TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalCalifornia lawmaker proposes tax on OxyContin, other opioids
SACRAMENTO A California lawmaker wants to tax OxyContin and other prescription opioids to fund rehabilitation services for people addicted to opioids and heroin.
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty on Wednesday announced AB1512, a bill to create a 1 cent-per-milligram tax on prescription opioids.
McCartys office estimates the tax would generate tens of millions of dollars for addiction rehabilitation and prevention programs run by California counties.
If the bill passes, the Sacramento Democrat said California could be the first state to enact such a tax. Similar legislation has been proposed at the federal level and in three other states: Connecticut, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/02/california-lawmaker-proposes-tax-on-oxycontin-other-opioids/
Golden Gate Transit pays $4 million for wrongful death in fatal pedestrian crash
An award of $4 million was granted last month to the family of a woman struck and killed by a Golden Gate Transit bus in 2014.
The verdict ruled against The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District after the jury found the drivers negligence was a substantial factor in the death of San Francisco resident Lori Helmer.
The death is an anomaly in the transit agencys history, the Golden Gate district told the San Francisco Examiner.
Its the first Golden Gate Transit fatality in more than a decade, said Priya Clemens, a district spokesperson. Well be reviewing our safety training and policies.
Read more: http://www.sfexaminer.com/golden-gate-transit-pays-4-million-wrongful-death-fatal-pedestrian-crash/
San Francisco Mayor Lee's promised Airbnb regulation working group never set up
When Mayor Ed Lee vetoed a regulation last year on Airbnb limiting stays to just 60 days annually, he promised to establish a working group and to propose improved regulations by the end of February.
But the San Francisco Examiner has learned no such working group was ever set up.
For those backing stronger regulations on short-term rentals, the failure is seen as the latest setback in a mayoral administration criticized for being soft on Airbnb due to Lees cozy relationship with the companys investor, Ron Conway. Opponents argue short-term rentals gobble up precious housing stock.
The Mayors Office, however, said it is only respecting the mediation process related to the federal lawsuit filed against The City last year by Airbnb over a separate law adopted last summer, which would assess fines and criminal penalties to Airbnb and other short-term home rental companies if they let homeowners rent rooms without registering with The City.
Read more: http://www.sfexaminer.com/mayor-lees-promised-airbnb-regulation-working-group-never-set/
Federal appeals ruling in 2009 Fresno police shooting could cost city even more money
A federal appellate court on Wednesday rejected the city of Fresnos contention that the 2009 police shooting death of 23-year-old Stephen Willis was justified.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal jury in Fresno reasonably concluded in December 2013 that a former police officer had used excessive force when Willis was killed outside his southeast Fresno apartment. Willis was shot 14 times, including several times in the back, an autopsy revealed.
The ruling means Fresno could be on the hook for more than the $1.1 million the city has already been ordered to pay to Willis family and their lawyers, Walter Walker III and Peter Koenig of San Francisco.
In December 2013, the jury found that former police officer Greg Catton used excessive force and his negligence caused Willis wrongful death. The jury awarded $1.51 million in damages to Willis parents, Chris and Liz Willis. But jurors also ruled that Willis contributed to his own death, so his family was awarded only $302,000 in damages.
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article135843338.html
California pot growers now qualify for discounted PG&E rates
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Wednesday that it will extend its discounted agricultural rate to marijuana growers in California. The rate is immediately available to those growing medical marijuana in accordance with local and state laws, and it will extend to recreational cannabis farms once that becomes legal on Jan. 1, 2018.
Cannabis is a legal crop in our state, like almonds and tomatoes, PG&E vice-president of customer service Deborah Affonsa said in a news release. Agricultural growers now will be eligible for the same rate and energy efficient programs as farmers of other crops.
Cultivators must have obtained a local permit to grow marijuana and at least 70 percent of their annual energy use must be for agricultural purposes in order to qualify for the program. Both indoor and outdoor farming operations qualify, but adults growing the up to six personal marijuana plants allowed by the state law do not.
PG&E also hopes to work out ways for the cannabis industry, which typically demands a lot of electricity, to build more energy-efficient farms.
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/pot-in-california/article135821648.html
Judge: Proof that wife helped Orlando shooter is 'debatable'
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- A federal judge in California said Wednesday that it is "debatable" whether the government has enough evidence to convict a woman of helping her husband plan the Orlando nightclub rampage, ordering her released from jail until trial.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu also said Noor Salman, 31, is not dangerous and there is no proof she has ties to the Islamic State group or holds extremist views. Her husband, Omar Mateen, pledged allegiance to several terror organizations during last year's attack that left 49 people dead at Pulse nightclub before police killed him.
"She herself is not charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization," the judge said, noting that Salman has no criminal record and that friends and former teachers called her "peaceful and nonviolent."
Salman has been charged with helping Mateen plan the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history and lying to investigators. She has pleaded not guilty and faces life in prison if convicted.
Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ORLANDO_SHOOTERS_WIFE?SITE=CARIE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Former NAACP leader Rachel Dolezal gets new African name
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Former Spokane, Washington, NAACP leader Rachel Dolezal, who resigned amid criticism that she was passing herself off as black, has changed her name to Nkechi Amare Diallo.
Court documents show a judge granted her request on Oct. 7, 2016. Her new name has origins in Africa.
The former Dolezal has acknowledged that she is "Caucasian biologically" but says she identifies as black.
Her race became a national topic of conversation in 2015 after a local news reporter questioned her on camera about her background.
Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_RACHEL_DOLEZAL_NAME_CHANGE?SITE=CARIE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Florida looks to expand 'stand your ground' immunity
Florida doesn't just want to let people stand their ground, it also wants to make the state prove they didn't commit violence in self-defense before taking them to trial.
Florida has been seen as a leader in giving citizens immunity in cases of self-defense, its "stand your ground" law serving as an emotional point of debate after several high-profile shooting deaths, including that of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.
While at least 22 states have similar laws that say people can use force even deadly force to defend themselves from threats, Florida could soon be the only one that spells out that prosecutors have to prove defendants weren't acting in self-defense before taking someone to trial.
That's under a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, who says his legislation "isn't a novel concept."
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/florida-expand-stand-ground-immunity-45850429
California billionaire donates $5M to San Jose flood relief
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- A California billionaire has donated $5 million for flood relief efforts in San Jose.
Kieu Hoang is a one-time refugee from Vietnam who built a fortune in medical products. He presented a check to city officials Wednesday. The money will go toward a relief fund that counts the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, and the Salvation Army among its recipients.
City officials ordered more than 14,000 residents to evacuate part of the city last week as water flooded homes and temporarily shut down a portion of a major freeway.
Assistant City Manager David Sykes said earlier this week that an initial estimate put the damage costs at $73 million in the city alone.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CALIFORNIA_STORMS_DONATION?SITE=CARIE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Federal judge tosses SEC suit against Texas attorney general
Source: AP
AUSTIN, Texas -- A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the U.S. government's securities fraud lawsuit against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who still faces criminal charges of duping wealthy investors.
But the ruling by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant is a significant victory for Paxton, who is scheduled to stand trial in May on felony securities fraud charges. He has pleaded not guilty and faces five to 99 years in prison if convicted.
The lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was nearly identical to the case brought by criminal prosecutors. Both allege that Paxton of misled investors in a high-tech Texas startup by not disclosing he was being paid by the company.
Mazzant said in his Thursday ruling that Paxton had "no plausible legal duty" to disclose his arrangement. Last year, Mazzant had tentatively dismissed the case against Paxton but gave federal regulators another chance to strengthen their case. But he was again unimpressed.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/federal-judge-tosses-sec-suit-against-texas-attorney-general/u449oF6Ggty58UzIuQDSvM/
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Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
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Current location: Bryan, Texas
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