POLICY & POLITICS
What does leadership look like in your community?
James Irvine Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Leadership Awards – a $250,000 grant for California leaders. Accepting nominations at IrvineAwards.org through May 7, 2021.
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
Stanislaus County hospitalizations continue decline Modesto Bee
Stanislaus adds two deaths, 111 positive tests Modesto Bee
Merced awarded nearly $900K for program focusing on impacts of cannabis on youth
Merced Sun-Star
Merced officials announced this week the city was awarded $885,546 three-year Youth Pilot Mentorship Program Grant for the purpose of focusing on the individual and systemic impacts of cannabis legalization on youth.
Why some people of color in Stanislaus County have been hesitant about COVID vaccine
Modesto Bee
Their reasons may be different — distrust of government, doubts of effectiveness, fear of side effects — but some people of color in Stanislaus County share a feeling of hesitation toward getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
Fresno-area parents are angrier with schools — and Gavin Newsom — than most Californians
Fresno Bee
Ethan Smith is frustrated. The father of two fears his children are falling behind in their Fresno schools after more than a year of coronavirus-era online learning.
Fresno air travel was hit hard by the COVID pandemic. But how much has it recovered?
Fresno Bee
For the first couple of months of 2020, it looked like Fresno Yosemite International Airport was in for a record-breaking year.
Virtual Forums Planned For Next Community College Chancellor
Business Journal
State Center Community College District is reaching out to the community with a series of virtual forums soliciting input on the search for a new district chancellor.
Veterans hospital is looking to expand, possibly move to Clovis. Here are the details
Fresno Bee
The VA Central California hospital, currently located in central Fresno, is considering moving some of its major functions to Clovis on 9.1 acres of land on the northeast corner of Herndon and Armstrong avenues.
Fresno foster youth nonprofit faces lawsuit. CEO accused of unethical conduct, favoritism
Fresno Bee
A nonprofit group that serves as an advocate for children in foster care is being sued by two former employees who accuse the program’s leader of using unethical conduct in obtaining grants, practicing favoritism and doling out lucrative contracts to her friends.
Around Kings County: Where are those Green Jobs?
Hanford Sentinel
With great promise, two electric vehicle makers have said they would build factories in the Central Valley and soon employ hundreds, even thousands of locals. Four years later, the promises are still coming but so far, only a handful of jobs have resulted.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
Kern Public Health reports 30 new coronavirus cases Sunday Bakersfield Californian
Taft Courthouse to partially reopen on Wednesday
Bakersfield Californian
The Taft Courthouse will partially reopen this week, according to a news release from the Kern County Superior Court.
State:
COVID Update:
California coronavirus case rates keep ‘falling like a rock’ despite surges in Oregon, Washington Los Angeles Times
Commentary: Let’s keep vaccinating against COVID so California can fully reopen in June Fresno Bee
‘It’s shocking.’ How inaccurate California death records obscure pandemic’s true story Fresno Bee
California recall election: Everything you need to know about the race against Gov. Gavin Newsom
abc30
Here we go again, California. It looks like we'll be facing a recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. Recalls in California are convoluted, at times comical, and this time around - expensive. Confused about what comes next?
See also:
California state worker union backs Newsom anti-recall effort in sign of labor’s support Sacramento Bee
Recall backers raise more, but Newsom’s side has more cash in the bank CalMatters
Democratic leaders rally behind Newsom to fight recall, but how enthusiastic is the grassroots? CalMatters
Opinion: How to avoid a recall meltdown and improve California elections CalMatters
Morain: Forget the recall. Conservatives should focus on the California attorney general race Los Angeles Times
Plan to save California money could take health care away from most vulnerable patients
Fresno Bee
The most underserved patients — young and old, including migrant workers and the uninsured — in California could lose access to critical health care services under looming changes that leaders say would put federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) at risk.
California Native Americans won health care settlement. Federal government hasn’t delivered
Fresno Bee
The court rulings brought hope. Finally, California’s Native American population — the nation’s largest — would receive its rightful share of federal health care funding.
Suit challenges California rules on pet exams by vets
San Francisco Chronicle
Pet owners in California can’t speak to veterinarians about their pets’ health problems by phone, Zoom or Skype until the vet examines the animal in person — a restriction that endangers the pets and violates freedom of speech, a lawsuit to be filed Monday contends.
Issue Brief: California's Use of Federal Pandemic Aid
Little Hoover Commission
This Issue Brief outlines the state’s use of the $9.5 billion in CARES Act money that was received last year, and highlights potential differences between eligible uses of that funding and the expected $26 billion American Rescue Plan funding the state will receive this year.
Skelton: California’s population growth has slowed. Blame the exorbitant housing costs
Los Angeles Times
California’s population mix is being reshuffled. People are leaving and fewer are arriving from other states. But who are they? You might be surprised.
Walters: Pending bill opens door to pension corruption at CalPERS
CalMatters
Assembly Bill 386 sailed through the Assembly Judiciary Committee last week on a unanimous vote with virtually no discussion about its provisions.
Federal:
COVID Update:
Not reaching herd immunity by the fall could have dire consequences, medical expert says abc30
White House plans to redistribute unordered vaccine supply, telling states: Use it or lose it Washington Post
CVS, Walgreens wasted thousands of COVID-19 vaccines: report The Hill
California senator seeks expansion of land, water protection
Bakersfield Californian
California Sen. Alex Padilla on Monday proposed a vast expansion of government protection for public lands and rivers that he said would fight climate change and safeguard natural treasures for generations to come.
See also:
Kamala Harris’ Senate successor is hanging out with AOC. Why experts say that’s a smart move Sacramento Bee
Sen. Alex Padilla, just months into the job, has a year and a half to convince voters he should keep it Los Angeles Times
California could get 600,000 acres of new federally protected wilderness Los Angeles Times
Who Would Pay Biden’s Corporate Tax Increase Is Key Question in Policy Debate
Wall Street Journal
President Biden is seeking about $2 trillion in higher taxes on companies over 15 years to pay for his infrastructure plan. But corporations are just entities composed of people, so if corporate taxes go up, who ultimately pays?
See also:
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Republican support for Trump and vaccine politicization PBS
Opinion: Biden’s speech was pandemic political theater meant to justify a miasma of government spending Washington Post
Gerson: Elected Republicans are lying with open eyes. Their excuses are disgraceful Washington Post
Editorial: Basecamp and the Political Bullies Wall Street Journal
Following backlash, Biden lifts refugee cap to 62,500
Roll Call
President Joe Biden said Monday he would raise the refugee admissions cap for the current fiscal year to 62,500, revising an earlier announcement that would have maintained historically low Trump-era levels.
See also:
Biden says he will raise refugee cap from 15,000 to 62,500, after widespread criticism for extending Trump-era levels Washington Post
Biden Raises Refugee Admissions Cap to 62,500 Wall Street Journal
Country optimistic after Biden’s 1st 100 days: POLL
abcNews
President Joe Biden completes his first hundred days in office with a country that is more optimistic about the coming year, according to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll.
See also:
America Is Optimistic. Can Biden Make the Feeling Last? New York Times
Other:
Facebook and Trump are at a turning point in their long, tortured relationship
Washington Post
Facebook’s Oversight Board is expected to announce a decision Wednesday on whether to reinstate the former president’s account
Opinion: Media Mistrust Won’t Inoculate You Against Misinformation
Wall Street Journal
It’s easy to become inured to the daily procession of flagrant falsehoods, tendentious misrepresentations, deceitful exaggerations and narrative-driven editorial distortions from many of the nation’s leading media outlets.
Opinion: Ranked-choice voting is already changing politics for the better
Washington Post
The first-past-the-post system used in most U.S. elections causes significant problems: To avoid wasting their votes, voters are incentivized to choose the candidates they deem likely to win, not just the candidates who most closely align with their values.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, May 16, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "Eliminating Fraud, Waste & Abuse: Who You Gonna Call?" - Guests: Gabriel Petek - Legislative Analyst's Office; CA State Auditor Elaine Howle; Pedro Nava, Chairman - Little Hoover Commission; John Myers - LA Times; Dan Walters - CalMatters. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, May 16, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "Keeping them Honest: The Role of State and Local Watchdogs" - Guests: Jim Boren, Executive Director - Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State; Dympna Ugwu-Oju, Co-Editor - Fresno Bee's Fresnoland. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is back. Will Fresno-area farmworkers take it?
Fresno Bee
This story is part of the Central Valley News Collaborative, which is supported by the Central Valley Community Foundation with technology and training support by Microsoft Corp. Fresno County farmworker Juana Fonseca, a 35-year-old mother of four, didn’t hesitate to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Food Prices: Add One More Hurdle To Restaurants Reopening
Business Journal
At the surface, the 1%-2% food price increase Lorraine Salazar sees for restaurants might not seem significant. But for an industry that reinvests 95% of its income back into itself, paying more for food is yet another hurdle for an industry desperate to recover.
Shortage of truck drivers worries local ag producers as harvest nears
Bakersfield Californian
A worsening shortage of truck drivers is raising concerns among local farmers that, unless a solution emerges soon, there might not be enough hauling capacity to bring this year's harvest to market.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
All fatal police pursuits weren’t counted as required by California law
Press-Enterprise
An undetermined number of reports about police pursuits in California – some that ended in death – did not get included in statistics complied by the California Highway Patrol as required by state law, an anaylsis by the Southern California News Group shows.
Public Safety:
Public Webinar: How to Get Multilingual Information to Limited-English Court Users
California Courts Newsroom
The Judicial Council and National Center for State Courts will conduct a free public webinar on how to use and distribute multilingual educational materials available to help limited-English speakers access the courts.
Gun injuries put over a half-million people in hospitals from 2000 to 2016, study finds
Washington Post
Tens of thousands of people are admitted to hospitals for gun injuries every year, according to a first-of-its-kind database that underscores how the societal costs of gun violence extend well beyond mortality.
U.S. trustee opposes NRA bankruptcy petition in blow to gun rights group
Washington Post
A U.S. bankruptcy administrator asked a federal judge Monday to dismiss the National Rifle Association’s efforts to declare bankruptcy or appoint a trustee or examiner to oversee the gun rights organization — a setback for the group.
Editorial: Push Congress to enact these sensible gun reform measures
Los Angeles Times
For more years than it is comfortable to count, the National Rifle Assn. and its abettors in Washington have forestalled even the most sensible efforts to confront our national scourge of gun violence.
Fire:
Newsom’s $1-billion wildfire plan favors logging over homeowners, critics say
Los Angeles Times
Robert Garant proudly showed off a collection of chain saws he’s used to maintain the nearly 2 acres he and his wife, Gladys, have lived on for 47 years in San Diego County’s bucolic mountain hamlet of Julian.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Rampant racial disparities plagued how billions of dollars in PPP loans were distributed in the U.S.
Reveal
An analysis of Paycheck Protection Program lending reveals stark disparities across the country. In the LA area, businesses in White neighborhoods received loans at a far higher rate than in Latinx, Black and Asian ones.
California Budget & Policy Center
Over the span of a career, most adults need time away from work to care for a new child, a family member, or for their own health.
Opinion: ‘Woke’ CEOs: Risky Business or the Next Great Awakening?
Wall Street Journal
What business does a CEO have in politics? Many Americans would say none, but corporations have interests and it is not only the right but the duty of chief executives to advance them, including through the political process.
Jobs:
Around Kings County: Where are those Green Jobs?
Hanford Sentinel
With great promise, two electric vehicle makers have said they would build factories in the Central Valley and soon employ hundreds, even thousands of locals. Four years later, the promises are still coming but so far, only a handful of jobs have resulted.
How can California help laid-off retail workers find jobs? This state’s approach may work
Modesto Bee
The COVID-19 pandemic was one for the record books for the retail industry. More than 40 major retailers declared bankruptcy, and more than 11,000 stores closed in 2020 across the U.S., according to CoStar Group.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fresno-area parents are angrier with schools — and Gavin Newsom — than most Californians
Fresno Bee
Ethan Smith is frustrated. The father of two fears his children are falling behind in their Fresno schools after more than a year of coronavirus-era online learning.
'That little gem': Oildale's Standard Middle School earns national award for excellence
Bakersfield Californian
Rattle off a list of what Oildale is known for and you might come up with its rich music history, breakfast joints with fare hearty enough to power a shift in the oil fields and a tight-knit community whose elders often trace their roots to the Dust Bowl migration.
California state board likely to adopt long-awaited ‘student growth model’ to measure test scores
EdSource
At their meeting on May 12, members of the State Board of Education are expected to finally adopt a way to include individual students’ progress on state standardized tests as part of the state’s school accountability system.
Higher Ed:
Virtual Forums Planned For Next Community College Chancellor
Business Journal
State Center Community College District is reaching out to the community with a series of virtual forums soliciting input on the search for a new district chancellor.
Here’s what UC says about the chances of being plucked from massive waitlists
Los Angeles Times
Campuses are diving into their massive waitlists, selecting students to fill the seats of those who turned down UC offers by the May 1 college decision day.
Biden taps ex-consumer bureau chief to oversee student loans
The Hill
Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray will serve as head of the Education Department’s student loan office, Secretary Miguel Cardona announced Monday.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Clean megaprojects divide surprise group: environmentalists
Bakersfield Californian
Sprawling wind farms located off the coast. Hydropower transmission lines that cut through some of America's most beloved forests and rivers. Solar megaprojects of unprecedented size.
EPA rule to phase out greenhouse gases used in refrigerators, coolants
Los Angeles Times
In the first Biden administration rule aimed at combating climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to phase down production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners.
See also:
NOAA unveils new U.S. climate ‘normals’ that are warmer than ever
Washington Post
The official calculation of what constitutes “normal” U.S. climate has been updated — and to virtually nobody’s surprise, it’s a warmer picture than ever before.
Energy:
New solar plant for California desert gains federal approval
Modesto Bee
The federal Bureau of Land Management has given final approval for a solar power plant on public lands in the southeastern California desert, the Interior Department said Monday.
See also:
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
California Coronavirus Updates: Children Now Account For 22% Of New COVID-19 Infections In US
Capital Public Radio
The number of children contracting COVID-19 in the U.S. is much lower than the record highs set at the start of the new year, but children now account for more than a fifth of new coronavirus cases, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
‘It’s shocking.’ How inaccurate California death records obscure pandemic’s true story
Fresno Bee
When California looks back on the COVID-19 pandemic — the most significant health crisis in modern history, with tens of thousands of deaths so far — medical researchers will find some of the most basic details remarkably incomplete.
FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for teens within week
Fresno Bee
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 12 to 15 by next week, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year.
See also:
FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for youth 12 and older within a week Los Angeles Times
Report: FDA to authorize Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 by next week Mercury News
Vaccinating kids for COVID-19 poses additional challenges for officials Roll Call
F.D.A. Set to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents by Early Next Week New York Times
FDA appears poised to authorize Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for adolescents by next week Washington Post
White House plans to redistribute unordered vaccine supply, telling states: Use it or lose it
Washington Post
The White House on Tuesday told states that coronavirus vaccine supply they leave unordered will become available to other states — the most significant shift in domestic vaccine distribution since President Biden took office.
See also:
Can you safely gather with vaccinated people if you’ve already had COVID? What to know
Fresno Bee
Federal health officials have made it clear that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely dabble in the activities they enjoyed before the onset of the pandemic.
See also:
More than a year into the pandemic, we’re still figuring out what risks we’re willing to take Washington Post
Scientists scramble to see why, in rare cases, even the vaccinated can get COVID-19 Los Angeles Times
Reaching ‘Herd Immunity’ Is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now Believe
New York Times
Early in the pandemic, when vaccines for the coronavirus were still just a glimmer on the horizon, the term “herd immunity” came to signify the endgame: the point when enough Americans would be protected from the virus so we could be rid of the pathogen and reclaim our lives.
See also:
Officials grapple with coronavirus vaccine hesitancy among Latino evangelicals Washington Post
The coronavirus vaccine skeptics who changed their minds Washington Post
Covid-19 Vaccinations Are Slowing, So Officials Target Markets, Schools Wall Street Journal
Opinion: Government won’t get us her immunity. Businesses can. Brookings
Human Services:
California Native Americans won health care settlement. Federal government hasn’t delivered
Fresno Bee
The court rulings brought hope. Finally, California’s Native American population — the nation’s largest — would receive its rightful share of federal health care funding.
Plan to save California money could take health care away from most vulnerable patients
Fresno Bee
The most underserved patients — young and old, including migrant workers and the uninsured — in California could lose access to critical health care services under looming changes that leaders say would put federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) at risk.
Opinion: Biden’s Daycare Plan Is Bad for Families
Wall Street Journal
In his first address to Congress, President Biden proposed spending an extra $225 billion on child care. That’s on top of the $40 billion the administration is already spending as part of the “bailout” of child-care providers in Mr. Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and the $10.3 billion the federal government normally spends on child-care subsidies
The Future of AI In Healthcare
Forbes
Covid-19 has made healthcare a top priority for governments, businesses, and investors around the world and accelerated efforts to apply artificial intelligence to improving our health.
IMMIGRATION
Separated Families To Reunite In The U.S. As Immigrant Advocates Push For More
VPR
A handful of migrant families that were separated at the border by the Trump administration will be allowed to reunify in the United States this week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Monday.
See also:
U.S. to start reuniting some families separated at Mexico border Los Angeles Times
Massive family reunification effort starts with a mother and son at the border Washington Post
Editorial: The right way to help migrant families separated under Trump Los Angeles Times
Following backlash, Biden lifts refugee cap to 62,500
Roll Call
President Joe Biden said Monday he would raise the refugee admissions cap for the current fiscal year to 62,500, revising an earlier announcement that would have maintained historically low Trump-era levels.
See also:
Biden says he will raise refugee cap from 15,000 to 62,500, after widespread criticism for extending Trump-era levels Washington Post
Biden Raises Refugee Admissions Cap to 62,500 Wall Street Journal
Schumer Readies Plan B to Push Immigration Changes Unilaterally
New York Times
Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, is quietly considering trying to use a fast-track budget maneuver to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants should bipartisan talks on providing a pathway to citizenship fall apart.
Commentary: Do immigrants harm native students academically?
Brookings
These trends have generated a policy debate about the effects of immigration on public education and the perceived costs that immigrants may impose on public schools, local governments, and educational outcomes of the U.S.-born student population.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Veterans hospital is looking to expand, possibly move to Clovis. Here are the details
Fresno Bee
The VA Central California hospital, currently located in central Fresno, is considering moving some of its major functions to Clovis on 9.1 acres of land on the northeast corner of Herndon and Armstrong avenues.
California senator seeks expansion of land, water protection
Bakersfield Californian
California Sen. Alex Padilla on Monday proposed a vast expansion of government protection for public lands and rivers that he said would fight climate change and safeguard natural treasures for generations to come.
See also:
California could get 600,000 acres of new federally protected wilderness Los Angeles Times
Housing:
Capitol Mum On Eviction Moratorium Extension As Renters Seek More Time
Capital Public Radio
With two months to go before a statewide eviction moratorium expired in January, lawmakers, lobbyists and the governor’s staff were already deep into negotiations on an extension. They reached it just days before the deadline, providing six more months of a ban on eviction.
Skelton: California’s population growth has slowed. Blame the exorbitant housing costs
Los Angeles Times
California’s population mix is being reshuffled. People are leaving and fewer are arriving from other states. But who are they? You might be surprised.
Commentary: Protect families from homelessness; extend eviction moratorium
CalMatters
I live and work in Silicon Valley, one of the most expensive places to live in the country. According to Zillow, the average price of a home is $1.3 million.
PUBLIC FINANCES
California’s tax revenue is surging. Will Gov. Newsom send some back to taxpayers?
Sacramento Bee
California taxpayers could be due for their first state budget refunds in decades thanks to a disco-era spending cap that on only one previous occasion resulted in households getting checks from Sacramento.
Capital Public Radio
Americans’ personal incomes jumped 21.1% in March, according to the Commerce Department. This is the biggest increase on record as the government sent out $1,400 relief payments as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue effort.
California keeps millions in child support while parents drown in debt
CalMatters
Half of Stacy Estes’ pay disappears every month before it hits his bank account. Each check is about $500 lighter than it should be, intercepted in the name of child support — which he wouldn’t have a problem with, if it were going to his kids.
TRANSPORTATION
Fresno air travel was hit hard by the COVID pandemic. But how much has it recovered?
Fresno Bee
For the first couple of months of 2020, it looked like Fresno Yosemite International Airport was in for a record-breaking year.
Money for California's electric-car rebates is gone. Will Newsom restore it?
San Francisco Chronicle
California’s main rebate program to coax more drivers to buy electric cars has run out of money — and there’s no guarantee that buyers on the waiting list will get checks later.
Biden Plan to Boost Public Transit Funding: Visionary or Wasteful?
PEW
If President Joe Biden gets his way, the federal government will double public transit funding in the coming years. He sees it as an essential part of his proposed $2 trillion infrastructure package: a way to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and meet rider demand.
Auto Makers Retreat From 50 Years of ‘Just in Time’ Manufacturing
Wall Street Journal
Toyota Motor Corp. is stockpiling up to four months of some parts. Volkswagen AG is building six factories so it can get its own batteries. And, in shades of Henry Ford, Tesla Inc. is trying to lock up access to raw materials.
America's Amtrak moment could finally be here
CNN
Created in 1971 from the creaking remains of the classic US railroads that helped build modern America, Amtrak has often lived a precarious existence.
WATER
California’s Latest Drought in 4 Charts
PPIC
California is grappling with drought again, facing many of the same conditions and challenges that were features of the 2012–16 drought.
CalMatters
Given Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for California to “move past the old water binaries,” it’s disappointing that the Sierra Club is creating division through misstatements and misleading the public.
“Xtra”
See springtime in Yosemite. Soon you’ll need a reservation to enjoy the main attractions
Sierra Star
Waterfalls are roaring and dogwoods are blooming in Yosemite National Park – beloved springtime sights in the popular park in California that will only be accessible to all for a few more weeks.
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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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