California halts tenant evictions statewide, court governing body rules
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "Ten days after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a halt to evictions of tenants unable to pay rent because of the coronavirus, state judicial leaders went a step further Monday and barred courts from enforcing any eviction orders against renters.
Eviction orders “threaten to remove people from the very homes they have been instructed to remain in,” the state Judicial Council said in a summary of the rent issue on the agenda at an emergency teleconference.
Newsom first issued an executive order March 16 authorizing local governments to halt evictions through May 31. Finding that only about 30 cities or counties, including San Francisco and San Jose, had responded, the governor issued another order March 27 requiring a statewide, two-month halt on evictions of tenants who could not afford to pay rent because of the pandemic."
READ MORE related to Housing/Homelessness: SF housing debates go online as Planning Commission meets remotely -- The Chronicle's JK DINEEN; SF, San Mateo counties extend property-tax deadline to May 4 -- The Chronicle's KATHLEEN PENDER
Ballot initiatives in the era of COVID-19
LISA RENNER in Capitol Weekly: "It’s never easy to get initiatives qualified for the ballot, but this year of the COVID-19 pandemic is the worst ever.
Organizations busily trying to get enough signatures to qualify their measure of choice had their efforts abruptly halted two weeks ago because of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s sweeping stay-at-home order. Signature collectors who formerly approached people at grocery stores or crowded street corners and events no longer have that option.
While organizations technically have until April 21 to turn in signatures to qualify for the November ballot, the shutdown effectively means that those that didn’t collect enough signatures by mid-March probably won’t make it. At best they can hope for possibly qualifying for November 2022."
READ MORE about initiatives: Digital, mail-in push for stem cell initiative -- DAVID JENSEN, Capitol Weekly
In uncharted territory, California court leaders OK urgent new rules for pandemic
LA Times's MAURA DOLAN: "California judicial leaders approved 11 new emergency rules Monday to keep essential court services running and still try to protect people from the coronavirus.
During a meeting held by telephone, the Judicial Council, the policy-making arm of the state court system, directed judges to set bail at zero in misdemeanor and low-level felony cases and to postpone proceedings that could result in evictions or foreclosures.
The most contentious item at the meeting involved the rights of criminal defendants to appear in person for pretrial proceedings, where defendants learn of their charges and enter pleas and prosecutors must show there is enough evidence to hold them over for trial."
Here's when experts predict new virus cases will peak in California, Sacramento region
Sac Bee's TONY BIZJAK/ALEXANDRA YOON-HENDRICKS: "It’s the moment we are all waiting for. And worrying about. When will the growing wave of coronavirus infections peak in the Sacramento region and California?
Experts say the next few weeks are critical: The magnitude of the virus’ sweep is about to come into focus.
“This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store, not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family and your friends safe,” Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the White House’s response to the pandemic, said Saturday."
READ MORE related to Pandemic: Virus patients can benefit from blood of the recovered, new study shows -- LA Times's MELISSA HEALY; Are California politicians still campaigning during the pandemic? They are -- and here's how -- Sac Bee's KATE IRBY; LA County tells residents to stay inside this week as pandemic hits new milestone -- LA Times's COLLEEN SHALBY/PHIL WILLON/HANNAH FRY/JACLYN COSGROVE; A glimmer of hope in the Bayh Area: New virus cases slowing -- The Chronicle's ERIN ALLDAY; Navy chief apologizes for pejorative language against fired carrier captain -- The Chronicle's MATTHIAS GAFNI/JOE GAROFOLI/TAL KOPAN; Blood tests will determine who has had the virus -- and who may have immunity -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL CABANATUAN; How life's changed in the Bay Area 20 days after shelter-in-place order was issued -- The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA; Symptoms may show up less often in children who are infected -- The Chronicle's SARAH RAVANI; As deaths surge, missing racial data worry LA County officials -- LA Times's TONY BARBOZA/JOSEPH SERNA; HIV, Ebola, SARS and now COVID-19: Why some scientists fear deadly outbreaks are on the rise -- LA Times's JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH
California fire victims: Protect us from market crash, or we may quit PG&E bankruptcy deal
Sac Bee's DALE KASLER: "Thousands of Northern California wildfire victims could thwart PG&E Corp.’s plan to exit bankruptcy unless the utility guarantees that the victims’ compensation won’t be hurt by the plunge in PG&E’s stock price.
In a series of legal filings Thursday and Monday, lawyers for the court-appointed committee representing thousands of victims attacked PG&E’s plan because the volatility in the utility’s stock jeopardizes the amount of money to be paid.
“The victims should not bear the economic risk,” they wrote in a filing Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The plan “is not fair, equitable or in good faith."
READ MORE related to Economy: Aid to unemployed freelancers lags as California officials await federal guidance -- LA Times's KATHY KRISTOF; California state unions were bargaining for raises. Then came the pandemic -- Sac Bee's WES VENTEICHER; SF water usage falls sharply with office buildings shut -- The Chronicle; Pandemic leaves many of Oakland's mom-and-pop shops struggling for survival -- The Chronicle's OTIS R TAYLOR JR; Tech hiring despite the pandemic -- The Chronicle's CHASE DIFELICIANTONIO/ROLAND LI; Bay Area businesses eager for $349B in loans, but bank rules stymie applicants -- The Chronicle's SHWANIKA NARAYAN/DUSTIN GARDINER; Could pandemic shutdown lead to equal pay for US women's soccer? -- The Chronicle's ANN KILLION; Museum directors discuss shutdown challenges -- Chronicle Datebook's CHARLES DESMARAIS; How long will we be working from home? What we know -- and what we don't -- LA Times's LISA BOONE
Amador tribe wins federal right to seek state permission for new casino in Plymouth
Sac Bee's SAM STANTON: "After years of court fights and citizen efforts to halt the construction of a third casino in Amador County, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians has won federal approval for 220 acres of tribal land to be placed into trust as a possible site for a Las Vegas-style gaming hall.
The tribe says the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed last week to place the land in Plymouth adjacent to Highway 49 into federal trust for the tribe, which allows them to seek an agreement with the state of California to open a new casino in the area.
“For the Ione Band this isn’t just about the development of a gaming operation, this is really about restoring the land base we can use to support our members in the futrure,” tribal Chairwoman Sara Dutschke said in a telephone interview. “We’ve waited a very long time for this."
See where hospital ICU beds in California are filling up fastest with COVID-19 patients
Sac Bee's PHILLIP REESE: "California’s intensive care hospital beds are filling up with COVID-19 cases.
About 1,085 confirmed and 575 suspected COVID-19 patients were under treatment in California’s ICUs on Sunday, according to the latest figures from the California Department of Public Health.
That’s the equivalent of roughly 22 percent of the state’s licensed hospital ICU beds, excluding ICU beds for newborn children."
READ MORE related to Healthcare: Sacramento manufacturer makes deal to mass-produce ventilators for COVID-19 patients -- Sac Bee's DALE KASLER; All symptomatic LA residents can get tests as restrictions are lifted, Garcetti says -- LA Times's LAURA NEWBERRY/JACLYN COSGROVE; As virus rages on, nursing homes have ventilators that hospitals desperately need -- LA Times's JOANNE FARYON
Dozens of Corrections Department workers havbe tested positive for COVID-19
Sac Bee's WES VENTEICHER: "Fifty-three people who work at California state prisons have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new figures released on Sunday.
The California Institute for Men, in Chino, had 16 reported cases, the most among 18 state facilities — including prisons and other offices — where employees have reported positive tests, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
California State Prison, Sacramento had five positive tests and Folsom State Prison had four, according to a tally the corrections department keeps on its website."
READ MORE related to Public Safety/Crime: California courts leaders approve $0 bail for low-level suspects. Will it be signed? -- Sac Bee's DARRELL SMITH; Suicide calls in California have spiked during pandemic. Here's how to find help -- Sac Bee's THERESA CLIFT; On streets emptied by COVID-19, LA officials crack down on speeding -- LA Times's RICHARD WINTON/LAURA J NELSON/CINDY CHANG
Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill
AP's LISA MASCARO: "Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another coronavirus rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during the stark pandemic and economic shutdown.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said another $1 trillion is needed, beyond the just-passed $2.2 trillion effort. She wants another round of direct payments to Americans and more money for companies to keep making payroll. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said in recent days that health care should top the list, signaling his intent to get to work on a new bill.
“We’re going to take good care of our people,” Trump said Monday at his daily White House briefing. "It was not their fault.”
