looking for big help thanks to a cut in the Social Security and Medicare tax? Don’t count on it right away.
President Donald Trump has long sought a reduction or temporary halt to the payroll tax. Workers and employers each pay 6.2% for Social Security until their income reaches $137,700, and 1.45% in most cases for Medicare. The highest earners pay another 0.9% in Medicare tax.
The administration Tuesday said it is considering sending cash payments to taxpayers within the next two weeks to prompt a quicker stimulus. But Trump would not rule out a payroll tax at some point."
Could the US vote by mail in November?
The Chronicle's JOHN WILDERMUTH: "As the coronavirus upends virtually every part of the country’s culture, politicians and election officials are beginning to contemplate the unthinkable: How do you hold a presidential election if people aren’t allowed to leave their homes?
With President Trump warning that the virus crisis could last through the summer and perhaps even longer, there already are signs for concern.
In Ohio, the governor postponed Tuesday’s primary because of coronavirus concerns, despite a court’s refusal to allow him to cancel the statewide vote."
