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Capitol Weekly
 

  

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‘PG&E is going to have to pay.’ Sympathy is gone for utility facing bankruptcy -- Angered by PG&E’s inability to prevent deadly wildfires, legislators and regulators are openly talking about breaking up the utility or engineering some other kind of restructuring. Dale Kasler, Tony Bizjak, Sophia Bollag, and Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/15/19

Amid LAUSD teachers’ strike, L.A. County supervisors vow more funding for schools -- Los Angeles County supervisors inserted themselves into the LAUSD teachers’ strike on Tuesday, approving a vague, nonbinding plan to provide $10 million for healthcare at schools and to create programs for the thousands of students who are missing class during the impasse. Matt Stiles in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

L.A. teachers’ strike brings day of disruption for thousands of students -- Across a rain-drenched city, students crowded into school auditoriums, talked over the adults brought in to manage them, watched “Black Panther” and played “Minecraft.” From San Pedro to El Sereno to Reseda on Monday, skeletal staffs crammed students together to try supervising them as Los Angeles teachers went on strike for the first time in 30 years. Howard Blume, Sonali Kohli, Doug Smith and Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

LAPD detective accuses fellow officer of physical abuse, sharing explicit photos -- A Los Angeles police detective went public Tuesday with allegations that another officer distributed sexually explicit photos of her throughout the LAPD and physically abused her several times, marking the latest in a series of sex scandals to rock the department in recent years. James Queally in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

House panel adds member after complaints from Hispanic Democrats -- Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a second-term Democrat from California, was tapped to join the ranks of the Ways and Means Committee on Monday night, nearly a week after leadership announced the Democratic slate for the panel. Heather Caygle, Bernie Becker and Rachael Bade Politico -- 1/15/19

L.A. schools lost $15 million on Day 1; now comes Day 2 of the teachers' strike -- Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner said the first day of the teachers’ strike hit hard. Only a third of the district’s students showed up, which he said would cost the district $25 million in state funding based on attendance. Subtract unpaid wages for the strikers of $10 million, he said, and that amounts to an estimated one-day $15-million loss. Hannah Fry, Nicole Santa Cruz, Sonali Kohli and Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

In L.A. strike, leading Democrats — including presidential hopefuls — side with teachers -- Los Angeles became the latest flash point for the national standoff between educators and public school districts on Monday, as national Democratic Party leaders aligned themselves with thousands of striking teachers in L.A. and the broader labor movement. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

FBI corruption inquiry could bring political fallout for Eric Garcetti and other L.A. leaders -- Mayor Eric Garcetti crisscrossed the country last year, arguing that Los Angeles is setting an example by boosting the minimum wage and investing in public transit, a record he says stands in contrast to the dysfunction of Washington, D.C. Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

Judge rules against Trump administration's citizenship question on 2020 census -- A federal judge in Manhattan shot down the Trump administration’s attempt to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census Tuesday, potentially paving the way for the case to land before the Supreme Court. Caitlin Oprysko Politico -- 1/15/19

Jeffe & Jeffe: California’s Presidential Primary Might Matter -- By moving the California Presidential Primary to March 3, the Golden State has positioned itself to be a significant, if not determinative, battleground in the race to win the Democratic Presidential nomination and, presumably, to reestablish the party clout of the nation’s biggest and bluest state. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe & Doug Jeffe Fox & Hounds -- 1/15/19

Hiltzik: A vulture firm's bid for Gannett shows there's still value in newspapers — for plundering -- Among those who believe that the press provides value for society — especially local journalism that slaps state and municipal politicians’ hands out of the public cookie jar — Alden Global Capital is a “vulture investing” firm that makes real vultures look good by comparison. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

California lawmakers in no hurry to help out PG&E -- For California politicians, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s announcement that it plans to declare bankruptcy was cause for concern, but not panic. John Wildermuth and J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/15/19

California governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy -- The announcement by the nation’s largest utility that it is filing for bankruptcy puts Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s problems squarely in the hands of Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers, who now must try to keep ratepayer costs down, ensure wildfire victims get the money they’re owed and rethink California’s energy picture in the face of climate change. Kathleen Ronayne and Janie Har Associated Press -- 1/15/19

California governor faces first major test navigating PG&E bankruptcy waters -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, entering his second week in office, faces a major test of his leadership after PG&E said Monday it intends to declare bankruptcy — a development that will demand both a tough approach to the troubled company and sensitivity to growing public anxiety about the future of the state's largest utility. Carla Marinucci and Jeremy B. White Politico -- 1/15/19

PG&E bankruptcy Q&A: What does it mean for me? -- California’s largest electric utility is facing billions of dollars in lawsuits and other liabilities from wildfires caused by its equipment. Now that PG&E is poised to file for bankruptcy for the second time in 18 years, customers, shareholders and victims of the state’s deadly wildfires are left wondering what’s next. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury -- 1/15/19

PG&E plans to file bankruptcy. Will the utility go under? We’ve got some answers -- PG&E is about to go bankrupt. But the troubled utility said it will keep the lights on and is committed to a “fair and expeditious” resolution of the billions of dollars it faces in potential liabilities from the Camp Fire and the 2017 wine country fires. Dale Kasler, Tony Bizjak, Alexei Koseff, and Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/15/19

San Francisco Considers Buying Some of PG&E’s Infrastructure in Wake of Bankruptcy Plans -- The head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission says Monday's announcement by Pacific Gas & Electric that it plans to file for bankruptcy protection has led the city to consider buying some of PG&E's electricity distribution system. Ted Goldberg KQED -- 1/15/19

Eric Garcetti says LAUSD strike is 'electrifying' but hopes for swift solution to get students back in class -- Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday that he is disappointed the LAUSD strike wasn’t avoided, yet he remains hopeful an agreement can be reached by the end of the week or early next week. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

LA Strike  

Only about a third of LAUSD students attended school on first day of teachers' strike -- Only about a third of Los Angeles Unified students showed up to school Monday, the first day of a teachers' strike, with many staying away despite assurance from district officials that all campuses would be in full operation. Howard Blume, Sonali Kohli and Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

California Democrats back teachers in LAUSD strike, but encourage a swift end to the walkout -- As teachers braved the rain to strike in Los Angeles on Monday, politicians across California voiced their support for United Teachers Los Angeles. Christine Mai-Duc and Alejandra Reyes-Velarde in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

Day 1 of LA teachers’ strike: Newsom pushes for more transparency of charter schools -- As thousands of teachers took the streets of Los Angeles today in the first day of a massive teacher strike, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to immediately address one of the issues driving a wedge in negotiations: charter schools. Ricardo Cano Calmatters -- 1/15/19

For some students, escaping high school during L.A. teachers' strike not so hard -- Bell High School seniors Arlene Maldonado, Anahi Gallardo and Martha Toro managed to escape past the barrier set up in front of the school’s main entrance to stop students from leaving. “We weren’t doing much, so we just decided to leave,” said Toro, 17, whose black hair and clothes were wet from the rain. She and her friends holed up in a Starbucks after their escape. Dorany Pineda in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

Lopez: L.A. teachers' strike: How we got here and how we get out -- The ifs and maybes, after months of failed negotiations, are now in the past. The LAUSD strike has begun, and there are only two questions to consider: What will it take to end it? And when will that happen? Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

Teachers mobilize in Los Angeles, but pathway out of strike is murky -- “We are in a battle for the soul of public education.” That message was at the heart of the emotional statement by Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of United Teachers Los Angeles, in announcing the strike of teachers in Los Angeles Unified, by far California’s largest district. Louis Freedberg EdSource -- 1/15/19

 

Gov. Newsom takes first step on promise of free community college in California -- Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom took his first step toward guaranteeing free community college in California last week, marking early progress on one of his top campaign promises. Chris Nichols Politifact CA -- 1/15/19

Gavin Newsom’s first budget: Down payments made, but supporters still want more -- In his first week as California governor, Gavin Newsom promised something for nearly every key interest group that backed his campaign. He outlined new spending and policies on a wide array of issues in his first week, from additional funding for emergency response to expanded tax breaks for low-income families. Sophia Bollag and Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/15/19

Woman suing California Rep. Tony Cardenas over sexual misconduct asks for House ethics inquiry -- A woman suing Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles) for an alleged sexual assault when she was a teenager publicly identified herself for the first time Monday and is asking the House to open an ethics investigation. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

California appeals justice facing sex misconduct discipline -- A California state appeals court justice was accused Monday of repeatedly groping a colleague’s breasts, suggesting they have an affair and telling a police officer who served as his driver that he wanted to have sex with her in his chambers. Brian Melley Associated Press -- 1/15/19

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

Strike forces Halos grower to roll back farmworker pay cut -- A four-day walkout by 1,800 farmworkers who pick Halo mandarins has forced Wonderful Co. to restore a pay cut. Other job issues were left unresolved, though the nonunionized contract workers chose to return to picking the palm-sized fruit popular in school lunches. Geoffrey Mohan in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

SEIU moves forward with strike plans at Fresno courthouse; 200-250 workers to take part -- The planned strike at the Fresno County Superior Court is still scheduled to begin Tuesday morning, with hundreds of workers picketing at two separate locations, according to the SEIU Local 521. Yesenia Amaro in the Fresno Bee -- 1/15/19

Housing  

Lawmakers asked to consider anti-price gouging laws to slow rising rents -- Crooning in the shower is not Chad Regeczi’s thing. That’s why when he learned last year his monthly rent would go up $300 so the new owners of his La Mesa apartment could upgrade his bathroom with a sound system, he was bemused. Amita Sharma, KPBS via Calmatters -- 1/15/19

Wildfire  

In The Aftermath Of The Camp Fire, A Slow, Simmering Crisis In Nearby Chico -- The quaint, college town and farming hub of Chico is clogged. People are living out of every hotel in town. Campers line neighborhood streets and the country roads that fan out into the walnut and citrus orchards. Every guest house and guest room is full. Kirk Siegler NPR -- 1/15/19

Immigration, Border, Deportation 

Thousands of Immigrants in Court Limbo Due to Government Shutdown -- People who have waited years to get their day in immigration court could wait years longer due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. The majority of immigration judges nationwide are currently furloughed, and most daily court proceedings have been canceled indefinitely until funding is restored. Farida Jhabvala Romero KQED -- 1/15/19

Education 

New bill would let CSU and UC students avoid loans, but there’s a catch -- California college students could get some help paying present-day bills without taking out new loans under a proposal moving forward in the state Legislature. The catch is that the students would have to pledge a portion of their future earnings to their college or university. That means students who earn more would pay more. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/15/19

Father of UC Irvine student asks after son's death: 'Could it have been prevented?' -- A UC Irvine freshman died over the weekend, resulting in the suspension and investigation of his fraternity, university officials said. Soumya Karlamangla, Andy Nguyen and Cindy Carcamo in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/15/19

As California community colleges gear up to teach less remedial math, one college shows how it can be done -- Allessandra Reyes by her own admission “was really bad at math” in high school. The now 18-year-old freshman at College of the Canyons, a community college in Santa Clarita, failed Algebra II in 10th grade, eventually passing it after several attempts. Mikhail Zinshteyn EdSource -- 1/15/19

Health 

Why California pharmacies are rejecting some prescriptions for pain medications -- Doctors around California are complaining that the state did not send them notice of a Jan. 1 change in prescription forms and that pharmacies are rejecting prescriptions for controlled substances on forms they used just last year. Cathie Anderson in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/15/19

POTUS 45  

Trump Discussed Pulling U.S. From NATO, Aides Say Amid New Concerns Over Russia -- There are few things that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia desires more than the weakening of NATO, the military alliance among the United States, Europe and Canada that has deterred Soviet and Russian aggression for 70 years. Last year, President Trump suggested a move tantamount to destroying NATO: the withdrawal of the United States. Julian E. Barnes and Helene Cooper in the New York Times -- 1/15/19

Burgers by candlelight: Trump lays out fast food for college football champs -- U.S. President Donald Trump laid out a White House feast fit for a government shutdown on Monday: silver platters heaped high with McDonald’s quarter pounders and the red-and-white burger wrappers of Wendy’s. Reuters -- 1/15/19

Obstruction Is Collusion -- Here’s how prosecutors think about the latest Russiagate revelations. Renato Mariotti Politico -- 1/15/19

 

-- Monday Updates 

Los Angeles teachers go on strike for the first time in 30 years -- With umbrellas in one hand and picket signs in the other, Los Angeles teachers braved cold, drizzly weather Monday morning as they walked off the job in their first strike in 30 years to demand smaller class sizes, more support staff at schools and better pay. Howard Blume, Sonali Kohli and Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

Stay in school or leave? Students debate what to do during LAUSD teachers’ strike -- Some students who made it to school are grappling with whether to stay or go. Two school police officers stood inside the doors of John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, advising students who walked up to the exit doors to check out the picket line that they should stay. Sonali Kohli and and Sam Omar-Hall in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

UTLA president calls for more money for teachers ‘in a city rife with millionaires’ -- UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl addressed a crowd of teachers and children through a bullhorn in front of Marshall High School on Monday morning, raising his voice over chants and honking cars as the first teachers strike in 30 years kicked off. Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

'A historic moment.' Kids picket alongside teachers in LAUSD strike -- The LAUSD strike on Monday left thousands of parents unsure of what to do with their children — take them to school, where they were likely be herded into large rooms without their teachers, or let them stay home? Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

PG&E, facing staggering wildfires costs, says bankruptcy filing is coming -- Facing staggering financial pressure after California’s historically devastating recent wildfires, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and its parent company have declared their intent to seek bankruptcy protecion by the end of this month. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle Levi Sumagaysay in the San Jose Mercury Cathy Bussewitz Associated Press Dale Kasler and Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee -- 1/14/19

PG&E Bailout Hopes Are Crushed With California Showing Little Interest -- Now that PG&E Corp. has said it plans to file for bankruptcy, analysts are seeing little chance that California lawmakers will step in anytime soon with a bailout for the beleaguered power provider. Jim Efstathiou Jr Bloomberg -- 1/14/19

FBI corruption probe of L.A. City Hall focuses on downtown development boom -- The rapid transformation of downtown Los Angeles’ skyline is being fueled in good measure by huge investments from Chinese companies eager to burnish their global brands and capitalize on L.A.’s real estate boom. Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

Digital First wants to buy fellow newspaper owner Gannett -- The publisher of USA Today has received a $1.36-billion takeover bid from a media group with a history of buying struggling newspapers and slashing costs. MNG Enterprises, better known as Digital First Media — owner of the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News and about 200 other publications — said in a letter to Gannett Co. on Monday that Gannett’s leadership team has failed to show that it can run the company effectively. Associated Press via the Los Angeles Times -- 1/14/19

Campa-Najjar to run again in 2020 for indicted Congressman Hunter's seat -- Last fall, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar lost a bid for Congress in conservative East County, but he’s ready to give it another go. Campa-Najjar, 29, will run for the 50th Congressional District again in 2020, promising a new message and renewed focus on financial stability, public safety and community service. Charles T. Clark in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/14/19

San Diego charity organization closes, cites new state law restricting feeding homeless people -- A small charity that usually feeds about 100 homeless people a week in downtown San Diego said it is dissolving because it cannot afford to comply with new state regulations. “It was the nail in the coffin,” Deliverance President Herbert Matcke said about a law that went into effect Jan. 1. Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/14/19

Mexican authorities prepare to close main migrant shelter in Tijuana -- Mexican authorities are preparing to close the largest Central American migrant shelter, known as El Barretal, located on the eastern outskirts of Tijuana. The closure signals a somewhat bittersweet end to the Caravana Migrante 2018 that became a national obsession with impacts still untold. Wendy Fry in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/14/19

Fox: Exporting California’s Redistricting Change -- It is an old adage that California is a bellwether for the nation. Policy changes that happen here often flow eastward from tax revolts to climate strategies. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 1/14/19