POLICY & POLITICS
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North SJ Valley:
Gov. Newsom delivers a message: ‘We’re in this together’
Modesto Bee
The governor wanted some of the most influential people in California to see Monterey Park Tract. This poor community of roughly 240 sits on the pancake-flat plain of western Stanislaus County, about eight miles from Modesto.
Stanislaus County Worker Strike Moves Into Second Week
Capital Public Radio
SEIU 521 — which represents 700 county workers including librarians, animal services, and social workers — rejected the county’s last and best offer on Friday.
Stanislaus Consolidated seeks stability with new chief after shaky recent history
Modesto Bee
The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District board has promoted an in-house candidate as the permanent fire chief. The district board gave the job to former Capt. Michael Whorton after more than two dozen candidates were considered.
Why Modesto is asking its residents to fill out a survey
Modesto Bee
Modesto is asking residents to fill out an online survey to learn what they believe the city is doing well and where it needs to improve, including its efforts to tackle homelessness and how efficiently it spends its public safety money.
Mariposa businesses start to feel impact of shutdown
abc30
The shutdown is going on it’s 24th day, and nearby communities like Mariposa are feeling the hit. Mariposa County Supervisor Kevin Cann said a huge chunk of paychecks in Mariposa County are some way connected to tourism dollars from the National Park.
Central SJ Valley:
Mueller scrutinizing breakfast event held with Cong. Nunes, Flynn: report
The Hill
Special counsel Robert Mueller is scrutinizing a breakfast event held shortly before President Trump’s inauguration, which was attended by Trump allies and foreign officials, according to a Monday Daily Beast report.
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.
See also:
● Urban Sheriffs Flee ICE Program as Small Counties Join Trump’s Deportation Push Pew Charitable Trusts
SEIU moves forward with strike plans at Fresno courthouse; 200-250 workers to take part
Fresno Bee
SEIU Local 521 says its planned strike at the Fresno County Superior Court will start at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 with 200 to 250 employees to take part. The union is still open to negotiations.
See also:
● ‘We just want a fair contract:’ Court workers to strike if agreement not met abc30
South SJ Valley:
‘Liberty Demands Justice’: DA’s office reveals new official seal and motto
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County District Attorney’s office now boasts not just a new top prosecutor, but a new official seal and slogan.
See also:
● Former DA Ed Jagels returning to work to analyze and lobby for change in state laws impacting crime Bakersfield Californian
Grand jury recommends Maricopa city councilmembers show up to meetings to get paid
Bakersfield Californian
A Kern County Grand Jury thinks that the members of the Maricopa City Council actually needs to show up to their meetings in order to receive their monthly stipends.
Are young activists pulling Kern’s Dems leftward after years of control by moderates?
Bakersfield Californian
Progressives were the big winners Sunday when 14 new delegates were selected to represent local Democrats in a little-known selection process known as ADEM, the Assembly District Election Meeting.
State:
Gov. Gavin Newsom embraces an untested idea on how California’s rainy-day fund should work
Los Angeles Times
Then, in his budget proposal last week, new Gov. Gavin Newsom asked lawmakers to set in motion plans to add even more to the rainy-day fund — a total of $4.1 billion more over the next four years.
Federal:
Don’t blame me, McConnell says. The shutdown is Nancy Pelosi’s fault
Fresno Bee
Facing criticism for not doing more to end the longest-ever government shutdown, Senate majority leader blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the impasse.
See also:
● Trump kicks off Day 24 of longest-ever shutdown by blaming Democrats abc30
● Shutdown Shows No Signs Of Wrapping Up Capital Public Radio
● Government shutdown 2019: State, local officials feel the pinch. ‘We are at ground zero.’ Visalia Times Delta
● Trump declares he’ll ‘never back down’ in shutdown fight Sacramento Bee
● In Speech To Struggling Farmers, President Trump Promotes Border Wall Capital Public Radio
● Trump, on shutdown’s 24th day, says he’s ‘not looking’ to call national emergency Los Angeles Times
● The courts won’t stop Trump’s emergency declaration or his border wall Los Angeles Times
● House will vote this week on two stopgap funding bills to end shutdown Roll Call
● Some Galaxy Brain thinking on the government shutdown and its economic impact AEI
Banned from committees for white supremacist comments, King faces censure, condemnation
Fresno Bee
In his most high-profile act since becoming House Majority Whip, Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, will take formal steps to punish Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, for making sympathetic statements about white supremacists.
See also:
● House GOP leaders remove Rep. Steve King from committee assignments after backlash abc30
● House GOP leaders move to strip Rep. Steve King of committee assignments over comment Los Angeles Times
● Republican Steering panel votes not to seat Steve King on any committees Roll Call
Trump’s AG pick says special counsel should be allowed to ‘complete his work’
abc30
Attorney general nominee William Barr, ahead of Tuesday’s Senate confirmation hearing, says special counsel Robert Mueller should be allowed to ‘complete his work.’
See also:
● Barr vows to protect Mueller’s Russia inquiry — as Trump denies being Russian agent Los Angeles Times
● Six things William Barr will tell senators at his AG confirmation hearing Roll Call
● EDITORIAL: Many questions for William Barr San Francisco Chronicle
● Which Lindsey Graham will run the judiciary panel? A high stakes hearing to offer clues Sacramento Bee
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.
See also:
● Gillibrand moving toward 2020 bid in coming days Sacramento Bee
● Democrats face the age old question in 2020 CNN
● A Democratic Narrative Misses the Reality of 2018 Wall Street Journal
Minorities wield power in Nancy Pelosi’s House majority
San Francisco Chronicle
Nearly every night last year, sometimes nearing midnight, Michelle Lujan Grisham’s phone would ring. On the line would be Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Washington Post
In the first major ruling on the controversial question, U.S. District Judge Furman of New York’s Southern District court ordered the administration to stop its plans to add the question to the survey “without curing the legal defects” identified in his opinion.
See also:
● Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Can’t Ask About Citizenship on Census Wall Street Journal
● 2020 Census: Counting Imperial County Public Policy Institute of California
Other:
It’s ‘Network’ nation: How our media became overrun by polarization, outrage and attitude
NY Daily News
While contemporary commentators have noted the ways in which the news industry has become increasingly partisan, they have not given enough weight to the ways in which news has become sensationalized.
See also:
● How campaigns can protect themselves from deepfakes, disinformation, and social media manipulation Brookings
● A Warning for Elected Officials on Social Media—Court Says Don’t Block Critics Route Fifty
Brookings
Explore what more than 40 Brookings experts have identified as the biggest policy issues in their field for 2019, the ideas or proposals they encourage policymakers to consider, and the overlooked stories that deserve greater attention.
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.
TOPICS IN MORE DETAIL…
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Amid trade war that’s hurting their bottom line, many farmers are conflicted about Trump
Los Angeles Times
A year ago, President Trump received a hero’s welcome at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 99th annual convention in Nashville, cheered for rolling back regulations, revamping an Obama administration water rule and for being the first president to address the group in 25 years.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Court order prohibited Officer Natalie Corona’s killer from owning guns
Fresno Bee
Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, the assailant who gunned down Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona Thursday night, was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of a battery case from last September, court records show, and probation officers at the time determined his risk of re-offending was low.
See also:
● EDITORIAL: Natalie Corona, 22, an officer who served fearlessly on the front lines of public safety Sacramento Bee
Human Trafficking Reaches ‘Horrific’ New Heights, Declares U.N. Report
Capital Public Radio
A new report from the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime finds that violent conflict is creating new opportunities for traffickers — and children and girls are increasingly targeted.
See also:
● This ex-sheriff used DNA to snare a serial killer. His new target? Human traffickers. Sacramento Bee
Public Safety:
Tehachapi woman fulfills mission to protect SWAT dogs
Bakersfield Californian
Tehachapi resident Jennie Haberlander et in motion a mission to raise funds to outfit more Kern County SWAT dogs with protective vests. Money was raised for three vests, which was celebrated during a ceremony held at the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in Bakersfield Friday.
Fire:
Stanislaus Consolidated seeks stability with new chief after shaky recent history
Modesto Bee
The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District board has promoted an in-house candidate as the permanent fire chief. The district board gave the job to former Capt. Michael Whorton after more than two dozen candidates were considered.
CA utilities cause hundreds of fires every year. Here’s where they were and how many
Sacramento Bee
As the Camp Fire burned in Butte County, public attention was transfixed on the risk many Californians face when it comes to wildfires. Thousands of people who live in the so-called wildland-urban interface have been affected in recent years as the same scenario plays out with stunning familiarity.
‘Goat Fund Me’ campaign aims to use farm animals to fight wildfires
Los Angeles Times
Vice Mayor Reinette Senum has launched a crowdsourcing campaign called “Goat Fund Me,” hoping the online fundraising efforts will garner $30,000 to work with local ranchers on a prescriptive grazing project on city-owned land, including 450 acres of greenbelt.
Why wildfires pose an existential threat to California tourism
San Francisco Chronicle
Has the ever-expanding wildfire season brought about, as Gov. Jerry Brown has suggested, a “new abnormal” for California travelers? The short answer is yes.
Still no clarity on Trump’s threat to cut off aid to California fire victims
Los Angeles Times
Members of the California congressional delegation say they still have no idea whether President Trump will follow through on his threat to cut off federal disaster funding to the state.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
PG&E plans to file bankruptcy. Will the utility go under? We’ve got some answers
Fresno Bee
Pacific Gas and Electric will file for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law over California wildfire liabilities. Get answers to questions about how this impacts consumers and workers.
See also:
● PG&E calls bankruptcy ‘only viable option’ in California wildfire crisis Fresno Bee
● PG&E to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, CEO resigns abc30
● Here’s how PG&E filing for bankruptcy may affect you abc30
● California governor says PG&E not trusted player Porterville Recorder
● Utility seeks bankruptcy protection over California fires Stockton Record
● What happens if PG&E goes bankrupt? CALmatters
● PG&E bankruptcy Q&A: What does it mean for me? Mercury News
● S.F. Considers Buying Some of PG&E’s Infrastructure in Wake of Bankruptcy Plans KQED
● PG&E Is On Its Way To Bankruptcy. Here’s How It Could Play Out. Capital Public Radio
● PG&E, Facing Colossal Liability, Seeks Bankruptcy Protection After CEO Resigns Capital Public Radio
● PG&E, headed once again to bankruptcy, is anything but a master of disaster Los Angeles Times
● PG&E is going into bankruptcy. But what happens after it comes out? Los Angeles Times
● PG&E to file for bankruptcy as wildfire costs hit $30 billion. Its stock plunges 52% Los Angeles Times
● California lawmakers in no hurry to help out PG&E San Francisco Chronicle
● California Today: The Biggest Unanswered Questions for PG&E New York Times
● PG&E Was a Hedge-Fund Darling. That Bet Flopped. Wall Street Journal
● Who Could Get Hurt by PG&E’s Fire-Driven Bankruptcy: QuickTake Bloomberg
● PG&E Throws Everything Overboard, Still Sinking Bloomberg
● California governor faces first major test navigating PG&E bankruptcy waters Politico
● California governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy AP News
● EDITORIAL: PG&E’s bankruptcy is bad news for everyone San Francisco Chronicle
Mariposa businesses start to feel impact of shutdown
abc30
The shutdown is going on it’s 24th day, and nearby communities like Mariposa are feeling the hit. Mariposa County Supervisor Kevin Cann said a huge chunk of paychecks in Mariposa County are some way connected to tourism dollars from the National Park.
Evaluating Trump’s economic policies, 2 years in
PBS Newshour
Paul Solman sits down with the president’s top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, to discuss recent stock market volatility, the Federal Reserve, tariffs, trade and whether the tax cut has delivered as much as was promised.
See also:
● Backfire economics: Trump’s trade war is putting US businesses at great risk AEI
Ivanka Trump to Help Choose New World Bank President
New York Times
Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter and senior adviser, will play a role in helping to select the next head of the World Bank, the White House said Monday.
Jobs:
State Urges Furloughed Federal Workers To Apply For Unemployment Benefits
Capital Public Radio
The state Employment Development Department estimates there are about 245,000 federal workers in California, although it doesn’t know how many are off the job due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.
See also:
● ‘Barely Treading Water’: Why The Shutdown Disproportionately Affects Black Americans Capital Public Radio
TSA Staffing Shortages Spread Amid Government Shutdown
Wall Street Journal
The partial government shutdown rippled through the U.S. transportation system Monday as staffing issues closed a security checkpoint at Houston’s largest airport and the world’s biggest hub in Atlanta suffered unusually long lines.
EDUCATION
K-12:
FUSD trustees will meet about potential lawsuit after incident with student at Bullard
Fresno Bee
Fresno Unified will hold a special closed session meeting Tuesday to discuss a potential lawsuit stemming from an incident involving a student at Bullard High School on Friday afternoon.
How does your school compare to others? Here’s how to find out
Visalia Times Delta
Each grading period, students are sent home with a report card detailing areas in which they are succeeding and where they can improve. The system is a way for parents to stay up-to-date with their child’s education and a way for students to remain accountable.
FFA students prep for state finals at Exeter High citrus judging contest
Porterville Recorder
More than 140 Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from 19 different schools competed in the Exeter/Golden West sponsored citrus judging contest at Exeter Union High School Ag Farm on Saturday, January 12.
Stockton Unified closer to building elementary school in Quail Lakes neighborhood
Stockton Record
The Stockton Unified School District is moving closer to breaking ground on a new elementary school to be located in the Quail Lakes neighborhood.
Capital Public Radio
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first budget proposal could allocate $45 million for screenings to identify these experiences among children and adults on Medi-Cal. A growing body of research shows that if ACEs are spotted early, doctors and teachers can intervene to change a child’s trajectory.
Day 1 of LA teachers’ strike: Newsom pushes for more transparency of charter schools
CALmatters
As thousands of teachers took the streets of Los Angeles today in the first day of a massive teacher strike, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to immediately address one of the issues driving a wedge in negotiations: charter schools.
See also:
● Garcetti calls L.A. teachers’ strike ‘electrifying’ but urges swift resolution Los Angeles Times
● Only about a third of LAUSD students attended school on first day of teachers’ strike Los Angeles Times
● ‘A historic moment.’ Kids picket alongside teachers in LAUSD strike Los Angeles Times
● What’s Really at Stake in the Los Angeles Teachers’ Strike New York Times
● EDITORIAL: Unions in La-La Land Wall Street Journal
Higher Ed:
Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship
The Maddy Institute
Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, February 22nd, 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.
‘That was a nightmare.’ UC employees still reporting hardships from faulty payroll
Sacramento Bee
University of California employees continue to report missed or reduced direct deposit paychecks that they attribute to the university system’s troubled payroll system, UCPath.
UC student leaders split over future of adviser-to-regents pilot position
San Francisco Chronicle
In a rift between University of California student leaders, one influential group now says it will not fight to save the “student adviser to the regents” role, while another says the position created two years ago provides crucial influence on everything from campus overcrowding to affordable tuition.
New bill would let CSU and UC students avoid loans, but there’s a catch
Sacramento Bee
California college students could get some help paying present-day bills without taking out new loans under a proposal moving forward in the state Legislature. The catch is that the students would have to pledge a portion of their future earnings to their college or university. That means students who earn more would pay more.
Top 6 trends in higher education
Brookings
Around the world, tuition at universities is rising at a much faster rate than inflation and challenging students’ return on investment.
Gov. Newsom Takes First Step On Promise Of Free Community College In California
Capital Public Radio
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom took his first step toward guaranteeing free community college in California last week, marking early progress on one of his top campaign promises.
See also:
● New options on associate degrees, courses and parking at Fresno City College abc30
● West Fresno Campus Open Forum Fresno City College
● Proposed Merced College ag project gets some good news in California’s budget Merced Sun-Star
● Classes resume at Bakersfield College Bakersfield Californian
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
EPA criminal action against polluters hits 30-year low under Trump
NBC News
The Environmental Protection Agency hit a 30-year low in 2018 in the number of pollution cases it referred for criminal prosecution, Justice Department data show.
Ice loss from Antarctica has sextupled since the 1970s, new research finds
Washington Post
An alarming study shows massive East Antarctic ice sheet already is a significant contributor to sea-level rise.
More wildfires, drought and climate change bring devastating changes to California wildlands
Los Angeles Times
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 are still home to mountain lions, bears and big-eared woodrats.
Big Trees and Big Canyons Amaze in This Wild National Park
National Geographic
In addition to sequoias and gorges, California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks also contain the point furthest from a road in the lower 48.
The Big One: Your Survival Guide
89.3 KPCC
There’s a 50 percent chance that some time in the next 30 years, Southern California will be crippled by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Go on a journey to understand what the disaster means for Los Angeles, the U.S. and the world.
Energy:
PG&E plans to file bankruptcy. Will the utility go under? We’ve got some answers
Fresno Bee
Pacific Gas and Electric will file for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law over California wildfire liabilities. Get answers to questions about how this impacts consumers and workers.
See also:
● PG&E calls bankruptcy ‘only viable option’ in California wildfire crisis Fresno Bee
● PG&E to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, CEO resigns abc30
● Here’s how PG&E filing for bankruptcy may affect you abc30
● California governor says PG&E not trusted player Porterville Recorder
● Utility seeks bankruptcy protection over California fires Stockton Record
● What happens if PG&E goes bankrupt? CALmatters
● PG&E bankruptcy Q&A: What does it mean for me? Mercury News
● S.F. Considers Buying Some of PG&E’s Infrastructure in Wake of Bankruptcy Plans KQED
● PG&E Is On Its Way To Bankruptcy. Here’s How It Could Play Out. Capital Public Radio
● PG&E, Facing Colossal Liability, Seeks Bankruptcy Protection After CEO Resigns Capital Public Radio
● PG&E, headed once again to bankruptcy, is anything but a master of disaster Los Angeles Times
● PG&E is going into bankruptcy. But what happens after it comes out? Los Angeles Times
● PG&E to file for bankruptcy as wildfire costs hit $30 billion. Its stock plunges 52% Los Angeles Times
● California lawmakers in no hurry to help out PG&E San Francisco Chronicle
● California Today: The Biggest Unanswered Questions for PG&E New York Times
● PG&E Was a Hedge-Fund Darling. That Bet Flopped. Wall Street Journal
● Who Could Get Hurt by PG&E’s Fire-Driven Bankruptcy: QuickTake Bloomberg
● PG&E Throws Everything Overboard, Still Sinking Bloomberg
● California governor faces first major test navigating PG&E bankruptcy waters Politico
● California governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy AP News
● EDITORIAL: PG&E’s bankruptcy is bad news for everyone San Francisco Chronicle
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Recent fentanyl overdose death prompts Fresno health and law enforcement response
Fresno Bee
The fetanyl drug overdose crisis that first erupted back east has come to Fresno County in a case where a Fresno man died of an overdose, Sheriff Margaret Mims said Monday.
See also:
● Law enforcement send out warning after fentanyl overdose leaves 1 dead, 2 injured abc30
● Some Drug Users in Western U.S. Seek Out Deadly Fentanyl. Here’s Why. Pew Charitable Trusts
● Americans now more likely to die from opioid overdose than a car crash, study finds Fresno Bee
● Report: Americans Are Now More Likely To Die Of An Opioid Overdose Than On The Road NPR
Why California pharmacies are rejecting some prescriptions for pain medications
Fresno Bee
Doctors around California are complaining that the state did not send them notice of a Jan. 1 change in prescription forms and that pharmacies are rejecting prescriptions for controlled substances on forms used just last year.
House Democrats announce sweeping investigation of drug pricing
Los Angeles Times
House Democrats announced a sweeping investigation Monday of the pharmaceutical industry’s pricing practices, jockeying with the Trump administration for the upper hand on an issue that concerns Americans across the political spectrum.
See also:
● California Adds Its Clout to States Battling High Drug Prices New York Times
Labor contract dispute could leave some doctors at Saint Agnes out of job
abc30
Patient care at Saint Agnes Medical Center continues as normal, but according to some doctors that could soon change.
Tuesday is last day to enroll for health insurance through Covered California
abc30
Tuesday is the last day for uninsured Californians to enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California. For anyone who is not covered and chooses not to sign up, you will not be able to get coverage for the rest of the year.
See also:
● Tuesday is the last day to sign up for Covered California health plan program Los Angeles Times
● Covered California Executive Director Discusses 2019 Health Care Priorities Capital Public Radio
Trump birth control coverage rules blocked nationwide
Sacramento Bee
A federal judge in Philadelphia is imposing a nationwide injunction on new Trump administration rules that allowed more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control.
See also:
● Judge Blocks Trump Birth Control Policy In 13 States And D.C. Capital Public Radio
● Second ruling on ACA birth-control coverage mandate pauses Trump effort to roll it back, allows requirement to continue nationwide Washington Post
Medicaid ‘Buy-In’ Could Be a New Health Care Option for the Uninsured
PEW Charitable Trusts
Even as calls for “Medicare for All” grow louder among Democrats in Washington, D.C., at least 10 states are exploring whether to allow residents to pay premiums to “buy in” to Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for the poor.
IMMIGRATION
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.
See also:
● Urban Sheriffs Flee ICE Program as Small Counties Join Trump’s Deportation Push Pew Charitable Trusts
Immigration court backlogs compound as shutdown enters fourth week
abc30
Asylum and other immigration-related cases skyrocketed in the past two decades, creating a backlog of more than 800,000 active cases before the shutdown began.
See also:
● Immigrants showing up to closed courts during shutdown San Diego Union Tribune
● Thousands of Immigrants in Court Limbo Due to Government Shutdown KQED
● Government Shutdown Leads To A Spike In Canceled Immigration Hearings NPR
Trump promises H-1B visa holders path to citizenship
San Francisco Chronicle
President Trump had a surprising message for highly skilled foreign-born workers in the country early Friday morning: stay awhile.
Trump continues trying to rewrite his own Mexico paying for wall history
Roll Call
The president twice on Thursday raised brows as he flatly denied ever saying that America’s southern neighbor would foot the bill for the border structure that he is struggling to obtain funds for from the U.S. Congress.
See also:
● Shutdown watch: How the US pays for Trump’s border wall may leave a costly legacy Brookings
● Using military money to solve an immigration challenge is wrong AEI
● Opinion: Democrats were for a wall before they were against it Washington Post
Does Border Patrol catch 90% of immigrants crossing the border illegally?
Politifact
Turns out, that’s very hard to know — something the federal government even acknowledges. But available data and expert feedback suggest Sandweg’s 90 percent apprehension rate could be an overstatement.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Iconic restaurant off Highway 99 in Fresno Co. may be torn down, if new plans fail
Fresno Bee
Kingsburg, California, city officials are threatening to tear down the former Swedish Mill restaurant if the building stays vacant. Owner Joe Ghazale is working on a plan to open a Country Waffles at the site.
J. Crew in Fresno’s Fig Garden Village is closing. Here’s what we know about why
Fresno Bee
The J. Crew store in Fig Garden Village in Fresno, California, is shutting down following slipping sales and store closures across the US. The last day of business for the clothing retailer will be January 27.
See also:
● J. Crew in Fig Garden Village will close this month abc30
Caglia pulls plug on controversial Fresno industrial park
Business Journal
Developer Richard Caglia is backing off of plans for a 110-acre industrial park in Fresno that stirred environmental concerns from neighbors.
Housing:
Local homeless care organizations receive $3 million
Business Journal
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) awarded $53.3 million to organizations throughout the state to help fight homelessness, with the Central Valley receiving nearly $3 million.
Could Anti-Price Gouging Laws Slow Rising Rents?
Capital Public Radio
Talk is under way about putting a law on the books that would bar California landlords from raising rent beyond a certain percentage. Rents are surging in some California cities where there is no rent control by double, even triple digits, according to mayors and tenants rights advocates.
See also:
● Lawmakers asked to consider anti-price gouging laws to slow rising rents CALmatters
PUBLIC FINANCES
Newsom angers no one with budget, puts off big fights
San Francisco Chronicle
Gov. Gavin Newsom threaded the political needle with his first proposed state budget, putting out a spending plan that’s both bold and cautious, ducking the type of pitched battles that many of his more grandiose campaign promises might have provoked.
See also:
● Newsom’s bold proposal — a cost-of-living refund San Francisco Chronicle
California pension trustees call for disclosures of #MeToo costs
Los Angeles Times
A group of trustees from some of America’s biggest public pension funds are calling on companies to detail costs related to sexual misconduct and any measures they’re taking to address the problem.
TRANSPORTATION
Bakersfield Californian
The city of Bakersfield has issued a permit to Bird that will officially allow the rentable electric scooters to be used by Bakersfield residents during a one-year pilot period.
See also:
● Scooter rentals could roll on Sacramento streets as early as May, but with a twist Sacramento Bee
New effort to require Caltrans to consider bikes, buses and pedestrians in its plans
San Francisco Chronicle
The streets are not just for cars anymore. That’s the credo behind a bill that state Sen. Scott Wiener will announce Monday, requiring the state Department of Transportation — Caltrans — to consider bike lanes, buses and pedestrian walkways whenever it starts a major road project.
Cadillac, Tesla and the Long Road to Cheap Electric Vehicles
Wall Street Journal
On Sunday, the eve of the Detroit auto show, GM unveiled early images of its first electric Cadillac.
WATER
Weather service: ‘Strongest storm we’ve seen yet’ to arrive in Fresno area Wednesday
Fresno Bee
The National Weather Service on Monday warned of a massive storm that is expected to bring winds, rain, snow and possibly mudslides to Fresno, Madera & Mariposa counties, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
See also:
● Agencies prepare for storm approaching Central Valley abc30
● Forecast update: Modesto area should get a soaking, and its watershed lots of snow Modesto Bee
● Monday’s wet, windy weather to continue throughout the week Bakersfield Californian
● Wind advisory for Kern County Bakersfield Californian
Gavin Newsom needs a plan for California’s endangered water supply
Los Angeles Times
California’s water supply is now inextricably tied up with climate change. In a warming world, nature has already brought smaller Sierra snowpacks and less predictable precipitation patterns, with periods both of drought and of flooding.
See also:
● My turn: The Delta is California’s heart. Gavin Newsom must save it CALmatters
White House considers diverting SF Bay money to pay for wall
San Francisco Chronicle
The Trump administration is considering diverting millions of dollars from San Francisco Bay shoreline restoration and flood control to help build the president’s wall on the southern border — part of a bigger plan under consideration to move disaster relief money to the project.
“Xtra”
It’s been 8 years since Fulton 55 opened in downtown Fresno. It celebrates accordingly
Fresno Bee
Let’s Go Bowling could be the house band at Fulton 55. The Fresno ska group played the venue’s opening weekend in 2011 and has remained faithful to the club in the intervening years. The band doesn’t play often, but when it does more often than not it’s at Fulton 55.
Martin Luther King Jr. would be 90 this month. Modesto-area events will recall him
Modesto Bee
Gatherings in Modesto, Sonora and Merced will mark the 90th birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in mid-January. Another event, the annual observance at Modesto Junior College, will wait until March because the speaker is heavily booked.
Goodbye, Dolly. Broadway legend and one time Modestan Carol Channing dies at 97
Modesto Bee
Carol Channing, the star of stage and screen who lived in Modesto for the better part of a decade after marrying her high school sweetheart in 2003, has died, her publicist reported early Tuesday.
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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.
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