| | | | | |  | | By Carla Marinucci, Jeremy B. White, Graph Massara and Mackenzie Hawkins | Presented by The Great Courses Plus | THE BUZZ — GARCETTI A NO-GO: He was there for Joe Biden's presidential bid from the start, but Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Thursday put an end to longstanding speculation about his future, saying he's staying in town — and won't be taking a post in the Biden Administration after all. Garcetti's admission comes after the Transportation secretary gig — widely viewed as a likely slot for the mayor — went to former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Housing and Urban Development secretary, another Cabinet post seen as a possibility for Garcetti, was awarded to Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge. Then on Thursday, Biden picked North Carolina state regulator Michael Regan to head the EPA, which had also been mentioned as a place for him. | 
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Aug. 16, 2018. | AP Photo/Richard Vogel | TROUBLE BREWING: Some significant developments roiled the waters for Garcetti as the Biden transition team began its work on appointments. Black Lives Matter founders criticized the mayor's handling of summer protests and made it known on social media that they felt he was an unacceptable choice for Biden. That came just weeks after a lawsuit and charges from journalist Yashar Ali that longtime Garcetti aide Rick Jacobs engaged in sexual harassment; the suit by bodyguard Matthew Garza alleged the mayor looked the other way on Jacobs' abuses. THE LATEST TWIST: On Thursday, the LA Times' James Queally, Dakota Smith and Richard Winton reported that a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered the mayor to be deposed in the case. Garcetti's statements Thursday — as reported by our own Jeremy B. White — came as a bit of a surprise. He said he wanted to concentrate on responding to the coronavirus in a city that has been slammed by its resurgence, and also revealed that his 9 year old daughter had tested positive, the LA Times' Smith reported. BUT THERE'S THIS... Sources had previously told POLITICO that he was likely to get a "significant role" in Biden's world, as trusted advisers and backers who have shown loyalty to the former vice president have been tapped for assignments. On that front, Garcetti should have been a shoo-in: He was an early endorser of his presidential bid, a national co-chair of Biden's campaign, a fundraiser who could tap his entertainment and LA sources for Biden's campaign; a member of his VP vetting committee; and now as a member of his Inaugural committee. Some thought that while a high level Cabinet post may not be in the mayor's future, other assignments could still have been possible: as an envoy to U.S. governors and mayors on climate change, an issue he's been active on; as ambassador to Mexico (Garcetti has Mexican roots and speaks fluent Spanish); or even to be put in charge of the Navy, as the LA Times reported. Now, clearly, Garcetti will be sticking around California until 2022 — but don't count him out for something down the line, once some of the headlines fade and Biden is midway through his first term. Stay tuned. BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. Could there be a shutdown ahead? "Congress is preparing for the possibility of a short government shutdown as leaders attempt to wrap up a nearly $1 trillion coronavirus relief package ahead of Friday's deadline," POLITICO's Jake Sherman, Burgess Everett and Heather Caygle report. "As of Thursday evening, Republicans and Democrats were still sparring over tens of billions of dollars in government spending. Disagreements remained over who is eligible for stimulus checks, how to spend money for health care, disaster relief funds and winding down the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program." QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's one of the toughest decisions of my life, but it's not a tough decision. ... This is a time to lead and not to leave." — Garcetti announces he will not be taking a post with the Biden administration. TWEET OF THE DAY: Journalist Yashar Ali @yashar signals he's not finished, either: "I'm going to keep reporting on Garcetti. If you have newsworthy information about him, Amy Wakeland, or anyone in his admin, my DMs are open and my contact information is in my bio. All of your communication is off record unless you tell me otherwise. http://yashar.substack.com" PODCAST OF THE DAY: "The Golden State Loses Its Luster ," via Inside Golden State Politics with Sherry Bebitch Jeffe and Bill Boyarksy. WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Don't be stagnant, keep your mind active with The Great Courses Plus . Learn at your own pace with the ability to stream lectures like the Art of Investing anytime, anywhere. Tap into an expansive selection of over 13,000 video streaming lectures from some of the world's greatest minds. Learning should be enjoyable, so start learning today with The Great Courses Plus! | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | EDD EYE-POPPER — Californian allegedly obtained UI benefits using Feinstein's identity, by POLITICO's Jeremy B. White: The allegation is another black eye for California's unemployment insurance system, which has been beset by a drumbeat of fraud complaints — including a crime ring that allegedly obtained payments for inmates — even as out-of-work Californians complain they cannot access needed benefits. TINSELTOWN TALES — "The legal titan and the 'Real Housewife': The rise and fall of Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne," by the LA Times' Matt Hamilton and Harriet Ryan. "From his Wilshire Boulevard office, Tom Girardi has dominated consumer law in California and beyond for decades, wresting billions of dollars from drug companies, carmakers and polluters on behalf of the injured and cheated, most famously in the case that inspired 'Erin Brockovich.'" TRAVELING? — "How toxic fumes seep into the air you breathe on planes," by the LA Times' Kiera Feldman: "A Times investigation found that vapors from oil and other fluids seep into planes with alarming frequency across all airlines, at times creating chaos and confusion: Flight attendants vomit and pass out. Passengers struggle to breathe. Children get rushed to hospitals. Pilots reach for oxygen masks or gasp for air from opened cockpit windows." | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | SOCAL SLAMMED — "ICU availability in Southern California at 0% amid deluge of COVID-19 patients," by the LA Times' Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin and Soumya Karlamangla. SF SEALED OFF — " With cases surging, S.F. orders a travel quarantine for people arriving from outside the Bay Area," by the SF Chronicle's Erin Allday: "People who travel into San Francisco must stay home and not interact with anyone outside their household, except for emergency or health care situations. They cannot go to work, school or any other venue." SOBERING STAT — " Two people dying every hour in Los Angeles county as it sees 'explosive surge,'" via the Guardian. SHUT IT DOWN — "Unions for teachers, nurses, grocery and hotel workers call for L.A. County shutdown in January," by the LA Times' Howard Blume: "The union coalition called for what it described as a 'circuit breaker' in a letter Wednesday night to the county Board of Supervisors and in an online petition." — "California's Child Care Providers Largely on Their Own to Struggle Through Pandemic," by KQED's Katie Orr and Beth LaBerge: "Many saw their workloads increase as they opened their homes to kids who would normally be in school — more kids means more food and supplies. Providers are also required to take additional safety measures to protect against the virus. That all adds up to increased costs for providers, who get little, if any, help from the state." — " Skyrocketing coronavirus levels in California sewage point to rapid spread of virus," by the LA Times' Rong-Gong Lin II and Luke Money. — "Hundreds of maskless Long Beach, Calif., police gathered at indoor 'superspreader' event, complaint says," by WaPo's Jaclyn Peiser. YIKES — "Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel hosted hundreds for Thanksgiving dinner," by the SF Chronicle's Michael Cabanatuan. | | | | NEW EPISODES OF THE GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS PODCAST: Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded over the past year amid a global pandemic. This podcast helps us identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe for Season Two, available now. | | | | | | | THE TRUMP ERA | | BUNGLED ROLLOUT — "States thought they would get more COVID vaccines. Pentagon system had wrong numbers,'' via McClatchy's Michael Wilner: "A Pentagon system set up for states to keep track of coronavirus vaccines had outdated, inaccurate projections for deliveries that misled governors into expecting they would receive far more doses than will arrive in the coming days." — 'Cautiously optimistic' on Obamacare lawsuit, Becerra to focus on health disparities at HHS, by POLITICO's Susannah Luthi: But California Attorney General Xavier Becerra didn't show his cards on Thursday about how he'd manage one of Biden's main health care ambitions: getting the remaining hold-out conservative-leaning states to expand Medicaid. | | TRANSITION TIME | | HAPPIEST CONFIRMATION HEARING ON EARTH? — "Disney's Chairman Bob Iger Game for a New Job: U.S. Ambassador to China," by the WSJ's Erich Schwartzel, Ken Thomas and Emily Glazer. NOT NICHOLS — Biden to pick North Carolina environmental regulator Regan to lead EPA, by POLITICO's Tyler Pager, Zack Colman and Alex Guillén: For weeks, California regulator Mary Nichols was seen as the top contender for the job, but environmental justice groups argued that she had not worked aggressively enough to address systemic pollution problems in communities of color and low-income areas. SENATE CHOICE — " From the Mexican-American war to U.S. Senate nomination: How Latinos are erased in California," by the Sac Bee's Marcus Bretón: "The point here isn't that Latinos and Latinas should be considered at the expense of Black women. The point is that Latinos and Latinas have been ignored for generations in California and should be recognized for their contributions." | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | NOT GOING ANYWHERE — "Yes, Feinstein is the oldest U.S. senator. But she should be able to retire on her own terms," by the LA Times' George Skelton: "California Sen. Dianne Feinstein says she hasn't thought about retiring soon despite some assertions that the 87-year-old lawmaker should step aside because her cognitive abilities have allegedly declined." — "New LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's state Senate seat to be filled in special election," via City News Service. | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus:   | | | | | GAVINLAND | | — "San Bernardino County sues Newsom over coronavirus restrictions," by the LA Times' Lila Seidman. PADILLA PROBLEM — " If Gavin Newsom picks Alex Padilla for the U.S. Senate, who owns his $34 million mess?" by the Sac Bee editorial board: "Now the election is over and SKDK wants its $34 million. But Controller [Betty] Yee is standing firm in her decision to decline approval for the apparently illegal contract. Meanwhile, Padilla — rumored to the frontrunner for Harris' senate seat —awaits Newsom's verdict on his senatorial hopes." | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | CTA V DEMS — "California teachers unions mobilize against Democratic school reopening bill, by POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays: In separate letters to legislative leaders, the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers urge lawmakers to avoid rushing to reopen K-12 schools as Capitol momentum builds to address learning loss and education inequities. Most of the state's 6 million public schoolchildren remain at home with distance learning. BIG — " Just taking part in a crime that resulted in a death not reason for murder charge, state Supreme Court rules," by the SF Chronicle's Bob Egelko. — Republican-led FERC rejects probe of California blackouts, by POLITICO's Colby Bermel: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission signaled that it will largely defer to and support existing efforts by California agencies to strengthen grid reliability ahead of next summer, when heat waves could again challenge the state's energy system. — "As fires ravaged California, officers tracked a suspected arsonist. To catch him, they had to do the unthinkable ," by the SF Chronicle's Lizzie Johnson: "At the heart of their mission was a risky calculation: How much evidence would they need to make the case, to convict, to lock up a suspect? How often would they need to hold back, to keep building their case, never knowing whether the next blaze would be the big one, while praying that it wasn't?" DEFUNDING BREAKDOWN — " Defund the Police? Here's What's Actually Possible in San Diego," by Voice of San Diego's Ashly McGlone: "Making deep police cuts in San Diego will be even harder than it seems. The reasons: labor contracts, spending restrictions and the most powerful reason of all – a lack of political will at the highest levels of city government." TAKING COPS TO COURT — " After George Floyd killing, prosecutions of police increase. How will jurors react?" by the SF Chronicle's Bob Egelko: "Not long ago, charging law enforcement officers with homicide or assault was virtually unheard-of, even in liberal California. But outrage over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May appears to have changed the prosecutorial climate." — " Sacramento supervisors try to calm nerves over 'diversion' of COVID-19 health funds," by the Sac Bee's Michael Finch: "County officials said the transfer was only an accounting maneuver that would allow them to spend the one-time funding well past the Dec. 30 deadline. Still, the decision to temporarily direct funds to law enforcement prompted a verbal assault from activists and residents at the board's Wednesday meeting, echoing a number of tense meetings on the subject earlier this year." DEEP DIVE — "A California bus crash killed 11. Was the driver's prison sentence a 'miscarriage of justice'?" by the Sac Bee's Jason Pohl: "Prosecutors relied on dubious scientific claims about sleep deprivation and diabetes as they rushed the case through the justice system. State investigators initially claimed Watts might have been drunk — a false allegation that remains etched in the minds of those who remember the wreck. Authorities later theorized that Watts, who is Black, fell asleep while driving." — " As NorCal Rapist Roy Waller faces sentencing, prosecutors ask for more than 900 years," by the Sac Bee's Sam Stanton. | | | | BIG SCOOPS IN TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: In the runup to Inauguration Day, president-elect Joe Biden's staffing decisions are sending clear-cut signals about his priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter is breaking big news and analyzing the appointments, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | — More than 30 states file suit demanding breakup of Google, by POLITICO's Leah Nylen: Thursday's complaint — filed by 35 states plus Puerto Rico, Guam and Washington, D.C. — alleges Google has maintained its monopoly in the search market by abusing its power in other markets such as smart speakers, voice assistants, connected cars and digital advertising. MAKING FRIENDS — "Facebook Wades Into 'Fortnite' Maker's Dispute With Apple," by WSJ's Sarah E. Needleman and Jeff Horwitz | | HOLLYWOODLAND | | — "COVID-19 walloped our cultural industries. Some may never be the same," by the LA Times' Ryan Faughnder: "The economic shock waves of the public health crisis rocked the film and television industry, shuttering far more than the starry catered movie premieres that, under normal circumstances, occasionally block off Hollywood Boulevard in front of TCL Chinese Theatre. Film and TV sets shut down, leaving thousands of people out of work, including hairdressers, set designers and camera operators." — " 'Selena' is on Netflix. How lawmakers are tackling the lack of Latinos in TV and movies," by the Sac Bee's Kim Bojórquez — "Jeremy Bulloch, Who Played Boba Fett in 'Star Wars' Movies, Dies at 75," by NYT's Michael Levenson. | | CANNABIS COUNTRY | | — "California cannabis businesses weathered 2020 better than many industries, but challenges persist," by the OC Register's Brooke Staggs: "Some also believe the 'essential' label is providing an image boost for an industry that's long been stigmatized." | | MIXTAPE | | — Small boat carrying 23 Mexican nationals comes ashore near downtown Long Beach," by the LA Times' Hayley Smith. — " More than schoolwork: Why distance learning is so challenging for Fresno County students," by the Fresno Bee's Monica Velez. — "More athletes describe years of mistreatment by Cal soccer coach," by KTVU's Claudine Wong and Simone Aponte. — " Teen makes history as one of the first female Eagle Scouts in the nation," via ABC7. — "Feds seize 10 pounds of fentanyl in Tenderloin trafficking case, 'crime family' accused," by the SF Chronicle's Trisha Thadani and Megan Cassidy. — " Southern California home prices jump 11% in November," by the OC Register's Jeff Collins and Jonathan Lansner. — "Homicides in Sacramento County spiking despite COVID lockdowns. What's behind the rise?" by the Sac Bee's Rosalio Ahumada. — " Doctor at Center of Vaccine Scandal Accused of Overprescribing Opioids," by Voice of San Diego's Will Huntsberry. | | MEDIA MATTERS | | BIG MOVE: The SF Examiner and SF Weekly have been sold to local owners, former Democratic strategist Clint Reilly and his wife, Janet. | | BIRTHDAYS | | Saturday: Publicity guru Lee Houskeeper | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Are you an inquisitively curious individual that loves learning? Join a community of life-long learners, and learn more about any topic with The Great Courses Plus. Stream thousands of videos by some of this world's brightest minds. From the Art of Investing to the Theory of Everything, quench your thirst for knowledge with courses designed for the endlessly curious cat. With The Great Courses Plus, you'll enjoy being able to learn anytime, anywhere at your own pace. Now there's nothing keeping you from starting your educational journey. Learn now with The Great Courses Plus! | | | CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. 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