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California-DC Corruption Connection: Disgraced Eric Holder's New Gig AmmoLand Shooting Sports News U.S.A. -(Ammoland.com)- I've often observed that, when it comes to public policy, the Obama Justice Department has been a locus of evil. And therefore it was concerning to see that the man who ran that Obama agency for years, the disgraced Eric Holder ...

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California-DC Corruption Connection: Disgraced Eric Holder's New Gig - AmmoLand Shooting Sports News

Voting Rights Act

Texas: A federal district court recently tuled that the Houston suburb of Pasadena intentionally discriminated against Latinos in violation of the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment when it turned two of its eight single-member city council seats into at-large districts in 2013, ordering the city of 154,000 to revert back to its previous districts for the 2017 elections. As The New York Times Jim Rutenberg covered in a 2015 expos on the systematic attack on Latino voting rights in America that focused on Pasadena, at-large districts have long been an instrumental strategy for white politicians to dilute the power of minority voters.

For Pasadena, this meant replacing two council districts, one of which could have elected the candidate whom Latinos preferred, with two at-large seats, neither of which likely could. Such a move flagrantly diluted the voting strength of the citys growing Latino population in violation of Section 2 of the VRA, which requires mapmakers to draw relatively compact districts that can elect minority voters candidates of choice when voting typically breaks down along racially polarized lines. White officials in Pasadena enacted their new plan precisely because they feared that Latino-favored candidates could have otherwise gained a majority in 2015.

This ruling was a resounding victory for voting rights because it marked the first time that a court had placed any jurisdiction back under preclearance since the Supreme Court gutted a key provision of the VRA in 2013 that had required a large number of predominantly Southern states like Texas with a history of racial discrimination to clear any proposed voting changes with the Justice Department. That decision, Shelby County v. Holder, eliminated the traditional preclearance regime, prompting white Republicans in many states and cities to rush an array of restrictive voting laws into law.

But preclearance isnt entirely dead. In Pasadena, the district court was able to use another provision of the VRA to bail Pasadena back into preclearance by finding officials had intentionally discriminated. These Republican officeholders will almost certainly appeal the ruling and could soon find itself before a Supreme Court with four justices implacably hostile to voting rights after Trump picks Antonin Scalias replacement. Nonetheless, if Justice Anthony Kennedy can be swayed to uphold this decision, the threat of imposing preclearance via this bail-in procedure might become a viable option for deterring some of the most flagrantly discriminatory voting laws.

Unfortunately, Republicans are about to take over the Justice Department, and Trumps attorney general nominee, Jeff Sessions, is an extreme enemy of voting rights, so even if Pasadena is required to clear future changes to voting procedures with the Justice Department, Sessions may just give the city a green light to do whatever it pleases. However, should Democrats regain the presidency and thus the Justice Department, they might one day follow the precedent to partly overcome congressional Republicans opposition to restoring the full Voting Rights Act.

Attorney General: Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions nomination to be President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general proceeded this week as he stumbled through his confirmation hearings apparently unscathed. Many key Democratic senators announced their opposition, but since Democrats would need three Republican votes to block Sessions even if the entire party were unanimous in opposition, his chance of confirmation appeared strong after faux centrist GOP Sen. Susan Collins effusively backed him.

Sessions nomination as the nations top law enforcement officer is the surest sign possible that the incoming Trump administration will take an extremely hostile stance toward voting rights, as The Nations Ari Berman has detailed extensively in his coverage of the senators reactionary record (here and here). During his confirmation hearings, Sessions reiterated that he believes the Voting Rights Act is intrusive of states rights, claimed that voter ID laws are not discriminatory, and feigned ignorance of recent major 2016 court rulings that explicitly found that such voter ID laws were, in fact, discriminatory.

Perhaps most disturbingly, Sessions has expressed no remorse for, back in 1985, becoming the first prosecutor after the Voting Rights Acts passage to charge civil rights activists for bogus voter fraud when they attempted to help minorities to exercise their right to vote. (Sessions at the time was a U.S. attorney.) Now Sessions powers will be far greater. He could use office to switch sides on major voting rights lawsuits, direct U.S. attorneys to prosecute concocted voter fraud cases, and generally turn the Justice Department from a crusader for minority voting rights, as it was under Obama, into the instrument of theirdemise.

Iowa: Republicans gained complete control over Iowas state government last fall, and they swiftly began talking about changes to voting laws, including a new requirement for voter ID. However, Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate is now publicly backpedaling, claiming his voter ID proposal didnt aim to fight supposed fraud but rather was designed streamline election administration. He supposedly wants to require a suitable ID card from every voter but would issue a photo-less one for free to everyone who lacks the appropriate ID and allow provisional ballots from those who lack ID.

It remains to be seen whether legislators will actually implementPates proposal or a stricter one. Regardless, voting rights advocates cant rest easy given the GOPs record of introducing voting restrictions in state after state since winning control over legislatures across the country after 2010.

New York: The Empire State is one of just 13 that does not offer any form of in-person early or absentee voting without an excuse. Although it has long polling hours on Election Day and allows excused absentee ballots, this lack of options can be burdensome for many voters, and New York regularly has one of the nations lower turnout rates. In a surprise move, though, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo just released a sweeping proposal of reforms that would require 12 days of early voting, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration for those who interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles, unless they opt out.

These proposals are a welcome change from Cuomo, who in the past has done little to advance the cause of voting rights. However, they could face stiff opposition from the Republican-led coalition that controls the state Senate along with several turncoat Democrats. And a huge reason this obstacle exists is because Cuomo duplicitously signed one of the nations most aggressive Republican gerrymanders, which is how the GOP has retained control of the chamber in such a blue state.

Notably, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently proposed some of these reforms himself, indicating that a possible 2018 gubernatorial primary between him and Cuomo could see both Democrats campaign on voting reforms.

Virginia: Like New York, Virginia is another state that lacks early voting. Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe just unveiled a package of reforms that include allowing voters to cast absentee ballots in-person and without an excuse for three weeks before an election. The governor is also advocating for the repeal the states voter ID law, although Virginias requirement isnt as strict as in other states. The Republican-controlled legislature almost certainly wont let McAuliffe get anywhere, but these proposals demonstrate the Democratic Partys commitment to voting rights ahead of this years crucial gubernatorial election, where a Republican victory could lead to new voting restrictions.

Wyoming: A new Republican bill in Wyoming would streamline the process for those with non-violent felony convictions to regain their voting rights upon the completion of their sentences. Wyoming currently has one of the harshest laws on felony disenfranchisement, with five percent of the population unable to vote, including an enormous 17 percent of the states small African-American population. At present, those who have completed their sentences have to go through a burdensome application process to restore their right to vote. As a result, almost three quarters of the states disenfranchised population have fully served their sentences.

This billwould make the restoration process automaticfor many of those convicted of non-violent felonies. While this reform would be far from perfectfor instance, Maine and Vermont dont disenfranchise anyone with felony convictionsit could dramatically reduce the proportion of disenfranchised voters. Wyomings legislature has an overwhelming Republican majority, but a bipartisan group of legislators has sponsored the bill, meaning its hopes for passage cant be ruled out.

Kentucky: A Republican state senator has proposed a state constitutional amendment that would move statewide elections from odd-numbered years to coincide with presidential elections starting in 2024. If such an amendment passed the legislature, it would go before voters on the 2018 ballot. Republicans gained total control over state government in 2016 for the first time in history, but its uncertain whether this proposal could attain broad support, particularly since Democrats might oppose it if they think it would be harder to win in an election where their partys presidential nominee would likely lose by a landslide.

Any partisan motivations aside, consolidating elections with the presidential cyclewould increase participation more than any other reform short of compulsory voting. Kentuckys 2015 turnout ratewas a paltry 30 percent of eligible voters despite featuring a heavily contested gubernatorial election, while the uncompetitive 2016 presidential election in the state saw approximately 59 percent of eligible voters participate. Only 11 other states hold their gubernatorial elections in presidential years, and doing so in Kentucky could practically double turnout in downballot races.

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Voting Rights Roundup: Eric Holder launches unprecedented ... - Daily Kos

A major league ball club signs an all-star free agent. An NBA team recruits a big-name basketball coach. You really cant be sure how theyll perform.

The ballplayer could become an MVP or a bust. The coach could lead his team to the finals or be a bad fit. But odds are it was a good move.

Thats how to look at the Democratic-controlled Legislatures surprise signing last week of former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder to help it fight off the looming Trump administration and save many of Californias liberal public programs.

Holder certainly has Washington savvy and national gravitas. He knows his way around the Beltway.

Except for Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), a 12-term congressman chosen by Gov. Jerry Brown to replace new U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as state attorney general, Sacramento conspicuously lacks Holders knowledge of federal lawmaking and dealing.

Sacramento isnt a small Washington, after all. Its a big Carson City.

That said, does Holder understand California politics and public policy very well? Probably not. And it probably doesnt matter.

A law firm colleague of his, former Los Angeles congressman and state legislator Howard Berman, is a longtime master of California and Washington politics.

Will Holder really hustle for his new Sacramento team? Well find out.

But for now, his signing by state Senate leader Kevin de Len (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) seems smart.

It helps protect California public policy enacted by both Democrat Brown and his Republican predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Its a crisp political message: Californias no pushover for Donald Trump. And its good national PR, at least in blue states. State politicians love national attention.

Republicans immediately reacted with knee-jerk, predictable whining about wasteful spending.

Democrats should focus on solving real-world problems instead of wasting taxpayer money to score political points before the president-elect even takes office, declared Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley.

Fair enough. But that off-the-shelf wasting taxpayer money bit cheapens his argument.

My favorite came from veteran state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber): How can the state afford to pay for an out-of-state overpriced lawyer when we could be using those funds to help the poor and those in need?

Guess Ive missed all those Republican efforts to help the needy. Please.

The Legislatures three-month contract with Holder, Berman and a covey of attorneys from the Covington & Burling firm is for $75,000 plus expenses. Thats good for up to 40 billable hours per month. Do the math: Its $625 an hour high by most peoples standards, but a bargain compared with what many high-powered law firms charge.

If the three-month tryout works, theyll negotiate an extension.

Their normal rate is $1,700 per hour, says Dan Reeves, De Lens chief of staff. Were not paying that.

To put the $75,000 in perspective, the Legislatures annual budget is around $300 million.

Updates from Sacramento

Any lawmaker really worried about overspending could cut back on the introduction of frivolous bills. It costs roughly $20,000 an old estimate to run a bill through the Legislature. Last year, 1,059 were sent to the governor. He vetoed 159 and 900 became law. Obviously, were all much better off.

Or legislators could trim their generous expense allowance, their per diem. Its $176 per day, seven days a week while the Legislature is in session, whether members are in Sacramento or not.

But why, Republicans ask, should Democrats pay for any private counsel when theres a state attorney general to handle state legal work?

Heres a civics refresher: The Legislature and the attorney general arent one and the same. They constitute different branches of government, a separation of powers. The attorney general doesnt answer to the Legislature.

Legislative leaders want their own astute lawyer at their beck and call not to sue the Trump administration, but to advise whats legal and whats not.

Can a President Trump cut off federal funds to California sanctuary cities that shield undocumented immigrants from federal deportation? Can a Republican president and Congress gut Californias landmark environmental protections and climate change programs?

What can California do besides spending an extra $20 billion, a political impossibility to save Obamacare, which covers 6.5 million Californians?

Thats not a trumped up number, De Len says.

Can the U.S. labor department eviscerate De Lens recently passed act to provide a retirement plan for low-income, self-employed people?

Trump is a huge threat to California laws, quite honestly, Rendon says. I think hes a threat to democracy, someone who doesnt care much for checks and balances.

And face it, Becerra, although first-rate, hasnt practiced law in more than a quarter-century.

Moreover, he hasnt even publicly committed to seeking election to a full four-year term in 2018. Hes leaving some wiggle room, presumably to possibly run for governor or the U.S. Senate if Dianne Feinstein retires.

Thats making some legislators nervous. And Becerra is sure to be pressed on it when the Assembly holds his first confirmation hearing Tuesday.

He cant show up for a year and just use the office as a springboard for his own political ambitions, one influential Democratic senator told me, requesting anonymity.

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Eric Holder could be California's MVP, or he could be a bust ...

Former Attorney General Eric Holder will back the California Legislature in potential legal clashes with the incoming Trump administration.

Holder, currently a partner at the law firm Covington & Burling, will serve as an adviser and outside counsel to help "resist any attempts to roll back the progress California has made" in particular with climate change, health care, civil rights and immigration issues, legislative leaders said Wednesday.

Democrats control both houses in California's Legislature as well as the governor's office. The left-leaning state, which went overwhelmingly for Trump's opponent Hillary Clinton, is poised to be at the forefront of legal battles with the GOP-led federal government.

"With the upcoming change in administrations, we expect that there will be extraordinary challenges for California in the uncertain times ahead," California Senate leader Kevin de Len and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a joint statement.

Related: Eric Holder, Former Attorney General, Returning to Covington & Burling Law Firm

Holder would potentially work with the governor's pick for state attorney general, Congressman Xavier Becerra, who is expected to be confirmed next week.

Holder added that his firm will help look at any changes to federal law and their impact on California. For instance, the state would see the biggest increase in uninsured residents if Obamacare were repealed by Republicans in Washington, CNBC reported.

Some California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have been vocal about potential changes in federal immigration policy under Trump that could lead to mass deportations.

Holder, who served as attorney general under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2015, has been an outspoken critic of Trump.

In October, he called out then-candidate Trump's threat to prosecute Clinton over her use of a private email server.

"Be afraid of any candidate who says he will order DOJ/FBI to act on his command," Holder tweeted.

De Len told The New York Times that Holder's compensation was still being worked out, but that it will be publicly disclosed.

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Eric Holder Hired by California for Legal Battles Against ...

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, seen in 2014, has been hired by the California Legislature o advise members regarding potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, seen in 2014, has been hired by the California Legislature o advise members regarding potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration.

California Legislature hires Eric Holder to fend off Trump

SACRAMENTO California legislative leaders upped the ante on their vows to fight attempts by the incoming Trump administration to weaken the states climate change, immigration or other policies, announcing Wednesday that their houses hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help.

State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Len, D-Los Angeles, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County), said Holder and his team from the firm Covington & Burling will serve as outside legal counsel for the Legislature under a three-month, $75,000 contract.

Its very important to prepare California in the event there needs to be a legal fight to protect the policies that have made California the fifth-largest economy in the world, de Len said in an interview Wednesday.

The move comes after Gov. Jerry Brown nominated Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra to fill the attorney general seat vacated by Kamala Harris, who was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The Legislature is holding nomination hearings next week for Becerras appointment, which lawmakers are expected to approve.

Californias attorney general typically serves as the states top attorney, but Rendon and de Len said they began talking in November about bringing on additional legal help after Donald Trump was elected president. They said Holder and his firm ensure they have the best and brightest defense in order to resist any attempts to roll back the progress California has made.

The renowned firm has represented states and corporations in fights against the federal government.

The Assembly and state Senate will split the firms $25,000 monthly fee, which covers 40 attorney hours, to retain Holder and his team.

The three-month contract is scheduled to begin Feb. 1. Rendon said Holder and the firm will work directly with him and de Len.

The contract calls for Holder, former Los Angeles Rep. Howard Berman, former federal prosecutor Daniel Shallman and others at the firm to advise the Legislature on a wide range of topics where the state could clash with the Trump administration, including immigration, health care, civil rights and climate change policies.

The Legislature made the announcement on the first day of the new legislative session. Democrats have a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature, meaning they have a two-thirds voting bloc that could be used to pass taxes or put initiatives on the ballot without a single Republican vote.

The move to hire Holder comes after de Len and Rendon used their swearing-in ceremonies last month to say they will fight Trump and his Cabinet picks on any effort to increase deportations of immigrants in the country without documentation.

I am honored that the legislature chose Covington to serve as its legal advisor as it considers how to respond to potential changes in federal law that could impact Californias residents and policy priorities, Holder said in a statement. I am confident that our expertise across a wide array of federal legal and regulatory issues will be a great resource to the legislature.

A spokesman at the firm declined to comment further.

Holder was a partner at Covington from 2001 to 2009 before becoming attorney general in the Obama administration. He resigned as attorney general in 2015 and returned to the firms Washington office.

State Republicans called the move a political stunt and questioned why outside counsel is needed given the attorney generals office serves as the states legal team and the Legislature has an office of its own legislative lawyers.

Democrats should focus on solving these real-world problems instead of wasting tax-payer money to score political points before the president-elect even takes office, said Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley (San Bernardino County), in a statement. The states incoming attorney general has spent decades in Washington working on federal policies. Its not clear why legislative Democrats needed to hire a D.C. insider to litigate the exact same issues.

What a waste, added state Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel (Orange County).

Rendon said the attorney general is tasked with providing legal advice to the state, not lawmakers, and that legislative counsel is a nonpartisan office that cant advise Democrats on strategy.

The rhetoric coming out of the future administration, the rhetoric throughout the campaign we dont think this is overreaction at all, Rendon told reporters Wednesday.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez

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California Legislature hires Eric Holder to fend off Trump ...