Politics | 89.3 KPCC

John Boehner: man in the middle of immigration debate (Updated)

Kitty Felde — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:09:00 -0700

House Speaker John Boehner is walking a fine line in the immigration debate.; Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

A House Judiciary Committee meeting was interrupted Tuesday by demonstrators as members took up a bill that would allow local jurisdictions to enforce their own immigration laws. The bill illustrates the challenges ahead for a bipartisan comprehensive measure — and the political challenges facing House Speaker John Boehner.

The House is moving forward on two fronts: a bipartisan bill that has yet to be unveiled, and a series of tough enforcement measures working their way through the Judiciary Committee. Boehner is walking a fine line down the middle.

L.A. Democrat Xavier Becerra, a member of the so-called "Gang of Seven" working on the comprehensive House bill, says he "really" believes Boehner "wants to get this done." But he cautions patience, saying "the worst thing" would be to push through a bill with backing from only one party.

Boehner agrees, but says a House bill has to be tougher on enforcement than the measure currently being amended in the Senate: "Border security is absolutely essential if we're going to give people confidence that we can do the rest of what's being suggested."

In addition to tougher measures at the border, Boehner wants more workplace enforcement. And he calls the so-called "triggers" — the standards of enforcement that must be met to set in motion a pathway to citizenship — "laughable."

Boehner earlier suggested immigration might be brought to the floor without a majority of the GOP in support. Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach labeled that "a betrayal" warranting Boehner's removal as Speaker. Boehner on Tuesday promised no bill will come to the floor without majority support. He set July 10th as the day House GOP members will debate immigration among themselves.

The Speaker also took a swipe at the White House and Senate Democrats, urging them to reach out to their GOP colleagues, unless they’re trying to stall immigration legislation to have it dominate the 2014 mid term elections.

UPDATE: Also on Tuesday, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its cost estimate for the Senate’s bipartisan immigration reform bill, finding that the legislation would reduce the deficit by $175 billion in the coming decade and by another $700 billion in the following decade.

House immigration enforcement bill: What does it bode for reform?

Leslie Berestein Rojas — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:59:49 -0700

A controversial 2005 House bill was credited for sparking the 2006 immigration rights marches; a similarly strict enforcement bill is again pending in Congress.; Credit: Photo by jeromebot/Flickr (Creative Commons)

It isn't shaping up to be a great week for immigration reform in Congress.

In the Senate, Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama is referring to the comprehensive reform bill pending before lawmakers as a dead mackerel ("The longer it lays in the sun, the more it smells") ,as he and like-minded lawmakers work for its defeat.

In the House, Speaker John Boehner announced Tuesday that he wouldn't bring an immigration bill up for a floor vote unless it's supported by a majority of his fellow Republicans, many of whom oppose a path to citizenship for immigrants now in the U.S. illegally, as the Senate bill proposes.

Then there's the House bill known as the Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, or SAFE Act, which House lawmakers began debating on Tuesday. Its provisions harken to the days of the last immigration reform debate, when the House was putting out similarly strict enforcement proposal s— and comprehensive reform plans fell flat.

The proposal, otherwise called H.R. 2278, is from Rep. Trey Gowdy, a Republican from South Carolina. It's an enforcement bill along the lines of a 2005 bill, the reaction to which was credited with helping to inspire the massive immigration rallies of 2006. That bill died, but a similar approach lives in the new bill, which calls for:

Allowing states and jurisdictions to set their own immigration enforcement policies so long as they conform with federal law
Giving state and local law enforcement agencies wider berth to enforce immigration laws
Directing more money to local police for immigration enforcement purposes
Calling for the construction and expansion of more immigrant detention space
Expanding the circumstances under which immigrants can be held in mandatory detention and deported
Increasing criminal penalties for illegal entry and presence

Backers of the bill say the goal is to deter future illegal entries, assuming there is an immigration overhaul that grants legal status to some people already here. Here's what Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia) told USA Today:

"It contemplates that there's going to be a legal status for them," Goodlatte said. "This is to deal with future enforcement of the law. My understanding from the outset of this whole effort ... was that nothing was going to happen unless everything happened. Our intention is to deal with all areas of immigration reform."

But the bill has prompted an outcry from immigration reform advocates, who say it would criminalize unauthorized immigrants who are living here now and would otherwise be eligible for legal status under the pending Senate bill. Anti-detention advocates have also complained, saying the bill would funnel more dollars into the immigrant detention business, in which private prison contractors play a large role.

The tone of the bill is a far cry from that of the comprehensive bill pending in the Senate, and that in itself doesn't necessarily bode well for the larger immigration reform effort.

In spite of opposition, the Senate bill has been moving along and remains relatively intact. On Tuesday, senators voted down an amendment that would have blocked most unauthorized immigrants from permanent legal status until the federal government completed building 700 miles of double-layered border fence.

Meanwhile, House leaders have promised to soon deliver a comprehensive plan, but have blown self-imposed deadlines as they've struggled over details. Stand-alone bills are favored by many conservative House members who prefer a piecemeal approach to immigration reform, and one more heavily focused on enforcement. And if the nature of this first stand-alone House bill is any indication, reaching a compromise will be tough — even if the Senate plan passes.

As for the 2006 and 2007 immigration reform bills, the first one passed in the Senate but died in the House. The second never made it out of the Senate.

House plays chicken with farm bill

Kitty Felde — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:35:24 -0700

Jeff Denham (R-Fresno) is trying to protect the state's egg producers in a House agriculture bill. ; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The House of Representatives is debating a farm bill this week. One portion of that $940 billion measure could scramble California's egg industry. The fight is both about state's rights and hens' quality of life.

California's Proposition 2, passed in 2008, requires hens to have enough room in their cages to stand up and spread their wings. But an amendment to the House farm bill by Iowa Republican Steve King would put a crimp in that law.

California would still be able to regulate egg farming here, but not forbid the sale of eggs from states that do not have rules on more humane cages. King calls it trade protectionism.

The battle isn't the traditional party line fight between Democrats and Republicans. Last year, a similar fight over last year's farm bill in the Senate had Democrat Dianne Feinstein defending California's law. This year, it's Fresno Republican Congressman Jeff Denham. Both cite an agreement between the Humane Society and the United Egg Producers — which represents 90 percent of America's egg producers — to phase in larger cages over 15 years.

Denham has introduced an amendment to protect California's interests. The Rules Committee is meeting this evening to decide which amendments will be allowed to get a floor vote.

The Senate approved its version of the farm bill without the larger cage agreement. If Denham's amendment is allowed, and if it passes, it could become part of the larger farm bill in conference committee. But that's a big if.

LA City Council honors Jan Perry with fanfare

Alice Walton — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:04:46 -0700

L.A. City Councilwoman Jan Perry is leaving office after 12 years. Following her failed mayoral bid, it's unclear what she'll do next. ; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC

After 12 years in office, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry was celebrated by her colleagues Tuesday in a ceremony that included a vote to name a beloved South L.A. project in her honor.

Perry is termed out of her Ninth District seat. She will be replaced on July 1 by state Sen. Curren Price.

"We have enjoyed unprecedented growth and job creation and new schools, improved parks, new wetlands and thousands of units of affordable housing," Perry said of her district, which stretched from downtown to Skid Row to Little Toyko and down to South L.A. before redistricting.

On a 13-0 vote, the city council voted to name the South Los Angeles wetlands in Perry's honor. Using $26 million in Proposition O funds, Perry was able to turn an old MTA bus yard into a nine-acre park.

The celebration of Perry kicked off with a performance by the USC marching band. A video of her accomplishments, with testimonials from downtown developers and nonprofit leaders, was also shown to a packed Chamber.

Perry ran for mayor in the 2013 primary. She placed fourth, and went on to endorse Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti's campaign. It's unclear what she will do once she leaves City Hall.

With the budget settled, what's next for Calif. legislature?

Julie Small — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:48:33 -0700

Sacramento lawmakers will tackle hundreds more bills in this legislative session.
; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

With the passage of the state budget last week, the legislature shifts focus to hundreds of remaining policy bills. Here are a few we'll be watching:

Prisoner Reductions: The Brown Administration has promised to develop “legislative language” to reduce the state prison population by 10,000 inmates to comply with a federal court order.

Enterprise Zones: The governor and some lawmakers want to pass a budget trailer bill that dismantles the state’s 40 enterprise zones and redirects $750 million in tax breaks.

Gun control: Lawmakers will vote on dozens of bills to further restrict the types of ammunition and guns allowed in California, and bills that increase state monitoring of arms and safety requirements. Click here for KPCC's database on gun control bills.

Protections for school children: Assembly Bill 375 makes it easier and faster to suspend or dismiss a teacher, and increases the types of drug offenses that warrant disciplinary action; AB349 would create a statewide database to track dismissal or suspension of other school employees.

Healthcare reform: SB332 would expand the types of information California’s new healthcare exchange would have to make public. Three scope of practice bills would expand the types of procedures nurse practitioners, optometrists and pharmacists can perform without a doctor; The so-called “Wal-Mart bill,” Assembly Bill 880, would fine large employers whose workers enroll in Medi-Cal. The money would be used to offset state costs for providing that care.

Environment: Assembly Bill 227 overhauls Proposition 65's requirement that businesses post public warnings about cancer-causing chemicals. The changes are aimed at reducing frivolous lawsuits.

Immigration: Assembly Bill 4, aka “the TRUST Act,” would prohibit local law enforcement from using federal immigration holds for people arrested for minor, non-violent offenses and who lack a serious criminal history.

Labor: Assembly Bill 241, the domestic worker bill of rights, would provide paid breaks and overtime to nannies and other home care workers; Assembly Bill 10 raises the minimum wage from $8 to $9.25 per hour and builds in automatic increases tied to inflation.

The legislature is in session until mid-July, when it's scheduled for a month-long break.

Updated: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: 'I want to run for governor'

Larry Mantle with Frank Stoltze | AirTalk — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:30:24 -0700

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks during a luncheon at the National Press Club ON January 14, 2013 in Washington. Villaraigosa spoke about immigration reform, gun laws and other issues.; Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

After eight years in office, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is due to step down, but he may have his eye on higher office (more on that in a bit).

Villaraigosa became the first Mexican-American to be elected in Los Angeles in more than 130 years. Highlights of Villaraigosa's mayoral tenure include the passage of the America Fast Forward bill — an initiative that allows Los Angeles to fast-track transportation projects — and his plan to wean the city off the use of coal completely by 2025.

Villaraigosa first ran for L.A. mayor in 2001 and was defeated in a runoff against James Hahn. Before he became mayor, Villaraigosa was a member of the California State Assembly, the Democratic leader of the Assembly, the Speaker of the California State Assembly and a member of the L.A. City Council.

Larry talks to Mayor Villaraigosa about what's next for the lifelong Angeleno.

For one, Villaraigosa made a definitive comment about his plans to run for California governor in the future:“You mentioned governor. Look, I believe in public service. I want to run for governor. In fact, I fully expect that I will," said Villaraigosa. "I’m going to tell you something. I will never have a job like this. This city has given me more than I could have ever hoped for."

At least one political consultant told KPCC that he didn't expect Villaraigosa to run for governor against Gov. Jerry Brown, who is expected to stand for re-election next year.

"He's not going to run against Jerry Brown," said political consultant Mike Shimpock, whose firm has worked for Villaraigosa. "I don't think Brown is beatable."

A Field Poll released in February found Brown's approval ratings at the highest level since he was elected. About 57 percent of voters approved of his performance. Only 31 percent disapproved.

Brown, 75, remains in good health. He says he underwent successful radiation treatment for early stage prostate cancer in January.

"My health is great," he told reporters earlier this year.

Villaraigosa, 60, likely knows any insurgent campaign against a fellow Democrat who is popular would be difficult. It would also anger the party — something he wants to avoid ahead of a 2018 run. Money is another problem.

"It would be difficult to raise money against Brown," Shimpock said. Brown is also well known in California: He served as governor once before, from 1975-1983, and his fundraising roots run deep.

Even in 2018, Villaraigosa could face a strong Democratic field of candidates. State Attorney General Kamala Harris, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Controller John Chiang are all possible candidates.

Interview Highlights:

On whether he'll miss being mayor:

"I'm not going to miss the profile, but I am going to miss the people. There will never be a job ... . You mentioned governor. Look, I believe in public service. I want to run for governor. In fact, I fully expect that I will, but I’m going to tell you something. I will never have a job like this. This city has given me more than I could have ever hoped for. The people of this town gave me a shot when a lot of folks thought it was an impossible dream. I have no regrets. ... There's a bit of sadness on some levels, I guess, and nostalgia, but it's about the people."

On advice that he's given to incoming Mayor Eric Garcetti:
"Eric and I have known each other now for 12 years as colleagues. He was actually on a community advisory committee for me when I was in the state legislature, so we go way, way back. Was part of an advisory council when I ran for mayor in 2001. The one thing I have said to him is, don't let the Monday morning quarterbacks stop you from being bold. You've got to set a high bar. This is a great city, we've got to measure up to that city, and I think he's prepared to do that."

On how his personal life has been covered by the media:
"I took responsibility for the breakup [of his marriage], and if there was anything that I regret was the way I handled it. But I took responsibility, I never pushed back when you asked the tough questions. I'm very proud of the fact that I'm closer to my kids today than I ever had been and that both live with their dad, that Corina and I have a great relationship and a great friendship. As far as the other relationships, I did push back on that. The day that I spearheaded the passage of America Fast Forward, ... the newspaper of record did not put it in the newspaper; what they put was my breakup with my ex-girlfriend. I took umbrage with that. A great newspaper ought to be printing things that people care about, issues that people care about. So my breakup of my marriage, I understand that; the other stuff, come on, a little much."

On his plans for the immediate future:
"I'll do anything that the mayor, the governor, the City of Los Angeles asks me to do on their behalf. If I can promote the town that I was born and raised in and that my grandpa came to 100 years ago, I'm going to do it. I'm moving to Venice. I love that part of the city, and it's always been a great supporter of mine. I'm going to probably affiliate with a university or think tank, maybe do a little public speaking, since I have turned down a lot of requests over the years. Then I want to do a listening tour. I think we all want to restore the California dream, and I want to figure out how to do it."

On his love for Los Angeles:
"I believe in this town. I will always be an Angeleno in that I will always fight to reaffirm what I believe to be true: that in this century, L.A. is to the world what New York was in the 20th century and London in the 19th. We're the gateway to a rising China and Asia; we're a gateway to a rising Mexico and Latin America. Our diversity, our port, our airport, our people will make us the preeminent city in the world. I believe that."

Guest:

Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles

Maven's Morning Coffee: a challenge to public records, a look at Eric Garcetti's style, Long Beach sues LA over port project

Alice Walton — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:41:09 -0700

Gov. Jerry Brown could sign a state bill that would exempt local government agencies from key provisions of the California Public Records Act. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, public meetings and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Tuesday, June 18, and here is what's happening in Los Angeles:

Headlines

A new state bill would exempt local government agencies from key provisions of the California Public Records Act, reports KPCC. State officials claim the move is intended to save money.

Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti is setting the tone for a more low-key administration, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The understated approach stands in contrast to (Antonio) Villaraigosa, who quickly infused City Hall with a sense of drama eight years ago," per The Times. Garcetti also named long-time aide Ana Guerrero as his chief of staff, reports KPCC.

The Long Beach Business Journal reports Long Beach is suing Los Angeles over a rail yard project near the Port of Los Angeles. According to the city, Long Beach residents will suffer from the environmental impacts of the Southern California International Gateway Project.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is being asked to grant arresting authority to special officers, reports the OC Voice. "Last May, an audit by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) found that the special officers don’t meet state requirements for peace officers, because they don’t receive the necessary training and fail to report officer assignments," according to the piece.

What is a hog dog? That's the question some state lawmakers are trying to answer with a bill that would regulate street vendors, according to the Los Angeles Times.

L.A. City Councilwoman Jan Perry will be recognized by her colleagues today at 10 a.m. for 12 years of service.

Pressers

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will appear on KPCC's AirTalk at 11:20 a.m.

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

LA County Board of Supervisors: Status report on AB 109; request to create blue ribbon commission on child safety (9:30 a.m.)
Orange County Board of Supervisors: Recommendation to approve changes to Conflict of Interest code (9:30 a.m.)
LA City Council: EIR on plastic bag ban; recommendation to name the Jan Perry wetlands (10 a.m.)
Long Beach City Council: Recommendation to accept grant from California Department of Conservation (5 p.m.)
Anaheim City Council: Consideration of appointments to commission; public hearing on FY 2013-14 budget (5 p.m.)
Beverly Hill City Council: Discussion on FY 2013-14 budget; report from MWD representative (7 p.m.)

Wednesday

LA City Council: Vote on Millennium Hollywood project; discussion on creation of Public Health Department (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here.

Federally funded summer jobs are scarce across Southern California

Frank Stoltze — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:27:24 -0700

The economy is on the upswing, but the number of summer jobs for young people in the Los Angeles area has declined.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

It's not a great summer to look for a job if you're a kid in Southern California.

Most money for youth jobs programs at places like the L.A. Conservation Corp, Urban League and parks departments come from the federal government. But a lot of that funding has dried up over the past few years.

"Back in the 90's, we had tremendous ongoing federal resources for summer youth employment,” said L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Education and Workforce Development David Rattray. “That’s been eliminated."

He blames political pressure to reduce the federal deficit. Young people lack the lobbying power of senior citizens or the military, Rattray said.

“They have strong constituencies advocating for them,” he said.

The federal government increased funding for summer jobs programs after the Great Recession hit. But those subsidies under the American Recovery Act have ended. Add a stubbornly high unemployment rate and you end up with a tough summer for young people looking for work.

"Summer jobs are a big, big challenge," said L.A. Deputy Mayor Larry Frank.

The city and county of Los Angeles have money for about 6,000 jobs this summer – down from a high of 17,000, he said.

“It's harder to get a summer job if you're a kid now a days than ever,” said Frank, who has been chosen as the next president of L.A. Trade Tech College.

The chamber is encouraging more of its members to provide paid summer internships and other opportunities through the city’s Hire L.A.’s Youth program, Frank said. A number of companies have done so, including Kaiser Permanente and Bank of America. But the picture remains bleak.

A decade ago, two-thirds of young people age 16 to 24 in Los Angeles held a summer job. Less than half do now, according to Rattray.

"Where is the opportunity for our youth,” he asks.

Eric Garcetti names longtime aide as mayoral chief of staff

Alice Walton — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:36:27 -0700

Longtime aide Ana Guerrero will be Eric Garcetti's chief of staff when he moves into the mayor's office.; Credit: Betsy Annas

Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti has made the first major personnel announcement of his administration, naming longtime aide Ana Guerrero as his chief of staff.

Guerrero joined Garcetti's city council office when he was first elected in July of 2001. She was promoted to chief of staff in 2008.

"I'm focused on creating jobs and solving problems in our neighborhoods, and there is no one more expert and experienced in making government work better for the people of L.A. than Ana Guerrero," Garcetti said.

"Ana was the key player in my work to cut budget costs and revitalize neighborhoods. Together, we're going to build on this foundation with new solutions to fix City Hall and strengthen communities citywide."

Guerrero is a first generation Mexican-American and the daughter of migrant farmworkers. She came to Los Angeles from Northern California in 1995 to work as an organizer for the United Neighborhoods Organization.

Rich Llewellyn is leading Garcetti's transition team, which has set up a website where Angelenos can apply for jobs with the administration and give the mayor-elect their own ideas for improving Los Angeles.

Garcetti will be sworn into office on June 30 in a ceremony on the Spring Street steps of City Hall.

Maven's Morning Coffee: uncertain future for enterprise zones, Calderons fundraise for 2014 races, Eric Garcetti prepares to take office

Alice Walton — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:55:05 -0700

Gov. Jerry Brown is seeking an end to enterprise zones, which were created to provide tax breaks to companies that created jobs in underserved areas. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Monday, June 17, and here is what's happening in Los Angeles:

Headlines

Gov. Jerry Brown wants to eliminate enterprise zones, which can provide tax breaks to companies that create jobs in disadvantaged neighborhoods, according to the Los Angeles Times. The governor has said the zones are "inefficient, opaque and loose" in handing out the tax credits.

The three Calderon brothers -- Ron, Tom and Charles -- are all raising money for 2014 campaigns, reports KPCC. Their fundraising efforts are continuing despite a recent FBI raid on Ron Calderon's Sacramento offices. Over at the Sacramento Bee, the newspaper looks at the "clout and entitlements of this local dynasty."

A Beverly Hills developer is being investigated for allegedly laundering campaign contributions to county Assessor John Noguez, reports the Los Angeles Times. Noguez is already facing charges for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for lowering the assessed values on properties owned by his supporters.

In Rick Orlov's Tipoff column, Eric Garcetti goes back to basics, Cindy Montanez picks up support in the Sixth District, and Tom LaBonge wants to rename the 110 Freeway.

Los Angeles Times writer Jim Newton sat down with Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti (in a Starbucks in the Valley) to talk about the challenges ahead. "Some Garcetti skeptics worry that his calm demeanor is part of a debilitating niceness that will keep him from making and sticking to hard decisions. He's heard that knock, but insists it was never true and that the campaign helped him discover his own resolve," Newton writes.

Former state Treasurer Kathleen Brown was appointed to the Sempra Energy board of directors, according to BusinessWeek.

Cindy Montanez in Los Angeles' Sixth District is expected to pick up endorsements later today from Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti and L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson, per the campaign.

Pressers

None

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

LA County Board of Supervisors: Status report on AB 109; request to create blue ribbon commission on child safety (9:30 a.m.)
Orange County Board of Supervisors: Recommendation to approve changes to Conflict of Interest code (9:30 a.m.)
LA City Council: EIR on plastic bag ban; recommendation to name the Jan Perry wetlands (10 a.m.)
Long Beach City Council: Recommendation to accept grant from California Department of Conservation (5 p.m.)
Anaheim City Council: Consideration of appointments to commission; public hearing on FY 2013-14 budget (5 p.m.)
Beverly Hill City Council: Discussion on FY 2013-14 budget; report from MWD representative (7 p.m.)

Wednesday

LA City Council: Vote on Millennium Hollywood project; discussion on creation of Public Health Department (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here.

Calderon brothers raising funds for 2014 campaigns

Sharon McNary — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:26 -0700

State Sen. Ron Calderon, left, has been raising money for a return to the Assembly in 2014. He's seen here with his brother, former Assemblyman Charles Calderon, who has a committee for a Secretary of State campaign. A third brother, Tom, may seek Ron's current Senate seat.
; Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

State Senator Ron Calderon, whose Sacramento offices were recently raided by the FBI, has been raising money for a return to the Assembly. And his two brothers, veterans of the Sacramento scene, are also raising funds for 2014 campaigns.

FBI agents searched Calderon's offices on June 4 but have not divulged the focus of their investigation. The U.S. Attorney's office has subpoenaed records from the Central Basin Municipal Water District, an agency with ties to two of the Calderons.

Ron Calderon, who will be termed out of his Senate seat next year, is planning a return to the Assembly, where he served from 2002-06 and still has two years of eligibility. Through the end of last year, his campaign committee raised more than $172,000. The campaign’s expenditures include $12,370 for a three-day fundraising event at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel in Dana Point, which included lodging for 20 people.

Calderon's campaign also paid $25,000 for salaries to a son of his brother, Tom Calderon. The Calderons, including a third brother, Charles, have long made a practice of hiring family members for campaigns that date back to the early 1980s.

Tom Calderon has a campaign committee to raise money for the Senate seat his brother vacates next year. A fundraiser for the campaign is scheduled this week in Sacramento, however the restaurant where it was supposed to be held did not have the event on its schedule.

Charles Calderon has a committee that through last year had raised almost $120,000 dollars for a 2014 campaign for Secretary of State.

Representatives for the Calderon campaigns could not be reached for comment as to whether the FBI investigation into Ron Calderon will affect any of their plans.

LA Democrat pushes White House on climate change

Kitty Felde — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:00:27 -0700

LA Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman wants President Obama to limit pollution at power plants.; Credit: Seadigs/ Flickr Creative commons

Democratic hawks on climate change are putting pressure on the White House to use executive power to cut emissions. And L.A. Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman is doing some of the pushing.

Waxman was the author of a 2009 climate change bill that passed the House, but died in the Senate. Now that he's in the minority party, he's been frustrated trying to move similar legislation. So he and fellow Democrat, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, have been meeting with top White House staffers to discuss climate strategies President Obama can use.

Waxman says the Clean Air Act allows the Environmental Protection Agency to limit pollution from new and existing power plants and oil refineries. "The administration can insist on greater efficiency in our use of energy," he says, "not just by the government itself, but in setting efficiency standards for appliances and other items."

Waxman applauded the recent hydro fluorocarbon agreement between President Obama and the President of China, agreeing to work together to reduce and eliminate HFCs.

Feds subpoenaed records from Commerce-based water district after FBI raided Calderon's office

Alice Walton — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:40:27 -0700

State Senator Ron Calderon helped open the Central Basin Municipal Water District's new headquarters in 2008.

Federal authorities subpoenaed records from the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Commerce just days after the office of state Senator Ron Calderon was raided by FBI agents, the president of the water district board confirmed Friday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the subpoenas. Calderon's brother, Tom, reportedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars in consultant fees from the water district over the past decade. Together, Ron and Tom Calderon donated more than $36,000 to water district board candidates over a five-year period, according to campaign finance reports reviewed by KPCC.

Water district board member James Roybal confirmed the subpoenas. He was elected to the board last year and has led a reform effort that included terminating Tom Calderon's contract earlier this year.

Ron Calderon has been accused of pushing legislation that would benefit the water district. In one case, Rep. Grace Napolitano accused him of blocking a fiscal audit of the water district.

Earlier this year, federal agents interviewed Michael Franchek, whose company had bid on a $1 million contract with the district in 2009. After a committee agreed to award the contract to Franchek's firm, the board switched gears and awarded the bid to Steelworkers Oldtimers Foundation, a nonprofit overseen by Tom Calderon.

"This was clearly a case of political cronyism," Franchek said.

According to Franchek, the federal agents had questions about the water district's contracting practices.

An attorney and spokesman for the Central Basin Municipal Water District declined to comment further. An attorney for Tom Calderon similarly declined to speak when asked whether his client had been contacted by federal authorities.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Ron Calderon said he was anxious to return to work.

"It’s been very stressful and very hard on all of us. We’re all anxious to put this behind us and to carry on normal life," he said.

Update: Both houses of state legislature pass $96.3 billion Democratic budget

Julie Small — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:52:00 -0700

State Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, second from left, discusses Gov. Jerry Brown's education plans, during a Capitol news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 25, 2013. ; Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Update 3:52 p.m.: Budget passes both houses of legislature

After an opening fiery partisan debate, California’s legislature approved a $96.3 billion budget bill Friday and lawmakers were zipping through more than 20 trailer bills that implement the plan.

Both houses approved AB110 on party-line votes: 28-10 in the Senate and 54-25 in the Assembly.

The budget included historic reforms to public school funding and $5 billion to repay debt the state owes, including $2 billion to public schools.

Republicans in both houses criticized the plan for failing to pay down more of the state’s debt and for keeping the state’s growing pension liabilities off the ledger.

Asm. Jeff Gorrell (R-Camarillo) said the plan relied too heavily on temporary taxes voters approved with Prop 30 and that it contains additional spending that will come back to hurt the state once the higher sales and income taxes passed by voters last fall expire.

"We will have to make cuts again," Gorell said. "With this budget, we have positioned ourselves perfectly to repeat the mistakes of the past."

In one particularly pointed exchange, San Bernardino Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R- Twin Peaks) said the budget doesn’t account for billions California owes the federal government for unemployment payments.

“If last year’s budget was a big fat lie,” he said, “this year’s budget is a big white lie.”

Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-L.A.) called the criticism “hollow rhetoric” that ignores how much of the state’s debt was incurred under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Republican administration. He said California’s situation has stabilized now that Democrats no longer need Republican votes to pass a budget.

“The beginning of responsible budgeting in this state came when we moved to a simple majority — consistent with 47 other states — to pass a budget and when we elected a governor who was not afraid to govern.”

The Democrats' budget boosts overall spending for public schools and directs more of it to disadvantaged students and districts where they comprise more than 55 percent of the student body.

The plan also increases funds to California’s public universities by $500 million, $15 million of which is slated to expand UC Riverside’s medical school from a 2-year to a 4-year program.

Among the objections raised by Republicans and even some Democratic lawmakers was a funding shift agreed to by the governor that transferred $500 million from an account funded by industry fines that is supposed to pay for the state's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The money instead is being lent to the state's general fund.

Similar internal transfers from years past have left the state owing billions of dollars from its general fund to a variety of state programs. Republicans said this budget makes too little headway in repaying that money and in addressing the state's longer-term debts, primarily pensions and retiree health care obligations.

Republican Sen. Ted Gaines, of Rocklin, also noted that the state will be challenged to pay for the governor's high-speed rail and water-delivery projects, which have a combined price tag approaching $100 billion.

He asked lawmakers to think of the long term "so that we can grow the economy fast enough so we can address the unfunded obligations that we have."

Update 12:14 p.m.: State Senate passes budget

The state Senate has passed a $96.3 billion Democratic spending plan amid sharp party divisions over whether it will lead to future problems for California's budget.

The Legislature has until midnight Saturday to send the governor a balanced budget, but the plan was expected to get majority votes in both houses on Friday.

It passed the Senate on a party-line, 28-10 vote, and was to be voted on later by the Assembly.

Republicans spoke against the plan, which was agreed to by the Legislature's Democratic leadership and the governor's administration earlier in the week.

They said it contained accounting gimmicks and failed to address some of the state's most pressing fiscal time bombs, including tens of billions of dollars in unfunded public employee pension liabilities.

Republican Assemblyman Jeff Gorell of Camarillo also said it contains additional spending that will come back to hurt the state once the higher sales and income taxes passed by voters last fall expire.

He says Democrats have positioned the state "to repeat the mistakes of the past."

Hahn: Supreme Court port ruling will impact neighborhoods

Kitty Felde — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:32:56 -0700

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that the port can not require truckers to have an off-street parking plan.; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

All politics are local — even when the U.S. Supreme Court is involved.

San Pedro Congresswoman Janice Hahn says the High Court's decision this week on the Port of L.A.'s clean trucks program will have a direct impact on the port's neighbors.

The Supreme Court left intact the central part of the port's clean trucks program, which requires cargo haulers to use modern rigs that run on cleaner fuels.

But the court ruled that the port can not require truckers to have an off-street parking plan. And that, says Hahn, could make life tough for those who live near the ports. Hahn, a Democrat who also used to represent the port area as an L.A. City Councilwoman, says the city can and does enforce some regulations.

"We tried doing no parking, we've limited the streets that trucks can drive on," Hahn says. "What you find in Los Angeles, of course, is there's not all that many parking enforcement officers. It's one of the things that always seems to be getting cut."

The Supreme Court ruled that the port can not threaten fines or prison for terminal operators who hire cargo haulers who have violated parts of the clean trucks program. That authority, the court said, rests with the federal government.

The city, however, can still write parking tickets.