POLICY & POLITICS
Valley:
Fresno mayor, councilman vacation with local men who have city business
Fresno Bee
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand and Councilman Paul Caprioglio vacationed last week in Yellowstone National Park with two local men who frequently do business with the city.
Devin Nunes has raised more than $7 million in this election
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, flexed his fundraising muscles this spring, bringing in nearly $5 million between April 1 and June 30 as he faced a surprising surge from challenger Andrew Janz.
Democratic challenger raises more than 3x as much as Tom McClintock
Sierra Star
Democratic challenger Jessica Morse outraised Republican Rep. Tom McClintock by a more than three-to-one margin as the two geared up for a general election clash in the 4th District congressional race. McClintock, however, started July with slightly more money in the bank.
$10K raises for Stockton City Council on Tuesday’s meeting agenda
Stockton Record
City Council members could give themselves a $10,000 raise next week when they discuss amending the city’s municipal code. If approved, all six members of the council — excluding Mayor Michael Tubbs — will see their annual salaries increase from $16,529 to $26,694 with no benefits.
Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler will not seek re-election
Visalia Times-Delta
After nine years as a council member, Mayor Warren Gubler said he will not seek re-election this November. His seat is one of three up for grabs in the upcoming election.
Search for Tulare's city manager, police chief suspended
Visalia Times-Delta
Tulare residents will wait another five months to learn who will permanently lead their city. The top two positions in the city will remain on interim status until the November election, according to city officials.
Primary election cost yet to be determined
Visalia Times-Delta
The start of the general election nomination period may delay the process to determine the primary election's cost. Local officials have received and are still tallying up vendors' bills to determine the cost of the primary election. But the nomination period started Monday.
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County District Attorney's office will hold a press conference Tuesday morning to address allegations of a conflict of interest between one or more members of the county's Board of Supervisors and players in the California marijuana industry.
State:
How Kevin de León’s big endorsement helps his underdog campaign against Dianne Feinstein
Sacramento Bee
The California Democratic Party’s bruising rebuke of 26-year incumbent Dianne Feinstein gives her underdog challenger in the U.S. Senate race, Kevin de León, a slot on party mailers and a potential fundraising boost.
See also:
● How Helpful Is The California Democratic Party’s Endorsement Of Kevin De León Over Dianne Feinstein? Capital Public Radio
● Fox: Kevin de Leon’s Long Game Fox & Hounds
● Big money pours in for Democrats in key California races Los Angeles Times
● Democratic House Challengers Raise More Than Senate Candidates Roll Call
California Republicans facing tough races go easy on Trump
San Francisco Chronicle
Several nationally prominent Republicans voiced anger and disbelief over President Trump’s performance at his conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But California Republicans in races that could determine control of the House weren’t among them.
See also:
● Most California Republicans avoid criticizing Trump after summit with Putin Mercury News
‘I have to’ talk about abortion in governor’s race, Gavin Newsom says
Sacramento Bee
Abortion hasn’t been a high-profile issue in the California governor’s race this year, and that makes sense: Voters here have long supported abortion rights, and a Democratic-controlled Legislature has sought to expand them.
See also:
EDITORIAL: What Gavin Newsom said – and didn’t say – during his visit Monday in Modesto Modesto Bee
Primary Takeaways: Democracy Is Alive and Well in California
Public Policy Institute of California
The election outcomes are encouraging news for California’s democracy—especially in light of criticisms of the top-two primary system by the national media. Several important statewide trends stand out.
New California Law Requires Voter Data Breach Reporting
U.S. News
Journalists, researchers and political campaigns that receive voter data must tell California officials if it may have been stolen under a new law Gov. Jerry Brown announced he signed Monday.
Bots of the Internet, Reveal Yourselves!
New York Times
A bill in the California legislature would regulate bots by making them disclose their automated nature. But how?
See also:
● Why does California want to adopt India’s failed internet regulation? AEI
EDITORIAL: Please, state Supreme Court. Save us from this ridiculous ‘Three Californias’ plan
Sacramento Bee
The state Supreme Court can and should do all of us a huge favor and kick the “Three Californias” measure off the November ballot. It is a destructive proposal that has an infinitesimally small chance of becoming reality.
See also:
● California split: Sponsor of measure to carve up state argues to let voters decide San Francisco Chronicle
Federal:
Wave of condemnation hits Trump after summit with Putin
Stockton Record
Lawmakers in both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked with Trump’s suggestion that he believes Putin’s denial of interfering in the 2016 elections.
See also:
● Diplomats say it’s settled. They can’t rely on Trump. Sacramento Bee
● 'Disgraceful': Republicans sharply criticize Trump's behavior at news conference with Putin Los Angeles Times
● Putin weaves KGB tradecraft and attention to detail in a remarkable meeting with Trump Los Angeles Times
● Sifting through the wreckage of Trump’s Europe tour for signs of a foreign policy Los Angeles Times
● Transcript: Trump And Putin's Joint Press Conference NPR
● Trump’s Remarks on Putin and the Russia Investigation Fact Check
● Trump-Putin press conference leaves members of both parties reeling Politico
● Republican Lawmakers Rebuke Trump after Putin Press Conference National Review
● Discussing President Trump’s management of the summit with Putin AEI
● Trump's Refusal To Back U.S. Intel Over Russia At Putin Summit Sparks Bipartisan Ire NPR
● Trump Questions Finding of Russia’s 2016 Meddling as He Appears With Putin Wall Street Journal
● Trump Takes Putin’s Word for it on Russian Meddling in Elections Roll Call
● Trump: ‘I don’t see any reason why’ Russia would have interfered with election Politico
● Trump Declines to Back U.S. Intel Conclusion That Russia Meddled in Election National Review
● Trump aides face calls to resign after president’s appearance with Putin Politico
● The Helsinki Summit Will Further Derange American Politics National Review
● Congress Mere Passenger in Trump Foreign Policy Express Roll Call
● Is Helsinki Trump’s Iran Deal? Wall Street Journal
● Trump’s news conference with Putin was everything Putin could have dreamed Washington Post
● Even on Fox, Trump’s Helsinki Performance Was ‘Ridiculous’ and ‘Surreal’ The Atlantic
● Opinion: As Trump Hangs Dan Coats Out to Dry, Russia Hacks On Roll Call
● If All of Your Trusted Friends Say You’re Wrong … Maybe You’re Wrong National Review
● Brookings experts react to the Trump-Putin meeting and NATO summit Brookings
● Shapiro: Trump’s Disgraceful Press Conference in Helsinki National Review
● EDITORIAL: It's depressingly clear that Trump is unwilling to get tough on Russia Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Trump-Putin summit — an American humiliation San Francisco Chronicle
● EDITORIAL: The Trump First Doctrine Wall Street Journal
Trump resists Mueller interview, leaving difficult decision on subpoena before fall elections
Los Angeles Times
After months of negotiations failed to secure an interview with President Trump, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III warned the president’s lawyers during a contentious meeting this spring that he could use a grand jury subpoena if necessary to compel his testimony.
See also:
● Mueller’s Politicized Indictment of Twelve Russian Intelligence Officers National Review
● The Russia Indictments: Why Now? Wall Street Journal
● The Russia Investigations: 6 Key Insights From The Cyberspy Indictment NPR
● Maria Butina, Russian gun-rights advocate who sought to build ties with NRA, charged with acting as a covert Russian agent Washington Post
● DOJ Charges Russian National with Conspiring for Kremlin in U.S. National Review
● Gun-Rights Activist Charged With Acting as Russian Agent Wall Street Journal
Kavanaugh in line to decide ‘sleeper case’ that could rein in EPA, other agencies
Sacramento Bee
Conservative groups and jurists, including U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, have long advocated restricting the latitude of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies to set rules and regulations, beyond what Congress has specifically authorized.
See also:
● Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's Supreme Court pick, could have a major impact on gun laws, rejecting assault-weapon bans Los Angeles Times
● Kavanaugh May Restore Separation of Powers Wall Street Journal
● Brett Kavanaugh and the Many Sides of Trump National Review
● What Trump's Pick for Supreme Court Could Mean for States' Rights Pew Charitable Trusts
● Ruling over killer whale attack reflects Kavanaugh’s view of workplace regulations San Francisco Chronicle
● Opinion: The ‘Undemocratic’ Senate Has Not Skewed the Supreme Court to the Right National Review
Other:
TBC Media to consolidate operations to press facility
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield Californian is moving out of the iconic downtown building its legendary publisher commissioned in 1926, the company announced on Monday. The company joins a long list of U.S. media companies that have moved from their historic downtown headquarters to smaller, suburban facilities.
Judge’s order that Times alter article sparks 1st Amendment fight
Los Angeles Times
A federal judge’s decision ordering the Los Angeles Times to remove information it had published about a criminal case has sparked a battle over free speech that legal scholars said weighed in favor of the media.
Meet the next misinformation format: Fake audio messages
Poynter
Over the past year, fake audio messages have been slowly making the rounds on WhatsApp, a Facebook-owned messaging platform with more than 1 billion users in more than 180 countries.
Filling the gaps in US data privacy laws
Brookings
We generate more data at a faster pace from more devices, and neither we nor our laws can keep up. If we do not change the rules of the game soon, it will turn into a losing game for our economy and society.
Business Insider
A journalist from British broadcaster Channel 4 went undercover as a Facebook moderator and found a stream of toxic content that the company was failing to delete.
Heritage Foundation’s Political Arm Shifts to Bolstering GOP Candidates
Wall Street Journal
Heritage Action for America, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation, has spent years getting Republicans riled up in policy fights. Now the group is trying something new: getting GOP lawmakers elected.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, July 29, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “The Federal Reserve Does Community Development: Who Knew?” – Guest: Leilani Barnett, Regional Manager for Community Development of the Federal Bank of San Francisco . Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, July 29, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: “Community Development in the Valley: A Federal Response” – Guests: Mike Dozier, Former Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development at Fresno State; Ben Duran, President and CEO of the Great Valley Center; Fresno EDC Director of Business Expansion & Retention, Victor Bribiesca; and Prof. Antonio Alavos, Chair of the Economics Dept. at Cal State Fresno. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, July 29, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “State Auditor's Report on Medication of Foster Kids” – Guest: Mony Flores-Bauer, League of Women Voters in California. Host: Ana Melendes.
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AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Heat wave has some Valley farmers concerned
ABC30
This week's high heat has some valley farmers a little concerned. Heat waves are common during the summer. The sun helps sweeten fruit, but at the same time, too much of it can damage oranges.
Farm Bill talks invigorate hope for hemp in the Valley
Business Journal
The U.S. Senate passed its version of a federal Farm Bill with a provision that would fully legalize the growing of hemp in the U.S. The 2014 Farm Bill included a provision allowing the growing of hemp for scientific or market research affiliated with a research institution.
EDITORIAL: Tariffs Put a Frown on Pistachio Growers
Wall Street Journal
President Trump’s trade brawl with China is turning out to be a huge downer for America’s pistachio farmers who now stand to lose business to Iran. What was that about national security, Mr. President?
See also:
● As Cost of Trade War Grows, Farmers Stick With Trump—for Now Bloomberg
Bakersfield Californian
A judge has denied a lawsuit against the city of Bakersfield that challenged ballot language asking voters to overturn a citywide ban on medicinal marijuana dispensaries. The Kern Citizens for Patient alleged the language would bias voters against the measure.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Stanislaus deputy charged in Modesto woman’s shooting death last year in Ripon
Modesto Bee
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office filed charges Monday of voluntary manslaughter against Stanislaus County sheriff’s Deputy Justin Wall in the February 2017 shooting of Evin Olsen Yadegar, a Modesto woman.
See also:
● Stanislaus County deputy charged in on-duty shooting death of woman Los Angeles Times
California's top court to decide what officers must do to escape liability in pursuit accidents
Los Angeles Times
State lawmakers over the past two decades have struggled to find ways to protect local governments from huge jury awards or settlements in pursuit cases and at the same time heed calls for making chases safer.
Public Safety:
Free water safety camp for Fresno kids aims to prevent drownings
ABC30
Dozens of Fresno kids have a rare chance to get all wet this week during potentially life-saving lessons for a community in need. About 50 kids jumped in the Romain Park pool for lessons in treading water, staying close to the side, and the basics of water safety.
Protecting kids and seniors in triple digit heat
ABC30
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers infants and children a vulnerable group to extreme heat-they rely on others to stay cool. Older adults are also a vulnerable group.
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County residents can now text to 911 and alert authorities in situations where making a call could be dangerous. The text-to-911 option became active at 10 a.m. Monday as part of a state-mandated program to provide the service.
Police Are Changing Lineups to Avoid False IDs
Pew Charitable Trusts
Although research has long demonstrated the unreliability of eyewitness identifications, police agencies largely resisted making changes until DNA exonerations over the past three decades presented incontrovertible proof that the wrong person had been convicted.
Fire:
Ferguson Fire layers Yosemite Valley with smoke, as 108 structures remain vulnerable
Fresno Bee
Fighting rugged terrain and a dense carpet of smoke, fire crews continued their battle Monday against the rapidly expanding Ferguson Fire, which more than doubled in size in less than 24 hours.
See also:
● Mandatory evacuation ordered due to Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County ABC30
● Hundreds line highways to honor Cal Fire employee killed fighting fire near Yosemite ABC30
● Evacuations remain in place for 4,000 acre Ferguson Fire, roads closed west of Yosemite Sierra Star
● Yosemite wildfire doubles in size, could 'become a major threat' Visalia Times-Delta
● Deadly wildfire near Yosemite National Park almost doubles in size to 9,300 acres Los Angeles Times
● Ferguson Fire doubles in size, yet to reach Yosemite National Park San Francisco Chronicle
● Fire near Yosemite explodes as officials mourn firefighter killed on front lines Los Angeles Times
● Massive tree die-off brings unprecedented danger as wildfire burns near Yosemite Los Angeles Times
● Dousing rainfall to remain absent from California into late July as wildfire season ramps up AccuWeather
● Restoring the West’s Burned Rangeland, With Seeds and a Pasta Machine New York Times
Residents Question Whether California Fires Carrying Poison Oak Could Be the Culprit for Rashes
Weather Channel
First came the fires, then the itchy rashes for residents living in Rancho Cordova, California. Neighbors speculate that perhaps poison oak carried in the smoke of the wildfires was causing the rashes.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Free Foundation workshop for fundraisers
Fresno State News
The Henry Madden Library is hosting a free workshop for local nonprofits on Thursday, July 19, 2018, from 2 - 5 p.m. The workshop will teach nonprofit fundraisers how to utilize important Library resources.
Survey of economists: US sales and employment likely to grow
Stockton Record
A majority of the economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics say the corporate tax cuts that the Trump administration pushed through Congress have yet to affect their plans for hiring or investment.
No reason California can’t be best state for business
Bakersfield Californian
Last week CNBC released its annual ranking of America’s top states for business. I doubt I was the only one unsurprised to see California nowhere near the top. Overall, California was ranked the 25th best state for doing business.
China challenges fairness of U.S. tariffs, asks World Trade Organization to intervene
Los Angeles Times
China on Monday presented itself as a bastion of international order and global rules on trade while announcing its filing of a World Trade Organization challenge against a threat of $200 billion more in tariffs by the United States.
See also:
● Trump’s Economics of Exhortation National Review
● US has 99 trade war problems, but inflation isn’t one AEI
The US does poorly on yet another metric of economic mobility
AEI
The concept of economic mobility is relatively simple to grasp. Over the course of a lifetime, can people move up the rungs of the income ladder?
FCC Chairman Has ‘Serious Concerns’ With Sinclair-Tribune Deal
Wall Street Journal
A top federal communications regulator said Monday that he had “serious concerns” about Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.’s $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media Co. and took action to block the deal.
See also:
● EDITORIAL: Sinclair's bid for a local TV empire may finally get the scrutiny it deserves Los Angeles Times
Jobs:
Kern County Seeks Qualified Chief General Services Officer
Kern County
We’re looking for a Chief General Services Officer who is intuitive, innovative and collaborative. A kind leader with vision, able to move the organization and its stakeholders in a strategic direction to accomplish meaningful, value-added deliverables.
State Workers Sue To Recoup Union Dues After Supreme Court Decision
CBS Sacramento
Two former state workers are suing to get their money back for union dues they paid before a US Supreme Court decision in their favor.
600 LAX workers may soon walk off the job
Los Angeles News
An estimated 600 ground operations workers at Los Angeles International Airport could soon walk off the job over a labor dispute — a move that could create a major disruption at LAX and beyond.
Food Stamp Work Requirements Would Force States to Provide Job Training. Many Aren’t Ready.
Pew Charitable Trusts
The House version of the food-stamp-to-work program Congress is considering this week would require recipients to enroll in job training programs if they can’t find work — but in many states, those programs won’t be fully available for at least another decade.
Uber Is Target of Federal Sex Discrimination Inquiry
New York Times
Federal officials are investigating allegations that Uber discriminated against women in hiring and pay, another federal inquiry into a company that has been rocked by scandals over its workplace culture and other issues.
EDUCATION
K-12:
It’s not just school supplies. Some teachers buy their own classroom furniture, too
Fresno Bee
Target’s 15 percent discount for educators this week is too little, too late for some teachers, who have resorted to crowdfunding sites in order to purchase the most basic of classroom essentials: desks and chairs.
Watch: Janus v. AFSCME: Can teachers unions be saved?
AEI
Will the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME end teachers’ unions? Well, probably not. But the public sector union landscape is going to change a lot, especially for teachers.
See also:
● Living with Janus, unions adapt Capitol Weekly
Don’t like your kid’s school district? Transferring could become easier—if they’re being bullied
CALmatters
This year’s school transfer bill applies only to foster youth, those from migrant families, those currently or recently homeless—about 400,000 students in all—plus one other category with a broader scope: kids who are being bullied.
Walters: California’s school war will have new political players
CALmatters
Over the last half-decade, California has spent many billions of dollars to close the “achievement gap” that separates poor and “English learner” K-12 students from their more privileged classmates.
Higher Ed:
MJC turns to familiar face for interim president as search stalls for permanent job
Modesto Bee
Steve Collins starts Tuesday as interim president at Modesto Junior College, returning to a school where he started working in 1963. Collins will oversee MJC while the search resumes for a permanent president.
As Gov. Brown urges work on new online college, community college faculty drop their opposition
EdSource
Declaring California a leader in online education, Gov. Jerry Brown was unequivocal about the promise of a new California online community college intended to serve workers seeking to improve their skills and urged its leaders to move quickly to get it up and running.
EDITORIAL: UC readies for a surge of transfer students
San Francisco Chronicle
The University of California is launching one of its biggest changes ever, and it’s about time. Under political duress and upon reflection, the top ranked system is opening the door in a major way for transfer students.
CSU Summer Arts: Igniting Passion and Creativity
CSU News
CSU Summer Arts' in-residence summer school program and month-long arts festival merge learning and passion into one inspiring, transformational month for students and patrons alike.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Is July, the hottest month, getting hotter?
Bakersfield Californian
The past four years are among the top five warmest years on record for Bakersfield, when averaging overall year-round temperatures. The area's second warmest year on record was 2017, at least since daily weather statistics started being compiled in 1893.
See also:
California Is Preparing for Extreme Weather. It’s Time to Plant Some Trees. New York Times
California is cutting greenhouse gases, but not from cars. Can that change?
San Francisco Chronicle
California’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling faster than state leaders hoped when they launched their fight against climate change 12 years ago. But there’s a glaring exception.
California state parks are on the comeback trail
Sacramento Bee
The Secretary for Natural Resources asked us and 10 others individuals of diverse experience to chart a new course for California state parks. We scrutinized the hidebound and underfunded Department of Parks and Recreation and recommended many changes.
EDITORIAL: Californians must make sacrifices to meet our climate change goals
San Francisco Chronicle
California is doing a great job reducing greenhouse gas emissions — with one large exception. Our cars.
Energy:
Why 'Orphan' Oil and Gas Wells Are a Growing Problem for States
Pew Charitable Trusts
So-called “orphan” oil and gas wells, which have been abandoned by defunct companies that cannot pay to plug them, are a growing problem in many states thanks to a recent slump in energy prices that has forced marginal operators out of business.
The Oil Market Is Getting More Dangerous
Wall Street Journal
The 4.2% plunge in U.S. oil prices Monday was the latest sign that the dynamics shaping the biggest commodity market have changed since the crude rally began.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Why Stanislaus County is weighing its future in offering health care services
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County could end its long history of providing direct health care services for the poor. Tuesday, county supervisors will consider exploring options for ending the county’s role as a provider of clinical services for some of the poorest county residents.
Plan for safe injection site gets dose of reality over federal drug laws
San Francisco Chronicle
The city of San Francisco freely dispenses millions of clean needles a year on demand, arguing that it is the best way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Pushback against immunization laws leaves some California schools vulnerable to outbreaks
Los Angeles Times
Two years after California adopted one of the toughest child vaccination laws in the nation, the state’s immunization rates are near record high levels.
The drug pricing playbook: how pharma companies keep costs high
Financial Times
Before the issue of high drug prices shot to the top of the political agenda, it was commonplace for drugmakers to increase prices twice a year, once in January and then again in the summer.
Hidden From View: The Astonishingly High Administrative Costs of U.S. Health Care
New York Times
It takes only a glance at a hospital bill or at the myriad choices you may have for health care coverage to get a sense of the bewildering complexity of health care financing in the United States.
Human Services:
Visalia nursing home hit with hefty fine after patient death
Visalia Times-Delta
The California Department of Public Health announced that Redwood Springs Healthcare Center, a skilled nursing facility in Visalia, was given the most severe penalty under state law after a family of a patient said staff caused the death of their loved one.
Mobile Food Banks Roll to Isolated, Rural Poor
Pew Charitable Trusts
A confluence of events has led to a recent push for mobile food pantries. Hunger has decreased somewhat in urban settings since the Great Recession, but it remains stubborn in rural areas.
A Union Scam Could Be About to End
Wall Street Journal
One of the worst public-sector union scams is about to end. “Partial public employee” unions represent in-home health aides, paid by states with Medicaid money to care for disabled beneficiaries—often the aides’ own children or elderly parents.
IMMIGRATION
Judge temporarily halts deportation of reunified families
Stockton Record
U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw imposed a delay of at least a week after a request from the American Civil Liberties Union, which cited “persistent and increasing rumors ... that mass deportations may be carried out imminently and immediately upon reunification.”
See also:
● Court Orders Temporary Halt to Migrant Family Deportations New York Times
● Federal Judge Orders Temporary Halt to Deportations of Recently Reunited Migrant Families Wall Street Journal
Legal residents first. Don’t separate families. California leaders advise DC on immigration
Sacramento Bee
“California needs to prioritize the rights and interests of its citizens and legal residents first,” said Dhillon, a senior Republican National Committee official and also a member of the Bee’s Influencer series.
ICE uses ‘Rideshare Rapist’ to blast SF sanctuary law
San Francisco Chronicle
U.S. immigration officials took aim at San Francisco’s sanctuary city law Monday in the case of the San Mateo man accused of being the “Rideshare Rapist.”
See also:
● Suspected ‘Ride-Share Rapist’ Charged in Assaults on 4 Women in San Francisco New York Times
EDITORIAL: Blame Trump, not ICE, for immigration nightmare
Mercury News
Democrats are playing into President Trump’s hands by their calls to abolish ICE. This may feel good, but it misses this key point: ICE is merely enforcing Trump policies that regard every immigrant as a security threat.
See also:
● Sexual Assault Inside ICE Detention: 2 Survivors Tell Their Stories New York Times
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Tax credit concerns stall county’s lease deal for new DA office space
Fresno Bee
For the second time this year, a problem with tax credits has put on hold a possible deal for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office to move into the historic Rowell Building in downtown Fresno.
City approves environmental report on new project
Clovis Roundup
The Clovis City Council approved an environmental impact report on the Clovis Landmark Commons Civic Center North Project. “If approved, then we can move forward and start to develop and build the site,” engineering program supervisor Ryan Burnett said.
Housing:
Podcast: What is driving America’s housing crisis?
AEI
The United States is in the grip of a housing affordability crisis. In addition to harming individuals, this is also having a deleterious effect on the country’s economic growth. But what is behind this problem, and what can be done to remedy it?
Sacramento Bee
For decades, Sacramento has been proud of its reputation as an affordable corner of California, accessible to a cross-section of people. In the past 12 months, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment here has shot up a whopping 8 percent.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Bakersfield Californian
For two months, a group of volunteers has been out in Kern County collecting signatures for the Library Tax Measure, also known as the "Library Initiative for Everyone." Even though it's too late to get it on this November's ballot, they're still collecting signatures.
City buoyed by higher than expected CalPERS investment returns
Bakersfield Californian
At an 8.6 percent rate of return, the CalPERS administrators estimate that overall funding status of the system increased by 3 percent, moving the fund to 71 percent funded status, according to the city of Bakersfield.
California voters almost always say yes to bonds, but don't always understand the trade-offs
Los Angeles Times
Perhaps more than any state, Californians govern themselves through the ballot. Most of the attention goes to the laws they write, but voters also spend taxpayer money — a lot of it.
Everything You Need To Know About Opportunity Zones
Globe St.
One of the many provisions of last year’s tax overhaul was the creation of a little-noticed program called Opportunity Zones, which was designed to give investors tax breaks for investments in designated areas.
See also:
● New federal law encourages private investment for public good CAFWD
Retirement Bills in Congress Could Alter 401(k) Plans
Wall Street Journal
Lawmakers are searching for bipartisan consensus on proposals that could amount to the biggest legislative changes to U.S. retirement savings in more than a decade, including modifications to 401(k) plans and enhancing tax incentives for companies to offer them.
U.S. Treasury Restricts Donor Disclosure Requirement for Some Nonprofit Groups
Wall Street Journal
The Treasury Department will allow some nonprofit groups to provide less information about donors on their tax forms in a win for conservative organizations engaged in politics.
See also:
● EDITORIAL: An IRS Advance for Speech Privacy Wall Street Journal
Fed’s Powell on Capitol Hill: What to Watch
Wall Street Journal
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell heads to Capitol Hill Tuesday for his second pair of hearings since becoming the central bank’s new leader in February.
TRANSPORTATION
Goshen/Demaree Expansion: weekend closure scheduled for railroad work
Visalia Times-Delta
Just after a week into the eight-month Goshen Avenue and Demaree Street expansion project, the busy northwest Visalia intersection will be closed to drivers.
Why California business leaders are fighting to save the gas tax increase
Sacramento Bee
When Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers last year passed a measure raising fees on transportation fuels and vehicle registration to pay for road repairs, it was because CalChamber, and the larger California business community, helped push it across the finish line.
WATER
Dunbar: Who is using our rivers, draining our aquifers? It’s you
Modesto Bee
Since 1975, farmers here have doubled crop production from every “unit” of water. But this technology does nothing to replenish underlying aquifers, meaning those dependent on groundwater – including city dwellers – have less to drink.
Want our water? Fix the Delta first
Modesto Bee
The Modesto Bee's editorial page editor, who once lived aboard 38-foot sail boat in the Delta, discusses what it really take to fix the largest estuary on the West Coast of the United States. And it's not more water from the San Joaquin River.
How Communities Are Turning Stormwater From a Liability to an Asset
KQED
Stormwater used to be viewed as a liability. It was shuttled into storm drains to prevent flooding, then dumped into the ocean, rivers or streams. But increasingly, stormwater is now being viewed as a way to help augment water supplies.
“Xtra”
This foodie site did a guide to eating in California. Obviously, they talk Fresno
Fresno Bee
Eater, the national culinary news site from Vox media, just released its essential guide to eating in California. In a story on the Central Valley (Bakersfield to Sacramento), writer Gustavo Arellano goes on a taco run with the throwdown crew.
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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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