March 24, 2021

24Mar

POLICY & POLITICS

 

North SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

Local Schools Update:

 

Salida residents pay more taxes than others in Stanislaus County. And it could get worse

Modesto Bee

A regional planning agency will consider a reorganization that places the entire town of Salida in a county service area to fund storm drain services.

 

How did sweep of Turlock homeless camp go? City plans to clear another area soon

Modesto Bee

Turlock officials this week are planning another homeless encampment sweep in mid-April after crews finished clearing a camp on Friday.

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

Local Schools Update:

 

‘Enough is enough.’ Reward up to $21k for tips catching Fresno food vendor killer

Fresno Bee

Fresno city officials on Monday sent a strong message that violence against street vendors will not be tolerated after one was killed “execution style” on Sunday. The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator grew Monday to $21,000, city officials said.

 

Quick thinking by Tower District residents leads to armed man’s arrest, Fresno police say

Fresno Bee

A man carrying a rifle in the Tower District was arrested Sunday, Fresno police said, after concerned residents saw him and contacted law enforcement.

See also:

 

Fresno Sheriff’s Office fails to disclose officers’ misconduct records, lawsuit says

Fresno Bee

A lawsuit against the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says the agency has failed to comply with a public records request seeking documents on officers’ misconduct.

See also:

 

Fresno Court is Among State’s Slowest in Implementing Pot Conviction Law

GV Wire

Fresno County Superior Court fairs poorly when it comes to fulfilling a legal requirement to expunge or reduce marijuana convictions, compared to courts in other California counties.

 

Fresno recycling facility dumped hazardous waste in the past. Now it needs a cleanup plan

Fresno Bee

A metal recycling facility in South Fresno must fix damage it caused through illegal disposal of hazardous waste, following an order from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.

See also:

 

Fresno Mayor receives COVID-19 vaccine, encourages others to get vaccinated

abc30

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is encouraging city residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The mayor said he received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Friday at the Sierra Pacific Orthopedic Center in Fresno.

 

Clovis City Council swears in elected leaders. Here’s who they picked as next mayor

Fresno Bee

The Clovis City Council appointed a new mayor on Monday, the same day it adopted the results of the March re-election of two incumbents.

See also:

 

Anti-Asian violence stokes fear in local business community

Business Journal

As the U.S. has seen a significant and visible increase in anti-Asian hate and violence, Fresno’s Asian business community is having to add another serious concern to their pandemic plates.

 

Movie theaters will reopen in Tulare County for first time in a year

Visalia Times Delta

For the first time in over a year, Tulare County cinema lovers will be able to see first-run films on the big screen starting on March 26.

See also:

 

South SJ Valley:

 

COVID Update:

 

Local Schools Update:

 

Lois Henry: New leaders named to Kern water districts

Bakersfield Californian

The Rosedale-Rio Bravo and North Kern water storage districts both recently named new general managers. And the newly formed Westside Water Authority, made up of four different ag water districts, also brought on a new general manager.

 

Local growers see price bump from Texas storm

Bakersfield Californian

The winter storm that knocked out power across Texas last month has become the latest example of Mother Nature picking agricultural winners and losers — and this time it's Kern County growers coming out on top.

 

Homelessness spiked in Kern while the housing supply dwindled at the end of 2020

Bakersfield Californian

The number of Kern County residents experiencing homelessness for the first time spiked in the final months of 2020, while the number of homeless residents able to find permanent housing sunk to its lowest level.

 

Local family seeks reform of state medical board

Bakersfield Californian

A Bakersfield family is turning its grief into action by advocating for reform of the state board that oversees medical doctors to make it more responsive to families like theirs who have lost loved ones to what they believe was severe neglect by a doctor.

 

BC gets high marks as a top institution of Latinx students

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield College ranks No. 3 in a list of top institutions for Latinx students to earn certificates and degrees, and No. 4 among institutions with the highest Hispanic enrollment in California.

 

State:

 

COVID Update:

 

How does a California recall election work? It’s complicated

Sacramento Bee

A recall, unlike an impeachment, allows voters to decide directly whether or not to keep an elected official. California has a relatively easy process for doing this, compared to other states, but recall attempts don’t often succeed.

See also:

 

Gov. Newsom and legislators have lots of money to spend, few strings attached

CalMatters

The federal coronavirus relief package gives a $26 billion windfall to California. Business groups, doctors and activists all want their share.

See also:

 

Jewish lawmakers condemn recall campaign for ‘Adolf Newsom’ and other offensive rhetoric

Fresno Bee

California Jewish lawmakers on Tuesday condemned the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom for repeatedly comparing the governor to Adolf Hitler and comparing his coronavirus restrictions to the Holocaust.

 

California correctional officers union asks retirees to pay more dues to keep death benefit

Sacramento Bee

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association is asking retired correctional officers to pay more in dues or lose a life insurance benefit, according to a letter sent to the retirees.

 

‘Bad taste.’ CalPERS board regrets pension mistakes, but votes to deny retiree appeals

Sacramento Bee

Leaders of California’s $445 billion public employee pension system were uncomfortable last week after they rejected a batch of appeals from retirees who believed they were owed more money than they’re getting every month.

 

California office holding $10 billion in unclaimed assets hacked in spear phishing attack

Sacramento Bee

A hacker accessed personal identifying information of up to about 12,000 people in California last week, according to the State Controller’s Office.

 

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg won’t be the next California AG

Sacramento Bee

Steinberg was considered a leading contender to replace Xavier Becerra in the role after Becerra was confirmed last week to be U.S. Health and Human Services secretary.

 

Judge rejects lawsuit over California loyalty oath requirement for state workers

Sacramento Bee

A federal judge has thrown out a challenge to California’s loyalty oath for state employees, siding with the State Controller’s Office over a Jehovah’s Witness who said she lost a job offer from the agency because of her religious beliefs.

 

Federal:

 

COVID Update:

 

Democrat says failure to pass gun legislation makes Congress complicit in violence

Los Angeles Times

Following two mass shootings in less than a week, Washington is confronting calls for federal gun-control legislation. The 60-vote threshold for passing legislation in the Senate, where Democrats and independents hold just 50 seats, makes passage of large-scale reform unlikely.

See also:

 

California expecting to reap the biggest piece of Biden’s initiative to pour trillions into repairing America’s infrastructure

KTLA
A Biden initiative expected to pour up to $3 trillion into repairing America’s decrepit infrastructure and funding other programs has sparked a scramble across the nation for the federal funds — with California expecting to reap the biggest piece.

See also:

 

U.S. Justice Department in talks with California to settle high-speed rail suit

Reuters

The U.S. Justice Department said on Monday it is in settlement talks with California to resolve a 2019 lawsuit filed by the state after the Trump administration canceled a nearly $1 billion federal grant for a high-speed rail project hobbled by extensive delays.

 

Preliminary Biden budget outline expected next week

Roll Call

The White House confirmed Tuesday it will release a “preview” of the fiscal 2022 budget next week, which it said will enable lawmakers to begin to draft appropriations bills.

See also:

 

DeJoy Announces 10-Year Reorganization Of U.S. Postal Service

VPR
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is calling for longer delivery times for some first-class mail, shorter hours for some post offices and more expensive postal rates — all part of a 10-year reorganization plan for the U.S. Postal Service he unveiled Tuesday.

 

Can California’s first Latino senator break Washington’s gridlock on immigration reform?

Los Angeles Times

Twenty-seven years after Alex Padilla hit the streets with hundreds of thousands of California Latinos to protest the anti-immigrant Proposition 187, he finds himself in a position to help deliver the change he has long sought.

 

Two Democrats Back Off Threat to Block Some Biden Picks in Push for More Asian-Americans

Wall Street Journal

The White House said late Tuesday that it will add to its staff a senior-level liaison to represent Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, satisfying two Democratic senators who had threatened to withhold votes for top administration nominees over diversity concerns.

 

Sen. Angus King: What happens to the filibuster depends on how Republicans play their hand

Washington Post

“It’s minority rule,” I said. “It enables obstruction.” “It’s not in the Constitution.” “Its historic use was to block civil rights legislation.” “It leads to gridlock and makes it impossible to get anything done.” In other words, I made all the arguments that people are hearing today.

See also:

 

Trump officials hindered at least nine key oversight probes, watchdogs said. Some may finally be released in coming months.

Washington Post

Across the government, at least nine key oversight investigations were impeded by clashes with the White House or political appointees, people familiar with inspector general offices say and public documents show.

 

Commentary: AEI Polling Report: Race relations, Black Lives Matter, the police, and reparations; climate change concerns; Biden’s immigration legislation; space exploration and leadership; and Ordinary Life: Down with the crown?

AEI
From 2001 to 2014, around half of Americans said they were satisfied with the state of race relations. After Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014, attitudes started to shift dramatically.

 

Other:

 

Trump, My Dad and the Rightward Shift of Latino Men

Washington Post

Why are Latino men moving away from Democrats? And how can liberals win them back? For me, it’s a topic that hits close to home.

 

Why do Americans share so much fake news? One big reason is they aren’t paying attention, new research suggests

Journalist’s Resource

Americans who share fake news on social media might not lack media literacy skills. Chances are they don't stop to check accuracy, a new study suggests.

See also:

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

 

Saturday, March 27, at 1:30 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "California's Post-Pandemic Economy: From Crisis to Opportunity" - Guests: Lenny Mendonca, former Chief Economic & Business Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and former head of GOBiz. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, March 28, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: “The Pandemic's Effect on Small Business in the Valley"  - Guests: Pedro Nava, Chairman - Little Hoover Commission; Nick Ortiz, President/CEO - Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce; Greg Newman, CEO - Clovis Chamber of Commerce; Dave White, CEO - Opportunity Stanislaus; Katy Winders, Director - Small Business Development Center, Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Local growers see price bump from Texas storm

Bakersfield Californian

The winter storm that knocked out power across Texas last month has become the latest example of Mother Nature picking agricultural winners and losers — and this time it's Kern County growers coming out on top.

 

State warns farmers to prepare for dry summer

Turlock Journal

Despite some recent rainfall, state officials issued bleak warnings to farmers this week which caution them to prepare for water shortages this summer.

 

Editorial: The Supreme Court should side with California farmworker organizers in this case

Los Angeles Times

A 45-year-old California regulation allows union activists limited access to private farm property to try to organize workers there, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority could end that practice in a case that reached oral arguments Monday morning.

 

Opinion: It Shouldn’t Cost the Farm to Fix a Tractor

Wall Street Journal

Many are calling for “right to repair” laws requiring manufacturers to provide easy access to necessary tools, software, parts and documentation. In a report for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, I detailed how software tools have become instrumental.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

‘Enough is enough.’ Reward up to $21k for tips catching Fresno food vendor killer

Fresno Bee

Fresno city officials on Monday sent a strong message that violence against street vendors will not be tolerated after one was killed “execution style” on Sunday. The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator grew Monday to $21,000, city officials said.

 

Quick thinking by Tower District residents leads to armed man’s arrest, Fresno police say

Fresno Bee

A man carrying a rifle in the Tower District was arrested Sunday, Fresno police said, after concerned residents saw him and contacted law enforcement.

See also:

 

Fresno Court is Among State’s Slowest in Implementing Pot Conviction Law

GV Wire

Fresno County Superior Court fairs poorly when it comes to fulfilling a legal requirement to expunge or reduce marijuana convictions, compared to courts in other California counties.

 

California may end ‘spousal rape’ distinction in punishment

Fresno Bee

California would end what lawmakers called an archaic distinction between spousal rape and other forms of sexual assault under identical bills backed by proponents on Monday.

 

Stimulus money brings out scams, thieves

Turlock Journal

The arrival of stimulus funds in people’s bank accounts and mailboxes means scammers and thieves will be coming out trying to get all or some of that money.

 

Public Safety:

 

Fresno Sheriff’s Office fails to disclose officers’ misconduct records, lawsuit says

Fresno Bee

A lawsuit against the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says the agency has failed to comply with a public records request seeking documents on officers’ misconduct.

See also:

 

California bill aims to jumpstart ‘microstamps’ on handguns

Business Journal

Gun control advocates are making a new attempt to force the gun industry to comply with California’s unique law requiring individual identifiers on all bullet casings, a mandate that has been toothless since it was approved in 2007.

See also:

 

Anti-Asian violence stokes fear in local business community

Business Journal

As the U.S. has seen a significant and visible increase in anti-Asian hate and violence, Fresno’s Asian business community is having to add another serious concern to their pandemic plates.

See also:

 

Fire:

 

PG&E equipment caused deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County. Cal Fire says tree hit power line

Fresno Bee

A hazardous gray pine falling on a Pacific Gas and Electric transmission line was declared the cause of the Zogg Fire — the September 2020 blaze that killed four residents of Shasta County.

See also:

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

California virus cases keep falling, more businesses reopen

Bakersfield Californian

California’s improving coronavirus numbers continued their downward fall, leading to Tuesday’s announcement that much of the San Francisco Bay Area can reopen to a greater degree and that now 94% of the state’s population is out from under the most severe restrictions.

See also:

 

Hospitals Stung Financially by Covid-19 Pandemic Seek Remainder of Relief Fund Payouts

Wall Street Journal

Hospitals are pressing the Biden administration to pay out the remaining relief funds that Congress granted last year to cover financial losses from the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it has been more than 3 months since the government’s last announcement of a large disbursement.

 

Event: Women and the Pandemic Economy

Public Policy Institute of California

A panel of experts will discuss the continuing struggles California’s women face in balancing work, family, and health during these unprecedented times.

See also:

 

Jobs:

 

Bitwise Workforce Training

Bitwise Industries

Bitwise Workforce Training was born out of a simple idea: The dedication  to creating a diverse, inclusive talent pipeline, where anyone can learn and then utilize those skills immediately in the tech industry.

 

Unions would gain power under a bill backed by Democrats. What does that mean for California?

Sacramento Bee

A high-profile bill that House Democrats passed this month will make it easier for private sector workers to join unions, but it won’t do much directly for labor organizations representing California government employees. That’s by design.

 

Opinion: How many jobs is the US likely to add this year?

Brookings

If the GDP forecasts prove accurate, we estimate that monthly payroll employment gains over the next 10 months will average between 700,000 and 1 million per month, a lot faster than many forecasters anticipate.

 

Headed for $900 billion in unemployment benefits

AEI

In the roughly 18 months between when the pandemic struck and when the latest round of expanded unemployment benefits will expire, total state and federal unemployment benefit spending is likely to reach $900 billion.

See also:

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

What to Know About California’s Plan to Reopen Schools

New York Times

Districts would get a share of the $2 billion as long as they offer in-person instruction by the end of the month for children in transitional kindergarten through second grade, as well as high-needs students in all grades.

See also:

 

Nearly half of schools are open full-time, survey finds

Washington Post

The first federal data on education during the pandemic finds nearly half of public schools were open for full-time, face-to-face classes, with White children far more likely than Black, Hispanic or Asian American students to be attending in person.

 

The American Rescue Plan: What’s in it for K-12 Schools?

EdNote

Congress approved the American Rescue Plan, and it’s now on its way to President Biden. Understanding the maze of funding programs and reporting requirements in the bill will be essential for state, local, tribal and school leaders to put these resources to use.

 

7 in 10 parents concerned children will face setbacks in schools due to pandemic

The Hill

A new poll found that about 7 in 10 parents are concerned that their children will face setbacks in school, academically and socially, due to the coronavirus pandemic that caused many schools to switch to online learning for months.

 

After years of debate, California finally adopts ethnic studies model curriculum

CNN

After years of debate and thousands of public comments, California finally approved an ethnic studies model curriculum for its K-12 students last week. The nearly 900-page curriculum was approved by the state Board of Education.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Fresno State plans in-person graduation ceremonies. Here’s how they will look and function

Fresno Bee

Fresno State graduates will once again be able to celebrate commencement services in person, though on a smaller scale than in previous years and spaced out over several days.

 

Join us for ‘College Crisis? — Q&A on Fresno’s higher ed accessibility post-COVID.’

Fresno Bee

Join The Fresno Bee’s Education Lab on Tuesday, March 30 at 1 p.m. for a live virtual Q&A with higher education officials, students and health officials on the future of Fresno’s colleges.

 

BC gets high marks as a top institution of Latinx students

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield College ranks No. 3 in a list of top institutions for Latinx students to earn certificates and degrees, and No. 4 among institutions with the highest Hispanic enrollment in California.

 

California community colleges to offer limited expansion of fall in-person classes, chancellor says

EdSource

After a year in which they operated almost entirely online, California’s community colleges are likely to offer more in-person instruction and activities this fall, while many classes will still be offered remotely.

 

Nursing schools turn to simulations during the pandemic. But do they work?

CalMatters

The pandemic has restricted the number of clinical placements available to nursing students in hospitals, forcing them to practice their skills instead on mannequins, virtual patients like Jones, or at home with relatives and even stuffed animals.

 

Opinion: Columbia University’s Ultra-Woke Idea: Segregated Graduation Ceremonies

National Review

Last week, Columbia University, where I am currently a junior, made national headlines over commencement ceremonies demarcated by race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

See also:

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

NOAA Upgrades Forecasts As Climate Change Drives More Severe Storms

VPR

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration upgraded the computer model that forecasters use to predict the weather one to two weeks in the future, called the Global Forecast System.

 

Energy:

 

Oil price drop disrupts steady recovery

Bakersfield Californian

Prospects for greater employment in local oilfields suffered a setback Tuesday as global oil prices gave up recent gains amid new concerns about the fight against COVID-19 in Europe and India.

 

Judge mulls requiring PG&E to turn off power more frequently

Bakersfield Californian

A federal judge overseeing Pacific Gas & Electric's criminal probation said Tuesday that he is considering requiring the utility to be more aggressive about turning off its electricity lines near tall trees.

 

Unusual Leap in Gas Prices Puts $3 a Gallon in Sight

Wall Street Journal

Lifted by oil’s recovery and growing consumer demand, gasoline prices at pumps in the U.S. hit an average of $2.88 a gallon over the past week, according to the AAA. That marks a 30% increase over this time last year, when the pandemic’s lockdowns slammed fuel usage.

See also:

 

Fracking Ban Threatens American Jobs and Derails Our Environmental Progress

Real Clear Energy

Banning fracking ignores sound science in favor of a false choice between renewable energy and natural gas. Today, more than 95 percent of U.S. natural gas and oil wells are developed using fracking.

 

Biden’s Recovery Plan Bets Big on Clean Energy

New York Times

President Biden’s next big thing would fuse the rebuilding of America’s creaky infrastructure with record spending to fight climate change, a combination that, in scale and scope, represents a huge political shift, even for Democrats.

 

Opinion: California needs an equitable strategy for transitioning to all-electric buildings

CalMatters

State leaders and policymakers should develop a systematic strategy for the long-term phase-out of natural gas in our buildings.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

‘There is genuine concern.’ What the latest COVID U.K. variant case means for Fresno region

Fresno Bee

A variant of coronavirus that emerged in the United Kingdom last fall has been discovered in a Madera County resident, the fifth person in the central San Joaquin Valley to be infected with the mutated strain.

 

Low flu rate 'unsung success story of the pandemic'

Business Journal

The flu and Covid-19 have some common ground: they are both respiratory viruses with the same pathway to infection. But fighting the pandemic has in turn driven flu cases down dramatically this past season.

See also:

 

Vaccinated People Can Get Covid, but It’s Most Likely Very Rare

New York Times

More than two months after he was fully vaccinated against Covid, a doctor in New York woke up with a headache and a dull, heavy feeling of fatigue. A fever and chills soon followed, and his senses of taste and smell began to fade.

 

Hang on to that COVID-19 vaccination card -- it's important

abc30

Proof of vaccination may allow us to begin resuming our normal activities in the near future. Photos that display the COVID-19 vaccination card like a badge of honor have been making the rounds on social media for months, but the card is more than fodder for selfies.

 

Human Services:

 

AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Data Questioned By Safety Board

VPR
In an unusual post-midnight statement, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said the Data and Safety Monitoring Board, which monitors the trial, is concerned that "outdated information" may have been included in the trial results.

See also:

 

Are Newsom’s Efforts To Get More Vaccines Out To Underserved Communities Paying Off?

VPR

It’s a Tuesday morning in March and Madeline Harris with the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability is knocking on doors in Fairmead, a small community in Madera County, to let residents know about a mobile vaccine clinic coming to the town that weekend. 

 

Hospitals in much of California begin reopening to visitors

CalMatters

With counties moving to less-restrictive tiers and the state loosening visitation restrictions, hospitals are gradually allowing more visitors for non-COVID-19 patients. Some are moving immediately on new state recommendations, while others are weighing the risks.

 

Thousands of child care centers shutter, spelling bad news for California

CalMatters

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated child care centers in California, with many closing permanently. The consequences will adversely affect children, parents, center operators and the state economy.

 

Hospitals Stung Financially by Covid-19 Pandemic Seek Remainder of Relief Fund Payouts

Wall Street Journal

Hospitals are pressing the Biden administration to pay out the remaining relief funds that Congress granted last year to cover financial losses from the pandemic, saying it has been more than 3 months since the government’s last announcement of a large disbursement.

 

11 Years On, the Affordable Care Act Defies Opponents and Keeps Expanding

New York Times

More than 200,000 have used a special enrollment period to sign up for health insurance under the act, while Alabama and Wyoming eye the law’s Medicaid expansion.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Why the border problem could affect California more than any other state

Sacramento Bee

As an uptick of migrants arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border, the most immigrant-populated state in the nation is “likely to be affected more than other states by what’s going on at the border,” according to Kevin Johnson, dean of the UC Davis School of Law.

See also:

 

Key facts about U.S. immigration policies and Biden’s proposed changes

Pew Research Center

The Biden administration is acting on a number of fronts to reverse Trump-era restrictions on immigration to the United States.

See also:

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Fresno recycling facility dumped hazardous waste in the past. Now it needs a cleanup plan

Fresno Bee

A metal recycling facility in South Fresno must fix damage it caused through illegal disposal of hazardous waste, following an order from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.

See also:

 

Housing:

 

Homelessness spiked in Kern while the housing supply dwindled at the end of 2020

Bakersfield Californian

The number of Kern County residents experiencing homelessness for the first time spiked in the final months of 2020, while the number of homeless residents able to find permanent housing sunk to its lowest level.

See also:

 

How did sweep of Turlock homeless camp go? City plans to clear another area soon

Modesto Bee

Turlock officials this week are planning another homeless encampment sweep in mid-April after crews finished clearing a camp on Friday.

 

Sales of new homes plunged 18.2% in February

Business Journal

Sales of new homes plunged 18.2% in February as severe winter weather in many parts of the country and a lack of supply took a toll on the housing industry.

 

Could these bills help California build more affordable housing?

CalMatters

California housing is crowded, expensive and difficult to find, but if a package of bills proposed by prominent Senate Democrats becomes law, some cities could look very different a decade from now. 

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

Salida residents pay more taxes than others in Stanislaus County. And it could get worse

Modesto Bee

A regional planning agency will consider a reorganization that places the entire town of Salida in a county service area to fund storm drain services.

 

Half a stimulus check? Some confused after receiving only part of $1,400 payment

Fresno Bee

The IRS said last week that it has already sent out around 90 million stimulus checks under the American Rescue Plan passed earlier this month — but some people have reported only getting partial payments.

See also:

 

Stimulus Bill Transforms Options For State and Local Governments

New York Times

Once fearing fiscal disaster, governments are suddenly awash in their share of $350 billion available for projects and needs that previously seemed out of reach.

See also:

 

How the Expanded Child Tax Credit Reduces Child Poverty

PPIC

Four out of five children in California will benefit from a one-year expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), recently signed into law under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

 

Event: The Biden stimulus, the Federal Reserve, and the everything bubble

AEI

This event discusses the inflation and financial market risks of the current stance of US fiscal and monetary policy, focusing on the potential effects of President Joe Biden’s stimulus plan and reactionary central bank responses.

 

Hiltzik: Column: Who are the biggest tax cheats? The 1% — and here’s how they get away with it

Los Angeles Times

It’s widely assumed that the biggest tax scofflaws are those with the most money. A new study by a team of IRS analysts and academic economists, however, tells us that things are much worse than anyone suspected.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Fresno Yosemite International Airport seeing increase in travelers

abc30

It's been over a year since the pandemic began, and it's clear several Americans are in a hurry to get back to normal. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is seeing a major uptick in passenger travel in recent days.

 

U.S. Justice Department in talks with California to settle high-speed rail suit

Reuters

The U.S. Justice Department said on Monday it is in settlement talks with California to resolve a 2019 lawsuit filed by the state after the Trump administration canceled a nearly $1 billion federal grant for a high-speed rail project hobbled by extensive delays.

 

California expecting to reap the biggest piece of Biden’s initiative to pour trillions into repairing America’s infrastructure

KTLA
A Biden initiative expected to pour up to $3 trillion into repairing America’s decrepit infrastructure and funding other programs has sparked a scramble across the nation for the federal funds — with California expecting to reap the biggest piece.

See also:

 

Making equity matter in transportation

Roll Call

When he was Transportation secretary, Anthony Foxx says knew he was heading into a disadvantaged neighborhood. The highway cutting it off from the rest of the city was the tell.

 

WATER

 

California, get ready for water cutbacks. Cities, farms receive grim warning about supply

Fresno Bee

The rainy season is nearly over, there’s been no “March miracle” and the possibility of parched lawns and fallowed farm fields is growing.

See also:

 

Lois Henry: New leaders named to Kern water districts

Bakersfield Californian

The Rosedale-Rio Bravo and North Kern water storage districts both recently named new general managers. And the newly formed Westside Water Authority, made up of four different ag water districts, also brought on a new general manager.

 

“Xtra”

 

Movie theaters will reopen in Tulare County for first time in a year

Visalia Times Delta

For the first time in over a year, Tulare County cinema lovers will be able to see first-run films on the big screen starting on March 26.

See also:

 

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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.

                                                      

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