THE BUZZ: They share a mountainous border, but in so many ways — politically, geographically and economically — Kern County is a different world than Los Angeles County.
Bakersfield Republican and Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove drove that home with a plea to Gov. Gavin Newsom to let some parts of the state emerge from lockdown ahead of more afflicted areas. Noting in a letter to Newsom that “many cities and counties have in fact only had a handful of cases,” she urged him to not to “indefinitely bind them to the statewide shelter-in-place and business closure orders.”
Cases in point: Kern had 676 infected residents as of Thursday, per state data. A bloc of less-populous counties that comprise a majority of the state’s counties had fewer than 1,000 confirmed cases. Los Angeles, the state’s epicenter, reported more than 15,000. Those disparities are fueling increasing calls for local autonomy.
Earlier this week, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham and a host of fellow San Luis Obispo electeds wrote Newsom with a similar ask to let SLO start “a phased reopening,” citing a relatively low caseload and arguing that, for areas that have escaped the worst, it’s time to turn to averting a “prolonged recession and the resulting catastrophic public health issues.” Modesto-area mayors have asked Newsom for “an aggressive strategy for reopening our county for business.” Cities expect to collectively lose $7 billion, and that number grows if people are home beyond June, reports POLITICO’s Mackenzie Mays.
Newsom has made clear that the state sets the bar, and locals cannot sneak under it — that is to say, counties and cities can go stricter than California’s enduring stay-at-home-order, but they can’t allow less stringent restrictions.
“It won’t be a letter I receive, a tweet, an expression of frustration in terms of the stay at home order” that drives reopening, but data, he said yesterday, and “making sure all of us are checking off the same list” set out by the state is preferable to “chasing down folks who get ahead of themselves.” And people may have some patience: a new poll from the California Health Care Foundation finds the vast majority of Californians support staying at home despite the economic fallout.
BUENOS DIAS, good Friday morning. The other side of the coin: Despite some areas recovering, Californians are still dying, and we just saw the deadliest 24-hour period yet with 115 people succumbing even as hospitalizations and ICU numbers declined. And we some some late executive actions Thursday affecting businesses and the unemployed.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri right now, infected by the coronavirus.“ Rep. Maxine Waters drops a heartbreaker on the House floor. You can watch here.
BONUS QOTD: “I won’t be doing anymore headfirst sliding. I never liked it.” Dodgers legend Vin Scully as he recovers in the hospital from a fall at home.
TWEET OF THE DAY: Rep. Jackie Speier @RepSpeier on a Trump official’s racist tweets: “These disgusting tweets are disqualifying for any job in government let alone Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at HHS. CAPUTO MUST BE CANNED IMMEDIATELY.“
WHERE’S GAVIN? His daily #NewsomAtNoon briefing, to be livestreamed on @CAGovernor Twitter feed, will update Covid-19 news in California.
Sign up for POLITICO Nightly: Coronavirus Special Edition, your daily update on how the illness is affecting politics, markets, public health and more.
— “Republican candidates sue California over undocumented immigrant aid,” by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White: “Gov. Gavin Newsom last week unveiled a $125 million fund — with $75 million from the state — that will channel grants of $500 to $1,000 to immigrants whose financial status has been destabilized by the pandemic and resulting economic fallout.”
ACCOUNTABILITY — “Suppliers cash in as California taxpayers hit with wildly inflated prices for masks,” by the LA Times’ Melody Gutierrez and Adam Elmahrek: “State officials are paying more than 300% above list prices as they navigate a marketplace rife with fraud and price gouging in search of millions of masks for healthcare workers, inmates and government employees deemed essential.”
— “Organizer of California stay-at-home protest could face criminal charges,” by the LATimes’ Andrew J. Campa and David Hernandez: “With protesters taking to the streets urging the loosening of California’s stay-at-home orders, law enforcement agencies have made at least two arrests and may press charges in one case.”
— “Newsom announces debt relief on student loans, garnishments,” by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White: “Most of California’s major student loan servicers have committed to a 90-day forbearance period on collecting student loan debt, Newsom said, a move that he said would affect more than 1.1 million Californians.” (Pro link)
BAG IT — “Newsom temporarily waives plastic bag ban, suspends recycling requirements,” by POLITICO’s Debra Kahn: “The order waives for 60 days key provisions of the state’s ban on single-use plastic bags. It allows stores to provide single-use bags if reusable bags or recyclable paper bags aren’t available, and it suspends the requirement that stores charge for reusable or recyclable paper bags.” (Pro link)
— “California relaxes unemployment benefit requirements with system on overload,” by POLITICO’s Katy Murphy.
— “Federal judge orders Adelanto ICE detention center to release detainees, ensure social distancing amid coronavirus,” by the OC Register’s Roxana Kopetman.
EARLIEST DEATH — “San Jose woman who died Feb. 6 showed no symptoms of coronavirus, father says,” by POLITICO’s Lauren Hernández and Matthias Gafni.
— “Where California expects to fight coronavirus this fall: High schools, fairgrounds and gyms,” by McClatchy’s Monica Vaughan, Jason Pohl and Adam Ashton.
— “Inside S.F.’s coronavirus emergency operations center, where 400 workers run the city’s response,” by the SF Chronicle’s John King and Trisha Thadani: “[W]ith all conferences this spring and summer canceled or postponed until who knows when, the glassy mega-structure has been transformed into the closest thing to a functioning seat of government that San Francisco now has.”
WEATHER WOES — “As heat wave sizzles in Southern California, out-of-towners urged to avoid beaches,” by the LA Times’ Hannah Fry.
— “Lodi church files suit over California’s ban on large gatherings due to coronavirus,” by The Sac Bee’s Sam Stanton.
With the help of The COVID Tracking Project — a volunteer-run accounting of every coronavirus test conducted in America — POLITICO is monitoring how many Americans have been tested in all 50 states. Our live tracker will continue to update with the latest numbers across the country as they come in.
— “Newsom urges McConnell to retract ‘offensive’ comments telling governments to declare bankruptcy,” by POLITICO’s Carla Marinucci: “Newsom’s comments were his first regarding the firestorm kicked up by McConnell on Wednesday, after he told radio host Hugh Hewitt that state and local governments should ‘use the bankruptcy route’ rather than receive aid from the federal government that Democrats had unsuccessfully pursued in recent negotiations.”
— “When the coronavirus hit, California turned to artificial intelligence to help map the spread,” in which Newsom tells 60 Minutes “we are literally seeing into the future.”
— “Judge tosses California ammunition purchase law,” by the AP’s Don Thompson: “A federal judge on Thursday blocked a California law requiring background checks for people buying ammunition, issuing a sharply worded rebuke of ‘onerous and convoluted’ regulations that violate the constitutional right to bear arms.”
OUSTER DRAMA — “Key House chairwoman wants Bright to testify before Congress about removal from key post,” by CNN’s Manu Raju: “Rep. Anna Eshoo, the chairwoman of the House’s Health subcommittee, told CNN she plans to call in Dr. Rick Bright to testify before her panel as she reviews the circumstances of his removal from a key position after he raised concerns about the safety of a drug that President Donald Trump touted as a potential treatment to the coronavirus.”
— “Ousted vaccine doctor felt pressure to rush possible Covid-19 treatment after Trump spoke to Oracle boss Larry Ellison,” by CNBCs’s Dan Mangan.
— “Too Many People Are Going Hungry Right Now. Harris, Gillibrand, and Sanders Are Offering a Lifeline,” by Mother Jones’ Nathalie Baptiste.
SURPRISE SURROGATE: Gov. Newsom borrowed a favorite Trump phrase during his briefing Thursday — “promise made, promise kept” — in saying Trump had delivered on 90,000 of a promised installment of 100,000 testing swabs. It didn’t take long for Trump’s reelection operation to blast its latest video starring Newsom to supporters and for Trump to approvingly cite it at the White House. We are truly living in extraordinary and bizarre times.
DELAYED? — “Recology eyes 2022 for plastics initiative,” by POLITICO’s Debra Kahn: “Backers of a ballot initiative seeking to boost plastics recycling said Thursday they may kick the measure to the 2022 election, citing how the coronavirus has scrambled their strategy.” (Pro link)
KAMALA CAMEO — Sen. Kamala Harris plays a prominent role in a new ad for Assemblyman Chrisy Smith’s CA-25 bid, one of several red-to-blue California flips that Democrats are looking to defend this cycle. Take a look.
HUGE HITS — “Pandemic pushes California’s unemployment claims to 3.3M in recent weeks,” by POLITICO’s Katy Murphy: “The number of jobless claims California has processed since mid-March, when Covid-19 brought the economy to a standstill, amount to more than 17 percent of the state’s workforce.” (Pro link)
— “Stuck inside: Inmates and their families worry about coronavirus in the county’s jails,” by the Desert Sun’s Christopher Damien: “Across 5 jails, 128 inmates have tested positive for coronavirus. That rate appears to be higher than in California state correctional facilities.”
HOUSING FIGHTS — “‘We aren’t the dumping ground’: Homeless people fleeing coronavirus meet NIMBY resistance,” by the LA Times’ Doug Smith, Liam Dillon and Benjamin Oreskes: “Opposition at the local level has become more common as coronavirus cases have multiplied in recent weeks and a statewide program to move thousands of homeless people into vacant hotels and motels has gotten off the ground.”
— “‘It’s horrible for everyone’: How the coronavirus changed these landlords’ and tenants’ lives,” by the LA Times’ Liam Dillon and Andrew Khouri.
STILL FIGHTING — “As a dying Salton Sea spews harmful dust, Imperial Valley water wars heat up again,” by the LA Times’ Sammy Roth: “State and federal agencies are gearing up for crucial negotiations over which cities and farming districts will receive less water — and how much less — during future shortages. And shortages are likely.”
STANFORD’S STASH — “Elite colleges back away from rescue cash amid criticism of endowments,” by POLITICO’s Michael Stratford, Bianca Quilantan and Juan Perez Jr.: “Stanford University is withdrawing an application for $7.4 million it would get in federal emergency funding based on its numbers of poorer students.”
— “BLM approves massive Calif. geothermal leasing plan,” by E&E News’ Scott Streater: “The Bureau of Land Management has approved a leasing plan that could open 22,800 acres of Southern California desert to commercial-scale geothermal power exploration and development.”
— “Democrats demand answers on whether Amazon ‘lied’ about data tactics,” by POLITICO’s Cristiano Lima: “Amazon’s antitrust problems deepened in Washington on Thursday as lawmakers and advocacy groups alleged that the online retailing giant may have lied to Congress about the tactics it employs against rival sellers on its platform.”
— “Silicon Valley’s workaholic culture is buckling under the strain of coronavirus,” by CNET’s Ian Sherr: “[W]ith schools and day care centers closed around the country, tech companies, from Apple to Facebook to Google to LinkedIn to Uber, are facing a more challenging test: family.”
— “While stuck at home, this VC built a virtual version of Silicon Valley,” by Fast Company’s Steven Melendez.
— “Twitter to block virus 5G conspiracy theory tweets,” via AFP.
— “Coronavirus Kills ‘Unrecoverable’ Los Angeles On-Location Production For 2020, FilmLA Says,” by Deadline’s Dominic Patten: “Already coming off a five-year low in 2019, film and television production in Los Angeles is almost assured to bottom out in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, regardless of when features, series and specials start up work again.”
— “L.A. Went From 1,091 Film Shoots in February to Zero in March,” by the LA Times’ Kelly Gilblom.
— “UC Davis study: Cost of cannabis testing could push consumers to illicit market,” by POLITICO’s Alexander Nieves: “While the total costs of testing for impurities like pesticides can vary widely based on the size of product batches businesses send to state-licensed laboratories, the study estimated the average to be $136 per pound of dried cannabis flower — roughly 10 percent of the current average wholesale price.” (Pro link)
— “Bill and Melinda Gates Buy Oceanfront Home Near San Diego for $43 Million,” by WSJ’s Katherine Clarke.
— “More Biking And Walking, Fewer Cars: How Coronavirus Is Changing San Diego Streets,” by KPBS’ Andrew Bowen.
— “Museums are his oxygen, but what happens when COVID-19 shutters culture?” by the LA Times’ Deborah Vankin.
— “Bay Area direct-trade spice companies bring equity, fresh spices into the kitchen,” by the SF Chronicle’s Janelle Bitker (disclosure: Jeremy’s wife)
— Two California reporters are heading elsewhere for the AP: former Sac Bee political scribe Bryan Anderson is heading to cover politics in North Carolina, and Sam Metz is departing the Desert Sun for a gig covering the Nevada statehouse in Carson City.
— And two new reporters are heading to the Sac Bee to focus on communities of color via Report for America: Ashley Wong will cover Asian American issues in the Sacramento area; and Kimberly Bojórquez will cover Latino communities out of the Capitol Bureau, the Bee reports. Similarly, San Jose Spotlight’s Nadia Lopez will be covering Latino issues in the Central Valley for the Fresno Bee.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Nathan Ballard, a leading California political adviser and crisis communications expert, and Melissa Caen, a veteran Bay Area journalist, are teaming up to launch “Ballard & Caen,” a new media training firm based in San Francisco.
Caen, a political journalist, was an on-air reporter for CBS Bay Area, where she co-hosted an interview show with Mayor Willie Brown and journalist Phil Matier. And she’s a regular in high-profile media forums like the Commonwealth Club of California.
Ballard, CEO of The Press Shop, a public relations agency, served as communications director for then-SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and has advised clients including the Golden State Warriors, Super Bowl 50 and San Francisco’s Olympic bid. He currently serves on the board of The Representation Project, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s non-profit organization.
— Sunil Varghese is now policy director at the International Refugee Assistance Project. He previously was counsel to Senate Judiciary ranking member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on immigration issues.
Maura Murnane … Megan Hannigan, manager of U.S. government relations at PayPal …
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CAGOP’s GROVE amplifies local reopening push — TRUMP campaign cites NEWSOM again — RECOLOGY eyes initiative delay — $125M IMMIGRANT fund draws challenge
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