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Newsom pulls out of governor's race -- Hamstrung by both a lack of money and political momentum, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom withdrew from the California governor's race today. Phil Matier, Andrew Ross, Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle Anthony York in Capitol Weekly Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times LISA LEFF and JULIET WILLIAMS AP -- 10/30/09 Brown under fire for 'gift' to Mercury Insurance -- Attorney General Jerry Brown is facing accusations that he cleared the way for a ballot measure summary that was favorable to an insurance company that has contributed to his campaign coffers. Steven Harmon in the Contra Costa Times -- 10/30/09 AG spokesman Gerber on "administrative leave" for secretly taping reporter phone conversations -- Scott Gerber -- the spokesman for Attorney General Jerry Brown who admitted secretly taping a phone conversation with Carla Marinucci and other reporters -- has been put on "administrative leave," AG press secretary Christine Gasparac just told us. Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 10/30/09 Schwarzenegger: Profanity in veto was 'wild coincidence' -- It may be highly improbable mathematically, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that the encoded profanity contained in one of his veto messages was "a wild coincidence." Rob Hotakainen in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/30/09 Prosecutors won't charge LAPD officers in immigration march melee at MacArthur Park -- Prosecutors said in a statement that after a lengthy review, there was insufficient evidence to prove any officer violated the law when using force, although some might have used "questionable tactics." Richard Winton and Andrew Blankstein in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 California among 15 states suing Amgen over anemia drug -- The suit alleges that the Thousand Oaks biotech company offered medical providers kickbacks to boost sales of its drug Aranesp, leading to fraudulent claims for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Martin Zimmerman in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 Bill to require legislative OK of peripheral canal introduced -- Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, D-El Dorado Hills, introduced a bill last night that would require legislative approval of any future plans to construct a peripheral canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/30/09 White House turns to data and Schwarzenegger to defend stimulus -- The Obama administration on Friday touted reports of 640,000 stimulus jobs, the latest economic numbers and the backing of a Republican governgaor to try to undercut GOP attacks on the effect of its massive $787 billion package. Walter Alarkon The Hill -- 10/30/09 CalBuzz: Brown Must Fire Flack Who Secretly Taped Calls -- The stunning news that a spokesman for Attorney General Jerry Brown secretly taped a conversation with SF Chronicle reporter Carla Marinucci, admitting that this something he did routinely, leaves Brown with one and only option: fire the flack immediately. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 10/30/09 Honda deal to drive job, revenue growth in Richmond -- Construction is starting at the Port of Richmond to prepare for the arrival of at least 145,000 Honda cars a year beginning in April. The 15-year deal guarantees the city about $5.5 million annually. Katherine Tam in the Oakland Tribune -- 10/30/09 'White pages' wasteful, state senator says -- A proposed state law could make the "white pages" portion of phone books and the expense of disposing them a thing of the past in California, though a company that makes them says the directories still have a place in the Internet era. Joshua Melvin in the Oakland Tribune -- 10/30/09 Gray areas in medical pot law stoke debate -- Michael Hawkins, a jolly looking man in loafers and a button down shirt, walks into King's Smoke Shop and asks for the cheapest pipe they've got. JENNIFER MUIR in the Orange County Register -- 10/30/09 Jeffee: Reforming State Government: From Diagnosis to Cure -- One particular paragraph in the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's memoir, True Compass, jumped out at me; although it deals with the U.S. Senate, it bears directly on what Californians are mulling over these days. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe Fox & Hounds weblog -- 10/30/09 Chevron profit drops 52% in the third quarter -- Net income declines to $3.8 billion from $7.9 billion a year earlier, when oil prices were at record highs. Ronald D. White in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 White House: 650,000 jobs saved, created by stimulus -- Reports to be released Friday on the government Web site Recovery.gov are expected to show that the $150 billion in grants and loans made so far under the economic stimulus package have created or saved about 650,000 jobs, White House officials said Friday morning. Alec MacGillis in the Washington Post -- 10/30/09 Court rules Palos Verdes Estates can bar cellular antennas -- The stunning views and carefully planned landscapes of Palos Verdes Estates won't be disrupted anytime soon. Natalie Jarvey in the Torrance Daily Breeze -- 10/30/09 Wildermuth: The Importance of Petition Privacy There was a story in San Francisco earlier this month about a defense attorney who had seven gang members stand up in court and stare at a witness who was testifying against one of their buddies in a murder case. John Wildermuth Fox & Hounds weblog -- 10/30/09 Dangerous citrus pest nears California growing center -- The Asian citrus psyllid, which has wreaked havoc elsewhere, is found in rural San Diego County. A high concentration of organic farmers in the area complicates efforts to control the insect. Jerry Hirsch in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 San Jose rated safest California big city, unless it shakes -- Five California metropolitan areas appear a Forbes magazine list that purports to rate the personal safety risk of the nation's 40 largest metropolitan areas, based on their rates of violent crime, workplace deaths, fatal auto crashes and their exposure to natural disasters. Dan Walters SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/30/09 Rep. Miller: No amendments likely as healthcare bill moves forward -- Hispanic members, abortion-rights opponents, supporters of “single-payer” healthcare and liberal members are all clamoring for the chance to offer amendments to the landmark legislation. Some want to change the bill, while others want to make a point or gauge support for their proposals. Mike Soraghan The Hill -- 10/30/09 Lieberman will campaign for Republicans in 2010 -- Days after drawing anger from liberal Democrats for opposing a public option to the Senate health care bill, Sen. Joe Lieberman is adding fuel to the fire, telling an interviewer it's likely he'll campaign for some Republicans in next year's midterm elections. Alexander Mooney CNN -- 10/30/09 Orange County owner gets fine, jail time for workers comp fraud -- An Orange County business owner and his bookkeeper have pleaded guilty to workers compensation insurance fraud dating back to 2005, according to California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Jan Norman in the Orange County Register -- 10/30/09
Ethics panel to probe Reps. Maxine Waters, Laura Richardson -- The House ethics committee has voted to begin full-scale investigations into ethics allegations against Democratic Reps. Maxine Waters (Calif.) and Laura Richardson (Calif.), but decided against investigating Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.). JOHN BRESNAHAN Politico Jeff Gottlieb in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 Dozens in Congress under ethics inquiry -- House ethics investigators have been scrutinizing the activities of more than 30 lawmakers and several aides in inquiries about issues including defense lobbying and corporate influence peddling, according to a confidential House ethics committee report prepared in July. Ellen Nakashima and Paul Kane in the Washington Post -- 10/30/09 7 on defense panel scrutinized -- Nearly half the members of a powerful House subcommittee in control of Pentagon spending are under scrutiny by ethics investigators in Congress, who have trained their lens on the relationships between seven panel members and an influential lobbying firm founded by a former Capitol Hill aide. Carol D. Leonnig in the Washington Post -- 10/30/09 Cyber attack puts ethics document in hands of reporter -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who chairs the panel, and Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), its ranking member, suggested the document was the committee’s weekly report, which contains all the calls the panel has received from member offices that week. Susan Crabtree The Hill -- 10/30/09 Jerry Brown's office taped reporters' calls -- A spokesman for Attorney General Jerry Brown acknowledged Thursday that he taped a phone conversation with a reporter for The Chronicle this week without disclosing the fact or asking permission - and admitted he has taped conversations with other news reporters. Joe Garofoli, Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/30/09 Not all Inland water agencies fully agree with pending state legislation -- Southern California's Metropolitan Water District is a key player in the coalition lined up behind major water legislation pending in the state Capitol, but some of its Inland member agencies so far are not on board. JIM MILLER in the Riverside Press -- 10/30/09 Walters: School reform duel shifts to surrogates -- One of the more obscure – and probably more important – of California's many political conflicts pits an organization called EdVoice against the California Teachers Association and other school unions. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/30/09 Clever California Dem Garry South says one specific Republican would make 'a great governor' -- Garry South, the ever-voluble, ever-quotable political strategist, has made a name for himself with his provocative, often outrageous statements on behalf of Democratic candidates and causes. Mark Z. Barabak LA Times Top of Ticket weblog -- 10/30/09 Battle over costly pension rule proposal -- A CalPERS federal lobbyist sees progress in a battle to prevent an accounting change that would cause public pensions to begin using a key private-sector pension rule, probably driving up costs for state and local governments. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 10/30/09 A new door is ajar for old pol John Garamendi -- After years in Sacramento, California's lieutenant governor is heavily favored to win a special election Tuesday for a House seat. Eric Bailey in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 CD10: CBS poll shows Garamendi leads by 10 points -- A new CBS Channel 5 poll conducted by SurveyUSA shows Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi ahead of his GOP opponent David Harmer by 10 points. Lisa Vorderbrueggen Political Blotter weblog -- 10/30/09 Assemblyman questions closure of private prisons -- Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, challenged Thursday the recent decision to close the McFarland Community Correctional Facility, saying if there aren't enough low-level inmates to fill it maybe it should be upgraded to hold other kinds of prisoners. CHRISTINE BEDELL in the Bakersfield Californian -- 10/30/09 Term limit signatures gathered, union says -- Voters may get to decide in June whether term limits should be imposed on San Diego County supervisors, a group of elected officials that has had no turnover since 1995. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 10/30/09 CalBuzz: Press Clips: 3 Columns and a Bird In the Hand -- Score one for old school: The best columnists are first and foremost good reporters, as George Skelton proved anew this week, with a splendid 848-word takedown of Meg Whitman for the latest in her string of brazen departures from the truth. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 10/30/09
Tesla gets tax break, hopes to open plant in Southern California -- Tesla Motors will get tax credits that will allow it to expand its production of electric cars and create 1,400 jobs in California, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer announced Wednesday. Paul Eakins in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 10/30/09 California AG seeks bank info on mortgage "time bombs" -- California's attorney general has asked 10 major banks and loan servicers to show how they plan to help homeowners facing huge payment increases on option adjustable-rate mortgages, which he called "ticking time bombs." Jonathan Stempel Reuters -- 10/30/09 Recession's over, but it doesn't feel that way in capital area -- Local businesses are keeping the umbrellas within arm's reach. Local consumers, battered by furloughs and job losses in nearly every sector, are struggling to find shelter. Darrell Smith and Mark Glover in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/30/09
Study: California sets among highest math, reading standards -- California's testing standards for public school students in reading and math are tougher than in most states, a National Center for Education Statistics study reveals. FERMIN LEAL in the Orange County Register -- 10/30/09 College enrollment up, mostly at 2-year schools -- Some are there because of the recession, and others despite it. Regardless, more young Americans than ever are in college — especially community college, according to a new report. Justin Pope AP -- 10/30/09
State adjusts system to dole out swine flu vaccine to counties -- Santa Clara County health officials were surprised to receive 26,000 doses of swine flu vaccine Thursday — triple the amount they expected — a day after the Mercury News highlighted how the Bay Area's largest county had received the smallest supply of the highly sought vaccine. Julia Prodis Sulek in the San Jose Mercury -- 10/30/09 San Diego County receives unexpected shipment of vaccine -- County health officials have received an unexpected shipment of 78,000 doses of swine flu vaccine, they said Thursday. The item is in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 10/30/09 Demand depletes Valley flu doses -- Valley doctors have nearly run out of vaccine for both swine and seasonal flu -- and worry that further shipments won't come close to meeting demand as anxious families line up for shots. Barbara Anderson in the Fresno Bee -- 10/30/09 Hundreds line up for swine flu vaccines -- At the front of the line, Lucy Padilla waited with three of her children to receive the much-coveted yet still relatively rare vaccine. STEVEN MAYER in the Bakersfield Californian -- 10/30/09 Thousands swamp San Francisco clinics to get vaccine -- Thousands of people - mostly pregnant women and families with small children - flooded San Francisco's public health clinics Thursday evening to get the swine flu vaccine that has been in short supply all over the country. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/30/09
L.A. County bans more than reporters from back halls -- A ban issued this month to keep reporters out of the rooms and corridors immediately behind the Los Angeles County supervisors’ board meeting room was extended this week to all non- county employees. Garrett Therolf in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09 Proposed union contract would drastically reduce LAPD overtime costs -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council are backing an 83% cut, a savings of $72 million. Officers would be compensated with more time off or be paid out later. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/30/09
Beer Summit Goes for a Second Round -- If their highly publicized meeting over the summer was the Beer Summit, then perhaps this was simply the Beer Meal. Anahad O'Connor in the New York Times -- 10/30/09
Boxer pushes ahead with climate bill -- Senate Environment and Public Works committee chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.) said that she plans to mark-up her climate bill on Tuesday, moving forward despite Republican concerns about the pace of the legislation. LISA LERER Politico -- 10/30/09 GOP seeks to brand Democratic legislation as 'Pelosi healthcare bill' -- The effort to brand the bill comes after Pelosi unveiled the Democratic legislation on Thursday, melding three committee-passed bills into one. Molly K. Hooper The Hill -- 10/30/09 |
