Political Stories
Top stories
Republican voter registration tanks in California; more voters than ever don’t affiliate with party — Californians may be more disenchanted with political party labels than at any time in modern history, as new voter registration data show another shift away from party affiliation coming at the same time as a presidential race that exposes deep partisan divides nationwide. The report issued by Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Monday finds that 24% of California voters now officially have “no party preference,” the term used by elections officials to describe independents. That’s up almost three percentage points since the last presidential election in 2012. LA Times article; Sacramento Bee article
Yosemite dispute prompts bill to ban name trademarks at California parks — Comparing the Yosemite renaming controversy to a punch in the gut, Assemblyman Ken Cooley on Monday announced a bill that would prohibit California from contracting with concessionaires who attempt to trademark names associated with a state park. Sacramento Bee article; Modesto Bee article
State budget
California health tax plan moves closer to approval — California lawmakers are poised to act on legislation that would expand a tax on health care plans while spending hundreds of millions of dollars on services for the developmentally disabled. No formal agreement has been announced, with a vote expected Thursday. Sacramento Bee article; Sacramento Bee editorial
Dan Walters: California GOP ready to support a new tax — Opposition to new taxes has been a bedrock stance for Republican legislators, one they can enforce because taxes require two-thirds legislative votes. However, Assembly Republicans appear poised to bless a hefty tax on “managed care organizations” that Gov. Jerry Brown wants, because it would secure more federal support of health care for the poor. Walters column in Sacramento Bee
Analyst says lawmakers should reject $250 million for jails — California lawmakers should reject Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to give counties another $250 million for jail construction, the state’s nonpartisan legislative analyst said Monday. AP article
Gov. Brown
Union plans rally to pressure Jerry Brown for higher pay raises — Another union, upset that Gov. Jerry Brown isn’t offering more money at the bargaining table, plans to take its case to the street. Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers in state Bargaining Unit 12 plan to rally at the Department of Human Resources Sacramento offices at 1515 S St. on Friday starting at 7:30 a.m., according to a IUOE release. Sacramento Bee article
Valley politics
Modesto’s new mayor to take oath, seat on council – There will be a changing of the guard at Tuesday’s Modesto City Council meeting as outgoing Mayor Garrad Marsh says goodbye and incoming Mayor Ted Brandvold takes the oath of office and his seat on the council. Modesto Bee article
San Joaquin County: AngelAnn Flores running for District 1 supervisor seat – If elected to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors this year, AngelAnn Flores says she’ll be more involved with District 1 residents. Flores is running for the District 1 seat on the board, which will be vacated by the termed out Carlos Villapudua in November. Stockton Record article
Denham tries again to get U.S. to sell its surplus properties — The federal government would shed some of its 254,000 buildings under a long-stalled bill being revived by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock. Resurrecting a potentially important but unglamorous effort, Denham is pushing revised legislation designed to speed the sale or transfer of surplus federal assets. He’s gained new allies, yet faces familiar hurdles. McClatchy Newspapers article
Statewide politics/Ballot Measures
National marijuana group backs Newsom-Parker legalization bid in California – On Monday, the campaign behind the Newsom-Parker legalization measure announced the backing of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Allen St. Pierre, the group’s chief executive, said the significance of the statewide effort could not be overstated. Sacramento Bee article
Capitol Weekly Podcast — Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster sit down for a chat about California politics including a look at data whiz Paul Mitchell’s #CA120 article covering the surprise outcome of the 2014 race for the 39th Assembly District in which political unknown Patty Lopez defeated incumbent Raul Bocanegra – was it ballot order? Also, a look at AB2249, Assemblyman Ken Cooley’s bill to stop private firms term trademarking the names of public park amenities. Capitol Weekly Podcast
San Bernardino Shootings
Apple, FBI intensity fight over San Bernardino shooter’s phone — The court dispute between Apple and the Justice Department over unlocking the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone became a public relations war on Monday, with the FBI and Apple exchanging verbal blows on the Internet and Congress preparing to intervene. McClatchy Newspapers article
Why San Bernardino attack survivors are divided on Apple’s stand against FBI — Among those debating Apple‘s stance against the Justice Department are a handful of people who know from experience what it is like to have a terrorist’s gun aimed at them or their loved ones. LA Times article
Other areas
Fresno State student paper raises controversy with anti-Trump edition – Fresno State’s student newspaper was under intense criticism Monday after comparing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. Fresno Bee article
California bill would ban legislative junkets funded by interest groups — Junkets that whisk California legislators away to exotic locales could become a thing of the past under new legislation. Sacramento Bee article
Proposed California law would require bartenders to stop serving drunk customers – A new bill in the state assembly, set in motion to help decrease instances of drunk driving, would legally require California bartenders in the state to stop serving patrons who have become too intoxicated. San Francisco Chronicle article
Democrat Bob Derlet, doctor and environmentalist, challenging Rep. Tom McClintock – Rep. Tom McClintock, the longtime lawmaker and a favorite of conservatives in California, has repelled repeated challenges – the latest in 2014 from a fellow Republican. McClintock easily overcame an intraparty showdown with military officer Art Moore. Now, he faces a more traditional opponent in Democrat Bob Derlet, a professor emeritus at UC Davis who formally launched his uphill campaign Monday. A physician, he lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, not far from Yosemite. Sacramento Bee article
Supreme Court without Scalia divided over giving police more leeway to stop people – The Supreme Court resumed hearing arguments Monday for the first time since Justice Antonin Scalia‘s unexpected death and immediately plunged into a heated dispute over police powers that underscored how the remaining eight justices might find themselves increasingly deadlocked this term. LA Times article
Tom Fife: Senate cannot, and will not, confirm Obama’s new justice – This new drama serves to raise the stakes in November. Will America turn Left or Right? Unlike Obama, McConnell believes the decision is best left to the voters. Joe, believe me when I say, the idea of allowing President Obama another SCOTUS appointment is as dead as Justice Scalia. Case closed. Fife column in Visalia Times-Delta
Joe Altschule: Hey, Mitch McConnell, try doing your job for a change — Just when you thought the Republicans have taken political obstructionism and mindless negativity to a new and dazzling low, they’ve outdone themselves with their latest empty phony effort trying to appeal to real Americans but without knowing or realizing what is real, what is relevant, and what is actually important to all of those real Americans. Altschule column in Visalia Times-Delta
Dems vs. Dems: A cautionary tale – An iconic civil rights and labor activist from Bakersfield found herself at the center of a bruising controversy that erupted at a Nevada caucus event on Saturday. Dolores Huerta, 85, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and a supporter of the Hillary Clinton for president campaign, was attending a caucus gathering in Harrah’s Casino on the Las Vegas Strip Saturday evening when things went south. A few tweets and a few counter-tweets later, and the tempest had outgrown the teapot and was creating a gale-force wind in social media. Bakersfield Californian article
McCarthy: Trump is most likely nominee – Donald Trump is the most likely candidate to win the Republican nomination, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Monday, adding that he believed the race post-South Carolina to be between the Manhattan developer and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Politico article
Univision fought with Donald Trump and now it wants to register 3 million new Latino voters — Last summer, Univision went to war with Donald Trump after he called Mexicans drug dealers and rapists — a move typical of the network that views itself not just as a media company but as an advocate and defender of the Latino community. Now Univision is launching a major voter registration and engagement campaign aimed at turning out 3 million new Latino voters ahead of this year’s presidential election. LA Times article
California Government Today:
News Stories
Top Stories
Chevron, CRC plan more than 300 local oil layoffs – The downturn in oil is forcing painful cuts at the top of the industry’s local food chain, as two of Kern’s biggest producers have disclosed plans to lay off a total of more than 300 workers in and around the county. Chevron said Monday it will let go 237 workers in the San Joaquin Valley as part of a previously announced plan to reduce payrolls this year by 4,000 positions companywide. Meanwhile, California Resources Corp. confirmed it will lay off 74 Bakersfield employees by April 17. Bakersfield Californian article
Summer drought rules likely to continue unless big storms come in March and April — Even in the midst of a strong El Niño, California’s sunny weather this February is not surprising, experts say: The longest dry spell this month — 14 days — is actually less than the average for a strong El Niño winter. But state water officials said Monday that unless the rainy weather returns with a vengeance, some drought restrictions are likely to continue this summer. San Jose Mercury News article
Jobs and the Economy
Fresno council to vote on deal for mixed use project near Chukchansi Park – Nearly 15 years after it opened, Chukchansi Park may have finally spurred the type of development that its backers envisioned. At least that’s the plan that goes before the Fresno City Council Thursday, as part of a proposed $14 million mixed-use development just beyond the stadium’s outfield wall. KVPR report
Retail Therapy: Forever 21 downsizes in Valley, teen stores struggle – Forever 21 – the seller of $6.90 crop tops – is closing its Hanford store. The Forever 21 at Fashion Fair in Fresno will remain open, along with the stores in Visalia and at the Tulare Outlets. But the Hanford Mall store closure is a sign of bigger changes for the handful of giant stores Forever 21 opened in California, and a general shake-up happening in clothing stores geared toward teens and young 20-somethings. Fresno Bee article
Fresno Fulton Street groundbreaking set for March 3 – City of Fresno officials will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on March 3 to kick-off the $20 million project that will convert the pedestrian-only Fulton Mall back into a regular two-way street. The Business Journal article
Head of San Francisco Fed is still expecting modest economic growth, and more rate hikes – For all the commotion in the world economy and almost daily paroxysms in financial markets, John C. Williams’ outlook for U.S. growth and interest rate policy has barely budged. LA Times article
Keep Your Home California extended, will receive more funding – The U.S. Department of the Treasury is investing another $2 billion into the nation’s Hardest Hit Fund which will allow state Housing Finance Agencies to continue helping homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages. Fresno Bee article
Peter Mondavi, Napa Valley wine pioneer, dies at 101 — American wine industry trailblazer Peter Mondavi Sr. died Saturday, Feb. 20, at his home in St. Helena, on the property of his Charles Krug Winery. He was 101. A representative of the Mondavi family confirmed the news. San Francisco Chronicle article; AP article
Consumer Affairs found interesting moving trends in Bakersfield — In 2005, Bakersfield had a population of 531,655, and 51.5 percent of the population was married, according to the Census Bureau. In 2014, the population increased to 658,888, and saw a decrease in marriages by 5.3 percent. Although there has been a decrease in marriage, the Census Bureau found there has been an increase of millennials by 1.8 percent. In 2005, 21.3 percent of the Bakersfield population were millennials, and in 2014, the group jumped to 23.1 percent. Bakersfield Californian article
Sacramento-area gas prices fall to lowest level since late 2008 — Sacramento-area gasoline prices fell another 3 cents over the past week to an average $2.08 a gallon, the lowest level since the recessionary period of late 2008. Sacramento Bee article
Agriculture/Water/Drought
Sacramentans save less water in January – The Sacramento region reduced its water use by 11 percent in January, the worst local results by far since the state mandated cuts last summer, the Regional Water Authority reported Monday. Sacramento Bee article
Without a ‘March miracle,’ drought-like conditions will continue in Southern California — Though experts predicted that the Pacific warming phenomenon known as El Niño could bring consecutive downpours to Southern California between January and March — now some say as late as April — nothing of the sort has occurred since the first week of the year. LA Times article
Under sunny skies, Folsom Dam operators to double releases — Even with unseasonably warm temperatures and little to no rain in the forecast for at least the next seven days, the operators of Folsom Dam are going to more than double the flows in the lower American River to protect against flooding. Sacramento Bee article
Criminal Justice/Prisons
Appellate court reinstates voters’ wishes on prisoner parole – A federal appeals court on Monday restored laws approved by California voters that allowed the governor to veto a convicted murderer’s release on parole and authorized the parole board to make inmates wait as long as 15 years for a new hearing. San Francisco Chronicle article; AP article; Sacramento Bee article
Fourth California prison fails health review; 7 passed test — California’s inspector general gave a failing grade to medical care at a fourth prison Monday as the state tries to regain responsibility for health treatment after a decade of federal control. Valley State Prison in Chowchilla received a failing grade in nine of the 14 benchmarks used by inspectors. AP article
LA County spends more than $233,000 a year to hold each youth in juvenile lockup – A county audit found that the average cost of incarcerating a youth has soared to $233,600 a year, significantly higher than other comparable jurisdictions. In Chicago, the annual cost was $204,400 per youth; in San Diego, it was $127,750; and in Houston, it was $84,680, the study said. LA Times article
Fresno DA honors unsung heroes of criminal justice system – Cecilia Hernandez. Guillermo Cervantes. Olga Andrade. Isidro Madera. In the eyes of Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, these people represent the unsung heroes of the criminal justice system who come to court and testify against killers, sexual predators, women-beaters and gang members. Fresno Bee article
San Francisco announces shift in police gun policy — As San Francisco officials outlined a series of changes Tuesday designed to reduce police killings and rebuild community trust, they described a fundamental shift in tactics in which officers encountering knife-wielding suspects should focus on keeping their distance and de-escalating the situation. San Francisco Chronicle article
D.A., police chief at odds over ‘old boys’ San Francisco police culture — San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and Police Chief Greg Suhrwere once again at odds on Monday, this time in their differing testimonies in front of the district attorney’s blue-ribbon panel investigating police bias and misconduct. San Francisco Chronicle article
Education
Director of Fresno State’s Lyles Center resigns after critical audit — Timothy M. Stearns resigned his position as executive director of the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State on Monday, the university announced. He will continue to teach entrepreneurship with the Craig School of Business. Fresno Bee article; The Business Journal article
Lack of information, ‘misconceptions’ are obstacles to college financial aid – Lupita Cortez Alcalá took over in January this year as executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, an agency that may not be publicly well-known but is crucial to whether approximately 400,000 students receive financial aid from the state and get to go to college. EdSource article
Report: State must adopt guidelines for parent engagement in schools – California has established parent involvement as one of eight priority areas that local educators must focus on, but school districts have a long way to go to make that involvement “authentic” and “meaningful,” according to a new report. EdSource article
Bridging a digital divide that keeps schoolchildren behind – With more students being asked to do class work online, some depend on school buses with free Wi-Fi. The federal government is considering a plan to subsidize home broadband services. New York Times article
Teachers promote plan to turn Bullard High to a charter school – Some teachers at Bullard High are pushing to convert from a public school to a charter school in an effort to break away from Fresno Unified School District’s oversight. Fresno Bee article
Providence Christian hopes to add Merced’s first dual-language immersion program – Beginning next school year, Providence Christian School in Merced hopes to be the first school in the city to offer kindergarten students the option of enrolling in a program that teaches for fluency in both English and Spanish. Merced Sun-Star article
Karin Klein: Applying for college is now big business – The freelance journalist in Orange County writes, “The PSAT is no longer just a little practice exam to check whether high school students are on track for the all-important SAT college admissions test. The business of applying to college is, indeed, an actual business, or rather, many businesses.” Klein op-ed in Sacramento Bee
Grants foster chance at education – Foster youth rarely have success stories to share, according to advocates. Once they age out of care, 33 percent of foster children end up incarcerated and 65 percent become homeless, according to Mary Graham Children’s Foundation, which provides support to San Joaquin County foster youth. To defy those statistics, Mary Graham launched a scholarship program in the 2003-04 school year that to date has helped 111 San Joaquin County foster care youth and has recently reached a benchmark: more than $1 million awarded. Stockton Record article
Merced students head to sustainability conference – Three UC Merced students will share sustainability ideas and network with international students and dignitaries at the upcoming session of the Clinton Global Initiative University, officials announced Monday. Merced Sun-Star article
Philip Levine Reading Room announced at Fresno State — There will be a special place honoring Philip Levine in Fresno State’s Madden Library. The Philip Levine Reading Room was announced Saturday, Feb. 20, at a special eventhonoring the former Fresno State professor and United States poet laureate. Many of Levine’s former students and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to the poet. Fresno Bee article
Energy/Environment
Stephen Green: Sacramento should join ban on plastic bags – The president of the Save the American River Association writes, “The plastic bag ban is working in Sacramento and communities across the state. County supervisors have an opportunity to join the party and protect our neighborhoods and parks, including the American River Parkway.” Green op-ed in Sacramento Bee
Seas are rising at fastest rate in 28 centuries — The oceans are rising faster than at any point in the last 28 centuries, and human emissions of greenhouse gases are primarily responsible, scientists reported Monday. New York Times article
Vinod Khosla wants $30 million to Martins Beach access — The billionaire owner of Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay has drawn a new line in the sand over public access to the picturesque cove, and it would cost more seashells than the state is willing to pay. San Francisco Chronicle article
Health/Human Services
San Francisco supervisors one step closer to raising tobacco age to 21 – A San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee voted Monday to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. The vote of the Land Use Committee was 3-0 to prohibit retailers from selling tobacco products — including smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes — to those under age 21. KQED report; San Francisco Chronicle article
Smog and air pollution contribute to childhood obesity — Finally, folks from Bakersfield have a viable, scientifically backed excuse for being one of the fattest cities in America. Smog and air pollution contributes to childhood obesity rates, a new joint study conducted by Duke and Peking universities shows. Bakersfield Californian article
Sacramento outpaces other cities in heart disease, cancer deaths – Sacramento residents are dying more frequently from cancer and heart disease than residents of other major cities, according to data from the Big Cities Health Inventory released this month. Sacramento Bee article
Abandoned nursing home patients live months in hospital, waiting — A bad bout of pneumonia sent Bruce Anderson to Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento last May. As soon as he recovered, hospital staff tried to return him to the nursing home where he had been living for four years. But the home refused to readmit him, even after being ordered to do so by the state. Nearly nine months later, Anderson, 66, is still in the hospital. KQED report
Fresno jury says Dr. Moffett owes $1.2 million to former colleagues — The civil trial of a Fresno doctor who contends he was betrayed by his former partners at the California Cancer Associates for Research, widely known as cCare, took a turn Monday when a jury ruled against him. Fresno Bee article
Orange County just launched its first clean-needle exchange – A year ago, a group of UC Irvine medical students realized that Orange County was missing what they considered an important public health service that every major city in California had access to: a clean-needle exchange program. So they decided to do something about it. LA Times article
Transportation
Bus company renovations still delayed by bullet train — How temporary is “temporary”? Many locals are asking that question after seeing the bullet train’s new draft business plan, which proposes laying tracks by 2025 from San Jose to a temporary station at a dusty rural intersection 23 miles north of Bakersfield. Bakersfield Californian article
Other areas
Stanislaus court launches first public survey seeking input on new Modesto courthouse — Stanislaus Superior Court officials have released the first in a series of online surveys seeking the public’s input on how to design the new $267 million courthouse in downtown Modesto. Modesto Bee article
Stockton City Council looks to fill vacancy – Unwieldy as it might seem, the process that will be used by the City Council Tuesday night to select a new colleague should be quite familiar to anyone who follows Stockton politics with any regularity. Stockton Record article
Foon Rhee: Envy isn’t healthy, even for cities — Cities – just like people – shouldn’t just copy others. They should strive to be the best version of themselves. And there are plenty of smart, committed people around here to come up with solutions that fit Sacramento. Rhee column in Sacramento Bee
Valley Editorial Roundup
Fresno Bee – If the laws of politics can get on a parallel track with the laws of engineering, then this newly prioritized (high-speed rail) line will mean great things for all of the Central Valley, and maybe, someday, all of the state.
Sacramento Bee – Uber driver’s crimes shouldn’t be Uber’s; Although they aren’t exactly singing kumbaya, the California Chamber of Commerce, health insurance corporations and proponents of greater access to health care are backing a major tax deal devised by aides to Gov. Jerry Brown.
Stockton Record – Cheers and jeers on Stockton hotel industry booming, Mayor Silva’s tardy campaign finance report and other issues.
Maddy Events
Sunday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “Mission Possible: Making Government More Customer Friendly” – Guest: Little Hoover Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler
Sunday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580 (KMJ) – Maddy Report-Valley Views Edition: “The Multi-Million Dollar Question: Can We Make State and Local Government More Efficient and Effective?” – Guests: Rebecca Moore of Kern LAFCO, David Fey of Fresno LACFO, Sara Lytle-Pinhey of Stanislaus LAFCO, and William Nicholson of Merced LAFCO. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunday, Feb. 28, at 7 a.m. on Fresno Univision 21 (KFTV)– El Informe Maddy Report: “Public Employee Retiree Healthcare” – Guest: Lourdes Morales of the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Deputy Director Ana Melendez.
The Maddy Report airs throughout California on The Cal Channel. Check http://www.calchannel.com to find the Cal Channel and schedule in your area. You also can view previous Maddy Report programs in their entirety at http://www.maddyinstitute.org/policy-analysis/the-maddy-report-tv.
Community Events
- Fresno State President Joseph Castro and other university officials will hold a Community Conversation in the West Hills Community College conference facility, 555 College Ave., Lemoore on Tuesday, March 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Seating for this free event is limited, so RSVPs should be made by February 26 at www.fresnostate.edu/presidentrsvp using the code “Lemooreforum.”
- The International Green Industry Hall of Fame will hold its sixth annual conference and induction ceremony at Buchanan High School in Clovis on March 9. Registration information is available here.
- The 2016 San Joaquin Valley Parks Summit will be held at Bitwise South Stadium in Fresno on Thursday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration launches March 1. More information: Jenna Chilingerian at jennac@csufresno.edu.
Interactive
Next 10: UPDATED California budget challenge – For the first time in a decade, California’s budget is largely in balance. However, the state has outstanding debts of $28 million, not counting long-term pension and retiree health care costs. Budget choices affect us all. Take the Challenge and decide how much should be spent on programs and where the money should come from. Next 10 California Budget Challenge
Next 10: Federal budget challenge — The Federal Budget Challenge is based on The Concord Coalition’s Principles and Priorities budget exercise, which has been used in numerous town hall meetings across the country by members of Congress from both parties, as well as in hundreds of high school and college classrooms. Next 10 Federal Budget challenge at www.federalbudgetchallenge.org
Next 10: California Water Challenge – As our state faces some of the most severe drought conditions in its history, Next 10 wants to issue a new challenge to Californians: can you create a plan to make sure there’s enough water for everyone? Next 10 California Water Challenge
LEGISLATORS’ VOTING RECORDS: How often has a California legislator broken party ranks, abstained or switched sides? The Sacramento Bee has a database of the voting records of every member of the state Senate and Assembly. Enter a lawmaker’s last and first names to see how he or she voted, or enter a bill number to see how every legislator voted on it. Check it out at this link. http://www.sacbee.com/votingrecord/
More Information
Please visit http://www.maddyinstitute.com/news/maddy-daily if you want to view the Maddy Daily with our comprehensive list of links to all federal, state and local government, public affairs institutes/regional entities, Valley media and public policy blogs. (Please note new website address.)
Maddy Institute Updates List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials – The Maddy Institute has updated its list of San Joaquin Valley elected officials. The list is available here.
Maddy Institute on Facebook and Twitter – To learn about Maddy Institute activities (e.g. The Maddy Report tv show, The Maddy Associates’ Luncheons, the Maddy Legislative Intern Program), become a fan of the Maddy Institute on Facebook or log on to http://twitter.com/MaddyInstitute. And if you have a Facebook or Twitter account, please add us and follow us!
Follow @MaddyDaily on Twitter – Can’t wait for the Maddy Daily to hit your in-box each morning? Follow @MaddyDaily on Twitter to receive updates on policy and political developments throughout the day.
If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to Ana Melendez at ajovelmelendez@csufresno.edu.
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.
This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, the Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno 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.
Funding for The Maddy Daily is made possible by grants from The Wonderful Company and BNSF Railroad and generous donations from you, our subscribers.