14Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Due Friday, February 22^nd, 2019

Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship

The Maddy Institute

Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, February 22^nd, 2019. Through the generosity of The Wonderful Company, San Joaquin Valley students will have the opportunity to become the next generation of Valley leaders through The Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship. The Maddy Institute will award two $56,000 Fellowships to Valley students who are accepted into a nationally ranked, qualified graduate program in the fall of 2019.

North SJ Valley:

Council will consider Wright as next vice mayor

Stockton Record

As different faces join the Stockton City Council on the dais Tuesday, an incumbent will be taking on a new role. Councilman Dan Wright has been chosen by Mayor Michael Tubbs to be the city’s next vice mayor.

Central SJ Valley:

Jim Costa: Keeping America safe is the priority. That involves more than just a wall

Fresno Bee

Most of us agree that our nation needs effective border security, which takes more than building a wall. Over my congressional career — through three presidents from both parties — I have continually voted to improve border security, including authorizing construction of physical barriers where appropriate.

● Trump Claims There Is a Crisis at the Border. What’s the Reality? New York Times

● Trump’s bogus justifications for the border wall Brookings

Brown Wave socks Fresno City Council; Latinos gain majority on municipal body

Vida en el Valle

Forget the Blue Wave during the mid-term elections, the Fresno City Council balloting turned into a Brown Wave as voters gave California’s fifth-largest city a Latino majority of four.

Fresno County sheriff attended meeting to oppose sanctuary law. So did alleged hate group

Fresno Bee

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims attended a meeting on opposing SB 54, California’s sanctuary state law, records show. Other Valley sheriffs were invited, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Is Bob Nelson right for Fresno Unified? The new board may have its say

Fresno Bee

Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson says he wants the district Board of Trustees to re-evaluate his job performance at a future meeting amid a clash with a new trustee who would like to see the district progress at a faster rate.

South SJ Valley:

TJ Cox: We need real border security now, but the border wall is not it

Fresno Bee

Reasonable people on both sides of the political debate can disagree about the right way to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our country and regulate our immigration system. But the current crisis does nothing to address these concerns.

Kevin McCarthy promises ‘action’ after latest racist remarks by Steve King

Los Angeles Times

Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, promised “action” after the latest racist remarks by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

Council to discuss Bastille, homeless center

Hanford Sentinel

The first Hanford City Council meeting of the year will be a big one, with seven items of new business to discuss, including declaring the Bastille as surplus property and deciding what direction the city should go regarding a proposed homeless service center.

A full slate of scheduled matters at Tuesday’s Council meeting

Porterville Recorder

Following the employee of the month award, AB 1234 reports will be given. All concerning parties will be updated on the Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness, the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board, and the Tule River.

After first contract extension, Ryan Alsop hopes to continue county’s path to recovery

Bakersfield Californian

Though the last three years of belt-tightening and cost-cutting have been tough, Kern County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop has pursued an outlook of optimism, and he has tried to get his staff to do the same.

New District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer celebrated in lavish oath-of-office ceremony

Bakersfield Californian

New Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer kicked off her term with an elaborate oath of office ceremony Friday, attended by hundreds of the county’s top officials and law enforcement agents.

A new day dawns in Shafter, where positive change is afoot

Bakersfield Californian

The new year begins with new leadership at Shafter city hall. Last month, veteran Shafter councilman Gilbert Alvarado was voted in as mayor and newly elected councilman Cesar Lopez named mayor pro-tem.

Kern County begins to feel impact of federal government shutdown

Bakersfield Californian

The shutdown of the federal government is beginning to take a toll on individuals and businesses in Kern County.

● Americans blame Trump and GOP much more than Democrats for shutdown, Post-ABC poll finds Washington Post

State:

California’s Legislature Is Very White And Very Male

Capital Public Radio

California is famous for its diversity, but the new class of lawmakers in the state legislature don’t necessarily represent the demographics of their constituents.

Gavin Newsom issues a warning: He’s going to talk a lot more than Jerry Brown

Los Angeles Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom barely paused to catch his breath as he tossed out more than $300 million worth of morsels from his newly crafted budget in a span of less than three minutes.

Calif. Gov. Newsom bringing wife on board as “first partner” in Sacramento

San Francisco Chronicle

Newly installed Gov. Gavin Newsom isn’t the only family member with an office in the Capitol — his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is moving in as well, with the title of “first partner.”

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra begins new term promising to fight Trump policies

Los Angeles Times

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra took the oath of office for a new term, saying he would continue his role as a leading challenger to Trump administration actions that he believes are counter to the state’s interests.

Walters: Dr. Newsom wants to cure state’s tech disease

CALmatters

One of the great mysteries of California politics is why, in a state that boasts of its digital innovation, its government has such a miserable record on using technology.

Walters: We pay through the nose to live in California

CALmatters

While decrying economic inequality is not a new theme for California politicians, they’ve only occasionally cited high living costs as a factor.

Federal:

Trump tweets into the void as shutdown sets record

Fresno Bee

As government shutdown enters record books for its longevity, congressional lawmakers are scattered and Trump tweets into a void.

● Graham urging Trump to reopen government for a few weeks Fresno Bee

● Government shutdown becomes the longest in US history abc30

● Government shutdown becomes longest federal closure in US history Hanford Sentinel

● The shutdown today: Ally presses Trump to reopen government Porterville Recorder

● Sen. Lindsey Graham urges Trump to reopen government then potentially declare a national emergency Los Angeles Times

● White House Contemplates Weeks More of Shutdown Wall Street Journal

● Government Shutdown & National Parks: Partisans Must Stop Playing Politics National Review

● My turn: The federal shutdown could have cost me my life CALmatters

● EDITORIAL: America has a security crisis, but it’s not on the border Los Angeles Times

Who’s in and who’s on the fence?

Los Angeles Times

Many Democrats are exploring a possible run, reaching out to donors and gauging interest in their potential candidacy. Here’s a guide to who’s running, who seems interested and who’s dropping major hints.

● Julian Castro, former Obama official, launches 2020 presidential bid abc30

● Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she is running for president in 2020 abc30

● Kamala Harris wraps up book tour in L.A. amid buzz of a White House run Los Angeles Times

● Old, young, liberal, centrist: Democrats will have no end of choices for president in 2020 Los Angeles Times

● After Trump, swarm of Democrats eye 2020 and think why not? Los Angeles Times

● Kamala Harris, not yet a candidate for president, toys with warm SF crowd San Francisco Chronicle

Donald Trump’s 50 Most Unthinkable Moments

The Atlantic

In retrospect, we may be guilty of understatement.

See also:

· Trump has proved remarkably inept at governing. That’s a good thing for democracy Los Angeles Times

Democrats vow to step up investigations amid explosive new reports of Trump and Russia

Los Angeles Times

Congressional Democrats on Sunday pledged heightened scrutiny of President Trump’s dealings with Russia, spurred on by news reports of extraordinary secrecy surrounding his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the opening in 2017 of an FBI counterintelligence probe into whether Trump worked on behalf of the Kremlin.

See Also:

● Trump has concealed details of his face-to-face encounters with Putin from senior officials in administration San Francisco Chronicle

Trump Pick for Attorney General to Tell Senate He Would Allow Special Counsel to Finish Investigation

Wall Street Journal

William Barr to testify Tuesday that it is ‘vitally important’ Robert Mueller be allowed to complete Russia probe.

Other:

In major shift, Chamber of Commerce to rate lawmakers on bipartisanship

RollCall

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a frequent ally of Republicans in Congress, will revamp its criteria for rating and endorsing lawmakers, relying more on bipartisanship in an attempt to rebuild the governing-focused political center, the group announced Thursday.

EDITORIAL: Understanding an opposing view is critical if true civility is to be achieved

Fresno Bee

Though this way of telling America’s story is not new, it has intensified in the last 60 years. So perhaps it’s time to realize that history is not melodrama and, invariably, ironies abound.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, January 20, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 –Maddy Report:“New Laws – Future Legislation” – Guests: Dan Walters with CALmatters and Scott Lay with The Nooner – California Political Update. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 20, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: Valley Views Edition: “California Politics: A Look Back and A Look Forward” – Guests: John Myers (LA Times), Dan Walters and Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters), Scott Lay with The Nooner, Mindy Romero with USC Price School of Public Policy and Joel Fox with Fox & Hounds. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 20, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Nuevas Leyes y Legislacion futura” – Guests: Alexei Koseff, Reportero de Sacramento Bee. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

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AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Nichols Farms donates truckloads of food, $40K to FoodLink

Hanford Sentinel

Dozens of employees gathered outside of the Nichols Farms offices Friday to officially present two truckloads of canned food items and a $40,000 check to FoodLink of Tulare Friday afternoon.

‘H.R. 420’ is a proposed bill that would regulate marijuana like alcohol

Visalia Times Delta

A bill introduced in Congress this week that seeks to regulate marijuana like alcohol has been numbered “H.R. 420,” a name the bill’s sponsor has called a “tongue-in-cheek” reference to cannabis.

Industry wary of alternatives tries to protect a word: meat

Sacramento Bee

More than four months after Missouri became the first U.S. state to regulate the term “meat” on product labels, Nebraska’s powerful farm groups are pushing for similar protection from veggie burgers, tofu dogs and other items that look and taste like meat.

Nobody Is Moving Our Cheese: American Surplus Reaches Record High

NPR

It’s a stinky time for the American cheese industry.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

‘Preying on Innocents’: 210 Connect hosts film, discussion on Tulare County sex trafficking

Visalia Times Delta

On Monday, 210 Connect will host the Tulare County premiere of “Preying on Innocents,” a short documentary produced by two Visalians — Shelley Ellis and Zach Green. The documentary explores the perils of sex trafficking in the Central Valley.

Bad forensic science is putting innocent people in prison

Los Angeles Times

Welcome to the real world of forensics, where the wizardry lionized by the “CSI” television empire turns out to have serious flaws.

Public Safety:

Why more training could not have saved Davis police Officer Natalie Corona

Fresno Bee

More training could not have saved Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona from an ambush by Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, who was armed with a semiautomatic handgun and emerged from the shadows and opened fire.

CHP uses social media to send alerts and get valuable tips from motoring public

Fresno Bee

The California Highway Patrol is communicating with the public through social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. With more than 105,000 Facebook followers here in San Joaquin Valley alone, the CHP can reach thousands in an instant.

Body cams, new uniforms and deputies at schools? Stanislaus County has a new sheriff

Modesto Bee

Dirkse, 46, was the hand-picked successor who promised to place his own stamp on the Sheriff’s Department. With support from the Board of Supervisors and a healthy economy, Dirkse is poised to bring about some tangible changes in his first year in office.

California police unions are preparing to battle new transparency law in the courtroom

Los Angeles Times

Just as a landmark police transparency law is going into effect, some California police agencies are shredding internal affairs documents and law enforcement unions are rushing to block the information from being released.

KCSO K-9s receive ballistic vests

Bakersfield Californian

Tehachapi resident Jennie Haberlander teamed up with Marley’s Mutts and orchestrated a fundraiser at Motor City in Bakersfield to help equip unprotected members of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit with ballistic vests.

Feds Can’t Force You To Unlock Your iPhone With Finger Or Face, Judge Rules

Forbes

A California judge has ruled that American cops can’t force people to unlock a mobile phone with their face or finger. The ruling goes further to protect people’s private lives from government searches than any before and is being hailed as a potentially landmark decision.

EDITORIAL: Time to force issue on gun background checks

San Francisco Chronicle

Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced a measure that would extend federal background checks to all gun sales, including private transactions.

Fire:

PG&E CEO resigns as company faces billions in liability

Fresno Bee

The CEO of Pacific Gas and Electric resigned Sunday and employees could learn this week if the utility will declare insolvency while facing billions of dollars in liability over its role in recent California wildfires.

See Also:

● PG&E plans to go bankrupt amid California wildfire crisis Modesto Bee

● PG&E Chief Executive Geisha Williams leaves as utility readies for possible bankruptcy Los Angeles Times

● PG&E, facing colossal liability, seeks bankruptcy protection Bakersfield Californian

● What happens if PG&E goes bankrupt? CALmatters

● PG&E Sparked at Least 1,500 California Fires. Now the Utility Faces Collapse. Wall Street Journal

● PG&E CEO Steps Down Amid California Wildfire Crisis Wall Street Journal

● EDITORIAL: PG&E’s crimes and negligence demand action Sacramento Bee

California town launches ‘Goat Fund Me’ to prevent wildfires

abc30

The threat of catastrophic wildfires has driven a Northern California town to launch a “Goat Fund Me” campaign to bring herds of goats to city-owned land to help clear brush.

‘Trump Anger Translator’ comes through again with clarity on wildfire aid

Bakersfield Californian

President Trump has an anger translator: Bakersfield’s congressman, Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Trump tweets out unhelpful, uninformed, or just plain wrong threats and accusations, sometimes angrily, and McCarthy calmly “clarifies” the president’s words in the more gracious language of a seasoned politician.

● What you need to know about Trump’s quiet order to fight wildfires Washington Post

Shutdown Hampers Wildfire Preparedness and Training Across The Country

Capital Public Radio

In California and the southeast U.S., forest cleanup and fuel mitigation projects, intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, are being postponed. That lost time is raising concerns from fire officials around the country.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

Google Walkout call for end to forced arbitration

Business Insider

Organizers of last year’s Google Walkout are not done yet.

What Tucker Carlson Gets Right

The Atlantic

The stability of working-class family life has eroded—and elite policy makers are partially to blame.

Shutdown Pinches Economic Growth

Wall Street Journal

The effects aren’t yet widespread, but a lasting impasse would begin curtailing the rate of expansion.

China’s Annual Trade Surplus With U.S. Hits Record Despite Trump’s Tariff Offensive

Wall Street Journal

China posted a trade surplus of $323.32 billion with the U.S. in 2018.

See also:

● The Trade Conflict Starts to Bite China Wall Street Journal

In major shift, Chamber of Commerce to rate lawmakers on bipartisanship

RollCall

Jobs:

San Joaquin Valley job gains outweighed mass layoffs in 2018. What will 2019 bring?

Fresno Bee

Employers across the greater San Joaquin Valley collectively laid off almost 7,600 workers because of plant or store closures or layoffs in 2018, and some companies already have plans to let go of nearly 600 more in the first few months of 2019.

Government shutdown officially begins to affect wallets of federal employees

abc30

Everyone looks forward to payday. But for most federal employees it was just another Friday. Many are still going to work – they’re just not getting paid for it.

● Firefighter “panhandles” to raise shutdown awareness abc30

● Kern County begins to feel impact of federal government shutdown Bakersfield Californian

● Federal workers can file for unemployment benefits San Francisco Chronicle

Modesto construction company has new leader. He started job-shadowing dad at 11

Modesto Bee

Simile Construction Service, a commercial builder based in Modesto, has a new leader from within the founding family. Joe Simile, son of Guy and Gina Simile, is now president and chief operating officer.

The Push To Break Up The Boys’ Club At The Fed

Capital Public Radio

At a time when more women than men are graduating from college and earning doctorates, just a third of Ph.D.s in economics go to women. Now there’s an effort to increase women economists at the Fed.

Deaf And Unemployed: Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

Capital Public Radio

Deaf people struggle with high unemployment. So they are creating their own “deaf ecosystems” and pushing employers to better accommodate them.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Is Bob Nelson right for Fresno Unified? The new board may have its say

Fresno Bee

Massetti sworn in for a third term

Madera Tribune

Cecilia A. Massetti was sworn in as the Madera County superintendent of schools by the Honorable Judge Mitchell Rigby on Monday at the county education conference center.

Madera Police, Unified host active shooter training for officers, volunteers

abc30

For the safety of the students in Madera, law enforcement officers held active shooter training at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Hosted by the Madera Police Department and Madera Unified School District, officers went through multiple simulations of them entering a school and classrooms.

Barlow sworn in at office of education

Hanford Sentinel

Kings County Board of Education President Marlene “Mickey” Thayer administered the oath of office Wednesday afternoon to County Superintendent of Schools Todd Barlow, but before she did so, she spoke about how honored she was to be swearing him in.

KHSD board considering property for future school in Northwest Bakersfield

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern High School District board of trustees will be holding a public hearing on property for a future school site during its meeting on Monday.

Gavin Newsom Wants More Bathrooms For Kindergartners

Capital Public Radio

Before Gavin Newsom can expand preschool, California will first have to get to full-day kindergarten by building classrooms with those little toilets attached.

What the LA Teachers Strike Is All About

The Nation

California is home to the industrial giants of Silicon Valley, the film industry, and the largest agricultural sector in the nation, but it has starved its public schools of resources for years.

Higher Ed:

Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship

The Maddy Institute

Why doesn’t Valley have a seat at UC table?

Modesto Bee

The San Joaquin Valley is a big place, with eight counties, 4.2 million people and California’s fifth, 13th and 18th largest cities. One in 10 Californians lives in our Valley. But there is not one representative – not one – from the entire San Joaquin Valley on the University of California Board of Regents

CSU Stockton? Gavin Newsom’s Budget Proposes $2 Million To Study Possibility

Capital Public Radio

Officials have worked years to push the establishment of a CSU Stockton, a four-year public university in one of fastest growing regions in California.

New California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she will help expand access to universities in the state

Los Angeles Times

More Californians should be given access to public universities, Eleni Kounalakis said as she took the oath of office Monday to become the state’s first woman elected lieutenant governor.

EDITORIAL: Gov. Newsom’s free community college plan won’t be as easy as it sounds

San Francisco Chronicle

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants you to get a community college degree for free. Newsom’s first budget proposal calls for the state to waive two years’ worth of community college fees for first-time students who are enrolled on a full-time basis.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks reopen during government shutdown

Fresno Bee

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks reopened to the public Friday, Jan. 11, 2018. The parks were previously closed due to the government shutdown. Some services will still be temporarily unavailable.

● Update: Sequoia, Kings Canyon parks reopen Visalia Times Delta

Recreational fishing rules to be overhauled under new law

Sacramento Bee

The rules that govern recreational marine fishing in the U.S. will get an overhaul due to a new law passed by Congress, and the country’s millions of anglers and the groups that stake their livelihoods on them hope the changes will bring better management.

More wildfires, drought and climate change bring devastating changes to California wildlands

Sacramento Bee

The combination of too-frequent wildfires and drought amplified by climate change poses a growing threat to wildlands that deliver drinking water to millions, provide refuge from Southland sprawl and – 142 years after Muir penned his mash note – are still home to mountain lions, bears and big-eared woodrats.

Scientists Call for Drastic Drop in Emissions. U.S. Appears to Have Gone the Other Way.

Pro Publica

A report by a private research company found that U.S. emissions, which amount to one-sixth of the planet’s, didn’t fall in 2018 but instead skyrocketed. The 3.4 percent jump for 2018, projected by the firm, would be second-largest surge in greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. since Bill Clinton was president.

EDITORIAL: Trump’s EPA is taking what may be its most harmful step yet

Los Angeles Times

If Trump’s EPA succeeds, it could severely undermine environmental protections in ways that are technical and therefore murky to the general public.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Two flu deaths confirmed in Fresno County. Officials say protect yourself

Fresno Bee

The first two flu-related deaths this season of Fresno County residents under the age of 65 were reported Friday. Officials at the health department said the recent deaths bring the number of flu deaths in Fresno County to six since October 2018.

New Year’s fitness resolutions already fading? Here’s some tips how to stay motivated

Fresno Bee

There’s a sad statistic about those who’ve made losing weight and working out more a New Year’s resolution. By February, it’s estimated that 80 percent of people give up their health and fitness New Year’s resolution, according to a U.S. News & World report. That, of course, doesn’t have to be you.

Human Services:

Care for those with serious mental illness is now possible in California

Fresno Bee

The seriously mentally ill (SMI) are only about 4 percent of all mentally ill people, but the havoc and pain they, their families, victims and the public endure from their illnesses are incalculable. Since California closed most of its psychiatric hospitals some 50 years ago, jails, prisons, hospital emergency departments and the streets have been dismal substitutes for quality locked psychiatric facilities.

Library to get new hours for remodel

Madera Tribune

Starting Jan. 22, the Madera County library near Courthouse Memorial Park will open and close late to enable improvements such as new carpeting and paint. Upgrades will be completed in phases to minimize the effect on library patrons.

New National Institutes of Health tool could help save lives

abc30

A new tool from the National Institutes of Health could help save lives. The NIH announced the “BRCA Exchange.” It’s designed to help women learn more about breast cancer risk.

Local residents contribute to a mattress recycling program

Visalia Times Delta

Through the “Bye Bye Mattress” program, Tulare County residents properly disposed of an estimated 30,000 mattresses last year, according to officials. Across the state, the program has recycled more than 3 million mattresses since 2016.

Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in California and 12 other states

Los Angeles Times

A federal judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules that would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

California Adds Its Clout to States Battling High Drug Prices

New York Times

Gavin Newsom dived into the highly charged debate over prescription drug prices in his first week as California’s governor, vowing action on a topic that has enraged the public but has proved resistant to easy fixes.

V.A. Seeks to Redirect Billions of Dollars Into Private Care

New York Times

The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing to shift billions of dollars from government-run veterans’ hospitals to private health care providers, setting the stage for the biggest transformation of the veterans’ medical system in a generation.

IMMIGRATION

Fresno County sheriff attended meeting to oppose sanctuary law. So did alleged hate group

Fresno Bee

What is a H-1B visa, which Trump said will soon be changed?

Fresno Bee

On Friday, President Donald Trump took to Twitter to announce that “changes are soon coming” for immigrant workers with H-1B visas.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Will Fresno put the brakes on an industrial park project? Some residents hope so

Fresno Bee

The Fresno City Council on Thursday will consider rescinding permits for the Caglia industrial park project. Residents sought the action a year ago before filing a lawsuit against the city.

As Kern River Parkway turns 45, founders look back with pride, but say there’s more work to do

Bakersfield Californian

Could Kern River Parkway founders Rich O’Neil and Bill Cooper have envisioned in the mid-1970s that the parkway and the bike path would one day stretch 35 miles, from Interstate 5 to Lake Ming? Well, yes.

Iconic Valley restaurant building may be torn down, if new plans fail

Fresno Bee

The fate of the former Swedish Mill in Kingsburg may be in jeopardy, if the owner of the iconic property can’t pull together a deal to reopen it as a new restaurant.

Housing:

Low-income Valley towns get pilot projects for clean energy at 2,000 households

Fresno Bee

In California, we know climate change is real.

State Controller Betty Yee takes oath of office with call for more affordable housing and healthcare

Los Angeles Times

California Controller Betty Yee took the oath of office Monday for a second term, saying she still has work to do addressing problems that include a lack of affordability in housing, healthcare and higher education.

It’s A Big Deal: Newsom’s Housing Budget, Explained

Capital Public Radio

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal provides a good sense of his priorities to combat what he has called “the issue when it comes to California poverty”—affordable housing.

Newsom Proposes $144 Billion California Budget With Focus On Education, Building Reserves

Capital Public Radio

California’s booming economy and fiscal health have offered Gov. Gavin Newsom a rare opportunity: to propose a state budget with something for nearly everyone.

● Capitol Chat: Gov. Newsom Unveils Plan To Spend More On Housing, Education And Healthcare Capital Public Radio

● Gov. Gavin Newsom embraces an untested idea on how California’s rainy-day fund should work Los Angeles Times

● EDITORIAL: Gavin Newsom just pried open California’s checkbook Los Angeles Times

It’s Official: The Trump Tax Cuts Didn’t Pay for Themselves in Year One

New York Times

Federal tax revenues declined in 2018 while economic growth accelerated, undercutting the Trump administration’s insistence that the $1.5 trillion tax package would pay for itself.

My turn: California’s other fiscal time bomb

CALmatters

California’s state and local agencies have $187 billion in unfunded retiree health care and other benefit liabilities that threaten to crowd out public services, such as public safety and education, that Californians expect government to provide.

TRANSPORTATION

Average US price of gas drops 12 cents per gallon to $2.31

abc30

The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline has dropped 12 cents a gallon (3.8 liters) over the past three weeks to $2.31. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that falling crude oil costs are the main reason for the decrease at the pump.

Downtown Visalia trolley a ‘downward spiral’ money pit for city

Visalia Times Delta

Visalia’s Towne Trolley service first began transporting downtown visitors in November 1998. In 2017, the trolley service ended due to low ridership. The Holly Trolley, an annual holiday tradition linked to the trolley service, was also discontinued after its final run at the end of 2017.

Ten things more inequitable than road pricing

CityCommentary

Don’t decry congestion pricing as inequitable until after you fix, or at least acknowledge, these ten other things that are even more inequitable about the way we pay for transportation.

WATER

Valley town with bad wells gets ‘surprise’ visit from Gov. Newsom — who wants tax on water

Merced Sun-Star

Governor Gavin Newsom made a trip to Stanislaus County, California, to meet residents in Ceres, a Central Valley community known for unsafe wells. The visit came a day after he proposed a tax on drinking water.

See Also:

● Gov. Newsom delivers a message: ‘We’re in this together’ Modesto Bee

● Gavin Newsom budget calls for drinking water tax to help poor communities Sacramento Bee

Could be a wet week for Modesto — up to 3 inches by Friday — Weather Service says

Modesto Bee

The rain is returning, the National Weather Service says. Between Monday and Friday morning, Modesto could receive up to 3 inches, according to the forecast.

In this water-starved California town, one citrus farmer is trying to hold on

Desert Sun

A longtime farmer hopes to save his borrego springs citrus orchard, even as its declining aquifer forces major cuts in groundwater pumping.

EDITORIAL: State’s water grab forced our hand; Merced’s lawsuit justified and necessary

Merced Sun-Star

By voting to impose draconian and scientifically unjustifiable water restrictions on our region, four of the five board members on the State Water Resources Control Board tuned out dozens of scientists, water professionals and people who live near the rivers.

“Xtra”

Here’s how to afford high-end restaurants – like Erna’s – in Madera County this month

Fresno Bee

If you’ve ever wanted to eat at a high-end restaurant like Erna’s Elderberry House or The Vineyard Restaurant & Bar without a high-end bill, this is your chance. Restaurants in Madera County are participating in Madera Restaurant Month, offering special meals at reduced prices.

Valley Focus: Honoring the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

abc30

The City of Fresno’s MLK Unity Committee is hosting several local events to pay tribute to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tachi Palace hosts Commission on Aging fundraiser event

Hanford Sentinel

The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino and the Kings County Commission on Aging are inviting the public to breakfast for eggs, bacon — and charitable giving.

Modesto gets its first Ike’s sandwich shop, second to open in the Central Valley

Modesto Bee

The wait is over, Modesto. You can now sink your teeth into your own Ike’s sandwich as the popular Bay Area chain opens its first location in the city.

Stockton’s first women’s march an amazing way to bring people together

Stockton Record

The first Stockton’s Women’s March is Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. at Eden Park and ending at Martin Luther King Plaza. Although the first women’s march in 2017, which drew 5 million people across the globe, was largely spurred by politics, the Stockton Women’s March has another objective.

Community Cleanup Day scheduled

Hanford Sentinel

What started as an idea to take care of problematic areas in the city has become an event to bring people together within the community, while doing a lot of good for each other.

DeMond was knowledgeable, direct, witty … and overlooked

Bakersfield Californian

Reading The Californian’s “Notable deaths of 2018” article, one was notably absent: Pat DeMond.

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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno was established to honor the legacy of one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.

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