January 16, 2020

16Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Deadline February 28 for Two $56,000 Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowships

The Maddy Institute

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. This program helps students obtain an advanced degree from a top graduate program, return home, and apply what they have learned to help make the Valley a better place. 

 

North SJ Valley:

 

Harder proposes FEMA funding for homeless

Turlock Journal

Congressman Josh Harder is hoping to combat California’s — and Turlock’s — growing homeless population by building a “bridge between Washington and Sacramento,” introducing legislation on Tuesday that likens the statewide issue to natural disasters like wildfires or floods.

 

Mariposa County supervisors gave themselves a salary boost. Is it too much?

Merced Sun-Star

Mariposa County’s Board of Supervisors this week voted to give themselves a significant pay raise — the first in nearly three decades. The vote on Tuesday passed 4-1, but not without stirring concerns among some residents. Supervisor salaries will leap from about $50,000 a year to $82,000.

 

City to close Modesto Municipal Golf Course, eventually sell it

Modesto Bee

The city will close Modesto Municipal Golf Course, its revered nine-hole course where generations have learned to play the game since it opened in the 1930s. The City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday night to direct staff to shutter the course and prepare it for sale.

 

Candidates forum 2020 – Stanislaus Superior Court Judge, Office 2

Modesto Bee

Welcome to today’s political forum featuring the Stanislaus Superior Court Judge, Office 2 candidates vying for the seat vacated by Roger Beauchesne, who has retired.

 

Success, controversy follow new Stockton city manager

Stockton Record

Stockton’s new city manager Harry E. Black’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Stockton City Council Tuesday night after being chosen from a pool of four finalists. He will officially start his new job with the city in February.

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

‘State of emergency’: Newsom announces $11.5M in grants for homeless funding in Fresno

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom stopped in Fresno as part of his week-long homelessness tour. The money will go toward rapid rehousing and other local homelessness efforts.

See also:

 

Councilmember calling for extra security measures at City Hall

abc30

Security has been beefed up at City Hall with the presence of Fresno Police officers and security guards. Visitors must now step through metal detectors at a single point of entry. Councilmember Garry Bredefeld doesn't think the safety measures offer enough protection.

 

Slatic promises to sue after Fresno school board refuses to lift trustee’s censure

Fresno Bee

Fresno Unified School District Trustee Terry Slatic on Wednesday promised to sue the school district he was elected to represent after the board refused to consider lifting his censure.

See also:

 

$408 million Clovis Unified bond on March ballot

abc30

Clovis residents will see a new bond measure on the ballot this March. It's asking for hundreds of millions of dollars to help grow and maintain the Clovis Unified School District.

 

Board votes 6-1 to appoint Ravalin as next VUSD superintendent

Visalia Times Delta

Tamara Ravalín is officially the next superintendent of Visalia Unified School District, trustees announced Tuesday night. Ravalín graduated from holding the position on an interim basis after an eight-month trial run that saw many in the community calling for increased transparency from the district.

 

City approves probation’s move to Visalia Kmart

Visalia Times Delta

Planning commissioners unanimously approved Tulare County Probation's planned move into 85,000 square feet of converted office space that formerly housed Visalia Kmart.

 

Visalia backs plan for Merced-to-Bakersfield high speed rail

Sun Gazette

The Visalia City Council approved a letter saying it “strongly” supported Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to operate a 171-mile stretch of high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield yet it narrowly passed on a 3-2 vote of the council.

 

Lev Parnas: Devin Nunes was 'involved in getting all this stuff on Biden'

The Week

Lev Parnas said he was "in shock" when he saw Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) participating in President Trump's impeachment hearings late last year, because he knew Nunes was linked to the very scandal that launched the inquiry.

See also:

 

Former Trump chief of staff tells Fresno audience he argued against separating families

Fresno Bee

During a question-and-answer session following his talk at the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall lecture series, Kelly addressed a query from an audience member about whether the policy was “good for America” – a point Kelly had earlier emphasized should be at the heart of every decision undertaken by the White House.

 

South SJ Valley:

 

Tulare City Council to hold special meeting on homelessness Thursday

Visalia Times Delta

At their final meeting of 2019, Tulare City Council declared a housing crisis in response to growing homelessness. It also heard county- and city-level reports on the topic. The council will now hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the next steps.

 

Homelessness hot topic at supervisors' candidate forum in Visalia

Visalia Times Delta

Homelessness, water, art and business were key topics at Tuesday night's District 1 and District 3 Tulare County Board of Supervisors candidate forum. For the District 3 seat, incumbent Amy Shuklian is squaring off against challenger Brad Maaske.

 

State pledges to 'continue to listen' after oil meeting but industry remains skeptical

Bakersfield Californian

A senior state official in town Tuesday for a record-setting meeting on the future of Kern's oil and gas industry said Wednesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom's representatives will be back in the county soon to continue a dialogue on how to achieve California's climate-change goals without ruining the local economy.

See also:

 

New Bakersfield city manager expected to be announced in coming days

Bakersfield Californian

A new city manager has been selected, but the city of Bakersfield does not plan to announce who has been chosen until Friday. Less than a week after former City Manager Alan Tandy retired, former Councilman Mark Salvaggio says the city has picked a new city manager.

 

BPD hosting virtual forum and in-person forum to discuss illegal street racing

Bakersfield Californian

The Bakersfield Police Department will be hosting a virtual community forum on Thursday at 6 p.m. as well as an in-person forum on Jan. 21 to discuss illegal street racing.

 

Five of the past six years have been the warmest in Bakersfield’s recorded history

Bakersfield Californian

According to the National Weather Service's Hanford station, five of the past six years have been the five warmest in Bakersfield’s recorded history.

 

Chamber, celebrating 100 years, installs KGET executive as chairman

Bakersfield Californian

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce's new board chairman is a Bakersfield guy through and through, even if he technically lives next door in Shafter.

 

Parry wins inaugural Chairman's Award

Hanford Sentinel

William Parry has been named as the recipient of the first Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award.

 

State:

 

What To Expect In The 2020 Primary Election

Capital Public Radio

What can we expect from the upcoming March primary? What will voter turnout be like? Who will be voting? And around the state, how will populations of color turnout and vote, particularly Latinos, Asian Americans and younger voters?

See also:

 

Gov. Newsom aiming to prevent deaths of animals in CA shelters

abc30

Governor Gavin Newsom has a new plan to prevent the deaths of nearly every single animal in California shelters. As part of his budget proposal, the Governor wants to spend $50 million on saving adoptable cats and dogs across the state.

 

Walters: President Gavin Newsom?

Los Angeles Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s nearly three-hour-long presentation of his second budget last week was peppered with scornful references to President Donald Trump, some in response to reporters’ questions, others unprompted.

 

California regains its power to regulate internet service providers. Here’s why that’s good news for consumers

CalMatters

Eight years ago, major internet service providers convinced the California Legislature to deregulate their industry. It was a bad decision that, mercifully, came to an end Jan. 1 when this ill-conceived law sunsetted

 

State budget increases spending, expands health benefits

Turlock Journal

Governor Gavin Newsom released a proposed state budget that increases spending by 2.3% and includes giving taxpayer-funded health benefits to older adults living in the country illegally, funding for a medical school at UC Merced and a new tax on vaping.

 

Justice Ming Chin to Retire from California Supreme Court

California Courts

Justice Ming W. Chin today announced he will retire from the Supreme Court of California on August 31, capping a nearly 25-year career on the state high court.

See also:

 

Commentary: Give Moms a Break or Suffer Costs

Fox & Hounds

I’ve asked a dozen or so business operators in recent months if they’ve created lactation rooms yet. Most of them have given me a blank stare, with several saying they were unaware of the new state law, which went into effect Jan. 1.

 

Commentary: Leading California Democrats Try to Govern. National Democrats Don’t Like That

Fox & Hounds

The governor and legislative leaders may be bold in their stated intentions on subjects from climate to child care, but their actual plans are relatively small, and nowhere near the ambition of the presidential contenders.

 

Federal:

 

House leaders hand Trump impeachment articles to Senate

abc30

Democratic House leaders have set the stage for the third trial to remove a president in American history.

See also:

 

Chief Justice Roberts: Is 'OK, Boomer' Evidence Of Age Discrimination?

Capital Public Radio

The text of a federal law requires all federal government personnel decisions to be made "free from age discrimination." But just what does that mean?

 

Elections 2020:

 

California’s Independent Voters and the Presidential Primary

Public Policy Institute of California

When asked the main reason they are registered as an independent and not as a member of a political party, a plurality (39%) say they are not satisfied with the parties and they do not reflect their views. Another 15% say they vote for candidates, not parties.

 

Democrats stick to their talking points in latest presidential debate

San Francisco Chronicle

The anticipated fireworks never went off at Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate, with all six candidates shying away from the type of direct confrontations that could shake up the results in the Iowa caucuses, now less than three weeks away.

See also:

 

Undecided and under stress: Iowa voters still weighing which Democrat can beat Trump

Los Angeles Times

Recent polls point to an unpredictable contest, with little consensus on the likely victor. One survey last week from the Des Moines Register and CNN showed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders atop a tightly clustered pack of contenders, while a Monmouth University poll showed former Vice President Joe Biden out front.

 

‘You called me a liar on national TV.’ Elizabeth Warren confronts Bernie Sanders after debate

Los Angeles Times

Elizabeth Warren accused Bernie Sanders of calling her a liar, audio of the senators’ confrontation after the Democratic debate revealed.

See also:

 

Buttigieg decision on police chief shadows presidential run

Fresno Bee

Buttigieg’s demotion of Chief Darryl Boykins and firing of Karen DePaepe has shadowed his presidential campaign, giving rise to complaints he has a blind spot on race and raising questions about whether he can attract the support of African Americans who are crucial to earning the Democratic nomination.

 

Commentary: Cory Booker Goes Down Fighting

Wall Street Journal

You’ve got to hand it to Sen. Cory Booker. The former mayor of Newark, N.J., refused to be bullied when it comes to charter schools. That earned him the ire of teachers unions and contributed to the failure of his presidential candidacy.

 

Super PACs after 10 years: Often maligned but heavily used

Roll Call

A decade in, it’s clear super PACs will play a significant role in 2020, from the presidential contests to Senate and House races — and in both parties.

 

Other:

 

Grizzly Fest cancelled for 2020 amid negotiations with City of Fresno, organizers say

abc30

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld supports Grizzly Fest but feels it would be better suited in Downtown after he says homeowners complained about the noise.

See also:

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

 

Sunday, January 19, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: PPIC: K-12 Test Scores - What do they tell us? - Guest: Julien Lafortune, Public Policy Institute of California. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, January 19, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: Educational Performance from A to Z - Guests:

Julien Lafortune, Sarah Bohn, Radhika Mehlotra and Patrick Murphy from PPIC and Dorothy Leland, Chancellor, UC Merced. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, January 19, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: State Auditors Nurses: What would California do with a Nurse Shortage - Guest: Margarita Fernandez, PIO State Auditor's Office. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Warszawski: When it comes to marijuana, Fresno is in the Dark Ages, but that should change soon

Fresno Bee

Back in December 2018, the City Council by a 5-2 vote approved Fresno’s first foray into retail marijuana sales as well as its commercial cultivation, manufacturing and distribution. More than a year has passed, and during that time not a single legal joint has been smoked or edible packaged within the city limits. Nor, for that matter, has one cent of tax revenue been collected.

 

Council approves cannabis spending policy

Turlock Journal

Although cannabis dispensaries have yet to pop up around town, the Turlock City Council on Tuesday decided how revenue derived from the businesses will be spent.

 

Hungry in Atwater? It’s official — food trucks are coming to the city

Merced Sun-Star

After a longtime ban, food trucks can now get permits to set up shop in Atwater. The City Council passed an ordinance Monday permitting mobile food vendors to operate within city limits, with some exceptions.

 

California wineries struggle amid internal, external hardships

Sun Gazette

Aside from the precipitous drop in labor impacting the entire agriculture industry, wine grape growers are dealing with a stagnant demand for wine, an oversupply of grapes, threats of tariffs and stigma surrounding mechanization.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Gavin Newsom wants to curb car break-ins by cutting probation. Here’s how

Merced Sun-Star

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to reform probation in California would dramatically cut the amount of time criminals can spend under supervision, capping the maximum penalty at two years instead of five.

 

Tattoo Removal Programs Help Former Inmates Wipe The Slate Clean

Capital Public Radio

For people who have been incarcerated, head and neck tattoos are often a barrier to reentering society and getting jobs. Some former inmates are removing their tattoos to help leave the past behind.

 

California Could Create A Task Force To Solve Cases Of Missing And Murdered Native American Women

Capital Public Radio

A bill in the California Legislature would create a task force to assist with the cases. It’s a rare instance of state and the Trump administration agreeing on an issue.

 

EDITORIAL: A push to open up crime scene smartphones comes with privacy risks

San Francisco Chronicle

After a bloody shooting, police scramble to examine the trove of information contained on the killer’s smartphone. Clues and contacts may all be parked on the handset. But with Apple iPhones there’s a hitch: The data are encrypted and might vanish if investigators try to break in.

See also:

 

Public Safety:

 

People keep trying to bring guns on airplanes. TSA agents found more than ever in 2019

Fresno Bee

Airport security officers found a record number of guns in carry-on luggage in 2019, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

 

City approves probation’s move to Visalia Kmart

Visalia Times Delta

Planning commissioners unanimously approved Tulare County Probation's planned move into 85,000 square feet of converted office space that formerly housed Visalia Kmart.

 

Stockton officer accused of beating teen in 2011 testifies

Stockton Record

The very integrity of the criminal justice system is at stake if a law enforcement officer is not truthful, complete and clear in submitting his or her written report, an expert on police practices told a jury Wednesday in a civil lawsuit charging the city of Stockton, its Police Department and two officers with several complaints including illegal arrest, assault and battery, negligence, and violation of civil rights because the plaintiff is black.

 

BPD hosting virtual forum and in-person forum to discuss illegal street racing

Bakersfield Californian

The Bakersfield Police Department will be hosting a virtual community forum on Thursday at 6 p.m. as well as an in-person forum on Jan. 21 to discuss illegal street racing.

 

Advocates Say Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Budget Proposal Leaves Out Funding For Sexual And Domestic Violence Prevention

Capital Public Radio

Advocacy groups claim California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal leaves out funding for sexual and domestic violence prevention.

 

Fire:

 

PG&E says it fell short on fire prevention targets last year

San Francisco Chronicle

Only 60% of PG&E’s expanded efforts to prune or remove trees that could fall on power lines initially passed work-quality reviews.

See also:

 

California bill to restrict PG&E blackouts moves forward

San Francisco Chronicle

The bill, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, would require PG&E to pay customers for losses incurred when the company shuts off power to prevent fires.

 

In a wildfire, animal rescue can be messy; untrained volunteers add to the chaos

Los Angeles Times

This is the story of animal emergency response during California’s deadliest blaze, the Camp fire, which killed 85 people and countless animals. This is a story about survival.

 

Wildfire and Water Challenge Solutions Featured in Documentary to Air on KVIE

UC Merced

UC Merced researchers outline solutions to the severe wildfire problems in California’s mountain forests and closely linked water resource challenges in a documentary premiering on KVIE, the Sacramento affiliate of PBS, later this month.

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

NAFTA is history as Senate gives final approval to USMCA

Politico

Congress gave final approval to the new North American trade accord Thursday, with the Republican-controlled Senate moving swiftly during President Trump’s impeachment proceedings to hand him one of his biggest wins since occupying the White House.

See also:

 

Trump announces trip to China after signing new trade agreement

Fresno Bee

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will go to China “in the not too distant future,” a trip that would be his second visit to the country while he’s been in office. Trump’s​​ announcement Wednesday came during the signing of “phase one” of a new trade agreement with China.

See also:

 

Stocks open broadly higher on Wall Street, adding to gains

Fresno Bee

Stocks are off to a bullish start on Wall Street as traders welcome some good company earnings reports and a solid increase in retail sales last month. Morgan Stanley jumped 7.2% in early trading Thursday after reporting a big jump in earnings in the fourth quarter.

 

Business Journal’s fastest-growing business leaders to share insights

Business Journal

The leaders from some of the fastest growing businesses in the Central Valley will have a panel discussion to discuss the tricks of their trades and the secrets to their growth.

 

‘Urgent’ need for businesses to adapt to growing threat from climate change, McKinsey says

CNBC

McKinsey said trillions of dollars in economic activity and hundreds of millions of lives are at risk from a changing climate.

 

Why Jack Dorsey (and you) should pay attention to this proposed charity law in California

Recode

Are there billions of dollars meant to go to charity that really are just sitting there, untouched and collecting dust, in secretive tax shelters? That’s the core question surrounding donor-advised funds (DAFs).

 

McClatchy Misses Debt and Pension Payments as Negotiations With Creditors Continue

Wall Street Journal

McClatchy Co., the second-largest newspaper publisher in the U.S. by circulation, skipped a $12 million debt-interest payment due Wednesday as it continues to negotiate with creditors to avoid a bankruptcy-court proceeding.

 

Jobs:

 

Commentary: California’s new gig worker law is disrupting the music industry and threatening all performing arts

CalMatters

California has overreached in its effort to address the challenges in today’s tech platform gig-work economy. The live music sector, the progenitor of the term “gig” work, is being swept up by this law. The irony would be comical if it were not such a serious problem.

See also:

 

California targets companies with highly paid execs

Bakersfield Californian

California is considering raising taxes on some of the country's largest companies, but the size of the tax increase would depend on how much its highest-paid executive makes compared to its employees. The bigger the gap, the bigger the tax increase.

See also:

 

Thousands of U.S. Employers Request Nearly 100,000 H-2B Foreign Temporary Workers to Overcome Talent Shortage

National Law Review

Employers across the country flooded the U.S. Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway System at the stroke of midnight on January 2, 2020.

 

Tearing Up the Litmus Test: Potential Problems with Testing Employees for Marijuana Use

National Law Review

But because hemp, by legal definition, can contain trace amounts of THC (0.3% delta-9 THC or less to be considered lawful), it is possible that people who lawfully use these hemp products may fail drug tests.

 

Who’s Your Boss? Team Trump Has a Clear New Answer

Bloomberg

A contractor like a McDonald’s franchise, not the corporation, will now be liable for employment-law violations. That ends a lot of confusion.

 

What do you do if your CalPERS pension is wrong? — State Worker Inbox

Sacramento Bee

California law says employees are responsible for making up overpayments they receive. Courts have established that CalPERS has broad authority to apply its interpretation of state law to individual cases.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Slatic promises to sue after Fresno school board refuses to lift trustee’s censure

Fresno Bee

Fresno Unified School District Trustee Terry Slatic on Wednesday promised to sue the school district he was elected to represent after the board refused to consider lifting his censure.

See also:

 

$408 million Clovis Unified bond on March ballot

abc30

Clovis residents will see a new bond measure on the ballot this March. It's asking for hundreds of millions of dollars to help grow and maintain the Clovis Unified School District.

 

Board votes 6-1 to appoint Ravalin as next VUSD superintendent

Visalia Times Delta

Tamara Ravalín is officially the next superintendent of Visalia Unified School District, trustees announced Tuesday night. Ravalín graduated from holding the position on an interim basis after an eight-month trial run that saw many in the community calling for increased transparency from the district.

 

Career Technical Education classes provide options for students not on four-year college track

Turlock Journal

There are many respected and well-paying careers that don’t require a four-year college degree. Law enforcement. Nursing.

 

City council listens to Library wishes

Porterville Recorder

The Porterville City Council and Library and Literacy Commission met in a special joint meeting and had a presentation by Internnect Program where the architect involved with the program, Gilbert Bareng, outlined the ideas from the students in the various high schools’ competition in 2019.

 

No permission slips needed for sex ed in California schools, despite GOP effort

Sacramento Bee

California Democrats blocked a contentious bill on Wednesday that would have required parents to sign permission slips for their younger kids to attend sex education classes in school.

 

Trump To Reinforce Protections For Prayer In Schools

Capital Public Radio

The president is expected to remind public schools that students have constitutional rights to prayer — and that they could risk losing federal funds unless those rights are protected.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Fresno college students had trouble getting books. Changes made, restitution discussed

Fresno Bee

New management of State Center Community College District bookstores last year came with widespread reports from students and teachers that needed textbooks weren’t available and financial aid vouchers weren’t being processed.

 

Next stop for free college: Cal State University?

Stockton Record

In yet another push to make higher education more accessible in California, a bill filed in the state Legislature last week would extend the state’s tuition-free college guarantee to four years — and beyond community college — for some students, making it one of the most generous programs in the nation.

 

California Voices: Education leaders speak out on Gov. Newsom's budget proposals

EdSource

EdSource asked more than 40 education leaders — from John Affeldt to Edgar Zazueta — representing all segments of California’s education system to comment on Gov. Newsom’s sweeping budget proposals, which will set the direction for the state’s education priorities.

 

After California Law, Statehouses Push to Expand Rights of College Athletes

New York Times

More than two dozen states are expected to debate issues like whether college athletes can cut endorsement deals or hire agents. The N.C.A.A. says a patchwork of rules could jeopardize competition.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Five of the past six years have been the warmest in Bakersfield’s recorded history

Bakersfield Californian

According to the National Weather Service's Hanford station, five of the past six years have been the five warmest in Bakersfield’s recorded history.

 

2019 capped world’s hottest decade in recorded history

Washington Post

The past decade was the hottest ever recorded on the planet, driven by an acceleration of temperature increases in the past five years, according to data released Wednesday.

See also:

 

Climate change means the US must start building big things again

MIT Technology Review

Major portions of the nation’s highways, bridges, water pipes, ports, railways, and electric transmission lines were constructed more than half a century ago, and in many cases they are falling apart.

 

Energy:

 

Renewable natural gas producer announces Pixley expansion

Porterville Recorder

Calgren Dairy Fuels and Southern California Gas Co. today announced four additional Central Valley dairies have started sending methane produced from cow manure to Calgren’s biogas operation in Pixley, where it’s processed into renewable natural gas (RNG) and injected into SoCalGas’ system.

 

Lighting industry withdraws challenge to California’s new bulb efficiency standards

San Francisco Chronicle

The lighting industry has dropped its challenge to California’s new efficiency standards for lightbulbs, which took effect this month while the Trump administration was rolling back similar requirements nationwide.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Fewer Americans see vaccines as important

abc30

A Gallup poll showed 84% of Americans think vaccinating children is important, which is down from 94% in 2001.

 

California to spend $2 million to tell you not to smoke at the beach, parks

Sacramento Bee

The State of California wants to spend $2 million to remind you that it is against the law to smoke in state parks and beaches.

 

For Some Women Nearing Menopause, Depression And Anxiety Can Spike

Capital Public Radio

Women with a history of depression and anxiety are at a higher risk of having a flare-up during the time leading up to menopause. And getting doctors to take the issue seriously can be challenging.

 

Commentary: New approaches to understanding drug addiction — interview with Sally Satel

AEI

Despite efforts to curb America’s opioid crisis, there remains a massive lack of understanding as to why people turn to opioid abuse in the first place.

 

Abortion: Is Public Opinion Changing?

Forbes

In early January, 207 members of Congress signed a friend of the Court brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold a Louisiana law on regulating abortion clinics and also reconsider its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion.

 

Human Services:

 

Health Care Roundup: Fresno Cancer Center earns ‘ASTRO’ accreditation

Business Journal

The Fresno Cancer Center has received a prestigious accreditation given to less than 5% of such facilities in the U.S.

 

Fresno EOC tobacco program lands $1.1M grant

Business Journal

The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission’s Rural Tobacco Education Program will receive $1.1 million in funding from the California Tobacco Control Program in the California Department of Public Health.

 

To Impact Society, Today's Students Pick Service Over Politics

Real Clear Education

Despite news reports which simplify and exaggerate reality, most American students are not interested in protesting; those who are new to college are more concerned with community service than their earlier counterparts, but public demonstration is not a high priority whatsoever.

 

Medi-Cal’s Very Big Decade

California Healthline

Medi-Cal had a big decade. The number of Californians enrolled in the state’s health insurance program for low-income residents swelled by 5.5 million from 2010 to 2019. It now covers 1 in 3 Californians and 40% of children.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Judge orders attorney access for migrants who fear return under Remain in Mexico program

Los Angeles Times

A San Diego federal judge in a pair of decisions Tuesday ruled that asylum seekers who have expressed fear about being returned to Mexico to await their U.S. immigration proceedings must be allowed access to attorneys to argue their cases.

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

New warehouses, hotels, restaurants coming to Visalia's Industrial Park

abc30

In a January economic update, city employees describe an industrial park that is growing substantially. The reason for the growth? The city says it's multiple factors, including the cost and availability of land, Visalia's central location in the state, and the expansion of the UPS' ground hub at this massive facility.

 

City to close Modesto Municipal Golf Course, eventually sell it

Modesto Bee

The city will close Modesto Municipal Golf Course, its revered nine-hole course where generations have learned to play the game since it opened in the 1930s. The City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday night to direct staff to shutter the course and prepare it for sale.

 

Housing:

 

On the verge of homelessness, Fresno motels are last-chance housing. City eyes reform

Fresno Bee

Each year, the Fresno County Department of Social Services spends over a million dollars to house families in motels. Motel vouchers, good for two weeks at a time, are like a golden ticket for families with nowhere else to go.

See also:

 

Top priority for California voters heading into 2020 primary? Homelessness

Fresno Bee

Californians are increasingly concerned about the state’s housing and homelessness crisis, according to a new poll released Wednesday night by the Public Policy Institute of California.

See also:

 

Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area expanding into new territory

abc30

The homes will range from three to four bedrooms and was made possible through several partnerships.

 

Tulare City Council to hold special meeting on homelessness

Visalia Times Delta

At their final meeting of 2019, Tulare City Council declared a housing crisis in response to growing homelessness. It also heard county- and city-level reports on the topic.

 

Volunteers sought for Project Homeless Connect

Hanford Sentinel

The Project Homeless Connect event in Hanford is just one week away and volunteers are still needed.

 

She left California to find an affordable place to live. Now she's a homeowner

San Francisco Chronicle

Just a year later, she’s no longer stressed out by housing insecurity, a scourge that’s spread to every corner of the Bay Area. At the top of Chandler’s list of things to worry about is how to furnish the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house she bought in Phoenix.

 

The Anonymous Companies That Buy Up Homes

KQED

Even if you can afford to buy a home in the Bay Area, you might get outbid by an anonymous shell company paying cash. Over the years, more American homes have been bought up by these companies, with fewer homes being owned by individuals and families.

 

Column: An empty hospital. An exploding homeless crisis. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Los Angeles Times

It was Sunday past and Patricia McVerry, a West L.A. resident and self-described newspaper addict, was reading the L.A. Times when she came upon the story of St. Vincent Medical Center’s impending closure after roughly 150 years in business.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

California targets companies with highly paid execs

Bakersfield Californian

California is considering raising taxes on some of the country's largest companies, but the size of the tax increase would depend on how much its highest-paid executive makes compared to its employees. The bigger the gap, the bigger the tax increase.

See also:

●     Abigail Disney backs California bill to raise corporate taxes and curb CEO pay CNN

●     California targets companies with highly paid execs AP News

 

Californians have subsidized Hollywood for a decade. Has it been worth it?

CalMatters

In 10 years, California's film tax credit has grown threefold from $100 million to $330 million a year, signaling the state's willingness to defend Hollywood, a flagship industry.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Visalia backs plan for Merced-to-Bakersfield high speed rail

Sun Gazette

The Visalia City Council approved a letter saying it “strongly” supported Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to operate a 171-mile stretch of high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield yet it narrowly passed on a 3-2 vote of the council.

 

Group finds US aircraft approval process effective and safe

Fresno Bee

A government committee reviewing how the Federal Aviation Administration certifies new passenger planes for flight has determined that the system is safe and effective but small changes need to be made.

 

Clean up cars and cement industry to reach California’s climate goals, report says

CalMatters

California's current climate policies won't cut greenhouse gas pollution enough to meet the state's goals — but a new report says cleaning up cars and the cement industry could help.

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Uber’s new policies could encourage discrimination, advocates fear

San Francisco Chronicle

Advocates for minorities and low-income people fear that Uber’s recent overhaul of its ride processes could lead to discrimination against people traveling to neighborhoods some drivers perceive as less desirable.

 

WATER

 

Delta Conveyance Environmental Review Initiated and Public Scoping Meetings Scheduled

Department of Water Resources

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the development of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for modernized water infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, initiating the environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

 

Success, controversy follow new Stockton city manager

Stockton Record

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has restarted a project to build a giant, underground tunnel that would pump billions of gallons of water from the San Joaquin Delta to the southern part of the state.

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“Xtra”

 

Take a ‘day on, not a day off’ on MLK Day. Parades set for Merced, Los Banos

Merced Sun-Star

Commemorations of the nonviolent struggle for civil rights will take place this Monday, as the Merced community gathers for the 24th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March Parade and Celebration.

 

New movie theater announced for Sequoia Mall

Visalia Times Delta

The new 2,500-seat, 12-screen movie theater will feature state-of-the-art picture, sound and seating options, developers say.

 

‘The perfect hamburger’ is at this restaurant near Yosemite, says The New Yorker

Fresno Bee

The burger is from The Forks Resort Restaurant, overlooking Bass Lake, south of Yosemite National Park. Helen Rosner, described as the magazine’s “roving food correspondent” and winner of a James Beard award for essay writing.

 

BarrelHouse Brewing reveals site of Fresno taproom. Here’s why it’s a bit surprising

Fresno Bee

After months of teasing, BarrelHouse Brewing Co. has officially confirmed where in Fresno it plans to open its newest taproom: River Park.

 

Yosemite’s ‘firefall’ glow lasts only two weeks. Here’s how to see it

Los Angeles Times

Each year, visitors to Yosemite National Park turn out to see a natural phenomenon that lasts just two weeks in February: the winter “firefall.” The waning light of winter days hits a waterfall on El Capitan’s granite walls at just the right angle to create a streak of orange resembling a lava flow.

 

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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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