POLICY & POLITICS
Virtual Event: The Future of Cash Supports in California
California Budget & Policy Center
To ensure economic equity for Californians, our public supports need to evolve, and we must seize the opportunity to act boldly. Where do we start? Join the California Budget & Policy Center on November 3, 2021 to learn more about the future of cash support in California.
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Stanislaus schools report 251 COVID cases week of Oct. 10, public health agency reports Modesto Bee
● Stanislaus reports one death, drop in hospital cases Modesto Bee
● Proposed COVID-19 measures don’t include vaccine mandate for Modesto Junior College Modesto Bee
‘This is what we need.’ Amid affordable housing crisis, Merced leaders approve key projects
Merced Sun Star
Merced City Council unanimously gave the green light on Monday to trigger a new round of affordable housing projects those involved say will address a major need, while also addressing homelessness among local veterans.
Oakdale names its new police chief. He has spent most of his career with Modesto PD
Modesto Bee
Ramar started his nearly 20-year career with the San Jose Police Department. He then held several positions with the Modesto department, including patrol officer, investigator and sergeant. He joined the Oakdale force as a lieutenant in 2019.
Agency offers Stanislaus seniors rental help as wait list, calls for affordability grow
Modesto Bee
Advocates plan to assist Stanislaus County’s most vulnerable seniors through $100 monthly vouchers administered directly to their landlords. The aid will go to a relative handful of seniors who need subsidized housing at a time it’s in short supply.
Opinion: Family-owned businesses in Stanislaus County and California can’t afford a new tax
Modesto Bee
Small business owners and farmers in California need a break. Placing another burden on them after the major economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is no way to repair our infrastructure and economy.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● FDA authorizes COVID-19 boosters. Will there be many takers in the Fresno region? Fresno Bee
● COVID numbers continue to stabilize Hanford Sentinel
● ACLU calling for action after positive COVID-19 tests at Bob Wiley Detention Facility abc30
West Fresno ranks highest in California for pollution burden and health vulnerability
Fresno Bee
Throughout the San Joaquin Valley, neighborhoods that are majority Black or Hispanic residents are over-burdened by polluting industries, and a lack of resources and services to mitigate the health risks.
Fresno County residents hoping for more representation as redistricting nears
abc30
According to the U.S. Census, Latinos make up the majority of residents in Fresno County. Cultiva La Salud and the Dolores Huerta Foundation are among groups advocating for diverse representation on the board.
Opinion: California’s high-speed rail arches are visible in Fresno. But will they ever be useful?
Fresno Bee
High-speed rail architects sure wanted a grand entry into California’s fifth-largest city. With its twin 210-foot-high arches topping a 4,741-foot-long superstructure, the San Joaquin River Viaduct makes an impression on Highway 99 motorists.
Clovis City Council Announces New City Manager
Clovis Roundup
The City of Clovis will have a new City Manager. Current Assistant City Manager John Holt will take the role as announced by the Clovis City Council today.
See also:
· Change of Pace Council Meeting Clovis Roundup
State Sen Hurtado releases statement on drought declaration
Hanford Sentinel
Senate Bill 559 — The State Water Resiliency Act of 2021 — as introduced would have established a funding plan to repair vital water delivery systems that provide drinking water to communities throughout California and sustain the state’s leading agricultural economy.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern Public Health: 362 new COVID-19 cases, 16 new deaths reported Wednesday Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield City Council approves bonuses for police, starts process of expanding homeless shelter
Bakersfield Californian
At a meeting that also kick-started a process to expand the Brundage Lane Navigation Center, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Patty Gray absent, to accept new contracts with the Bakersfield Firefighter Labor Organization and the Bakersfield Police Officers Association.
Kern vies against other regions for aerospace cluster money
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County filed an extensive application this week for federal money that could help fund a formal aerospace industry cluster bringing together public and private stakeholders in eastern Kern and northern Los Angeles County.
State:
The final Newsom recall results are in at last. They show California is getting even more polarized
San Francisco Chronicle
The final results for the unsuccessful September recall election targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom are in, and the data shows a more polarized California electorate compared to 2018, when Newsom was elected governor.
California will have another ‘historic budget surplus’ next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom says
Sacramento Bee
California will have another “historic budget surplus” next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. The Democratic governor made the announcement during an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd at the Milken Institute’s 24th Global Conference.
Walters: California’s gas lawn equipment ban hits the little guys
CalMatters
A new California law to eliminate gasoline-powered lawn equipment sounds reasonable, but it messes with the lives of small landscapers.
CalMatters
The state Fair Political Practices Commission is focusing on more public disclosure to address a growing trend of charitable donations serving as a conduit for interest groups seeking to influence politicians. Government watchdogs say that isn’t enough.
Coast Guard had earlier notice about California oil spill
Associated Press
The Coast Guard received multiple reports of a possible fuel spill off the Southern California coast earlier than previously disclosed and asked local authorities to investigate about 15 hours before its own personnel confirmed a large oil slick, which came from a leaking undersea pipeline, records show.
See also:
● Gavin Newsom aims to ban oil drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes under draft rule Sacramento Bee
● Groups Want Us To Suspend Oil Leases Off California Coast Business Journal
Federal:
COVID Update:
● White House to start shipping kids’ vaccines with clearance nearing Sacramento Bee
● Covid-stricken states still struggle months after Biden’s surge Politico
● Covid-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 5-11 to Be Given at Pediatric Offices, Schools Once Authorized Wall Street Journal
● White House prepares for younger kids’ COVID-19 vaccinations Roll Call
● Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Could Further Strain Rural Hospitals Pew Trusts
GOP blocks voting bill from advancing in the Senate
Mercury News
Senate Republicans blocked another voting rights bill Wednesday, as some on the left call to change the chamber’s rules to allow the Democratic Party to unilaterally change federal election law.
See also:
● All eyes on Manchin after Republicans again block voting rights legislation Washington Post
● GOP blocks latest Senate attempt to bring up elections overhaul bill Roll Call
● Senate Dems hunt for new elections reform strategy after failed vote Politico
● Senate Republicans Block Democrats From Taking Up Revised Voting-Rights Legislation Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Democracy Still Lives Wall Street Journal
Washington Post
Senior Biden officials briefed top Democratic lawmakers on a potential shift in the party’s tax plans on a private call Wednesday, as the White House searches for unity on how to pay for its multi-trillion-dollar economic package.
See also:
● Why Kyrsten Sinema Is at the Center of Democrats’ Tax-Hike Fight Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Reimagining local public finance: Equitable reform of taxes, fines, and fees Brookings
Democrats weigh vouchers for Medicare dental benefits amid funding squeeze
Politico
Congressional Democrats looking to cut at least a trillion dollars from their social spending package are considering converting one of the most expensive health care pieces — dental benefits for millions of seniors on Medicare — into a cheaper voucher program.
Down to the wire on budget bill as Democrats haggle over details
Roll Call
Democrats on Wednesday dived into the push-pull phase of their spending and tax negotiations in hopes of reaching agreement on the broad contours of a budget reconciliation package in the $2 trillion ballpark as soon as this week.
See also:
● Few expect these efforts to pass Congress. But they do work as political weapons Sacramento Bee
● What’s in Democrats’ Budget Reconciliation Plan—From Social Programs to Climate Measures to Taxes Wall Street Journal
● Dems edge closer to ditching disarray Politico
● Senate Democrats unveil remaining fiscal 2022 spending bills Roll Call
● Democrats weigh slashing $200B in housing aid from spending bill Politico
● Lawmakers clash over surprise billing law’s implementation Roll Call
● Opinion: WH to Dems: Pass the plan, but zip it on the cost AEI
● Opinion: The House reconciliation bill’s 3 percent surtax has a broader base than the regular income tax AEI
● Opinion: The $2 Trillion Is Phony Too Wall Street Journal
Justice Department Would Look at the Facts if House Holds Steve Bannon in Contempt, Garland Says
Wall Street Journal
Attorney general appears before Judiciary Committee as House is set to vote to refer contempt of Congress charge to Justice Department.
See also:
● Steve Bannon Case Poses Test for Merrick Garland After Biden Weighs In Wall Street Journal
Other:
Consumer Agency Probes Tech Giants Including Apple, Facebook
Wall Street Journal
Big tech companies are facing questions from the government on another front: how they use consumers’ financial and other information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday said it had launched an inquiry on consumer data practices at Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Facebook Inc. and other firms.
See also:
● Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Named in Suit by Washington, D.C., Attorney General Wall Street Journal
● Facebook Is Rebuked by Oversight Board Over Transparency on Treatment of Prominent Users Wall Street Journal
● Facebook Oversight Board sternly criticizes the company’s collaboration in first transparency reports Washington Post
Trump’s Truth Social Media Venture Plans to Go Public via SPAC
Wall Street Journal
Former president says Trump Media & Technology Group will create Truth Social to combat large social-media platforms.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, October 24, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "California Latinos: An Economic Analysis" - Guest: Mindy Romero, Director - Center for Inclusive Democracy, Price School of Public Policy at USC. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, October 24, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "Poverty and the Economic Situation of California Latinos"- Guests: Sarah Bohn, Public Policy Institute of California and Mindy Romero, Director of Price School of Public Policy at USC. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Fresno Chamber is Proud to Announce the 2021 Ag Award Winners
California Ag Today
The Fresno Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Ag Awards, a long-standing tradition that honors and celebrates our region’s agricultural industry leaders.
Indigenous farmworkers lacked access to resources, information in their language during the pandemic
VPR
A new report from researchers and community-based organizations released Monday shows Indigenous farmworkers across California lacked information and resources to protect themselves during the coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
● These California workers struggled to get care before COVID. The pandemic made it worse Fresno Bee
Pad thai, tacos and more: Why California farmers are growing more cilantro than ever
Sacramento Bee
Cilantro, also known as coriander or Mexican parsley, is a staple in Latin American and Asian cuisines. And California’s Central Coast is growing tons of it.
Capitol Weekly Podcast: What next for the United Farm Workers?
Capitol Weekly
This summer, the legislature passed AB616, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, a bill to expand options for organizing agricultural workers. Modeled on the 2016 Voter’s Choice Act, the bill sailed through the legislature, despite being labeled a “job killer” by agribusiness interests.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Oakdale names its new police chief. He has spent most of his career with Modesto PD
Modesto Bee
Ramar started his nearly 20-year career with the San Jose Police Department. He then held several positions with the Modesto department, including patrol officer, investigator and sergeant. He joined the Oakdale force as a lieutenant in 2019.
Opinion: Thousands of missed police killings prove we must address systemic bias in forensic science
Washington Post
A new study from the University of Washington concludes that, over nearly 40 years, medical examiners and coroners undercounted killings by U.S. police by more than half. During that time, these officials missed or covered up more than 17,000 police killings between 1980 and 2018.
What killed family hiking on Mariposa County trail? Sheriff to address cause of death
Fresno Bee
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office announced it will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon “regarding the cause of death” of a California family mysteriously found dead in August while hiking along a remote Sierra National Forest trail.
See also:
● Officials say they're ready to announce what killed a family hiking in Mariposa County San Francisco Chronicle
Fire:
Modesto looks to join other fire agencies that bill insurance for responding to calls
Modesto Bee
The Modesto Fire Department wants to bill insurance companies when its firefighters respond to car accidents, medical emergencies, fires and other calls for service.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
U.S. Growth Slowed in Recent Months Amid Elevated Prices, Fed’s Beige Book Says
Wall Street Journal
U.S. economic growth slowed to a modest to moderate rate this fall as firms confronted supply-chain disruptions, elevated prices, a shortage of available workers and fears around the Delta variant of Covid-19, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.
See also:
● The Economic Rebound Is Still Waiting for Workers New York Times
The Absolute Simplest Explanation for America’s Supply Chain Woes
Slate
For much of 2021, retailers have been running out of just about everything from diapers to dress shoes. The entire great machine of international logistics, which moves goods from factories in Shenzhen to Walmarts in St. Louis, is jammed up.
See also:
● Newsom and the supply chain Sacramento Bee
● The supply chain meltdown will make holiday shopping messy this year. Here’s what you need to know. Washington Post
Wall Street Journal
The Biden Administration says the rule will make it easier for retirement plans to offer 401(k) funds focused on ESG (environmental, social and governance) objectives. In fact, the rule will coerce workers and businesses into supporting progressive policies.
Jobs:
You could be waiting months if you need an interview with EDD about unemployment
Sacramento Bee
If you require a phone interview to see if you’re eligible for unemployment benefits, you may have to wait up to 26 weeks for someone at the state’s Employment Development Department to talk with you.
See also:
● Jobless Claims Fall to Pandemic Low as Labor Market Remains Tight Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Unemployment insurance at a crossroads: Tracing program design during and beyond COVID-19 AEI
2021 Employment Legislation Update
aalrr
This article recaps the 2021 employment bills that could impact California employers moving forward. Unless otherwise noted, these bills will take effect on January 1, 2022.
With vaccine mandates looming, companies are worried about worker shortages
San Francisco Chronicle
The coming federal vaccine mandate could result in a wave of firings of employees who are reluctant to get the life-saving shots. That has many companies nervous that those jobs will be difficult to fill in a labor market where willing hands are increasingly hard to come by.
Cargo backlog creates traffic headaches on sea and land
Sacramento Bee
The logjam of ships has interrupted the global supply chain and last week prompted the Biden administration to allow the port complex to operate 24 hours a day to try to get goods unloaded and out to consumers.
See also:
● Editorial: The societal shift behind canceled Southwest flights and clogged California ports Sacramento Bee
How much money did women lose in California due to gender pay gap? What a new study found
Sacramento Bee
California women and people of color are still getting paid substantially less than white men despite new state laws and policies designed to promote equal wages, according to recent analyses of data.
Nontraditional Workers Lack Access to Workplace Retirement Options
Pew
Workers without employer-provided retirement savings plans risk negative economic consequences in their retirement years. They may enter retirement without adequate savings or adequate Social Security benefits. They may face impoverished retirements or may even be unable to retire.
Amazon Employee Group Seeks Worker Vote on Unionization
Wall Street Journal
An Amazon.com Inc. employee group formed by warehouse workers in New York’s Staten Island announced its goal to vote on unionization, becoming the latest labor-organizing effort from workers at one of the nation’s largest employers.
See also:
● Amazon is now a bigger shipper in the U.S. than FedEx Axios
Opinion: How Working From Home Could Change Where Innovation Happens
Wall Street Journal
For decades, ‘superstar cities’ have been attracting talent and money. But thanks to remote work, their status is likely to change in unexpected ways, bringing tech expertise to places that have long tried to attract it.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Madera Unified raises substitute teacher pay to highest sub pay in Valley
abc30
Another local school district is sounding the alarm for substitute teachers. Madera Unified is raising its substitute teacher pay to be the highest in the valley.
Board hears how pandemic affected student learning, enrollment at Modesto City Schools
Modesto Bee
Leaders at Modesto City Schools on Monday shared data revealing how the COVID-19 pandemic affected students’ academic performance.
Walters: Will big changes shape up California schools?
CalMatters
Big things are happening in California’s public schools but whether they improve the educations of nearly 6 million children is still unclear.
ProPublica
The Education Department’s limited tracking of $190 billion in pandemic support funds sent to schools has left officials in the dark about how effective the aid has been in helping students.
Opinion: Will those who yell the loudest teach kids how the world really works?
Roll Call
We teach our children lessons about leading with empathy and intelligence, about taking the high road, about playing fair. And we warn them that bullies never win in the end. Be the bigger person. Follow the right and righteous path, and you shall be rewarded. But the examples being set on very public stages tell an entirely different story
Higher Ed:
YCCD board makes decision on COVID-19 protocol for MJC, Columbia students, staff
Modesto Bee
The Yosemite Community College District board voted Wednesday to approve a COVID-19 testing program despite concerns it’s not enough to prevent outbreaks when a large number of students return to classrooms at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College for the spring 2022 semester.
CalMatters
The UC workforce has a churn problem as about a quarter of the system’s 6,000 lecturers don’t return annually. The lecturer union and UC have made some progress in their multi-year impasse over a new contract, but many issues remain unsolved as the threat of strikes loom.
Biden plan pits Hispanic-serving colleges against HBCUs
Politico
President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan is setting up a conflict between Hispanic-serving colleges and historically Black institutions — with both vying for the same resources to address inequities for underserved populations.
Biden quietly deciding how to restart student loan payments
Politico
The Biden administration is developing plans for how it will restart federal student loan payments early next year when the pandemic pause on monthly payments for tens of millions of Americans ends.
Why Biden’s Plan for Free Community College Likely Will Be Cut From Budget Package
Wall Street Journal
Proposal, championed by the president and first lady but opposed by key lawmakers and lobbying groups, is expected to be squeezed out of final legislation
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
West Fresno ranks highest in California for pollution burden and health vulnerability
Fresno Bee
Throughout the San Joaquin Valley, neighborhoods that are majority Black or Hispanic residents are over-burdened by polluting industries, and a lack of resources and services to mitigate the health risks.
What killed family hiking on Mariposa County trail? Sheriff to address cause of death
Fresno Bee
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office announced it will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon “regarding the cause of death” of a California family mysteriously found dead in August while hiking along a remote Sierra National Forest trail.
See also:
● Officials say they're ready to announce what killed a family hiking in Mariposa County San Francisco Chronicle
Gavin Newsom aims to ban oil drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes under draft rule
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration would ban new oil wells within 3,200 feet of schools, homes, hospitals, nursing homes and other community locations deemed “sensitive” under a proposed regulation unveiled Thursday.
Revealed: more than 120,000 US sites feared to handle harmful PFAS ‘forever’ chemicals
Guardian
List of facilities makes it clear that virtually no part of the US appears free from the potential risk of air and water contamination with the chemicals
Climate change is bad for your health. And plans to boost economies may make it worse
VPR
A new report from the medical journal The Lancet finds that human-caused climate change is worsening human health in just about every measurable way, and world leaders are missing an opportunity to address it.
See also:
● Inaction on climate change imperils millions of lives, doctors say Washington Post
● White House, intelligence agencies, Pentagon issue reports warning that climate change threatens global security Washington Post
● Opinion: The Climate Doesn’t Care About Your Hiking Trip New York Times
Energy:
How to prepare for a power outage in California: Follow these tips from PG&E
Fresno Bee
A power outage isn’t just inconvenient and potentially dangerous. It could also mean expensive repairs for homes and businesses. Below are tips and resources provided by PG&E Corp. on backup power solutions, how to safely operate them and financial assistance for those in need.
New PG&E rate varies based on time of customers' energy usage
abc30
Thousands of PG&E customers in Central California will soon not only pay for energy based on how much they use, but also what time of the day they use it.
Energy tax plan may start with House’s, transition to Senate’s
Roll Call
Democrats’ plan to spend hundreds of billions of dollars providing incentives for clean energy production and usage in their budget reconciliation package could draw on both House and Senate proposals — starting with more traditional tax breaks for renewables and transitioning to a bigger overhaul over the next decade.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
COVID and the flu: Is a ‘twindemic’ threat lurking again?
CalMatters
Experts hope continued masking will reduce this season’s dual threat of COVID and flu.
FDA authorizes Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters and 'mix and match' approach
VPR
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines and is now allowing people to choose to receive a different booster shot than the one they originally got.
See also:
● The FDA authorizes Moderna and J&J COVID vaccine boosters VPR
● Booster shots could soon be recommended for people as young as 40, source says Mercury News
● COVID in California: FDA authorizes mix and match boosters San Francisco Chronicle
● FDA authorizes Moderna, J&J Covid-19 boosters, allows mix-and-match shots Politico
● FDA authorizes Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots, paving the way for millions more Americans to get added protection Washington Post
● Mixing covid vaccines? What you need to know about mix-and-match booster shots. Washington Post
● Covid-19 booster shots: What you need to know Politico
Pediatricians say the mental health crisis among kids has become a national emergency
VPR
A coalition of the nation's leading experts in pediatric health has issued an urgent warning declaring the mental health crisis among children so dire that it has become a national emergency.
Covid-19 Herd Immunity Proves Elusive in U.K.
Wall Street Journal
The U.K., in an experiment watched by the world, lifted most Covid-19 restrictions in the summer, wagering that immunity from vaccinations and prior infections would keep the virus at bay. Three months later, the British experience shows that, in the face of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus, herd immunity is elusive.
Human Services:
Mobile health clinic launched Wednesday designed to expand access to Kern's rural residents
Bakersfield Californian
It's 38 feet long and boasts two exam rooms, a telemedicine station, an ADA-compliant restroom, a medical refrigerator and freezer, a lab, an intake and preventive care area and four outside security cameras. Oh yeah, and it travels on four wheels.
Democrats weigh vouchers for Medicare dental benefits amid funding squeeze
Politico
Congressional Democrats looking to cut at least a trillion dollars from their social spending package are considering converting one of the most expensive health care pieces — dental benefits for millions of seniors on Medicare — into a cheaper voucher program.
IMMIGRATION
Appeals court tosses order aimed at protecting immigration detainees from COVID-19
Los Angeles Times
A federal appeals court decided 2 to 1 Wednesday to overturn a nationwide order requiring federal immigration authorities to monitor and possibly release detainees at high risk of dying or suffering long-term complications from COVID-19.
Border arrests have soared to all-time high, new CBP data shows
Washington Post
U.S. authorities detained more than 1.7 million migrants along the Mexico border during the 2021 fiscal year that ended in September, and arrests by the Border Patrol soared to the highest levels ever recorded since 1986.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Yosemite National Park planning road closure due to coming storms
Modesto Bee
Yosemite National Park will temporarily close Tioga Road due to coming storms. The closure will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Yosemite officials announced, adding that “multiple storms are forecast” in the region through Monday.
Opinion: Understanding child-friendly urban design
Brookings
More than half of the world’s children are growing up in cities. By 2030, up to 60 percent of the world’s urban population will be under 18 years old. Yet, children and families are often invisible to urban planners, developers, and architects when creating city-wide policies that impact transportation, air and noise pollution, and health and well-being.
Housing:
‘This is what we need.’ Amid affordable housing crisis, Merced leaders approve key projects
Merced Sun Star
Merced City Council unanimously gave the green light on Monday to trigger a new round of affordable housing projects those involved say will address a major need, while also addressing homelessness among local veterans.
Mathews: Let’s Pay Californians To Move
Zocalo Public Square
California needs you to move now because our state, which once prided itself on perpetual motion, is stuck in neutral. Californians have never been less mobile than they are right now.
Democrats weigh slashing $200B in housing aid from spending bill
Politico
Democrats are considering cutting housing funding in President Joe Biden's massive social spending plan to $100 billion, roughly a third of the initial amount proposed as they try to lower the cost of the bill, congressional aides said.
See also:
● Opinion: Federal housing investments are key to a thriving California CalMatters
U.S. household growth over last decade was the lowest ever recorded
Pew
Growth in the number of U.S. households during the 2010s slowed to its lowest pace in history, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released 2020 census data.
PUBLIC FINANCES
California will have another ‘historic budget surplus’ next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom says
Sacramento Bee
California will have another “historic budget surplus” next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. The Democratic governor made the announcement during an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd at the Milken Institute’s 24th Global Conference.
Washington Post
Senior Biden officials briefed top Democratic lawmakers on a potential shift in the party’s tax plans on a private call Wednesday, as the White House searches for unity on how to pay for its multi-trillion-dollar economic package.
See also:
● Why Kyrsten Sinema Is at the Center of Democrats’ Tax-Hike Fight Wall Street Journal
● Biden’s favorite stat — that 55 major corporations paid no federal income tax Washington Post
● Opinion: Reimagining local public finance: Equitable reform of taxes, fines, and fees Brookings
TRANSPORTATION
Opinion: California’s high-speed rail arches are visible in Fresno. But will they ever be useful?
Fresno Bee
High-speed rail architects sure wanted a grand entry into California’s fifth-largest city. With its twin 210-foot-high arches topping a 4,741-foot-long superstructure, the San Joaquin River Viaduct makes an impression on Highway 99 motorists.
U.S. high-speed rail a ‘transformational climate investment’, says USHSR
Global Railway Review
The U.S. High Speed Rail Association (USHSR) has issued a call to Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda as soon as possible.
WATER
Major storm moving toward Fresno area. Here’s when it’s expected and how much rain
Fresno Bee
An early-season storm front moving into the central San Joaquin Valley on Sunday night is expected to bring up to one inch of rain to the Fresno area and between three to five feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada.
See also:
● ‘Strongest storm system’ in 2 years headed to Fresno area. What to expect Fresno Bee
● Atmospheric river to bring heavy rain to Valley, snow to Sierra later this week abc30
● Major storm could be coming Sunday night into Monday Porterville Recorde
As Drought Conditions Worsen, California Expands State of Emergency
Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was critical for residents to step up their water-saving efforts as the state ends its second-driest year on record.
See also:
● Hurtado releases statement on drought declaration Hanford Sentinel
● Newsom declares drought emergency across California CalMatters
● Newsom declares statewide drought emergency, urges California to conserve water Los Angeles Times
● California records driest year in a century Los Angeles Times
● Despite a Punishing Drought, San Diego Has Water. It Wasn’t Easy. New York Times
● Climate change makes drought recovery tougher in U.S. West Sacramento Bee
World Leaders Increasingly Back Ambitious Ocean Protection Target
Pew
At this crucial moment for ocean health, representatives from around the globe are participating in part one of the 15th United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) in Kunming, China.
“Xtra”
Big Fresno Fair Had Big Crowds and Food Sales, Despite Big Winds
GV Wire
The Big Fresno Fair roared back during its 12-day run that ended Sunday with big crowds, big livestock sales, and big efforts to keep visitors and staff safe from COVID-19.
See also:
● Big Fresno Fair Bounces Back, Led By Hungry Visitors Business Journal
BOOT Hosts Annual Vintage Antique Market
Clovis Roundup
A stroll down Pollasky Avenue was a stroll through time at the Vintage and Antique Market this past Sunday.
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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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