Cal State pushes for more funds as budget negotiations come to a close, Metro unveils new Pride TAP card, L.A.'s founders were not what they seemed.
Republicans revolt? White House meeting could do party more harm than good, analyst says
More than a dozen California conservatives met with President Trump Wednesday to discuss the state's sanctuary laws.
A lot was said about the state of immigration at the televised meeting, but in a state where Republicans make up less than 25 percent of registered voters, could such a high-profile meeting do more political harm than good?
Political consultant Mike Madrid says it depends on who you're talking about: for lawmakers in predominantly red areas, the fear of voter backlash is relatively low. When it comes to the Republican brand, however, Madrid says trouble could be ahead.
No question. The whole Trump presidency already has had a very damaging effect, certainly in California, to the Republican brand.
Republican registration has now dropped to under 24 percent. It's slipping every month. We just got some reports back from the Secretary of State's office showing that only three percent of all the new registrants since Donald Trump is Latino Republicans. Yes, it's a partisan death-spiral, and the challenge is, as the party becomes smaller and more monolithic and more homogenous, it becomes more intense in these very marginal policy issues.
Certainly, the tone that the President was presenting and the words that he used further alienate this fast-growing segment of the electorate, and no question this is going to be very problematic for the party in the short, medium, and long-term.
(Answer has been edited for clarity and brevity.)
CSU Chancellor Timothy White on Cal State’s big push for funding ahead of the state budget deadline
Cal State officials are asking for more money during the final weeks of budget negotiations in Sacramento, before the state’s June 15 deadline.
CSU is asking Governor Brown for a $263 million increase – not just for this year’s budget, but for every year going forward.
Right now, the budget has Cal State receiving a fraction of that amount: $92 million. Governor Brown also proposed an additional one-time installment of $100 million specifically for servicing its facilities. Cal State has an estimated $2 million of maintenance work to catch up on.
A Martinez sat down with California State University Chancellor Timothy White to talk about why Cal State isn’t settling for less than its $263 million ask.
Where the funds would go
We have a singular focus these days at all 23 campuses of the California State University to get more students to a high-quality degree sooner. We call it our Graduation Initiative, and these resources would be used for exactly that purpose – to make certain we have faculty and academic support staff, courses being offered at the right time for our students so they can get to their degree sooner and then move on to whatever’s next for them.
Which areas need the most financial support
The biggest part would be hiring faculty and academic support, paying our employees a fair rate for their contributions to our students’ success. Those are the major things.
We also have our learning spaces, the buildings on our campuses. You know, when you’re 23 campuses, over half of them are 40 years old or older. They require some care and love every once in a while to keep them a great learning environment, so some of the money would be used for that as well.
Why the funding is so important this year
California has this tremendous need for more people in the knowledge economy who have at least a Bachelor’s degree, and you’ve heard these estimates by other people that we’re looking at a drought, a gap of about a million degrees between now and 2030. Cal State University is responsible for about half of that amount of additional graduates – 500,000 more Bachelor’s degrees beyond what we normally do between now and 2030.
The second reason is there’s opportunity this year. The state coffers are strong. These are taxpayers’ dollars that have come in. We feel it’s very important to invest in sort of this seed corn, if you will, of our students.
Which cuts Cal State would have to make if the funding doesn’t come through
We would end up having fewer courses available, fewer faculty available for our students. We would admit fewer students, so access would go down. In the time it would take them to earn their degrees, it would start to move in the other direction. Instead of getting shorter, it would get longer. And it wouldn’t be an effect in one year. It’s like throwing a pebble in a pond, it would hit and it would ripple out over several years.
So we just think that we have made a very strong case. The legislature has been very responsive. And now the remaining task is to make certain that Cal State’s needs are at the top of what legislature brings into that final sausage making, if you will, of the budget process.
Chancellor White’s response to Gov. Brown’s statement that the Cal State and UC systems needs to live within their means
Well, I understand the Governor’s point of view, of balancing a very large budget of which we’re a component. But I also know that we have turned every stone on efficiencies and effectivenesses.
We have, for example, joined in the procurement business. We buy a lot of things as a university of our size. We’ve joined with the University of California so we can go out to bid for things that we both buy and get the lowest possible price. We share other business services with the UC, and we’ve ended up saving, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars on efficiencies while remaining effective.
But there is a cost of doing business. Even though it’s bigger than the number the Governor has put out there, it’s very much of a bare bones ask, to be honest with you.
Why Cal State won’t be raising tuition to get the funding
I pulled tuition off the table for the next year, the 2018-19 year. So Cal States would under no circumstances raise tuition. We have decided to focus exclusively on the state of California’s ability to increase our state appropriation as the best way to go forward this year.
It is a very difficult moment for us, and I think if we’re unsuccessful, there will be reductions. But we have come to the conclusion that the best strategy, telling our story and why we matter for California’s future, has been well received by the Legislature and we’re going to continue to close out this budget season with that push and that push only.
How Cal State is lobbying in Sacramento
We have students telling their personal stories, we have alumni talking about their time on one of our 23 campuses and what they’re now doing in society. You know, over half the engineers in California are graduates of Cal State University. Over half the teachers are graduates of Cal State. Over half the healthcare workers.
You could go down the list of all the major parts of our economy, the business and industrial sector of our economy, and you see Cal State students everywhere. You know, one in ten people in California who are employed are Cal State graduates. That’s 10 percent of the world’s fifth largest economy come out of this university. I mean, that’s a stunning statistic when you stop and think about it.
Why Cal State won’t settle for less than its $263 million ask
We are very firm that the $263 million ask that our trustees put forward in November is for our highest priority needs. And that is the number that we believe is both appropriate and fair, and that’s the number that we are pushing for.
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LA Metro shows LGBT Pride with limited edition TAP cards. Here's where to get one
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) has released the first set of this year's LGBT Pride-themed TAP cards, and they are expected to sell out fast.
The first batch became available on May 16 in anticipation of Long Beach's annual Pride Festival.
This weekend is all about LOVE and we can't wait to celebrate! Join us for the
Festival & Parade on 5/19 & 20! Find all the info you need for this amazing annual event at
— Long Beach CVB (@VisitLB)
This weekend is all about LOVE and we can't wait to celebrate! Join us for the @LongBeachPride Festival & Parade on 5/19 & 20! Find all the info you need for this amazing annual event at https://t.co/s6kGkmq8QR #VisitLB #LongBeachPride pic.twitter.com/VES15TTuk7
— Visit Long Beach (@VisitLB) May 16, 2018
Metro began putting out special Pride TAP cards in smaller batches over the last few years, and they were a smash hit. So by popular demand, Metro created a new design for this year, expanded the locations the cards are stocked, and bumped up their production from 10,000 to 100,000 TAP cards. (You can check out last year's design here.)
Don't let that large supply fool you. That 100,000 is to cover multiple releases in conjunction with local pride events throughout summer. So when this limited release sells out, they're gone for good. The collectors are first in line. And they are not messing around.
I proudly present to you my LA County TAP Card collection.
— Kenny Uong (@_KennyUong_)
I proudly present to you my LA County TAP Card collection. #GoMetro #LA #publictransit pic.twitter.com/Vs6wgyCHJH
— Kenny Uong (@_KennyUong_) June 30, 2017
The Pride TAP card is part of a larger outreach to LA's LGBT community.
"We also have ads on the sides of buses and railcars so we are continuing that same design throughout the system, and we want to continue that look through L.A. County," said Devon Deming, Director of Metro Commute Services. "The LGBT community is a very important part of the fabric of Los Angeles. Metro is a very important part of Los Angeles, and we want to connect these two. And the cards signify that everyone is welcome on Metro."
Here's where you can get a Pride TAP card right now (while supplies last):
Metro Blue Line Stops
- First Street Station
- Downtown Long Beach Station (Transit Mall)
- Pacific Avenue Station
- Willow Street Station
And...
The Pride TAP cards will be available in the greater L.A. area beginning June 2 — just in time for West Hollywood Pride. Here's where:
- Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
- 7th St/Metro Center
- Union Station
- North Hollywood Station
- Hollywood/Vine Station
- Universal City/Studio City Station
- Wilshire/Western Station
- Culver City Station
- Downtown Santa Monica Station
- Memorial Park Station
After that, there will be another release for the DTLA Pride event in August. The cards will be available at the stations below starting Wednesday, Aug. 22:
- Union Station
- Civic Center/Grand Park Station
- Pershing Square Station
- 7th St/Metro Center
Here’s where to get Ride with Pride TAP cards starting tomorrow!
— Metro (@metrolosangeles)
Here’s where to get Ride with Pride TAP cards starting tomorrow! https://t.co/Tntph9Gju6 pic.twitter.com/byUjnjqO6t
— LA Metro (@metrolosangeles) May 15, 2018
Metro said that while very popular, limited edition TAP cards don't really generate a boost in revenue. But the buzz and community connection they generate are well worth the efforts.
"We really want Metro to be a recognized brand in Los Angeles," said Deming. "We're trying to raise awareness and hopefully increase ridership."
Metro has churned out more commemorative TAP cards of late, so keep a look out for the next special release to add to your collection. With the Pride edition's popularity, an annual appearance of a Pride-themed design is likely in the cards for Metro. According to Deming, "We hope to have a new design every year."
Shell Starship launches from San Diego to test fuel efficient trucking
The Shell Starship will take off from San Diego for its maiden voyage across the U.S. tomorrow. No, it's not a spacecraft but a semi-truck created in partnership with Shell, the gas and energy company.
It's being billed as a hyper-fuel efficient freight hauler, designed to demonstrate the technologies trucks could use to clean up their act and use less fuel. And if you think it looks like Mack, the carrier of the Lightning McQueen character from the "Cars" movies, you aren't far off.
Only this isn't Pixar.
It's a real truck that's trying to show what's possible to increase the fuel economy of a so-called Class 8 truck from the current industry average of 6.5 mpg. Shell won't say what target it's hoping to hit with the Starship, but with its steeply angled windshield, trailer "skirts" that hang almost all the way to the ground, solar panels and automatic tire pressure inflators, it's likely it will achieve at least 10 mpg.
"Transportation in general makes up 35 percent of global energy usage, and of that 35 percent, freight transport makes up over 40 percent," said Shell spokeswoman, Megan Pino. "So if you're looking to make an impact in reducing CO2 emissions and helping solve the world's energy challenge, transportation is a good place to start."
The Starship uses a diesel engine that, if its fuel economy is increased, could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But lowering greenhouse gas emissions with higher fuel economy is only one piece of the puzzle for California.
It helps achieve Governor Jerry Brown's goal of reducing emissions that contribute to global climate change, but locally, it doesn't help with SoCal's chronic air pollution.
"Unfortunately that really doesn't do much for our smog problem," said Matt Miyasato, deputy executive officer for science and technology advancement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
"That engine they're using is still a diesel engine. In terms of NOX and smog emissions, it's really not helping our cause."
Meaning smog.
Every year, Los Angeles and Long Beach consistently rank among the worst in terms of smog-forming pollutants and poor air quality due in large part to the ports. Miyasato said that on-road heavy duty trucks account for about one sixth of the area's total emissions.
He said California needs to replace a huge number of the 400,000 heavy-duty on-road diesel freight trucks that operate here in order to meet federal Clean Air Act standards
"That's the thing that keeps us all up at night," Miyasato said. "We've got to turn over about 200,000 on-road trucks and 150,000 off-road pieces of equipment in six years to get to a cleaner standard."
To that end, the AQMD is pursuing multiple strategies right now, including partnering with companies like Volvo on a plug-in hybrid freight truck, as well as other companies for high-efficiency natural gas trucks.
But because a lot of drivers don't like natural gas trucks for their lack of power compared with diesel, AQMD is also working with the California Air Resources Board on less polluting diesel trucks. And it's working with the U.S. Department of Energy on hydrogen fuel cell trucks and battery electrics, both of which have zero tailpipe emissions.
Still, it will take a lot of incentive money to replace as many trucks as the AQMD says are needed to meet Clean Air Act requirements in time.
And if it doesn't?
"The federal government can come in and say you're not meeting your obligation ... so we're going to impose our own measures in order for you to meet those," Miyasato said. "There's talk of things like no drive days... so there are efforts and measures that nobody would really like to see because they're more draconian than what we would likely implement on our own. It really behooves us to meet that standard."
Hear in SoCal: The booms over Anaheim
Living in Southern California can sometimes be loud.
Very loud.
But like most things, you get used to it. Just ask the residents of Anaheim and the surrounding areas.
For our latest installment of Hear in SoCal, our regular segment about the sounds of Southern California, we're exploring the booms over Anaheim — also known as the Disneyland fireworks.
Like clockwork, every night during the summer months at 9:30 pm, the booms can be heard — if conditions are just right — as far away as the city of Walnut, about 22 miles northeast.
Or even as far west as Long Beach. But for those closer cities...like Fullerton, Buena Park and Orange?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ6d6ys97ko
For some, these fireworks function as a sort of sweet lullaby every night during the warmer months.
But we want to know, what sounds are you hearing in your area? Tweet us or find us on Facebook, to share them with us.
From racist films to unethical land grabs, these 3 people shaped LA's future
Los Angeles is now home to millions of people, but building a city of this size in Southern California was something that took a lot of ingenuity — and even a little trickery.
The local landscape is paradise for a lot of modern Angelenos, but back in 1900, when Los Angeles was just starting to be developed, that was not the case. The area lacked natural resources and was cut off from trading routes, which made it a pretty unlikely place for a major metropolis.
"To overcome those problems took some creative thinking and I contend a certain amount of dishonesty," said Gary Krist, author of the new book, "Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination and the Invention of Los Angeles."
A lot of that creative thinking sprung from three figures in the city's early history: William Mulholland, D.W. Griffith and Aimee Semple McPherson, who helped shape L.A. into the place it is today.
William Mulholland: The Engineer
In 1900, the city's population had grown to about 100,000 people and the National Irrigation Council said that with the lack of water that was as big as L.A. could get, but if Mother Nature wasn't giving Los Angeles more water, William Mulholland would.
An immigrant and self-taught engineer, Mulholland started out digging ditches for L.A.'s private water company and worked his way up the ranks. He was a determined man who met his goals by any means necessary, Krist said, so when he found available water in the Owens Valley, nothing would stop him from bringing it to L.A.
Re-engineering the SoCal landscape to build the Los Angeles aqueduct was only half the battle, Krist said. Mulholland and his team then had to get the rights to bring the water to L.A. from up north.
"There was a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. They got a lot of the water rights under questionable conditions. There were people who were pretending to be U.S. government engineers who were really buying rights — not for the U.S. government but for Los Angeles," Krist said.
D.W. Griffith: The Entertainer
With the problem of water resources settled for the time being, Los Angeles then needed an industry to bring jobs to the area. Since the region lacked resources like coal or lumber, that industry had to be created from nothing, Krist said.
We all know how the story ends. L.A. became the home of the movie business. The trick was turning films from sideshow novelties to serious moneymakers, Krist said, and the trickster who pulled that off was D.W. Griffith.
Griffith started out his life as an actor, and was very opposed to making movies at first.
"He was more or less dragged kicking and screaming into the movie industry. He said, 'This is below me; I am a thespian.' But eventually he became destitute enough that he had to try it," Krist said.
Once he got started, however, Griffith was a fast success. He made Hollywood's first real blockbuster, "The Birth of a Nation." The film was looked down on even in its day for its racist storyline, but the impact of its commercial success cannot be ignored, Krist said.
"It basically made capitalists and banks aware that this movie industry really can be a moneymaker, and so they started investing and it became a viable industry to help the city grow," Krist said.
Aimee Semple McPherson: The Evangelist
Aimee Semple McPherson may not be a household name now, but she was actually more well-known in her day than Mulholland or Griffith, Krist said.
An early convert to Pentecostalism, McPherson was a traveling preacher before settling in Los Angeles and building the Angeles Temple in Echo Park, where she drew massive crowds to her sermons.
"She became this tourist attraction. People came from all over the country, all over the world to see Aimee Semple McPherson preach," Krist said.
McPherson was more charismatic than many of her contemporaries, Krist said, and she embraced a level of theatricality in her sermons that made her style comparable with her Hollywood neighbors.
"She would get people in costumes, and she was very funny and entertaining... and Charlie Chaplin once came to one of her illustrated sermon sessions and afterwards he said, 'You may not think this, but you're an actress just like the rest of us. You create this fantasy world for your audience and eat it up just the way people eat up our movies,'"Krist said.
Unfortunate ends
As L.A.'s status catapulted upward, the three people who helped the city take off met less fortunate fates.
Mulholland found out the hard way that single-mindedness can have drawbacks. In 1928, the St. Francis dam burst, and the resulting flood lead to the death of hundreds. The blame for the disaster fell largely on Mulholland, the man behind the project. He had chosen the location for the dam, which was seen as a main cause for the structure's failure, and after the flood his professional life was essentially over, Krist said.
Griffith struggled to sustain his early success as cultural tastes changed. Then with the advent of sound pictures, in the 1920s, he became completely unable to keep up with the times.
McPherson's fall from grace was the most intriguing. In 1926, McPherson went missing for weeks. When she was found, she claimed she had been kidnapped and escaped her captors, but inconsistencies in her story led to suspicions that it might not be entirely true, Krist said. She was tried for perjury and fraud, as a result, and although the charges were dropped, the stain on her reputation had a lasting impact.
Mulholland, Griffith and McPherson may not have had lasting success within their lives, but as "Mirage Factory" details, the success of Los Angeles provides a legacy for all of them.