latimes--2020-10-05--'We hear you': Officials gather at L.A. City Hall in solidarity with Armenian community

A group of elected officials gathered at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday to decry the deadly conflict between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan and call on the Trump administration to intervene diplomatically in the newly reignited clash over a tiny contested border region between the two countries in the Southern Caucasus .
Representatives from Los Angeles , Sacramento and Washington blame Azerbaijan and nearby Turkey , which supports the country , for inciting the violence that began Sept. 27 in the Nagorno-Karabakh region — referred to as the Republic of Artsakh by Armenians .
The area is internationally recognized as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 150,000 is majority ethnic Armenian .
Azerbaijan ’ s leaders maintain they have only responded to incursions by the other side .
“ As Armenians , we care very deeply about this part of the world , and we care very deeply about the slaughter of Armenian people , ” Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian said on the steps of City Hall .
With the conflict now heading into a second week , there ’ s fear the infighting could spark an all-out war , with the potential to draw in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles ’ large Armenian community has responded in force to the conflict playing out more than 7,000 miles ways .
Monday ’ s gathering in downtown Los Angeles comes on the heels of more than a week of demonstrations across the county intended to bring awareness to the clash .
On Saturday and Sunday evenings , demonstrators rallied in front of the CNN building in Hollywood to demand more accurate news coverage of the events overseas .
Activists also blocked traffic on sections of the 101 and 170 freeways over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is planned for this Sunday , according to Alex Galitsky , communications director for the Armenian National Committee of America , Western Region .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , speaking on Zoom , said he understood the local outcry .
“ I hear you , I see you .
More importantly , we hear you and we see you , ” Garcetti said , adding that L.A. ’ s status as a “ global crossroads ” ideally positions it to facilitate an international dialogue and ultimately call for peace .
Several officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equated the violence in the separatist region as a continuation of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 .
“ And so if we really mean what we say by saying , ‘ Never again , ’ this is the time to act , ” said Nazarian , who represents the 46th district .
“ This is the time for the federal government to step up.
” Laurence Broers , a scholar on the conflict , said Azerbaijan instigated this attack .
However , he said the country still sees it as a defensive war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades ago in what ’ s known as the Nagorno-Karabakh War .
Nasimi Aghayev , Azerbaijan ’ s consul general in the Western U.S. , said about 800,000 Azerbaijanis were forced to flee their homes as a result of that war , calling it a “ pure ethnic cleansing.
” Azerbaijani officials view the contested territory — as well as seven adjacent districts — as Azerbaijani land , he said .
Aghayev points to Armenian forces as starting the recent fighting and accused Armenia of working in concert with Russia .
Armenia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia has a base on Armenian soil .
But there ’ s no indication Russia has picked a side in the conflict , Broers said .
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-Burbank ) said by phone last week that the relationship between Armenia and Russia concerns him and that it adds impetus for the U.S. to intervene diplomatically .
Schiff , who was present at City Hall on Monday , has introduced a resolution with Rep. Jackie Speier ( D-San Francisco ) that would call on Azerbaijan to stop fighting and agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the so-called line of contact in the contested region between it and Armenia .
It would also tell Turkey to stay out of the conflict .
It ’ s now up to the federal government to take action , Nazarian said .
Though state leaders have taken steps — including recognizing Artsakh as an independent republic — there ’ s a limit on their control over the country ’ s foreign policy , he said .
“ The reality is that whatever we do below the federal level is symbolic .
”

L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez dons a face mask bearing the flag of the Republic of Artsakh, a separatist enclave recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated by majority Armenians.
A group of elected officials gathered at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday to decry the deadly conflict between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan and call on the Trump administration to intervene diplomatically in the newly reignited clash over a tiny contested border region between the two countries in the Southern Caucasus.
Representatives from Los Angeles, Sacramento and Washington blame Azerbaijan and nearby Turkey, which supports the country, for inciting the violence that began Sept. 27 in the Nagorno-Karabakh region — referred to as the Republic of Artsakh by Armenians. The area is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but its population of about 150,000 is majority ethnic Armenian. Azerbaijan’s leaders maintain they have only responded to incursions by the other side.
“As Armenians, we care very deeply about this part of the world, and we care very deeply about the slaughter of Armenian people,” Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian said on the steps of City Hall. With the conflict now heading into a second week, there’s fear the infighting could spark an all-out war, with the potential to draw in superpowers such as Russia and Turkey.
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Los Angeles’ large Armenian community has responded in force to the conflict playing out more than 7,000 miles ways. Monday’s gathering in downtown Los Angeles comes on the heels of more than a week of demonstrations across the county intended to bring awareness to the clash.
On Saturday and Sunday evenings, demonstrators rallied in front of the CNN building in Hollywood to demand more accurate news coverage of the events overseas. Activists also blocked traffic on sections of the 101 and 170 freeways over the weekend. A march to the Turkish consulate is planned for Sunday, according to Alex Galitsky, communications director for the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, speaking on Zoom, said he understood the local outcry.
“I hear you, I see you. More importantly, we hear you and we see you,” Garcetti said, adding that L.A.’s status as a “global crossroads” ideally positions it to facilitate an international dialogue and ultimately call for peace.
California Armenian protesters in L.A. decry ‘false equivalence’ in media coverage of conflict Protesters rallied outside media offices in Hollywood over the weekend in demonstrations calling attention to violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, which has become the subject of renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past week.
Several officials, including state Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, equated the violence in the separatist region as a continuation of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
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“And so if we really mean what we say by saying, ‘Never again,’ this is the time to act,” said Nazarian, who represents the 46th district. “This is the time for the federal government to step up.”
Laurence Broers, a scholar on the conflict, said Azerbaijan instigated this attack. However, he said the country still sees it as a defensive war — to reclaim land lost nearly three decades ago in what’s known as the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijan’s consul general in the Western U.S., said about 800,000 Azerbaijanis were forced to flee their homes as a result of that war, calling it a “pure ethnic cleansing.” Azerbaijani officials view the contested territory — as well as seven adjacent districts — as Azerbaijani land, he said.
Aghayev points to Armenian forces as starting the recent fighting and accused Armenia of working in concert with Russia. Armenia and Russia do have a military pact, and Russia has a base on Armenian soil.
But there’s no indication Russia has picked a side in the conflict, Broers said.
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said by phone last week that the relationship between Armenia and Russia concerns him and that it adds impetus for the U.S. to intervene diplomatically.
Schiff, who was present at City Hall on Monday, has introduced a resolution with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) that would call on Azerbaijan to stop fighting and agree to the installation of ceasefire-monitoring equipment along the so-called line of contact in the contested region between it and Armenia. It would also tell Turkey to stay out of the conflict.
It’s now up to the federal government to take action, Nazarian said. Though state leaders have taken steps — including recognizing Artsakh as an independent republic — there’s a limit on their control over the country’s foreign policy, he said.
“The reality is that whatever we do below the federal level is symbolic.”


latimes--2020-10-05--L.A. County won't move into a new reopening tier this week, officials say

Despite some promising numbers , Los Angeles County is not expected to move into a more permissive phase of relaxing coronavirus restrictions this week , public health officials announced Monday .
In order to decide when a county can move to a new tier in California ’ s four-phase reopening plan , state officials are keeping an eye on two metrics : the rate of daily new cases per 100,000 residents over a recent seven-day period , which is adjusted to account for how much testing each county is doing , and the average percentage of tests for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state also recently created an equity metric that establishes specific positive case rate numbers that larger counties must meet in their poorer cities and neighborhoods .
L.A. County ’ s overall seven-day average positivity rate — 2.9 % — and the positivity rate in its communities that have the fewest resources — 4.6 % — both qualify the county to move into Tier 3 , or orange , which indicates that community transmission is moderate , Barbara Ferrer , the county health director , said Monday .
But the county last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.3 cases per 100,000 residents , placing it within Tier 1 , or purple , which indicates that community transmission is widespread .
State officials have said that a county can ’ t move out of Tier 1 until its adjusted case rate drops to 7 or less for two consecutive weeks .
“ So even if our numbers tomorrow are at 7 new cases per day or less , we would still need another week of qualifying metrics , ” Ferrer said .
However , Ferrer said , it ’ s possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , or red , even if it doesn ’ t get its case rate down to 7 , provided the rate continues to decline , and that its positivity rate and equity metric continue to meet the criteria for Tier 3 , or orange .
“ Say we don ’ t get to 7 but we are at 7.1 , so we dropped from 7.3 to 7.1 , ” Ferrer said .
“ Then there is a possibility , if we can continue that this week and next week , that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — not to orange , but we ’ d be able to move up one tier.
” L.A. County recorded 472 additional cases of the virus and seven related deaths Monday , Ferrer said , though she noted that case numbers are usually low on Mondays due to a weekend reporting lag .
There were 685 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals as of Sunday , compared with more than 2,200 at the peak of the crisis in July .
The decline in new cases and hospitalizations has paved the way for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of business reopenings , with casino cardrooms resuming outdoor operations Monday .
Schools were also able to start applying to the county for waivers to resume in-person instruction for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade .
That comes after nail salons were permitted to resume indoor services at 25 % capacity on Friday .
Indoor shopping malls will be permitted to do the same as of Wednesday .
And wineries and breweries are expected to soon be able to reopen outdoors , provided they serve food .
Officials have staggered the reopenings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metrics to ensure they don ’ t lead to a surge of new cases , hospitalizations and deaths , Ferrer said .
Statewide , the number of daily new cases , total hospitalizations and intensive care admissions continues to decrease , but the pace of the decline has slowed , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday .
He also noted that while California ’ s metrics are relatively stable , at least 21 other U.S. states are seeing increases in transmission rates .
“ This is the second wave that many had predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Newsom said , California ’ s average number of daily ICU admissions over the two-week period ending Sunday represented a decline of about 15 % , compared with declines of about 20 % during previous 14-day periods .
“ So again , we ’ re beginning to see a plateauing , a reduction in the rate of decrease in total number of cases , ” he said .
“ And again , we ’ re seeing increases in at least 21 states across this country — just a sober , sober reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of us.
” Newsom also said that if new cases were to increase , it would take 20 to 30 days to see a corresponding uptick in hospitalizations .
“ You ’ ll see that numbers continue to trend down in the state , but if we start seeing an increased number of cases , invariably you ’ ll start seeing an increase in the hospitalization , the pressure in our ICUs , ” he said .

Despite some promising numbers, Los Angeles County is not expected to move into a more permissive phase of relaxing coronavirus restrictions this week, public health officials announced Monday.
In order to decide when a county can move to a new tier in California’s four-phase reopening plan, state officials are keeping an eye on two metrics: the rate of daily new cases per 100,000 residents over a recent seven-day period, which is adjusted to account for how much testing each county is doing, and the average percentage of tests for the virus that come back positive over seven days.
The state also recently created an equity metric that establishes specific positive case rate numbers that larger counties must meet in their poorer cities and neighborhoods.
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L.A. County’s overall seven-day average positivity rate — 2.9% — and the positivity rate in its communities that have the fewest resources — 4.6% — both qualify the county to move into Tier 3, or orange, which indicates that community transmission is moderate, Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said Monday.
But the county last week reported an adjusted case rate of 7.3 cases per 100,000 residents, placing it within Tier 1, or purple, which indicates that community transmission is widespread. State officials have said that a county can’t move out of Tier 1 until its adjusted case rate drops to 7 or less for two consecutive weeks.
“So even if our numbers tomorrow are at 7 new cases per day or less, we would still need another week of qualifying metrics,” Ferrer said.
However, Ferrer said, it’s possible for L.A. County to progress to Tier 2, or red, even if it doesn’t get its case rate down to 7, provided the rate continues to decline, and that its positivity rate and equity metric continue to meet the criteria for Tier 3, or orange.
“Say we don’t get to 7 but we are at 7.1, so we dropped from 7.3 to 7.1,” Ferrer said. “Then there is a possibility, if we can continue that this week and next week, that we would be able to move to red — not to orange, but we’d be able to move up one tier.”
L.A. County recorded 472 additional cases of the virus and seven related deaths Monday, Ferrer said, though she noted that case numbers are usually low on Mondays due to a weekend reporting lag.
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There were 685 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals as of Sunday, compared with more than 2,200 at the peak of the crisis in July.
The decline in new cases and hospitalizations has paved the way for the county to move forward with the latest wave of business reopenings, with casino cardrooms resuming outdoor operations Monday. Schools were also able to start applying to the county for waivers to resume in-person instruction for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade.
That comes after nail salons were permitted to resume indoor services at 25% capacity on Friday. Indoor shopping malls will be permitted to do the same as of Wednesday.
And wineries and breweries are expected to soon be able to reopen outdoors, provided they serve food.
Officials have staggered the reopenings and are keeping a close eye on metrics to ensure they don’t lead to a surge of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Ferrer said.
Statewide, the number of daily new cases, total hospitalizations and intensive care admissions continues to decrease, but the pace of the decline has slowed, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.
He also noted that while California’s metrics are relatively stable, at least 21 other U.S. states are seeing increases in transmission rates.
“This is the second wave that many had predicted,” he said.
For instance, Newsom said, California’s average number of daily ICU admissions over the two-week period ending Sunday represented a decline of about 15%, compared with declines of about 20% during previous 14-day periods.
“So again, we’re beginning to see a plateauing, a reduction in the rate of decrease in total number of cases,” he said. “And again, we’re seeing increases in at least 21 states across this country — just a sober, sober reminder of the work that we have in front of us.”
Newsom also said that if new cases were to increase, it would take 20 to 30 days to see a corresponding uptick in hospitalizations.
“You’ll see that numbers continue to trend down in the state, but if we start seeing an increased number of cases, invariably you’ll start seeing an increase in the hospitalization, the pressure in our ICUs,” he said.


latimes--2020-10-05--L.A. rolls back its plan for furloughing city workers, hoping for new federal aid

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and 10 of the city ’ s public employee unions have struck another deal to delay the city ’ s furlough program , leaving workers with just one unpaid day off before the end of the year , according to a memo issued last week .
The City Council approved a plan last month to force more than 15,000 city workers to take one unpaid day off every two weeks — effectively a 10 % pay cut — as part of a larger effort to balance the budget .
But last week , Garcetti and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , signing off on an alternative cost-cutting strategy that would eliminate all but one unpaid day off until at least January .
Under the new proposal , a larger group of civilian workers would take a day off without pay on Nov. 3 , which is election day , followed by a second unpaid day in April .
Civilian employee unions also agreed to delay of a planned payment of unused sick time , which is normally given to workers in January .
In exchange , thousands of workers would receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ends on June 30 , according to the proposal .
Garcetti aides said the proposal , which is aimed at saving $ 21.4 million and still needs council approval , will give them more time to determine whether Congress will provide new financial help to cities reeling financially in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak .
By January , city officials also will know whether the city ’ s tax revenues continue to be weak , they said .
“ The deal enables us to keep city services and programs intact until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly the pandemic is impacting revenues , and what additional assistance we might get from Washington , ” said Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar .
City Administrative Officer Rich Llewellyn , the city ’ s top budget official , expressed some optimism about the prospects of more federal aid , in an email to council offices last week outlining the union deal .
“ On the hopeful front , Speaker Pelosi says to stand by for a further bail out .
So I am STANDING BY !
” he wrote .
Still , Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Budget Advocates , called the city ’ s latest deal “ fiscally irresponsible , ” saying it will do little to address a shortfall ranging from $ 200 million to $ 400 million .
Requiring only two unpaid days off , while also giving workers a new holiday , “ just doesn ’ t go anywhere near eliminating the deficit for this fiscal year , to say nothing of the next fiscal year , ” said Humphreville , whose group watches over city spending .
Neither Garcetti nor union leaders would characterize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them simply as days off without pay .
Mike Long , a spokesman for Service Employees International Union Local 721 , drew a distinction between furloughs demanded by management and unpaid days off volunteered by workers .
Furloughs imposed by management are not permitted under SEIU Local 721 ’ s contract with the city , Long said .
“ We understand that the city is in a financial bind due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic , so we have engaged in good faith efforts to help the city save money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As part of those efforts we agreed to take two unpaid days off.
” The agreement is the only latest sign that Garcetti and the council are pushing off personnel expenses until the next fiscal year .
In July , they authorized buyouts of up to $ 80,000 for workers who retire .
Although those workers are already starting to leave their jobs , the vast majority of the bill for that program won ’ t come due until 2021-22 .
Under the new agreement , the unions ’ $ 6.2-million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back to January 2022 , moving another expense to the next fiscal year .
Garcetti had originally called for furloughs in April , after the city was plunged into a financial crisis sparked by coronavirus and the accompanying shutdown of businesses and tourism .
Hotel taxes , sales taxes and other sources of revenue came in far below projections , just as the city was scheduled to give raises to police officers , firefighters and workers in the Coalition of L.A. City Unions .
Coalition workers are set to receive a 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June .
Police officers received a 1.5 % raise in July and will see another 3.25 % in January .
Firefighters received a 4.75 % pay hike in July .
Garcetti has advised city department heads to begin preparations for a “ potential layoff scenario , ” by identifying positions for possible elimination .
The council also cut $ 150 million from the LAPD , putting $ 40 million of those savings in a fund to avoid furloughs of civilian workers for at least two months .

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, pictured in July 2020, has agreed to a rollback of the city’s plan for furloughing workers, which was set to begin next week.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and 10 of the city’s public employee unions have struck another deal to delay the city’s furlough program, leaving workers with just one unpaid day off before the end of the year, according to a memo issued last week.
The City Council approved a plan last month to force more than 15,000 city workers to take one unpaid day off every two weeks — effectively a 10% pay cut — as part of a larger effort to balance the budget. But last week, Garcetti and the city’s bargaining committee changed course, signing off on an alternative cost-cutting strategy that would eliminate all but one unpaid day off until at least January.
Under the new proposal, a larger group of civilian workers would take a day off without pay on Nov. 3, which is election day, followed by a second unpaid day in April. Civilian employee unions also agreed to delay of a planned payment of unused sick time, which is normally given to workers in January.
In exchange, thousands of workers would receive a new floating holiday for the fiscal year that ends on June 30, according to the proposal.
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Garcetti aides said the proposal, which is aimed at saving $21.4 million and still needs council approval, will give them more time to determine whether Congress will provide new financial help to cities reeling financially in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. By January, city officials also will know whether the city’s tax revenues continue to be weak, they said.
“The deal enables us to keep city services and programs intact until we have a clearer picture of how exactly the pandemic is impacting revenues, and what additional assistance we might get from Washington,” said Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar.
City Administrative Officer Rich Llewellyn, the city’s top budget official, expressed some optimism about the prospects of more federal aid, in an email to council offices last week outlining the union deal.
“On the hopeful front, Speaker Pelosi says to stand by for a further bail out. So I am STANDING BY!” he wrote.
Still, Jack Humphreville, co-chairman of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, called the city’s latest deal “fiscally irresponsible,” saying it will do little to address a shortfall ranging from $200 million to $400 million.
Requiring only two unpaid days off, while also giving workers a new holiday, “just doesn’t go anywhere near eliminating the deficit for this fiscal year, to say nothing of the next fiscal year,” said Humphreville, whose group watches over city spending.
Neither Garcetti nor union leaders would characterize the two unpaid days as furloughs, describing them simply as days off without pay. Mike Long, a spokesman for Service Employees International Union Local 721, drew a distinction between furloughs demanded by management and unpaid days off volunteered by workers.
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Furloughs imposed by management are not permitted under SEIU Local 721’s contract with the city, Long said.
“We understand that the city is in a financial bind due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we have engaged in good faith efforts to help the city save money,” he said in an email. “As part of those efforts we agreed to take two unpaid days off.”
The agreement is the only latest sign that Garcetti and the council are pushing off personnel expenses until the next fiscal year. In July, they authorized buyouts of up to $80,000 for workers who retire. Although those workers are already starting to leave their jobs, the vast majority of the bill for that program won’t come due until 2021-22.
Under the new agreement, the unions’ $6.2-million payment of unused sick time would be pushed back to January 2022, moving another expense to the next fiscal year.
Garcetti had originally called for furloughs in April, after the city was plunged into a financial crisis sparked by coronavirus and the accompanying shutdown of businesses and tourism. Hotel taxes, sales taxes and other sources of revenue came in far below projections, just as the city was scheduled to give raises to police officers, firefighters and workers in the Coalition of L.A. City Unions.
Coalition workers are set to receive a 2% increase in January followed by another in June. Police officers received a 1.5% raise in July and will see another 3.25% in January. Firefighters received a 4.75% pay hike in July.
Garcetti has advised city department heads to begin preparations for a “potential layoff scenario,” by identifying positions for possible elimination. The council also cut $150 million from the LAPD, putting $40 million of those savings in a fund to avoid furloughs of civilian workers for at least two months.


latimes--2020-10-05--Harvest Crusade pastor Greg Laurie says he has COVID-19 after White House visit

Prominent Riverside pastor Greg Laurie has tested positive for COVID-19 , he announced Monday , the latest person tied to an outbreak at the White House .
The pastor of the megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship was an attendee at the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 when President Trump announced the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett .
At least 11 attendees of the large gathering — at which there was no social distancing and few people wore masks — have since tested positive for the virus , including the president and First Lady Melania Trump .
Laurie , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has experienced fatigue , aches , a fever and a loss of taste , which he described as a Romans 8:28 moment .
The biblical Scripture verse states : “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him , who have been called according to his purpose.
” “ I wish at a time like this we could not politicize something like this , ” Laurie said in a video announcing his diagnosis .
“ It ’ s real .
“ If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , obviously anyone can get it , ” said the pastor , whose wife , Cathy , is also quarantining with him .
Laurie said his immediate family members have tested negative .
On Palm Sunday in April , Trump said he was going to tune into Laurie ’ s service , which typically draws 15,000 to his church in Riverside .
Laurie , who also operates the massive annual Harvest Crusade event at Angel Stadium , gave his sermon without an audience amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus but filmed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” While some pastors have defied stay-at-home orders , Laurie has urged people to be careful and stay safe .
“ Because , look , you could be a young person , and you could get COVID-19 , maybe not even be aware of it , and then pass it on to Grandma without even realizing it , ” he said at the April service .
“ Let ’ s respect one another .
Let ’ s care about one another .
”

Prominent Riverside pastor Greg Laurie has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Monday, the latest person tied to an outbreak at the White House.
The pastor of the megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship was an attendee at the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 when President Trump announced the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. At least 11 attendees of the large gathering — at which there was no social distancing and few people wore masks — have since tested positive for the virus, including the president and First Lady Melania Trump.
Laurie, who tested positive Friday, has since quarantined and has experienced fatigue, aches, a fever and a loss of taste, which he described as a Romans 8:28 moment. The biblical Scripture verse states: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
“I wish at a time like this we could not politicize something like this,” Laurie said in a video announcing his diagnosis. “It’s real.
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“If the president of the United States can get it, obviously anyone can get it,” said the pastor, whose wife, Cathy, is also quarantining with him. Laurie said his immediate family members have tested negative.
On Palm Sunday in April, Trump said he was going to tune into Laurie’s service, which typically draws 15,000 to his church in Riverside. Laurie, who also operates the massive annual Harvest Crusade event at Angel Stadium, gave his sermon without an audience amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus but filmed a greeting for “a very special guest.”
While some pastors have defied stay-at-home orders, Laurie has urged people to be careful and stay safe.
“Because, look, you could be a young person, and you could get COVID-19, maybe not even be aware of it, and then pass it on to Grandma without even realizing it,” he said at the April service. “Let’s respect one another. Let’s care about one another.”


latimes--2020-10-05--9-year-old girl among 3 killed in spate of weekend shootings in Sacramento

A spate of shootings shook Sacramento over the weekend , leaving two children and one adult dead and several people injured , according to police reports .
The first shooting disrupted a Saturday afternoon family gathering at Mama Marks Park in Sacramento ’ s Del Paso Heights neighborhood .
Several people were struck by gunfire around 1 p.m. during a drive-by shooting , police said .
Among those shot was 9-year-old Makaylah “ Kay Kay ” Brent , who died at the scene .
Her 6-year-old cousin and aunt were taken to a nearby hospital , where the woman is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another man took himself to the hospital with injuries related to the shooting , police said .
About 25 to 30 people had gathered at the park for a spread of ribs , chicken , corn-on-the-cob and other barbecued goodies , said Debra Cummings , Makaylah ’ s cousin .
Community cookouts at Mama Marks are a tradition in the Del Paso Heights neighborhood .
Friends and family had gathered in Saturday ’ s sweltering heat to celebrate another girl ’ s birthday when “ all hell broke loose , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing tag by the playground , said Cummings , who wasn ’ t there when the shooting happened but heard about it from other family members .
Ashley Brent , the mother of the 6-year-old , dove to protect the girls .
“ She thought she would take the bulk of the bullet , ” Cummings said .
“ It ’ s sickening to even fathom what she had to go through.
” A motive for the shooting is still under investigation , said Officer Karl Chan , spokesman for the Sacramento Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be to see if this is gang-related , but we don ’ t have [ anything ] confirmed at this point , ” Chan said .
Cummings cited “ a gang war ” as a reason for Saturday ’ s extensive violence , a pent-up culmination of a difficult year .
The pandemic and its ensuing struggles — , , — are “ intensifying ” the situation , she said .
Mama Marks Park is one of the few spots in the neighborhood that children can reach on foot , Cummings said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community matriarch known for handing out hot food to children , people experiencing homelessness and other adults .
“ The kids felt safe going up to Mama Marks , ” Cummings said .
“ As you can see , it ’ s not so safe anymore.
” Hours before her death , Makaylah had returned from a camping trip to a family favorite spot at Camanche Lake .
All she talked about were her Bratz dolls , Cummings .
She loved to dress up her braids with beads and paint her nails .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makaylah was a child that was full of life .
She was a young lady that was just blossoming into little girlyhood , ” Cummings said .
“ It just kills me .
I ’ m still crying .
I can ’ t even fathom that I ’ ll never see this child again , from seeing her every single day of her life.
” On Monday , Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg condemned the attack in a news conference outside City Hall .
In addition to offering his condolences , he pledged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disadvantaged neighborhoods .
“ It is on us to redefine and , frankly , to expand our definition of what we consider to be a poor city responsibility , ” Steinberg said .
“ Because we haven ’ t done enough.
” To that end , Councilman Allen Warren , whose district is home to three of the shootings , will make a list of demands to the city after the weekend ’ s events , Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby said .
The requests include investing in north Sacramento public libraries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force on gangs , renovating Mama Marks Park and installing cameras .
Warren did not attend the news conference because he was helping in his district , Ashby said .
He posted his condolences Sunday on Facebook for “ Little Kay Kay ” and her family .
He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday .
A little over two hours after the Mama Marks drive-by , police responded to reports of a vehicle crashed into a pole in southeast Sacramento , near Jackson Road .
Officers found the driver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dead from a gunshot wound .
And about 6:45 p.m. , another drive-by shooting erupted in North Sacramento near Mabel Street , Chan said .
A 17-year-old girl and two men were injured in that attack , but all were expected to survive , authorities said .
Finally , just as the deadly weekend was shuddering to an end , police responded to another call of a vehicle crash in the wee hours of Monday morning , where officers found a man dead in his car with “ at least one life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in Del Paso Heights , near Dry Creek Road and Harris Avenue .
Police are investigating all four shootings , including whether any were related , Chan said .
“ We don ’ t have any evidence yet indicating that anything is connected at this point , ” he said .
The police chief reported 94 rounds fired over the weekend , Steinberg said Monday , and 10 arrests have been made related to firearms .
The series of attacks could make October a record month for Sacramento .
The Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through August , show 27 homicides this year .
That is a 42 % increase from last year ’ s total of 19 .

Sacramento police interview people at Mama Marks Park on Saturday after a 9-year-old girl was killed and three other people were injured in a drive-by shooting.
A spate of shootings shook Sacramento over the weekend, leaving two children and one adult dead and several people injured, according to police reports.
The first shooting disrupted a Saturday afternoon family gathering at Mama Marks Park in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Several people were struck by gunfire around 1 p.m. during a drive-by shooting, police said.
Among those shot was 9-year-old Makaylah “Kay Kay” Brent, who died at the scene. Her 6-year-old cousin and aunt were taken to a nearby hospital, where the woman is in critical condition, according to authorities.
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Another man took himself to the hospital with injuries related to the shooting, police said.
About 25 to 30 people had gathered at the park for a spread of ribs, chicken, corn-on-the-cob and other barbecued goodies, said Debra Cummings, Makaylah’s cousin. Community cookouts at Mama Marks are a tradition in the Del Paso Heights neighborhood. Friends and family had gathered in Saturday’s sweltering heat to celebrate another girl’s birthday when “all hell broke loose,” she said.
Makaylah and another girl were playing tag by the playground, said Cummings, who wasn’t there when the shooting happened but heard about it from other family members. Ashley Brent, the mother of the 6-year-old, dove to protect the girls.
“She thought she would take the bulk of the bullet,” Cummings said. “It’s sickening to even fathom what she had to go through.”
A motive for the shooting is still under investigation, said Officer Karl Chan, spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.
“One of the avenues would be to see if this is gang-related, but we don’t have [anything] confirmed at this point,” Chan said.
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Makaylah Brent, 9, died in a drive-by shooting Saturday in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. (Debra Cummings)
Cummings cited “a gang war” as a reason for Saturday’s extensive violence, a pent-up culmination of a difficult year. The pandemic and its ensuing struggles — children stuck indoors , masking , unemployment fraud — are “intensifying” the situation, she said.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” Cummings said.
Mama Marks Park is one of the few spots in the neighborhood that children can reach on foot, Cummings said. It’s named after a community matriarch known for handing out hot food to children, people experiencing homelessness and other adults.
“The kids felt safe going up to Mama Marks,” Cummings said. “As you can see, it’s not so safe anymore.”
Hours before her death, Makaylah had returned from a camping trip to a family favorite spot at Camanche Lake. All she talked about were her Bratz dolls, Cummings. She loved to dress up her braids with beads and paint her nails. She played with glittery slime.
“Makaylah was a child that was full of life. She was a young lady that was just blossoming into little girlyhood,” Cummings said. “It just kills me. I’m still crying. I can’t even fathom that I’ll never see this child again, from seeing her every single day of her life.”
On Monday, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg condemned the attack in a news conference outside City Hall. In addition to offering his condolences, he pledged to invest more in programs targeting youth and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
“It is on us to redefine and, frankly, to expand our definition of what we consider to be a poor city responsibility,” Steinberg said. “Because we haven’t done enough.”
To that end, Councilman Allen Warren, whose district is home to three of the shootings, will make a list of demands to the city after the weekend’s events, Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby said. The requests include investing in north Sacramento public libraries, giving ample resources to a city task force on gangs, renovating Mama Marks Park and installing cameras.
Warren did not attend the news conference because he was helping in his district, Ashby said. He posted his condolences Sunday on Facebook for “Little Kay Kay” and her family. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
A little over two hours after the Mama Marks drive-by, police responded to reports of a vehicle crashed into a pole in southeast Sacramento, near Jackson Road. Officers found the driver, a 17-year-old boy, inside the car, dead from a gunshot wound.
And about 6:45 p.m., another drive-by shooting erupted in North Sacramento near Mabel Street, Chan said. A 17-year-old girl and two men were injured in that attack, but all were expected to survive, authorities said.
Finally, just as the deadly weekend was shuddering to an end, police responded to another call of a vehicle crash in the wee hours of Monday morning, where officers found a man dead in his car with “at least one life-threatening gunshot wound.” That shooting also took place in Del Paso Heights, near Dry Creek Road and Harris Avenue.
Police are investigating all four shootings, including whether any were related, Chan said.
“We don’t have any evidence yet indicating that anything is connected at this point,” he said.
The police chief reported 94 rounds fired over the weekend, Steinberg said Monday, and 10 arrests have been made related to firearms. The series of attacks could make October a record month for Sacramento. The Police Department’s most recent crime statistics , which are through August, show 27 homicides this year. That is a 42% increase from last year’s total of 19.
“It’s a spike, obviously,” Chan said.


latimes--2020-10-05--Newsom names first openly gay justice to the California Supreme Court

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday appointed Martin Jenkins , a moderate Black former prosecutor and judge , to the California Supreme Court .
Jenkins , a 66-year-old Democrat , is now Newsom ’ s judicial appointments secretary .
He will become the first openly gay justice on the California Supreme Court , and only the third Black man ever to serve on the state ’ s highest court , the governor ’ s office said .
Jenkins has been considered a candidate for the state ’ s top court for years , but former Gov .
Jerry Brown passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law schools .
Unlike Jenkins , Brown ’ s choices had no prior judicial experience .
“ Justice Jenkins is widely respected among lawyers and jurists , active in his Oakland community and his faith , and is a decent man to his core , ” Newsom said in a statement .
“ As a critical member of my senior leadership team , I ’ ve seen firsthand that Justice Jenkins possesses brilliance and humility in equal measure.
” Jenkins was leading the search to fill a vacancy on the court left by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ W. Chin , a Republican appointee who was the court ’ s most conservative member .
Jenkins owes most of his judicial career to Republicans , despite his Democratic affiliation .
He is viewed as generally less liberal than the four justices Brown appointed to the state high court .
He said during an online news conference with Newsom on Monday that sharing his sexual orientation with the public has been challenging .
“ It has not been easy , ” Jenkins said , adding , “ I am not here in spite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the struggle.
” He urged young people who face similar struggles to live “ a life of authenticity ” and indicated that he was aware he would be a role model .
“ There is a significant responsibility that goes with being the first , that I think is best dispatched in doing the work at the highest level I possibly can , ” he said .
After his confirmation , the court will have two Black justices , two Asian Americans , one Latino , one white woman and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco , Jenkins grew up helping his father clean office buildings and churches to earn extra money for his family while his father also had a full-time job with the city of San Francisco , working as a clerk and janitor at Coit Tower .
After earning an undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University , where Jenkins was a standout defensive back , he signed a contract to play for the NFL ’ s Seattle Seahawks but decided instead to become an attorney .
He went on to earn a law degree from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law , after which he worked as a prosecutor for the Alameda County district attorney ’ s office .
Jenkins grew up hearing stories about his family ’ s experiences in the Jim Crow South , and he became an attorney with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in the administration of President Reagan , where he handled cases of police misconduct and cross burnings .
He also worked as a trial attorney for the Pacific Bell Legal Department of San Francisco , after which he served on the Oakland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge on the Alameda County Superior Court from 1992-97 .
Former Republican Gov .
George Deukmejian appointed Jenkins to the Alameda County Municipal Court , and Gov .
Pete Wilson , another Republican , elevated him to the county ’ s Superior Court .
President Clinton appointed Jenkins to the San Francisco-based federal district court , where he served from 1997 to 2008 .
A third Republican , former Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger , named him to the San Francisco-based state Court of Appeal in 2008 .
Jenkins left the court last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the governor ’ s judicial appointments secretary , Jenkins worked with Regional Judicial Selection Advisory Committees to appoint 45 jurists with the goal of promoting diversity among the California judiciary , according to the governor ’ s office .
The governor ’ s appointment of Jenkins was “ a monumental step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and for our entire state , ” said Rick Chavez Zbur , executive director of the gay rights group Equality California .
“ Not only is Justice Jenkins exceptionally qualified and an outstanding choice for California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embodies the values of our great state.
” Newsom described Jenkins as “ both a product and a protector of the California dream ” whose life as a gay man will inform his work on the high court .
“ As someone who understands firsthand the role of the court in determining marriage equality to be a fundamental right , I can ’ t tell you how important it is to have someone on the bench who is a living , breathing example of the idea that love means love , ” Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the State Bar ’ s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments , which consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye , Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra and senior Presiding Justice of the state Court of Appeal J. Anthony Kline .
The commission routinely confirms gubernatorial nominations .
The annual compensation for the position is $ 261,949 .
Kevin Brown , an East Bay real estate agent , has been friends with Jenkins since meeting him in 1973 at Santa Clara .
“ He was very serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their college days .
“ He spent most of his time in the library .
“ The two still socialize .
Asked what hobbies Jenkins had , Brown said : “ Work.
” Dolan reported from San Francisco and McGreevy from Sacramento .

Gov. Gavin Newsom named Martin Jenkins, his Judicial Appointments secretary, to the California Supreme Court. Jenkins would become the first openly gay man on the court.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday appointed Martin Jenkins, a moderate Black former prosecutor and judge, to the California Supreme Court.
Jenkins, a 66-year-old Democrat, is now Newsom’s judicial appointments secretary. He will become the first openly gay justice on the California Supreme Court, and only the third Black man ever to serve on the state’s highest court, the governor’s office said.
Jenkins has been considered a candidate for the state’s top court for years, but former Gov. Jerry Brown passed him over for younger people from elite law schools. Unlike Jenkins, Brown’s choices had no prior judicial experience.
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“Justice Jenkins is widely respected among lawyers and jurists, active in his Oakland community and his faith, and is a decent man to his core,” Newsom said in a statement. “As a critical member of my senior leadership team, I’ve seen firsthand that Justice Jenkins possesses brilliance and humility in equal measure.”
Jenkins was leading the search to fill a vacancy on the court left by the Aug. 31 retirement of Justice Ming W. Chin, a Republican appointee who was the court’s most conservative member.
Jenkins owes most of his judicial career to Republicans, despite his Democratic affiliation. He is viewed as generally less liberal than the four justices Brown appointed to the state high court.
He said during an online news conference with Newsom on Monday that sharing his sexual orientation with the public has been challenging.
“It has not been easy,” Jenkins said, adding, “I am not here in spite of the struggle. I am here because of the struggle.”
He urged young people who face similar struggles to live “a life of authenticity” and indicated that he was aware he would be a role model.
“There is a significant responsibility that goes with being the first, that I think is best dispatched in doing the work at the highest level I possibly can,” he said.
After his confirmation, the court will have two Black justices, two Asian Americans, one Latino, one white woman and one white man.
A native of San Francisco, Jenkins grew up helping his father clean office buildings and churches to earn extra money for his family while his father also had a full-time job with the city of San Francisco, working as a clerk and janitor at Coit Tower.
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After earning an undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University, where Jenkins was a standout defensive back, he signed a contract to play for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks but decided instead to become an attorney.
He went on to earn a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, after which he worked as a prosecutor for the Alameda County district attorney’s office.
Jenkins grew up hearing stories about his family’s experiences in the Jim Crow South, and he became an attorney with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in the administration of President Reagan, where he handled cases of police misconduct and cross burnings.
He also worked as a trial attorney for the Pacific Bell Legal Department of San Francisco, after which he served on the Oakland Municipal Court from 1989-92 and as a judge on the Alameda County Superior Court from 1992-97.
Former Republican Gov. George Deukmejian appointed Jenkins to the Alameda County Municipal Court, and Gov. Pete Wilson, another Republican, elevated him to the county’s Superior Court.
President Clinton appointed Jenkins to the San Francisco-based federal district court, where he served from 1997 to 2008. A third Republican, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, named him to the San Francisco-based state Court of Appeal in 2008. Jenkins left the court last year and went to work for Newsom.
As the governor’s judicial appointments secretary, Jenkins worked with Regional Judicial Selection Advisory Committees to appoint 45 jurists with the goal of promoting diversity among the California judiciary, according to the governor’s office.
The governor’s appointment of Jenkins was “a monumental step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and for our entire state,” said Rick Chavez Zbur, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California. “Not only is Justice Jenkins exceptionally qualified and an outstanding choice for California’s highest court, but he embodies the values of our great state.”
Newsom described Jenkins as “both a product and a protector of the California dream” whose life as a gay man will inform his work on the high court.
“As someone who understands firsthand the role of the court in determining marriage equality to be a fundamental right, I can’t tell you how important it is to have someone on the bench who is a living, breathing example of the idea that love means love,” Newsom said.
The nomination must be submitted to the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and senior Presiding Justice of the state Court of Appeal J. Anthony Kline. The commission routinely confirms gubernatorial nominations.
The annual compensation for the position is $261,949.
Kevin Brown, an East Bay real estate agent, has been friends with Jenkins since meeting him in 1973 at Santa Clara.
“He was very serious about school,” Brown said of their college days. “He spent most of his time in the library. “
The two still socialize. Asked what hobbies Jenkins had, Brown said: “Work.”
Dolan reported from San Francisco and McGreevy from Sacramento.


latimes--2020-10-05--Homeless man among three killed during 'tragically violent' weekend in L.A.

After exchanging words with a passerby , a homeless man in North Hollywood was fatally shot Saturday night — one of more than a dozen people shot or killed during a violent weekend in Los Angeles , where homicides are on the rise .
“ Last night was a tragically violent night in Los Angeles , ” LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted on Sunday .
“ Together , we must confront this challenge and vehemently reject this trend — we will not let those that wish to tear at the fabric of our city succeed.
” Moore ’ s comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community leaders across town in South L.A. to denounce a “ spasm ” of violence spurred on there by what police officials said was gang vengeance and a disregard for the safety of children and elderly residents .
From Friday to Monday , three people were killed and 10 people shot and wounded across L.A. , police confirmed Monday .
Two of the killings were shootings , one a stabbing .
Such numbers aren ’ t that rare for a weekend in L.A. but contribute to a clip of violence in 2020 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
Of the fatal North Hollywood shooting on Saturday night , police said officers responded at about 10:30 p.m. to a call about shots fired in the 11300 block of Magnolia Boulevard , and found the homeless victim lying wounded on the sidewalk .
He was pronounced dead at a local hospital .
Police said witnesses said that the homeless man “ exchanged words with the suspect , who was walking west on Magnolia Boulevard , ” and that the suspect “ became upset , produced a handgun and shot the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police were still seeking the suspect Monday .
The victim had not been identified and was listed as a “ John Doe ” on the LAPD ’ s books .
Police are struggling to get a hold of an increase in shootings that began this summer and has continued into the fall .
While the coronavirus pandemic and associated shutdowns have helped drive a decline in crime overall , shootings and killings are up — with about 15 % more homicides so far this year , compared with last .
Arrests , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 25 % compared with last year .
The violence has caught the attention of some in the city who saw an effort by protesters to defund the Police Department this summer — and a corresponding cut of $ 150 million from the LAPD budget by the City Council — as ill-conceived .
Supporters of the reforms say the violence is not a result of the changes but of societal issues that have been ignored for years as policing has gobbled up too much of the city ’ s budget .
The LAPD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most necessary work .
But last week in South L.A. , police officials said officers have not slowed down their efforts to confront violent crime .
They also pleaded with the community for help , saying they can ’ t stop the violence on their own .

Three people were killed and 10 others shot and wounded in Los Angeles from Friday to Monday.
After exchanging words with a passerby, a homeless man in North Hollywood was fatally shot Saturday night — one of more than a dozen people shot or killed during a violent weekend in Los Angeles, where homicides are on the rise.
“Last night was a tragically violent night in Los Angeles,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted on Sunday. “Together, we must confront this challenge and vehemently reject this trend — we will not let those that wish to tear at the fabric of our city succeed.”
Moore’s comments came about 48 hours after he joined community leaders across town in South L.A. to denounce a “spasm” of violence spurred on there by what police officials said was gang vengeance and a disregard for the safety of children and elderly residents.
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From Friday to Monday, three people were killed and 10 people shot and wounded across L.A., police confirmed Monday. Two of the killings were shootings, one a stabbing. Such numbers aren’t that rare for a weekend in L.A. but contribute to a clip of violence in 2020 that has killings and shootings up significantly over last year.
Of the fatal North Hollywood shooting on Saturday night, police said officers responded at about 10:30 p.m. to a call about shots fired in the 11300 block of Magnolia Boulevard, and found the homeless victim lying wounded on the sidewalk. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police said witnesses said that the homeless man “exchanged words with the suspect, who was walking west on Magnolia Boulevard,” and that the suspect “became upset, produced a handgun and shot the victim multiple times” before fleeing.
Police were still seeking the suspect Monday. The victim had not been identified and was listed as a “John Doe” on the LAPD’s books.
Police are struggling to get a hold of an increase in shootings that began this summer and has continued into the fall. While the coronavirus pandemic and associated shutdowns have helped drive a decline in crime overall, shootings and killings are up — with about 15% more homicides so far this year, compared with last. Arrests, including for violent crimes, are down by about 25% compared with last year.
The violence has caught the attention of some in the city who saw an effort by protesters to defund the Police Department this summer — and a corresponding cut of $150 million from the LAPD budget by the City Council — as ill-conceived. Supporters of the reforms say the violence is not a result of the changes but of societal issues that have been ignored for years as policing has gobbled up too much of the city’s budget.
The LAPD has cut overtime for all but the most necessary work. But last week in South L.A., police officials said officers have not slowed down their efforts to confront violent crime. They also pleaded with the community for help, saying they can’t stop the violence on their own.


latimes--2020-10-05--August Complex fire burns record-breaking 1 million acres

In an already unprecedented fire year , another record has been shattered : The August Complex fire has burned 1 million acres , the first wildfire in California history to have destroyed such a vast swath of land .
The Northern California blaze , which began as a series of smaller lightning-sparked fires in the Mendocino National Forest , quickly morphed into a “ mega-fire ” burning across portions of Mendocino , Humboldt , Trinity , Tehama , Glenn , Lake and Colusa counties .
As of Monday morning , it was 54 % contained .
The priority for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the blaze , which is still displaying “ active fire behavior , ” according to Christine McMorrow , a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
The northwest zone , which is close to communities , is also an area of grave concern .
At least 3,900 personnel have been assigned to the August Complex , including aerial and ground crews from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service , as well as 138 National Guard personnel and crews from as far as Montana , Texas , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ready for a break , but everybody ’ s doing what they have to do , ” McMorrow said of the beleaguered fire crews .
“ I think everybody across the state is ready for a break in the pattern that we ’ ve had for almost two months now.
” The August Complex ’ s million-acre milestone arrives as California shatters yet another wildfire record of — more than double the previous record .
At least 31 people have died in the fires and 8,200 structures have been destroyed .
Tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as evacuation orders remain in effect in several counties .
“ Our top priority is firefighter and public safety , ” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Kate White said Monday .
“ It ’ s been hard for the communities who have had to go through this .
We want to make sure we ’ re doing what we can and providing the support we can.
” A dome of smoke , haze and ash from the wildfires is lingering over much of the state .
Winemakers in Sonoma and Napa Valley , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres , have said the effects are so bad that many vineyards won ’ t be producing a 2020 vintage .
“ All of them are tainted , ” one vintner said of his grapes .
“ You can taste it on the finish.
” In Southern California , the Bobcat fire is also producing a substantial amount of smoke .
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the haze is coming from an active fire around Mt .
Wilson but noted that it is under control and burning within containment lines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they are rightfully concerned when they see a plume like that , ” U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jim Innes said Monday .
“ Just hang in there for a couple more days.
” The Bobcat fire ignited Sept. 6 inside the Angeles National Forest and has burned through more than 115,000 acres .
As of Monday , it was 88 % contained , but smoke from the blaze is still contributing to poor air quality in the region .
The South Coast Air Quality Management District said air quality could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot , dry conditions have contributed to conflagrations throughout the state .
In Northern California , more seasonal temperatures and increased chances of rain are expected to arrive later in the week , which officials said could bring some relief .
“ We ’ re hoping that the weather in is in our favor and helps put a damper on some of the areas that are seeing active fire behavior , ” McMorrow said .
But weather is only a part of the battle , as rocky terrain in several of the burn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A lot of these fires are burning in pretty rough and rugged terrain , so we actually can ’ t get a [ containment ] line around them , ” McMorrow said .
“ Some of these fires are going to be at 95 % containment until it rains.
” Control over the Bobcat fire has allowed the Forest Service to release personnel from that blaze and reassign them to fires farther north .
The relief can ’ t come soon enough , McMorrow said , as the estimated containment date for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed at Wednesday — is almost certain to change .
“ We are in the peak of a historic fire season , so we still have a lot left to go , ” she said .
“ Just based on what I ’ m seeing , I would expect that full containment is going to be pushed out .
”

An air tanker prepares to drop retardant while battling the August Complex Fire in the Mendocino National Forest last month.
In an already unprecedented fire year, another record has been shattered: The August Complex fire has burned 1 million acres, the first wildfire in California history to have destroyed such a vast swath of land.
The Northern California blaze, which began as a series of smaller lightning-sparked fires in the Mendocino National Forest, quickly morphed into a “mega-fire” burning across portions of Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama, Glenn, Lake and Colusa counties. As of Monday morning, it was 54% contained.
The priority for the week will remain on the northeastern area of the blaze, which is still displaying “active fire behavior,” according to Christine McMorrow, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The northwest zone, which is close to communities, is also an area of grave concern.
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#AugustComplex, burning across five counties in northern Coast Ranges, has become California's first modern "#megafire." This complex of individual fires, which have burned together into contiguous burn area, now spans 1 million acres--larger than state of Rhode Island. #CAfire pic.twitter.com/M1LzyqMR3I — Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) October 5, 2020
At least 3,900 personnel have been assigned to the August Complex, including aerial and ground crews from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as 138 National Guard personnel and crews from as far as Montana, Texas, Washington and New Jersey.
“Everybody’s ready for a break, but everybody’s doing what they have to do,” McMorrow said of the beleaguered fire crews. “I think everybody across the state is ready for a break in the pattern that we’ve had for almost two months now.”
The August Complex’s million-acre milestone arrives as California shatters yet another wildfire record of 4 million acres burned statewide — more than double the previous record.
At least 31 people have died in the fires and 8,200 structures have been destroyed. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced as evacuation orders remain in effect in several counties.
“Our top priority is firefighter and public safety,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Kate White said Monday. “It’s been hard for the communities who have had to go through this. We want to make sure we’re doing what we can and providing the support we can.”
A dome of smoke, haze and ash from the wildfires is lingering over much of the state. Winemakers in Sonoma and Napa Valley, where the Glass fire has burned through 65,000 acres, have said the effects are so bad that many vineyards won’t be producing a 2020 vintage.
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“All of them are tainted,” one vintner said of his grapes. “You can taste it on the finish.”
In Southern California, the Bobcat fire is also producing a substantial amount of smoke. Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the haze is coming from an active fire around Mt. Wilson but noted that it is under control and burning within containment lines.
“The public has been really understanding, but they are rightfully concerned when they see a plume like that,” U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jim Innes said Monday. “Just hang in there for a couple more days.”
The Bobcat fire ignited Sept. 6 inside the Angeles National Forest and has burned through more than 115,000 acres. As of Monday, it was 88% contained, but smoke from the blaze is still contributing to poor air quality in the region. The South Coast Air Quality Management District said air quality could be unhealthy for sensitive groups Monday.
Record hot, dry conditions have contributed to conflagrations throughout the state. In Northern California, more seasonal temperatures and increased chances of rain are expected to arrive later in the week, which officials said could bring some relief.
“We’re hoping that the weather in is in our favor and helps put a damper on some of the areas that are seeing active fire behavior,” McMorrow said.
But weather is only a part of the battle, as rocky terrain in several of the burn zones has also slowed firefighting efforts.
“A lot of these fires are burning in pretty rough and rugged terrain, so we actually can’t get a [containment] line around them,” McMorrow said. “Some of these fires are going to be at 95% containment until it rains.”
Control over the Bobcat fire has allowed the Forest Service to release personnel from that blaze and reassign them to fires farther north.
The relief can’t come soon enough, McMorrow said, as the estimated containment date for the August Complex — which is currently listed at Wednesday — is almost certain to change.
“We are in the peak of a historic fire season, so we still have a lot left to go,” she said. “Just based on what I’m seeing, I would expect that full containment is going to be pushed out.”


latimes--2020-10-05--Armenian protesters in L.A. decry 'false equivalence' in media coverage of conflict

Protesters rallied over the weekend outside media offices in Hollywood and onto freeways in the latest demonstrations calling attention to violence in a contested area in the southern Caucasus that has become the subject of renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past week .
Dozens of civilians have been killed since Sept. 27 , officials in both countries say , in the biggest escalation in the decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh — which Armenians call by its historic name , Artsakh — since the 1990s .
The tiny mountainous enclave is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic Armenian , and it is financially backed by Armenia .
The demonstrations Saturday and Sunday came together spontaneously on social media and drew about 500 participants to the CNN building , where they gathered outside and called for broadcast outlets to provide more accurate coverage of the conflict .
Activists also marched onto the 101 and 170 freeways , blocking traffic , according to the California Highway Patrol .
“ If there ’ s a problem here , it ’ s the false equivalence international media has drawn toward Armenia and Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director for the Armenian National Committee of America , Western Region .
“ Armenia is acting out of self-defense to preserve the existence of its people , and Azerbaijan is acting out of aggression.
” Armenians say the conflict was instigated by Azerbaijan with the backing of Turkey after months of planning .
Many described it as a push to finish the Armenian genocide begun by Turkey ’ s precursor , the Ottoman Empire , in 1915 .
They say Turkey has sent paid Islamic State mercenaries from Syria to fight in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by the leaders of France and Russia .
And they characterize both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia as tiny Christian and Democratic strongholds that are being attacked by much richer and stronger Muslim and authoritarian nations in a display of brute force .
Turkey has publicly sided with Azerbaijan but has denied sending fighters to the area .
Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday said : “ We stand with the people of Armenia .
I urge our leaders in Washington to conduct the sustained and rigorous diplomacy necessary to bring peace to the Artsakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict has galvanized the Armenian community in Los Angeles , which is home to more Armenians than any city other than the capital of Armenia , Galitsky said .
“ Many of those in our community are descendants of Armenian genocide survivors , ” he said .
“ As a result , they see what ’ s happening as very much a continuation of what was done 105 years ago.
” The majority of Armenians here know people who are fighting on the front lines of the conflict , and they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diaspora community , with armed Azerbaijani counterprotesters attending a pro-Armenian demonstration in July , he said .
“ Our community is so united around this issue and so united in their condemnation of Azerbaijan , ” Galitsky said , “ but also in the belief that what Azerbaijan represents is an existential threat to Armenian people , and there is a need for our entire community internationally to rally around our nation and do whatever we can to support it.
” Shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday , some protesters spilled onto the 101 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than an hour later , said Chris Baldonado , public information officer with the California Highway Patrol .
No arrests were made .
A group of protesters camped outside the CNN building overnight , and some remained there Sunday afternoon .
They said they planned to continue demonstrating until they saw fair news coverage .
Another rally was held Sunday evening in Glendale .
“ We ’ re doing everything possible to fight the Azerbaijani propaganda war machine , which is basically spewing lies across different media outlets , ” said Raffi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Committee of America , Western Region .
“ We want to make sure the world is aware of both Turkey and Azerbaijan ’ s neo-Ottomanism , which is an ethnic cleansing of Armenians to basically drive them off historical Armenian land.
” Protesters are also calling on the international community to clearly side with Armenia and to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey for perpetrating human rights abuses , rather than simply calling for both sides to come to the table and negotiate .
Though the conflict concerns an enclave that ’ s only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Park , it has far-reaching implications .
Russia is friendly with both Armenia and Azerbaijan but has a defense alliance with Armenia , as well as a military base there .
Still , Armenia is unlikely to call on Russia for help , as it has tried to distance itself from the superpower since Armenia ’ s Democratic revolution in 2018 , said Tamara Voskanian , a Los Angeles Armenian-American ethics attorney and advocate .
In turn , she said , the United States , Russia and other world powers have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to be dragged into what could become an all-out war .
They are also distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fresh upheaval President Trump ’ s illness has heaped on the upcoming U.S. election , she said .
“ The timing is awful , ” she said .
With the attention of the global community diverted elsewhere , Azerbaijan has staged displays of aggression that include shelling civilians in Stepanakert , the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh , Voskanian said .
“ I truly do believe there are war crimes being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re not trying to hit military targets — they ’ re trying to hit people.
” Azerbaijan has also accused Armenia of targeting civilians and claims that it instigated the conflict .
“ Azerbaijan is defending itself , its civilian population , on its own soil and with its own armed forces , ” Nasimi Aghayev of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles said late Saturday in a videotaped statement .
He denied that religion has played a role in the conflict and described portrayals of it as such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies .
“ The racist and white supremacist propaganda promoted by Armenia and their allies , with which they intend to cash in on the already divisive environment and Islamophobic prejudices , must be condemned by everyone who believe that such dangerous bigotry and intolerance have no place in Europe , U.S. or anywhere else , ” Aghayev said .
The conflict dates back decades .
Nagorno-Karabakh gained autonomous status in the Soviet era , but its struggle to break away from Azerbaijan outright began even before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 30,000 people and displaced 1 million .
That battle ended with a 1994 cease-fire and de facto self-rule .
Violent flare-ups have occurred periodically , including in 2016 , when clashes left at least 200 people dead , as well as in July and August .
For Armenians , the fight is one to maintain control of their ancestral homeland .
“ If we lose Artsakh , we lose , really , the heart of present-day Armenia , ” Voskanian said .
She noted that most Armenians around the world were displaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million living outside their home country , compared with 3 million within it .
“ For Azerbaijan , this is about a notch on a belt , a territory , bragging rights , pride and maintaining dictatorship , ” Voskanian said .
“ For Armenians , it ’ s about way more than that .
It ’ s about keeping the tiny percentage of land that we have left , because without that , we don ’ t know how we ’ re going to survive as a people around the world .
@

Protesters rallied over the weekend outside media offices in Hollywood and onto freeways in the latest demonstrations calling attention to violence in a contested area in the southern Caucasus that has become the subject of renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past week.
Dozens of civilians have been killed since Sept. 27, officials in both countries say, in the biggest escalation in the decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh — which Armenians call by its historic name, Artsakh — since the 1990s. The tiny mountainous enclave is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan, but its population of about 150,000 is majority ethnic Armenian, and it is financially backed by Armenia.
The demonstrations Saturday and Sunday came together spontaneously on social media and drew about 500 participants to the CNN building, where they gathered outside and called for broadcast outlets to provide more accurate coverage of the conflict. Activists also marched onto the 101 and 170 freeways, blocking traffic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
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“If there’s a problem here, it’s the false equivalence international media has drawn toward Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Alex Galitsky, communications director for the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region. “Armenia is acting out of self-defense to preserve the existence of its people, and Azerbaijan is acting out of aggression.”
Armenians say the conflict was instigated by Azerbaijan with the backing of Turkey after months of planning. Many described it as a push to finish the Armenian genocide begun by Turkey’s precursor, the Ottoman Empire, in 1915. They say Turkey has sent paid Islamic State mercenaries from Syria to fight in the region, a claim that has been backed by the leaders of France and Russia. And they characterize both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia as tiny Christian and Democratic strongholds that are being attacked by much richer and stronger Muslim and authoritarian nations in a display of brute force.
Turkey has publicly sided with Azerbaijan but has denied sending fighters to the area.
Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday said: “We stand with the people of Armenia. I urge our leaders in Washington to conduct the sustained and rigorous diplomacy necessary to bring peace to the Artsakh region. Turkey must disengage.”
The conflict has galvanized the Armenian community in Los Angeles, which is home to more Armenians than any city other than the capital of Armenia, Galitsky said.
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“Many of those in our community are descendants of Armenian genocide survivors,” he said. “As a result, they see what’s happening as very much a continuation of what was done 105 years ago.”
The majority of Armenians here know people who are fighting on the front lines of the conflict, and they’ve also seen tension spill over into the diaspora community, with armed Azerbaijani counterprotesters attending a pro-Armenian demonstration in July, he said.
“Our community is so united around this issue and so united in their condemnation of Azerbaijan,” Galitsky said, “but also in the belief that what Azerbaijan represents is an existential threat to Armenian people, and there is a need for our entire community internationally to rally around our nation and do whatever we can to support it.”
Shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, some protesters spilled onto the 101 Freeway near Sunset Boulevard. They dispersed less than an hour later, said Chris Baldonado, public information officer with the California Highway Patrol. No arrests were made.
A group of protesters camped outside the CNN building overnight, and some remained there Sunday afternoon. They said they planned to continue demonstrating until they saw fair news coverage.
Another rally was held Sunday evening in Glendale.
Protesters rally Saturday outside the CNN building in Hollywood. Some spilled out to the 101 Freeway. (Alex Galitsky)
“We’re doing everything possible to fight the Azerbaijani propaganda war machine, which is basically spewing lies across different media outlets,” said Raffi Kassabian, vice chair of the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region. “We want to make sure the world is aware of both Turkey and Azerbaijan’s neo-Ottomanism, which is an ethnic cleansing of Armenians to basically drive them off historical Armenian land.”
Protesters are also calling on the international community to clearly side with Armenia and to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey for perpetrating human rights abuses, rather than simply calling for both sides to come to the table and negotiate.
Though the conflict concerns an enclave that’s only about 1½ times the size of Yosemite National Park, it has far-reaching implications.
Russia is friendly with both Armenia and Azerbaijan but has a defense alliance with Armenia, as well as a military base there. Still, Armenia is unlikely to call on Russia for help, as it has tried to distance itself from the superpower since Armenia’s Democratic revolution in 2018, said Tamara Voskanian, a Los Angeles Armenian-American ethics attorney and advocate.
In turn, she said, the United States, Russia and other world powers have been hesitant to get involved because they don’t want to be dragged into what could become an all-out war. They are also distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fresh upheaval President Trump’s illness has heaped on the upcoming U.S. election, she said.
“The timing is awful,” she said.
With the attention of the global community diverted elsewhere, Azerbaijan has staged displays of aggression that include shelling civilians in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Voskanian said.
“I truly do believe there are war crimes being committed,” Voskanian said. “They’re not trying to hit military targets — they’re trying to hit people.”
Azerbaijan has also accused Armenia of targeting civilians and claims that it instigated the conflict.
“Azerbaijan is defending itself, its civilian population, on its own soil and with its own armed forces,” Nasimi Aghayev of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles said late Saturday in a videotaped statement. He denied that religion has played a role in the conflict and described portrayals of it as such as propaganda advanced by Armenia and its allies.
“The racist and white supremacist propaganda promoted by Armenia and their allies, with which they intend to cash in on the already divisive environment and Islamophobic prejudices, must be condemned by everyone who believe that such dangerous bigotry and intolerance have no place in Europe, U.S. or anywhere else,” Aghayev said.
The conflict dates back decades. Nagorno-Karabakh gained autonomous status in the Soviet era, but its struggle to break away from Azerbaijan outright began even before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Fighting from 1988 onward killed about 30,000 people and displaced 1 million. That battle ended with a 1994 cease-fire and de facto self-rule.
Violent flare-ups have occurred periodically, including in 2016, when clashes left at least 200 people dead, as well as in July and August.
For Armenians, the fight is one to maintain control of their ancestral homeland.
“If we lose Artsakh, we lose, really, the heart of present-day Armenia,” Voskanian said.
She noted that most Armenians around the world were displaced by ethnic cleansing, with roughly 10 million living outside their home country, compared with 3 million within it.
“For Azerbaijan, this is about a notch on a belt, a territory, bragging rights, pride and maintaining dictatorship,” Voskanian said. “For Armenians, it’s about way more than that. It’s about keeping the tiny percentage of land that we have left, because without that, we don’t know how we’re going to survive as a people around the world.”
Times staff writer Laura King contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-05--Column: California's tax system needs to be overhauled. Making changes to Proposition 13 won't do it

Proposition 15 is arguably the most significant state measure on the Nov. 3 ballot .
And that ’ s saying a lot because Californians will be voting on several very significant measures .
With Proposition 15 , voters are being asked to partially repeal a historic 1978 property tax cut that triggered a nationwide anti-tax revolt .
That revered initiative , Proposition 13 , has always been considered untouchable — the third rail of California politics .
But labor unions , led by one representing schoolteachers , are trying to roll back part of it .
Their effort is supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles .
Proposition 13 passed in a landslide because homeowners were angry that their property taxes were constantly soaring as home values skyrocketed .
Some retired seniors were being taxed out of their homes .
Howard Jarvis , an apartment owners ’ lobbyist , skillfully capitalized on the anger , promoting the initiative that dramatically lowered taxes on all real estate — residential , commercial and industrial .
The political establishment hated the measure .
The people loved it .
Proposition 13 capped tax rates at 1 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2 % .
Moreover , property could be reassessed only at market value when it was sold .
But many business property owners , especially large corporations , gamed the system so their holdings rarely changed hands completely — only by bits and pieces at a time .
That way they almost never got reassessed at market value .
Property tax revenue substantially fell off for local governments and schools .
They turned to state government for bailouts and got them .
But the price was loss of some local control to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t dare mess with residential property owners .
That would be political suicide .
So , Proposition 15 exempts residential real estate .
Agriculture land is exempt , too , although not necessarily property improvements — such as orchards , vineyards , barns and irrigation systems .
The California Farm Bureau Federation is opposed .
Proposition 15 ’ s target is commercial and industrial property .
It would be reassessed every three years at current market value .
Property would be exempt if its owner ’ s total commercial real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 million .
Note : This isn ’ t the same as exempting one piece of property if its value is less than $ 3 million .
The owner ’ s entire commercial real estate holdings couldn ’ t exceed $ 3 million .
Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees no longer would have to pay personal property taxes on equipment .
For larger businesses , the first $ 500,000 worth of equipment would be exempt .
The net annual tax boost when the initiative would be fully implemented in 2025 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 11.5 billion , the state Legislative Analyst ‘ s Office estimates .
The increased tax revenue would be split this way : 60 % to local governments — cities , counties and special districts — and 40 % to K-12 schools and community colleges .
In Sacramento speak , Proposition 15 is a “ split-roll ” measure because it would create separate tax rolls for residential and commercial-industrial properties .
That has long been a dream of Democratic politicians .
It ’ s “ long-overdue reform , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s consistent with California ’ s progressive fiscal values… .
It will fund essential services such as public schools and public safety.
” It ’ s a big-bucks brawl between two powerful traditional rivals : labor — mainly the California Teachers Assn .
and Service Employees International Union — and business .
They could wind up spending close to $ 100 million between them , A recent statewide survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found likely voters favored the proposition by 49 % to 34 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chances for passage are fairly decent , ” said the pollster , Mark DiCamillo .
Another poll of likely voters by the Public Policy Institute of California showed Proposition 15 ahead by 51 % to 40 % , with 9 % undecided .
Democrats were in strong support , Republicans in heavy opposition and independents equally divided .
“ We ’ re dealing with a very complicated issue , ” PPIC President Mark Baldassare said .
“ People wonder about the unintended consequences .
They worry about the risks .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority… .
“ In every poll ever done , most voters continue to believe that Prop .
13 is a good thing.
” Larry Grisolano , the Proposition 15 campaign strategist , says two major news events may help the measure .
One is the New York Times investigative report that President Trump has been a longtime , serious tax evader — maybe a cheat .
“ That reminds people we ’ ve got a system where most taxpayers are doing their part , but corporations are avoiding taxes , ” Grisolano says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appeal of the split roll.
” The second Proposition 15 helper is the calamitous wildfire season , the strategist says .
Voters are reminded that local fire departments need to be better prepared for emergencies , and this requires lots more money .
But Rob Lapsley , president of the California Business Roundtable , argues that with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent deep recession , “ now is absolutely the worst time to enact the largest property tax increase in California history.
” “ Small businesses are struggling to survive , trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If this thing passes , many people will not even try to reopen .
Just forget it.
” Anyway , he adds , “ the last thing California needs is another tax increase.
” What California really needs is a complete overhaul of its ludicrously outdated tax system .
Proposition 15 doesn ’ t do it .
After he was elected , Newsom ambitiously talked about perhaps reaching a “ grand bargain ” on tax reform .
But he did nothing .
Next year , he should surprise us and try @

A California homeowner shows support for Proposition 13 in 1978. Proposition 15, which will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, would change the landmark ballot measure, long thought to be a third rail in state politics.
Proposition 15 is arguably the most significant state measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
And that’s saying a lot because Californians will be voting on several very significant measures.
With Proposition 15, voters are being asked to partially repeal a historic 1978 property tax cut that triggered a nationwide anti-tax revolt.
Advertisement
That revered initiative, Proposition 13, has always been considered untouchable — the third rail of California politics. But labor unions, led by one representing schoolteachers, are trying to roll back part of it. Their effort is supported by tax-seeking big city mayors, including Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles.
Proposition 13 passed in a landslide because homeowners were angry that their property taxes were constantly soaring as home values skyrocketed. Some retired seniors were being taxed out of their homes.
Howard Jarvis, an apartment owners’ lobbyist, skillfully capitalized on the anger, promoting the initiative that dramatically lowered taxes on all real estate — residential, commercial and industrial. The political establishment hated the measure. The people loved it.
Proposition 13 capped tax rates at 1% of assessed value and limited annual assessment increases to 2%. Moreover, property could be reassessed only at market value when it was sold.
Politics California Prop. 15: Commercial property taxes | Election 2020 If Proposition 15 passes, it would increase property taxes for businesses and corporations in California, undoing some tax breaks introduced by Proposition 13 in 1978.
But many business property owners, especially large corporations, gamed the system so their holdings rarely changed hands completely — only by bits and pieces at a time. That way they almost never got reassessed at market value.
Property tax revenue substantially fell off for local governments and schools. They turned to state government for bailouts and got them. But the price was loss of some local control to Sacramento.
Advertisement
Proposition 15’s backers didn’t dare mess with residential property owners. That would be political suicide. So, Proposition 15 exempts residential real estate.
Agriculture land is exempt, too, although not necessarily property improvements — such as orchards, vineyards, barns and irrigation systems. The California Farm Bureau Federation is opposed.
Proposition 15’s target is commercial and industrial property. It would be reassessed every three years at current market value.
Property would be exempt if its owner’s total commercial real estate holdings in California were worth less than $3 million. Note: This isn’t the same as exempting one piece of property if its value is less than $3 million. The owner’s entire commercial real estate holdings couldn’t exceed $3 million.
Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees no longer would have to pay personal property taxes on equipment. For larger businesses, the first $500,000 worth of equipment would be exempt.
The net annual tax boost when the initiative would be fully implemented in 2025 would range from $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion, the state Legislative Analyst‘s Office estimates.
The increased tax revenue would be split this way: 60% to local governments — cities, counties and special districts — and 40% to K-12 schools and community colleges.
In Sacramento speak, Proposition 15 is a “split-roll” measure because it would create separate tax rolls for residential and commercial-industrial properties. That has long been a dream of Democratic politicians.
It’s “long-overdue reform,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in endorsing the measure last month. “It’s consistent with California’s progressive fiscal values…. It will fund essential services such as public schools and public safety.”
It’s a big-bucks brawl between two powerful traditional rivals: labor — mainly the California Teachers Assn. and Service Employees International Union — and business. They could wind up spending close to $100 million between them,
Polls show a close vote.
A recent statewide survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found likely voters favored the proposition by 49% to 34%, with 17% undecided.
“The chances for passage are fairly decent,” said the pollster, Mark DiCamillo.
Another poll of likely voters by the Public Policy Institute of California showed Proposition 15 ahead by 51% to 40%, with 9% undecided. Democrats were in strong support, Republicans in heavy opposition and independents equally divided.
“We’re dealing with a very complicated issue,” PPIC President Mark Baldassare said. “People wonder about the unintended consequences. They worry about the risks. That’s why we have only a slim majority….
“In every poll ever done, most voters continue to believe that Prop. 13 is a good thing.”
Larry Grisolano, the Proposition 15 campaign strategist, says two major news events may help the measure.
One is the New York Times investigative report that President Trump has been a longtime, serious tax evader — maybe a cheat.
“That reminds people we’ve got a system where most taxpayers are doing their part, but corporations are avoiding taxes,” Grisolano says. “That’s part of the appeal of the split roll.”
The second Proposition 15 helper is the calamitous wildfire season, the strategist says. Voters are reminded that local fire departments need to be better prepared for emergencies, and this requires lots more money.
But Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, argues that with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent deep recession, “now is absolutely the worst time to enact the largest property tax increase in California history.”
“Small businesses are struggling to survive, trying to get reestablished,” Lapsley says. “If this thing passes, many people will not even try to reopen. Just forget it.”
Anyway, he adds, “the last thing California needs is another tax increase.”
Agreed.
What California really needs is a complete overhaul of its ludicrously outdated tax system. Proposition 15 doesn’t do it.
After he was elected, Newsom ambitiously talked about perhaps reaching a “grand bargain” on tax reform. But he did nothing. Next year, he should surprise us and try.