March 19, 2021

19Mar

 

Maddy Associate Speaker Series Presents: “California's State Auditor: The State Watchdog Reports” with California’s State Auditor Elaine Howle 
Monday March 22 at noon

Join us for a discussion about some of the latest State Auditor's reports, including critical analysis of the State's efforts regarding COVID-related unemployment compensation benefits, affordable housing, and climate change. Click here to register with code MA0322.

 

POLICY & POLITICS

 

North SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

Complaint accuses Merced City Schools Superintendent of sexual assault, harassment

abc30

A civil complaint has been filed against Merced City School District Superintendent Dr. Al Rogers, accusing him of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault/battery, the school district's Board of Education said Thursday.

 

Turlock prepares to sweep this homeless camp. Why did emergency plans draw criticism?

Modesto Bee

The Turlock City Council unanimously approved a homeless emergency proclamation Tuesday, clearing the way for crews on Thursday to sweep an encampment where about 50 people live.

See also:

 

Here’s why Modesto mayor Zwahlen looking into more citizen involvement with police

Modesto Bee

In announcing the firing of police officer Joseph Lamantia, the city of Modesto press release issued Thursday afternoon also noted that Mayor Sue Zwahlen is looking into efforts that could include establishing a citizens' committee.

 

Marijke Rowland: On a sad day for Asian Americans, racism, misogyny go hand in hand

Modesto Bee

As a Korean American woman, the elation from hours earlier turned dark. I texted my sister who lives across the country to share the horror. The underlying message was simple: “Be safe.”

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

Fresno health official tipped off Foster Farms about surprise inspection: Report

abc30

New details are emerging tonight, that show a Fresno health official tipped off Foster Farms executives about a state inspection in the middle of a COVID outbreak at the Fresno County facility.

See also:

 

‘Absolutely inappropriate’: Former Madera police officer charged with misconduct

Fresno Bee

A former officer with the Madera Police Department is being investigated for alleged misconduct, authorities said. Anthony Martinez is accused of furnishing records to a person not authorized by law, court records show.

 

Clovis schools want to bring back all students next fall. Will parents let them return?

Fresno Bee

At Wednesday night’s regular board meeting, trustees and district staff discussed sending a proposal to the county health department to request changing its social distancing guidelines from six feet to four to accommodate more students on campus.

 

Judge’s Ruling This Week Could Determine If Controversial Sale of Tower Theater Moves Forward

VPR
A judge will decide by Friday whether to grant a preliminary injunction that would continue to halt the sale of Fresno’s iconic Tower Theater. Lawyers for the Sequoia Brewing Company and the Tower Theater argued their case at a hearing Wednesday. At issue is the brewery’s right of first refusal to sell the property.

See also:

 

Fresno advocate asked city to help with homeless encampment. City Council disagreed on how

Fresno Bee

With special coronavirus funding, city leaders have made great strides this year to create more shelters and get more people housed. But Martinez’s pleas Thursday demonstrate that while shelter supply increased, the demand still outpaces available bed space.

 

Tulare County homeless project hobbled by substandard conditions, mismanagement

Visalia Times Delta

Seven months later, a Times-Delta investigation shows that 99 Palms — now called Tagus Gardens — has so far failed to live up to its promise, stranding dozens of homeless and formerly homeless people in substandard and unsanitary conditions.

 

One California Republican (Cong. Valadao) voted to give ‘dreamers’ a path to citizenship. Here’s why

Sacramento Bee

One California Republican voted on Thursday to advance a bill that grants a path to citizenship for young immigrants, bucking his party leadership on a proposal favored by Democrats.

 

South SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

McCarthy in combative exchange with CNN's Raju on election

The Hill

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) insisted Thursday that Republicans were not trying to reverse former President Trump's election defeat in challenging the results of November's presidential contest in a testy exchange with CNN's Manu Raju.

 

State:

 

COVID Update:

 

Scholars believe timing of possible Newsom recall election may be beneficial to governor

abc30

Outsiders say the timing here may be more beneficial to the governor since schools and businesses are opening and we're many months away from a possible recall election.

See also:

 

California Legislature OKs expansion of paid sick leave

abc30

The California Legislature on Thursday voted to expand paid sick leave for about 10.4 million workers, sending a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom that mandates up to two weeks of paid time off for things like having coronavirus symptoms, scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine or caring for a child who is doing school at home.

See also:

 

Xavier Becerra wins confirmation to Biden’s cabinet. Now Gavin Newsom has a decision to make

Modesto Bee

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra won Senate confirmation to join President Joe Biden’s cabinet on Thursday, securing a mostly party-line vote to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services.

See also:

 

Becerra quietly admits failure of gun registration website, halts California investigations

Modesto Bee

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office quietly signed a settlement agreement in federal court admitting his agency’s gun-registration website was so poorly designed that potentially thousands of Californians were unable to register their assault weapons and comply with state law.

 

He lost his job after he blew the whistle on nepotism at a tax agency. Now he’s being honored

Sacramento Bee

A journalism organization is honoring a California state worker who helped expose nepotism and questionable hiring at the state agency that at one point collected tens of billions of dollars a year in tax revenue.

 

California’s Population

Public Policy Institute of California

With almost 40 million people (according to 2020 estimates), California is the nation’s most populous state. California’s population is projected to reach 45 million people by 2050.

 

Event: A Conversation with US Senator Alex Padilla

Public Policy Institute of California

Join PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare and US Senator Alex Padilla for a conversation about a variety of pressing topics, from immigration reform to the economy to the environment.

 

Federal:

 

COVID Update:

 

California AG Xavier Becerra confirmed to head up Biden's ambitious health agenda

abc30

The Senate on Thursday confirmed California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as President Joe Biden's health secretary, filling a key position in the administration's coronavirus response and its ambitious push to lower drug costs, expand insurance coverage, and eliminate racial disparities in medical care.

See also:

 

Fact check: Did the U.S. House just pass a federal version of California’s gig economy law?

Sacramento Bee

The U.S. House last week passed a bill that could be the biggest overhaul to labor law in decades if it can clear the Senate and reach President Joe Biden. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act, known as the PRO Act, contains a number of provisions that would make it easier for workers to organize.

 

U.S. Supreme Court to hear challenge to California law that allows union organizers on farms

Los Angeles Times

The farmworkers movement led by Cesar E. Chavez celebrated a historic victory in 1975 when California became the first state to extend collective bargaining rights to those who toiled in the fields.

 

House Passes Bills to Create Path to Citizenship for Some Undocumented Immigrants

New York Times

The Democratic-led House voted on Thursday to create a path to citizenship for an estimated four million undocumented immigrants, reopening a politically charged debate over the nation’s broken immigration system just as President Biden confronts a growing surge of migrants at the border.

See also:

 

Republicans Shape Infrastructure Package, Even If They Won’t Vote for It

Wall Street Journal

Bipartisan groups in Congress are pushing a flurry of big-ticket infrastructure plans ready for inclusion in President Biden’s second major legislative effort. But like with the Covid-19 aid law signed by Biden last week that garnered no GOP votes, some bipartisan ingredients may be included in a partisan stew.

See also:

 

Democrats Eye Filibuster Reform as Support for Elimination Lags

U.S. News

Democrats are increasingly in favor of reverting back to a ‘talking filibuster,’ while Republicans warn of unprecedented Senate gridlock if the stall tactic is ever eliminated.

 

Opinion: Democrats and the GOP are taking wrong lessons from the 2020 election

AEI

You wouldn’t know it from how Republicans and Democrats are talking, but the 2020 election was actually a success. During a pandemic, we had a national election with record-breaking turnout.

 

Other:

 

Ranked-Choice Voting Gains Momentum Nationwide

Pew Trusts

Lawmakers in 29 states are considering measures this year that would adopt ranked-choice voting in some form, in local, statewide or presidential primary elections.

 

Event: Building Equitable Economies: CA FWD Young Leaders

CA FWD

This talented group of students and early professionals comes from all around the state, bringing their valuable diversity in experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. Although these young leaders have many individual differences, they share the same goal — to help move California forward.

See also:

 

The Science of Making Americans Hurt Their Own Country

The Atlantic

The National Intelligence Council has released an unclassified report assessing, retrospectively, foreign threats to the 2020 election. It has a few twists and turns.

 

Opinion: It’s time to build more trust in our electoral process; here’s how

CalMatters

To move the needle on voter turnout, these fundamental changes would build trust in our elections and democratic institutions.

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

 

Sunday, March 21, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "The Mess at Unemployment Comp: Truth and Consequences" - Guests: CA State Auditor Elaine Howle; John Myers - LA Times; Dan Walters - CalMatters. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, March 21, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "To Catch a Thief: Combatting Unemployment Comp and Workers Comp Fraud"  - Guests: CA State Auditor Elaine Howle. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Local plant betting big on beef with expansion

Business Journal

Central Valley Meat wants to do a two-phase expansion of its beef processing plant in Hanford and has applied to Kings County for a conditional use permit. The big plant already processes about 1,500 head of cattle a day.

 

U.S. Supreme Court to hear challenge to California law that allows union organizers on farms

Los Angeles Times

The farmworkers movement led by Cesar E. Chavez celebrated a historic victory in 1975 when California became the first state to extend collective bargaining rights to those who toiled in the fields.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Police chief explains firing of Modesto officer in shooting of unarmed man

Modesto Bee

Modesto, California, police officer Joseph Lamantia shot and killed Trevor Seever in December after his family called for help. He has been fired.

See also:

 

Public Safety:

 

‘Absolutely inappropriate’: Former Madera police officer charged with misconduct

Fresno Bee

A former officer with the Madera Police Department is being investigated for alleged misconduct, authorities said. Anthony Martinez is accused of furnishing records to a person not authorized by law, court records show.

 

California police on paid leave over degrading, vulgar texts

Bakersfield Californian

Two Northern California police officers are on paid leave after a news outlet reported that they are accused of sending degrading and violent text messages about women, people with mental illness and the homeless.

 

California to set new window for assault weapon registration

Bakersfield Californian

California will give gun owners more time to register their legal assault weapons under a settlement announced Thursday over what critics charged was the state’s botched registration system in 2018.

 

On Capitol Hill, Asian American Leaders Say Community Has Reached 'Crisis Point'

VPR
Asian American leaders said Thursday that the community was in "crisis" following shootings in the Atlanta area earlier this week that killed eight people, including six Asian women. Authorities said it's too early to determine whether the suspect will be charged with a hate crime, but on Thursday, Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said the gunman's targets "were no accident."

See also:

 

U.S. Intelligence Agencies Warn Of Heightened Domestic Extremism Threat

VPR
A new report from the U.S. intelligence community warns of future, unspecified, violence committed by domestic extremists, who have been emboldened by the siege on the U.S. Capitol and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and coronavirus pandemic.

 

Fire:

 

Sonoma County to use artificial intelligence against fires

abc10

Sonoma County officials say they will add artificial intelligence technology to help fight wildfires with a 24-7 monitor to track fire outbreaks. Officials said Thursday that the system would be added to its network of wildfire detection cameras, many posted on radio technology towers. The AI sensors would allow fire officials to monitor outbreaks 24/7 without a human having to watch.

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

Economy Revs Up as Americans Increase Spending on Flights, Lodging, Dining Out

Wall Street Journal

Restaurant and hotel bookings are up. Airplane tickets are selling fast. Consumers spent more on gyms, salons and spas in recent weeks than they have since the coronavirus pandemic began.

 

Fed sees stronger economy and higher inflation, but no rate hikes

CNBC
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday sharply ramped up its expectations for economic growth but indicated that there are no interest rate hikes likely through 2023 despite an improving outlook and a turn this year to higher inflation.

 

Larry Summers vs the Stimulus

New Yorker

The Biden rescue package will pour out enough sand to fill a hole, and then keep pouring. In Summers’s view, this is economically risky, because it means that the Federal Reserve will probably eventually need to manage inflation, a recipe for a bumpy future.

See also:

 

Jobs:

 

US unemployment claims rise to 770,000 with layoffs still high

abc30

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 770,000, a sign that layoffs remain high even as much of the U.S. economy is steadily recovering from the coronavirus recession.

See also:

 

Need a job? Here’s how to apply at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino fair

Sierra Star

The Chuckchansi Gold Resort & Casino will stage a job fair on Tuesday, March 23 in Coarsegold to fill about 100 full- and part-time jobs.

 

Grocery workers aren’t the only ones pushing for COVID hazard pay in California. What’s next?

Sacramento Bee

California grocery workers have spent the last year stocking shelves with toilet paper, dealing with those who refuse to wear masks indoors and watching coworkers fall ill with COVID-19. Now, those workers want their employers to pay up for their labor.

 

A $15 minimum wage would help millions of struggling households in small and mid-sized cities achieve self-sufficiency

Brookings

On March 11, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law. But an earlier, House-passed provision to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour was not included.

See also:

 

Opinion: Rely on IRS rules for contract workers, not the ABC test of AB 5

CalMatters

Codifying the ABC test of AB 5 in the PRO Act will increase nationwide unemployment at the worst possible time

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Most of Fresno students signing up to go back to classrooms are white, new data shows

Fresno Bee

For the first time since last March, thousands of students in the Fresno Unified School District will have a chance to return to school for part-time in-person learning next month.

 

Complaint accuses Merced City Schools Superintendent of sexual assault, harassment

abc30

A civil complaint has been filed against Merced City School District Superintendent Dr. Al Rogers, accusing him of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault/battery, the school district's Board of Education said Thursday.

 

Clovis Unified Update: 2021-22 Return To Campus

CUSD
We know there are many questions in the community about what school will look like in the fall. For Clovis Unified, we made public earlier this month our plan to return to a full, 5-day-a-week, in-person schedule at all of our campuses for the 2021-22 school year.

See also:

 

High schools reopening Monday? One Stanislaus district says yes, and more could join in

Modesto Bee

The Turlock Unified School District announced on its Facebook page Thursday that because of a lawsuit, it is able to bring back junior high and high school students to campuses beginning Monday. And districts statewide appear to have the same opportunity.

 

California approves ethnic studies curriculum for K-12 schools after years of debate

Los Angeles Times

Ending years-long and often divisive debate over ethnic studies coursework in California’s K-12 schools, the State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved a model curriculum to guide how the histories, struggles and contributions of Asian, Black, Latino and Native Americans — and the racism and marginalization they have experienced in the United States — will be taught to millions of students.

 

Desk spacing arguments rage as big school districts plan April reopening

CalMatters

While most of California’s largest school districts plan on having in-person instruction in April, there’s still widespread disagreement on how close desks can be as well as other safety concerns.

See also:

 

Remote Schooling Strains Parents and Their Children, CDC Survey Suggests

Wall Street Journal

The parents were more likely to report that they were emotionally distressed, concerned about job stability and struggling to balance work and child care if their children were learning virtually, according to the CDC survey released Thursday.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Pricey textbooks holding Fresno college students back. Could this fix the problem?

Fresno Bee

The costs of textbooks and digital class content can be a barrier for students to finish their degree, Menefee said. A survey conducted by State Center Community College District in fall 2020 showed that 53% of students avoided attending school full time because of textbook costs.

 

Federal student loans could be fully erased for those defrauded by colleges, got partial relief

abc30

Students who were defrauded by their colleges and received only partial relief from their federal loans could now see them fully canceled, the Biden administration announced Thursday, reversing a Trump administration policy.

See also:

 

Policymakers Should Prioritize Personalized Approach to Help Student Loan Borrowers During, After Pandemic

PEW

As borrowers navigate ongoing financial challenges, continued uncertainty, and a confusing repayment system, the department and Congress should take the following actions to help them more easily and successfully repay their student loans.

 

Two Decades of Change in Federal and State Higher Education Funding

PEW

States and the federal government have long provided substantial financial support for higher education, but in recent years, their respective levels of contribution have shifted significantly.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Valley Air News

San Joaquin Valley Air

The California Air Resources Board recently confirmed the District’s recommendation of Arvin/Lamont as the next community selected in the San Joaquin Valley to benefit from additional resources provided by AB 617, the Community Air Protection Program.

 

How rising seas, worsening wildfires endanger California parks

CBS8

Of all the existential threats California parks face — dwindling budgets, more visitors and costly, long-deferred maintenance — now comes a climate-driven conundrum: When is a park no longer a park? When its namesake trees disappear in a barrage of lightning strikes? When its very land is washed away by ever-rising seas?

See also:

 

Joe Manchin will decide whether Biden succeeds on climate change

Vox

President Joe Biden campaigned on a climate policy plan that included, as its backbone, a clean electricity standard (CES) that would push the US electricity sector to net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. Given how important electricity is in cleaning up other sectors of the economy, the CES is arguably Biden’s single most important climate policy promise.

See also:

 

Energy:

 

Around Kings County: Leprino plans 10MW solar farm

Hanford Sentinel

Lemoore’s largest employer, Leprino Cheese Co, has filed plans to build a 32 acre,​​ 10 megawatt solar farm just west of their big plant. Panels will be ground mounted. The city Planning Commission recently approved the application that will help cut the power bill at one the the largest cheese manufacturing facilities in the US. 10MW of power is enough to light up some 2500 homes.

 

Opponents of new power plants in California get right to sue in local courts

San Francisco Chronicle

The state Supreme Court cleared the way Wednesday for opponents of large new power plants to file suit in their local Superior Court under environmental laws.

 

Oil Prices Fall on Fresh Fears of Dwindling Demand

Wall Street Journal

Oil prices fell more than 7% on Thursday, recording their biggest one-day drop since September as traders weighed signs that demand in Europe could falter and data showing that crude remains plentiful.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Coronavirus variants from California now ‘of concern,’ CDC says. What does that mean?

Fresno Bee

The agency updated its website Tuesday, adding that the new versions — called B.1.427 and B.1.429 — are more contagious, more capable of evading some COVID-19 therapies, and moderately more resistant to antibodies from both natural infection and vaccination than the original coronavirus strain.

 

Can COVID vaccines help long-haulers with symptoms? Early evidence offers clues

Fresno Bee

The mysterious condition, commonly referred to as “long COVID-19,” is under investigation across the globe; Congress recently provided scientists $1.15 billion over four years to discover why it affects some people and how to treat and prevent it.

See also:

 

COVID surge in Europe should serve as warning to US, experts say

abc30

Optimism is spreading in the U.S. as COVID-19 deaths plummet and states ease restrictions and open vaccinations to younger adults. But across Europe, dread is setting in with another wave of infections that is closing schools and cafes and bringing new lockdowns.

 

Time for the Biden Administration to Act on Antibiotic Resistance

PEW

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conservatively estimates that at least 2.8 million Americans acquire serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or superbugs each year, with 35,000 of people dying.

 

Opinion: Violence against Asians and Pacific Islanders shows racism is a public health crisis

Sacramento Bee

On Tuesday, eight people, including six of Asian American Pacific Islander descent, were murdered by a white man. Today, the intersections of white supremacy, racism, misogyny and gun violence are on full display.

 

Human Services:

 

Central Valley Latinos remain underrepresented in COVID vaccinations. Here’s why

Fresno Bee

Across the region, Latinos make up a majority of the population and an even greater share of COVID-19 cases. But in most instances, vaccination rates are not proportionate.

See also:

 

Opinion: California’s epidemiologist urges residents to get vaccinated

Mercury News

If every adult gets vaccinated when it is their turn, continues to wear a mask in public, washes hands and watches their distance, it will help us reach the end of the pandemic sooner and return to the life we miss.

See also:

 

More than 4 in 10 health-care workers have not been vaccinated, Post-KFF poll finds

Washington Post

Roy Lakes wasn’t planning to get a coronavirus shot until he overheard a Zumba instructor urging her attendees to sign up. “You owe it to your kids, to your grandkids, to stay around,” the instructor kept saying.

See also:

 

Covid-19 Variant Vaccines in Works at Johnson & Johnson

Wall Street Journal

Johnson & Johnson is working on several next-generation versions of its Covid-19 vaccine that may be needed to bolster protection against some of the coronavirus variants that have emerged.

 

FEMA to help grieving families of COVID victims with funeral expenses

abc30

Brenda Sanchez-Lara of Dinuba lost her mother Maria to COVID-19 a little less than a year ago. but she says the pain still lingers. "We were hoping she'd be okay because we were told she was stable, then that she wasn't going to make it, it's difficult," she says.

 

Lessons From The COVID-19 Crisis: Overcrowding Hospitals Cost Lives

VPR

Health care systems endured a stress test like no other over the past year as COVID-19 patients filled up hospital beds and intensive care units. Health care workers pleaded with the public to "flatten the curve," yet each surge in 2020 was worse than the next.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Fact Check: Will Biden’s COVID stimulus provide health care to undocumented immigrants?

Sacramento Bee

No Republicans voted for the $1.9 trillion bill COVID-19 stimulus bill signed last week by President Joe Biden, while all but one Democrat voted for it.

 

One California Republican voted to give ‘dreamers’ a path to citizenship. Here’s why

Sacramento Bee

One California Republican voted on Thursday to advance a bill that grants a path to citizenship for young immigrants, bucking his party leadership on a proposal favored by Democrats.

See also:

 

Biden Administration Acknowledges ‘Especially Difficult’ Challenge at the Border

U.S. News

A sharp influx in border crossings by unaccompanied migrant minors has overwhelmed border facilities and strained government resources, sending the Biden administration scrambling as reports circulate of crowded buildings, children sleeping on mats and migrants going days without showering.

See also:

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Judge’s Ruling This Week Could Determine If Controversial Sale of Tower Theater Moves Forward

VPR
A judge will decide by Friday whether to grant a preliminary injunction that would continue to halt the sale of Fresno’s iconic Tower Theater. Lawyers for the Sequoia Brewing Company and the Tower Theater argued their case at a hearing Wednesday. At issue is the brewery’s right of first refusal to sell the property.

See also:

 

Coastal Commission phases out off-roading at Oceano Dunes

CalMatters

After 40 years of debate about whether offroaders, endangered species and nearby towns can coexist, California’s coastal board ordered an end to offroad vehicles at the state park within three years. The decision capped a 12-hour meeting with fiery comments from about 200 offroaders, conservationists and residents.

 

Dear Senate: Want to Help the Economy? Pass These Conservation Bills

PEW

By a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives this week passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act—a package of bills that would enhance access to our public lands and rivers, safeguard them, and facilitate job creation.

 

Housing:

 

Fresno advocate asked city to help with homeless encampment. City Council disagreed on how

Fresno Bee

With special coronavirus funding, city leaders have made great strides this year to create more shelters and get more people housed. But Martinez’s pleas Thursday demonstrate that while shelter supply increased, the demand still outpaces available bed space.

 

Tulare County homeless project hobbled by substandard conditions, mismanagement

Visalia Times Delta

Seven months later, a Times-Delta investigation shows that 99 Palms — now called Tagus Gardens — has so far failed to live up to its promise, stranding dozens of homeless and formerly homeless people in substandard and unsanitary conditions.

 

Council approves funding for housing and emergency services

Porterville Recorder

The Central California Family Crisis Center (CCFCC) and Turning Point of Central California (TPOCC) will both receive thousands of dollars in funding to support their public services and housing operations. On Tuesday night, the Porterville City Council approved over $325,000 to be awarded between the two agencies.

 

Turlock prepares to sweep this homeless camp. Why did emergency plans draw criticism?

Modesto Bee

The Turlock City Council unanimously approved a homeless emergency proclamation Tuesday, clearing the way for crews on Thursday to sweep an encampment where about 50 people live.

See also:

 

Small landlords left struggling when renters stop paying

CalMatters

Economists say small property owners have been uniquely pinched by the pandemic as renters move out or stop paying. Despite a federally mandated mortgage forbearance and $2.6 billion in rental relief from the state, some landlords who slip through the cracks wonder how much longer they can absorb the costs.

 

Challenging discrimination when purchasing a home

Washington Post

The problem, though, is that many alleged incidents of racism are hard to identify and harder to prove, experts say. So, what can you do if you’re a buyer or renter who suspects you might be a victim of housing discrimination?

 

Homelessness rose for the fourth straight year, a report says, but the data doesn’t yet reflect the pandemic.

New York Times

Homelessness in the United States rose for the fourth straight year, with about 580,000 people living on the streets or in temporary shelter at the start of 2020, according to an annual nationwide survey that was completed before the pandemic.

See also:

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

EDD's frustrating fraud freeze connected to 'Atari' technology, legislator says

abc30

A South Valley family is struggling financially because of COVID and then because of confusion with state unemployment benefits. Jeremy May's job at Denny's dried up when COVID restrictions hit California, but he and his family stayed afloat with savings and state unemployment payments.

 

Opinion: The Tax Cut Ban and the Constitution

Wall Street Journal

Yet through their Covid bill Democrats are trying to partially nullify these election results by mandating that state governments cannot pass tax cuts as a condition of receiving aid.

 

Opinion: The Pension Bailouts Begin

Wall Street Journal

Democrats left no liberal interest group behind in their $1.9 trillion spending bill this month. That includes private unions whose ailing multi-employer pension plans will get an $86 billion rescue. This is the first of many such air-drops to come.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Hanford to look into downtown parking issues

Hanford Sentinel

The Hanford City Council came together Tuesday to once again discuss some parking issues in the downtown area and will move forward with seeking possible solutions. “There’s been a constant discussion about there not being enough parking in downtown,” Public Works Director John Doyel told council.

 

Road and public transit maintenance create more jobs than building new highways

Transportation for America

With Congress charged with passing a long-term transportation law this year, many hope that increased infrastructure spending will create more jobs. We have to remember that not all infrastructure spending is equal: road and public transit maintenance projects actually create more jobs than highway expansion projects.

 

Video: California High-Speed Rail Authority March 2021 construction progress

Global Railway Review

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has released its March 2021 Construction Update, highlighting the ongoing progress on the nation’s first high-speed rail project.

 

Opinion: The Holy Grail of Transportation Is Right in Front of Us

New York Times

In America, nobody loves the bus. Lots of people ride the bus — we took about 4.6 billion trips by bus in 2019, more than by any other mode of public transportation. But at least 4.5 billion of them must have begun with a deep, dejected sigh of resignation.

 

Buttigieg: Biden plan will usher in a new transportation era

AP News

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Thursday that an infrastructure plan expected soon from President Joe Biden will offer a “once in a century” opportunity to remake transportation in the United States, where cars and highways are no longer king.

 

WATER

 

Fresno canal filled with trash, authorities working on long-term solution

abc30

Trash is littered across a canal in central Fresno that carries drinking water and water for farmers. There's also a homeless encampment nearby and neighbors are now sharing their concerns.

 

Forecast for spring: Nasty drought worsens for much of US

Bakersfield Californian

With nearly two-thirds of the United States abnormally dry or worse, the government’s spring forecast offers little hope for relief, especially in the West where a devastating megadrought has taken root and worsened.

 

He was the king of water in the desert. His abusive reign revealed a troubling culture

Los Angeles Times

In the work camps of the sprawling Colorado River Aqueduct system, Donald Nash was known as king of the desert.

 

Lois​​ Henry: Students find saving water 'elementary'

Bakersfield Californian

When a region’s groundwater is critically depleted and its dirt as hard as a frying pan, how do you refill the aquifer? Ask a fifth grader. Actually, ask the fifth and sixth grade combination class at Bakersfield’s Munsey Elementary School taught by Barbara Elrod.

 

“Xtra”

 

No screaming on California roller coasters, state guidelines say

abc30

Theme parks in California are planning to reopen as early as next month, but thrill seekers may be forced to control their excitement while riding roller coasters.

 

Test yourself with our new free game: PolitiTruth

Think you can tell the difference between True and False?

Do you really know what is fake news?

 

Support the Maddy Daily

 

HERE

 

Thank you!

 

 

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

 

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute 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.

                                                     

This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, The Maddy Institute does not officially endorse or support views that may be expressed in the document. If you want to print a story, please do so now before the link expires.

 

Subscribe to the Maddy Daily HERE

 

Or, to Subscribe or Unsubscribe: email amyboam@csufresno.edu