Political Stories
Top stories
Road to California tax checkoff paved by legislative connections — As Californians finish their state taxes each spring, they can choose to make donations tonearly 20 causes – ranging from protection of endangered species to arts education to maintenance for police officer and firefighter memorials near the Capitol – that are then deductible the following year. But rather than any broader assessment of the state’s most worthwhile and needy charities, the funds, which can generate several hundred thousand dollars per year, are created through a piecemeal approach that has benefited a handful of philanthropic groups favored by California lawmakers. Sacramento Bee article
Dan Walters: California’s low voter turnout a big puzzle — California’s voter turnout has been drifting downward for decades, finally reaching a record-low level in 2014. Scarcely a quarter of California’s registered voters, and just 18.44 percent of its potentially eligible voters, cast ballots in 2014’s June primary. Merely 7.5 million Californians, 42.2 percent of those registered and 30.9 percent of those eligible, voted in the November election. Walters column in Sacramento Bee
State budget
Joel Fox: The wall of debt just got higher — Governor Jerry Brown, joking about Donald Trump’s proposed wall at the border, said if Trump wins maybe we should build a wall around California. Well, there is a wall in California the governor himself labeled–the Wall of Debt—and it just got taller. Fox in Fox & Hounds
Valley politics
AD 31: Olivier calls on Arambula to repudiate independent ad campaign — Back in November, Clint Olivier did a wide-ranging radio interview that touched on some of the Fresno Republican’s libertarian leanings. Olivier, a Fresno city councilman who is running for the 31st Assembly District, said that clean water was a luxury in the U.S. because it is something so much of the world doesn’t have. He talked about education and how it comes with a monetary cost, but some think it should be free. Fresno Bee article
Top San Joaquin County educator endorses Zapien — San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chairman Moses Zapien has received the endorsement of San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas. Stockton Record article
Statewide politics/Ballot Measures
Modesto Bee: Trying to get a picture of what legal weed looks like – Try to picture a world in which recreational marijuana is legal. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see – like a giant paint-by-numbers picture without any colors. Modesto Bee editorial
In the effort to legalize marijuana, know the key players and their plans – Entering this political weed patch, it pays to be careful. We’ve got time to figure this out, but we should get started now. If you know the players and their plans, it might help. Modesto Bee article
Gavin Newsom: First step in smarter approach to marijuana is fixing the laws – California’s lieutenant governor writes, “By establishing a legal, taxed and tightly regulated system, we can offer new protections for our kids, our communities and our environment, while adopting a best-practices framework for responsible adult marijuana use and its impacts. We can also raise much-needed revenues to expand drug treatment and prevention programs, and protect our public lands from the environmental and water impacts of illegal marijuana grows.” Newsom op-ed in Modesto Bee
Roger Morgan: No good comes from legalizing recreational weed – The founder of Take Back America Campaign and a 20-year anti-drug activist writes, “For public health and safety, and to “do no harm,” the CMA needs to change its position. And voters need to resist the temptation to approve recreational use of marijuana.” Morgan op-ed in Modesto Bee
Legalizing weed costs less, is more consistent, keeps people out of jail – Whether voters support any initiatives that make it to the ballot, many believe there are good reasons to legalize recreational use. A sampling from issues examined over the past two years. Modesto Bee article
Opponents say governor’s prison plan unlikely to make ballot – Opponents say Gov. Jerry Brown is unlikely to gather enough signatures to put his plan to reduce the state’s prison population before voters in November. AP article
California ballot proposal to require parental notification for abortion fizzles — The campaign to qualify a November constitutional amendment requiring parental notification for abortions ended last week, the latest in a string of ballot failures for the effort’s sponsors. Sacramento Bee article
Percy Pinkney, longtime LA-based aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, dies at 78 — Percy Pinkney, the first person to join Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s staff in 1992, has died. He was 78. As Feinstein’s Los Angeles field representative for 22 years, he oversaw issues affecting the African American community until his retirement in 2014. LA Times article (scroll to article)
Immigration
‘We have a moral obligation’: Lawmakers want the U.S. to provide attorneys for immigrant children – The San Jose Democrat and 54 of her House colleagues have put forth a bill to argue that, at a minimum, children and people with certain disabilities should have government-appointed attorneys to help them navigate the asylum process. LA Times article
Border pedestrian bridge project delays are feared over Mexico’s lack of funding –U.S. and Mexican authorities said that they are working to addressconcerns over a possible delay in the opening of a much-needed new pedestrian border entrance in San Ysidro known as PedWest. LA Times article
Apple/FBI
Apple vs. FBI: U.S. looks at new ways to unlock San Bernardino terror attacker’s iPhone — The U.S. government is asking a federal judge to delay a planned legal showdown Tuesday with Apple over the FBI‘s effort to have the computer giant help unlock the phone of one of the assailants in December’s terror attack in San Bernardino. LA Times article; New York Times article; San Francisco Chronicle article; AP article
Tim Cook jumps right into discussing Apple-FBI iPhone encryption fight — Apple Inc. began Monday’s product-launch event, there was an elephant in the room: the company’s legal battle with the U.S. government over an encrypted iPhone used by one of the attackers in the San Bernardino terrorism case. Chief Executive Tim Cook addressed it right away. LA Times article
Other areas
Renewed push to pass ‘surprise’ medical bills legislation – More than one in five Californians with private health insurance reported receiving “surprise” medical bills at least once over the previous two years, according to a 2015 Consumer Reports survey. KQED report
California to Cuba: Time to fly nonstop, Feinstein and Boxer urge — With President Obama embarked on a historic trip to Cuba, California’s senators want their constituents to be able to follow the president’s lead. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein advocated establishing nonstop flights from California to Cuba in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. Sacramento Bee article
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders back this week to California – Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will return this week to California, a major source of presidential campaign money and – for the first time in years – a state that still could matterwhen the primary arrives here in June. Sacramento Bee article
Foon Rhee: Donald Trump is no ‘blue-collar billionaire’ – Trump’s son calls him a “blue-collar billionaire.” But if he does make it to the White House, Trump will care much more about how to protect his own fortune – and those of the well-coiffed wealthy invited to his victory events at his luxury club in Palm Beach – than how to help working people make theirs. I’m really glad that their concerns are getting the spotlight during the campaign. I just wish that their righteous cause hadn’t been hijacked by Trump. Rhee in Sacramento Bee
Tom Fife: No matter how you slice it, Trump wins – Which speech contains the most pro-American, optimistic message of substance? Again, Trump wins. American voters are fed up, they want to win, they want jobs, they want Mexico to pay for the wall and they want to whip China in trade, and to slap Iran upside the head and obliterate Isis. Fife in Visalia Times-Delta
Joe Altschule: Why we can’t believe Republican lies – Watching the Republican primary race over the course of these many months, it’s really astounding to see the lack of truth and the constant twisted facts from the candidates. Each of the candidates, the 17 who started out as well as the three remaining, all continue to perpetuate fantasy myths about the state of our nation. Altschule in Visalia Times-Delta
Capitol Weekly Podcast #11 – Animal advocate and communications specialist Jennifer Fearing stops by the Capitol Weekly office to talk about last week’s announcement that Marine World will phase out Orca shows at their parks; plus, find out which recent Sacramento Bee political story quoted 14 men and zero women – and the phenomenon that is Sutter Brown. Capitol Weekly Podcast
Congressman Kevin McCarthy: Protecting the Internet for thousands of users — These small Internet providers need permanent relief so they can focus more on doing the job of delivering Internet to the American people. So, we’re passing a bill today that lifts these regulations on small providers for good. We need to take every opportunity we can to create the space for innovation to thrive in this country. That’s the purpose of our Innovation Initiative, and that’s how we can make a more prosperous America that works for everyone. McCarthy floor remarks on the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act in Fox & Hounds
HBO show to feature those accusing Mayor Kevin Johnson of sexual misconduct — The HBO series “Real Sports with Bryan Gumbel” will air a segment Tuesday night on allegations of sexual misconduct against Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Sacramento Bee article
News Stories
Top Stories
Most of Merced’s homeless originated from county, report says – About 80 percent of the homeless people in Merced County first became homeless while living within the county, and about the same portion still think of it as home, according to a recently completed survey. Merced Sun-Star article
Clovis Unified might relax strict dress code, reversing earlier decision — Clovis Unified School District could relax its controversial dress code after all. The board will consider revising the policy later this month, despite rejecting a nearly identical proposal in January. The proposed revisions would allow boys to wear long hair and earrings and would strike language that says dresses and skirts are for girls. Fresno Bee article
Jobs and the Economy
San Joaquin County parole officers to receive pay increase – One San Joaquin County bargaining unit is finally getting a salary increase after four years without an agreement. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors last week unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the county’s Probation Officer Bargaining Unit that will allow for a 6 percent cost of living increase over the next three years. Stockton Record article
Turlock farmers market operator confirms withdrawal – The nonprofit organization running the city’s farmers market for six years officially withdrew Monday, ending the prospect of another showdown with for-profit bidder Peter Cipponeri at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Both sides said they stood ready to meet, but were snubbed by the other. Modesto Bee article
Krispy Kreme construction starts in Fresno – Work has started on what will become a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in north Fresno. The highly anticipated doughnut shop is being built on Blackstone Avenue near Bullard Avenue, in front of the Target. It is scheduled to open in September, according to the franchise owner. Fresno Bee article
Proposed Sacramento parking meter changes will help pay arena debt – Sacramento signed a monumental deal two years ago to build a sports and entertainment arena in the heart of the city. Now comes the time to pay for it. On Tuesday night, the City Council will be briefed on a plan to extend downtown parking meter hours to 10 p.m., allowing the city to collect meter revenue from fans attending nighttime events at Golden 1 Center when it opens in October. Most city parking meters now shut down at 6 p.m. Sacramento Bee article
San Francisco techies are making the move to Seattle – We’ve been told time and time again tech giants in Silicon Valley are losing talent at rapid rates. But where are they going? According to job search engine Indeed.com, Bay Area job seekers are looking to Seattle as a top destination for their next career move. San Francisco Chronicle article
Digital First purchase of Orange County Register parent approved by bankruptcy judge — Digital First Media was cleared to purchase the owner of the Orange CountyRegister and Riverside Press-Enterprise by a bankruptcy judge Monday. The $52.3 million offer prevailed over a competing bid from the parent company of the Los Angeles Times, which faced an antitrust battle in its effort to build a media empire stretching from the Mexican border to Los Angeles. LA Times article; AP article
Harbor Freight Tools opens second Bakersfield store — Harbor Freight Tools has opened a second Bakersfield location its manager says was necessary to relieve traffic at the chain’s Rosedale Highway store. The new store at 4100 White Lane measures 13,500 square feet and employs about 30 employees. Store Manager Steve Cunningham said a soft opening took place about a month ago. Bakersfield Californian article
49ers in rent dispute with Santa Clara – The 49ers are involved in a dispute with the city of Santa Clara over their 2016 rent payment at Levi’s Stadium. San Francisco Chronicle article
Young entrepreneurs receive funding to grow businesses — Student entrepreneurs took to the stage to present their business plans before a panel of local leaders at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Investor Panel Event. The event mimicked that of reality show Shark Tank in which the eight participants, grades 8 through 12, had five minutes to pitch their business plans to potential local investors. Visalia Times-Delta article
NFL’s unfinished LA business: Will Charger also relocate here? Raiders, maybe? — With the Rams headed back to Los Angeles, the NFL‘s two-decade riddle has been solved. Almost. There’s another cleat to drop, though, and that’s whether the San Diego Chargers or Oakland Raiders will wind up joining the Rams in Inglewood. LA Times article
Kaiser nurses end strike over contract at its LA Medical Center – Nurses at Kaiser Permanente‘s Los Angeles Medical Center will go back to work Tuesday after a weeklong strike aimed at securing a contract with higher staffing levels and better pay. LA Times article
Agriculture/Water/Drought
El Nino didn’t bring the winter many wanted – Despite predictions of winter coming in like Godzilla across California, the season didn’t have the claws and teeth that some forecasters expected. Visalia Times-Delta article
How ‘March Miracle’ turned California into snowy winter wonderland – Up to another foot of snow is expected in the Sierras over the next two days as yet another storm moves through. Dubbed by some as the “March Miracle,” the storms have helped replenish reservoirs and created a winter wonderland as April approaches. Snow levels in the northern Sierra are now above average. The snow is not enough by any measure to end the drought, but it’s making a dent. LA Times article
Kern residents temporarily receive water tanks, pumps, deliveries through state drought program – More than three dozen people from across Kern County have applied to receive a free water storage tank and electric pump under a state-funded program providing relief for California residents whose wells have gone dry. Bakersfield California article
Ellen Hanak: Safeguarding groundwater for a drier future – My commentary focused on groundwater’s role as an “unsung hero” in California’s latest drought, and the need to manage it more carefully to ensure its critical role in getting agriculture through future droughts. This doesn’t mean restricting pumping in the midst of the drought—as tempting as that might be—because that could worsen the economic impacts of water shortages. Instead, it means rolling up our sleeves to develop and implement long-term management plans—a path made easier by the passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014. Hanak in Public Policy Institute of California
Rainy March is looking decidedly dry in final half – The remainder of March doesn’t look very wet. In fact, temperatures are expected to steadily rise this week and hit the low 70s by Thursday as a high-pressure system arrives in the Sacramento region, according to the National Weather Service. Average temperatures for this time of year are around 66 degrees, said Travis Wilson, a weather service meteorologist. Sacramento Bee article
Obama seeks more coordination on dealing with drought — President Barack Obama on Monday directed the federal government to come up with a less reactionary and more long-term strategy for dealing with drought. AP article
Jeff Jardine: Angry response means happy animal activists in dairy videos — Are California cows really happy? The California Milk Advisory Board, some members of which are dairymen in Stanislaus County, suggests they are. Animal activists say they are not. The only guaranteed, 100 percent certainty is that these groups are not happy with each other. Jardine column in Modesto Bee
Will Tsakopoulos water experiment mean less wildlife habitat? — California’s rice farmers pride themselves on environmental stewardship, saying their flooded fields provide habitat for millions of ducks and geese in an era when traditional marshlands have largely disappeared. Now a giant Yolo County farm controlled by the family of Sacramento land baron Angelo K. Tsakopoulos will test whether it can grow rice with water measured in drops. Sacramento Bee article
Criminal Justice/Prisons
Kamala Harris backs a bill that would improve disclosures on police shootings – California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris wants to require police agencies to file detailed reports about officer-involved shootings to her office electronically, so they can be quickly and easily posted on a state website for public viewing. LA Times article
Fresno County correctional officer wounded in jail attack — A Fresno County correctional officer was stabbed by an inmate while serving dinner in the county jail, the sheriff’s office said Monday. Officers were serving meals about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Charlie Michael Smith ambushed the officer, stabbing him repeatedly in the back and head with a sharpened broom-handle weapon he made in jail, the sheriff’s office said. Fresno Bee article
Education
Community colleges look to transition away from embattled state accrediting agency — After weathering years of criticism, the California Community Colleges approved plans Monday to change the process of accrediting the state’s 113 institutions. The move signals a dramatic shift from the state’s standing accreditation agency, which has come under fire for wielding vast power with limited oversight. Bakersfield Californian article
Merced County board deadlocks on superintendent’s replacement – The Merced County Office of Education governing board likely will hold a special meeting to decide how to choose the next superintendent of schools after it couldn’t settle on outgoing Superintendent Steve Gomes’ transition plan. Merced Sun-Star article
Lawmaker shifts course, now says UC chancellor should remain – Four days after calling on UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi to resign, Assemblyman Jim Cooper said Monday that he now believes she should remain in her post. Sacramento Bee article
Board’s dilemma: How to best measure schools by using more than tests – The California Board of Education is facing some tough choices – and heavy lobbying from parent groups and student advocates – as it works its way toward approving a new school accountability system that meets federal mandates and the vision of Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature in passing the Local Control Funding Formula. EdSource article
Brigette Bowers: Is the school’s C-average policy alienating? — The magic number is 2.0 if you’re a struggling student in the Merced Union High School District. A 2.0 grade-point average is a C, and according to the Merced Union High School District Athletic Participation Guidelines and Code of Conduct, to participate in sports a student must have a 2.0 and no more than one F. The 2.0 GPA is also required to attend school dances. Bowers column in Merced Sun-Star
Turlock Unified will appeal Denair boundary decision — The Turlock Unified School District will appeal a Stanislaus County decision to leave district boundaries in place that send Turlock children to Denair schools. Modesto Bee article
Atwater leader of ‘student-aid fraud ring’ sentenced –A 37-year-old Atwater woman described as the leader of a “student-aid fraud ring” was sentenced to prison time and ordered to pay more than $300,000 in restitution, the U.S. Department of Justice reported Monday. Merced Sun-Star article
Students at East Oakland school left without special education for months — More than halfway through the school year, Oakland Unified School District still has teacher vacancies, and that’s had an impact on special education students. As of February, the district had 14 teacher vacancies, six of which were for special education teachers. There were also 16 vacancies for special education aides. KQED report
Energy/Environment
Phil Serna: Sacramento County supervisors should decide on plastic bag ban for county – The member of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors writes, “I’ve heard overwhelmingly from my constituents that a ban on single-use plastic bags is long overdue for unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. I agree, and that’s why I’ve asked fellow members of the Board of Supervisors to vote up or down Tuesday on a reusable bag ordinance.” Serna op-ed in Sacramento Bee
Davis, Yolo County take charge of electricity purchases – Yolo County and the city of Davis are joining a growing number of communities in California in circumventing larger utilities and buying their own electricity with the hope of getting less expensive energy from greener sources. Sacramento Bee article
Cal Fire ramps up seasonal staffing to help prevent wildfires – With the arrival of spring, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that it is increasing staffing for fire season, not only to fight wildfires but also to help prevent them. Sacramento Bee article
Palm oil cleanup underway at Port of Stockton — A spill of roughly 750 gallons of edible palm oil Friday night at the Port of Stockton was quickly contained and the cleanup was expected to be completed today, port and San Joaquin County officials said Monday. Stockton Record article
Health/Human Services
Zika test done on six Fresno County residents – Fresno is in a recent study that lists 50 U.S. cities where the six-legged, blood-sucking transmitter of the virus – the mosquito Aedes aegypti – would be able to survive in the upcoming summer months. Four California cities join Fresno on the list: Sacramento, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and San Diego. All five could have a “low abundance” of the virus-carrying mosquitoes by July, says the study, published by PLOS Currents: Outbreaks. Washington Post article
What Californians need to know about the Zika virus – You’ve seen a burst of headlines in Bay Area news since January about Zika virus in California. This year, state health officials have confirmed 11 cases, three of them recently in the Bay Area. The good news is, all of those people contracted the bug while traveling abroad. The question now is whether that could change. Not likely, say most public health officials. KQED report
California health exchange threatens to cut underperforming, overpriced hospitals — California’s insurance exchange is threatening to cut hospitals from its networks for poor performance or high costs, a novel proposal that is drawing heavy fire from medical providers and insurers. Contra Costa Times article
Sutter Gould breaks ground on Tracy medical office – Sutter Gould Medical Foundation has broken ground on a new $30 million Tracy Care Center, a two-story, 45,000-square-foot building that would replace three existing Sutter Gould facilities and provide an urgent care operation for Tracy area patients, officials said. Stockton Record article
Got a health care grievance? There’s a place to complain – Your health insurance company denied your treatment. Or it won’t provide the prescription drug you need. Or you’ve got a billing dispute. Or your longtime doctor was dropped from your health plan. When you’ve got a complaint about health care, where are you gonna go? TheMyPatientRights.org site is one starting point. Sacramento Bee article
Photo of teenager brain dead for more than two years ignites life support debate — She looks so peaceful — her eyes closed, every hair in place, her head resting on a fluffy white pillow, her mother at her side. But California teenager Jahi McMath has been brain dead for more than two years. And a photo of her shared over the weekend on Facebook has reignited public discussion about life support. Kansas City Star article;
Land Use/Housing
Rio Mesa developer wins $25 million judgment in San Joaquin River case — A Fresno jury Monday awarded $25 million to a Madera development company in a dispute involving a national title company. Rio Mesa Holdings LLC sued Fidelity National Title Insurance, the largest title company in the United States, for bad faith claims handling. Rio Mesa is trying to turn 1,600 acres into an upscale residential development north of the San Joaquin River. A key selling point of the project is allowing residents access to the river. Without that, the development is jeopardized. Fresno Bee article
Modesto considers playground for seniors — The Modesto City Council on Tuesday will consider approving a contract for as much as $60,005 with O’Dell Engineering for services related to converting the roughly one-third-acre city park in front of the Ralston Tower senior complex into a senior playground. Modesto Bee article
Transportation
Kings supervisors consider next step in high-speed rail legal fight – Kings County supervisors and administrators are reassessing their legal fight to stop high-speed rail in the wake of a major court ruling that went against them earlier this month. Hanford Sentinel article
Merced council irked by high-speed rail changes – The members of Merced City Council used words like “disheartening,” “discouraging” and “maddening” to express their frustration with state high-speed rail decision-makers on Monday. Merced Sun-Star article
Bakersfield gets more than $2.6 million to improve Truxton Avenue — The Kern Council of Governments has awarded the City of Bakersfield $2.65 million in federal gas tax funds, which City Manager Alan Tandy said will replace local money set aside to widen Truxtun Avenue, reducing the city’s “overall debt obligation.” Bakersfield Californian article
Bills mount as downtown Sacramento rail depot gets renovation – The more walls they tear into at the 90-year-old downtown train depot – aka Sacramento Valley Station – the more problems jump out at them. Sacramento Bee article
BART restores partial service to Pittsburg, but mystery remains – BART restored partial service Monday between the North Concord and Pittsburg/Bay Point stations, allowing commuters to ride a shuttle train on the rails rather than a shuttle bus on packed freeways. San Francisco Chronicle article
Caltrans’ new survey vehicle isn’t what we thought it was — Just one word makes Caltrans’ new survey vehicle out of this world: “terrestrial.” Caltrans is marketing its new pickup truck as a “high tech Mobile Terrestrial Laser Scanning vehicle” hell bent on revolutionizing standard engineering practices. Let’s stop for a second — aren’t all vehicles mobile? Really, Caltrans? Bakersfield Californian article
Other areas
Tehachapi City Council tables medical marijuana ordinance, looks at possible regulation — The Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously Monday night to send a medical marijuana ordinance under consideration back to staff to address concerns about banning the legal use of marijuana and to look at possible regulation instead. Bakersfield Californian article
Joshua Madfis: A call to hands – The executive director of Hands On Central California writes, “It’s not too late to volunteer and contribute to the growing number of hours. Volunteering is crucial to creating a healthier community. We challenge everyone to get involved, even for just a few hours, because every hour makes a big difference in our community.” Madfis op-ed in Fresno Bee
Valley Editorial Roundup
Fresno Bee – In 1911, progressive Gov. Hiram Johnson thought he was reforming California by persuading voters to create our system of citizen initiatives. In 2016, Johnson’s noble experiment has careened off the rails.
Modesto Bee –– Try to picture a world in which recreational marijuana is legal. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see – like a giant paint-by-numbers picture without any colors.
Sacramento Bee – In 1911, progressive Gov. Hiram Johnson thought he was reforming California by persuading voters to create our system of citizen initiatives. In 2016, Johnson’s noble experiment has careened off the rails; #LoveTwitter or hate it, its impact is hard to ignore.
Stockton Record – Cheers and jeers: County groups standing up for our children, San Joaquin County supervisors working the late shift, and other issues
Maddy Events
Sunday, March 27, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “The Price of Education” – Guest: CALmatters reporter Judy Lin. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunday, March 27, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580 (KMJ) – Maddy Report-Valley Views Edition: “K-12 Education in the Valley: Rising Expectations and Rising Costs” – Guests: Dr. Todd Otto, superintendent of the Visalia Unified School District, and Michael Johnson, associate superintendent administrative services for the Clovis Unified School District. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunday, March 27, at 7 a.m. on Fresno Univision 21 (KFTV)– El Informe Maddy Report: “The Governor’s Budget” – Guests: Edgar Cabral, an analyst with the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, and Margarita Fernandez, public information officer for the State Auditor’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 I. Castro and other university officials will participate in a Community Conversation at the Reedley College Student Center in Reedley on April 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Seating for this free event is limited, so RSVPs should be made by Tuesday, April 5, at www.fresnostate.edu/presidentrsvp using the code “Reedleyforum.”
- 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
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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.
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