Newsletter: Essential California: Political dynasty takes a hit

Good morning. It is Tuesday, June 14. An Orange County-based company wants to bring nap time to you. Nappify wants employees to take power naps in its new mobile sleeping pod. One nap session costs $13. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Political dynasty

For decades, the Calderon name carried weight — and on the Eastside, it was synonymous with political power and bare-knuckled politics. But the Calderon dynasty has suffered a crushing blow now that former state Sen. Ron Calderon has agreed to plead guilty to one count of mail fraud. In exchange, prosecutors will ask that he serve no more than 70 months in prison. The longtime politician admitted to taking tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for favors. Los Angeles Times

Funding help

Los Angeles County officials are looking to change a state law so they can impose a “millionaires’ tax” to raise money for homeless services. Gov. Jerry Brown, however, has been reluctant to give local governments greater authority to tax residents. “The proposal has also met with some skepticism from labor groups and others concerned that a county income tax measure would hurt the chances of passing an extension of Proposition 30, a statewide temporary income tax increase, to fund public schools and healthcare.” Los Angeles Times

Strike vote

A decade after the longest supermarket strike in U.S. history, the unions representing grocery store employees are back at the bargaining table. And on June 20, 47,000 employees will vote on whether to authorize a strike. “Grocery store jobs look much more like fast-food jobs than they used to. Lower pay, fewer benefits, more people part-time,” said Chris Tilly, director of the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Saving the fish: Regulators are looking at plans to prevent the extinction of two fish species in California. “The proposals under discussion represent a drastic — some would say desperate — effort to bolster the populations of fish species that have been decimated by years of drought and environmental decline in California’s overdrafted watersheds.” Sacramento Bee

L.A. AT LARGE

Safety concerns: The operators of the Abbey in West Hollywood are thinking about hiring armed guards in the wake of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida. “We’re going to talk more with the sheriff and City Hall to figure out the appropriate safety precautions,” according to a spokesman for the bar. Los Angeles Times

Artistic memorial: One artist is remembering the victims of the Orlando shooting by placing mannequins on the roof of his West Hollywood home. “It was emotional stepping over the bodies, laying them out,” said ChadMichael Morrisette. Los Angeles Times

Road repairs: Los Angeles would rather spend its money on maintenance than repairs when it comes to city streets. That’s why 80% of street funds go to streets in OK condition. 89.3 KPCC

Musical tribute: The voice of the Dodgers, Vin Scully, will be honored next month at the Blue Diamond Gala. The event will feature a performance from Fleetwood Mac. LAist

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Gun laws: California lawmakers are pushing for new gun control measures. A package of bills will be heard by legislative committees today. They include measures to ban the sale of semiautomatic rifles with detachable ammunition magazines and require background checks for anyone who purchases ammunition. Los Angeles Times

Hillary and Bernie: In California, 6 in 10 voters who supported Bernie Sanders in the June 7 primary say they will support presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton — reluctantly. A new poll finds Clinton up by 30 points in California over presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Los Angeles Times

Dem vs. Dem: What’s going to happen to California’s Democratic Party when members start picking sides in the U.S. Senate race between Rep. Loretta Sanchez and state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris? “I’ve done my best to remain neutral, but that’s hard when you have friends running against friends,” said Rep. Adam Schiff. Los Angeles Times

No easy answers: Common myths about homelessness are floating around San Diego as city officials try to deal with the growing problem. Is it true that most homeless men and women are mentally ill individuals who don’t want help? “All are convenient crutches that make it easier to avoid confronting the hard work necessary to aid the homeless, especially those who seem hardest to reach.” Voice of San Diego

CRIME AND COURTS

Scammer to the stars: Before there was Bernie Madoff, there was Dana Giacchetto, a scammer whose marks included some of Hollywood’s biggest names. He was sentenced to 57 months in prison back in 2001. He died Sunday after a weekend of partying and a scuffle with security guards. Los Angeles Times

Jail investigation: A former sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to six months in jail for smuggling a cellphone to an inmate in exchange for a $1,500 bribe. Gilbert Michel was part of the FBI’s wide-ranging investigation into the Los Angeles County jail system. Michel agreed to plead guilty in the case as part of a plea deal that called for him to testify against former colleagues. Los Angeles Times

Funding public safety: Orange County could have a $20-million shortfall next year thanks to a miscalculation in sales tax revenue owed by the state. That would leave the county with significantly less money for the sheriff’s department and district attorney’s office. “I don’t know how doom and gloom this is, but it doesn’t look good,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer. Orange County Register

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Prince charming: There’s an entire online community devoted to helping brides plan their weddings at Disney properties. “Disney weddings aren’t weird, weddings are weird, and not just because of all the things you’re told to spend money on.” Racked

Shark sighting: A great white shark was spotted off the coast of Dana Point this weekend. The sighting comes two weeks after a swimmer was bitten by a shark in Corona del Mar. Orange County Register

Celebrating love: Do you have a story about how an interracial relationship has shaped your life or your family? The Los Angeles Times wants to hear from you in recognition of Loving Day. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will have low clouds and a high of 70 degrees. Los Angeles will begin the day with clouds before reaching a high of 73 degrees. Temperatures in Riverside are expected to reach a high of 83 degrees. Sacramento will be mostly sunny and 79. It will be partly sunny and 63 in San Francisco.

AND FINALLY

Today’s California Memory comes from Ginny Stemen:

“When I was child during the 60s, we would travel to see my grandmother living in Oakland. In those days, you dressed up to go places. We would put on our nicest clothes and go over the Bay Bridge to the city (San Francisco). Sometimes we would go shopping for new clothes at a store called Capwell’s, then go out to dinner. We would also go on a Cable Car ride and usually go to the Chinese tea house at the park. Wonderful memories.”

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.