Maddy Institute – November 4, 2021

04Nov

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

COVID Update:

● Stanislaus County and its cities report limited employee COVID-19 vaccination data Modesto Bee

Lawmakers want to fix Central Valley’s doctor shortage. Would loan forgiveness help?

Modesto Bee

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, requested in a letter to the United States Department of Education on Monday that doctors in California working for nonprofit organizations qualify for its public service student loan forgiveness program.

Central SJ Valley:

COVID Update:

● COVID shots are ready for children ages 5 to 11. Here’s how to get them in the Fresno area Fresno Bee

● Some Fresno elementary students return to distance learning due to COVID-19 again Fresno Bee

● Hundreds of Fresno parents seek information on COVID vaccine exemptions after CDC news Fresno Bee

● ‘There isn’t enough room.’ High patient volume, COVID pushes Valley hospital to its limit Fresno Bee

● Kaweah Health declares 2nd COVID disaster in 3 months. Visalia hospital treats CA's most COVID patients Visalia Times Delta

● Kaweah Health declares Code Triage after reaching full capacity abc30

● Kaiser Permanente will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments for kids Thursday abc30

● Pediatric COVID vaccines: Full list of Central California locations offering Pfizer shots for kids abc30

● Tulare County school districts ready to discuss COVID-19 vaccine with parents abc30

● Editorial: This holiday gift idea is free, widely available and saves lives. What’s not to like? Fresno Bee

Latinos are a majority in Fresno County. How new voting boundaries could limit their power

Fresno Bee

The process to redraw Fresno County’s supervisor district boundaries is nearing its end, with the Board of Supervisors indicating this week they want to move forward with a new map that some say fails to provide the Latino community with the political representation it will need for the next decade.

Fresno leaders push program putting ‘hard to hire’ people to work cleaning alleys and litter

Fresno Bee

Fresno city leaders representing the Tower District are pursuing a partnership with Neighborhood Industries that would put “hard to hire” people to work cleaning up litter in the area.

Fresno school board gives superintendent a positive job review, but not everyone agrees

Fresno Bee

After over three hours in closed session Wednesday evening, the Fresno Unified School Board handed Superintendent Bob Nelson a positive evaluation. Trustees voted 5-1 in support of the positive evaluation, with Trustee Terry Slatic casting the lone “no” vote.

‘Helluva journey.’ Will City of Fresno buy troubled University Medical Center campus?

Fresno Bee

The Fresno City Council this week will decide whether to make an offer on the troubled former University Medical Center campus for a mixed-use, mixed-income housing and retail project.

City of Clovis Loses Some Ground…Literally

Clovis Roundup

The proposed resolutions were based on the City of Clovis Sphere of Influence reducing acreage from more or less 1050 acres to more or less than 155 acres. This would allow preparation and submission of an application to the Fresno County Local Agency Formation.

Hanford City Council votes 3-2 for zoning changes to allow for additional business, commercial development

Hanford Sentinel

Non-retail Hanford businesses will now be able to set up shop outside the Downtown area thanks to the most recent decision to change the City’s zoning laws.

County board still considering five maps; equitable coalition maps eliminated

Porterville Recorder

In the battle between the Equitable Coalition Map(s) and the Wells Map(s) the winner may be — a “super modified” Verduzco map as Tulare County Board Chairperson Amy Shuklian put it?

Visalia Unified school board appoints Catalina Blair to Area 4

Visalia Delta Times

Visalia Unified school board members unanimously voted to appoint Catalina Blair to fill Area 4's vacancy during a special board meeting Tuesday.

Warszawski: Goodbye Devin … hello Kevin? New House boundaries could get weird for Fresno, Valley

Fresno Bee

Besides Clovis, Nunes would no longer represent north Fresno under the proposed boundary lines.

South SJ Valley:

COVID Update:

● Kern Public Health reports 21 COVID-19 deaths, 402 new cases on Wednesday Bakersfield Californian

● Kern Public Health: Pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations will begin as early as Thursday Bakersfield Californian

● Kern Public Health recommends booster shots to avoid COVID-19 winter surge Bakersfield Californian

With road name changed to MLK Boulevard, community seeks to rebound

Bakersfield Californian

Local residents, and the elected officials who represent them, hope the changing of the road name will lead to the long-awaited rebound for the economically depressed area.

Warning on local home market meets with disbelief

Bakersfield Californian

A recent national report warning of problems in Bakersfield's housing market has come under fire from local real estate professionals who suggest the study's concerns are badly overblown and that, if anything, conditions are stable if not improving.

California Reporting Project develops tool to explore police misconduct files

VPR

The California Reporting Project has been gathering police misconduct files from departments around the state, including Bakersfield.

State:

COVID Update:

● Young children can receive COVID vaccines soon. Here’s what you need to know CalMatters

● After FDA, CDC approval, doctors urge parents to immunize kids ages 5-11 against COVID-19 Sacramento Bee

● Child vaccinations begin in California with toys and gifts Sacramento Bee

● What a COVID-19 pill could mean for California Los Angeles Times

California Treasurer Fiona Ma launches legal defense fund to fight harassment lawsuit

Sacramento Bee

California Treasurer Fiona Ma has raised more than $50,000 for her legal defense against a lawsuit that alleges she sexually harassed an employee, campaign finance filings show.

California redistricting 101: What you need to know

CalMatters

An FAQ for voters on California redistricting as the state’s independent commission works toward releasing preliminary congressional and legislative maps on Nov. 10.

Inside California lawmakers’ paid trips to Maui

Sacramento Bee

The Independent Voter Project has made a huge investment:: Over the past five years, it spent more than $184,000 bringing 75 lawmakers to the conference, according to financial disclosure forms. Many of them are repeat visitors.

Walters: A confusing array of sports betting measures

CalMatters

Next year, California voters could see as many as four competing ballot measures to legalize gambling on sports events with countless billions of dollars at stake.

Most Support California’s Leadership in Climate Change Policy

Public Policy Institute of California

Majorities across regions say California's leadership in climate change is important.

‘Risk of permanent closure.’ California restaurants won’t get quick help from Biden spending plan

Fresno Bee

There was some hope for money in the big spending and tax package President Joe Biden unveiled Thursday, but there was none. Biden’s American Rescue Plan in March provided $28.6 billion to aid the restaurants, but it wasn’t enough and generated legal controversies.

California children could lose millions in food money if schools don’t ID the families

Fresno Bee

Hundreds of thousands of California children could lose pandemic food benefits if their caretakers don’t spend the money, a new state audit found, and the California Department of Social Services is in a race to find those families.

California state worker union redoing election after finding critical flaws in ballot security

Sacramento Bee

The union representing California state attorneys, administrative law judges and legal professionals is redoing its election after a review turned up several flaws, including the possibility that members could vote more than once.

Federal:

COVID Update:

● 750,000 dead: In too many families, unity in pain but division in mourning Washington Post

● Challenges could hinder pediatric COVID-19 vaccination effort Roll Call

● Biden hails pandemic ‘turning point’ as 5-to-11-year-olds start getting vaccinated Washington Post

● White House vaccine rule would require companies and workers to comply by Jan. 4 Washington Post

● Biden’s Vaccine Rules Mean Millions of Workers Must Get Shots by Jan. 4 or Test Weekly Wall Street Journal

● Biden Administration’s OSHA Vaccine Mandate for Millions of Workers: What to Know Wall Street Journal

● Thousands in Air Force, Space Force Seek Exemption From Covid-19 Vaccines Wall Street Journal

GOP leader says Republicans could flip 60 seats next year

The Hill

Republicans took a victory lap Wednesday following Republican Glenn Youngkin’s stunning win in the Virginia governor’s race, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) predicting his party could flip more than 60 House seats in next year’s midterm elections.

● Stung by election results, moderate Dems want to hit the gas on infrastructure bill VPR

● Inflation and increased trust in the GOP to handle the economy are becoming real problems for Democrats Insider

● House Dems’ suburban foundation at risk of crumbling after Tuesday’s results Politico

● Murphy’s narrow win in New Jersey does little to ease Democratic anxieties Washington Post

● Non-Trump Republican surge Axios

● Opinion: Lessons of the Progressive Fall Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: What Youngkin’s Virginia win means for education AEI

Your updated guide to the huge Dem deal: 14 new policies and what could stop them

Politico

House Democrats on Wednesday unleashed legislation that would enact President Joe Biden’s expansive social spending vision after months of negotiating, seeking support from the entire caucus by Thursday.

● House Democrats Add Paid Leave, State-and-Local Tax Deduction to Bill Wall Street Journal

● Dueling ‘SALT’ fixes in play as Democrats try to close budget deal Roll Call

● Democrats reach deal on Medicare prescription drug prices in social spending bill Los Angeles Times

● Senate Republicans block debate on a third major voting rights bill Washington Post

● Senate GOP blocks latest Dem push for voting reform Politico

● House Democrats Revive Paid Leave Program, Ignoring Manchin’s Concerns

New York Times

● House Democrats Include Provisions Protecting Immigrants Wall Street Journal

SEC Rescinds Trump-era Policy, Eases Path for Shareholder Proposals on Environmental, Social Issues

Wall Street Journal

The Securities and Exchange Commission reversed a Trump-era policy and acted Wednesday to streamline the process for shareholders to propose resolutions on environmental or social issues during the coming proxy season.

Biden Says Payments to Families Separated at the Mexico Border Are ‘Not Gonna Happen

Wall Street Journal

President dismisses reports of DOJ talks to settle suits by families separated while illegally crossing border with payments of $450,000 a person.

Donald Trump’s WSJ letter is wrong: Joe Biden won PA legitimately. Here’s how we know

PolitiFact

Former President Donald Trump’s letter to the editor included a host of dubious allegations that sought to cast doubt on Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory in Pennsylvania, but there is ample evidence to demonstrate that Biden won the state.

At Glasgow Climate Summit, Governments Must Step Up to Help People and the Planet

Pew Trusts

Conservation, sustained financing, and collective action are among steps needed to rapidly reduce emissions.

● COP26 Negotiators Make Progress on Carbon-Trading Rules Wall Street Journal

● Yes, There Has Been Progress on Climate. No, It’s Not Nearly Enough. New York Times

● Biden’s COP26 Strategy Is to Blame China and Russia While Securing Climate Deals Wall Street Journal

● Why Financing the Multi-Trillion-Dollar Transition to Net Zero Isn’t That Hard Wall Street Journal

● The world doesn’t spend nearly enough preparing for climate disasters, U.N. report says Washington Post

Diagnostic Tests Not Reviewed by FDA Present Growing Risks to Patients

Pew Trusts

To ensure the public has access to safe, reliable, accurate, and innovative diagnostics, Congress should pass legislation that would increase the transparency of the market and authorize FDA to review them based on their risks to patients.

Opinion: How Democrats can get their act together

Washington Post

President Biden is on the verge of accomplishing more in his first year than any president in recent memory despite unremitting obstruction from an unhinged opposition.

Other:

Natural Disasters Can Set the Stage for Cyberattacks

Pew Trusts

Cybercriminals, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated, could take advantage of natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes to wreak havoc on critical infrastructure, experts say, including transportation, emergency response, water and sewer systems and hospitals.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, November 7, at 9:00 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "A Ripple Effect: Will the Drought Increase Emissions?" - Guest: F. Noel Perry, Founder - Next 10. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, November 7, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "California’s Electric: Or Soon to Be?"- Guests: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10 & State Senator Fran Pavley. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Valley judge rejects Wonderful Company’s attempt to stop rival’s expansion. Here’s why

Fresno Bee

A Tulare County judge has rejected an attempt by the Wonderful Company to stop rival Touchstone Pistachio Company from expanding its plant in Terra Bella.

How test plots in Modesto-area almond orchard will help effort to improve soil

Modesto Bee

Farmers and scientists gathered at an almond orchard southwest of Modesto to help launch the Better Soil Alliance.

Supply chain delays disrupt California agriculture exports

Sacramento Bee

Amid an historic drought posing threats to future harvests, California farmers now say they have no way to export the crops they do have because of a kink in the global supply chain that has left container ships lined up off the Southern California coast with nowhere to deliver their goods.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

California Reporting Project develops tool to explore police misconduct files

VPR

The California Reporting Project has been gathering police misconduct files from departments around the state, including Bakersfield

Natural Disasters Can Set the Stage for Cyberattacks

Pew Trusts

Opinion: Dramatically increasing incarceration is the wrong response to the recent uptick in homicides and violent crime

Brookings

The United States incarcerates more people (both in raw numbers, and as a proportion of the population) than any other nation in the world for whom we have data, despite the national incarceration rate being at its lowest level in 20 years.

Public Safety:

Clovis Police Lieutenant Steps Down

Clovis Roundup

After nearly 24 years with the Clovis Police Department, Police Lieutenant Jim Munro is moving on to another city.

California Reporting Project develops tool to explore police misconduct files

VPR

The California Reporting Project has been gathering police misconduct files from departments around the state, including Bakersfield.

See also:

● Issue Brief: California Law Enforcement Survey Little Hoover Commission

Supreme Court sounds sour on New York concealed carry law

Roll Call

The Supreme Court appeared ready Wednesday to strike down New York’s regime for licensing gun owners to carry concealed weapons in public, a ruling that would for the first time expand Second Amendment rights to outside the home for self-defense.

New Research Suggests 911 Call Centers Lack Resources to Handle Behavioral Health Crises

Pew Trusts

Training, emergency response options, and data reporting are key areas for improvement, says Pew study.

Opinion: Voters Cancel the War on Police

Wall Street Journal

With crime surging in many cities, voters rejected the anti-police left this week.

Fire:

Hundreds of Giant Sequoias killed by Windy Fire

Porterville Recorder

An early assessment of the damage done by the Windy Fire indicates the fire killed hundreds of Giant Sequoias. And it's believed many more may not be able to survive. In addition, the forest service emphasized active management helped save many trees.

California created a fund to cover utilities’ wildfire costs. PG&E may be first to use it

Fresno Bee

PG&E Corp. had been driven into bankruptcy by wildfire damages and Gov. Gavin Newsom was worried that the state’s ever-increasing wildfire hazards could swamp California’s other major utilities as well.

California inmate firefighters demand answers for why their release dates are pushed back

Sacramento Bee

Sean McGivern thought he was going home in September, finally due for release from one of California’s prison fire camps after serving six years on convictions out of Santa Clara County for robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon.

What is a Conservation Fire Camp?

Sacramento Bee

The primary mission of the Conservation Camp Program is to support state, local and federal government agencies as they respond to emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. What does it entail?

Editorial: Study confirms California’s worst wildfire fears

Mercury News

A new study from the respected National Academy of Sciences confirms our worst fears about California’s increasingly deadly wildfires. Climate change — and not natural climate variability — is now the primary driver of wildfire risk.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Press Release: Fresno EOC Board of Commissioners Renews CEO, Emilia Reyes’ contract

Fresno EOC

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at the October 27 board meeting, to renew Emilia Reyes’ contract as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer for three more years.

Wells Fargo’s latest contribution to local small businesses? $1.75m

Business Journal

Wells Fargo has already been the source of $1.5 million in grants this year for Access Plus Capital, but it will give an additional $1.75 million Open for Business grants to four select

‘Risk of permanent closure.’ California restaurants won’t get quick help from Biden spending plan

Fresno Bee

Can anything be done to unclog holiday supply chain? How Biden, Newsom are trying to help

Sacramento Bee

Don’t count on Gov. Gavin Newsom or President Joe Biden to clear up supply chain problems this holiday season. “In the short term there’s not a lot politicians can do,” said Sam Abuelsamid, principal research analyst at Global Insights, a market advisory firm.

Powell Says Fed Acted Quickly to Tighten Stock-Trading Rules

Wall Street Journal

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday the financial market trading controversy that led to the departure of two regional Fed bank presidents caught the central bank by surprise, adding the Fed has acted swiftly to ensure the situation never happens again.

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Fresh Record on Goods Demand, Higher Inflation

Wall Street Journal

The U.S. trade deficit widened in September to $80.9 billion, a record, driven by climbing demand for capital goods like computers and electric equipment and industrial supplies that have been soaring in cost as global supply chains remain snarled.

SEC Rescinds Trump-era Policy, Eases Path for Shareholder Proposals on Environmental, Social Issues

Wall Street Journal

Jobs:

Fresno leaders push program putting ‘hard to hire’ people to work cleaning alleys and litter

Fresno Bee

Fresno city leaders representing the Tower District are pursuing a partnership with Neighborhood Industries that would put “hard to hire” people to work cleaning up litter in the area.

California state government is advertising thousands of jobs. How to get started

Sacramento Bee

The hiring follows a huge swing in state revenue forecasts. Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020 signed a state budget the temporarily cut public employees’ pay because lawmakers anticipated a prolonged recession in the coronavirus pandemic.

Where Are All the Truck Drivers? Shortage Adds to Delivery Delays

Wall Street Journal

Trucks haul more than 70% of domestic cargo shipments. Yet many fleets say they can’t hire enough drivers to meet booming consumer demand as the U.S. economy emerges from the pandemic.

Many Contractors Want Retirement Benefits, But Few Workplaces Give Them Access

Forbes

Many freelance workers are drawn to self-employment by the flexibility and freedom to be their own boss. But one big tradeoff is a lack of retirement benefits.

Deere Says It’s Done Bargaining After Striking Workers Reject Second Contract Offer

Wall Street Journal

Deere won’t raise its offer to striking workers after a second vote to ratify a new contract failed Tuesday, a company executive said.

Return to Work? Not With Child Care Still in Limbo, Some Parents Say.

New York Times

The rise of the Delta variant and the uncertainty over schools and child care are keeping these parents from applying for jobs.

When Bonuses and Raises Aren’t Enough, Try Manicures and Free Clothes

Wall Street Journal

Companies across industries are dangling new incentives to counteract a labor shortage that has made it harder for U.S. employers to find and hold on to workers. The Labor Department said last month that the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs surged to a record high in August.

Jobless Claims Extend Drop Toward Levels Seen Before Covid-19

Wall Street Journal

Worker filings for unemployment benefits continued their steady downward march as they approached levels last seen before the coronavirus pandemic.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Some Fresno elementary students return to distance learning due to COVID-19 again

Fresno Bee

For the second time in a month, Addicott Elementary School has shut down classrooms due to coronavirus concerns.

Fresno school board gives superintendent a positive job review, but not everyone agrees

Fresno Bee

Editorial: These Fresno schools are in one of the most polluted parts of the state. An enduring shame

Fresno Bee

Imagine sending your teenage son or daughter to a high school adjacent to the area that is most pollution burdened in the state. That is what the 2,500 students at Edison High in west Fresno face every day when they head to their campus on East California Avenue.

South Valley school districts impacted by thick fog

abc30

Thick fog was spotted throughout the South Valley Wednesday morning, impacting several school districts -- mostly those in rural communities. For students attending Lakeside Union Elementary in Kings County, there was a 1-hour delay.

Visalia Unified school board appoints Catalina Blair to Area 4

Visalia Delta Times

Visalia Unified school board members unanimously voted to appoint Catalina Blair to fill Area 4's vacancy during a special board meeting Tuesday.

LA Inspector General Looks Into Allegations of Racist Policing by Sheriff’s Deputies on School Grounds

ProPublica

Citing a LAist/ProPublica report that sheriff’s deputies disproportionately stopped and cited Black students, LA County’s Inspector General said he will look into allegations of racial discrimination in California’s Antelope Valley high schools.

Teachers in Scranton, Pa., Go on Strike Over Pay, Healthcare

Wall Street Journal

Teachers and paraprofessionals in Scranton School District went on strike Wednesday amid concerns over pay, healthcare plans and district cutbacks. They haven’t had a contract for several years, according to union officials.

California children could lose millions in food money if schools don’t ID the families

Fresno Bee

"Anti-CRT" school board candidates are winning

Axios

A new PAC focused on electing conservative candidates to public school boards — by raising fears about how racism is taught — won three-fourths of its 58 races across seven states on Tuesday.

Higher Ed:

Son of Fresno Pacific’s first president says university ‘wrong’ to reject LGBTQ+ club

Fresno Bee

The son of a former president of Fresno Pacific University has thrown his support behind creating an LGBTQ+ meeting space after school leaders rejected a student petition for a campus club, saying such a club would not align with the school’s Mennonite faith.

Bulldog Stadium sold out for Boise State game. A look back at last five sellouts

Fresno Bee

Fresno State announced on Wednesday evening that it had sold out Bulldog Stadium for its game against Boise State — its first sellout since the 2014 home-opener against Nebraska.

California college allowing homeless students to sleep in parked cars

The Hill

California’s Long Beach City College said it will allow homeless students to sleep in their vehicles at the university’s parking garage.

Opinion: Liberal education and liberal democracy

AEI

The problems in contemporary liberal education are exacerbating problems in our practice of liberal democracy. Liberal education today does a poor job of teaching young people the art of choosing—which requires thinking well about ends.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

‘Enough is enough.’ Fresno residents sue over new environmental review plan for the city

Fresno Bee

A recently approved City of Fresno plan for streamlining the environmental review process for new development projects is being challenged in Superior Court by residents of south Fresno.

Six years in, dairy producers and conservation groups together are protecting endangered blackbirds

VPR

The tricolored blackbird, native almost exclusively to Central California, gained protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act in 2018. Since then, the most at-risk colonies have successfully been protected, thanks in large part to San Joaquin Valley dairies.

Most Support California’s Leadership in Climate Change Policy

Public Policy Institute of California

Majorities across regions say California's leadership in climate change is important.

Carbon Levels Are Rising Again After Brief Covid Drop

Bloomberg

Global carbon dioxide pollution returned to a pre-pandemic level this year, according to an early estimate by the research group Global Carbon Project prepared for the COP26 talks occurring in Glasgow.

At Glasgow Climate Summit, Governments Must Step Up to Help People and the Planet

Pew Trusts

Conservation, sustained financing, and collective action are among steps needed to rapidly reduce emissions.

● Yes, There Has Been Progress on Climate. No, It’s Not Nearly Enough. New York Times

● Biden’s COP26 Strategy Is to Blame China and Russia While Securing Climate Deals Wall Street Journal

● Why Financing the Multi-Trillion-Dollar Transition to Net Zero Isn’t That Hard Wall Street Journal

● A $130T climate promise is greeted with suspicion Politico

Energy:

Local Clovis Mobile Park Loses Power

Clovis Roundup

After 48 hours of no electricity, PG&E was able to bring light and power back to mobile park residents.

Opinion: California needs more clean power – in vast quantities

CalMatters

To achieve Newsom’s ambitious vision of a carbon-free future, California needs to start now, because we are not on pace.

An Energy Forum, November 17, 2021

Capitol Weekly

Join Capitol Weekly for a look at California’s energy future. Gov. Newsom and the state Legislature have set ambitious goals to combat climate change. A score of experts, insiders and elected officials will discuss the state’s energy policies and examine the realities of California going carbon neutral by mid-century.There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Start your application for 2022 health coverage

HealthCare.gov

If you need health insurance, return to HealthCare.gov before December 15 to enroll in coverage for coverage starting January 1, 2022.

After FDA, CDC approval, doctors urge parents to immunize kids ages 5-11 against COVID-19

Sacramento Bee

Scavenger hunts and blow-up animals greeted children at some of California’s vaccination sites Wednesday as children aged 5 to 11 got their first COVID-19 shots a day after the federal government approved kid-size doses of the vaccinations.

● Some parents want to wait to vaccinate their kids. Here's why doctors say do it now VPR

● Child vaccinations begin in California with toys and gifts Sacramento Bee

● Child vaccinations begin in california with toys and gifts Business Journal

● Here’s how your younger child can be fully vaccinated by Christmas Mercury News

● Some Parents Rush to Get Covid-19 Vaccines for Young Kids Wall Street Journal

Diagnostic Tests Not Reviewed by FDA Present Growing Risks to Patients

Pew Trusts

Suicide rates fall again — but not for young adults and some people of color

Valley Public Radio

Suicides dropped by 3% in 2020, continuing a downward trend that began in 2019 after nearly two decades of increases.

Human Services:

Lawmakers want to fix Central Valley’s doctor shortage. Would loan forgiveness help?

Sacramento Bee

IMMIGRATION

Biden Says Payments to Families Separated at the Mexico Border Are ‘Not Gonna Happen’

Wall Street Journal

President Biden said the U.S. wasn’t going to pay immigrant families who were separated at the Mexico border during the Trump administration, throwing into doubt settlements the Justice Department has been negotiating to resolve legal claims by the families.

● U.S. in Talks to Pay Hundreds of Millions to Families Separated at Border Wall Street Journal

Divisions among Democrats threaten immigration plan

Roll Call

Democrats’ efforts to include immigration relief in their sprawling social spending bill face an uncertain future amid divisions between party progressives and moderates over which policies should be included in the final package.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Hanford City Council votes 3-2 for zoning changes to allow for additional business, commercial development

Hanford Sentinel

Non-retail Hanford businesses will now be able to set up shop outside the Downtown area thanks to the most recent decision to change the City’s zoning laws.

Developer planned to build on 350 acres north of Clovis. A threatened salamander changed that

Fresno Bee

The Clovis City Council voted Monday to reduce its sphere of influence northeast of the city by about 1,000 acres after a developer discovered a habitat of California tiger salamanders — which are threatened in the Central Valley and endangered in other parts of California.

‘Vibrancy everywhere.’ Yosemite fall colors come with rushing waterfalls this autumn

Fresno Bee

Fall colors are on full display in Yosemite National Park, making early November a great time for an autumn trip to the popular park in California.

Housing:

‘Helluva journey.’ Will City of Fresno buy troubled University Medical Center campus?

Fresno Bee

The Fresno City Council this week will decide whether to make an offer on the troubled former University Medical Center campus for a mixed-use, mixed-income housing and retail project.

Clovis investors sell north valley apartments for nearly $30m

Business Journal

A Clovis-based investment firm has sold a Manteca apartment property to garner a triple-digit return on their equity. IDEAL Capital Group sold the 91-unit Union North apartment complex for $29.25 million, according to a press release.

Corporate homebuyers have some in the industry worried

Business Journal

The booming home market has attracted new kinds of buyers from investment firms to tech companies. The injection of major capital into the market has homeowner advocacy groups worried about a future already beset by limited inventory and rising prices.

Warning on local home market meets with disbelief

Bakersfield Californian

California is increasing enforcement of its housing goals: Will it work?

CalMatters

CalMatters’ Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times’ Liam Dillon break down California’s increased enforcement of housing production goals. They are joined by Victoria Fierce, whose organization sues cities that aren’t producing enough housing.

See also:

● Building More Affordable Housing: What Works and What Doesn’t: The Maddy Institute (2021)

California attorney general puts focus on affordable housing

Sacramento Bee

California's attorney general said Wednesday he is putting a new emphasis on trying to alleviate the state's seemingly intractable affordable housing problem, including by creating a “strike force” to focus on tenant protections, on local governments that don't comply with state housing laws, and related issues.

● New California task force focused on housing laws Mercury News

Rental aid has been slow getting to those who need it. Outreach programs could help

NPR

States continue to struggle getting rental assistance to those facing eviction. The money is there, but it's not getting distributed. One Oregon county has hired navigators to help get the money out.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Opinion: When California Snatched My Paycheck

Wall Street Journal

In California, the state government is being granted access to view the funds in people’s personal checking accounts if they have even the slightest reason to believe someone is a tax dodger.

Fed Dials Back Bond Purchases, Plots End to Stimulus by June

Wall Street Journal

The Federal Reserve closed a chapter on its aggressive, pandemic-driven stimulus when it approved plans Wednesday to begin scaling back its bond-buying program this month amid concerns that inflationary pressures could last longer than officials expected earlier this year.

● Politico

● Fed to start easing support for the markets this month, in first major pullback of pandemic era Washington Post

● Fed to begin slowing economic aid as inflation worries rise Mercury News

These Billionaires Received Taxpayer-Funded Stimulus Checks During the Pandemic

ProPublica

IRS records reveal that 18 billionaires and some 250 other ultrawealthy people received aid intended to help middle-class Americans.

TRANSPORTATION

USDOT, California agree to expedite supply-chain infrastructure projects, including rail

Progressive Railroading

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced the Emerging Projects Agreement, a federal-state partnership aimed at facilitating projects and financing opportunities for supply-chain infrastructure improvements in the San Pedro Bay and Los Angeles area.

WATER

How Californians can save more water

New York Times

Amid a historic drought, Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked us to reduce water consumption by 15 percent. Yet in August, the most recent month for which data is available, we’d brought usage down just 5 percent compared with the same time last year.

See also:

● Priorities for California's Water Public Policy Institute of California

● Event: Seizing the Drought: Water Priorities for Our Changing Climate Public Policy Institute of California

● Water in the San Joaquin Valley: A PPIC Report The Maddy Institute (2019)

As climate talks put focus on water crisis, the Colorado River provides a stark example

Los Angeles Times

The Colorado River, a vital water source for about 40 million people from Denver to Los Angeles, has continued to shrink and send reservoirs declining toward critically low levels after years of extremely dry conditions compounded by hotter temperatures.

Priorities for California’s Water

Public Policy Institute of California

Californians have taken steps to address major threats to our water resources. But a recent IPCC report underscored that the climate is changing faster than anticipated, and that many of these changes are already locked in.

“Xtra”

Take a look at the four new restaurants opening in Fresno and Clovis

Fresno Bee

Several new eateries are opening soon, including an Italian restaurant, dessert shop, a coffee shop and a pizza place.

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 gcruz0521@csufresno.edu