November 9, 2017

09Nov

 

TOP POLITICAL STORIES​​​​​​​

 

Local/Regional Politics:

 

Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson briefly addresses concerns about a strike at school board meeting

abc30.com

After 15 months and 25 failed bargaining sessions that yielded no results, Fresno Unified entered the last and final phase of contract negotiations Monday, hoping fact-finding would break the impasse.

 

Gun burglaries on the rise in Fresno, suspects not only targeting businesses but breaking into homes

Abc30

Home break-ins put 31 guns in the hands of burglars out on the streets of Fresno within the last month and while some people may think having them locked up in a safe will protect them, burglars are stealing those too.

 

Thieves targeting homes and businesses for surveillance cameras newest crime trend in Fresno

Abc30

Detective Donnie Dinnell says after the thief was arrested, he told them he does it because it is not as hard as stealing and processing copper.

 

Clovis City council considers the city’s first marijuana-related operation

abc30.com

These samples will be small, about the size of an eraser top. The state of California will be sending small eraser sized samples to these labs which will be checking them for potency, all under strict security.  On Monday, the Director of Community and Economic Development tried to push for Clovis’s first marijuana-related operation.

 

Aggressive flu reported in Fresno

Fresno Bee

The flu is here and just in time to spread during Thanksgiving gatherings. Influenza season is starting early, and it’s aggressive, according to Kaiser Permanente Fresno. Since the start of October, Kaiser has tested 70 people for influenza, and and 10 had influenza A, while two had influenza B.

 

Board trying to reopen Tulare hospital, could be months

Visalia Times-Delta

The Tulare Regional Medical Center Board of Directors seem to have picked up two political allies: California Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) and Tulare City Council.

 

Coalinga’s Measure C sales tax fails

Fresno Bee

The city of Coalinga may soon have to lay off staff members after voters rejected a 1-percent sales tax initiative Tuesday night.  Fresno County’s unofficial election results show that about 53 percent of Coalinga voters were against the tax. The measure required a 50-percent-plus-one margin to pass.

 

Woodlake, Farmersville voters OK taxes, weed

Visalia Times-Delta

After months of planning, discussions and public hearings, Woodlake and Farmerville residents voted to approve two sales tax measures during Tuesday’s election. The foothill communities were the only Tulare County cities to consider allowing marijuana business. Residents in Farmersville voted on Measure P — a half-cent sales tax increase — and Measure Q — a cannabis sales tax.

 

New Project Focuses On Scope Of Fresno’s Human Trafficking Problem

Valley Public Radio

A new reporting project from the Fresno Bee seeks to shine a light on a story that is too often in the shadows all around us – human trafficking.

 

Are The Planning Stars Finally Aligned For Southwest Fresno?

Valley Public Radio

A new chapter in the history of a long-neglected Fresno neighborhood could be just around the corner.

 

Fresno To Update Bus System Routes—But Will Everyone Benefit?

Valley Public Radio

Just as Fresno’s downtown and southwest areas are preparing for makeovers, so is its transportation system.

 

New Project From Google Tracks San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Using Street View Cars

Valley Public Radio

An online tool from tech giant Google is giving California residents a new look at ground level air pollution in their neighborhoods.

 

Group Pushes Bakersfield To Reduce Bicycle And Pedestrian Fatalities

Valley Public Radio

According to a new report from the City of Bakersfield, 64 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed in accidents in the city in the last three and a half years. The new bicycle and pedestrian safety report says only around a quarter of those accidents were the fault of drivers. However, some say the number of deaths in the area is much larger, as the city’s report doesn’t count accidents that occurred in county islands.

 

North Fork roundabout planned for mid 2018

Sierra Star

The Madera County Public Works Department recently held a second public meeting on the proposed roundabout in North Fork to discuss why the roundabout was needed. A small crowd attended to listen to consultants and engineers explain three different ideas for the center of the roundabout, each of which included a tribal print to honor the traditional Mono Indian baskets.

 

Will it cost more to enter Yosemite?

Sierra Star

Under a recent National Park Service (NPS) proposal, entrance fees to 17 national parks, including Yosemite, could increase from $30 to $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person on bike or foot, during peak season beginning May 1, 2018.

 

Business news

Hanford Sentinel

Kings County Job Training Office is supporting a short-term work experience program. JTO can fully underwrite the cost of worker wages and workers compensation insurance. The participating employer would provide training and worksite supervision. The training is planned to run for a maximum six months. Worksites are sought to sponsor a worker for up to 40 hours per week. Additionally, these workers maybe qualified to receive State tax credits. Information: email laura.magana@co.kings.ca.us or phone at 585-3564.

 

Stockton students get a sample of public service careers at Youth in Government Day

Stockton Record

Dozens of area high school juniors and seniors were able to see firsthand the inner workings of a career in public service Tuesday during the annual Youth in Government Day. chambers.

 

State Politics:

 

Jerry Brown blasts climate change ‘denialists in the room’ at European Parliament

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Jerry Brown, arriving in Brussels after collegial events in Germany, sparred publicly with British politicians when confronted over his climate change record at the European Parliament on Wednesday. Steven Woolfe, a British politician on the parliament, was first to pierce the pleasantries, accusing Brown of supporting state intervention “at a huge scale” and spending and increasing taxes “like it’s going out of fashion.”

See also:

·       Governor Brown Strengthens California’s Climate Ties with Europe, Blasts “Denialists”  Gov Press Office

·       Jerry Brown’s climate pact takes on Trump  Sacramento Bee

·       Brown takes some heat on climate change CALmatters

·       To What Extent Can Gov. Brown Pursue Foreign Policy?  Capital Public Radio

 

Villaraigosa: ‘There’s not enough concern about the environmental impacts of climate change on the poor’

Los Angeles Times

Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa said Wednesday that Democratic wins in Virginia and New Jersey are clear signs that voters across the United States want to elect leaders who have a vision of uniting the nation. That vision, Villaraigosa said, should include a focus on creating clean energy jobs and job training, especially for low-income residents.

 

Candidate for Governor Travis Allen donated to Democrats

San Jose Mercury News

State Assemblyman Travis Allen, an Orange County Republican running for California governor, has built his political brand by railing against the policies of Gov. Jerry Brown and state Democrats. But before he was elected to the Assembly in 2012, Allen made a series of campaign donations to the Democrats he now denounces — including Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state Democratic Party and a congressman who has filed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

 

Gubernatorial candidate John Chiang stops at Stan State

Turlock Journal

Gubernatorial candidate and current State Treasurer John Chiang engaged with local community members in the Stanislaus State Town Hall hosted by the university’s Democratic Party Club while he continues his campaign against fellow Democratic candidates Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa and Delaine Eastin.

 

Fingerprinting not required for Uber and Lyft drivers in California

Sacramento Bee

Despite a push by the taxi industry, California will not require Uber and Lyft to fingerprint their drivers. The California Public Utilities Commission is set to adopt new rules on background checks for ride-hailing services during its meeting, 9:30 a.m. in San Francisco. The proposed regulations, which were released last month, mandate companies conduct annual screenings of their drivers with firms that are accredited by a national association.

 

 

PPIC Statewide Survey: Is College Necessary?

Public Policy Institute of California

Most Californians (56%) say affordability is a big problem in the state’s public colleges and universities. Only 18 percent say overall quality is a big problem. Half of Californians are very concerned that increased federal immigration enforcement will affect undocumented college and university students, including those with DACA status. Majorities are dissatisfied with the way campus officials are handling free speech, sexual assault, and hate crimes. Strong majorities across parties believe that California’s higher education system is very important to the future quality of life and economic vitality of the state.

 

New Laws Expand Criminal Justice Reforms

Public Policy Institute of California

Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a number of bills that extend the state’s efforts to reform California’s adult and juvenile criminal justice system. Thislegislative package supplements previous reforms; several of the new laws could further reduce the state’s prison population, which remains subject to a court-ordered population target. The bills cover issues at all levels, including arrest, conviction, incarceration, and parole.

 

Crime Trends in California

Public Policy Institute of California

California’s violent crime rate increased by 3.7% in 2016 to 444 per 100,000 residents. There have been other recent upticks in 2012 and 2015, but the statewide rate is still comparable to levels in the late 1960s.

 

An Affordable, High-Quality Healthcare System for California

Fox&Hounds

A recent survey tells us that high cost of healthcare is the issue Californians are most concerned about today – more than schools, infrastructure, jobs, crime, even cost of housing (which is a close second).

 

Walters: Another reminder that there’s no free lunch

CALmatters

It’s doubtful whether more than a relative handful of Californians have heard of the Unemployment Insurance Fund. It is, however, one of state government’s largest activities – and a case study in political mismanagement.

 

Federal Politics:

 

A Tax Bill Test for State Republicans

New York Times

Even as California declared itself the center of Democratic resistance to President Trump and Congressional Republicans, there was a sense (or hope) among California conservatives that the state had a protector in Washington: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader and one of Mr. Trump’s closest allies. But the tax bill being pushed through by Mr. Trump and House Republicans is testing one of the most interesting political dynamics of the year: Does Mr. McCarthy’s loyalties rest more with his home state, or with fellow Republicans in Washington

 

Schnur: California Republicans have to choose between their philosophy and their constituents

Los Angeles Times

One half of the state’s 14 GOP House members represent districts that were carried by Hillary Clinton in last year’s presidential campaign, which has Democrats salivating at the prospect of increasing their already considerable margin in our state’s 55-member Capitol Hill delegation.

See also:

·       Democratic wins Tuesday a reason for California Republicans to be nervous San Francisco Chronicle

·       7 takeaways from Tuesday’s big night for Democrats  PBS NewsHour

Sen. Dianne Feinstein reintroduces assault weapons ban legislation

Los Angeles Times

Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation Wednesday to ban the sale and possession of military style assault weapons. The push comes after two mass shootings in six weeks, including a shooting at a church in Texas on Sunday that killed 26 people. Feinstein indicated she knows the bill has little chance of moving in the Republican-controlled Senate. It is co-sponsored by 22 Democrats, including Feinstein’s fellow California Sen. Kamala Harris.

See also:

·       President Trump Blames Mental Illness For Mass Shooting, Not Guns NPR

·       If Trump’s Blaming Mental Health, Why Did He Gut This Obama Gun-Check Rule? NBC News

·       Untreated Seriously Mentally Ill Are More Dangerous. End Denial. Get Them Treatment. National Review

·       Sutherland Church Shooting & Why the Inaction on Gun Laws National Review

·       After Sutherland Springs, Thoughts and Prayers The Weekly Standard

·       Lawmakers Still Sending Thoughts and Prayers, Despite Criticism Roll Call

·       Texas Attack: The Link Between Shooters and Domestic Abusers Time Magazine

·       If the gunman is white, we’re OK with mass murder. The State

·       How the Texas church massacre victims are being remembered PBS NewsHour

·       Skelton: ‘When will this end?’ When Congress has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby  Los Angeles Times

·       The facts on mass shootings in the United States PolitiFact

 

 

Other:

 

Veterans snapshot, 2017

AEI

Veterans Day has its origins in Armistice Day, proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 mainly to honor the services of the troops who’d fought in the “Great War.”

 

 

 

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING 

Sunday, November 12, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: California Supreme Court: Special Taxes Are Special– Guests: Liam Dillon with Los Angeles Times, Jon Coupal President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Dan Walters with CalMatters, and John Myers with Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, November 12, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report  – Valley Views Edition: “Prop 13: The Case of the Voter-Initiated Special Tax” – Guests: Experts from CA’s Legislative Analyst Office: Brian Uhler and Carolyn Chu, Liam Dillon with Los Angeles Times, Jon Coupal with Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Dan Walters with CalMatters, and John Myers with Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, November 12, at 10:00 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – Informe Maddy: CA’s Immigration Facts. Guests: Joe Hayes, Investigator PPIC and Liam Dillon with Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

 

Support the Maddy Daily HERE. Thank you!

Topics in More Detail…

 

EDITORIALS

 

Semper Fi

Sierra Star

Last week while I was at the local True Value store, I noticed the hat worn by a man in front of me that stated he was a veteran of the second World War. I thanked this man for his service and my freedom.

 

Trump’s blue Tuesday

San Francisco Chronicle

Tuesday’s off-year election results suggest President Trump and his politics are facing the midterm repudiation they deserve. Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam’s defeat of Republican Ed Gillespie in …

 

L.A. obviously needs dense housing along the Expo Line. Why isn’t the city planning for it?

Los Angeles Times

For the last several years, Los Angeles’ game plan for alleviating the housing crisis has been to encourage housing construction — lots of it — near transit stops. L.A., like many cities in California, hasn’t built enough homes to keep up with population growth. The result is a housing shortage

 

Make California self-driving car regulations a model for America

San Jose Mercury News

The only way the autonomous vehicle industry can reach its potential is for it to build trust at every step in the process

 

Cheers and Jeers: Are your ready for a Super Bowl raffle?

Stockton Record

What would you say if you won a trip to Minneapolis in the winter? Sounds lovely if you live in California. Well, what would you say if that trip to Minneapolis was to attend the Super Bowl…

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

California bans use of some farming pesticides near schools

Fresno Bee

California has banned farmers from using certain pesticides near schools and day care centers under a new rule announced Tuesday that regulators said is among the toughest in the U.S. Under the new rule, California farmers will be prohibited from spraying pesticides within a quarter mile (0.4 kilometers) of public K-12 schools and licensed daycare centers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the school week, the state Department of Pesticide Regulation said in a statement.

See also:

·       U.S. farm study finds no firm cancer link to Monsanto weedkiller Reuters

·       From Brussels to Arkansas, a Tough Week for Monsanto  New York Times

 

Why zero net energy farms can be the next salvo in California’s climate change fight 

Fresno Bee

For those of us living and working in the Valley, fully adopting renewable energy will not only decrease greenhouse gas emissions but also drastically improve the air we breathe.

 

Reform our crop insurance program to reduce the burden on taxpayers

AEI

As Congress contemplates budget cuts to fund priorities such as tax reform and health care, policymakers should reconsider wasteful farm subsidy programs which duplicate privately available services and whose benefits typically are enjoyed by producers who typically earn more than non-farm families and who could otherwise afford such services.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

 

In wake of Wine Country fires, state proposes new utility safety rules

San Francisco Chronicle

One month to the day after wind-driven wildfires erupted across Wine Country, California regulators on Wednesday proposed a new set of tougher safety rules for power lines, phone lines and utility poles in parts of the state prone to destructive blazes..

 

After the fires destroyed their homes, Santa Rosa renters fear they can’t afford to stay in wine country

Los Angeles Times

For Sharon Ditmore, the signs of the holidays showing up in this city devastated by fire are both comforting and depressing. Ditmore lost her home in the working-class neighborhood of Coffey Park and has been living in a friend’s guesthouse. She can’t help but think back to the Thanksgiving gatherings she enjoyed with family members in the home she and her husband had rented for nearly 30 years.

 

ECONOMY / JOBS

 

Economy:

 

More than 1.5 million women-owned businesses in California, report says

Sacramento Bee

California is home to the greatest number of women-owned businesses in the nation with about 1.55 million, according to estimates in a seventh annual American Express analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

 

Economists See Few Monetary Policy Changes With Powell Leading Fed

WSJ

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal this month expect that a Federal Reserve led by Jerome Powell would mean little change in monetary policy and a less aggressive approach to financial regulation.

 

U.S. Consumer Comfort Stays High in Positive Sign for Economy

Bloomberg

The comfort index has advanced about six points since the start of the year and is also running above its 2017 average.

 

Jobs:

 

Americans see jobs aplenty. Good wages? Not so much.

CNN

The percentage of residents who think jobs in their area are plentiful spiked to 50% last month, the highest reading since the Pew Research Center began asking the question 16 years ago.

 

Predicting The Fastest-Growing Jobs Of The Future

Forbes

Technology and society’s changing needs mean the work force is constantly evolving. A new report on growth jobs and industries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that roles taking care of an aging population, developing technology and servicing new energy sources are expected to see big increases.

 

Trainers, Lawyers Say Sexual Harassment Training Fails

capradio.org

As more victims speak out about their allegations, employers — including NPR — are having to confront the failure of their sexual harassment training and reporting systems. ”

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Fresno Unified and community partners putting glasses on students in need

Fresno Bee

The Tzu-Chi Buddhist Foundation’s vision mobile unit visited Del Mar Elementary School in central Fresno on Wednesday morning to dispense free eye examinations and glasses.

 

California moves to curtail expelling children from preschool — yes, preschool

EdSource

After successfully reducing expulsions in its K-12 schools, California is now moving to restrict the practice with even younger children — at the preschool level. To that end, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation last month that bars state-subsidized preschool programs from expelling kids unless an exhaustive process aimed at supporting the child and family is followed first.

See also:

·       Will a college degree requirement lead to better, more respected preschool teachers? Washington Post

 

State board alters criteria for rating school performance on new state dashboard

EdSource

Citing methodology flaws, the State Board of Education on Wednesday revised criteria for rating performance on standardized test scores on the new color-coded California School Dashboard.

 

Hindus urge California state board to reject textbooks due to negative images

EdSource

As the State Board of Education prepares to adopt recommendations for new history social science textbooks on Thursday, it is being flooded with writtencomments – including many expressing concerns about negative portrayals of Hindus.

 

Latino students in California face steep inequities compared to white peers

EdSource

Latino youth in California make up a majority of the student population but face daunting obstacles in schools, including less access to quality preschools, honors classes and college counseling than their white peers, according to a report by Education Trust-West released this week.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Bakersfield College unveils design for new veterans center

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield College students now have an idea of what their new Veterans Resource Center will look like. On Wednesday, the community college unveiled art designs for the new center, which is expected to be a one-stop-shop where veterans can get counseling services, educational advice and tutoring. It is also set to include a study area and computer lab.

 

Cal State trustees call for preserving legal protections for ‘Dreamers’

Los Angeles Times

California State University’s board of trustees unanimously passed a resolutionWednesday encouraging leaders of the nation’s largest public university system and each of its 23 campuses to support and advocate for the continued protection of their 8,300 “Dreamer” students and hundreds more faculty and staff members.

 

Executives who resigned from UC were involved in audit interference

San Francisco Chronicle

One of the two executives who resigned this week from the University of California president’s office wrote emails directing campuses to reveal and sometimes alter their answers in a confidential state auditor’s survey, which tainted the review and prompted the state to demand an investigation. The other was his boss, who was copied on many of the emails.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Emissions fall under California’s cap-and-trade program

Los Angeles Times

Industries regulated under California’s cap-and-trade program reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 5% in 2016, according to new data released by state officials. Richard Corey, executive director of the California Air Resources Board, said the numbers show the state is on track to meet its emission-reduction targets in 2020 and 2030.

 

America Is Officially The Only Nation On Earth To Reject The Paris Agreement

Forbes

War-torn Syria just announced they will sign the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only country on Earth that hasn’t signed the agreement to tackle climate change.

 

Energy:

 

Kern a ‘microcosm of the world energy portfolio,’ summit speaker says in calling for balanced approach to production

Bakersfield Californian

Scott Tinker is an advocate of what he calls the radical middle — a path to the world’s energy future that seeks a cleaner future by balancing the use of fossil fuels with the drive for renewable energy. And Kern County can show the way, he said. Tinker, the director of the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin and co-producer of the energy documentary “Switch,” was the keynote speaker at the Kern County Energy Summit Wednesday morning.

 

End may be nearing for Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

San Francisco Chronicle

The California Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday issued a proposed decisionthat would approve plans by Diablo Canyon’s owner, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., to shut it down when the plant’s operating licenses expire, in 2024 and 2025

 

Lancaster Choice Energy – A Sustainable Energy Solution for the City of Lancaster

PublicCEO

Lancaster Choice Energy (LCE), the City of Lancaster’s Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, is rooted in the City’s innovative efforts to promote renewable energy and become the nation’s first net-zero energy city. While the City of Lancaster originally set a goal to become a net-zero city by 2020, as of 2017 the City already has achieved net-zero status, purchasing and generating more renewable energy as a City than it consumes.

 

Tom Steyer isn’t the only energy and environmental player trying to reach Trump on Fox News

Washington Post

In 2017, the loudest — and with President Trump, potentially the most persuasive — debate over energy and environmental policy is not happening in a Senate committee hearing. Nor is it happening in a White House meeting room. It’s occurring between segments of “Fox & Friends.”

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

State Stem cell agency plots against its own death

Capitol Weekly

California’s $3 billion stem cell research program later this month is expected to unveil detailed plans for extending its life beyond the middle of 2020 in hopes of avoiding a lingering death.

 

How California ranks in the nation’s opioid epidemic

San Diego Union-Tribune

With the nation in the grip of a deadly opioid crisis, California seems to have been spared to some degree when compared with many other states. But the human toll it has taken on the most populous state is still staggering.

 

Insurers See Jump in Sign-Ups for Affordable Care Act

WSJ

Heading into the second week of the Affordable Care Act’s annual open-enrollment period, early sign-ups and traffic appear strong, according to industry and government officials, with more than 600,000 people selecting plans through the federal HealthCare.gov website in the initial days.

See also

·       Governors’ Obamacare Waiver Power Would Broaden Under GOP Proposal Roll Call

·       Rising Obamacare costs frighten some early retirees  CNN

 

IMMIGRATION

  

More California Democrats say they won’t vote to keep government open without fix for DACA

Los Angeles Times

Half a dozen California Democrats joined House colleagues Wednesday to say they won’t back a bill that allows the federal government to spend money unless Congress passes the Dream Act to address the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people who were brought to the country illegally as children.

 

Central American immigrants worry after Trump signals end to program protecting them from deportation

Los Angeles Times

After 25 years of cleaning hospitals, hotels and houses that belonged to others, Iris Acosta was on the verge of realizing her dream of owning a home. Then her real estate agent discovered something that made the 51-year-old Honduran’s life seem suddenly more uncertain: She had temporary protected status as an immigrant.

 

Amid Immigration Crackdown, Cities Step in With Free Legal Aid

Pew Charitable Trust | Stateline

By law, if you’re charged with a crime in the U.S., you have a right to counsel, no matter your ability to pay. That’s not the case in immigration court.

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Contractor files $6 million claim against Kings and partners for work on downtown hotel

Sacramento Bee

The Sacramento Kings and their downtown development partners have been hit with two legal claims for $6.3 million in unpaid work at the Sawyer hotel and condominium tower project. The 16-story tower, still under construction, is part of the emerging downtown arena district and a key piece of the Kings’ plans to turn the area in a recreation hub. The hotel portion of the tower opened last month, a year behind its initially planned debut.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

House Panel Set to Vote as Senate Enters Fray: Tax Debate Update

Bloomberg

It’s crunch time for Republican tax-writers on Thursday. The House Ways and Means Committee enters its final day of hammering out its tax-cut legislation, while a Senate panel plans to reveal its own version. Here are the latest developments, updated throughout the day: Obamacare Mandate Repeal Still Possible (11:16 a.m.) Ways and Means Republicans are waiting on updated scores from the Joint Committee on Taxation before deciding whether to include the repeal of the Obamacare individual mandate in their revised tax bill, according to a person participating in the drafting process. Brady told Republicans that including the individual mandate repeal is still a possibility if they need that revenue to offset other changes they plan to make during Thursday’s committee hearing.

See also:

·       GOP tax bill would add $1.7 trillion to debt: CBO TheHill

·       Gary Cohn: Trickle-down is good for the economy CNBC

·       The Trump tax reform Kansas conservatives regret  BBC News Tax-cut proponents ignore that there’s no free lunch  Brookings Institute

·       GOP bill would hike taxes on 31 percent of middle-class Americans by 2027, study finds  Washington Post

·       New Estimates Show How Far the Benefits of the House Tax Bill Tilt to the Wealthy  California Budget & Policy Center

·       A closer look at the classroom-expenses deduction for teachers: How big is it? PolitiFact

·       A Tax Bill in Plain English? Senate Finance Committee Is Already There Roll Call

·       All the GOP’s Eggs Are Now in the Tax Basket Roll Call

·       Thursday Tax Changes Will Plug Budget Hole, Brady Says Roll Call

·       Republicans will need to work with Democrats to pass tax reform Brookings Institute

·       To Help Families, Don’t Cut Their Taxes  Bloomberg

·        Trump tax plan: state and local tax deduction for pass through businessesBusiness Insider

·       House Panel Set to Vote as Senate Enters Fray: Tax Debate UpdateBloomberg

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Fingerprinting not required for Uber and Lyft drivers in California

Sacramento Bee

Despite a push by the taxi industry, California will not require Uber and Lyft to fingerprint their drivers. The California Public Utilities Commission is set to adopt new rules on background checks for ride-hailing services during its meeting, 9:30 a.m. in San Francisco. The proposed regulations, which were released last month, mandate companies conduct annual screenings of their drivers with firms that are accredited by a national association.

 

Uber says it will bring its flying taxis to Los Angeles in 2020

Los Angeles Times

The ride-hailing firm announced Wednesday that L.A. will be one of the first cities served by UberAir, which it says will begin ferrying passengers across the region in electric aircraft in 2020. Aviation manufacturers such as Embraer, Bell Helicopter, Pipistrel, Aurora Flight Sciences, and Mooney Aviation will supply and pilot the aircraft. Uber will operate the software that passengers use to book a trip and take a commission, much like with Uber rides on the ground.

 

There’s Now An Electric Highway In California

Forbes

The idea of an electrified road is not new, but barely anyone has ever driven on one. That’s because the technology is new enough that it only exists in limited research situations. After all, not many people know how electric vehicles work, much less that it’s possible to recharge them while they move in the right situations.

 

WATER

 

Kings County and Semitropic officials meet

Hanford Sentinel

Kings County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Craig Pedersen says he met with officials from Semitropic Water Storage District including general manager Jason Gianquinto in October to discuss the Kern agency plan to build a water storage and transfer facility in Kings County. Kings County opposes the plan and has vowed to fight the issue in court if need be. Kings has collected a number of allies in the battle including both Fresno and Tulare counties who each depend on the Kings River.

 

 “Xtra”

 

Veterans Resource Center Ribbon Cutting

Clovis Community College

On Thursday, November 9th at 3pm we will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for our new Veterans Resource Center. Please RSVP Below. Thank You!

 

War veterans take flight

Sierra Star

Glenn York and William (Bill) Schlichting, both North Fork Korean War veterans, flew to Washington, D.C. last month on the 14th Central Valley Honor Flight, providing them the opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to them and the service they have given their country.

 

Toys for Tots drive underway

Sierra Star

The annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign has officially kicked off in Eastern Madera County with the placement of toy donation boxes and cash donation jars in more than 60 schools and businesses. Dennis Osantowski, in his fourth year as Toys for Tots coordinator, stated that this may be one of the toughest years for the program with all the fires leaving more needy families and children than previous years.

 

Visiting Yosemite will be easier on the wallet this weekend

Fresno Bee

Yosemite National Park, along with dozens of other national parks, are holding free entrance days during Veterans Day weekend. The park won’t charge entrance fees on Saturday and Sunday. “Fee-free days make parks accessible to more people,” according to the National Parks Service.

 

2017 Fresno Film Festival

Fresno Filmworks

The 2017 Fresno Film Festival, presented by Fresno Filmworks at the historic Tower Theatre, will feature eight exclusive feature-length movies from nine different countries, including special filmmaker appearances, social gatherings, and Q&A discussions. The festival is made possible by the generosity of manycommunity sponsors and current Filmworks members.

 

Community Calendar – Nov. 9 edition

Sierra Star

Community Calendar