Updating . .
Poll shows Newsom with a commanding lead over Cox in final weeks before Californians select their next governor -- Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom enters the final weeks of California’s 2018 governor’s race with a solid lead over Republican businessman John Cox, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
Austin Beutner and Alex Caputo-Pearl: Two leaders on a collision course toward a teachers strike -- The two men who could determine whether Los Angeles teachers go on strike sound almost as if they inhabit different worlds. They don’t even agree on a set of basic facts, which makes negotiation difficult. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
An open letter brought the #MeToo movement to California politics. Here's how the women behind it feel one year later -- Adama Iwu knew the letter she and more than 140 other women signed last fall would break Sacramento's unspoken code of silence, outing a California political culture rife with sexual misconduct. But she didn't expect it to trigger a salvo of allegations and ultimately the resignations of powerful people. Taryn Luna and Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
The “Undo” Election is Coming -- The 2020 election is shaping up as the “undo” election with proposed ballot measures hoping to undo high profile and often controversial past measures approved by voters: Proposition 13 and the high-speed rail. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 10/17/18
Abcarian: Can an extremely well-funded Democratic upstart end the congressional career of Devin Nunes? -- The Andrew Janz for Congress headquarters in an empty storefront on North Blackstone Avenue was supposed to be closed Monday, but I pushed on the glass door and it swung open. Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
Labor shortage could cripple Bay Area rebuilding after next big quake -- Twenty-nine years ago, the Loma Prieta earthquake rocked the Bay Area, killing 63. Apartment buildings in San Francisco crumbled and burst into flames. The region is due for another major quake — potentially bigger than the 6.9 temblor that struck on Oct. 17, 1989 — with a 72 percent chance in the next 25 years, according to scientists. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/17/18
Why does SpaceX stay in the costly Los Angeles area? It's where the talent is -- A 19-acre site at the Port of Los Angeles populated by dilapidated buildings and rusted cranes is playing a key role in SpaceX’s long-standing plan to colonize Mars. In two to three years, hundreds of workers could be swarming over SpaceX’s massive BFR rocket and spaceship system there. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
Bretón: Sheriff gone rogue. Welcome to Sacramento County, where he calls the shots -- It was heartening on Tuesday to see community members speak out against a rogue sheriff of Sacramento County who rejects any independent oversight of his department unless he can control it. It was heartening to hear some members of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors refuse to kowtow to Scott Jones’ arrogant defiance of any accountability that he can’t define himself. Marcos Bretón in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/17/18
California Policy & Politics This Morning
Changing Orange County, California, gives Democrats hope -- Pushy midday shoppers nose their carts through the Korean market, stocking up on bottled kimchi and seaweed spring rolls. A few doors away, customers grab pho to go at a Vietnamese takeout counter. Across the street, lunchtime diners line up for tacos “al pastor” — spit-roasted pork — at a Mexican-style taqueria. It’s a snapshot of how much Orange County, California, has changed. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Poizner’s independent run has a red tint -- Insurance commissioner candidate Steve Poizner is shunning partisanship in his bid to become the first no-party-preference candidate to win statewide office in California. But to pay for his campaign, the former Republican has turned to people he knows best when it comes to raising money: Republicans. Dan Morain Calmatters -- 10/17/18
Republican outsiders pour millions into saving Denham -- Because of lackluster fundraising numbers for vulnerable California Republican Jeff Denham, GOP fundraising bigwigs are stepping in with millions of dollars of advertising buys. Kate Irby in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/17/18
Former Rep. Duncan Hunter goes to bat for his indicted son in bitter congressional re-election bid -- The race for the 50th Congressional District is spanning multiple generations, as former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter held a news conference Tuesday attacking his son’s Democratic opponent as a security risk — and also attacking the opponent’s father and grandfather. Charles T. Clark in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 10/17/18
Poll: Gas tax repeal favored, Cox not so much -- A proposition to repeal the so-called “gas tax” enacted by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown last year in order to fund transportation projects is winning by a 2-to-1 margin, according to the results of a new statewide poll released Tuesday. But that measure, backed heavily by GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox, hasn't translated to Cox's campaign as he is trailing Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, by a 52-35 percent margin. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 10/17/18
Dianne Feinstein vs. Kevin de León debate: Here’s what to look for -- The U.S. Senate debate in the nation’s largest state won’t be broadcast on statewide TV. The best way to catch Wednesday’s confrontation between Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Sen. Kevin de León will be via a live stream at noon — hardly prime time. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Harris advisers plot 2020 strategy: ‘The SEC primary meets the West Coast offense’ -- Sen. Kamala Harris’ advisers are privately discussing a rough Democratic primary strategy that would focus heavily on Iowa, but with an eye toward high-value nominating contests coming later in Nevada, South Carolina and California — more diverse states where her candidacy might resonate with larger minority communities. David Siders Politico -- 10/17/18
John Cox tours L.A.'s skid row, likening it to a 'third-world country' -- After months of criticizing his opponent for his record on homelessness as mayor of San Francisco, Republican John Cox took his campaign for governor to Los Angeles’ skid row on Tuesday, where he promised to provide more housing and services for Californians in need. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
California agency, gas tax backers worked closely together -- As the political battle to overturn California's gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency coordinated frequently with the public affairs firm working to block the repeal on behalf of unions, construction companies and local government groups, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Sophia Bollag Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Walters: Locals seek new levies despite $4B property tax surge -- Local government officials throughout the state got some very good financial news when county tax assessors toted up changes in taxable property values for their 2018-19 budgets. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 10/17/18
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
California hits PG&E with $5 million in citations for gas leaks -- State officials issued $5 million in citations against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. on Monday for violations resulting in two natural gas leaks in Northern California in 2016 and 2017. Melia Russell in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/17/18
Facebook lured advertisers by inflating ad-watch times up to 900 percent: lawsuit -- Not only did Facebook inflate ad-watching metrics by up to 900 percent, it knew for more than a year that its average-viewership estimates were wrong and kept quiet about it, a new legal filing claims. Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury -- 10/17/18
Angels plan to opt out of Anaheim stadium lease – opening the door for the team to possibly move -- The Angels will play in Anaheim through the 2019 season, but after that, the team could make plans to leave its longtime home. Angels officials have notified the city they are exercising an option to cancel their lease, which included an opt-out clause that expired Tuesday, Oct. 16, team spokeswoman Marie Garvey said. Alicia Robinson in the Orange County Register -- 10/17/18
Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds
California's tax revenues beat expectations by $1 billion over the summer months --A monthly report issued Tuesday by the state Department of Finance attributed most of the unexpected revenue — $990 million — from personal income taxes paid between July 1 and Sept. 30. Sales taxes were slightly below expectations written into the budget crafted by Brown and state lawmakers in June, while corporation tax revenues were slightly above forecasts. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
San Diego proposes crackdown on Segway tour companies after $1.7-million payout -- San Diego plans to crack down on Segway tour operators in the wake of a $1.7-million injury settlement in June and another lawsuit filed last spring that claims a protruding sidewalk caused the death of a Segway rider two years ago. David Garrick in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
Homeless
L.A. will eliminate 'veto' provision for homeless and affordable housing to keep state funding -- To hang on to state funding, Los Angeles will eliminate a disputed requirement that gave city politicians the power to block funding for homeless housing in their districts. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
In Los Angeles, a growing number of murder victims are homeless, police say -- Susie Rangel doesn’t keep up with the news and hadn’t heard about recent high-profile killings of homeless people in the Los Angeles area. Rangel, 40, had just moved from a large homeless encampment in a secluded area off Burbank Boulevard in the Sepulveda Basin to a home in Sylmar after years of being without shelter. Brenda Gazzar in the Orange County Register -- 10/17/18
Housing
Is rent control the answer to sky-high prices? Bay Area voters skeptical -- A rent-controlled apartment in the Bay Area is a coveted find that tenants will hang onto as long as possible. So why is a California ballot measure that would allow cities to expand rent control not just losing here, but trailing by a wider margin than it is statewide? Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/17/18
Cannabis
Screened at U.S. border, Canadians who are honest about using marijuana could be banned from the U.S. -- Bill Powers flipped through the sworn statement he gave to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the printed pages taking him back to that August afternoon — back to the border checkpoint into Washington state where agents asked if he had ever smoked marijuana. Kurtis Lee in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
Canada is now the world's largest legal marijuana marketplace -- Ian Power was among the first to buy legal recreational marijuana in Canada but he has no plans to smoke it. He plans to frame it. Rob Gillies and Gene Johnson Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Education
Bay Area district faces challenges in attempt to shut down a charter school -- A California school district’s threat to shut down a charter school for allegedly inadequately training teachers on their legal responsibilities to report suspected child abuse is highlighting the challenges districts have in overseeing charter schools. Theresa Harrington EdSource -- 10/17/18
Health
Why do California babies have syphilis in numbers rivaling those of poor nations? -- Jeffrey Klausner has seen the damage congenital syphilis can do to newborns, and it makes him a little sick. “It’s one of the horrible outcomes,” said Klausner, an infectious disease professor at UCLA’s medical school. “You have devastation of the newborn.” It’s not just the neurological harm the illness causes, or the infant deaths or stillborn deliveries, he said, but the fact that it’s all preventable—with a single antibiotic shot. David Gorn Calmatters -- 10/17/18
Environment
Sea lions off Northern California battling deadly disease -- Hundreds of California sea lions have been stricken by an often deadly bacterial infection and are washing ashore daily up and down the coast, raising fears among biologists that an already soaring death toll could continue to rise. Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/17/18
Climate Change is Coming For Your Beer -- Add beer to chocolate , coffee and wine as some of life’s little pleasures that global warming will make scarcer and costlier, scientists say. Increasing bouts of extreme heat waves and drought will hurt production of barley, a key beer ingredient, in the future. Seth Borenstein Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Also . . .
Mega Millions lottery ticket matching 5 of 6 numbers bought in San Francisco -- A Mega Millions lottery ticket matching all but the Mega number was purchased in San Francisco, lottery officials announced Tuesday night. Lauren Hernandez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/17/18
Dennis Hof, the brothel kingpin and reality TV star who was running for Nevada Assembly, is found dead -- Dennis Hof, the flamboyant pimp, reality television star and Republican nominee who was expected to win a seat in the Nevada Assembly next month, was found dead at his Nye County, Nev., brothel Tuesday morning by a male porn star, authorities said. He was 72. David Montero in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/17/18
POTUS 45
Trump tells AP he won’t accept blame if GOP loses House -- Facing the prospect of bruising electoral defeat in congressional elections, President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he won’t accept the blame if his party loses control of the House in November, arguing his campaigning and endorsements have helped Republican candidates. Catherine Lucey, Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller Associated Press -- 10/17/18
Beltway
Roberts vows independence following Kavanaugh nomination fight -- Chief Justice John Roberts is vowing to keep the Supreme Court out of the political fray despite the intense and divisive fight over the nomination of the court’s newest member, Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Josh Gerstein Politico -- 10/17/18
-- Tuesday Updates
State lawyers say whistleblower report on prison psychiatric care should stay secret -- Lawyers for state corrections officials now are balking at the release of a secret report prepared by the prison system’s top psychiatrist that accuses the state of providing misleading and inaccurate information to a federal judge and attorneys for more than 30,000 inmates. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/16/18
It's no secret that Rep. Adam Schiff has higher ambitions. What's his next political move? -- In a glittering ballroom in rural New Hampshire, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) riffed about President Trump to the Portsmouth Democratic Club recently, and then with a laugh, accepted their thank-you gift: a guide book on how to compete in the New Hampshire presidential primary. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times -- 10/16/18
Cal Fire cadets fired for drinking will get their jobs back -- Most of the California state firefighters who were fired last year because they drank alcohol during a training academy will return to work in 2018, according to Cal Fire and their union. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/16/18
Monsanto case: Jurors urge judge not to overturn $289 million award -- Jurors who awarded $289 million to a former school groundskeeper who is dying of cancer are imploring a San Francisco judge to reconsider her tentative decision to overturn most of the damages against Monsanto Co., manufacturer of the weed killer that they found to be the cause of the man’s illness. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 10/16/18
Gustus: We pushed the sheriff to release a video, and pieces were missing. What’s in it? Your right to know -- People of integrity support the idea that we should hold elected leaders accountable. Those who attempt to obfuscate make us wonder if they have something to hide. Lauren Gustus in the Sacramento Bee -- 10/16/18
Gov. Jerry Brown to Partner With KQED on Oral History Project -- Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to a series of interviews aimed at documenting his extraordinary life in California, going back to his years in the seminary all the way through his fourth term as governor, which ends in January. Katie Orr KQED -- 10/16/18
Fox: The Incivility Vote -- There have been rumblings of late in certain political circles that enough voters, reacting negatively to the loud, constant protests on the left, will create a backlash to help save some of California’s endangered Republican congressional seats. Similar scenarios have played out in California before. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 10/16/18