January 24, 2019
VOL. 34, No. 04
SUPER
Senate Set to Vote on Competing Plans to End Shutdown
BOWL
LIII
By Associated Press
Senate leaders on Tuesday agreed to vote this week on two competing proposals to end the government shutdown, including President Donald Trump’s plan to have Congress pay for the long-stalled wall along the U.S.Mexico border. It’s likely to fail. The other measure, from Democrats, also seems unlikely to pass. It would temporarily reopen the government through Feb. 8 while talks on border security continue. Either package would need to hit the 60-vote threshold to advance on Thursday, a tall order in the narrowly divided Senate where Republicans hold a 5347 majority. Trump’s wall is the key sticking point in his standoff with Democrats that has led to a partial government shutdown. But the agreement reached to at least start voting sets the stage for senators to give serious thought to the options as the shutdown enters a second month, and some 800,000 federal workers face another Friday without paychecks. Senate Demo2 cratic leader Chuck Schumer predict-
Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor
Rams celebrate following win against the Saints.
A controversial missed call late in overtime-play isn’t the only reason the Rams are going to Super Bowl LIII. Jared Goff has some huge clutch throws in the fourth quarter and overtime. Dante Fowler Jr.’s pressure on Drew Brees in overtime caused an interception by safety John Johnson. Greg Zuerlein hit some enormous kicks, a 48-yarder to tie it near the end of regulation and a 57-yarder in overtime to win it. But the missed call late in regulation will stick with
New Orleans Saints fans for a long time, after it was the biggest moment in the Rams’ 26-23 overtime win to take the NFC championship. Officials didn’t throw a flag on an apparent third-down pass interference on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who blasted Tommylee Lewis before the ball got there but wasn’t called, and that was the play of the game. The Rams will face the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII!
DR. NADINE
BURKE HARRIS
CA’S FIRST
SURGEON GENERAL Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced the appointment of a pediatrician as California’s first-ever surgeon general. Newsom said in a news release that Dr. Nadine Burke Harris will focus on combating the root causes of serious health conditions and use her office to reach young families across the state. Burke Harris is founder and chief executive of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, which aims to improve the health of children exposed to toxic stress and trauma early in life. Her annual salary will be $200,000. She is a Democrat. JOIN US ON
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January 24, 2019
Continued from page 1: Senate Set to Vote on 2 Competing Plans to End Shutdown
ed Trump’s proposal “will be roundly defeated.” But the Democratic bill, which already passed in the House, “could break us out of the morass we are in,” he said. “If you’re looking for a way to open up the government, this is the way,” the New York senator said. Republicans, though, downplayed the stopgap measure and said it would also fail. Senate Republicans pressed ahead Tuesday with Trump’s plan to reopen the government, finance his wall and provide some deportation protections for “Dreamer” immigrants. Convening the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Trump’s 1,300-page spending measure — including $5.7 billion to fund the wall — “would break through this stalemate and would reopen government swiftly and deliver on a number of other policy priorities.” Democrats, though, panned Trump’s proposal and said the immigrant protections are inadequate — only offering temporary deportation relief that Trump helped cause by announcing an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program protecting young “Dreamer” immigrants. “Open the government. Let’s talk,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “The (Dreamers) had their protections. …. The president took it away, and now he is saying, ‘I’ll give you this back temporarily if you give me a wall permanently.’” “It’s not a compromise,” added Schumer. “It’s more hostage-taking.” Trump is offering three years of protection against deportation for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. He had tried to end the Obama-era program in 2017, though the issue remains before the courts. As drafted, the bill is a nonstarter
with Democrats, but McConnell appears hopeful that it could be a starting point for negotiations since it embraces immigration concepts backed by Democrats. McConnell has been adamant that he’ll only take up legislation that Trump will sign. “The proposal outlined by President Trump that we will consider here in the Senate is the only proposal, the only one currently before us, that can be signed by the president and immediately reopen the government,” McConnell said. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, asked by Fox News whether Trump has given McConnell his word that he will sign the legislation if it clears both chambers of Congress: “Well, that’s a big if. We don’t know what the final bill would look like. But the president has been clear about what he wants.” The Republican plan is a trade-off: Trump’s border wall funding in exchange for temporary protection from deportation for some immigrants. To
GLADYS KNIGHT SUPER BOWL RESPONSE TO Newswire
In response to the controversy surrounding her singing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, Gladys Knight issued this statement: “I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” she wrote. “It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.” “I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles
PERFORMANCE
CRITICS
I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.” “No matter who chooses to deflect with this narrative and continue to mix these two in the same message, it is not so and cannot be made so by anyone speaking it. I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us.”
try to draw more bipartisan support, it adds $12.7 billion in supplemental funding for regions hit by hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. All told, it would provide about $350 billion for nine Cabinet departments whose budgets are stalled. Other than the wall and immigration-related provisions, the core measure hews closely to a package of spending bills unveiled by House Democrats last week. In exchange for $5.7 billion for Trump’s wall, the legislation would extend temporary protections against deportation to around 700,000 immigrants covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Trump has tried dismantling the Obama-era program for so-called “Dreamer” immigrants, those who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children, but has been blocked by federal lawsuits. That figure is substantially lower than the 1.8 million people Trump proposed protecting a year ago, which included people potentially eligible for
DACA protections but who had not applied for them. In addition, Trump’s 2018 proposal included other immigration changes and $25 billion to pay the full costs of building his wall. His measure was among several the Senate rejected last February. The new Senate bill would also provide three more years of temporary protections against deportation to around 325,000 immigrants in the U.S. who have fled countries racked by natural disasters or violent conflicts. Trump has ended that program, called Temporary Protected Status, for El Salvador, which has the most holders of the protected status, as well as for Honduras, Nicaragua and several other countries. Another part of McConnell’s bill would tighten restrictions on minors from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras seeking asylum in the U.S. It was already drawing condemnation from Democrats and immigration advocates. The proposal would require asylum seekers under age 18 from those countries to apply for that status at special facilities in Central America, not at the U.S. border; allow no more than 15,000 to receive asylum annually; and bar them from appealing a decision to the courts. House Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing ahead with their legislation to reopen the government and add $1 billion for border security — including 75 more immigration judges and infrastructure improvements — but no funding for the wall. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that Democrats are playing “political games” and repeated his claims that the wall is a solution to drugs and crime — although the Drug Enforcement Administration says only a small percentage of drugs comes into the country between ports of entry.
January 24, 2019
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January 24, 2019
DON’T GET CAUGHT IN 2019
TRUMP’S MILITARY
TRAFFIC FINE RULES
UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT
JANUARY 1, 2019 Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor
Traffic fines are far more than crime deterrents and punishment for violations in California; they are a major source of revenue that become more critical to local and state governments.
Although most everyone reading this has received a ticket and been through the exasperating process of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a violation, few people know what they are really paying for because California wraps a lot of fees and assessments into the bill that have nothing to do with the infraction. Caroline Chen at the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) broke down a fine received by an individual who was dinged for a rolling stop some time ago during a right turn at a traffic light, and counted 11 separate charges in addition to the base fine of $100. That brought the bottom line to $549, far less than the current violation would cost today. In the charges that she examined, in addition to the base fine, included was: a state penalty assessment ($100), a county penalty assessment ($70), traffic school ($59), DNA
identification fund ($50), court construction ($50), court operations ($40), conviction assessment ($35), state surcharge ($20), emergency medical services ($20), emergency medical air transportation ($4) and night court ($1). HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET CAUGHT IN 2019: Uninsured car in accident: driver’s license revoked for four years plus a $796 fine Did not stop at a red light or turning right - $533 Did not completely stop at a stop sign - $284 Driving with headphones or ear buds on - $178 Talking on a cell phone first time - $76, second time - $190 –NOTE: same penalty if you are just holding the phone in hand! Not wearing a seat belt - $160 Child not wearing a seat belt or not in a child seat - $436 Driving with high beam lights $382 Forgot to bring driver’s license $214 Forgot to change the address after 10 plus days - $214 Crossing double yellow line $425 Violation of the turn or turn around - $284 Speeding 1-15 miles - $224; 1625 miles - $338 Pass the flashing light of school bus - $675 Stopping at the bus stop - $976 Drive safely and obey the law.
TRANSGENDER BAN
Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor
On Tuesday the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of allowing the Trump administration’s partial ban on transgender people serving in the military to continue, while challenges to the policy move through the lower courts. The impact on transgender men and women currently serving in the military depends on the individual’s circumstances. In short, though, the justices cleared the way for the Trump administration to require that transgender troops serve as members of their biological gender unless they began a gender transition under less restrictive Obama administration rules. Until a few years ago service members could be discharged from the military for being transgender. That changed in 2016 when the Obama administration began allowing transgender men and women already serving in the military to undergo gender transition if they were diagnosed with gender dysphoria, distress associated with their biological gender. The military has said more than 900 men and women have received that diagnosis. They can continue to serve after transitioning. The Trump administration’s policy would essentially freeze that number, however. Once the policy takes effect, currently serving transgender troops who didn’t previously step forward and obtain a gender dysphoria diagnosis will have to serve in their biological gender. A 2016 survey estimated that about 1 percent of active-duty service members, about
DACA PROGRAM
REMAINS INTACT FOR NOW
9,000 men and women, identify as transgender. The impact on transgender men and women not yet in the military but who want to join is that individuals who have transitioned from their biological gender won’t be allowed to enlist under the Trump administration’s policy. That’s a shift. Under previous court orders, transgender individuals had been allowed to enlist in the military since Jan. 1, 2018. Still, advocacy groups had said that process was slow, with only a handful of individuals thought to have completed the process. The next step following this ruling is up to the Trump administration and courts. While the Trump
administration has the go-ahead to implement its policy for now, it’s unclear how quickly that will happen. Court challenges will continue, and the cases could eventually get back to the Supreme Court on the merits of the case, whether the Trump administration policy is legal. It’s very unlikely, however, that would happen before the Supreme Court recesses for the summer in late June.
Wire Service
The justices Tuesday did not agree to give the Trump administration one last chance to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which protects those immigrants from deportation and grants them work permits. President Donald Trump’s effort has been on hold for a year following a federal district judge’s nationwide injunction. In November, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld that ruling, chastising the administration for targeting “blameless and economically productive
young people with clean criminal records.” The Justice Department had asked the Supreme Court to intervene even before the most recent ruling. But with its inaction, the court likely let slip any chance the case can be heard during the current term, which ends in June. That pushes oral argument to October at the earliest and a decision into 2020, if the court agrees to hear the case at all. The high court in 2016 blocked a broader initiative by President Barack Obama aimed at protecting millions of undocu5
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January 24, 2019 Continued from page 4: DACA Program Remains Intact For Now
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
WHAT A WEEK IN
INGLEWOOD AND ACROSS
THE NATION! This is been a week that I will remember for the rest of my life. It was filled with the loss of a loved one, an exceptionally well presented Inglewood Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and festival, the machinations of our president whose actions, and those of his personal attorney, continue to baffle everyone, and the longest shutdown in our nation’s history. While the loss of a dear family member is always a challenge for everyone, I need not delve into any details except to say that, life if precious, savor the moments you have with those you love and cherish the memories when they are no longer with you. I thank all of my friends who extended their words of condolence and gestures of support. The MLK parade was, as Council Member Dotson stated in this week’s council meeting was one of the best ever. From those who participated as parade members, to the viewing stand and announcers in front of city hall, the parade had hints of the Los Angeles parade that followed. The Market Street festival also brought out the best of Inglewood and showcased many of Inglewood’s companies and service providers. I am not sure where to begin with Trump’s antics. It seems that not a day passes when he or his surrogates make what appears to
The choices you make today can have a great impact on tomorrow.
be another misstep that focuses on a wall that makes no sense and distracts from what is really being done in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it best, “This isn’t a wall between Mexico and the US; it’s a wall between reality and his supporters. He doesn’t want them to know what he’s doing to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in his budget proposal. He doesn’t want them to know what he’s doing to clean air, clean water and the EPA. He doesn’t want them to know how he is hurting them, so he keeps the subject on the wall. He’s a master of diversion. And what Trump has done against transgender service persons, denying many to serve in the Armed Forces, someone on Facebook said it best, “what is the difference between Trump and a transgender soldier? The transgender soldier had enough $#@lls to serve in the military.” And finally, this week marks the longest shutdown in our nation’s history. I urge the democratic leaders to stand firm on their resolve to deny the president a wall that, all of the experts agree, is wasteful, useless and unnecessary! And, of course, I have not forgotten. Go Rams! The City of Inglewood is rooting for you!!!
mented parents. Last year, it upheld Trump’s ban against travelers from seven countries, including five with Muslim majorities. Solicitor General Noel Francisco had warned in his request that “absent this court’s intervention, the government will be required to maintain the (DACA) policy nationwide for years after (the Department of Homeland Security) and the attorney general determined that it should end.” A coalition of states and immigrant rights groups had urged the justices to deny the administration’s request and let lower court rulings stand. The nationwide injunction “preserves the status quo for a carefully defined group of young people who were brought to this country as children, are law-abiding and productive residents, and in many cases know no other home,” California argued in court papers. Trump originally proposed ending the program in 2017 but gave Congress six months to work out a compromise solution. That led to intense negotiations and a brief government shutdown but did not produce a law to help the Dreamers. On Saturday, Trump again suggested that the Dreamers’ fate could be linked to his own dream: a concrete wall or steel barrier along parts of the southern border. If the Supreme Court ultimately rules in Trump’s favor, it might not lead to immediate deportations but would improve his bargaining position with congressional Democrats. “A decision concerning DHS’s authority to rescind DACA would say nothing about Congress’s unquestioned power to alter the immigration status of DACA recipients,” the Justice Department has said.
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By Steve Finley
January 24, 2019
Photos by: Jordan Kelly
The Los Angeles Rams have reached the top of the NFL mountain. Three years after moving back to Los Angeles from St. Louis the Rams will face off against the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 3 at 3:30 p.m. in Atlanta in the Super Bowl. What a difference a coach can make. The day head coach Sean McVay took over the job two years ago things started to change. In one of his first press conferences at their training facility in Thousand Oaks you saw signs posted that read ‘We Not Me’. McVay made a lot of changes within the coaching staff and players but he made the changes with dignity and class. Players that appeared to be just picking up a pay check were replaced by players that wanted to earn their pay. He already had the quarterback he wanted in young Jared Goff but he knew Goff needed good receivers so he signed Robert Woods and Brandon Cooks. He rebuilt the offensive line and before the season started he revamped the defense. His defensive rebuilding plan was
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks off the field in New Orleans after his team beat the Saints.
complicated and risky but he made it work. He brought in three players with checked back grounds who ended up being model citizens this year. Goff said he has never seen a coach that can relate to his players like McVay, who became the youngest coach at 32, to reach the Super Bowl. My 30 year old son said the reason McVay can relate so well with his team is because he is the same as his players. Whatever the reason he has found the secret formula to success in the NFL. Now can McVay complete the fast track to success by winning the Super Bowl by beating Tom Brady and the Patriots? That’s the million dollar question. They will be facing the best quarterback in NFL history in Tom Brady and one of the best coaches in Bill Belichick and this will be their ninth Super Bowl together. The Rams will go into the game with a record of 15-3 and the Patriots are 135. Both teams have big name players and both teams have outstanding coaches and both teams have two weeks to get ready for the game.
Lakers forward Michael Beasley gets ready to score two of his 15 points against the Warriors last Monday at the Staples Center. The Lakers play two home games on Sunday against Phoenix at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday they face a good Philadelphia team at 7:30 p.m.
Rams tailback Todd Gurley II scores on a six yard run against New Orleans last Sunday. The Rams won the game in overtime, 26-23.
Greg Zuerlein of the Rams kicks the winning field goal against the Saints last Sunday in overtime to help the Rams reach the Super Bowl.
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January 24, 2019
EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
CITY COUNCIL HONORS 2ND CALL AND IBEW LOCAL 11
GIVING FORMER INMATES A SECOND CHANCE Before regular city council business got underway, Mayor Butts introduced the leadership of 2nd Call, the not for profit organization that has partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 11, to provide training and job development opportunities for former California inmates. 2nd Call presented a professional documentary film that traced the organizations founding and ongoing accomplishments providing a second chance for former gang members. Mayor Butts, as well as all of the other council members, applauded 2nd Chance’s work in the community as well as their partnership with the IBEW Local 11 for changing the lives of the former gang member participants. The Mayor indicated that he was proud that the city has required local hiring goals for the
projects under development and expressed his pleasure that those jobs are paying union-scale wages. The mayor presented a certificate from the entire city council to each of the 2nd Call participants, many of whom could not attend the council meeting because they were at work! When the meeting got underway, from the Economic and Community Development Department, the council approved the Fourth Amendment to Agreement No. 1068 with Pearl Media LLC, to extend the display of super graphic wall sign outdoor advertising. From the Police Department the council approved a three-year agreement (with an option to extend two (2) additional one (1) year terms) with Lawles Enterprises to perform background investigation services on behalf of the Police Department. From the Economic and Com-
NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE A NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Negative Declaration has been prepared on the below-referenced program, on the basis that said program will not have a significant effect on the environment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: STANDBY CHARGE PROGRAM RENEWAL
APPLICANT:
West Basin Municipal Water District
LOCATION:
West Basin Municipal Water District
**************** Copies of the Negative Declaration for this program are available for review at the West Basin Municipal Water District offices located at 17140 South Avalon Blvd., Suite 210 in the City of Carson (310) 2172411. Anyone wishing to comment on this program may do so prior to February 25, 2019. All comments should be directed to the District Secretary, at West Basin Municipal Water District’s office. Patrick Sheilds General Manager West Basin Municipal Water District
munity Development Department, the council adopted Ordinance No. 19-06 to adopt the 2016 California Title 24 Building Code. (Introduced January 15, 2019). During the council member comments portion of the meeting, Member Dotson extended his congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams and his applauds to the city staff who presented an outstanding Martin Luther King Day parade and celebration. He extended a special acknowledgement to the youth participants in the speech contest and reminded everyone to come out to his annual shredding event next month. Member Padilla applauded the IBEW and 2nd Chance for their outstanding work developing careers for former inmates. He announced the LA County Fire Department recruitment event at Rogers Park on January 30th and congratulated the city staff and the community for their participation and support of the MLK activities. Member Franklin added his applause to the 2nd Call leadership and also acknowledged an outstand-
ing MLK parade and event. Member Morales echoed his colleagues for their support of the MLK Day organizers and the community for participating. He also praised 2nd Call for providing hope for those who may otherwise have no hope. Before closing the meeting Mayor Butts thanked all those involved in planning and executing an outstanding MLK parade and celebration. He also congratulated the Los Angeles Rams, not only for their victory and their march to the super bowl, but also for the pride they have brought and will certainly continue to bring to the City of Inglewood.
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January 24, 2019
OUTSTANDING
MLK
PARADE AND EVENT
CALIFORNIA PAYDAY LENDER
REFUNDS $800,000
TO SETTLE PREDATORY LENDING ALLEGATIONS Wire Service
A California payday lender is refunding about $800,000 to consumers to settle allegations that it steered borrowers into high-interest loans and engaged in other illegal practices, state officials said Tuesday. California Check Cashing Stores also agreed to pay $105,000 in penalties and other costs in a consent order with the state’s Department of Business Oversight, which has been cracking down on payday and other high-cost consumer loans that critics allege are predatory. The company did not admit guilt in the consent order. The department, which oversees financial service providers and products, has taken similar actions against four other companies since late 2017 as part of an effort to enforce the state’s limits on interest rates for payday and other small-dollar loans. In Tuesday’s action, the settlement involves alleged violations regarding administration of payday loans, which are capped at $300, and the steering of borrowers into consumer loans of more than $2,500 to avoid rate caps. California law limits interest on loans of up to $2,499 at between 20% and 30%, but there is no cap for loans of $2,500 and larger. “Steering consumers into highercost loans to circumvent statutory interest rate caps is abusive,” said Jan
Lynn Owen, commissioner of the Department of Business Oversight. “Consumers deserve protection and access to lending markets that are fair, transparent and comply with the law,” she said. The action comes as the newly installed chief of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reportedly planning on loosening new federal rules on payday lending that were proposed during the Obama era but have not yet gone into effect. The proposed federal rules would provide a floor of basic protections for borrowers nationwide, but states would be free to make them tougher, including enacting interest rate caps, which the federal consumer bureau is prohibited from doing. The settlement also resolves allegations that the company made “false and misleading statements in its advertising” by saying in brochures that it made loans of “up to $5,000” but had a minimum of “$2,501.” The consent order requires California Check Cashing Stores to refund about $100,000 related to 1,200 consumer loans. Most of the refunds — about $700,000 — go to borrowers involved in 3,000 payday loans. Those loans typically are cash advances on a worker’s paycheck for two
to four weeks and carry a flat fee or an interest rate that doesn’t seem particularly high — $45 for the maximum $300 loan. But the cost can quickly add up if the loan isn’t paid off, and the effective annual interest rate can reach 300% or more. The settlement resolves allegations that California Check Cashing Stores collected charges twice, allowed borrowers to take out a new loan before paying off the old one and deposited some customers’ checks before the date specified in the loan agreement without their written authorization. Typically payday loans are paid back on the date the borrower receives another paycheck. The state has moved aggressively to rein in payday lenders as efforts to more closely regulate the industry have stalled following the election of President Trump. The president has sought to extend his deregulatory agenda to the CFPB since Cordray stepped down in late 2017 to pursue what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid for governor of Ohio. The new federal rules developed under Cordray require payday lenders to determine upfront the ability of potential borrowers to repay payday and other short-term loans of 45 days or less.