CalWatchdog Morning Read – April 22, 2016
Education division widening. Guns, gasses and high-speed rail
By CALWATCHDOG STAFF
Good morning and happy Friday!
Last week’s ruling by an appeals court that overturned the Vergara decision — which upended teacher tenure laws in the state — has only fueled the conflicts in education that make reform so difficult.
“For now, the decision puts California students and teachers in a precarious, and possibly untenable, position. On the one hand, the current Vergara ruling has denied that students have a right to an education that trumps teachers unions’ interests in protecting failing teachers…
“On the other hand, the new … ruling has denied that students — this time backed by unions — have a right to an education that meets some qualitative standard.”
CalWatchdog has more.
In other news:
- Counsel for the Legislature said that Gov. Jerry Brown exceeded his authority last year when he extended the provisions of AB32 — a greenhouse gas reduction law — beyond 2020 without legislative approval, reports The Sacramento Bee.
- Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom are fighting over who gets to pass gun control measures, both Democrats. Newsom is pursuing a ballot measure, which De León says could “derail” his efforts in the Legislature. The Los Angeles Times has more.
- Southern California has the highest gas prices in the country “by far,” reports the LA Weekly. The average price per gallon in the region exceed that of Hawaii ($2.60) by 20 cents, although prices are easing.
- The state rail authority announced on Thursday plans to link Merced to the initial segment for high-speed rail, which could add more than $1 billion to the project, reports the Los Angeles Times.
- Senate Republicans plan to announce a package of bills on Tuesday, which could focus on veterans issues, among other things.
Assembly:
- Gone ’til Monday.
Senate:
- Gone ’til Monday.
Gov. Brown:
- Attending a climate change event at the U.N. Headquarters in New York.
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