CalMatters' DAN WALTERS: "Attorney General Xavier Becerra is imploring the U.S. Supreme Court to validate laws in California and other states requiring public employees who are not union members to nevertheless pay “agency fees” to unions."
"Such fees, Becerra said in a brief filed last week, fairly distribute costs of negotiating contracts with the state, school districts and local governments."
"The current collective bargaining system has worked for decades,” Becerra said in a statement as he filed his brief, “and serves as an important mechanism for effective personnel management by facilitating the resolution of issues that could otherwise lead to dissatisfaction, inefficiency, and even disruption in the workplace."
DWR could have lost control of Oroville spillway gates during crisis
Chico ER's RISA JOHNSON: "The state Department of Water Resources could have lost control of the spillway radial gates for days during the Oroville Dam crisis if crucial power lines had gone down, according to department officials."
"DWR leaders Cindy Messer and Joel Ledesma stated this Jan. 10 during a legislative oversight hearing on the dam at the State Capitol. This has since led some local groups to wonder why there was no backup power supply."
"Representatives of Friends of the River, the Sierra Club, South Yuba River Citizens League, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and American Whitewater filed a letter with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, dated Jan. 16 addressing their concerns."
READ MORE related to Environment & Energy: The Thomas fire: 40 days of devastation -- LA Times' JOE FOX; Trump's new tariff on solar could set back California's renewable energy goals -- CPR's EZRA DAVID ROMERO; Solar panel tariffs threaten to increase customer cost and slow growth, but the industry remains optimistic -- LA Times' IVAN PENN; The hidden earthquake danger lurking in single-family homes -- LA Times' RONG-GONG LIN II; SF workers' retirement fund board finally confronts fossil fuel divestment -- The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA; San Diego OKs landmark environmental deal that could spur development -- Union-Tribune's DAVID GARRICK; In California's Sierra Nevada, putting the trees to work -- CalMatters' JULIE CART; Supervisor Katy Tang wants fur banned in SF -- The Chronicle's RACHEL SWAN; Earthquake fault runs through Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills' shopping district, California geologists say -- LA Times' RONG-GONG LIN II/RAOUL RANOA
Judge fines CashCall $10.3 million, a fraction of what was sought by CFPB for lending law violations
LA Times' JAMES RUFUS KOREN: "A federal judge in Los Angeles has ordered Orange County lender CashCall Mortgage and its owner, J. Paul Reddam, to pay $10.3 million for violating consumer protection laws — a fraction of the $287 million in penalties and restitution sought by a federal regulator."
"District Judge John Walter in 2016 ruled that CashCall was guilty of unfair, deceptive and abusive acts for making loans at interest rates — often topping 100% — that were far higher than allowed in numerous states. That was a victory for the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which had sued CashCall in 2013."
"But Walter late last week issued a judgment saying that the CFPB's proposed penalties were too high because the lender did not violate consumer protection laws recklessly or dupe consumers."
READ MORE related to Economy: Starbucks gives workers raises, stock grants due to tax law -- AP's JOSEPH PISANI; EU fines Qualcomm $1.2 billion for paying Apple to use its microchips -- AP; Senate easily confirms Jerome Powell to be next Federal Reserve chairman -- LA Times' JIM PUZZANGHERA
Motel 6 sued for identifying Latino guests for immigration agents
CPR's RICHARD GONZALES: "The hospitality chain Motel 6 is facing another lawsuit alleging that it violated the civil rights of Latino immigrants by voluntarily giving guests' personal information to federal immigration authorities."
"The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the guests in federal court in Arizona by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund or MALDEF, says that this past summer Motel 6 employees gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents personal information about hotel guests in violation of federal and state laws barring discrimination based on national origin, and protecting against unreasonable searches."
"Earlier this month, Washington state officials also sued the company alleging violations of state consumer protection and anti-discrimination laws by employees in six Motel 6 locations. As reported in The Two-Way:"
READ MORE related to Immigration: Provocative Trump campaign ad gives wrong impression on immigrant crime -- Politifact's CHRIS NICHOLS; Alabama reporter discovers possible wreckage of the Clotilda, the last slave ship to reach the US -- LA Times' MATT PEARCE; Congress will try again on immigration reform -- but will this time be different? -- LA Times' LISA MASCARO
With emergency rooms packed, LA County leaders look to health care on wheels
Daily News' SUSAN ABRAM: "Health care units on wheels may become more common across Los Angeles County if officials can prove they are better for patients, help alleviate crowded emergency departments, and are more cost-effective, according to a motion passed Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors."
"The goal behind the motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, is to find a way to alleviate crowded emergency rooms, while also steering patients with mental health needs into more focused care. Her colleagues agreed, allowing the county staff to look into if mobile health units can be implemented."
"Our safety net has become increasingly stretched,” Barger wrote in her motion. “Growths in paramedic units and Emergency Department beds have not been able to keep up with the rising demand for their services. Our paramedic units are ever busier, and our Emergency Departments function at or above their capacity on most days, as evidenced by ambulances forced to wait to offload their patients. Our safety net is so full that it lacks surge capacity, and even a predictable rise in volume from a flu season coming a month early is enough to imperil our system and community health."
Push to recall Stanford rape case judge qualifies for ballot
SF Gate's JENNA LYONS: "California’s June election will include a measure to recall a Santa Clara County judge who issued a controversial sentence to a Stanford swimmer convicted of sexual assault, according to the county’s Registrar of Voters."
"The campaign to recall Judge Aaron Persky surpassed the 58,634-signature requirement to be placed on the next statewide election ballot based on a sample count, registrar officials said Tuesday."
"This campaign is part of a national social movement to end impunity for privileged perpetrators of sexual assault and violence against women,” said Michele Dauber, a Stanford law professor leading the recall. “Judge Persky has exhibited a long pattern of bias with respect to these crimes and has demonstrated he has not taken them seriously. That is why I am confident the voters will recall him in June of 2018."
READ MORE related to Education: UC regents face showdown with Gov. Brown over proposed increase in tuition and fees -- LA Times' TERESA WATANABE; California Bill would mandate on-campus access to abortion pills -- KQED's MENAKA WILHELM; Despite promises, Trump administration has had little impact on public education in California -- EdSource's LOUIS FREEDBERG; Bed, books, meals & cell phone: New study to tally real costs of college in California -- EdSource's LARRY GORDON
Veteran police adviser tapped to be the next LAPD inspector general
LA Times' KATE MATHER: "A veteran police watchdog who currently advises Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell has been named the new inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Department."
"The Police Commission unanimously appointed Mark P. Smith to the role, the civilian panel announced Tuesday. It marks a homecoming of sorts for Smith, who began his oversight career working for the inspector general's office in 2005 after interning there during law school."
Could OC's homeless population migrate inland? Inland Empire leaders, officials weigh in
San Bernardino Sun's BRIAN WHITEHEAD: "The gradual eviction of more than 500 homeless people from the Santa Ana River Trail in Orange County has Inland Empire leaders discussing their potential migration inland."
"Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies on Monday started clearing out the county’s largest homeless encampment, a three-mile stretch of the river trail near Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Orange County Public Works is to clean up what observers have called Skid River."
"Many living there have said they have no place to go."
READ MORE related to Housing & Homelessness: State court in SF rules for landlord over appeal of penalties -- SFGate's BOB EGELKO
'I love Sacramento.' Greta Gerwig ecstatic after 'Lady Bird' gets 5 Oscar nominations
Sacramento Bee's ED FLETCHER: "Lady Bird,” the semi-autobiographical “love letter to Sacramento” by the city’s new favorite daughter, Greta Gerwig, was nominated Tuesday for five Academy Awards, adding fresh laurels to what is already the most successful movie set in California’s capital city."
"As anyone who saw “Lady Bird” might suspect, Gerwig still has enormous pride in Sacramento years after moving away."
"I knew I wanted to make a movie that took place in Sacramento,” Gerwig said Tuesday in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee, still buzzing from the early morning announcement. “I love Sacramento. I want to show it as being beautiful."
Is one of the infamous 1962 Alcatraz escapees still alive? Letter sparks debate
SFGate's ALYSSA PEREIRA: "It's the stuff of San Francisco legend: Three dangerous, cunning inmates held inside Alcatraz's island fortress dig their way out of prison and are never seen again."
"There have long been rumors that one or all of the escapees made it out alive in 1962. But a handwritten letter, reportedly sent to authorities in 2013 but only made public this week, suggests that at least one of the men, John Anglin, may still be out there. Authorities, however, are not convinced."
"On June 11, 1962, Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin — all bank robbers — carried out a daring, intricate plan to escape Alcatraz. After the prison's last bed check at 9 p.m. that night, they each squeezed through holes they had made in their cement cell walls out of sharpened spoons, leaving plaster and papier-mâché dummy heads in their beds to serve as decoys. The trio absconded into a utility hall behind their cells and climbed their way up to leave through the roof. They used an assemblage of rain coats and inflated life vests in their attempt to sail for the mainland."
Top Democrats warn of 'ongoing attack by the Russian government' amid push to publish classified memo
WaPo's KAROUN DEMIRJIAN/JOSH DAWSEY/CRAIG TIMBERG: "Top Democrats on Tuesday called on Facebook and Twitter to investigate what lawmakers said are Russian efforts to promote the release of a classified Republican memo criticizing the FBI probe of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign."
"Hashtags such as “#ReleaseTheMemo” have been trending on Twitter in recent days, and accounts affiliated with Russian influence efforts have been supporting this campaign, according to the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a U.S.-based group that examines efforts by Russia and other nations to interfere in democratic institutions."
"If these reports are accurate, we are witnessing an ongoing attack by the Russian government through Kremlin-linked social media actors directly acting to intervene and influence our democratic process,” said a letter to Facebook and Twitter from Rep. Adam B. Schiff and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, both Democrats from California who are the top members of their party on the House Intelligence Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively."
READ MORE related to POTUS45/KremlinGate: Sessions is questioned as Russia inquiry focuses on obstruction -- NYT's MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT/MAGGIE HABERMAN; President asked whom FBI head voted for in 2016 -- WaPo's ELLEN NAKASHIMA/JOSH DAWSEY/DEVLIN BARRETT
'Me Too,' Chinese women say. Not so fast, say the censors.
NYT's JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ/ZOE MOU: "They call themselves “silence breakers,” circulate petitions demanding investigations into sexual harassment and share internet memes like clenched fists with painted nails."
"But Chinese women are finding it difficult to organize a far-reaching #MeToo movement, going up against not just a male-dominated culture but also the ruling Communist Party itself."
"Government censors, apparently fearing social unrest, are trying to hobble the campaign, blocking the use of phrases like “anti-sexual harassment” on social media and deleting online petitions calling for greater protections for women. And officials have warned some activists against speaking out, suggesting that they may be seen as traitors colluding with foreigners if they persist."
READ MORE related to #MeToo/Boy'sClub: Under fire for harassment, Congressman says aide 'invited' behavior -- NYT's KENNETH P. VOGEL/KATIE ROGERS; The Oscars are decidedly less white and male this year. Is Hollywood actually changing its ways? -- LA Times' EDITORIAL BOARD
Neighbors and others caught glimpses of the Turpin siblings. Now they're struggling to process what they missed
LA Times' PALOMA ESQUIVEL: Two years ago, the neighborhood watch of the Perris community where David and Louise Turpin lived with their 13 children held a Christmas decorating contest, offering $50 and $25 gift cards to the winners."
"Some of the Turpin siblings joined in, placing a Nativity scene in their frontyard, with hay for the manger and a Nativity star in a window. Santa Claus sat in his sleigh near the garage."
"When the winners were announced at a community gathering, the parents and five of their children were there."
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The Roundup is compiled by Associate Editor Geoff Howard. Comments? Complaints? Questions? Email Geoff at geoff@capitolweekly.net.
