latimes--2020-01-10--Newsom proposes new vaping tax based on a product's nicotine content

Alarmed by an epidemic of youth vaping , Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed a new California tax on electronic cigarette products that use nicotine and threw his support behind a legislative plan to ban all flavored tobacco sales by the end of this year .
Newsom is proposing an additional tax based on nicotine content that would be $ 2 for every 40 milligrams of nicotine in a product , which the governor said is equivalent to the tax on a pack of cigarettes .
Included in Newsom ’ s proposed state budget for 2020-2021 , the levy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , and requires approval by the Legislature .
In announcing the plan , the governor cited a spike in vaping by teens that was highlighted in a recent federal report that estimated 5 million middle- and high-school students reported using e-cigarettes in a recent 30-day period , a significant increase from 3.6 million the year before .
Experts say the new tax could make vaping products financially out of reach for some young consumers .
“ It scares the hell out of me as a parent , hearing what I am hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just high schools — and I think this vaping tax is long overdue , ” Newsom told reporters at the Capitol , where he released his budget .
Newsom ’ s proposal was unveiled just days after the Trump administration announced a partial ban on flavored vaping products and California legislators introduced a bill to permanently prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco at retail stores .
The state proposal would extend to menthol-flavored products , which are not covered by the Trump administration ’ s plan .
The lead author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-San Mateo ) , welcomed the governor ’ s endorsement of a ban on flavored products , which he called “ the gateway to youth smoking and addiction.
” On Friday , Newsom praised state lawmakers for their bill , noting that the state would “ do more than the federal government did on the flavors.
” Tony Abboud , executive director of the Vapor Technology Assn.
, which represents the industry , said Friday that his group shares the governor ’ s concerns about youth vaping , but objects to taxing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is important to ensure that the taxing of vapor products does not exceed that of similar age-restricted industries such as tobacco , alcohol and cannabis , ” Abboud said .
“ Given the enormous costs on California ’ s healthcare system caused by smoking , no sound tax policy should encourage smoking and , at the same time , discourage vaping.
” Tobacco products already face state taxes totaling $ 2.87 per pack of cigarettes in California , and the tax extends to products used for vaping .
But vaping products are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products are marked up in price for retail sale , so some groups say they are undertaxed compared with cigarettes .
The new vape tax would be in addition to the current tobacco tax .
The new tax is expected to generate $ 32 million for the last half of the next fiscal year and the money will go to enforcement , youth prevention and heathcare workforce programs , according to the governor ’ s budget .
Four other states — Kansas , Illinois , Delaware and Connecticut — as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically targeting vaping products , while other states have general taxes on tobacco .
Newsom ’ s proposals were lauded by Jim Knox , managing director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in California .
“ Typically , a tax increase will deter usage , ” Knox said .
“ I think it ’ s a promising tool , but I think the really big thing is getting the flavored tobacco off the shelves.
” A coalition of government officials and health groups formed to push for a statewide flavored tobacco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying in a statement that the proposal comes “ while the Trump Administration plays electoral politics with the health of our children by advancing half-measures on e-cigarettes .
”

Alarmed by an epidemic of youth vaping, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed a new California tax on electronic cigarette products that use nicotine and threw his support behind a legislative plan to ban all flavored tobacco sales by the end of this year.
Newsom is proposing an additional tax based on nicotine content that would be $2 for every 40 milligrams of nicotine in a product, which the governor said is equivalent to the tax on a pack of cigarettes. Included in Newsom’s proposed state budget for 2020-2021, the levy would be implemented beginning Jan. 1, 2021, and requires approval by the Legislature.
In announcing the plan, the governor cited a spike in vaping by teens that was highlighted in a recent federal report that estimated 5 million middle- and high-school students reported using e-cigarettes in a recent 30-day period, a significant increase from 3.6 million the year before. Experts say the new tax could make vaping products financially out of reach for some young consumers.
“It scares the hell out of me as a parent, hearing what I am hearing — what is happening in middle schools, not just high schools — and I think this vaping tax is long overdue,” Newsom told reporters at the Capitol, where he released his budget.
Newsom’s proposal was unveiled just days after the Trump administration announced a partial ban on flavored vaping products and California legislators introduced a bill to permanently prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco at retail stores. The state proposal would extend to menthol-flavored products, which are not covered by the Trump administration’s plan.
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The lead author of the bill, Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), welcomed the governor’s endorsement of a ban on flavored products, which he called “the gateway to youth smoking and addiction.”
On Friday, Newsom praised state lawmakers for their bill, noting that the state would “do more than the federal government did on the flavors.”
Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Assn., which represents the industry, said Friday that his group shares the governor’s concerns about youth vaping, but objects to taxing proposals it regards as unfair.
“It is important to ensure that the taxing of vapor products does not exceed that of similar age-restricted industries such as tobacco, alcohol and cannabis,” Abboud said. “Given the enormous costs on California’s healthcare system caused by smoking, no sound tax policy should encourage smoking and, at the same time, discourage vaping.”
Tobacco products already face state taxes totaling $2.87 per pack of cigarettes in California, and the tax extends to products used for vaping. But vaping products are taxed at the wholesale level before the products are marked up in price for retail sale, so some groups say they are undertaxed compared with cigarettes.
The new vape tax would be in addition to the current tobacco tax.
The new tax is expected to generate $32 million for the last half of the next fiscal year and the money will go to enforcement, youth prevention and heathcare workforce programs, according to the governor’s budget.
Four other states — Kansas, Illinois, Delaware and Connecticut — as well as the District of Columbia, also have taxes specifically targeting vaping products, while other states have general taxes on tobacco.
Newsom’s proposals were lauded by Jim Knox, managing director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in California.
“Typically, a tax increase will deter usage,” Knox said. “I think it’s a promising tool, but I think the really big thing is getting the flavored tobacco off the shelves.”
A coalition of government officials and health groups formed to push for a statewide flavored tobacco ban applauded the governor’s announcement, saying in a statement that the proposal comes “while the Trump Administration plays electoral politics with the health of our children by advancing half-measures on e-cigarettes.”


latimes--2020-01-10--Uber driver charged for sexually assaulting woman two summers ago, authorities say

An Uber driver who allegedly picked up an intoxicated woman outside a police station and sexually assaulted her two summers ago has been arrested and charged .
Amir Attia , 45 , was arrested Wednesday in connection with the July 23 , 2018 , assault .
On Friday , the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office announced that Attia had been charged with two felony counts of sexual penetration and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery for repeatedly abusing a passenger .
According to the unnamed victim , identified by Santa Ana police as a 25-year-old who resided in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , Attia repeatedly stopped his vehicle and sexually assaulted her after picking her up from the Tustin Police Station .
The victim went to UC Irvine Medical Center and Anaheim Regional the following day where a sexual assault kit was taken .
Attia ’ s identity was confirmed through DNA evidence .
According to jail records , Attia is being held in Orange County Jail on bail of $ 100,000 .
He has a previous conviction for sexual battery from 1993 , police said .
This is not the first incident in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault .
In December , Uber Technologies Inc. released a report that found more than 3,000 allegations of sexual assaults involving drivers or passengers in the U.S. had occurred on its platform in 2018 .
In April 2019 , three L.A. County women sued Uber for failing to warn them of sexual assaults carried out by drivers posing as Uber drivers .
The suit alleged that nine people had been sexually assaulted by people posing as Uber drivers between September 2016 and February 2018 in Los Angeles .

An Uber driver who allegedly picked up an intoxicated woman outside a police station and sexually assaulted her two summers ago has been arrested and charged.
Amir Attia, 45, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the July 23, 2018, assault. On Friday, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced that Attia had been charged with two felony counts of sexual penetration and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery for repeatedly abusing a passenger.
According to the unnamed victim, identified by Santa Ana police as a 25-year-old who resided in Santa Ana at the time of the attack, Attia repeatedly stopped his vehicle and sexually assaulted her after picking her up from the Tustin Police Station. The victim went to UC Irvine Medical Center and Anaheim Regional the following day where a sexual assault kit was taken. Attia’s identity was confirmed through DNA evidence.
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According to jail records, Attia is being held in Orange County Jail on bail of $100,000. He has a previous conviction for sexual battery from 1993, police said.
This is not the first incident in which an Uber driver was accused of sexual assault. In December, Uber Technologies Inc. released a report that found more than 3,000 allegations of sexual assaults involving drivers or passengers in the U.S. had occurred on its platform in 2018.
In April 2019, three L.A. County women sued Uber for failing to warn them of sexual assaults carried out by drivers posing as Uber drivers. The suit alleged that nine people had been sexually assaulted by people posing as Uber drivers between September 2016 and February 2018 in Los Angeles.


latimes--2020-01-10--U.S. firefighters sent to battle Australia's wildfires arrive to cheers and applause

More than 100 U.S. firefighters , including dozens from California , have traveled to Australia over the last month to help combat the country ’ s wildfires that have consumed more than 12.5 million acres of vegetation .
On Thursday morning , the latest batch of firefighters landed at Sydney International Airport , where they were welcomed with cheers and applause .
The video was captured by Shane Fitzsimmons , commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service .
“ Coming through , all gathered gave a spontaneous and lengthy round of applause , reflecting the gratitude and admiration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he tweeted .
The firefighters will assist the Victoria Rural Fire Service , the largest fire service in the Australian state of Victoria .
The National Interagency Fire Center — the Boise , Idaho-based government agency that is coordinating the deployment of firefighters from the United States -- was not immediately available to comment on which parts of the U.S. the group came from .
One woman told CNN that her husband from Alabama was part of the group featured in the clip .
A total of 59 firefighters and fire management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles International Airport , NIFC public affairs specialist Carrie Bilbao said .
Twenty of those firefighters were assembled by the Angeles National Forest Services .
The group has a collective total of 100 years of experience and were all leaders in their units .
Those assembled included a husband and wife , a 21-year firefighting veteran and a father of four .
“ Our Australian sisters and brothers have helped us over the years , ” fire prevention technician Jonathan Merager said .
“ It seemed natural to reciprocate that assistance.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent roughly 140 firefighters to the United States for nearly 30 days .
The exchange of fire resources between the U.S. and Australia is made through an agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior and Emergency Management Australia .
NIFC is sending firefighters to Australia for the first time since 2010 .
Roughly 2,700 firefighters are on the front lines in Australia , fighting to quell the flames that have engulfed millions of acres and killed at least and millions of birds , reptiles and mammals .

More than 100 U.S. firefighters, including dozens from California, have traveled to Australia over the last month to help combat the country’s wildfires that have consumed more than 12.5 million acres of vegetation.
On Thursday morning, the latest batch of firefighters landed at Sydney International Airport, where they were welcomed with cheers and applause. The video was captured by Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
“Coming through, all gathered gave a spontaneous and lengthy round of applause, reflecting the gratitude and admiration we all have for their generosity,” he tweeted.
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US fire fighters arrived at Sydney Int Airport this week, on their way to assist with fire fighting in Victoria.
Coming through, all gathered gave a spontaneous & lengthy round of applause, reflecting the gratitude & admiration we all have for their generosity. #NSWRFS @NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/5epg5y4qxX — Shane Fitzsimmons (@RFSCommissioner) January 9, 2020
The firefighters will assist the Victoria Rural Fire Service, the largest fire service in the Australian state of Victoria. The National Interagency Fire Center — the Boise, Idaho-based government agency that is coordinating the deployment of firefighters from the United States -- was not immediately available to comment on which parts of the U.S. the group came from.
One woman told CNN that her husband from Alabama was part of the group featured in the clip.
A total of 59 firefighters and fire management personnel left Monday for Australia from Los Angeles International Airport, NIFC public affairs specialist Carrie Bilbao said.
Twenty of those firefighters were assembled by the Angeles National Forest Services. The group has a collective total of 100 years of experience and were all leaders in their units. Those assembled included a husband and wife, a 21-year firefighting veteran and a father of four.
“Our Australian sisters and brothers have helped us over the years,” fire prevention technician Jonathan Merager said. “It seemed natural to reciprocate that assistance.”
In August 2018, Australia and New Zealand sent roughly 140 firefighters to the United States for nearly 30 days.
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The exchange of fire resources between the U.S. and Australia is made through an agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior and Emergency Management Australia. NIFC is sending firefighters to Australia for the first time since 2010.


latimes--2020-01-09--Eric Garcetti endorses Joe Biden for president as candidate visits Southern California

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , who flirted with the idea of running for president but skipped the 2020 campaign , endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination Thursday .
Biden and Garcetti promoted the endorsement Friday at an event in Westlake with leaders of the International Assn .
of Firefighters .
“ He is the right leader at the right moment , ” Garcetti said .
Garcetti will be one of Biden ’ s highest-profile supporters in California ’ s March 3 primary , but the endorsement is unlikely to have any practical effect on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s senior U.S. senator , is also supporting Biden .
And Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia , who had endorsed California Sen. Kamala Harris before she dropped out of the presidential race , also announced his support for Biden on Thursday .
Biden is a solid front-runner in national polls of Democratic voters but is in a tighter race for the lead in California , where polls show Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts running nearly even with the former vice president .
The 416 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday primary are the biggest prize of the campaign for the party nomination .
Since Garcetti was first elected mayor in 2013 , he has devoted much time to building a national political network .
He is a member of the Democratic National Committee and vice president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors .
The Los Angeles Times found he spent nearly one-third of his time outside California in a one-year period ending in September 2017 , including trips to states with crucial presidential contests , such as Iowa and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weighing whether to make a bid for the White House , Garcetti announced at City Hall a year ago that he would not run in 2020 , saying , “ This is what I am meant to do and this is where I want to be.
” Left unsaid was that the surge in homelessness on his watch would have posed a huge challenge in a presidential race .
Tent encampments have sprouted citywide on freeway overpasses , in underpasses and along sidewalks , alleys , beaches and riverbanks .
At the Westlake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti at the time , “ I ’ m happy you ’ re not running because you might beat me ” but sad because he saw the mayor as qualified to lead the country .
On Thursday afternoon , Biden toured a $ 1.5-billion bridge replacement project in Long Beach with Garcia .
“ This bridge will carry 15 % of all of America ’ s cargo by truck up across the bridge connecting Long Beach to Los Angeles .
During the Obama-Biden administration , they provided the funds for us actually to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And so we ’ re very grateful to the leadership that the vice president really was all about when it came to infrastructure ... .
He is ready to lead our country on Day One.
” Later Thursday , Biden attended a fundraising reception in Irvine hosted by former California Sen. Barbara Boxer , former Ambassador James Costos and Reps. Harley Rouda of Laguna Beach and Lou Correa of Santa Ana .
Also on Friday , Biden is raising money at a luncheon in Hancock Park .
Garcetti , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 2008 campaign , has long-standing ties with Biden .
In 2015 , Biden dined with Garcetti at Getty House , the mayor ’ s official residence , after the two participated in a Los Angeles climate change summit .
In 2014 , Biden joined Garcetti in promoting an increase in the city ’ s minimum wage .
“ Democrats are blessed to have such an extraordinary field of candidates , ” Garcetti said in a statement Thursday , “ but I will never forget what Joe Biden has done for my city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement calling Garcetti “ one of the best mayors in this country who has done incredibly innovative things to improve the lives ” of city residents .
The mayor will serve as a national co-chair of Biden ’ s campaign .

Joe Biden, left, appears in Westlake on Friday with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who endorsed the former vice president’s 2020 White House bid.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who flirted with the idea of running for president but skipped the 2020 campaign, endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination Thursday.
Biden and Garcetti promoted the endorsement Friday at an event in Westlake with leaders of the International Assn. of Firefighters.
“He is the right leader at the right moment,” Garcetti said.
Garcetti will be one of Biden’s highest-profile supporters in California’s March 3 primary, but the endorsement is unlikely to have any practical effect on the highly competitive race. Dianne Feinstein, the state’s senior U.S. senator, is also supporting Biden. And Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who had endorsed California Sen. Kamala Harris before she dropped out of the presidential race, also announced his support for Biden on Thursday.
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Biden is a solid front-runner in national polls of Democratic voters but is in a tighter race for the lead in California, where polls show Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts running nearly even with the former vice president. The 416 delegates at stake in California’s Super Tuesday primary are the biggest prize of the campaign for the party nomination.
Since Garcetti was first elected mayor in 2013, he has devoted much time to building a national political network. He is a member of the Democratic National Committee and vice president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors. The Los Angeles Times found he spent nearly one-third of his time outside California in a one-year period ending in September 2017, including trips to states with crucial presidential contests, such as Iowa and New Hampshire.
After almost two years of weighing whether to make a bid for the White House, Garcetti announced at City Hall a year ago that he would not run in 2020, saying, “This is what I am meant to do and this is where I want to be.”
Left unsaid was that the surge in homelessness on his watch would have posed a huge challenge in a presidential race. Tent encampments have sprouted citywide on freeway overpasses, in underpasses and along sidewalks, alleys, beaches and riverbanks.
At the Westlake event on Friday, Biden recalled telling Garcetti at the time, “I’m happy you’re not running because you might beat me” but sad because he saw the mayor as qualified to lead the country.
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On Thursday afternoon, Biden toured a $1.5-billion bridge replacement project in Long Beach with Garcia.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden tours the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project Thursday with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
“This bridge will carry 15% of all of America’s cargo by truck up across the bridge connecting Long Beach to Los Angeles. During the Obama-Biden administration, they provided the funds for us actually to construct this bridge,” Garcia said. “And so we’re very grateful to the leadership that the vice president really was all about when it came to infrastructure.... He is ready to lead our country on Day One.”
Later Thursday, Biden attended a fundraising reception in Irvine hosted by former California Sen. Barbara Boxer, former Ambassador James Costos and Reps. Harley Rouda of Laguna Beach and Lou Correa of Santa Ana. Also on Friday, Biden is raising money at a luncheon in Hancock Park.
Garcetti, who was a California co-chair of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, has long-standing ties with Biden. In 2015, Biden dined with Garcetti at Getty House, the mayor’s official residence, after the two participated in a Los Angeles climate change summit. In 2014, Biden joined Garcetti in promoting an increase in the city’s minimum wage.
“Democrats are blessed to have such an extraordinary field of candidates,” Garcetti said in a statement Thursday, “but I will never forget what Joe Biden has done for my city and our nation.”
Biden released a statement calling Garcetti “one of the best mayors in this country who has done incredibly innovative things to improve the lives” of city residents. The mayor will serve as a national co-chair of Biden’s campaign.


latimes--2020-01-10--Couple who baited and beat bicycle thieves arrested for assault, police say

For months , police said , a Visalia , Calif. , couple left a bicycle unattended outside their home in order to bait passersby into stealing it .
Once someone took the bike , the couple would run from their home and , on at least four occasions , police said , beat the person with a baseball bat .
Visalia police arrested the couple Wednesday .
They face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy .
Police say Corey Curnutt , 25 , and Savannah Grillot , 29 , posted videos of the assaults to YouTube from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unattended bike in the front of the house .
In two instances , a person takes the bicycle off the property .
Once that person reaches the sidewalk , two people identified by police as Curnett and Grillot run from their home with a baseball bat in hand .
“ The victims in the cases received various non-life-threatening injuries , ” Visalia police said .
A neighbor told KSEE-TV that , on occasion , the assaults happened almost nightly .
Local media reported that Grillot is a sailor who has been assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson was not immediately available to confirm that information with The Times .
A GoFundMe page shared on Curnutt ’ s Facebook page said that after the couple ’ s car window was busted and money was stolen , followed later by the theft of their son ’ s bicycle and other items , law enforcement was contacted but no arrests were made .
“ They decided to use a scare tactic in effort to convince people to stop stealing from them , ” the page reads .
Anyone with further information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
James Cummings at ( 559 ) 713-4722 .

For months, police said, a Visalia, Calif., couple left a bicycle unattended outside their home in order to bait passersby into stealing it. Once someone took the bike, the couple would run from their home and, on at least four occasions, police said, beat the person with a baseball bat.
Visalia police arrested the couple Wednesday. They face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.
Police say Corey Curnutt, 25, and Savannah Grillot, 29, posted videos of the assaults to YouTube from July through November. Video shows the unattended bike in the front of the house. In two instances, a person takes the bicycle off the property. Once that person reaches the sidewalk, two people identified by police as Curnett and Grillot run from their home with a baseball bat in hand.
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“The victims in the cases received various non-life-threatening injuries,” Visalia police said.
A neighbor told KSEE-TV that, on occasion, the assaults happened almost nightly.
Local media reported that Grillot is a sailor who has been assigned to Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy spokesperson was not immediately available to confirm that information with The Times.
A GoFundMe page shared on Curnutt’s Facebook page said that after the couple’s car window was busted and money was stolen, followed later by the theft of their son’s bicycle and other items, law enforcement was contacted but no arrests were made.
“They decided to use a scare tactic in effort to convince people to stop stealing from them,” the page reads.
Anyone with further information about the case is asked to contact Det. James Cummings at (559) 713-4722.


latimes--2020-01-10--California Housing Crisis Podcast: Will Sen. Scott Wiener's SB 50 succeed this year?

By the end of January , one of the most contentious housing bills in the country will have advanced further in the legislative process than it ’ s ever has — or fail yet again .
State Sen. Scott Wiener ( D-San Francisco ) has reignited his push to pass Senate Bill 50 , which aims to radically increase housing growth in California by allowing the construction of mid-rise apartment complexes near transit stops and fourplexes in single-family neighborhoods .
On this episode of “ Gim me Shelter : The California Housing Crisis Podcast , ” we discuss the three-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest changes to the bill , which would give cities and counties more flexibility in where they can boost density in their communities .
Wiener is our guest and we ask him about the two major centers of opposition to SB 50 : advocacy groups representing lower-income communities of color , which believe SB 50 would exacerbate the displacement of residents in gentrifying neighborhoods , and suburban activists worried about changes in the character of their neighborhoods .
By legislative rules , SB 50 must clear the state Senate by Jan. 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be debated in the Assembly later this year .
If not , the bill is unlikely to be revived until at least 2021 .
“ , ” a biweekly podcast that looks at why it ’ s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it , features Liam Dillon , who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times , and Matt Levin , data and housing reporter for .
You can subscribe to “ Gim me Shelter ” on , , , , and @

By the end of January, one of the most contentious housing bills in the country will have advanced further in the legislative process than it’s ever has — or fail yet again.
State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has reignited his push to pass Senate Bill 50, which aims to radically increase housing growth in California by allowing the construction of mid-rise apartment complexes near transit stops and fourplexes in single-family neighborhoods.
On this episode of “Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast,” we discuss the three-year history of Wiener’s efforts and the latest changes to the bill, which would give cities and counties more flexibility in where they can boost density in their communities.
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Wiener is our guest and we ask him about the two major centers of opposition to SB 50: advocacy groups representing lower-income communities of color, which believe SB 50 would exacerbate the displacement of residents in gentrifying neighborhoods, and suburban activists worried about changes in the character of their neighborhoods.
By legislative rules, SB 50 must clear the state Senate by Jan. 31. If it does, the bill will be debated in the Assembly later this year. If not, the bill is unlikely to be revived until at least 2021.
“ Gimme Shelter ,” a biweekly podcast that looks at why it’s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters .


latimes--2020-01-10--Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget envisions an activist agenda but limits higher spending

For the seventh time in eight years , California ’ s government is poised to collect a sizable cash surplus under projections in the $ 222.2-billion state budget Gov .
Gavin Newsom submitted to the Legislature on Friday — a remarkable streak even in the face of steadily higher spending , most notably on K-12 education and services for low-income residents .
Those programs would remain the focus of government growth under the plan unveiled by Newsom .
Elsewhere , he urged lawmakers to limit their requests for more spending in light of expectations that the state and national economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
“ While we ’ ve enjoyed 11 years of economic growth and expansion , that is not a permanent state , ” Newsom told reporters at the state Capitol .
But the budget crafted by Newsom is hardly cautious .
Although it seeks limited growth in long-term commitments , the governor proposes to expand state government ’ s reach into policy areas that have historically been the purview of local and federal government .
Those include new efforts to combat a worsening homelessness crisis , lower the cost of prescription drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers .
“ I ’ m very proud to be a Californian .
I ’ m proud of this state , ” Newsom said .
“ But I am not naive about the areas where we ’ re falling short.
” Whether his fellow Democrats in the Legislature will agree to follow his lead is unclear .
So , too , is whether the governor might soften his stance on year-over-year spending once a final budget is enacted in June .
In 2019 , his first year in office , Newsom signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 4 billion .
The independent Legislative Analyst ’ s Office has since estimated those pledges will cost close to $ 6 billion a year once fully implemented , with some spending increases to take effect this spring .
In the newly proposed budget , health and human services spending will grow by $ 5.5 billion , which includes higher wages for in-home care workers and an 18-month extension of last year ’ s action to eliminate taxes collected on the sale of diapers and feminine hygiene products .
Democratic legislative leaders also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-income families and to expand access to paid family leave to more California workers .
Newsom ’ s budget reflects $ 153 billion in new spending from the general fund , the state ’ s primary bank account .
The vast majority of projected windfall revenue would be stashed away in California ’ s so-called rainy day fund .
By summer 2021 , the reserve account would grow to an estimated $ 18 billion — more backup budget cash than at any other time in state history .
The spending plan offers some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notable is Newsom ’ s decision to support coverage in the state ’ s Medi-Cal program for all residents older than 65 , regardless of immigration status .
The $ 80.5-million expansion of the healthcare program , in which eligibility is tied to income , builds on last year ’ s decision to fully cover teens and young adults in the U.S. illegally .
But the change won ’ t take effect until 2021 and the governor has yet to embrace coverage for all immigrant adults , an idea with estimated annual costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 billion .
Some of the most ambitious proposals were unveiled in the days leading up to Friday ’ s formal submission of a spending plan .
Those efforts include more than $ 1.4 billion to shelter and offer healthcare to California ’ s homeless population , with more than half of the money to be offered as direct cash subsidies to local services .
While lawmakers are expected to agree to the extra money , other parts of Newsom ’ s new homelessness plan could be a tougher sell — most notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental healthcare spending funded by a tax on millionaires that was imposed by voters in 2004 .
The governor has asked the Legislature to sign off on a first-in-the-nation proposal to market and sell generic prescription drugs to the state ’ s residents under a government-run operation .
The effort comes on the heels of Newsom ’ s push last year to harness the purchasing power of state and local agencies in hopes of lowering costs paid by taxpayers .
Newsom ’ s new budget also proposes the creation of a state-run consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business practices of financial institutions and oversee debt collection companies .
The effort is largely in response to the diminished activity of the federal government ’ s consumer watchdog operations under President Trump .
The consumer oversight and drug pricing efforts are the budget plan ’ s most striking proposals to continue a three-year effort by state lawmakers to position California as a policy and political counterweight to Trump .
Taken as a whole , the effort has produced an agenda to either defy or ignore what happens in Washington and stretch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do on its own .
Last year , Newsom and Democratic legislators signed off on a state mandate to purchase health insurance after Republicans in Washington effectively repealed the national requirement under the Affordable Care Act .
Californians who fail to get insured would have to pay a fine when filing their state tax returns in 2021 — at least $ 2,000 for a family of four , state officials said Thursday .
Meanwhile , Newsom ’ s administration has sought to reinforce California ’ s singular path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automotive companies on vehicle emissions standards , hoping to circumvent Trump ’ s cancellation of a longstanding program in which California set stricter rules than those required in other parts of the country .
The still-unsettled topic has produced some of the most significant clashes between states and the federal government in recent months .
Trump and Newsom have clashed repeatedly in recent weeks over California ’ s ever-worsening homelessness crisis .
Federal statistics released Monday estimate that more than 150,000 men , women and children in the state experienced homelessness last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his secretary of Housing and Urban Development , have warned that federal officials may take action on their own to mitigate the problem .
Those tensions have eased somewhat in Los Angeles , where city officials said Thursday they are seeking to work in partnership with federal officials on a variety of efforts .
Newsom , who frequently lambastes the president on social media , insisted Friday that the state isn ’ t waiting for a response on requests for help that have been sent to Trump .
“ He ’ s tweeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the governor said .
“ We have a real plan , real strategies .
We ’ re building on what works .
We don ’ t need him to identify this problem.
” Newsom also said the state would step in to address concerns over the growing popularity of vaping that had not been addressed in Washington .
The budget calls for a new tax on e-cigarette products based on the amount of nicotine they contain .
Newsom said the use of vaping devices by children “ scares the hell out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tax increase would pass handily in the Legislature .
Elsewhere , the governor ’ s new budget seeks to boost the state ’ s efforts on fighting and preventing wildfires , while providing new funds for emergency response programs .
And it proposes a $ 1-billion , four-year effort to encourage new approaches to fighting climate change by offering low-interest loans to small businesses and organizations with ideas on efforts such as recycling and low-carbon transportation .
As in years past , the majority of state government expenditures would go toward education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget projects $ 84 billion in general fund spending on K-12 education and community colleges .
When combined with other state and federal funds , per-pupil spending in K-12 schools would rise to $ 17,964 .
Legislators will begin a detailed review of Newsom ’ s budget later this month .
Broad policy discussions on spending priorities generally dominate the winter and spring months in Sacramento , with detailed budget negotiations occurring after April tax revenue is collected .
By law , the Legislature must send a completed fiscal plan to Newsom no @ @ @ @ @

Gov. Gavin Newsom discussed a chart showing the growth of the state’s rainy day fund as he discusses his proposed 2020-2021 state budget during a news conference in Sacramento on Friday.
For the seventh time in eight years, California’s government is poised to collect a sizable cash surplus under projections in the $222.2-billion state budget Gov. Gavin Newsom submitted to the Legislature on Friday — a remarkable streak even in the face of steadily higher spending, most notably on K-12 education and services for low-income residents.
Those programs would remain the focus of government growth under the plan unveiled by Newsom. Elsewhere, he urged lawmakers to limit their requests for more spending in light of expectations that the state and national economies will grow more slowly in the immediate future.
“While we’ve enjoyed 11 years of economic growth and expansion, that is not a permanent state,” Newsom told reporters at the state Capitol.
But the budget crafted by Newsom is hardly cautious. Although it seeks limited growth in long-term commitments, the governor proposes to expand state government’s reach into policy areas that have historically been the purview of local and federal government. Those include new efforts to combat a worsening homelessness crisis, lower the cost of prescription drugs and better protect the rights of California consumers.
“I’m very proud to be a Californian. I’m proud of this state,” Newsom said. “But I am not naive about the areas where we’re falling short.”
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Whether his fellow Democrats in the Legislature will agree to follow his lead is unclear. So, too, is whether the governor might soften his stance on year-over-year spending once a final budget is enacted in June. In 2019, his first year in office, Newsom signed a budget that boosted ongoing state expenditures by $4 billion. The independent Legislative Analyst’s Office has since estimated those pledges will cost close to $6 billion a year once fully implemented, with some spending increases to take effect this spring.
In the newly proposed budget, health and human services spending will grow by $5.5 billion, which includes higher wages for in-home care workers and an 18-month extension of last year’s action to eliminate taxes collected on the sale of diapers and feminine hygiene products. Democratic legislative leaders also applauded proposals to expand preschool options for low-income families and to expand access to paid family leave to more California workers.
Newsom’s budget reflects $153 billion in new spending from the general fund, the state’s primary bank account. The vast majority of projected windfall revenue would be stashed away in California’s so-called rainy day fund. By summer 2021, the reserve account would grow to an estimated $18 billion — more backup budget cash than at any other time in state history.
The spending plan offers some limited versions of Democratic priorities. Most notable is Newsom’s decision to support coverage in the state’s Medi-Cal program for all residents older than 65, regardless of immigration status. The $80.5-million expansion of the healthcare program, in which eligibility is tied to income, builds on last year’s decision to fully cover teens and young adults in the U.S. illegally. But the change won’t take effect until 2021 and the governor has yet to embrace coverage for all immigrant adults, an idea with estimated annual costs that could run as high as $1 billion.
Some of the most ambitious proposals were unveiled in the days leading up to Friday’s formal submission of a spending plan. Those efforts include more than $1.4 billion to shelter and offer healthcare to California’s homeless population, with more than half of the money to be offered as direct cash subsidies to local services. While lawmakers are expected to agree to the extra money, other parts of Newsom’s new homelessness plan could be a tougher sell — most notably, his proposal to revamp rules governing mental healthcare spending funded by a tax on millionaires that was imposed by voters in 2004.
The governor has asked the Legislature to sign off on a first-in-the-nation proposal to market and sell generic prescription drugs to the state’s residents under a government-run operation. The effort comes on the heels of Newsom’s push last year to harness the purchasing power of state and local agencies in hopes of lowering costs paid by taxpayers.
Newsom’s new budget also proposes the creation of a state-run consumer protection agency, which would monitor the business practices of financial institutions and oversee debt collection companies. The effort is largely in response to the diminished activity of the federal government’s consumer watchdog operations under President Trump.
The consumer oversight and drug pricing efforts are the budget plan’s most striking proposals to continue a three-year effort by state lawmakers to position California as a policy and political counterweight to Trump. Taken as a whole, the effort has produced an agenda to either defy or ignore what happens in Washington and stretch the boundaries of what any single state can do on its own.
Last year, Newsom and Democratic legislators signed off on a state mandate to purchase health insurance after Republicans in Washington effectively repealed the national requirement under the Affordable Care Act. Californians who fail to get insured would have to pay a fine when filing their state tax returns in 2021 — at least $2,000 for a family of four, state officials said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Newsom’s administration has sought to reinforce California’s singular path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state recently struck agreements with automotive companies on vehicle emissions standards, hoping to circumvent Trump’s cancellation of a longstanding program in which California set stricter rules than those required in other parts of the country. The still-unsettled topic has produced some of the most significant clashes between states and the federal government in recent months.
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Trump and Newsom have clashed repeatedly in recent weeks over California’s ever-worsening homelessness crisis. Federal statistics released Monday estimate that more than 150,000 men, women and children in the state experienced homelessness last year. The president and Ben Carson, his secretary of Housing and Urban Development, have warned that federal officials may take action on their own to mitigate the problem. Those tensions have eased somewhat in Los Angeles, where city officials said Thursday they are seeking to work in partnership with federal officials on a variety of efforts.
Newsom, who frequently lambastes the president on social media, insisted Friday that the state isn’t waiting for a response on requests for help that have been sent to Trump.
“He’s tweeting; we’re doing something,” the governor said. “We have a real plan, real strategies. We’re building on what works. We don’t need him to identify this problem.”
Newsom also said the state would step in to address concerns over the growing popularity of vaping that had not been addressed in Washington. The budget calls for a new tax on e-cigarette products based on the amount of nicotine they contain. Newsom said the use of vaping devices by children “scares the hell out of me as a parent” and predicted the tax increase would pass handily in the Legislature.
Elsewhere, the governor’s new budget seeks to boost the state’s efforts on fighting and preventing wildfires, while providing new funds for emergency response programs. And it proposes a $1-billion, four-year effort to encourage new approaches to fighting climate change by offering low-interest loans to small businesses and organizations with ideas on efforts such as recycling and low-carbon transportation.
As in years past, the majority of state government expenditures would go toward education and healthcare services. Newsom’s budget projects $84 billion in general fund spending on K-12 education and community colleges. When combined with other state and federal funds, per-pupil spending in K-12 schools would rise to $17,964.
Legislators will begin a detailed review of Newsom’s budget later this month. Broad policy discussions on spending priorities generally dominate the winter and spring months in Sacramento, with detailed budget negotiations occurring after April tax revenue is collected. By law, the Legislature must send a completed fiscal plan to Newsom no later than June 15.
Times staff writer Phil Willon contributed to this story.


latimes--2020-01-10--Lawsuit aims to halt construction of homeless shelter in Griffith Park

A new lawsuit aims to halt the construction of a homeless shelter in Griffith Park , arguing that Los Angeles officials skirted city and state rules when they approved the project on a Riverside Drive parking lot .
The Los Angeles City Council voted in December to push forward with the planned shelter and begin awarding funding for the nearly $ 6.6-million project , which is slated to include a 10,800-square-foot structure with approximately 100 beds and trailers for showers , restrooms and administrative offices .
It is expected to break ground in late February or early March .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temporary facility for three years as part of L.A. 's “ bridge housing ” program , which aims to get homeless people off the streets while permanent housing is still under construction .
More than 36,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles , including more than 27,000 people living without shelter , according to the last count .
The lawsuit was filed by a group of nearby residents and property owners called Friends of Waverly Inc. , including neighboring resident Victor Adjemian , who had raised concerns with City Councilman David Ryu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit , the group asserts that Los Angeles officials abused their discretion when they granted the planned shelter an emergency exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act .
“ The homeless problem is a ‘ condition ’ which has evolved over years of political malpractice and neglect by the politicians in this city , ” not an emergency as courts have interpreted the state law , the lawsuit asserts .
The lawsuit also challenges whether building a shelter violates the terms under which Griffith Park was granted to the city .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the project , flouting the city charter and ignoring the rights of nearby property owners .
The lawsuit specifically objects that there was no hearing before the City Planning Commission .
Holding such a hearing would have shown that “ the city lacks any explicit , detailed , reasonable controls ” on how the facility will operate in order to protect public health and safety , the lawsuit argues .
It called on the court to overturn city approval of the shelter plan and halt construction on the project until such hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not go through the City Planning Commission , the planned Griffith Park shelter had other public hearings at City Hall , where it was vetted by council committees , and was also reviewed by the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners , whose members are appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti .
Ryu , who represents the area , said his office had “ worked to meet with every neighbor who has questions about this bridge home project ” and stressed that it had won support from the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointing that in this crisis of homelessness , there are still those trying to slow solutions down , ” Ryu said in a statement .
Ryu previously wrote to Adjemian about his concerns , arguing that “ bridge housing is very different from emergency , walk-up shelters ” where anyone can walk up and seek a bed for the night , because it would only be open to identified residents who had been selected by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority .
Those residents would get “ around the clock trauma-informed care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasked with helping them build independent , self-sufficient lives , ” Ryu wrote .
Attorney Noel Weiss , who represents Friends of Waverly Inc. , declined to respond to those comments or address additional questions about the lawsuit Thursday .
Los Angeles officials have faced sharp opposition to several of their shelter plans : Protests erupted in Koreatown after the city planned to put a shelter near the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue , eventually spurring Councilman Herb Wesson to pursue an alternative site .
In Venice , a local group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a judge ultimately rejected the legal challenge after a state law exempted many L.A. homeless projects from the California Environmental Quality Act .
Construction on the Venice facility is expected to finish by the end of January , allowing people to start moving in within weeks .

City Councilman David Ryu, who represents the area where the shelter is planned, expressed disappointment at efforts to block it.
A new lawsuit aims to halt the construction of a homeless shelter in Griffith Park, arguing that Los Angeles officials skirted city and state rules when they approved the project on a Riverside Drive parking lot.
The Los Angeles City Council voted in December to push forward with the planned shelter and begin awarding funding for the nearly $6.6-million project, which is slated to include a 10,800-square-foot structure with approximately 100 beds and trailers for showers, restrooms and administrative offices. It is expected to break ground in late February or early March.
The county is slated to lease and operate the temporary facility for three years as part of L.A.’s “bridge housing” program, which aims to get homeless people off the streets while permanent housing is still under construction. More than 36,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles, including more than 27,000 people living without shelter, according to the last count.
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The lawsuit was filed by a group of nearby residents and property owners called Friends of Waverly Inc., including neighboring resident Victor Adjemian, who had raised concerns with City Councilman David Ryu about the planned site.
In the lawsuit, the group asserts that Los Angeles officials abused their discretion when they granted the planned shelter an emergency exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act.
“The homeless problem is a ‘condition’ which has evolved over years of political malpractice and neglect by the politicians in this city,” not an emergency as courts have interpreted the state law, the lawsuit asserts.
The lawsuit also challenges whether building a shelter violates the terms under which Griffith Park was granted to the city. And it argues that the city skipped necessary hearings for the project, flouting the city charter and ignoring the rights of nearby property owners. The lawsuit specifically objects that there was no hearing before the City Planning Commission.
Holding such a hearing would have shown that “the city lacks any explicit, detailed, reasonable controls” on how the facility will operate in order to protect public health and safety, the lawsuit argues. It called on the court to overturn city approval of the shelter plan and halt construction on the project until such hearings were held.
Although the proposal did not go through the City Planning Commission, the planned Griffith Park shelter had other public hearings at City Hall, where it was vetted by council committees, and was also reviewed by the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners, whose members are appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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Ryu, who represents the area, said his office had “worked to meet with every neighbor who has questions about this bridge home project” and stressed that it had won support from the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council and other neighborhood groups.
“It’s disappointing that in this crisis of homelessness, there are still those trying to slow solutions down,” Ryu said in a statement.
Ryu previously wrote to Adjemian about his concerns, arguing that “bridge housing is very different from emergency, walk-up shelters” where anyone can walk up and seek a bed for the night, because it would only be open to identified residents who had been selected by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Those residents would get “around the clock trauma-informed care, mental health services, and case workers tasked with helping them build independent, self-sufficient lives,” Ryu wrote.
Attorney Noel Weiss, who represents Friends of Waverly Inc., declined to respond to those comments or address additional questions about the lawsuit Thursday.
Los Angeles officials have faced sharp opposition to several of their shelter plans: Protests erupted in Koreatown after the city planned to put a shelter near the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, eventually spurring Councilman Herb Wesson to pursue an alternative site.
In Venice, a local group sued over plans for another shelter, but a judge ultimately rejected the legal challenge after a state law exempted many L.A. homeless projects from the California Environmental Quality Act. Construction on the Venice facility is expected to finish by the end of January, allowing people to start moving in within weeks.


latimes--2020-01-10--Ex who's suspected in killing of Central California woman is arrested in Mexico

The estranged boyfriend of a Central California woman whose body was found near the U.S.-Mexico border last week was taken into custody at a hotel in Mexicali on Thursday .
Adel Hussein , 44 , was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Brittney Steenbergen , 36 , the Imperial County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a news release .
He was extradited to the United States and booked into the Imperial County Jail on Thursday afternoon , inmate records state .
Hussein was awaiting extradition to Tulare County to face prosecution , the Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steenberger were separated but lived together at a home in Plainview with their four children , authorities said .
They were reported missing by one of their daughters on New Year ’ s Eve .
Tulare County Sheriff ’ s deputies responded to the home and learned that a “ possible domestic violence incident ” had taken place and that the family ’ s SUV also was missing , investigators said .
The next day , Steenbergen ’ s body was found in a rural area of Imperial County , nearly 400 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found abandoned in El Centro , just north of the Mexico border .
Investigators launched a manhunt for Hussein , and his arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the U.S.
Marshal ’ s Office , the Imperial County Sheriff ’ s Office and Mexican authorities , officials said .

The estranged boyfriend of a Central California woman whose body was found near the U.S.-Mexico border last week was taken into custody at a hotel in Mexicali on Thursday.
Adel Hussein, 44, was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Brittney Steenbergen, 36, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
He was extradited to the United States and booked into the Imperial County Jail on Thursday afternoon, inmate records state. Hussein was awaiting extradition to Tulare County to face prosecution, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Hussein and Steenberger were separated but lived together at a home in Plainview with their four children, authorities said. They were reported missing by one of their daughters on New Year’s Eve.
Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home and learned that a “possible domestic violence incident” had taken place and that the family’s SUV also was missing, investigators said.
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The next day, Steenbergen’s body was found in a rural area of Imperial County, nearly 400 miles from her home. The SUV was found abandoned in El Centro, just north of the Mexico border.
Investigators launched a manhunt for Hussein, and his arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and Mexican authorities, officials said.


latimes--2020-01-10--BMW driver arrested after allegedly running down man panhandling in Palmdale, police say

A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon Thursday after authorities say he intentionally rammed @ @ @ @ @ who was panhandling in Palmdale .
Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies were sent @ @ @ @ @ Street West and Avenue O-8 shortly after 1:15 p.m. in response to calls about a @ @ @ @ @ a car .
Witnesses told deputies that the driver of a black BMW , later @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan , was involved in an argument outside his car with a panhandler on the @ @ @ @ @ got back into his car and the man stood in front of the vehicle with @ @ @ @ @ , witnesses said .
Sullivan accelerated , striking the man , who rolled over the @ @ @ @ @ street .
Sullivan drove off , sheriff ’ s officials said .
Authorities could not @ @ @ @ @ sustained any injuries .
Deputies arrested Sullivan about an hour later at a home in @ @ @ @ @ held in lieu of $ 30,000 bail , according to jail records .

A man was arrested Thursday after sheriff’s officials say he intentionally struck a pedestrian during an argument in Palmdale.
A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon Thursday after authorities say he intentionally rammed his BMW into a man who was panhandling in Palmdale.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were sent to the intersection of 10th Street West and Avenue O-8 shortly after 1:15 p.m. in response to calls about a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Witnesses told deputies that the driver of a black BMW, later identified by authorities as Creg Sullivan, was involved in an argument outside his car with a panhandler on the street.
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Eventually, Sullivan got back into his car and the man stood in front of the vehicle with his hands on the hood, witnesses said. Sullivan accelerated, striking the man, who rolled over the hood and fell onto the street. Sullivan drove off, sheriff’s officials said.
Authorities could not immediately confirm whether the pedestrian sustained any injuries. Deputies arrested Sullivan about an hour later at a home in Palmdale. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, according to jail records.


latimes--2020-01-10--Bald eagle lays her first egg of 2020 in San Bernardino National Forest

Just after Wednesday ’ s sunset , Big Bear National Forest ’ s resident bald eagle laid her first egg @ @ @ @ @ It took roughly five minutes for the bald eagle named Jackie to lay the egg @ @ @ @ @ by Friends of Big Bear Valley captured footage from the nest showing the bird rolling @ @ @ @ @ back into the nest as a chilly wind blew through the trees .
Her mate @ @ @ @ @ present .
“ Based on nest-cam observations of their behavior over the past two nesting @ @ @ @ @ see Jackie doing the bulk of the incubation , ” San Bernardino National Forest tweeted @ @ @ @ @ never let Shadow incubate overnight or during big storms.
” The incubation period for the @ @ @ @ @ 35 days after the second egg is laid , which is expected to occur in @ @ @ @ @ .
At that rate , the chick could have a Valentine ’ s Day-adjacent birthday @ @ @ @ @ tabs on the process can watch the live-camera footage on YouTube .

Just after Wednesday’s sunset, Big Bear National Forest’s resident bald eagle laid her first egg of the new year.
It took roughly five minutes for the bald eagle named Jackie to lay the egg. A video camera installed by Friends of Big Bear Valley captured footage from the nest showing the bird rolling the egg around before settling back into the nest as a chilly wind blew through the trees.
Her mate, Shadow, also was present.
“Based on nest-cam observations of their behavior over the past two nesting seasons, we expect to see Jackie doing the bulk of the incubation,” San Bernardino National Forest tweeted. “She’s never let Shadow incubate overnight or during big storms.”
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The incubation period for the egg to hatch is roughly 35 days after the second egg is laid, which is expected to occur in one day’s time. At that rate, the chick could have a Valentine’s Day-adjacent birthday.
Those interested in keeping tabs on the process can watch the live-camera footage on YouTube.


latimes--2020-01-10--Teens attacked with baseball bat during robbery in Santa Ana

Authorities on Friday are continuing to search for four people suspected of robbing two teenagers as they walked along a residential street in Santa Ana last month in an attack that was caught on surveillance video .
The two teenage boys were walking west on Wilshire Avenue east of Ross Street in Santa Ana about 10 p.m. on Dec. 30 when a group driving in an older model tan Honda Accord pulled up next to them .
Four men got out of the car and approached the teens , questioning them about their gang affiliation and demanding their property , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific ages were not provided , tried to run but were chased down and beaten , police said .
One of the teens was hit with a baseball bat , but authorities said they suffered only minor injuries .
Surveillance video released by police Thursday shows the suspects splitting up their attention between the two teens during the robbery .
After they exit the car , two of them approach one of the boys and speak briefly before punching and kicking him in footage in which the attack is partially obscured by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video shows the other two men chasing after the second teen , who was wearing a light-colored baseball cap , and hitting him with the bat .
When the teen falls to the ground , one of the suspects goes through his pockets and takes what appears to be his cellphone before kicking him and retreating to the car .
The teen quickly stands up and shouts something toward the group .
One of the men walks back toward him and punches him before making off with his baseball cap , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspects was not provided by police .
Anyone with information about the attack is being asked to call robbery detectives at the Santa Ana Police Department at ( 714 ) 245-8323 .

Authorities on Friday are continuing to search for four people suspected of robbing two teenagers as they walked along a residential street in Santa Ana last month in an attack that was caught on surveillance video.
The two teenage boys were walking west on Wilshire Avenue east of Ross Street in Santa Ana about 10 p.m. on Dec. 30 when a group driving in an older model tan Honda Accord pulled up next to them. Four men got out of the car and approached the teens, questioning them about their gang affiliation and demanding their property, police said.
The teens, whose specific ages were not provided, tried to run but were chased down and beaten, police said. One of the teens was hit with a baseball bat, but authorities said they suffered only minor injuries.
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Surveillance video released by police Thursday shows the suspects splitting up their attention between the two teens during the robbery. After they exit the car, two of them approach one of the boys and speak briefly before punching and kicking him in footage in which the attack is partially obscured by a fence in front of a home.
The video shows the other two men chasing after the second teen, who was wearing a light-colored baseball cap, and hitting him with the bat. When the teen falls to the ground, one of the suspects goes through his pockets and takes what appears to be his cellphone before kicking him and retreating to the car.
The teen quickly stands up and shouts something toward the group. One of the men walks back toward him and punches him before making off with his baseball cap, the video shows.
A specific description of the suspects was not provided by police. Anyone with information about the attack is being asked to call robbery detectives at the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8323.


latimes--2020-01-10--A week before Weinstein won big at Oscars, he assaulted two women, prosecutors allege

Harvey Weinstein strolled the paparazzi-lined red carpet before the 2013 Academy Awards accompanied by his wife , designer Georgina Chapman .
His films “ Silver Linings Playbook , ” “ Django Unchained ” and “ The Master ” would go on to win Oscars that night , Feb. 24 , 2013 .
Prosecutors now allege that just a week before his Oscar victory , Weinstein sexually assaulted two women he met during work-related Hollywood meetings .
That is the narrative Los Angeles County prosecutors will present to a jury — that Weinstein used his power as a Hollywood titan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he sexually assaulted them .
Weinstein ’ s trial in a similar case in New York in the coming weeks may give a preview of how he will respond to the criminal charges against him in Los Angeles .
It took L.A. County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey ’ s team two years to build the case against Weinstein , and much is riding on the details of the evidence her investigators collected .
So far , prosecutors have released only relatively brief outlines of their case .
“ Two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every possible witness and lead .
They explore every nook and cranny of these cases .
They ’ ve thought through all the defense ’ s potential tactics , ” said Dmitry Gorin , a former sex crimes prosecutor in the district attorney ’ s office .
“ Time is a valuable asset in an investigation.
” But Weinstein ’ s defense team has known since the fall of 2017 , following exposes of his sexual misconduct in the New York Times and New Yorker magazine , that charges could be forthcoming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been able to scoop up every potential exculpatory shred of information , ” Gorin said .
Gorin and other legal experts said Lacey and her prosecutors must re-create events as best they can from seven years ago .
With little or no physical evidence , it will come down to the testimony of the alleged victims and others who may have been involved in any incidents or were around the mogul at the time , Gorin said .
Former L.A. County Dist .
Atty .
Steve Cooley said corroboration in sex crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and not just from witnesses .
Prosecutors are expected to have other accusers testify against Weinstein , relaying their own allegations against the former producer .
Other sex crime cases in L.A. have used “ supporting witnesses , ” including at the trial of a Pasadena track coach accused of molesting students and in the case of celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander .
Alexander was convicted of sexually assaulting seven women in 2008 .
Among the witnesses who testified against the designer were six women whose cases did not result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Weinstein case , there ’ s no question of the identity of the alleged perpetrator .
Is there some corroboration of the elements of the offense as alleged by the victim ?
” Cooley said .
“ In a sex crimes case , there are provisions that allow one form of corroboration that can be provided by others who have been similarly victimized , allegedly to show intent , pattern , knowledge and to prove those elements.
” Cooley said those additional victims who testified in the trial of Bill Cosby were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was convicted .
“ The Bill Cosby case bears remarkable similarities .
That put that case over the top , other victim evidence .
One woman alleged it , there wasn ’ t a lot of corroboration , but there was substantial other victim testimony that showed his motive and intent , ” the former top prosecutor said .
Weinstein has been charged with four counts of sexual assault in L.A. County stemming from accusations by a pair of women who say the mogul attacked them in hotels in Los Angeles and Beverly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusers has been identified publicly .
One of the women is a former model and actress who described Weinstein ’ s alleged assault in an interview with The Times in 2017 .
She said it took place at Mr. C ’ s Beverly Hills hotel in February 2013 after she met Weinstein briefly at the Los Angeles Italia Film , Fashion and Art Fest .
Weinstein “ became very aggressive and demanding ” while asking her to disrobe , the woman told The Times .
The woman said that she showed Weinstein pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop .
“ He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do , ” she said .
In a motion asking a judge to set Weinstein ’ s bail at $ 5 million , L.A. County prosecutors said the woman did not immediately report the assault to police because Weinstein threatened to kill her .
She did report the alleged attack to three close confidants in 2013 , however , including her priest , law enforcement sources previously told The Times .
Just days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a business meeting with Weinstein and another woman at a hotel in West Los Angeles when he convinced them to visit his hotel suite , according to the bail motion .
Once upstairs , the victim “ unwittingly ” followed Weinstein into a bathroom and the other woman closed the door , trapping her inside , court records show .
At that point , Weinstein disrobed and showered briefly before undressing her , according to the motion .
Prosecutors accused Weinstein of groping the woman while masturbating , court records show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to address the Los Angeles charges amid jury selection in New York , where Weinstein faces four sex crime charges involving two women .
But the lawyer has said recently that Weinstein has been made a scapegoat and that there is a celebrity status in accusing him .
“ In this great country , you are innocent til proven guilty , and no evidence has yet been presented to a court or jury.
” She said , “ The government doesn ’ t want our side to have a voice .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story is the only one that matters and only one that counts.
” Legal experts say that defense will seek to plant seeds of doubt about the victims ’ stories .
and use memory experts to question their accounts , noting their failure to report their experiences to anyone or otherwise document their allegations until the movie mogul was a publicly wounded man with a plethora of accusers .
“ If he is such a monster , why did these alleged victims not report this when it happened and if they told others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too ?
” Shapiro said .
Shapiro said Weinstein ’ s legal team was also likely to frame his accusers as chasing fame and fortune that has otherwise eluded them in Hollywood , “ individuals looking for their 15 minutes and more.
” One of the two has retained a well-respected civil lawyer known for obtaining large payouts for plaintiffs in sex cases .
“ If they have lawyers , the motive of an opportunity is going to be front and center in the defense and jurors are going to hear evidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shapiro said .

Harvey Weinstein strolled the paparazzi-lined red carpet before the 2013 Academy Awards accompanied by his wife, designer Georgina Chapman.
His films “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Django Unchained” would go on to win Oscars that night, Feb. 24, 2013.
For the record: A previous version of this article was missing a first reference to Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Louis Shapiro.
Prosecutors now allege that just a week before his Oscar victories, Weinstein sexually assaulted two women he met during work-related meetings.
That is the narrative Los Angeles County prosecutors will present to a jury — that Weinstein used his power as a Hollywood titan to lure women to his hotel room, where he sexually assaulted them.
Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing.
Weinstein’s trial in a similar case in New York in the coming weeks may give a preview of how he will respond to the criminal charges against him in Los Angeles.
It took L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s team two years to build the case against Weinstein, and much is riding on the details of the evidence her investigators collected. So far, prosecutors have released only relatively brief outlines of their case.
“Two years means the investigators and prosecutors have vetted every possible witness and lead. They explore every nook and cranny of these cases. They’ve thought through all the defense’s potential tactics,” said Dmitry Gorin, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the district attorney’s office. “Time is a valuable asset in an investigation.”
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But Weinstein’s attorneys have known since the fall of 2017, following exposes of his sexual misconduct in the New York Times and New Yorker magazine, that charges could be forthcoming in L.A.
“Weinstein’s defense team has been able to scoop up every potential exculpatory shred of information,” Gorin said.
Gorin and other legal experts said Lacey and her prosecutors must re-create events from seven years ago as best they can.
With little or no physical evidence, it will come down to the testimony of Weinstein’s accusers and others who may have been involved in any incidents or were around the mogul at the time, Gorin said.
Former L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said corroboration in cases involving sex crimes can come in many different forms, not just from witnesses. Prosecutors are expected to have other accusers testify against Weinstein, relaying their own allegations against the former producer.
Prosecutors in other sexual assault cases in L.A. have used “supporting witnesses,” such as at the trial of a Pasadena track coach accused of molesting students and in the case of celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander.
Alexander was convicted of sexually assaulting seven women in 2008. Among the witnesses who testified against the designer were six women whose cases did not result in criminal charges against him.
“In the Weinstein case, there’s no question of the identity of the alleged perpetrator. Is there some corroboration of the elements of the offense as alleged by the victim?” Cooley said. “In a sex crimes case, there are provisions that allow one form of corroboration that can be provided by others who have been similarly victimized, allegedly to show intent, pattern, knowledge and to prove those elements.”
Cooley said additional victims who testified in the trial of Bill Cosby were the reason the comedian and TV star was convicted.
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“The Bill Cosby case bears remarkable similarities. That put that case over the top, other victim evidence. One woman alleged it, there wasn’t a lot of corroboration, but there was substantial other victim testimony that showed his motive and intent,” Cooley said.
Weinstein has been charged with four counts of sexual assault in L.A. County stemming from accusations by two women who say the mogul attacked them in hotels in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills in 2013.
Neither of the accusers has been identified publicly. One is a former model and actress who described being assaulted by Weinstein in an interview with The Times in 2017.
She said the incident took place at Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel in February 2013 after she spoke to Weinstein briefly at the Los Angeles Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest. Weinstein “became very aggressive and demanding” in her hotel room while asking her to disrobe, the woman told The Times.
The woman said she showed Weinstein pictures of her children and begged him to stop.
“He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do,” she said.
In a motion asking a judge to set Weinstein’s bail at $5 million, L.A. County prosecutors said the woman did not immediately report the assault to police because Weinstein threatened to kill her. She did report the attack to three close confidants in 2013, however, including her priest, law enforcement sources previously told The Times.
Just days later, the second accuser said she had a business meeting with Weinstein and another woman at a hotel in West Los Angeles when he convinced them to visit his hotel suite, according to the bail motion. Once upstairs, the victim “unwittingly” followed Weinstein into a bathroom and the other woman closed the door, trapping her inside, court records show.
At that point, Weinstein disrobed and showered briefly before undressing her, according to the motion. Prosecutors accused Weinstein of groping the woman while masturbating, court records show.
Weinstein attorney Donna Rotunno has yet to address the Los Angeles charges amid jury selection in New York, where Weinstein faces four charges involving two women. But the lawyer has said recently that Weinstein has been made a scapegoat and that there is a celebrity status in accusing him.
“In this great country, you are innocent till proven guilty, and no evidence has yet been presented to a court or jury,” she said. “The government doesn’t want our side to have a voice. I think they believe their side of the story is the only one that matters and only one that counts.”
Legal experts say the defense will seek to plant seeds of doubt about the victims’ stories and use memory experts to question their accounts, noting their failure to report their experiences to anyone or otherwise document their allegations until the movie mogul was a publicly wounded man with a plethora of accusers.
“If he is such a monster, why did these alleged victims not report this when it happened, and if they told others, why did they sit on the information too?” said Louis Shapiro, a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles.
Shapiro said Weinstein’s legal team is also likely to frame his accusers as chasing fame and fortune that has otherwise eluded them in Hollywood, “individuals looking for their 15 minutes and more.”
One of the two has retained a well-respected civil lawyer known for obtaining large payouts for plaintiffs in sex cases. “If they have lawyers, the motive of an opportunity is going to be front and center in the defense, and jurors are going to hear evidence to suggest it is a shakedown,” Shapiro said.
It’s unclear whether prosecutors will introduce one other element of that 2013 Oscars season. While announcing the women nominated for the supporting actress award, comedian Seth MacFarlane said: “Congratulations. You five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.”
The line won laughs. In 2017, MacFarlane said he made the joke because a friend had told him that Weinstein had made sexual advances on her.


latimes--2020-01-10--Anti-vaccine protester accused of throwing blood at California lawmakers is charged with two felonie

Anti-vaccine protester accused of throwing blood at California lawmakers is charged with two felonies

An anti-vaccine protester who allegedly threw a menstrual cup filled with blood onto California state senators last year has been charged with two felonies , according to court records .
Rebecca Dalelio , 43 , has been charged with one felony count of assault on a public official and one felony count of vandalism .
If convicted , she could face up to three years in county jail .
The charges stem from a September incident in which Dalelio allegedly threw blood contained in a feminine hygiene device off the balcony of the Senate chamber ’ s visitors gallery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred on the final day of the 2019 legislative session and was suspected to be in protest of legislation signed by Gov .
Gavin Newsom that week that limited exemptions for childhood vaccinations .
The complaint lists 10 senators whom Dalelio is accused of assaulting .
The count of vandalism refers to a separate offense that involves graffiti , though additional details were not immediately available , according to Sacramento County district attorney ’ s office spokeswoman Shelly Orio .
At the time of the incident , California Highway Patrol officers said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have writing on the wall .
The fluid hit multiple people and splashed onto desks and the carpet , forcing the chamber to be cleared .
As the contents of the cup were thrown , a voice in the crowd was heard saying the action was “ for the dead babies.
” Some lawmakers left to shower and at least one legislator was treated for blood exposure the next day .
Senators moved to a nearby hearing room hours later , and worked until 3 a.m. “ A crime was committed today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deterred from conducting the people ’ s business , ” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins ( D-San Diego ) said as she reconvened the Senate after the incident .
Dalelio was booked at the time into Sacramento County Jail on six charges , including assault , vandalism and disorderly conduct .
She was released the following morning , and the California Highway Patrol conducted a lengthy investigation .
Dalelio , a resident of Boulder Creek south of San Jose , was among dozens of protesters who were inside the state Capitol to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom to impose new oversight of childhood vaccine exemptions .
The vaccine legislation sparked weeks of intense protests over the summer in Sacramento , with hundreds packing hearing rooms to voice their opposition .
In August , an anti-vaccine activist accosted Sen. Richard Pan ( D-Sacramento ) , who wrote the bill , near the Capitol .
The protests have continued in much smaller numbers as the Legislature reconvened this week , though no new vaccine bills have been introduced .
Dalelio is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Monday .

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) inspects a jacket she was wearing just after it was splashed with blood from a protester in the balcony of the Senate chamber.
An anti-vaccine protester who allegedly threw a menstrual cup filled with blood onto California state senators last year has been charged with two felonies, according to court records.
Rebecca Dalelio, 43, has been charged with one felony count of assault on a public official and one felony count of vandalism. If convicted, she could face up to three years in county jail.
The charges stem from a September incident in which Dalelio allegedly threw blood contained in a feminine hygiene device off the balcony of the Senate chamber’s visitors gallery and onto senators sitting below. The incident occurred on the final day of the 2019 legislative session and was suspected to be in protest of legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that week that limited exemptions for childhood vaccinations.
The complaint lists 10 senators whom Dalelio is accused of assaulting. The count of vandalism refers to a separate offense that involves graffiti, though additional details were not immediately available, according to Sacramento County district attorney’s office spokeswoman Shelly Orio. At the time of the incident, California Highway Patrol officers said a bathroom near the Senate chamber was found to have writing on the wall.
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The fluid hit multiple people and splashed onto desks and the carpet, forcing the chamber to be cleared. As the contents of the cup were thrown, a voice in the crowd was heard saying the action was “for the dead babies.”
Some lawmakers left to shower and at least one legislator was treated for blood exposure the next day. Senators moved to a nearby hearing room hours later, and worked until 3 a.m.
“A crime was committed today, but the Senate will not be deterred from conducting the people’s business,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said as she reconvened the Senate after the incident.
Dalelio was booked at the time into Sacramento County Jail on six charges, including assault, vandalism and disorderly conduct. She was released the following morning, and the California Highway Patrol conducted a lengthy investigation.
Dalelio, a resident of Boulder Creek south of San Jose, was among dozens of protesters who were inside the state Capitol to oppose a pair of bills signed by Newsom to impose new oversight of childhood vaccine exemptions. The vaccine legislation sparked weeks of intense protests over the summer in Sacramento, with hundreds packing hearing rooms to voice their opposition. In August, an anti-vaccine activist accosted Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who wrote the bill, near the Capitol.
The protests have continued in much smaller numbers as the Legislature reconvened this week, though no new vaccine bills have been introduced.
Dalelio is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Monday.