Here's your daily briefing...
Spillway repairs underway: Lower parts of the failed Oroville Dam spillway are being obliterated by heavy equipment and explosives as an army of workers race the calendar. Revised plans call for rebuilding the spillway from the bottom up. DWR has promised to have some functional way to drain the lake by November 1st, the start of the rainy season.
Tax anger fuels recall: Republicans are using anger at recently approved fuel tax and registration fee increases as a vehicle to recall an Orange County state senator. Republicans are hopeful they can take down Senator Josh Newman, and break the Democrats’ politically important two-thirds majority in the state Senate.
Medi-Cal for undocumented?: State legislative leaders are considering extending Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented immigrants up to age 26. Those 18 and under are already covered. Proponents want to redirect money from cigarette taxes for the program’s estimated $85 million cost, though Governor Brown has already called for the money to be used to boost Medi-Cal reimbursements for doctors. Many physicians refuse to accept Medi-Cal, saying they lose too much money on each appointment.
Pelican ambush: Inmates at Pelican Bay ambushed guards attempting to break up a fight, injuring eight officers Wednesday. Prison guards opened fire from guard towers, shooting five inmates. In total, seven inmates were injured. One officer will require shoulder surgery.
And on the California Report: California could lose $24 billion in funding according to the Congressional Budget Office should Republican’s successfully replace the Affordable Care Act with their own legislation…Could robots be the future of farming?...Longtime Central Coast Congressman and former CIA Director Leon Panetta Weighs In On The Political Climate…And California lawmakers weighing housing loan program for artists.