POLICY & POLITICS
Valley:
'Special visa' with citizenship for Dreamers is focus of House Republican talks
Sacramento Bee
Immigration negotiators are eying a possible "special visa" for Dreamers that would not require them to return to their home countries but would allow them to apply for citizenship, according to Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif.
The Central Valley Surprise: Why Democrats Came Close to a Shutout
Roll Call
Democrats in Southern California faced a real threat of not making the general ballot in certain races before Tuesday’s primaries. But no one saw that coming in the Central Valley, held by Republican Rep. Jeff Denham.
See also:
● Denham's lower primary numbers could point to trouble with conservative base Sacramento Bee
As primary dust settles, local Congressional candidates plot course to November
Fresno Bee
Three central San Joaquin Valley congressional races, each with its own unique set of twists and turns, appear to have taken shape – giving voters a clear idea of their options for representation in Washington, D.C.
Fresno City Council candidates wait to see who will be number two on the November ballot
ABC30
Three Fresno City Council candidates are waiting to see if they will move on to the November runoff. The margin is so small that once the votes are all counted any of the three could still on the ballot in November.
County’s judicial race still very close
Madera Tribune
The race for Superior Court judge after Tuesday’s primary election remains a squeaker. Just 229 votes separated the two candidates in a list of results Thursday, with Brian Austin leading Carol Moses by less than a percentage point. Counting of mail-in votes and provisional ballots could change the results.
Recall committee starts signature campaign
Madera Tribune
A grassroots effort to get Mayor Andrew J. Medellin out of office was notched up Saturday by an effort to gather signatures on petitions to recall the mayor. Recall proponents say they are targeting Medellin because he was unwilling to correct what they see as the granting of large raises by the City Council to certain city employees.
One Madera County supervisor roars back into office. Another's in a tight race
Sierra Star
Madera County Supervisor David Rogers won his re-election bid Tuesday night, while Supervisor Tom Wheeler remained in a tight race. District 1 Supervisor Brett Frazier ran unopposed.
#TimesUp for these Valley district attorneys? Women dominate Merced and Madera races
Modesto Bee
In Merced and Madera counties, women candidates in district attorney races are outpacing male incumbents
Too early to call superintendent, superior court judge races
Hanford Sentinel
With no precincts reporting by press deadline Tuesday, the races for Kings County Superintendent of Schools and Superior Court Judge could not be called.
In Stanislaus County, the much-talked-about sheriff's race is still undecided
Modesto Bee
Sgt. Juan Alanis has not parted with the hope of scoring an upset in the race for sheriff in Stanislaus County. About 48 percent of the ballots remain to be counted in the contest between the political upstart and another first-time candidate, Lt. Jeff Dirkse, who was supported by the incumbent sheriff, Adam Christianson.
In the heart of the Central Valley, a push to get Latino voters to the polls
Los Angeles Times
As the fastest-growing electorate, Latinos have vastly reshaped California politics and will hold increasing sway over coming elections as sophisticated voters supporting the candidates who share their values and party affiliation, regardless of heritage. But some political analysts say the population is not meeting its potential, as both parties have failed to connect with the community.
State:
More than 2 million California votes left to count in primary election
Fresno Bee
Secretary of State Alex Padilla's office on Thursday released its first report of the estimated number of unprocessed ballots across the state, including more than 2.1 million vote-by-mail ballots and nearly 380,000 provisional ballots.
See also:
Election officials hand-count some ballots while others look over their shoulders Visalia Times-Delta
Delays plague election results, but Tulare County officials working to close gap Visalia Times-Delta
Can anything stop Gavin Newsom from becoming California's next governor?
Sacramento Bee
In deeply Democratic California, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom appears unstoppable in his long-running bid to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown. He faces a Republican in a state where Democrats comprise nearly half of the electorate.
See also:
● In California primary, well-heeled winner Gavin Newsom had small donations. Guess who didn’t? CALmatters
Walters: Newsom and Trump wanted Cox—and got their wishes
CALmatters
It was a pretty unusual election when Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom both wanted the same man to place second in California’s race for governor, and voters gave both their wish this week.
Trump and taxes will dominate the governor's race for the next five months
Los Angeles Times
Gavin Newsom and John Cox see eye-to-eye on very little — and Californians can expect to hear plenty about those disagreements from now until November.
This is what the race for the House looks like right now in California
Los Angeles Times
With the threat of primary shutouts seemingly behind them, California congressional candidates from both parties must pivot as Democrats seek to unseat established GOP incumbents and capture two open seats in the fall.
See also:
Uncertainty Lingers in Critical California House Races Roll Call
Quinn: The Congressional Races — We have Winners Fox & Hounds
Can Democrats Press Their Home-Court Advantage? The Atlantic
The Democrats are still in 2018 trouble Washington Post
Feinstein to face De Leon in California Senate race
Politico
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein will face a fellow Democrat, Kevin de Leon, in the California Senate election this fall. Feinstein had 44 percent of the all-party primary vote to De Leon’s 11 percent when the Associated Press called the primary on Wednesday with 97 percent of precincts reporting.
See also:
● Dianne Feinstein and the Revived Future of the Democratic Party’s Past The New Yorker
California politicians waste no time asking for cash for fall campaign
San Francisco Chronicle
As even the most modern etiquette books would say it’s only good manners to thank people when they’ve done something nice for you. But attaching a plea for cash to that thoughtful note? Probably not so proper.
Maviglio: Takeaways From the California Primary
Fox & Hounds
Things have gotten so bad that Republicans are popping champagne corks simply because they have a live body in the governor's race.
Why the election makes it tougher for Democrats to govern in Sacramento
San Diego Union-Tribune
Democrats had some big successes in Tuesday's primary, but a couple of elections will make it more difficult for them in the state Legislature. And it's not just because the candidates lost.
Podcast: The #MeToo Movement's Primary Impact and Josh Newman on the Lessons of His Recall
KQED
Scott and Marisa are joined by KQED's Katie Orr and the San Francisco Chronicle's Joe Garofoli to recap Tuesday's primary, look ahead to the general election in the Governor's race, and analyze the impact of the #MeToo movement on some state contests.
EDITORIAL: A woman’s touch
San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday’s election resulted in making a step toward more representation of women in government throughout California. The biggest effect of women’s political power, however, was on the issues candidates — local, state and congressional — chose to campaign on.
Senate Judiciary panel advances 9th Circuit judge nominee despite Democratic home-state opposition
Washington Post
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Ryan Bounds to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, likely setting up the confirmation of the first federal judge to ascend to the bench over the objections of both home-state senators in over a century.
Think elections are controversial? Try the census
Capitol Weekly
The once-a-decade national census is still nearly two years away but it’s already generating heated discussion. There’s a lot at stake here.
Federal:
Trump’s lack of cyber leader may make U.S. vulnerable
Politico
The absence of senior cybersecurity leaders in President Donald Trump's administration may be leaving the United States more vulnerable to digital warfare and less prepared for attacks on election systems.
Senators announce bill to protect states' legalization of marijuana
ABC
The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act would ensure that states can make and enforce their own laws pertaining to the production and distribution of marijuana as long as states comply with a few federally-mandated basic protections.
Other:
This is how to build the perfect California city
Sacramento Bee
A start-up founder asked: What would you do if you were starting a California city? My first answer: Get my head examined. After all, the state of California routinely reduces the revenues and limits the discretion of municipal governments. Our newest cities – such as Menifee in Riverside County – have struggled to survive.
Even as stores post signs to fight it, panhandlers still plenty active
Bakersfield Californian
Generous or not, most retail business owners would rather customers just say no to individuals asking for money outside their doors. In fact, several local convenience stores and gas stops are saying as much explicitly on sandwich board signs placed outside their stores.
30 Facebook-Cambridge Analytica cases head to San Francisco court
San Francisco Chronicle
A federal judicial panel has centralized 30 lawsuits seeking class-action status that stem from the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal with a federal judge in San Francisco.
See also:
● Facebook bug set 14 million users' sharing settings to public CNN
Google Says It Won’t Allow Its Artificial Intelligence in Military Weapons
Wall Street Journal
Google won’t allow its artificial-intelligence products to be used in military weapons, the company said Thursday, as it tries to balance its “Don’t Be Evil” mantra with the wide-ranging applications of its technology.
The Importance of State Constitutions
National Review
They’ve been indispensable in protecting freedom & pointing the way to reform.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, June 10, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “Saving for a Rainy Day: Preparing for the Next Recession” – Guests: Ann Hollingshead from LAO, Dan Walters from CALmatters and John Myers from Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, June 10, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "State Budget & Rainy Day Fund: Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?" – Guests: Scott Graves from California Budget & Policy Center, Ann Hollingshead from LAO, Dan Walters from CALmatters, and John Myers from Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, June 10, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Workers Comp Fraud” – Guest: Margarita Fernandez, PIO State Auditor's Office. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.
Support the Maddy Daily HERE.
Thank you!
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
CAPK giving out free produce in Bakersfield, Wasco
Bakersfield Californian
The Community Action Partnership of Kern is holding two farmers’ markets over the next two Saturdays, one in Bakersfield and the other in Wasco.
Appeals Court demands ALRB count ballots from workers’ 2013 vote to decertify UFW
OCRegister
Agricultural workers at Gerawan Farms, one of the largest peach, plum and nectarine growers in the state, signed a contract with the United Farm Workers in 1990. More than 20 years later, 99 percent of those workers never voted for the UFW, but the union demanded that workers pay the union 3 percent of their wages. Those who refused would be fired.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
See one of the largest seizures of illegal fireworks in California history
Fresno Bee
A three-year investigation resulted in the seizure of 49,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in California, one of the largest amounts in state history according to Cal Fire.
Merced County Sheriff busting more massive marijuana grows
ABC30
Merced County Sheriff's deputies are seeing an increase in illegal marijuana grows. Sheriff Vern Warnke said they've destroyed more than 60,000 plants since recreational marijuana was legalized in California. They've also seized more than 40 guns.
Recalling the judge from Brock Turner's case will likely bring about less justice in California, not more
Los Angeles Times
The problem is not what happened to Persky. The problem is how his recall will affect all the other California trial judges, some 1,500 of them, who now may be more likely to craft their sentencing decisions to take into account the degree to which an angry public wants the defendant punished.
Soros-backed California county prosecutors fail in 3 races
San Francisco Chronicle
Three California county district attorneys will keep their seats despite a well-financed national effort to elect reform-minded candidates sympathetic to reducing mass incarceration and prosecuting shootings by police. A fourth candidate backed by billionaire philanthropist George Soros and other liberal activists may face a November runoff election.
California woman sentenced for 'pay-to-stay' immigration scam
KCRA 3
A Los Angeles woman has been sentenced to six months of home detention for her role in a multimillion-dollar "pay-to-stay" scheme that helped hundreds of foreign nationals remain in the United States by falsely claiming they were students.
Fire:
Crews close to containment of vegetation fire burning in Madera County
ABC30
Cal Fire is close to full containment on a brush fire in Madera County. Crews have the flames contained at 90-percent after it has burned about 300 acres near the community of O'Neals.
LVFD and city come to an agreement
Hanford Sentinel
After eight months of time, discussion and negotiations, the City Council approved the contract between the city and Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department Association Tuesday.
Sacramento moves on fire safety as some local departments showing improvements
Mercury News
A state senator introduced legislation Thursday to require local fire departments to make annual reports on their safety inspections following a Bay Area News Group investigation, and some departments said the rate of inspections this year was already improving.
It's Wildfire Season in California, and Utilities Want to Tamp Down Their Liability
Pew Charitable Trusts
California utilities might have to pay billions of dollars in damage if state investigators find their power lines sparked last year’s devastating wildfires. To head off financial disaster, the companies and the electrical workers’ union are frantically lobbying Golden State officials for relief from a system that the utilities say is unfair.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Valley Economic Index remains solid; finding, hiring workers biggest challenge
Hanford Sentinel
The San Joaquin Valley Business Conditions Index declined slightly in May, but remained above growth neutral for the 21st consecutive month, pointing to healthy growth in the next three to six months.
Los Angeles Times
Five months after the tax law went into effect — highlighted by a slash in the corporate rate to 21% from 35% — U.S. companies have ramped up their domestic spending.
Trump's consumer agency chief looks to shut down database of consumer complaints
Los Angeles Times
The Trump administration may shut down a federal database of consumer complaints about the financial-services industry. Banks think that’s a swell idea.
Under fire over tariffs, Trump heads to G-7 summit in Canada
Sacramento Bee
Solidifying his solo status on the world stage, President Donald Trump is lashing out at longtime allies over their critiques of his trade policies and plans an early exit from the annual Group of Seven meeting of industrialized nations.
See also:
● Internal White House study found Trump tariffs will hurt US economic growth The Hill
● A helpful guide to trade terminology Marketplace
● It’s Trump’s Economy Now Wall Street Journal
● Trump’s trade deficit obsession hurts national security AEI
● ‘Get Moving’: How Trump Ratcheted Up the Trade Battle With China Wall Street Journal
● EDITORIAL: Congress vs. Trump on Tariffs Wall Street Journal
● White House Analysis Finds Tariffs Will Hurt Growth, as Officials Insist Otherwise New York Times
● What to expect at the G-7 summit Brookings
● U.S. Trade Is Trump’s Main Focus at G-7 Gathering Wall Street Journal
● Trump to skip climate portion of G7 after Twitter spat with Macron and Trudeau CNN
Trade Groups in Turmoil in the Trump Era
Roll Call
Trade associations are clamoring for ways to boost membership, and sometimes even keep their doors open, as they work to stay relevant.
E-commerce could be revolutionized by 5G and virtual reality technology — if policymakers allow it
AEI
Consumers have quickly taken up shopping online for products and services they are familiar with, but much commerce still occurs off-line when people want to “try before they buy.” New technologies have emerged to close the gap, but public policy will determine whether consumers will be able to enjoy them.
AEI
Dr. Strain is the director of economic policy studies at AEI, and Dr. Veuger is a resident scholar and editor of AEI Economic Perspectives.
Jobs:
There now are more job openings in the U.S. than unemployed workers to fill them
Los Angeles Times
It’s the first time that has happened since the government began tracking job openings in 2000.
EDITORIAL: California union bills aimed at a post-Janus world
OCRegister
Lots of interested parties, unions apparently included, expect the United States Supreme Court will side this summer with Mark Janus, an Illinois state worker who doesn’t want to pay “fair-share” fees to his union.
The Union Effect in California: Gains for Women, Workers of Color, and Immigrants
UC Berkeley Labor Center
Unions raise wages and increase access to workplace benefits for their members, and this is especially true for workers who have historically been shut out of access to good jobs in the U.S.
EDUCATION
K-12:
EdSource
“It wasn’t President Trump that gave us one of the most expensive and failing school systems in the country. This is absolutely criminal to deprive our children of the education they deserve …the extra tax money they passed in Prop 30. It’s not going in to the classroom, it’s going to administrators and pensions,” GOP businessman John Cox told supporters on Tuesday night after coming in second behind Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the primary for California governor.
School uses lullaby to teach kids about lockdown drills
AP News
Taped to the classroom’s chalkboard is a rhyme set to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” rewritten telling students what to do if there’s a shooter. It begins “Lockdown, lockdown, lock the door. Shut the lights off, say no more.”
New evidence on the benefits of small group math instructions for young children
Brookings
Over the last few decades there has been a heavy emphasis on increasing literacy skills among low-income children, with federal and state initiatives designed to ensure that all children can read by grade 3. However, much less emphasis has been placed on improving the early math skills of students in low-income schools.
With the rise of legal weed, drug education moves from 'don't' to 'delay'
NBC
Drug prevention education in schools has evolved significantly since the “Just Say No” days of the ’80s — and now typically takes an approach that’s more appropriate for the era of ubiquitous weed access. It’s one that emphasizes decision-making and critical thinking skills instead of abstinence.
Higher Ed:
Fresno State University breaks ground on new executive classrooms
ABC30
Soon students at Fresno State will have a new a resource helping them achieve their academic goals. With significant help from Dinuba based Ruiz Foods, the university broke ground on their new executive classrooms.
Governor’s proposed community college funding plan favors Republican-led districts
San Francisco Chronicle
It’s taken for granted that in crafting the state budget, Republican legislators are bystanders while the Democratic supermajority makes the major fiscal decisions. But Republican lawmakers and their constituents will have a new reason to celebrate if the governor’s proposed community-college-funding formula becomes law.
Housing costs — more than tuition — are crushing California’s low-income college students
CALmatters
Attending a university in California can be a financial burden beyond the means of many college hopefuls. Rising tuition is compounded by the lack of affordable housing in the state and the high cost of living.
Apprenticeships:
Career Technical Education in California
Public Policy Institute of California
More than one million high school and community college students enroll in career technical education in California. This training helps prepare students for in-demand jobs and is critical to meeting the state’s workforce needs.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
NBC
Northern California is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the Golden State, but not all of them are exactly the healthiest.
Prop. 68 passes to inject $4.1 billion into CA water, land conservation projects
San Francisco Chronicle
Proposition 68 was approved with 56 percent of the vote to authorize the state to borrow $4.1 billion for investments in outdoor recreation, land conservation and water projects, according to the latest results Wednesday morning.
Climate Change Can Be Stopped by Turning Air Into Gasoline
The Atlantic
A team of scientists from Harvard University and the company Carbon Engineering announced on Thursday that they have found a method to cheaply and directly pull carbon-dioxide pollution out of the atmosphere.
What would Governor Gavin Newsom mean for California’s green leadership?
Grist
In California’s primary election Tuesday, voters all but picked statewide politicians and decided who would face off in the races that might flip the House of Representatives. But the environment was also on the ballot. And the results look like a win for the type of green who thinks a 100-percent renewable path is the best bet.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Justice Department won't defend Affordable Care Act provisions in court
UPI
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday it won't defend the Affordable Care Act against a legal challenge of its constitutionality.
See also:
● Trump administration won’t defend ACA in case brought by GOP states Washington Post
● Trump administration will no longer defend the Affordable Care Act in court USA Today
● Trump administration tells court it won't defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act CNN
The CBO's revised view of individual mandate
AEI
The CBO continues to expect that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) markets will have relatively stable enrollment, more states will expand their Medicaid programs, and per-person health costs will rise at rates that exceed economic growth.
California accuses 2 manufacturers of selling toddler formulas with dangerous levels of lead
Fresno Bee
The California Department of Justice announced Thursday that it had discovered dangerous levels of lead in toddler formula produced by two businesses serving state consumer, and it is suing the companies to ensure they take action to improve quality assurance testing.
Valley Children's gets top billing at ice center
Bakersfield Californian
It'll be another four months before a 10-acre kids' medical facility opens in southwest Bakersfield, but already owner Valley Children's Healthcare is ramping up the branding campaign. On Thursday, the company unveiled a partnership renaming a city-owned ice hockey facility off Q Street as the Valley Children’s Ice Center of Bakersfield.
Chowchilla celebrates growth of Camarena
Madera Tribune
A groundbreaking ceremony in Chowchilla has marked the beginning of construction of a new Camarena health clinic on Prosperity Avenue. The new location on will allow the clinic to bring in more medical and dental professionals and new services to meet the health care needs of the community.
What you need to know about Tulare County's suicide rate, which bucks the national trend
Visalia Times-Delta
Fashion designer Kate Spade’s death this week has reminded Americans of the enormous toll suicide takes, a growing problem that claims nearly 45,000 lives a year. But, Tulare County bucks the national trend, while California falls a little behind.
See also:
● Suicides have increased by more than 30% since 1999 in half the states, CDC says Los Angeles Times
The Weekly Standard
Colorado legalized marijuana in 2014 and the Pot Rush is on—but the ERs are filling up and a generation of kids is at risk.
Human Services:
Long-term health care industry vexed by immigration restrictions
Marketplace
The long-term care industry is already facing a labor shortage. And now, plans to cut immigration threaten to make the problem worse.
IMMIGRATION
House leaders to try to sway reluctant business community on immigration deal
Modesto Bee
House leaders will try to sway the reluctant business community Friday to support what may be a last-ditch effort to negotiate an immigration deal this year that would protect so-called Dreamers.
‘It’s Horrendous’: The Heartache of a Migrant Boy Taken From His Father
New York Times
In just the first two weeks under President Trump’s new policy, 638 parents who arrived with 658 children had been prosecuted, administration officials told Congress.
U.S. sending 1,600 immigration detainees to federal prisons
Los Angeles Times
An ICE spokeswoman told Reuters five federal prisons will temporarily take in detainees awaiting civil immigration court hearings, including potential asylum seekers, with one prison in Victorville, California, preparing to house 1,000 people.
House Republicans No Closer to Immigration Deal After Pivotal Meeting
Roll Call
House Republicans spent two hours Thursday morning talking through their differences on immigration but left the pivotal meeting no closer to a legislative solution.
See also:
● U.S. House Republicans offer ideas, no solutions yet on 'Dreamer' immigration Reuters
● House GOP immigration talks go off the rails Politico
Paul Ryan Promises House Immigration Vote in Election Season
New York Times
Speaker Paul D. Ryan promised Thursday that House Republicans would draft legislation on immigration for a floor vote in the coming weeks, setting up a showdown on one of the thorniest political issues just as the midterm campaign comes into focus.
Feds plan mass prosecution of illegal border-crossing cases in San Diego, attorneys say
Los Angeles Times
U.S. border authorities, in a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, are planning to introduce a fast-track prosecution program to criminally charge more people who cross the border into California illegally, according to attorneys in San Diego.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Table Mountain Rancheria to build new casino and hotel complex
Fresno Bee
The Table Mountain Rancheria, home to one of the region's oldest gaming centers, is building a new casino, hotel and entertainment venue, according to an environmental report. The proposed project will nearly double the amount of gaming floor space to 110,000 square feet.
Planning Commission denies request for zoning change to allow apartment complex
Bakersfield Californian
Northwest Bakersfield residents who didn’t want an apartment complex near their homes got their way Thursday. The city’s Planning Commission unanimously denied a request by Banrita, Inc. to amend the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan to change the land use for a 13.17-acre plot of land to allow for construction of an apartment complex.
Housing:
Many people work hard to avoid the homeless. These volunteers embrace them
Los Angeles Times
The homelessness crisis gripping Southern California is impossible to miss — and evokes many different emotions.
Piece by Piece, a Factory-Made Answer for a Housing Squeeze
New York Times
Developers are taking on residential building challenges by extending the concept of prefabricated housing to manufacture entire apartment buildings.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Tax break for undocumented immigrants pushed by California Democrats
Sacramento Bee
The California state budget could extend a tax break to low-income families of undocumented immigrants. Assembly Democrats want Gov. Jerry Brown to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit in such a way that people who do not have Social Security numbers can apply for it.
Gas tax repeal fuels Republican candidates in primary election
San Diego Union-Tribune
Several top GOP candidates secured major victories in Tuesday night’s primary election after ramping up attacks in recent weeks on California’s new gas tax — which is heading to a referendum on the November ballot.
Wall Street Journal
A new survey due out this week from the Luntz polling firm shows strong support for the tax cuts enacted in December. Meanwhile the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds less support for tax reform but increasing optimism about the U.S. economy.
EDITORIAL: Social Security and Medicare are in danger? Nothing to see here, says Trump's Treasury secretary
Los Angeles Times
Trustees overseeing Social Security and Medicare issued yet more warnings this week about the worsening financial health of the programs. In response, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin told Americans not to worry — the rip-roaring economic growth the Trump administration is whipping up will take care of everything!
The Future of Prosperity: Securing Retirement for New Generations
Politico
Last month, we convened a bipartisan group of 15 leading thinkers and policymakers to identify solutions to the growing U.S. retirement crisis.This report breaks down their insights into what America needs, and what is and isn’t possible.
Medicare Finances Worsen but Social Security Projections Stable
Roll Call
The Social Security system is in almost the same shape as last year for its retirement benefits and in a better position for its disability benefits, the program’s trustees reported Tuesday. But a separate report for Medicare paints a somewhat bleaker outlook for the giant health program for seniors and people with disabilities.
The Social Security Trust Fund Goes Bust
Wall Street Journal
The combined Social Security trust funds—one for disability, one for retirement—as well as Medicare’s hospital-insurance trust fund, will begin eating into their reserves this year, according to reports released this week by the programs’ trustees.
The 'Fiduciary Rule' May Sound Boring, But Its Collapse Threatens Your Retirement
Bloomberg
The Obama-era rule made financial advisers working with retirement accounts put clients’ interests first.
TRANSPORTATION
New non-stop flights from Fresno to Chicago take off
ABC30
Getting to Chicago got a little bit easier for some local travelers. United Airlines is starting new flights Thursday between Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International.
Is the 12-cent gas tax a back-breaker?
CALmatters
Perhaps the Republicans’ biggest success Tuesday was recalling Orange County Democratic Sen. Josh Newman over his vote to raise the gasoline tax by 12 cents a gallon to pay for road and bridge repairs.
California’s gas tax hike cost a lawmaker his job. Critics say repeal is next
Los Angeles Times
The decision by voters Tuesday to remove an Orange County state senator targeted for raising the state’s gas tax could be a harbinger for the fall campaign when critics of the tax hike push their repeal effort to the statewide ballot.
EDITORIAL: A dystopia in which DMV knows where you are
OCRegister
Without much fanfare, California has led the way on yet another innovation with potentially sweeping consequences. But this time, it’s clearly a mixed bag. Digital license plates evoke a futuristic cityscape where cars have finally caught up with the rest of our tech-saturated reality.
Train hits 110 mph in test run on Conn. Tracks
CT Post
U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy visits the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Line near North Colony Road in Wallingford to receive an update on the progress of the rail line and observe the "track construction machine" which is building a second track parallel to the existing single track used by Amtrak trains.
WATER
Why Southern California is calling for a do-over on its vote to bankroll the Delta tunnels
Sacramento Bee
Southern California's powerful water agency — the Metropolitan Water District — said Thursday its board will vote again in July on whether to pay for the lion's share of the project, known officially as California WaterFix.
See also:
● Officials Scrambled to Seal Twin Tunnels Deal Out of Fear Newsom Could Kill it Voices of San Diego
California Adopts Permanent Water Conservation Rules
Sacramento Bee
The drought may be over, but California residents should prepare themselves for new and more permanent restrictions on water use.
See also:
● No, Californians, you won't be fined $1,000 if you shower and do laundry the same day Sacramento Bee
How do we detoxify California's poison tap water? More democracy
Los Angeles Times
The public water boards in the southern San Joaquin Valley are only nominally public. Of 565 water board seats in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties, 491 — a stunning 87% — went uncontested in elections over the last four years, according to the Visalia-based Community Water Center.
Low rainfall means cleaner beach water in California
AP News
An annual “Beach Report Card” concludes low rainfall in California is resulting in less runoff and cleaner water along the coast.
“Xtra”
Hang out at downtown's new music shop. The guitar amps are vintage and there's beer.
Fresno Bee
Mystic Music, a shotgun shack of a music shop, opened on Van Ness Avenue in downtown Fresno. It's full of vintage gear; guitars and amps and pedals, mostly from the 1960s and '70s, though some of it dates back to the '40s. There's a 1962 Magnatone amp and a Fender Deluxe from the early 1950s and for a guitar nerd like Walzem this is heaven.
ABC 30
Have you made plans for the weekend yet? If not, we have a few ideas for your consideration.
Valley Cultural Calendar Thursday, June 7, 2018
Valley Cultural Coalition
Great things are happening in the Valley. Here's a list of VCC member offerings to keep you busy and entertained!
Clovis couples lock up love
Clovis Roundup
The international love locks trend has made its way to Clovis.
Clovis Roundup
The fishing forecast for Shaver Lake is rated good to very good for kokanee fishing, according to our friends at Dick's Fishing Charters.
Take me home! Animals available for adoption
Bakersfield Californian
These three animals at Kern County Animal Services are looking for their forever homes. Can you help?
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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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