Politics

Maven's Morning Coffee: LA County's dispute with AIDS group, an initiative for the death penalty, San Bernardino congressman won't seek reelection

A federal judge's ruling this week exposed simmering tension between Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Andres Aguila/KPCC

Alice Walton | February 13, 2014

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

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Today is Thursday, Feb. 13, and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

A federal judge's ruling this week exposed simmering animosity between the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, reports the Los Angeles Times. The nonprofit has frequently tangled with Los Angeles County over patient care and billing issues. The court ruling included an excerpt from an email in which the group's Michael Weinstein wrote, "It is time to take the gloves off. We need to go after Zev directly and hard." In an interview with the L.A. Times, Yaroslavsky called Weinstein "a thug."

Former Govs. Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian and former D.A. Steve Cooley will announce a signature-gathering campaign today for a ballot initiative that would allow California to resume carrying out death sentences, reports KPCC. The initiative would also shorten the appeals process for death row inmates.

Rep. Gary Miller of San Bernardino will not seek reelection, according to KPCC and the Sacramento Bee. Miller had been considered the most vulnerable incumbent on the Republican side.

The Los Angeles City Council is considering whether to revise the city's stance on urban beekeeping, reports the Daily News. "Councilman Paul Koretz pushed for the regulations, saying it was a step by the city to deal with a syndrome known as colony collapse, where bee hives die off due to pesticides," per the newspaper.

The Long Beach City Council voted to ban e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas, according to the Press-Telegram. "Young people are getting their hands on and using these addictive devices," said Councilman Dee Andrews.

Pressers

Gov. Jerry Brown and Mayor Eric Garcetti will discuss President Barack Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience at City Hall at 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming Votes

Friday