Updating . . .

Steinberg asks Calderon to resign from California Senate -- Following the announcement Friday that a federal grand jury has indicted Sen. Ron Calderon on 24 criminal charges including bribery, California state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg called on him to resign and said he had the full backing of his Democratic caucus. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee$ Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Plea deal sheds light on 'massive healthcare fraud scheme' -- In announcing the indictment of state Sen. Ron Calderon on charges including money laundering Friday, federal authorities also released documents shedding new light on a spinal surgery billing scheme the California Department of Insurance called its largest-ever case of insurance fraud. David Siders in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Calderon indictment could affect other races, supermajority -- The indictments against state Sen. Ronald S. Calderon and former Assemblyman Tom Calderon on Friday initially drew a muted response from colleagues in the Legislature who huddled behind closed doors to decide what to do. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

State Sen. Ron Calderon took $100,000 in bribes, authorities allege -- Federal authorities allege that Calderon (D-Montebello) took the bribes from a Long Beach hospital official as well as people connected to what he believed was a Hollywood studio. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles TimesDon Thompson Associated Press  Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento BeeMelody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle Dan Whitcomb Reuters -- 2/21/14

Federal officials say Ron Calderon agreed willingly to wear 'wire' -- Federal officials said in a court filing Friday that state Sen. Ron Calderon wore a "wire" to record two conversations with another, unnamed person, but canceled a third meeting shortly before the FBI raided Calderon's Capitol office last summer. David Siders in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Read the indictment of Ron and Tom Calderon -- via the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Rep. Becerra endorses Eloise Gomez Reyes for Congress -- Breaking with the election arm of House Democrats, Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) has endorsed Colton attorney Eloise Gomez Reyes for an open Inland Empire congressional seat. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

California Sen. Rod Wright sentencing delayed two months -- Sentencing has been delayed by two months in the case against Sen. Rod Wright, who was found guilty of eight felonies by a Los Angeles jury last month for lying about where he lives. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Drought: Feds cut water to California farmers to zero -- Federal officials announced Friday that many California farmers will receive no water this year from the federally-run system of reservoirs and canals fed by the drought-stricken Sierra Nevada, a crippling blow for the state's agricultural industry. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle Mark Grossi in the Fresno Bee Bettina Boxall in the Los Angeles TimesPaul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Tesoro bars federal safety agency from East Bay refinery -- In an unprecedented challenge, Tesoro Corp. has barred federal authorities from going inside its refinery near Martinez to investigate an incident in which two workers were burned by acid spewing from a broken pipe, The Chronicle has learned. Jaxon Van Derbeken in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/21/14

At least 3 key Metro execs leave in shakeup of transit agency managers -- At least three key executives are expected to leave or have already left the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority after their jobs were eliminated to make the agency less top-heavy, Metro confirmed on Friday. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Medical costs mount for severely beaten San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow -- The criminal case involving the severe beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow may have ended Thursday after his two attackers pleaded guilty to the assault, but for the former paramedic's family, the fight to pay for his around-the-clock care continues. The item is in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Implications for California as Detroit seeks to slash pensions -- In a case with significant implications for public pensions in California, the bankrupt city of Detroit proposed slashing retirement benefits by up to 34 percent in a plan unveiled Friday. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

California's fracking opponents introduce new moratorium bill -- California lawmakers have unveiled a new bill that would halt fracking and other controversial oil extraction practices in the state until a comprehensive review of their impact is complete, reigniting a legislative debate that fracking opponents lost last year. Rory Carroll Reuters -- 2/21/14

Prosecutor: Tim Donnelly won't face legal action for gun use -- Tim Donnelly will not face legal action in San Bernardino County for his heavily publicized use of firearms at campaign events in recent weeks, the local prosecutor saying Friday that terms of Donnelly's probation do not prohibit such activities. David Siders in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Billionaire tech star Peter Thiel, big GOP donor, backs $12/hr minimum wage -- Here’s more evidence that progressives and conservatives may find common ground on a key issue — billionaire tech star Peter Thiel, the San Francisco-based PayPal co-founder who’s given millions to GOP causes, supports the idea of boosting the minimum wage to $12 an hour. Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/21/14

Sierra Club San Diego Chapter suspended -- The Sierra Club’s national board voted Friday to suspend its San Diego chapter for four years, citing “ongoing conflicts and divisions” among local activists. Deborah Sullivan Brennan UT San Diego$ -- 2/21/14

California State University system enjoys record charitable donations -- The California State University's recent annual report on philanthropy for 2012-13 shows that the system pulled in $338 million in gift commitments, up 14% from the previous year. Ronald D. White in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Sandy Koufax feels 'fine' after taking foul ball to head -- A few hours after he was struck in the head by a line drive, Sandy Koufax walked out of the Dodgers spring-training complex Friday afternoon with a smile on his face. Dylan Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Jesse Jackson on Silicon Valley’s ‘apartheid’ -- The renowned civil rights leader told the Mercury News editorial board Thursday that his Rainbow PUSH Coalition plans to revitalize its Silicon Valley project and make its case to the region’s top tech firms that “we need to democratize the economy.” Josh Richman Political Blotter -- 2/21/14

Measles cases surge in California: state health officials -- State public health officials on Friday reported 15 confirmed cases of measles so far this year, prompting the state health department to urge all Californians to get a measles shot if they haven't already - especially if they’re planning on traveling to parts of the world where the disease is prevalent. Stephanie O'Neill KPBS -- 2/21/14

California Policy & Politics This Morning

Steinberg: Predictable gas tax better than swinging pump prices -- Californians gassing up their cars would pay a carbon tax — starting at 15 cents per gallon next year and rising to 43 cents per gallon in 2030 — under a proposal Senate leader Darrell Steinberg introduced Thursday. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee$ -Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles TimesJohn Myers KXTV -- 2/21/14

Gas Tax Proposed for California Would Undermine Existing Climate Law -- State Senator Darrell Steinberg is proposing a carbon tax on gasoline that would put a price on the pollution that causes climate change. The plan would also preempt a key piece of California’s existing climate law, due to kick in next year. Molly Samuel KQED -- 2/21/14

Walters: Steinberg’s gas tax proposal may be dead on arrival -- Darrell Steinberg, the president pro tem of the state Senate who will leave the position and the Legislature later this year, proposed Thursday that gasoline taxes be increased sharply to fight global warming and provide new financial support for low- and middle-income families. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14 

Former Howard Berman aide goes after Brad Sherman seat -- A onetime aide to former Rep. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) said he is going to try to unseat the man who defeated his boss in a bitter 2012 election. But this is no grudge match, activist Marc Litchman said Thursday. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Should bans on drought-resistant yards be lifted? -- Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has reopened a turf war in the Capitol over whether homeowners association should have the right to require green lawns and lush flower gardens even in a drought. Michael Gardner UT San Diego$ -- 2/21/14

Roberts: Presidential Plumbing -- Obama’s Drought Visit Sidesteps Political Water Wars Jerry Roberts Santa Barbara Independent -- 2/21/14

Campaign money disclosure bill clears the Assembly -- The Assembly approved a measure Thursday that would ramp up disclosure requirements for nonprofit groups and other organizations that spend money in California campaigns, a response to a infamous multimillion-dollar anonymous donation in 2012. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles TimesJeremy B. White in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Settlement of lobbyist Kevin Sloat's case falls short, key lawyer says -- An attorney who aided an investigation that resulted in fines against lobbyist Kevin Sloat said the settlement of the matter approved Thursday by the state Fair Political Practices Commission falls short and fails to address some of the most serious allegations involving elected officials. Patrick McGreevy and Paige St. John in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Union begins signature drive for hospital pricing ballot initiative -- A healthcare workers union will launch its signature-gathering effort for a hospital pricing ballot measure Thursday, marking the latest front in a looming initiative fight that will pit labor against hospitals. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Soda tax, warning labels backed by voters, poll finds -- A large, bipartisan majority of California voters support the idea of putting health-warning labels on sodas and other sugary drinks, while two-thirds of voters back a proposal to tax those drinks and use the money to make children healthier, according to a Field Poll released Thursday. Marisa Lagos in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/21/14

PG&E reports progress in improving gas pipeline system -- PG&E said Thursday it continues to make progress in a sweeping upgrade of its natural gas pipeline system in the wake of a fatal explosion in San Bruno, although the utility has encountered some cost overruns. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Norma Torres wades into 35th Congressional District race -- Let the musical chairs begin again — Inland Empire style. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Neel Kashkari calls for bigger GOP tent -- Republicans in California and across the nation must pitch a bigger tent, Neel Kashkari, one of two GOP candidates for governor, told the San Jose State University College Republicans on Thursday night. Josh Richman in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Tim Donnelly searching for campaign money in barren land -- Tim Donnelly parked his campaign RV outside a Stockton house one night last week, asked for a Monster Energy drink and walked inside to the applause of a small crowd. David Siders and Jim Miller in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Lawmakers: California driver’s licenses should include ‘veteran’ designation -- Veterans would be identified on California driver’s licenses as having served their country under a bill proposed Thursday by Assembly members Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, and Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/21/14

Bill would close sex-crime sentencing loophole -- Sexual predators who attack the severely disabled can escape harsher penalties because a loophole in the law prevents judges from handing down longer jail sentences simply because the victim cannot prove force was used. Michael Gardner UT San Diego$ -- 2/21/14

Legislation would make child abuse reporting training mandatory in California schools -- Next month, the state Assembly education committee will begin discussing legislation to require that school employees receive child abuse reporting training every year. Matthias Gafni in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Richmond leaders vow action in wake of damning reports on public housing system -- City Manager Bill Lindsay announced a plan Thursday to deal with problems plaguing the city's housing authority, and Mayor Gayle McLaughlin called for an independent investigation in the wake of revelations that the agency ranks among the most troubled in the nation. Robert Rogers in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/21/14

Al Gore calls Tom Steyer ‘Mr. Tipping Point’ -- Former Vice President Al Gore made an appearance at a Democratic fundraising dinner Wednesday night at the home of Tom Steyer and referred to the California billionaire as “Mr. Tipping Point” in the fight against climate change, according to a source who attended. Darren Goode Politico -- 2/21/14

CalBuzz: Press Clips: Pussy Riot Meets Bob Costas’s Pink Eye -- Clickbait starts here: While our Sports Department’s Division of Slushy Snow and Curling Brooms has found many fascinating story lines to pursue during the Winter Olympics (Will Bode Miller cry more if Tonya Harding whacks his bum knee with a pipe? How did Putin let double luge sneak into his anti-gay games? Do we really have to watch ice dancing, dear?) there frankly wasn’t much for political junkies to focus on – until the Cossacks showed up with the horse whips. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 2/21/14

Economy, Employers and Jobs

California chamber appeals ruling on cap-and-trade fees -- The California Chamber of Commerce is appealing a local judge's ruling that California's "cap-and-trade" fees on business to curb greenhouse gas emissions are legal. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Bill targets new construction in California quake zones -- The legislation by state Sen. Ted Lieu aims to close a loophole that allows building on or near earthquake faults that haven't been zoned by the state. Rosanna Xia, Rong-Gong Lin II and Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Moody's warns bankrupt cities they must cut pension debts -- Moody's Investors Services, a major bond rating house, warned Thursday that if bankrupt California cities don't reduce their pension obligations, they risk returning to insolvency. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Union, Los Angeles County retirement deal could save up to $840 million over next 30 years -- Realizing they both have a lot to lose if public employee retirement costs continue spiraling out of control, Los Angeles County and its labor unions have agreed to what they called “sweeping reforms” that could save as much as $840 million over the next 30 years. Christina Villacorte in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 2/21/14

Union calls for five-day strike next month at UC -- The union representing the University of California's 21,000 service workers and patient care employees has scheduled a five-day strike starting March 3 -- which would be their third and longest walkout in less than a year. Larry Gordon in the Los Angeles Times$ Katy Murphy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Los Angeles is among the top 10 U.S. cities for income inequality -- Los Angeles is among the top 10 U.S. cities with the widest gulf between the rich and poor, a Washington think tank reported Thursday. Gale Holland in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Overstock.com slapped with nearly $7 million fine for violating California's false advertising -- Discount retailer Overstock.com has been slapped with a $6.8 million fine after the Alameda County Superior Court ruled the company violated California's false advertising and unlawful business practices by telling consumers they were getting a bigger discount than they were receiving. Karina Ioffee in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

MLS commissioner mentions Sacramento as potential expansion city -- Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said Thursday that Sacramento is being considered as a potential expansion city for the nation’s premier professional soccer league. Ryan Lillis and Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Education

No easy fix for California's teacher pension crisis -- The state teachers pension fund faces a $71-billion shortfall, but Gov. Brown is willing to wait until next year to craft a remedy. Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Finding fairness in high school dropout accountability -- As part of a massive restructuring of California’s school accountability system, a key state panel decided Thursday to formally consider changes to a longstanding policy that penalizes the last high school a student attended before dropping out. Kimberly Beltran Cabinet Report -- 2/21/14

Blackstone donates $3.5 million to spur entrepreneurship -- One of the nation's largest private equity firms is scheduled to announce Friday that it is giving $3.5 million to create a joint entrepreneurship program at USC, UCLA and UC Irvine. Walter Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

California senator proposes restoring bilingual education -- Sixteen years after California voters approved an initiative requiring public school instruction in English, state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced a measure Thursday to repeal the requirement of Proposition 227. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

San Diego Students Looking For Shorter Time To Graduate Head South -- Finishing a bachelor's degree at one of California’s public universities in four years is increasingly difficult. Competition for seats in the states’ overenrolled classes has students looking across the border. Kyla Calvert KPBS -- 2/21/14

Scrutiny in California for Software in Schools -- A leading California lawmaker plans to introduce state legislation on Thursday that would shore up privacy and security protections for the personal information of students in elementary through high school, a move that could alter business practices across the nearly $8 billion education technology software industry. Natasha Singer in the New York Times$ -- 2/21/14  

Guns

Orange County loosens requirements for carrying concealed guns -- Permit requests surge after a federal appeals court rules that gun restrictions in many California counties are unconstitutional. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ David Montero in the Orange County Register$-- 2/21/14

Ed Markey to introduce ‘smart gun’ bill -- A Democratic senator wants to ensure that handguns sold in the United States can be operated only by “authorized” users. Burgess Everett Politico -- 2/21/14

Health

Assembly Democrats seek to restore cuts to Medi-Cal funding -- Two Assembly Democrats want to restore funding for California's healthcare program for the poor, laying the groundwork for another debate over how to make the best use of the state's financial recovery. Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Loophole in healthcare law may put Medi-Cal patients' assets at risk -- A provision in the Affordable Care Act may leave the financial assets of some Medi-Cal enrollees vulnerable to federal collection. Eryn Brown in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Report criticizes L.A. County spending on emergency medical services -- State auditors reported Thursday that Los Angeles County cannot prove it has properly used money from a special tax to provide emergency medical services. Abby Sewell and Eryn Brown in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Fremont legislator seeks to bolster rights of care home residents -- A Fremont assemblyman has joined efforts to overhaul the state's Department of Social Services by boosting the rights of residential care facility residents. Katie Nelson in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

HPV Vaccine Prevents Cancer, Yet Parents Slow To Make Sure They Get It -- You would think that a vaccine that could prevent cancer would be an easy sell, but that’s hasn’t proven to be true so far with the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Patti Neighmond NPR -- 2/21/14

Rural California getting new trauma centers -- In rural California, traumatic injuries often happen hours away from medical services. Leslie Griffy Capitol Weekly -- 2/21/14

Environment

EPA proposing new rules - the first in 20 years - to protect farm workers -- New proposed rules meant to safeguard farmworkers from pesticide exposure were announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with the proposed national rules likely to affect the bulk of California’s 77,000 farm operators. Edward Ortiz in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/14

Opposition Mounts to Solar Project On Mojave Preserve Boundary -- If discussion at a recent gathering of activists is any indication, a nearly 4,200-acre solar project for a valley adjoining National Park land in California's Mojave desert will encounter near-unanimous opposition from green groups. Chris Clarke KCET Rewire -- 2/21/14

Also . . .

Homeland Security chief plays down latest shoe bomb warning -- The new head of Homeland Security played down a recent warning that terrorists might try to sneak explosives onto commercial planes in passenger shoes, saying the threat has been around "for years." Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Steve Jobs getting 2015 stamp -- Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be featured in a 2015 stamp being designed by the U.S. Postal Service and will join fellow Bay Area icons Harvey Milk and the Peanuts Gang, who also will be honored with their own stamps. The item is in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/21/14

Bryan Stow's family seeks millions over Dodger Stadium beating -- Even with the guilty pleas from the two men who attacked Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium in 2011, the Stow family's legal battles are not done. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

POTUS 44

Obama backs away from a Republican budget priority -- The president's next spending plan will not include a change that would have slowed cost-of-living increases for Social Security and other entitlement programs. Michael A. Memoli and Kathleen Hennessey in the Los Angeles Times$ Zachary Goldfarb  in the Washington Post$  -- 2/21/14

More than 12,000 Congressional staffers have enrolled in health plans through Obamacare -- Thousands of people have purchased health coverage through the District of Columbia’s new small-business insurance marketplace, but only a tiny fraction of them actually own or work for a small business. J.D. Harrison in the Washington Post$ -- 2/21/14

Beltway

Feinstein laments retirements of those who 'get it done' in Congress -- Without offering a hint as to her plans, Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday lamented the departure of longtime congressional colleagues from California -- including retiring Reps. Henry Waxman and George Miller --and said their institutional knowledge and ability to compromise in Washington would be missed. Seema Mehta  in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/14

Founder of gay Republican group GOProud quits over CPAC dispute -- One of the founders of GOProud, a gay Republican organization, has resigned from the board after accusing the group's new leadership of allowing themselves to be used as "stooges" by antigay conservatives. Daniel Rothberg in the Los Angeles Times$ Natalie Villacorta Politico -- 2/21/14