CalWatchdog Morning Read – January 18

18 Jan, 2017 by CalWatchdog Staff

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Many CA House Democrats boycotting inauguration
San Diego spent millions on retirees who came back to work
A bill to help pot growers to pay taxes
Lack of oversight at the BOE
Water rules stay in place … for now

Good morning! Happy Hump Day. Even though the inauguration is approaching, the campaign seems as though it’ll never end.

At least 15 of the 39 House Democrats from California are planning to boycott the presidential inauguration of Republican Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.

The reasons range from district work, to disdain for Trump, to responding to Twitter polls. In all, more than 50 House Democrats are planning on skipping the event.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will attend, however, out of a sense of “responsibility” and to honor the “peaceful transition of power.” The two remaining undecided Californians are: Senator Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. Feinstein had a pacemaker installed last week, while Becerra is going through the confirmation process to become California’s next attorney general.

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news:

Pensions: “Over the past seven years, the city of San Diego has paid more than $14.7 million to bring retirees back to work part-time while they still collect a pension,” reports The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Marijuana: “California lawmakers want to make it easier for marijuana dispensaries to pay their taxes, saying many cash-only businesses are forced to drive long distances with thousands of dollars to make an in-person payment.” The San Francisco Chronicle has more.
No accountability: “On a summer day in 2015, 16 high-level managers at the Board of Equalization received special pay raises that the department still can’t explain.” The Sacramento Bee has more.
Water: “Despite drenching rains and heavy snowfall this winter, California moved Tuesday to keep in place its statewide water conservation rules — at least for another three months or so,” reports The San Jose Mercury News.