CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 13

13 Jul, 2016 by CalWatchdog Staff

Law enforcement accountability measures stalling in Sacramento
Californians dig Gov. Brown
UC Berkeley’s chancellor under investigation
SD mayor leads opposition to measure giving certain felons early release
Cap-and-trade extension proposed

Good morning! Happy Hump Day.

“Against a national backdrop of discord over police killings of black men and deadly anti-police violence, state lawmakers who back law enforcement conduct and transparency reforms are making little progress in Sacramento.”

One bill that would have increased public access to documents regarding police conduct died in committee without a vote. Another, which would require a conviction before law enforcement could seize private property, is near the finish line but has struggled to find enough support.

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news:

Californians continue to approve of the job Gov. Jerry Brown is doing, with 56 percent in support, according to a new poll. The Sacramento Bee has more.
Today’s palace intrigue comes from the Los Angeles Times: “In a surprising move, the leader of the state Senate endorsed a Democratic assemblywoman Tuesday whose re-election is opposed by some of California’s leading environmental groups. But the announcement also revealed fractures within the top echelons of Senate leadership.”
UC Berkeley’s chancellor is under an internal investigation for the “alleged misuse of public funds for travel and the personal use of a campus athletic trainer without payment,” writes the Los Angeles Times.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer plans to lead the opposition to Gov. Jerry Brown’s early-release ballot measure, giving him — one of the most prominent Republicans in the state — the chance to raise his profile throughout the state. The Sacramento Bee has more.
“In advance of a political showdown in the state Legislature, Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration made its first formal effort Tuesday to extend the life of the program central to California’s bid to combat climate change. The California Air Resources Board, which is controlled by the governor, released a plan that would continue the state’s cap-and-trade program to cut carbon emissions beyond 2020, the date when the program currently expires,” writes the Los Angeles Times.