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3rd Congressional District gas price watch:
When this many was elected to Congress, gas was $1.43 a gallon!
Today's price:
$4.57 gallon
Ask yourself why?
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Suspect pleads not guilty to killing dad, sons
By Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
An alleged gang member accused of triple murder in the slayings of a
San Francisco father and two sons pleaded not guilty Wednesday at a
hearing in which the judge refused to issue a blanket gag order in the
high-profile case. The defense sought the gag order after The Chronicle
revealed that Ramos was an illegal immigrant who was found to have
committed two felonies at age 17 - a gang-related assault of a Muni
passenger and the attempted robbery of a pregnant woman - but was not
surrendered by San Francisco juvenile justice authorities to federal
officials for possible deportation.
Killings turn focus on San Francisco sanctuary law
By PAUL ELIAS, San Francisco Chronicle
The heinousness of the deaths has put pressure on San Francisco
District Attorney Kamala Harris to seek the death penalty against
Ramos. Harris, who campaigned on an anti-death penalty platform and has
never pursued capital punishment during her more than four years in
office, has declined to say exactly how she intends to proceed. "This
case has been charged as a special circumstance case," making it
eligible for the death penalty, spokeswoman Erica Derryck said. "No
additional announcement has been made about this aspect of the
charging."
In the Governor's office:
Governor set to slash state workers' pay
By Kevin Yamamura and Jon Ortiz, Sacramento Bee
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign an executive order next week
intended to temporarily reduce pay for 200,000 state workers to the
federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash until lawmakers
reach a budget deal, according to a draft copy of the order obtained by
The Bee. The governor's order also would terminate about 22,000 retired
annuitants, temporary workers and seasonal employees, as well as impose
a hard freeze that blocks the hiring of roughly 1,700 new employees per
month. Administration officials said the Republican governor expects to
take the action Monday, when the budget will be four weeks late as
Democrats and Republicans continue to spar over how to resolve a $15.2
billion shortfall.
Schwarzenegger seeks to slash state workers' pay till budget passes
State controller vows not to sign the order, and the matter could end up in court
By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
State Controller John Chiang, asserting that the state has enough money
on hand, said through a spokesman that he would not implement such an
order. Chiang's office handles payroll for government workers. The
Republican governor's controversial plan, likely to be challenged in
court by public-employee unions if carried out, would allow the state
to defer paying about $1 billion a month, administration officials
said. Workers would be repaid their lost earnings once a budget was in
place.
Budget crossfire: Schwarzenegger considers temporary pay cut for state workers
By Mike Zapler, San Jose Mercury News
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering an order that would slash the
paychecks of hundreds of thousands of state workers to the federal
minimum wage until the state budget impasse is resolved. Schwarzenegger
signaled he may sign the executive order as soon as Monday, citing a
2003 state Supreme Court decision. But it is unclear whether the
governor will follow through or is hoping that the threat of the order
will inject urgency into legislative budget talks.
L.A. fears fund raid by state
By Rick Orlov and Kerry Cavanaugh, Los Angeles Daily News
As the stalemate over California's long-overdue budget continues, Los
Angeles officials are alarmed that some lawmakers want to borrow local
government funds to close the deficit, a move that could sap
$150million from city coffers this year and cut funds for street
paving, parks and other city services. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
already has sent a letter to the governor, pleading with him to protect
local funds even as the city grapples with its own budget squeeze amid
a faltering economy. The Los Angeles City Council adopted a resolution
Wednesday calling on the state to avoid borrowing from funds that will
impact the city's budget. And several members said they need more than
resolutions - they need to intensify lobbying quickly - before the
state adopts any final plan.
In the Legislature:
Rally demands state face up to water crisis
By E.J. Schultz, Sacramento Bee
Chanting "agua, agua, agua," busloads of farmworkers joined politicians
at the Capitol Wednesday to demand that lawmakers spend state money on
dams and canals to ease a growing water crisis. Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger wants $9.3 billion for water supply and conservation
projects. But the proposed bond has gotten a lukewarm response from
Democratic leaders who say lawmakers should focus on negotiating a
state budget, now 24 days late.
Education news:
Testing group reveals why it voided AP exams of about 400 students at O.C. high school
Educational Testing Service said Trabuco Hills High students were allowed to talk, use study aids and send text messages
By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times
As a south Orange County high school made plans Wednesday for a mass
retesting, the nonprofit group that administers the Advanced Placement
exams offered a disturbing picture of the proctoring environment in May
that led it to void the tests of nearly 400 students. Students at
Trabuco Hills High School were allowed to talk, consult study aids,
send text messages to friends and leave the room in groups during the
exam, the Educational Testing Service said. Meanwhile, an attorney
representing many of the students sued ETS on Wednesday, arguing that
the Princeton, N.J.-based nonprofit failed to conduct even the most
cursory investigation before voiding the students' exams.
Enviro-scam report:
Attorneys: Projects don't threaten fish
By John Ellis, Sacramento Bee
Attorneys representing state and federal water projects said Wednesday
they could prove the massive system of pumps, dams and canals isn't
harming three threatened fish species. U.S. District Judge Oliver W.
Wanger gave them until Aug. 29 to submit reports showing that's true.
Wednesday's action was the latest in a long-running fight between
environmental groups and the state and federal governments over the
projects' effect on winter-run chinook salmon, spring-run chinook
salmon and Central Valley steelhead, all of which are listed as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
California joins big carbon-trade partnership
By Matthew Yi, San Francisco Chronicle
California,
six other Western states and four Canadian provinces launched plans on
Wednesday for one of the world's largest carbon-trading systems, a
sweeping effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to
global warming. The North American program, like a similar market-based
system in Europe, focuses on heavy polluters such as electric
utilities, oil refineries and large industrial and commercial
facilities. Environmental groups immediately questioned whether the
plan will be tough enough on polluters, while industry groups said the
program lacks details. California officials said the proposal will be
an integral part of the Golden State's ambitious goal of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020, as required by the
landmark legislation AB32 that the Legislature approved and Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger signed in 2006.
Campaignn and election news:
Badges issued by former O.C. sheriff will be collected
Taking steps to distance herself from Michael S. Carona
By Stuart Pfeifer and Christine Hanley, Los Angeles Times
Orange
County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said Wednesday that she plans to recall
all the badges that her indicted predecessor handed out to a group of
more than 400 civilian volunteers, many the county's most wealthy and
influential residents. Hutchens said she was uncomfortable with the
volunteers carrying badges, even though they are not exact replicas of
those issued to the department's 1,800 sworn deputies. She said she
wants to ensure that the so-called professional service responders are
volunteering for the right reason -- public service -- and that the
program is no longer tainted by allegations that badges were issued as
political favors.
Prominent Los Angeles attorney faces possible federal campaign charges
Attorneys for Pierce O'Donnell believe he is being targeted for political reasons
By Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times
In
a high-stakes legal drama that stretches from Los Angeles to
Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors are poised to file criminal
campaign finance charges against a prominent L.A. attorney, but his
lawyers are fighting back, questioning whether his outspoken criticism
of the Bush administration has made him the target of a political
prosecution. A federal grand jury has been secretly probing whether
attorney Pierce O'Donnell violated federal campaign laws by asking
employees of his law firm to contribute to the 2004 presidential
campaign of John Edwards and then reimbursing those who did, according
to several sources, including a member of O'Donnell's legal team.
Attorney general urges union vote for health workers
Jerry Brown asks St. Joseph Health System management and union officials to allow workers to vote on forming a union
By EUGENE W. FIELDS, Orange County Register
California Attorney General Jerry Brown lent his voice and support
Wednesday to efforts to unionize St. Joseph Health System workers. At
an interfaith service and rally outside the gates of the Motherhouse of
the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the corporation's administrative
headquarters, Brown called for an election so the workers in the
system's 14 hospitals in Texas and California can decide if they want
to unionize.
Schools bond to be on ballot this fall
By Maureen Magee, San Diego Union-Tribune
After weeks of disagreement over what its massive fix-it list should
include, the San Diego school board voted unanimously yesterday to put
a $2.1 billion bond measure on the November ballot. Without the fanfare
that surrounded the vote to initiate Proposition MM a decade ago,
trustees approved the sweeping ballot proposal that would repair and
upgrade campuses throughout the San Diego Unified School District.
During the brief meeting, trustees and administrators expressed relief,
not celebration, about the decision.
Around the state:
State freezes Medi-Cal payments to thousands of healthcare facilities
By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
Thousands of medical providers who care for low-income Californians are
scrambling to find funds to keep their doors open, as the failure of
lawmakers to pass a budget forces the state to halt payments to them.
State officials put the healthcare facilities on notice that starting
today, payments from the Medi-Cal insurance program for the poor will
be frozen until a budget is approved. An emergency pot of cash
officials had set aside to pay the healthcare clinics, nursing homes
and adult day care centers in the event of a delayed budget has run
dry.
Tech rigged S.F. computer meltdown, prosecutors say
By Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
Terry Childs envisioned the ultimate revenge on his bosses, prosecutors
say - the meltdown of the city's computer network at the flick of a
switch. And it would come not directly at the hands of Childs, but
during routine system maintenance at the building that houses the
city's Technology Department. The alleged plot was discovered before
the computer network that handles law enforcement documents, payroll
records, officials' e-mail and other sensitive city records was shut
down for scheduled maintenance last Saturday, an action that would have
vaporized numerous files because of a booby-trap Childs had installed,
prosecutors said in court documents filed Wednesday. Childs, 43, has
been jailed since July 13 on four felony counts of computer tampering
after he allegedly locked his bosses at the Technology Department out
of the system and refused to hand over the password he had created.
SEDC board fires embattled president
By Helen Gao and Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune
Trustees of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. fired longtime
President Carolyn Smith last night, despite an outpouring of support
from people who appreciated the agency's work in an underserved
community. The announcement came after SEDC directors convened in
private for more than two hours to discuss a demand last Friday from
Mayor Jerry Sanders and half the City Council that Smith be immediately
terminated. The mayor's accountants have found large discrepancies in
budget and compensation at the agency, which is responsible for
economic development in 7.2 square miles east of downtown.
Postmus goes on medical leave
Assessor to be out of office for 10 weeks
By Lauren McSherry, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Nearly one month after his office was enmeshed in scandal, County
Assessor Bill Postmus announced Wednesday he is taking a 10-week
medical leave from his job. Starting today, acting Assistant Assessor
Harlow Cameron, a 35-year veteran of the office, will handle all
responsibilities associated with the elected position, according to a
statement from Postmus. "Harlow Cameron is an invaluable and longtime
member of this department," Postmus said in the statement. "Under
Harlow Cameron's stewardship, I know the office will be in outstanding
hands while I am away from the office." Postmus did not specify what
sort of medical condition he suffered from. But multiple sources said
he has a drug addiction that likely stems from a prior back injury.
Dellums orders fiscal review
By Kelly Rayburn, Oakland Tribune
Mayor Ron Dellums acknowledged Wednesday that the 2008-09 spending plan
he presented to the City Council in May was based on faulty figures and
said he has ordered a "total review" of Oakland's financial situation,
as officials brace for massive cutbacks and possible layoffs at City
Hall. Dellums' remarks on the
budget came at an afternoon news conference during which he also
announced that former Oakland City Manager Robert Bobb had been hired
as a consultant to help the mayor examine not only the budget, but also
the city government's organizational structure, and its hiring
practices, as well as to recommend changes to fully implement a
strong-mayor form of government. Bobb will also aid in finding a new
city administrator after Dellums fired former City Administrator
Deborah Edgerly on July 1. |
S.F.'s system for chronic offenders broken
By C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle
How is it possible that chronic behavioral malcontent George Miley
assaulted a female police officer three weeks ago, but only ended up
spending four days in jail? After all, his July 6 attack on Officer
Lisa Frazer was followed by his 106th arrest since 2001. Most everyone
says the system for punishing quality-of-life crimes like public
drunkenness and aggressive panhandling is broken in San Francisco, but
Miley seems like an extraordinary case. How can he be on the streets
today?
FPPC now a political smokescreen
By the San Jose Mercury News
Since former legislator Ross Johnson took over last year, a disturbing
change has taken place as to how the commission is dealing with
campaign finance law.
Gang tax? Council should put first things first
By the Sacramento Bee
Sacramento, and the wider region, needs a more effective strategy to
help keep kids out of gangs and stem violent crime. To date, supporters
have spent more time lining up votes for a tax increase than they've
spent laying out a coordinated plan of attack.
State's kids win right to be at hearings
By the Sacramento Bee
Kids who have been removed from their families because of abuse or
neglect should be seen and heard when courts are making decisions about
their lives.
Do the math: Algebra mandate's a formula for failure
By Jack Stewart and Bob Balgenorth, Sacramento Bee
We're spending money we don't have on a program that's not even proven
to succeed. An investment of this magnitude should be based on data,
not blind hope.
Keeping judicial elections nonpartisan
By the Los Angeles Times
Political parties and special-interest groups know that they can spice
up otherwise boring judicial elections -- and at the same time stock
the bench with jurists they believe will be more favorable to their
causes -- by eliciting and relaying information aimed at voters'
emotions.
Still nipping at pet owners' heels
By the Orange County Register
The state Legislature earlier this summer halted its first big pet
sterilization effort after public outrage, but legislators aren't about
to give up without another fight.
Proposed fast-food restaurant ban is insulting
By the Los Angeles Daily News
Were the City Council to ban the development of new fast-food
restaurants throughout Los Angeles, it would be overly intrusive. But
at least it wouldn't be insulting, as is the council's current plan to
ban such establishments only in South Los Angeles.
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