Updating . .
Jerry Brown asked to pull troops from California border as Trump separates families -- State Sen. Kevin de León is asking Gov. Jerry Brown to pull California National Guard members from the border in response to President Donald Trump's policy to separate children from migrant families. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Bill to share control of California’s electric grid advances -- Legislation to create a new, regional organization to manage the electricity grid across several Western states survived a vote in a key California Senate committee Tuesday, even as several senators expressed serious misgivings about the bill. David R. Baker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
A Democrat Funded by AT&T Could Sabotage California's Net Neutrality Law -- Efforts in California to pass a comprehensive net neutrality law hit a snag on Tuesday after a key committee, which is chaired by a Democrat whose coffers are flush with telecom industry cash, suddenly threw a wrench in the works. Dell Cameron Gizmodo -- 6/19/18
California Senate panel moves to restrict police use of force -- Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a proposal that would restrict the circumstances under which California police officers could use deadly force. Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ Sophia Bollag, Don Thompson Associated Press -- 6/19/18
Calpers Votes to Pay Next Investment Chief Up to $1.77 Million -- The maximum pay would be more than double the compensation for the current CIO, who’s retiring this year, an acknowledgment that Calpers must compete for talent with other public pensions as well as the private sector. Calpers manages about $354.5 billion in assets. John Gittelsohn Bloomberg -- 6/19/18
Poll finds Newsom has a commanding lead over Cox in California governor's race -- Democrat Gavin Newsom has a dominant lead over Republican John Cox in California’s race for governor, a contest where a significant number of voters appear to have cast ballots strategically to sway the outcome of the state’s top-two primary, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Seema Mehta, Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Finding a new way? A group of California Republicans looks to recast the party -- California Republicans working toward what they believe will be the restoration of their party have launched a website. Led by Assemblyman Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley, and supported by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, New Way California is pushing for moderate policies they say were originated by former President Ronald Reagan. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/19/18
Colorado joins California in fight to prevent Trump from weakening auto emissions rules -- As the Trump administration moves to roll back ambitious vehicle-emissions targets, California and several other states that rely on those standards to achieve their clean air goals have enlisted an influential new partner in the fight to keep the rules intact. Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Trump blames Democrats, smugglers and Mexico for border crisis as Republicans press him for solution -- President Trump unabashedly defended his policy of separating children from their migrant parents on the southern border, spreading blame Tuesday among Democrats, Mexico and child smugglers ahead of a meeting with congressional Republicans eager for him to end the mounting political crisis. Noah Bierman, Eli Stokols in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
New Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong names veteran journalist Norman Pearlstine executive editor -- Pearlstine has spent 50 years in journalism helping shape some of the nation’s most prominent public tions — including Time Inc. magazines, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and Forbes. Meg James, Andrea Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Seth MacFarlane donates $2.5 million to NPR, KPCC after slamming Fox News -- Seth MacFarlane just put his money where his mouth is when it comes to reporting the news. The “Family Guy” creator and star donated $2 million to NPR and an additional $500,000 to local radio station KPCC on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times has confirmed. Nardine Saad in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Fox: An Old Tale: Help is Coming for Public Unions from Legislative Majority -- Spooked by the imminent prospect of losing mandatory dues from bargaining unit employees, widely anticipated in the soon-to-be announced Janus case, California government employee unions have hauled out some of their most ambitious countermeasures to date and are rushing them through the legislature. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 6/19/18
Koch network raps Trump, won't support House immigration bills -- The political network founded by the Koch brothers is taking a stand against both President Donald Trump’s policy toward separating families at the border and two immigration bills due for votes in the House this week, dealing a blow to GOP leaders who are marshaling support for their version. Maggie Severns Politico -- 6/19/18
California Policy & Politics This Morning
John Cox, endorsed for California governor by Trump, says he opposes separating immigrant parents from children -- John Cox, the Republican candidate for California governor, said Monday that he opposes the separation of immigrant parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexican border, calling the problem “horrendous” and in need of congressional attention. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Separating immigrant children from parents a 'congressional problem,' John Cox says -- Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox on Monday backed President Donald Trump's stance on separating immigrant parents from their children at the border, saying, "that's a congressional problem." Angela Hart in the Sacramento Bee$ Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
California Democrats call out tragedy on border, and seek to gain from it -- Democrats criticizing the Trump administration’s separation of migrant children from their parents at the southern border are trying to reap a political windfall over the issue — particularly in California races where Republicans have sought to put the party on the defensive over sanctuary laws. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
30,000 migrant children could be separated from families by August, Costa says -- Rep. Jim Costa visited the U.S.-Mexico border Monday to learn what challenges border patrol agents face on a daily basis and see an increasingly controversial policy with his own eyes on the eve of a possible House vote on immigration reform. Rory Appleton in the Fresno Bee -- 6/19/18
‘Kids have been ripped away from their parents;’ SoCal Congressional members describe visit to San Diego immigration detention centers -- Fourteen Democratic members of Congress — 10 from Southern California — said Monday they saw firsthand how the Trump administration’s policy separating migrant children from their parents was playing out in San Diego detention facilities. Jordan Graham in the Orange County Register Joshua Emerson Smith in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Trump's border security boss should resign over family separation policy, Democrats say -- Leading Democrats from California called for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to resign on Monday, citing the department's controversial practice of separating immigrant families caught trying to cross the southern border. Emily Cadei in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/19/18
Lopez: They flee terrifying violence in Central America, and arrive in a country that barbarically rips children from parents -- Without warning, she dropped her head and began to cry. Jessica, whose young son played nearby at a South Los Angeles health clinic, put her hands over her face to cover her tears. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Smolens: Trump creates kids crisis to leverage border wall, immigration limits -- The young adult "dreamers" didn't do it for him. Maybe the little kids will. President Donald Trump's threat to deport DACA immigrants didn’t get him funding for his border wall, limits on legal immigration or other measures. Michael Smolens in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Immigration bill coming to House floor this week, McCarthy tells Fresno donors at Ivanka Trump event -- An immigration bill will head to the U.S. House of Representatives floor this week, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy apparently told a room full of Fresno Republican campaign donors Monday. McCarthy was appearing alongside Ivanka Trump as part of his "Protect the House" fundraising tour. Rory Appleton in the Fresno Bee -- 6/19/18
Several California lawmakers call border separations cruel -- Both Republicans and Democrats in the state Assembly used the debate to condemn the border policy before voting unanimously in favor of the resolution expressing support for people forced to flee their homes. “Separating children from their parents is not only cruel, but it is inhumane,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child. “It is an abuse to children.” Sophia Bollag Associated Press -- 6/19/18
Don’t split up California, says GOP governor candidate John Cox -- Cox, the GOP candidate in the fall election for governor, declined to comment on the measure last week after it qualified for the November ballot, and remained silent for several days. But at a Sacramento news conference Monday on efforts to repeal a state gas tax increase, Cox said he opposes splitting up the state he wants to govern. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
GOP candidate for governor John Cox spars with Democrats over repeal of gas-tax increase -- Foes and supporters of the state’s increased gas tax clashed at the Capitol on Monday, with Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox saying he wants to repeal the new charge because it has become a burden on working Californians straining to fuel their cars. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press -- 6/19/18
California Legislature sends more budget-related bills to Gov. Jerry Brown, final items could come next week -- Lawmakers sparred over school funding plans and healthcare for the poor on Monday during floor debates in the California Legislature, sending nine budget-related bills to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, but leaving a handful of other proposals in limbo for perhaps another week. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Democrat Harley Rouda takes the lead in fight to take on Rep. Dana Rohrabacher -- Real estate investor Harley Rouda has overtaken fellow Democrat Hans Keirstead with a razor-thin 40-vote lead in the fight to take on Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in November. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
‘Unprecedented’ Outside Spending For County Supervisor’s Seat And More To Come -- The high stakes were evident in the June primary, when outside groups spent about $1.2 million to influe -- 6/19/18nce the race’s outcome. And the five candidates competing for the November runoff spent another $1.4 million. Finishing first was Democrat Nathan Fletcher, a former assemblyman, and Republican Bonnie Dumanis, a former district attorney. Jill Castellano inewsource via KPBS -- 6/19/18
USC lawyer says secret deal with accused campus gynecologist 'worked efficiently' -- Testifying before legislators at the state Capitol on Monday, an attorney for USC defended its response to misconduct reports against a campus gynecologist, saying the university’s decision to force the physician out through a secret internal process “worked efficiently.” Harriet Ryan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
At a meeting about brown water pouring from taps, congresswoman says people were paid to speak out in favor of water district -- At a town hall Monday, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán alleged that people were paid to pose as residents to speak out in support of an embattled water district, marking a strange twist in the ongoing controversy over discolored water pouring out of taps in Compton and Willowbrook. Ruben Vives, Adam Elmahrek in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
Dockless scooters get laissez-faire treatment in San Diego as other California cities regulate emerging industry -- On any given day, from downtown San Diego to the boardwalk, people riding motorized scooters whiz by pedestrians at unnerving speeds — a trend simultaneously blasted as a public safety hazard and hailed as the next evolution in green mobility. Joshua Emerson Smith in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Schwarzenegger and Khanna: Don’t listen to the establishment critics. California’s open primary works -- Last month, leading up to California’s primary elections, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said “I hate the top-two” open primary system. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said California’s top-two system “is not a reform. It is terrible.” Their bipartisan response should tell you everything you need to know: Political parties hate top-two, so voters should love it. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ro Khanna in the Washington Post$ -- 6/19/18
Calbuzz: Ex-Insurance Boss Poizner Seeks Non-Partisan Re-do -- Win or lose in November, Steve Poizner already has made history. Poizner, a 61-year old Silicon Valley zillionaire, finished first in the June 5 balloting for Insurance Commissioner — the first political independent ever to qualify for election to state office in California. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 6/19/18
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
Tesla’s sacked workers must keep mum or lose severance? -- Tesla, after sacking 9 percent of its workforce, wants to make sure those former employees aren’t saying anything bad about the company’s safety practices, and has tied their severance payments to silence about any ongoing safety issues, a new report suggests. Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/19/18
Elon Musk emails employees about 'extensive and damaging sabotage' by employee -- employees on Monday morning about a factory fire, and seemed to reference possible sabotage. Now, CNBC has learned that Musk also sent an e-mail to all employees at Tesla late on Sunday night alleging that he has discovered a saboteur in the company's ranks. Lora Kolodny CNBC -- 6/19/18
Tesla Flags Over 500 Job Cuts at California Headquarters, Plant -- Tesla Inc. filed notices with its home state that shed light on which workers are being dismissed from several key California facilities as part of Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s profit-motivated reorganization. Dana Hull Bloomberg -- 6/19/18
Is California’s expensive housing scaring away job seekers? -- Job recruiters see California's housing crisis from both sides. They work with employers feeling pressure to raise wages, and they talk with job seekers scared off by median home prices that top $1 million in parts of the Bay Area, and over $500,000 in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. David Wagner KPCC -- 6/19/18
Testimony begins in Qualcomm's bid to ban imports of some iPhones -- A key milestone in Qualcomm’s punishing legal war with Apple kicked off last week with testimony in the San Diego’s company’s bid to block certain iPhones from being imported into the U.S. Mike Freeman in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
California lawmakers debate creating regional electric grid -- A contentious proposal to link oversight of California’s electric grid with other western states faces a crucial test Tuesday in a state Senate committee. Supporters say regionalizing the grid would make it easier and cheaper to deploy renewable energy across the western United States. But critics, including some environmentalists and consumer advocates, say California would jeopardize its efforts to require the expansion of renewables. Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press -- 6/19/18
Disney Tests Pricing Power at Theme Parks -- After raising some ticket prices for its theme parks by more than 20% over the past five years, Walt Disney will set a new benchmark this week when it offers die-hard fans the chance to attend a six-hour preview of a new attraction at Disneyland—for $299. Erich Schwartzel in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 6/19/18
Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds
‘Water Tax’ Debate Continues After California Budget Passage -- The California budget doesn’t include it, but Gov. Jerry Brown is not done pushing for a new charge on water users, which would fund clean drinking water in rural areas of the state that currently have unsafe tap water. Ben Bradford Capital Public Radio -- 6/19/18
California lawmakers push diversity through film tax credit -- California lawmakers passed legislation Monday that puts more conditions on state film tax credits to encourage better sexual harassment reporting and diverse hiring amid revelations of misconduct and discrimination in the movie industry. Sophia Bollag Associated Press -- 6/19/18
Transit
Metro says it wants light rail along Van Nuys Boulevard by 2028 -- After months of debate about a proposed public transit project that would run through several San Fernando Valley communities, Los Angeles County transportation officials said they envision light rail. Olga Grigoryants in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 6/19/18
Bay Area subway and rail costs: Why are they among the highest in the world? -- Shortly before the Bay Area appeared on lists of the worst traffic in the world, the region set an ambitious plan to move millions of daily car trips to public transportation by 2040. But local transit agencies pay some of the highest subway and train construction costs in the world, which will limit the impact of $21 billion the nine counties pledged to expand the transit network. Andy Bosselman Curbed San Francisco -- 6/19/18
Cannabis
Chart: Handful of growers hold hundreds of cultivation licenses in California’s legal marijuana market -- Large-scale cultivation operations are beginning to emerge in California’s newly legal marijuana industry, despite regulations meant to curtail their presence. A Marijuana Business Daily analysis of the latest licensing data from the state shows that 20% of cultivation licenses are held by just 12 licensees – or 0.7% of licensed cultivation businesses in California. Eli McVey Marijuana Business Daily -- 6/19/18
Education
Influential UC San Diego climate scientist shares $1.3M Tang Prize -- UC San Diego researcher V. Ramanathan — the scholar who helped Pope Francis shape his encyclical on climate change — will share this year’s $1.3 million Tang Prize in sustainability. Cliff Kapono in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Education Board to vote on luxury apartments at Scripps school site -- Following a six-year process, the San Diego Unified School District is set to approve a first-of-its-kind real estate development deal that promises to bring the institution more than $40 million in revenue over a 66-year period and create additional housing supply in Miramar Ranch North. Jennifer Van Grove in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
California Schools Seek Rollback to Disclosure Law on Bond Votes -- For Jay Obernolte, the issue was simple enough: on their ballots, California voters already see the fiscal impact of proposed tax increases. So they should see the same for bond measures. But the Republican assemblyman’s bill that this year extended the disclosure requirements to bond requests has spurred schools to rise in opposition. Romy Varghese Bloomberg -- 6/19/18
Immigration, Border, Deportation
When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next -- Many elements of Casa San Diego, an El Cajon facility for unaccompanied children who arrived at the southern border, seem like what one would expect from a boarding school. There are classrooms, a play area with soccer goals and a medical clinic with superheroes like Wonder Woman, Superman and the Hulk on the walls. Kate Morrissey in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Zuckerberg, Sandberg donate to charity seeking to unite separated migrant families -- Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook have donated to a fundraiser aimed at reuniting migrant children separated from their parents, a company spokesperson said Monday. Cristiano Lima Politico -- 6/19/18
California defends sanctuary laws in battle with Trump administration -- The Trump administration’s challenge to California’s sanctuary laws as obstacles to immigration enforcement is actually an attempt to interfere with the state’s authority over local law enforcement and private workplaces, state lawyers contend in their final arguments before this week’s federal court hearing. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
Health
Prosecutor: Doc hired by VA sexually assaulted four female patients -- Four female patients from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs were sexually assaulted by an Oceanside physician who was arrested on Wednesday, authorities say. Out on a $150,000 bond, Dr. Edgar Manzanera is slated to be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon in California Superior Court’s North County Regional Center in Vista on four separate felony counts of sexually penetrating the women with a foreign object. Carl Prine in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/19/18
Environment
Warned 30 years ago, global warming ‘is in our living room’ -- We were warned. On June 23, 1988, a sultry day in Washington, James Hansen told Congress and the world that global warming wasn’t approaching — it had already arrived. The testimony of the top NASA scientist, said Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley, was “the opening salvo of the age of climate change.” Thirty years later, it’s clear that Hansen and other doomsayers were right. Seth Borenstein, Nicky Forster Associated Press -- 6/19/18
Report: Marin rated most vulnerable to coastal flooding -- Amid accelerating sea level rise from climate change, Marin County has the highest number of households in California vulnerable to coastal flooding, according to a report released Monday. Adrian Rodriguez in the Marin Independent Journal -- 6/19/18
Environmentalists Sue To Block Possible Elk Grove Expansion -- Earlier this year the city got permission to expand its sphere of influence southwest by around 1,100 acres. It sets up the city for annexing and building on the land west of Highway 99 and south of Kammerer Road. Ezra David Romero Capital Public Radio -- 6/19/18
Also . . .
Report alleges 'sexual servitude' at San Francisco-based 'orgasmic meditation' company -- Former employees of OneTaste say the San Francisco-based wellness company encouraged them to spend thousands of dollars on orgasmic meditation classes and, in some cases, engage in sexual servitude, according to a report. Michelle Robertson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
911, what’s your emergency? For dispatchers, it’s locating callers -- Apps such as Uber, “Pokemon Go” and Snapchat can pinpoint where users are down to the side of a block. But 911 dispatchers have to rely on distant cell towers, sometimes-faulty GPS and the caller — who is likely in distress — to figure out where calls are coming from. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
Jury weighs fate of San Francisco man accused of beating ex-girlfriend to death -- Clark’s quiet death at the hospital received little public attention and has gone almost unnoticed in the media in the years that followed. The case, though, has been a focus of many San Francisco domestic violence victim advocates, who, along with Clark’s family, have sat vigil in the courtroom gallery. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/19/18
POTUS 45
Trump presses GOP for more border-security money, threatens shutdown -- President Trump pressed Republican senators Monday to add more border money to a homeland security spending bill, threatening to shut down the government if he doesn’t get what he wants — even as the lawmakers urged him not to. Erica Werner in the Washington Post$ -- 6/19/18
The GOP backs Trump on separating families at the border — which is all he cares about -- Quinnipiac University and CNN on Monday came out with the first good-quality polls testing the policy, and voters writ large were very much opposed. While the Quinnipiac poll showed voters opposed separating families at the border 66 percent to 27 percent, CNN showed them disapproving of the policy 67 percent to 28 percent. But most Republicans approved of the policy: 55 percent to 35 percent in the Quinnipiac poll and 58 percent to 34 percent in the CNN poll. Aaron Blake in the Washington Post$ -- 6/19/18
Trump Clears Way for Health Plans With Lower Costs and Fewer Benefits -- President Trump has said millions of people could get cheaper coverage from the new “association health plans.” But consumer groups and many state officials are opposed, saying the new plans will siphon healthy people out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace, driving up costs for those who need comprehensive insurance. Robert Pear in the New York Times$ -- 6/19/18
Lazarus: Trump's pick for consumer agency chief has never stood up for consumers -- Trump this week will nominate Kathy Kraninger, a little-known White House budget official, to serve as the nation’s top consumer watchdog. She has no experience in consumer advocacy, no experience as a regulator and no experience in financial services. David Lazarus in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/19/18
It was a Trump favorite. Now lawyers want the famously discreet Beverly Hills Hotel to share its secrets -- When Donald Trump flew to Los Angeles — as he did regularly during his reality-television career — he usually bypassed two mansions he owned there to take up residence in the exclusive bungalows of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Frances Stead Sellers in the Washington Post$ -- 6/19/18
Beltway
Nielsen becomes face of Trump’s border separations -- The Homeland Security secretary has been seen as weak on enforcement, but on Monday she defended decisions that have left kids warehoused on the border. Eliana Johnson, Annie Karni Politico -- 6/19/18
‘The Republicans’ new Katrina’: GOP fears backlash to splitting families -- Trump’s immigration crackdown is upending Republicans’ midterm campaign strategy. Burgess Everett, John Bresnahan, Rachael Bade Politico -- 6/19/18
GOP senators scramble for a fix to separating immigrant families -- Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas is working to come up with a legislative fix for the Trump administration’s practice of splitting up families that cross the border illegally. Cornyn is leading a small group of Senate Republicans who recognize that Congress may have to step in and do something if President Donald Trump won’t back down. Burgess Everett Politico -- 6/19/18
-- Monday Updates
Kamala Harris says DHS chief should resign over immigrant family separations -- California Sen. Kamala Harris called for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to resign Monday, citing her “record of misleading statements” about the Trump administration’s separation of migrant children from their parents at the border and other issues. Trapper Byrne in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/18/18
L.A. lawmakers face opposition over homeless shelter plans -- In a hot and packed elementary school auditorium, Venice residents swarmed around Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, peppering him with questions. Reporters and activists strained to hear as Bonin laid out his case for setting up a temporary shelter for homeless people a few blocks away. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/18/18
Mayor's office won't talk about 'inappropriate behavior' among Garcetti staff -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti moved quickly to address sexual harassment at City Hall after allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein last fall sparked nationwide outrage over unwanted behavior in the workplace. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/18/18
Democrats who once had competing ideas on net neutrality now join forces in the California Legislature -- As the fight to preserve net neutrality gears up in California, two state senators are melding their efforts to establish rules that would prevent internet service providers from manipulating or slowing access to online content. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/18/18
Rich people crowded onto California’s ballot — and many finished out of the money -- In a year when there’s a wave of first-time candidates running for office nationally, one truism remains in California: Being rich may get you in the game, but it is no guarantee that you’ll win. John Wildermuth and Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/18/18
Slicing and dicing a three-way split -- It has been said, over and over again, that “The Devil is in the Details.” If Californians approve splitting themselves up into three new states this November, and the remaining political obstacles can somehow be overcome, the details will indeed become devilish. Chuck McFadden Capitol Weekly -- 6/18/18
Where do the ‘Three Californias’ converge? A clothing-optional hot springs, of course -- If California splits into three states, maybe it’s fitting that the corners would converge here: among a clothing-optional hot springs resort, a tin-roofed fruit stand and an old roadhouse saloon where ranchers drink beer and talk Trump. To meet some of the people in this particularly remote spot where Fresno, San Benito and Merced counties meet, it almost feels like three Californias in one already. Julia Prodis Sulek in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/18/18
DMV visit times can top five hours. Here are ways to avoid the worst hassles -- Visit times at the Department of Motor Vehicles are topping five hours, and unwary motorists find themselves spending entire mornings or afternoons trapped in crowded field offices. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/18/18
Mexico’s soccer fans celebrate win in the streets of Southern California -- When Mexico’s national soccer team won its opening World Cup match against Germany on Sunday, thousands of local fans took to the streets of Southern California to show their pride and celebrate a major upset. About 1,000 revelers gathered along Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. Several hundred more were seen waving flags and singing in Santa Ana. Angela Ratzlaff, Josh Cain, Nathaniel Percy in the Orange County Register -- 6/18/18
Trump digs in on im migration amid family separation crisis -- Facing rising outrage from some Republicans as well as Democrats over the forced separation of migrant children and parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, President Donald Trump dug in Monday, again falsely blaming Democrats and declaring he would keep the U.S. from becoming “a migrant camp.” Jill Colvin, Catherine Lucey Associated Press -- 6/18/18
Jeffe & Jeffe: “Top Two” Takes California -- Despite the grumbling of pundits and partisans, California’s top-two primary is almost certainly here to stay. The voters like it and the system fits the realities of this state’s politics. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe & Doug Jeffe Fox & Hounds -- 6/18/18