Here's your daily briefing..
Direct democracy or pay-dirt for campaign consultants/advertiser? Big money is pouring into the campaigns for California’s ballot initiatives at an unprecedented rate. The campaigns for and against the 17 items on next month’s ballot are on course to raise and spend nearly half a billion dollars. Measures aimed at cutting the cost of prescription drugs, raising the price of cigarettes and making a temporary tax on the wealthiest permanent, have drawn the lion’s share of campaign cash.
LaMalfa/Reed face-off: US Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) took part in a spirited debate with Democratic challenger Jim Reed in Chico last night. The two contenders didn’t agree on much in the nearly hourlong event, trading barbs on taxes, conservation, family planning and mass shootings. About the only thing they agreed on is opposition to the proposed Delta tunnels.
It’s not for drinking: Seventeen California water districts are demanding $350 million in a lawsuit against the federal government, which they accuse of refusing to deliver contracted water during the drought year of 2014. The lawsuit says San Joaquin Valley farmers lost crops and removed orchards because water wasn’t supplied.
Not funny: Concord police report that a woman escaped from a man in a clown suit who allegedly tried kidnapping her year-old daughter. The woman said she kicked the clown in his shin and ran after he tried yanking her baby away by the arm. The report joins a growing number of incidents involving clowns. Antioch, Burlingame and Chico police have investigated similar threats. Police say the incidents have proven hoaxes.