Maddy Institute – September 11, 2019

11Sep

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Turlock’s spending on employee health care is highest in state. What can be done?

Modesto Bee

Turlock’s health insurance costs for city employees are highest among the larger cities in California, according to a study released Monday.

Safest city in Stanislaus? Newman by a far sight, new crime report says.

Modesto Bee

Newman not only is the safest city in Stanislaus County, it’s among the 20 safest in all the state, according to a new report.

Asm Gray: In going after Trump, California is going too far with environmental legislation

CalMatters

California has made a sport of disagreeing with President Trump. So it was somewhat surprising when legislative leaders decided to use the President’s worst habit—ignoring real science and concrete facts—as a model for priority legislation.

● Environmental protection CalMatters

● The Inescapable Politics of Climate Change The Nation

● How climate change is driving emigration from Central America PBS NewsHour

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno attracts businesses with tax-sharing tool, mayor says. Will Gov. Newsom kill it?

Fresno Bee

Senate Bill 531 cleared the state Legislature this month and looks to do away with the practice of cities giving sweetheart tax deals to huge corporations like Amazon and Apple. It was penned by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda.

Sheriff’s Office hasn’t worked with ICE, Mims says. Fresno activists aren’t convinced

Fresno Bee

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims on Tuesday said her office didn’t hand over any undocumented people to federal immigration agents last year — a report that elicited skepticism among some activists.

Fresno State will now offer free immigration legal services

abc30

Fresno State is joining their fellow CSU campuses in providing students and employees immigration legal services. It's all made possible because of state funding.

Fresno’s oldest building is about to look young again. Let’s make it a trend

Fresno Bee

For decades, Fresno’s oldest building has also been one of its ugliest. But one chip at a time, things are changing. And maybe, in time, the rest of downtown Fresno will transform right along with it. All it takes are vision and commitment.

Tulare County passes $1.4B budget. How will it be spent? Public safety and healthcare top priorities

Visalia Times Delta

Tulare County leaders approved a $1.38 billion budget that significantly increases spending on public safety, infrastructure and county employee healthcare plans.

South SJ Valley:

Bakersfield, Kern County get re-branded to boost business and tourism

Bakersfield Now

Kern County and Bakersfield are getting some new mottos. It's the culmination of a two-year re branding process. You'll start to see new blue and green logos across the city and county.

Price: Can an earthquake bring two Kern counties together?

Bakersfield Californian

Maybe we should drop the "y" and start identifying this part of the state as Kern counties, because it really is two distinct places: The Kern of the Central Valley and the Kern of the Mojave Desert.

State ramps up pressure on Chevron over oil leaks in western Kern

Bakersfield Californian

State oil regulators turned up the heat on Chevron Tuesday, ordering the company to provide still more information about eight recent or ongoing uncontrolled releases of oily fluid in the Cymric Oil Field outside McKittrick.

McCarthy defends military stopovers at Trump's Scottish resort: 'It's just like any other hotel’

Politico

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday defended military expenditures at President Donald Trump’s properties, arguing that hotels owned by the president are “just like any other hotel.”

State:

Newspapers likely to get one-year reprieve from labor rules that would have made carriers employees

Modesto Bee

Newspapers could get a one-year reprieve from new labor rules that would have forced companies to treat newspaper delivery workers as employees under a bill amended Tuesday evening.
See also:

● Sweeping bill on independent contractors passes California state Senate Los Angeles Times

● Cuomo wants more independent contractors to be employees Crain’s New York Business

● California Bill Makes App-Based Companies Treat Workers as Employees New York Times

● California Senate passes ride-hail bill that has divided Democrats over the future of Uber and Lyft drivers Washington Post

California’s poverty rate among highest in nation once again, new census figures show

Fresno Bee

California, typically one of the most prosperous and progressive states, is also one of the poorest. For California, that means another reminder that the state’s poverty rate of 18.2 percent is exceeded only by Washington DC.

● U.S. Census Bureau Reports Poverty Rate Down, But Millions Still Poor KVPR

● New Census Figures Show More Than 1 in 6 Californians Struggle to Afford Basic Necessities California Budget & Policy Center

Garza: California’s GOP is so desperate it’s going to bat for anti-vaccine uber liberals

Los Angeles Times

The Democrats’ supermajority in the California Legislature has rendered the small contingent of GOP legislators all but powerless to make or stop new laws in California. That must be frustrating.

● Gavin Newsom signs California vaccine law after activists’ arrests and Capitol protests Sacramento Bee

48 states are probing Google on antitrust grounds. Why isn’t California?

Los Angeles Times

Attorneys general from nearly every U.S. state have jointly launched an investigation into Google’s “potential monopolistic behavior.” Notable for its absence: California, Google’s home state.

California’s insurance chief vowed not to take industry money. Records show he did, and knew it

Sacramento Bee

California’s top regulator of insurance companies sought campaign contributions from the industry and partied with one of its lobbyists after winning his election last year, according to records and social media posts obtained by The Sacramento Bee.

Daylight Saving Time will continue in California for now, as lawmaker delays bill

Fresno Bee

Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D-San Jose, announced that he is making a two-year bill out of Assembly bill 7, which would put California on permanent Daylight Saving Time upon federal recognition.

2019 California Economic Summit Registration Opens

CAFWD

Registration has opened for the 2019 California Economic Summit, which will take place in Fresno on November 7-8. The Summit, produced by California Forward, marks the eighth annual gathering of private, public and civic leaders from across California’s diverse regions committed to creating a shared economic agenda to expand prosperity for all.

Federal:

Time could be right for California Democrats thinking of House retirement

San Francisco Chronicle

None of the most senior Democrats in California faces a serious GOP challenge in 2020. But with the looming 2022 redistricting set to scramble the lines of the state’s congressional districts, the timing could be right for anyone already contemplating retirement.

As election security risks grow, Congress must get off the sidelines

Roll Call

The bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report attested that the Russian government attempted to hack into one state’s election results website. Had it succeeded, the consequences of the attack could have been catastrophic.

Elections 2020:

President Trump trails potential Democratic challengers in 2020 test

Washington Post

President Trump overcame formidable odds and discouraging poll numbers to win the White House in 2016. More than a year out from the 2020 election, it appears he might have to repeat that performance to win a second term.

Warren’s Assault on Retiree Wealth

Wall Street Journal

Who owns the vast wealth of America? Old folks. According to the Federal Reserve, households headed by people over the age of 55 own 73% of the value of domestically owned stocks, and the same share of America’s total wealth.

Can’t buy a house? 2020 Democrats say they’ll push cities to build more homes

Sacramento Bee

The Democrats running for president all say they want to help contain America’s soaring housing prices. But some are promising more aggressive steps to tackle one of the root issues: the lack of housing supply.

Why Kamala Harris needs to recapture that magic in Thursday’s debate

Los Angeles Times

Exhilarating highs — her artfully executed announcement, her Senate grilling of attorney general nominee William Barr, her standout performance in June’s first presidential debate — followed by extended doldrums that stalled her momentum and erased those gains.

Debating 2020 Democrats should not ignore our exploding debt

Roll Call

Twenty current and former Democratic presidential candidates have now debated twice without any discussion of an issue that actively threatens our nation and ideals: our growing debt burden.

Other:

EDITORIAL: 9/11: We will never forget

Stockton Record

There are only a handful of events where almost any American can tell you where they were and what they were doing when they got the news.

9/11 ceremony to be held Wednesday

Porterville Recorder

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Tulare County Fire Department will hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, September 15, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “Medi-Cal Premiums and Claims Because It Failed to Follow Up on Eligibility Discrepancies” – Guest: California State Auditor, Elaine Howle. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, September 15, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: “The Senior Boom: Preparing for the Baby Boom Aftershock” – Guest: PPIC Analyst Laurel Beck. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, September 15, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Medi-Cal: miles de millones para pagos cuestionables” – Invitado: Margarita Fernandez, PIO State Auditor's Office. Presentado Por: Coordinadora del Programa del Maddy Institute, Maria Jeans.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Fresno County farms set $7.9 billion record for crop value. Here’s what topped the list

Fresno Bee

The figure represents the total gross production value of everything from alfalfa and almonds to wine and wood, and works out to an increase of more than 12.2 percent over 2017, according to county Agricultural Commissioner Melissa Cregan.

Sustainability and vodka: The latest food, drink trends showcased at Fresno expo

Fresno Bee

More than 140 food and drink producers from California showed off their products at the trade show. The business-to-business portion happened Tuesday morning, when exhibitors hoped to get buyers like stores, distributers and restaurants to carry their products.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Hiding in the dark: Turlock High students describe the hour after false report of shooter

Modesto Bee

Lopes was eating lunch in the school’s theater with friends when, “All of a sudden we heard people screaming outside. We turned around and through the window we could see people running full speed.”

Safest city in Stanislaus? Newman by a far sight, new crime report says.

Modesto Bee

Newman not only is the safest city in Stanislaus County, it’s among the 20 safest in all the state, according to a new report.

Trump skips Gilroy first responders in honoring mass-shooting heroes

San Francisco Chronicle

President Trump gave medals and commendations to police and bystanders who responded to deadly mass shootings last month in Ohio and Texas, but did not include any of the officers who ended the fatal attack at the Gilroy Garlic Festival days earlier.

Public Safety:

Video: Fresno County Sheriff Mims speaks during Trust Act hearing

Fresno Bee

Fresno County Sheriff Mims speaks during Trust Act hearing.

White House, Congress Struggle to Find Common Ground on Gun Legislation

Wall Street Journal

Lawmakers remained divided on Tuesday over a legislative path to reduce mass shootings, with Republicans looking to the White House for guidance, and Democrats pledging to press ahead with their own measures.

● Even gun owners agree on measures that would reduce gun violence Los Angeles Times

Fire:

These are the big fires burning in California now

Los Angeles Times

Although this fire season appears to be off to a comparatively slow start, officials have warned that historically, September and October are the worst months for wildfires in the state.

Forest thinning projects won’t stop the worst wildfires. So why is California spending millions on them?

Los Angeles Times

Four months after the town of Paradise was incinerated in the most destructive wildfire in California history, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation, ordering agencies to thin trees and clear shrubs near fire-threatened communities.

California Hospitals And Nursing Homes Brace For Wildfire Blackouts

California Healthline

In a controversial move approved by state regulators, Pacific Gas & Electric, which provides power to 16 million people in Northern and Central California, plans to be more aggressive in cutting power to broad regions of the state when the chance of wildfire is high.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

California’s poverty rate among highest in nation once again, new census figures show

Fresno Bee

● U.S. Census Bureau Reports Poverty Rate Down, But Millions Still Poor KVPR

● New Census Figures Show More Than 1 in 6 Californians Struggle to Afford Basic Necessities California Budget & Policy Center

This California CEO is the only woman on a Forbes Top 100 list of US innovators

Fresno Bee

And, all the way down at No. 75, a single woman: Barbara Rentler, CEO of California-based Ross Stores Inc. owner of Ross Dress for Less stores.

2019 California Economic Summit Registration Opens

CAFWD

Median U.S. Household Income Showed No Growth in 2018

Wall Street Journal

American incomes remained essentially flat in 2018 after three straight years of growth, according to Census Bureau figures released Tuesday that offer a broad look at U.S. households’ financial well-being.

See also:

● Americans Get Richer Wall Street Journal

Jobs:

Newspapers likely to get one-year reprieve from labor rules that would have made carriers employees

Modesto Bee

Newspapers could get a one-year reprieve from new labor rules that would have forced companies to treat newspaper delivery workers as employees under a bill amended Tuesday evening.
See also:

● Sweeping bill on independent contractors passes California state Senate Los Angeles Times

● Cuomo wants more independent contractors to be employees Crain’s New York Business

● California Bill Makes App-Based Companies Treat Workers as Employees New York Times

● California Senate passes ride-hail bill that has divided Democrats over the future of Uber and Lyft drivers Washington Post

● Uber cuts 435 employees in effort to ‘get our edge back’ Los Angeles Times

● Uber Lays Off Hundreds More Workers as It Struggles to Make Money New York Times

California prisons, hospitals depend on mandatory overtime. New contract asks for relief

Sacramento Bee

California state government remains dependent on mandatory overtime to staff hospitals and prisons even as evidence shows the long shifts aren’t good for nurses or their patients, according to a new Legislative Analyst’s Office report.

Gavin Newsom made deals with four state unions. One is getting ready to hold out for more

Sacramento Bee

California state attorneys are prepared to keep working without a contract because they’re unimpressed with an offer from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration.

EDITORIAL: Big Labor’s Minimum-Wage Remorse

Wall Street Journal

Big Labor has had big success getting politicians to raise the minimum wage, despite warnings that it could lead to more automation. Well, what do you know, now the Oregon AFL-CIO wants voters to limit self-checkout kiosks in grocery stores.

EDUCATION

K-12:

KHSD to hold fall Community Forum on student behavior, climate

Bakersfield Californian

Parents, students and members of the community are invited to attend the fifth Kern High School District Community Forum regarding student behavior and school climate.

California expands ban on ‘willful defiance’ suspensions in schools

Los Angeles Times

California schools will no longer be able to suspend students in elementary and middle school for disrupting school activities or “willfully defying” the authority of teachers or administrators, ending a practice that many say is unfairly applied to black students.

What are the factors that affect learning at your school?

Brookings

Reducing chronic absence and developing conditions for learning are instrumental to improving outcomes for students and can be improved through policy reform and leadership.

Improving Outcomes for Students Through STEAM Education Partnerships

Ed Note

Do schools in your community reflect the world in which we live, or are they steeped in tradition — doing things the way they’ve always been done? The world has changed a lot over the past 50 years, but many of our school systems have not.

Higher Ed:

Q&A: BC President Sonya Christian says the college will have its 'best year yet'

Los Angeles Times

When one asks Bakersfield College President Sonya Christian what the 2019-20 school year looks like, she doesn't hesitate: "It's going to be our best year yet."

Battle in college admissions scandal: Should parents who paid the biggest bribes get the biggest punishment?

Los Angeles Times

As a judge in Boston prepares to sentence parents in the college admissions cheating scandal, prosecutors, defense lawyers and others are battling over unresolved questions: Is prison the right punishment? And, if so, should the amount of money a parent paid in the scam determine their time behind bars?

There Is a Mental-Health Crisis on Campus

Wall Street Journal

Technology has in many ways made life easy—certainly much easier than before. So why did one recent study find that the rate of moderate to severe depression among U.S. college students rose from 23.2% in 2007 to 41.1% in 2018?

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Deputies use sirens and AC/DC music to herd ‘reluctant bison’ off Yellowstone roads

Fresno Bee

Montana deputies working in the West Yellowstone area have been known to blare the Australian hard rock band’s song “Hells Bells” over their speakers to shoo “reluctant bison” off of highways, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Dangerous new hot zones are spreading around the world

Los Angeles Times

The South Atlantic blob is part of a global trend: Around the planet, enormous ocean currents are traveling to new locations. As these currents relocate, waters are growing warmer.

Asm Gray: In going after Trump, California is going too far with environmental legislation

CalMatters

● Environmental protection CalMatters

● The Inescapable Politics of Climate Change The Nation

● How climate change is driving emigration from Central America PBS NewsHour

Energy:

State ramps up pressure on Chevron over oil leaks in western Kern

Bakersfield Californian

Unfurling The Waste Problem Caused By Wind Energy

KVPR

While most of a turbine can be recycled or find a second life on another wind farm, researchers estimate the U.S. will have more than 720,000 tons of blade material to dispose of over the next 20 years, a figure that doesn't include newer, higher-capacity versions.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

San Joaquin County District Attorney Seeks To Ban Vaping Products

Capital Public Radio

San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar hopes to have an ordinance banning the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products within a few months, calling them a danger to young people.

● Vaping industry breathes easier: For now, California lawmakers won’t restrict its business CalMatters

Drug Prices Get Washington’s Attention Ahead of 2020 Election

Wall Street Journal

Concern over high drug prices is driving proposals this fall from both Republicans and Democrats on an issue likely to be near the top of the 2020 election agenda.

Human Services:

Health care perk nets California state workers an extra $3,100 a year through SEIU contract

Sacramento Bee

The state’s largest union has reached a tentative contract agreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bargaining team that provides a 7 percent raise over three years and boosts take-home compensation with perks that include new or increased stipends for health care, commuting and bilingual speakers.

Number of Uninsured Americans Rises for First Time in Decade

Wall Street Journal

The number of Americans without health insurance climbed to 27.5 million in 2018, according to federal data that show the first year-to-year increase in a decade, before the Affordable Care Act began reducing the ranks of the uninsured.

See also:

● EDITORIAL: How to Think About Health Coverage Wall Street Journal

Health-Insurance Consumers to Get $743 Million in Rebates Under ACA Rule

Wall Street Journal

Health insurers are expected to pay out a record $743 million to consumers this month under an Affordable Care Act rule that requires refunds if the companies don’t spend a big enough share of premium dollars on health care.

IMMIGRATION

Sheriff’s Office hasn’t worked with ICE, Mims says. Fresno activists aren’t convinced

Fresno Bee

Fresno State will now offer free immigration legal services

abc30

Fresno State is joining their fellow CSU campuses in providing students and employees immigration legal services. It's all made possible because of state funding.

California shelter for immigrant kids denies them attorneys — ‘We need answers’

Fresno Bee

The federal government is denying legal assistance to child migrants living at a Modesto shelter, according to advocates who worry the kids will suffer unnecessarily without access to attorneys.

Senate Democrats to try again on rescinding Trump’s border emergency declaration

Los Angeles Times

Senate Democrats will force a vote in Congress in an attempt to reverse President Trump’s national emergency declaration that authorized the use of money from other parts of the federal budget for the construction of a border wall.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Fresno’s oldest building is about to look young again. Let’s make it a trend

Fresno Bee

Plan to promote construction of 'mother-in-law quarters' divides developers, homeowners

Bakersfield Californian

To local homebuilders and state lawmakers, these "accessory dwelling units," or ADUs, present an opportunity to address California's housing shortage. But others see them as a menace threatening the character and livability of their single-family-home neighborhoods.

Housing:

Trump officials look to fix California homeless problem, state officials say back off

Visalia Times Delta

Trump administration officials confirmed Tuesday they are on the ground in California looking at ways to intervene in the state’s mounting homelessness issue, which President Donald Trump has criticized as “disgusting” and a “disgrace to our country.”

● Trump officials visit L.A. to assess homelessness crisis Los Angeles Times

● Trump pushing for major crackdown on homeless camps in California, with aides discussing moving residents to government-backed facilities Washington Post

● Trump's reported California homeless takeover bewilders state, local leaders Politico

● Open Forum: Let’s get real about homelessness, California San Francisco Chronicle

New Fresno adult homeless shelter even takes sex offenders, officials confirm

Fresno Bee

The city of Fresno has made more than 200 new beds available for the homeless in the past 60 days — and the latest shelter is even set up to take people convicted of sexual violence, according to a council member.

Supervisors move forward with new homeless shelter near downtown Bakersfield

Bakersfield Californian

In an effort to cut down on the amount of homeless individuals living on the streets of Bakersfield, the Kern County Board of Supervisors agreed to move forward with a plan that could result in a new homeless shelter in the city by the end of the year.

Modesto could provide $2.85 million for plan to turn motel into housing for homeless

Modesto Bee

City officials Tuesday could give the Housing Authority $2.85 million so it can buy a 103-room Modesto motel and turn it into studio apartments with services for homeless people.

California Senate advances statewide caps on rent hikes

Stockton Record

California lawmakers on Tuesday moved to cap annual rent increases statewide for most tenants as a limited housing supply in the country’s most populous state continues to drive up the cost of living while pushing more people to the streets.

● California Rent Control Bill Advances, Fueled by Housing Crisis New York Times

Some California Housing Markets More At Risk Should Recession Hit

Capital Public Radio

California has several of the most vulnerable housing markets should another recession hit, but new research shows it's not all bad news.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Turlock’s spending on employee health care is highest in state. What can be done?

Modesto Bee

Turlock’s health insurance costs for city employees are highest among the larger cities in California, according to a study released Monday.

$3.8 billion state worker contract has special raises for three dozen job classifications

Sacramento Bee

The contract deal Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration recently struck with the state’s largest union will cost the state about $3.8 billion, according to a cost summary CalHR posted to its website Friday.

The New Tax Math for People Living in High-Tax States

Wall Street Journal

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 clamped a $10,000 limit on the amount of state and local taxes—including income and property taxes—that joint filers can deduct from their income for federal taxes.

Deficit surpasses $1 trillion: CBO

The Hill

The federal deficit surpassed $1 trillion in the first 11 months of fiscal 2019, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said Monday. The deficit presently stands at $1.068 trillion, though it is likely to be reduced in September as quarterly tax payments are paid.

TRANSPORTATION

Electric vehicle sales rise in California. It's mostly due to Tesla

Los Angeles Times

Sales of new electric vehicles in California shot up 63.7% in the first half of the year, to 51,750 units, largely on the strength of the Tesla Model 3. Pure electric cars still total only 5.5% of California car sales.

Lyft announces safety changes advocated by victims in wake of scrutiny

Washington Post

Lyft said in a blog it had partnered with RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, to add the mandatory community safety education. New drivers will take the training immediately, while existing drivers will be asked to complete it within a certain time frame.

WATER

Dangerous new hot zones are spreading around the world

Los Angeles Times

The South Atlantic blob is part of a global trend: Around the planet, enormous ocean currents are traveling to new locations. As these currents relocate, waters are growing warmer.

“Xtra”

Going to 2019's Tulare County Fair? Here's what you need to know

Visalia Times Delta

It’s that time of year again: It’s time for all the sights, sounds and smells of delicious fried foods that the Tulare County Fair brings. And this year the fair is celebrating its 100th birthday.

Don’t be scared, but a rare ‘micro’ Harvest Moon will appear on Friday the 13th

Fresno Bee

For the first time in nearly 20 years, this year’s Harvest Moon — the full moon that coincides most closely with the Fall Equinox on Sept. 23 — falls on what the superstition among us consider the unluckiest of days, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

Community Action Partnership of Kern to host free Farmers' Market

Bakersfield Californian

Community Action Partnership of Kern's Food Bank will host a free Farmers' Market on Saturday in Wasco. Volunteers will hand out fresh and healthy produce to those who struggle with food insecurity.

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

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno 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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