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THE Nooner for January 2, 2018

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DISTRICT UPDATES

• Secretary of State: added retired nurse Gail Lightfoot (L)
• BOE1 (Northeast): added attorney Tom Hallinan (D)
• CA01 (Northeast): added learning designer Audrey Denney (D) 
• CA32 (West Covina): removed El Monte mayor André Quintero (D)
• CA50 (East San Diego County): added patent attorney Joshua Schoonover (R)
• AD16 (Tri-Valley): updated analysis [available to subscribers]
• AD53 (Downtown LA): added Michael A. Lewis (L)

Happy Tuesday. I hope you had a great New Year's celebration. If you wisely stepped away from your computer yesterday, I listed the top races I'll be watching this year.

HARASSMENT: On the eve of the Legislature's return, the AP's Kathleen Ronayne writes that members are preparing to confront the sexual harassment scandals that emerged after the Legislature had departed for the interim recess. While Democratic Assemblymembers Raul Bocanegra and Matt Dababneh have resigned, there is the issue of Tony Mendoza refusing to cede to Pro Tem Kevin de León's request that he take a leave of absence while the investigation into his interactions with a Senate fellow assigned to his office.

There's also the issue raised by former Assemblymember Linda Halderman's and two anonymous women who complained about Senator Bob Hertzberg's well known practice of hugging colleagues and friends, and allegations that they occasionally get a little to friendly. 

Nobody is expecting a motion for suspension to the claims about Hertzberg, as it wasn't an employer-employee relationship. However, there have been murmors about a paid suspension if Mendoza does not take a leave of absence. Of course, that would be akin to a political death penalty and members are very reticent to do to a colleague without full due process. 

But, the issue is not going away and many people are expecting more shoes to drop in 2018 and the allegations against Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Tulare) have yet to be resolved and are being investigated by the Sacramento Police.

Beyond the individual allegations is the question of the policies and procedures that will address the issue going forward.

Meanwhile lobbyist Paula Treat  shares her story of harassment by former powerful Assemblyman Lou Papan.

“You will sleep with me or all your bills will die,” Papan said.

I didn’t.

Sure enough, for the next year, the bills I was handling failed. Papan and I would see each other in the Capitol, and he’d bully me more. During one committee, he came in, saw me and said loudly: “You don't belong in here.”

THE PATH: As the midterms election year commeces, the Times's Sarah D. Wire looks at how California factors in to Democrats' hopes of returning to control of the House of Representatives. 

THE OTHER CAPITOL: Speaking of Congress, Senators are back on the Hilll today and have a very crazy January ahead while the House members have delayed their return for a week, report Melanie Zanona and Scott Wong at The Hill:

Before leaving town for the holidays, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government’s lights on until Jan. 19. But GOP leaders punted contentious fights over immigration, health care, national security and disaster funding into the New Year, meaning they’re once again facing a potential crisis of their own making.

GOV: The LAT's Phil Willon writes that the governor's race will be decided by the turnout of the vote in Los Angeles:

And, the team at the Bee has a series of articles on the governor's race. 

SPEIER? As I wrote on Sunday, Willie Brown floated that Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) may be mulling a campaign for governor, including that she was meeting with her campaign advisors over the weekend to discuss it. She has championed the issue of sexual harassment in DC and may be looking to ferry that work to a trip to the California governor's office. 

Anyway, here's the map of CA14, with the overlays of SD13 (Hill), AD19 (Ting) and AD22 (Mullin). Click here or on the map and you can play with the overlays. Uncheck SD13, AD19, and AD22 and you'll have just the underlying CA14 and then you can add each of the others to see the overlap.

Ting doesn't live in the district--he lives in Pelosi's CA12--but of course, district residency is not required for congressional seats.

A Speier entrance would likely most assist Antonio Villaraigosa, as she would be another Bay Area candidate. While John Chiang is from Los Angeles, he doesn't have the L.A. profile that the former mayor does. This works both ways, with local labor still unhappy with many of Villaraigosa's actions as governor, particularly for public charter schools and city budget cutting. 

2018: The MercNews's Casey Tolan looks at the biggest California political questions for the year ahead, including:

• Who will step into Gov. Jerry Brown’s shoes?
• Can Dianne Feinstein hold onto her U.S. Senate seat?
• Will swing districts in California help Dems recapture the House?
• How far will sexual harassment scandals reach in Sacramento?
• Can Republicans gain a toehold in state government?
• Will California’s Trump “resistance” movement grow or fizzle?
• How will San Francisco’s mayor’s race shape the Bay Area’s tech boom?
• Will voters support transportation and housing ballot measures?
• Will California pass a single-payer health care plan?
• Will a presidential contender from California emerge?

WHAT'S NEXT? For Fox & Hounds, Joel Fox asks what Jerry Brown will do with the $15 million cash he has on hand. "Will that campaign money be used to defeat a gas tax repeal and leave his successor with the whole budget—not a budget with a hole. Such an accomplishment would be meaningful to Brown."

EAR CANDY: David Axelrod's "The Axe Files" podcast has a great interview with the New York Times's Los Angeles Bureau Chief Adam Nagourney. If you're interested in journalism, it's definitely worth a listen. Nagourney is one of the best political reporters of our time.

UBER: "Uber is eager to put 2017 in the rear-view mirror after a year mired in controversies," reports Melanie Nanona in The Hill.

#CAKEDAY: Happy birthday to Roxanne Gould, Jay Hansen, and Adama Iwu!

#FAREWELL: Pollster Jim Moore (1951-2018).

CLASSIFIEDS

• The Office of LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin is seeking a detail-oriented, organized, and tech-savvy person to serve as Scheduler. We need a supercharged scheduler who loves the job and understands that the Councilmember’s time is the most important tool we have for serving constituents well. This is not a 9-5 job; it will require you to be aware, accessible, and on top of the schedule on nights and weekends. Compensation based on experience. Application Deadline - 1/17/18. Send cover letter and resume to david.grahamcaso@lacity.org. Full job post at bit.ly/JobPosting_CD11Scheduler. 

• HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR LOBBYING EFFORTS MORE EFFECTIVE? Capitol Seminars has the answer. Numerous lobbying firms, government entities, trade associations, nonprofits and private sector organizations consider us their No.1 training resource -- for new lobbyists, support staff, executives who hire and manage lobbyists. Conducted by 42-year Capitol veteran Ray LeBov, our Lobbying 101 & 201 seminars provide comprehensive coverage of the Legislative process, along with best practices for Legislative, Budget, and Regulatory Agency advocacy, Lobbying the Administration, and Media Strategies. You'll refer to our extensive curriculum materials long after the seminars are over. Next dates: February 1-2. More information / registration: www.capitolseminars.net or 916-442-5009.

• Apply to a master’s program without needing the GRE! The Pepperdine School of Public Policy waives the standardized test requirement for government staffers with at least 2 years of experience. Overlooking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, our Top 10 in the West Master of Public Policy program includes a State & Local Policy specialization that prepares the next generation of California policy leaders. Spring 2018 state and local courses include “Advanced Topics in Politics & Budgeting,” “Permissions, Development, and the Environment,” “Public Policy for Criminal Justice, Cannabis, and other Drugs,” and “Leadership through Public Engagement.” Learn more at publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/masters-6/.

• Consultant Position at TBWB Strategies, San Francisco Based Political Consulting Firm — TBWB Strategies is a strategy and communications consulting firm specializing in public finance ballot measures to secure much needed funding for schools, cities, parks, open space, libraries, transportation, healthcare and more. Consultants serve in a project management role on the client services team at TBWB Strategies, reporting directly to partners and providing strategic guidance, maintaining daily client contact, developing messaging, managing staff and overseeing materials production for multiple projects simultaneously. Interested candidates can apply here: https://TBWBH.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=3

• Associate Position at TBWB Strategies, San Francisco Based Political Consulting Firm — TBWB Strategies is a strategy and communications consulting firm specializing in public finance ballot measures to secure much needed funding for schools, cities, parks, open space, libraries, transportation, healthcare and more. Associates are responsible for a combination of direct client service and support for the client services team at TBWB Strategies. Associates are expected to keep projects on track, meet deadlines and prepare materials — including direct mail — for each client. Interested candidates can apply here: https://tbwbh.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=2

• Small, downtown Los Angeles boutique law firm is looking for a political, election and nonprofit organization attorney. Research and draft memoranda regarding federal, state and local political and election law and nonprofit organization issues; assist in preparation and review of campaign finance and lobbying reports; provide verbal and written advice to clients; prepare tax-exempt organization applications, tax returns and provide advice regarding structure of nonprofit organizations; assist with litigation in election and campaign matters; assist with enforcement actions and complaints; serve as counsel in ballot measure and independent expenditure campaigns; provide advice regarding campaign communications and all other legal compliance issues.

  Two to five years of relevant experience; demonstrated interest in political and election law as well as nonprofit organizations; strong writing skills, flexibility, attention to detail; excellent academic credentials; law review or journal experience preferred. Email resumes to Ana Simeonova, Office Manager, ana@politicallaw.com

• For 30 Years PDI has been the California’s premier data vendor. Now, you can get live online trainings on the newest PDI software every week :
  
  - Tuesday 4PM Intro Training https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7974123804544951041
  - Wednesday 10AM Advanced Training https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5939475338323113986
  - Thursday 10AM Intro Training https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9139751265522417409
  - Thursday 4PM Field Canvassing Training https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2643687035041950723

• California YIMBY is a new statewide advocacy organization working to pass legislation to end California’s housing shortage by empowering and growing the YIMBY movement.

  California YIMBY is seeking a Finance and Operations Director to join our leadership team.  Reporting to the CEO, the Finance and Operations Director will build the internal organization processes and infrastructure that will allow California YIMBY to grow and fulfill its mission.  

  Go to http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/r.html?s=n&l=http://www.cayimby.org/job to read full job description. Apply by sending resume and cover letter in pdf format to jobs@cayimby.org.

• Internship: Paid internship involving campaigns for Republican candidates, statewide initiatives and issue advocacy. Those who have previously held a job/internship and exemplify strong writing, research and communications skills will be given preference. Compensation is hourly and DOE. Job to begin in January 2018.  Please send cover letter and resume to: justin@meridianhq.com. 

• The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs is a prestigious, graduate-level program that equips early career professionals with tools and training to be effective leaders able to work across differences, solve complex problems, and create positive impact. The Fellowship is offered at five centers across the country and it’s open to anyone who has completed a Bachelor’s Degree. There is no GPA requirement and diversity across all measures is highly valued. The application deadline is January 17, 2018.
  
  For more information, contact Shana Love, National Recruitment Manager at: slove@coronorcal.org and fill out our online Interest Form.