Updates Since This Morning

Boxer and Fiorina spar over rights of those on the no-fly list -- Five months after the subject arose in a primary debate, the federal no-fly list remains a key topic in the U.S. Senate race in California, if Monday is any indication. Maeve Reston and Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Emily's List launches new ad for Barbara Boxer -- A national organization that boosts Democratic women candidates will take up where Barbara Boxer left off, airing a television ad critical of the incumbent senator’s Republican opponent for her actions as head of Hewlett-Packard. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Obama hits airwaves with radio spot for Boxer -- President Barack Obama is giving Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer a boost on the airwaves in advance of a California campaign stop scheduled for later this week. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/18/10

On national TV, Fiorina won't say how she'd cut spending -- Carly Fiorina is taking heat today after doing a national television interview Sunday with Chris Wallace of Fox News, who tried without luck to get the GOP Senate nominee to say how she would cut spending in Washington. Rob Hotakainen SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/18/10

Gavin Newsom stumps for the Latino vote -- and gets a surprise visit from Abel Maldonado -- The first candidate to show up at Gavin Newsom's campaign rally Monday was not Gavin Newsom. It was Abel Maldonado, Newsom's Republican opponent in the hard-fought lieutenant governor's race. Kate Linthicum in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Whitman says personal gain from eliminating tax outweighed by her $140-million stake in campaign -- Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman mocked rival Jerry Brown’s contention that she would benefit financially if she can enact a key plank of her economic proposal, saying Monday that any potential savings would be offset many times by the massive amount of her personal wealth that she is spending on her campaign. Seema Mehta and Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Connie Conway loses post as Assembly GOP caucus chair -- Assembly GOP leader Martin Garrick has stripped Assemblywoman Connie Conway of her leadership role as the second-ranking Republican in the Assembly. Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/18/10

California lawmakers sought grants from stimulus program they opposed -- Even as they openly criticized the federal stimulus program as a waste of money, several members of Congress from California wrote to federal agencies asking for their share of the $800 billion in spending, an investigation by the nonprofit Center for Public Integrity has found. Chase Davis California Watch -- 10/18/10

Former Speaker Fabian Nuñez gives $489,000 to Proposition 25 -- When Fabian Nuñez left the Assembly, he walked away with more than $4 million in his political bank account. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Lungren launchesnew ad attacking Bera on taxes, Pelosi -- Republican Rep. Dan Lungren is airing a new television spot attacking Democratic opponent Ami Bera as "(House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi's choice for more spending and more taxes." Torey Van Oot SacBee Capitol Alert -- 10/18/10

Jerry Brown boosters hope Magic Johnson can assist election effort -- A union-backed group is seeking to give Jerry Brown's gubernatorial campaign a boost by enlisting Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the closing days of the campaign. Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Laura Richardson's Sacramento home back on the market -- The Sacramento home of Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) has been listed for a short sale, months after Sacramento County documents indicated the Congresswoman was behind in her payments by more than $42,000. Malcolm Maclachlan, Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 10/18/10

Grand jury investigating Vernon official's business deal with wife -- Current and former Vernon employees testified Monday before a grand jury investigating the financial dealings of the city’s former top manager. Sam Allen, Kim Christensen and Hector Becerra in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Crystal Cathedral files for bankruptcy amid mounting debts -- Faced with mounting debts and decreasing donations, the Crystal Cathedral announced today it was filing for bankruptcy protection. Shelby Grad in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

   California Policy and Politics This Morning

Clinton stumps for Jerry Brown -- Appearing before thousands of people at a San Jose rally Sunday, former President Clinton brought the contest for California governor to Republican Meg Whitman's doorstep, imploring Democrats to turn out the vote and elect his onetime presidential rival, Jerry Brown, to the state's highest office. Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times Jack Chang SacBee Capitol Alert Sharon Noguchi in the Contra Costa Times SAMANTHA YOUNG AP Joe Garofoli Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 10/18/10

CalBuzz: Clinton Rallies Dems; Krusty Bashes eMeg on Taxes -- Jerry Brown took some of his toughest shots of the campaign at Republican Meg Whitman at a rollicking rally Sunday night in San Jose, where former president Bill Clinton warmly embraced his one-time Democratic rival, lavishly praising him as a leader who “has always been on the side of positive change.” Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 10/18/10

Rain doesn't dampen Napa turnout for Bill Clinton -- Hundreds of hopeful fans waited for hours in the rain for the chance to hear Clinton speak at the historic Uptown Theater. Just minutes after its doors opened, the venue was packed with 850 people. CATHY BUSSEWITZ in the Santa Rosa Press -- 10/18/10

Brown and Whitman's contributions at a glance -- Much has been said since last week's final gubernatorial debate about the cash behind Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman's campaigns. Chase Davis California Watch -- 10/18/10

Some California Democrats Gripe About Funds -- Meg Whitman's massive spending in her campaign for California governor is having ripple effects on Democrats statewide. JIM CARLTON in the Wall Street Journal -- 10/18/10

There's an election in California, but will the Democratic voters show up? -- Tarah Al-Haise was into "the whole presidential thing" when Barack Obama was elected president two years ago. Yet with next month's elections looming, nothing on the ballot inspires the junior psychology major at San Jose State University to persuade her to vote. Linda Goldston in the San Jose Mercury -- 10/18/10

State's bellwether voters want more attention paid to issues -- San Benito County has reflected California's voting patterns for 16 years. The message for Brown and Whitman: Get relevant. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Proposition 19: high-profile issue, low-profile campaign -- With competitive top-of-the-ticket races siphoning away big bucks, neither side in the marijuana debate has attracted the money to advertise on TV, the most effective way to reach California voters. John Hoeffel in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Would Prop. 19 curb pot-linked violence? -- Marijuana prompted several men to strong-arm their way into a west Santa Rosa home last week and tie up residents with duct tape. It lured a pair into an illicit garden in Round Valley where they were shot dead by its tenders. JULIE JOHNSON in the Santa Rosa Press -- 10/18/10

Skelton: A challenge for voters -- Here's the nitty-gritty on the complexities of Props. 24, 25 and 26. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Dueling ballot measures will decide who draws the lines -- California voters soon must decide whether to plow ahead with the legislative redistricting reform they began two years ago or roll it back. Josh Richman in the Contra Costa Times -- 10/18/10

Walters: Big battle riding on Nov. 2 vote -- Democrats have controlled both houses of the California Legislature for four decades, except for one year when Republicans held sway in the Assembly. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/18/10

Meg Whitman chips in to protect homestead -- When it comes to giving, megamillionaire Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman really does believe that charity begins at home. Or very close to it. Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/18/10

Wealthy donor's passion project is redistricting - but will voters care? -- California's turbulent election history is spotted with the failed ambitions of wealthy donors who have funded ballot measures – pet projects that, however good the intentions, ended up rejected by voters. Mallory Fites California Watch -- 10/18/10

   Tax Measures

Proposal to tax billboards, supergraphics heads to L.A. City Council committee for a vote -- The council’s Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled to meet Monday to review a plan to seek a 12% excise tax on billboards and supergraphics, which are vinyl images stretched across the sides of buildings. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Borenstein: Voters kept in the dark on school bonds -- Voters in seven East Bay school districts will be asked Nov. 2 to approve a collective $854 million of bonds to fund school construction. By the districts' estimates, which they're not sharing with voters, repayment with interest will increase property tax bills $3 billion. Daniel Borenstein in the Contra Costa Times -- 10/18/10

   Economy - Jobs

California cities are lowering standards to raise revenue -- Financially struggling municipalities that once shunned such businesses as casinos, tattoo parlors and certain big-box retailers are considering easing rules to plug budget gaps. Alana Semuels in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

   Education

Fensterwald: LA charter group lays off sixth of staff -- The Los Angeles charter school organization ICEF Public Schools laid off 100 staff members – about a sixth of its work force – last week as part of a reorganization to keep its doors open. John Fensterwald educatedguess -- 10/18/10

CSU system not out of budget woods yet -- The California State University system got good news when the Legislature finally approved its budget restoring $260million to the system's general fund, but it hasn't solved all of the system's financial problems. Canan Tasci in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 10/18/10

   Environment

A fresh battle between Southern California water adversaries -- Imperial Valley agency wants to send water into the degrading Salton Sea, as required in a 2003 deal. But MWD argues that the same deal orders Imperial to hand over any surplus to MWD's customers. Tony Perry in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

New Tactic in California for Paying Pollution Bill -- Officials who have tried and failed to clean the air in California’s smog-filled San Joaquin Valley have seized on a new strategy: getting millions of drivers to shoulder more of the cost. FELICITY BARRINGER in the New York Times -- 10/18/10

Global warming issue spans two ballot items -- As the campaign slows down for Prop. 23, which would repeal the environmental law, money pours in to promote Prop. 26, which could hobble it. Margot Roosevelt in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

State water quality board wants to cut back on inspections -- California water quality regulators are considering a policy change that would end testing and cleanup of several thousand underground storage tanks that have leaked gasoline and other petroleum products. Loretta Kalb in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/18/10

   Health Care

Governor won't force statewide inventory of untested 'rape kits' -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department earlier this month quietly announced that it had eliminated its backlog of untested "rape kits," or samples of evidence from possible sexual assault victims. Ryan Gabrielson California Watch -- 10/18/10

Mental health aid for kids cut -- As Los Angeles County faces record demand for welfare benefits, officials said the recently adopted state budget cuts funding for thousands of mentally ill children but largely spares welfare programs. Troy Anderson in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 10/18/10

Does California's porn industry have an HIV crisis? -- Last week, an adult-film performer tested positive for HIV at a clinic based in the San Fernando Valley, the nation’s largest pornography hub. The news set off a frenzy of media reports and renewed attention on one of California's biggest industries. Deia de Brito California Watch -- 10/18/10

L.A. County's next healthcare chief will be entering a big new world -- Mitchell Katz is known for working well with disparate groups to get things done for San Francisco patients. But can he replicate that success on L.A. County's scale? Molly Hennessy-Fiske in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

Research shows heart surgery deaths dropped after mortality rates released -- Five years after the state began collecting and releasing data on deaths associated with heart bypass surgery, the mortality rate associated with the procedure is 27 percent below where it was before, according to a new study by UC Davis researchers. Dan Weintraub HealthyCal.org -- 10/18/10

A beach town moves to a wellness beat -- Can a city redefine itself through health and wellness? Long Beach wants to try, and its residents are the reason. Margaret T. Simpson HealthyCal.org -- 10/18/10

   Also..

For Levy family, trial won't bring an end to grief -- Now, nine years after Chandra Levy's disappearance and slaying, as the suspect in her death is set to stand trial Monday in D.C. Superior Court, the Levy family still can't escape the grief, the nagging feelings, the anger and regret that come with the death of a child. Keith L. Alexander in the Washington Post -- 10/18/10

Welfare and ATMs aren't a recipe for fraud, experts say -- In Mendocino County, a woman who owned two homes and 12 vehicles collected $79,000 in welfare benefits using an ATM card issued by the state. Cynthia Hubert in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/18/10

Prison safety a concern -- Violent incidents at state prisons in Norco and Chino as well as recent state budget cutbacks have resulted in concerns being expressed by residents, local officials and corrections officers about the safety at these facilities. Neil Nisperos in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 10/18/10

The Northern California Innocence Project releases comprehensive study of prosecutorial misconduct -- Responding to the first statewide report on lax discipline of prosecutors who commit misconduct, the California State Bar Association is reviewing the records of 130 prosecutors named in the report for possible disciplinary action. Tracey Kaplan in the San Jose Mercury -- 10/18/10

   POTUS 44

Education of a President -- For all intents and purposes, the first chapter of Obama’s presidency has ended. On Election Day, the next chapter will begin. PETER BAKER in the New York Times -- 10/18/10

With Pressure on Democrats, Obamas Hit the Campaign Trail -- President Obama is seeking to rally anxious Democrats for the final two weeks of the midterm election campaign, traveling to the heart of the electoral battleground to urge them not to be discouraged — “Don’t let them tell you that change isn’t possible” — even as resurgent Republicans continued to expand their sights with the help of deep-pocketed allies. CARL HULSE and JACKIE CALMES in the New York Times -- 10/18/10

Obama, on the campaign trail, urges people to not be disillusioned -- Appearing in Ohio with First Lady Michelle Obama, the president tells voters that Republicans are 'counting on you to forget who caused the mess in the first place.' Peter Nicholas in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/18/10

   Beltway

AP poll: Those craving for change now look to the GOP -- President Barack Obama's winning coalition from 2008 has crumbled and his core backers are dispirited. It's now Republicans who stand to benefit from an electorate that's again craving change. Liz Sidoti AP -- 10/18/10

The Democrats' brutal weekend -- More bad polls. More bad fundraising numbers. More dreary talk on the Sunday shows. JAMES HOHMANN Politico -- 10/18/10

PACs linked to foreign companies legally donate millions to U.S. campaigns -- As Democrats and Republicans spar over whether foreign money is polluting the midterm elections, a simple point is often overlooked: Hundreds of foreign corporations already play an integral and perfectly legal role in American politics through their U.S. subsidiaries. Dan Eggen in the Washington Post -- 10/18/10