April 20, 2018

20Apr

TOP POLITICAL STORIES​​​​​​​

 Valley Politics: 

What are Fresno State’s options to deal with the professor who did the Barbara Bush tweet?

Fresno Bee

In the aftermath of Randa Jarrar’s controversial tweets about Barbara Bush, people are asking whether Fresno State can fire the professor for her comments. Jarrar didn’t seem to think so Tuesday night, as she tweeted about her tenure and salary: “Sweetie I work as a tenured professor. I make 100k a year doing that. I will never be fired.”

See also:

      Some donors waver, others firm in support of Fresno State in wake of controversy Fresno Bee

     ACLU, free speech groups call for ‘halt’ to Fresno State teacher investigation Visalia Times Delta

      Cal State Fresno professor under fire for tweets attacking Barbara Bush Los Angeles Times

      The Politically Incorrect Randa Jarrar New York Times

      After calling Barbara Bush an ‘amazing racist,’ a professor taunts critics: ‘I will never be fired’ Washington Post

      Conservatives shouldn’t want Randa Jarrar fired Washington Post

Cost of High-Speed Rail project in Fresno jumps $300M

ABC30

The cost of the high-speed rail project in Fresno has now jumped by more than $300 million.

See also:

      Engineer pitches high speed rail project to Fresno State students The Collegian

Meet candidates vying to replace Clint Olivier on Fresno City Council

Fresno Bee

Candidates vying to replace Clint Olivier on the Fresno City Council will meet in a “Candidate Conversation” on Saturday morning, April 28. The event, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Fresno, begins at 11 a.m. at Stone Soup, 1345 Bulldog Lane.

Assembly unanimously passes two bills to combat valley fever

The Bakersfield Californian

Despite opposition from health officers, the State Assembly unanimously passed two bills Thursday authored by Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, that could streamline and standardize case reporting of valley fever, a respiratory disease endemic to Kern County and the southwestern United States.

Modesto gets another flunking grade for air pollution, but there is some good news

Modesto Bee

The San Joaquin Valley has made some strides in cleaning the air but continues to rank among the most polluted areas for ozone and soot in California, according to a 2018 American Lung Association report on air quality.

See also:

     Santa Cruz County air rated F because of wood smoke The Mercury News

Sacramento, Four Other Counties Roll Out New Voting Model

Public CEO

In addition to Sacramento County, Madera, Napa, Nevada and San Mateo counties will also be implementing the VCA in the June 2018 election. 

Veteran prosecutors battle to be District Attorney

Sierra Star

Two front-runners have emerged in the June 5 election for District Attorney: Paul Hornick and Sally Moreno. As a Deputy District Attorney in Madera, I know both. 

District attorney candidates respond to student, audience questions during packed debate

The Bakersfield Californian

District attorney candidates Scott Spielman and Cynthia Zimmer shared their vision for the county’s prosecuting office and answered questions regarding whether teachers should be armed, how to use body cameras as evidence and what they’d do to ensure wrongful convictions don’t occur during a 90-minute debate Thursday evening.

Business owners in Fresno being hit with lawsuits being forced to pay thousands or even close down

ABC30

Valley businesses are being hit with lawsuits for not being accessible. The Central Valley region ranks number three in the state with the number of lawsuits filed stemming from the Americans with Disabilities Act.

City of Wasco Seeks Qualified City Manager

Public CEO

Five years of managerial experience in a public or private agency is required. The previous salary of the City Manager was $168,146.00 with typical benefit package. The City Council has expressed a willingness to negotiate a competitive salary and benefit package in a multi-year employment agreement for the top candidate.

Memorial Medical Center fined by state after patient’s death

Modesto Bee

The state has issued a $71,000 fine against Memorial Medical Center after a serious medication error resulted in a patient’s death at the Modesto hospital.

Yosemite implements new pilot program to address traffic and safety

Sierra Star

Yosemite National Park has teamed up with the California Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol to launch a pilot program on April 26, to address traffic congestion and visitor safety at the Arch Rock Entrance Station.

See also:

·       Outdoor Recreation Driving Population Boom in Rural Areas The Pew Charitable Trusts

State Politics:

Trump escalates feud with California governor, refuses to pay for National Guard deployment

The Washington Post

President Trump has threatened to upend a tentative agreement between the state of California and federal officials to mobilize National Guard personnel and send them to the Mexican border, declaring via tweet Thursday that his administration will not pay for the deployment.

See also:

●     California officials say Pentagon has confirmed National Guard funding despite Trump threat Los Angeles Times

●      California Guard Says Federal Funding Approved Even As Trump Tweets Criticism  Capital Public Radio

●      Trump threatens to cut funding from California troop deployment Politico

●     Trump itches for a fight with Jerry Brown CALMatters

Whalen: Could Jerry Brown’s next gig be in D.C.?

The Sacramento Bee

Just as Jefferson spent four years in Paris as the young republic’s minister to France, Brown could relocate to Washington, D.C., which he visited again this week, to serve as lead emissary for the West Coast “shield. 

California’s next governor: These are the people running in the June 5 primary

Los Angeles Times

Welcome to your guide to the 2018 California governor’s race.

See also:

      Money pours into governor’s race as pro-Villaraigosa group hits the airwaves The Mercury News

      With recession in the rear view, a more upbeat California looks to choose a new governor Los Angeles Times

      John Cox’s interview with Laura Ingraham goes off the rails after guest insults Cox, Ingraham SF Gate

      Housing, immigration, inequality are among Californians’ concerns Los Angeles Times

     Sierra Club backs Gavin Newsom for California governor Los Angeles Times

     Gavin Newsom gets backing from doctors group, despite differences over single-payer healthcare Los Angeles Times

●     Calbuzz: Three Big Questions Shaping California Politics Calbuzz

●     Pro-charter contributions to support Villaraigosa’s bid for governor grow by $1 million EdSource

As lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom has had few duties — and he skipped many of them

Los Angeles Times

After Gavin Newsom was elected lieutenant governor, he repeatedly made clear his frustration with the job and its lack of responsibilities.

See also:

     Who would want to be lieutenant governor? There’s 11 on the list Modesto Bee

Inside the fight for the ‘soul’ of the California GOP

CALmatters

With the June primary approaching, there is a fight underway for the identity of the California Republican Party. “For us to be able to grow and expand, we have to move beyond this nationalist model,” said Mayes, elected in 2014 to represent parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “We’ve got to start having conversations with folks of all different colors, creeds, sexual orientation. We have to go to folks who we don’t traditionally go to.”

Will 2018 be the year of the young voter in California?

EdSource

Since 2013, the state Legislature has passed and Gov. Jerry Brown has signed no fewer than six laws aimed at adding young people to the voter rolls or making it easier for them to cast their votes on Election Day.

Divided California watchdog agency reduces chairwoman’s role despite opposition from governor’s office

Los Angeles Times

A power struggle inside the state’s political watchdog agency broke out into a public war of words between rival commissioners Thursday, after an advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown objected to a planned reshuffling of duties as a threat to policing campaign finances in California. 

Three sexual harassment lawsuits later, he’s still working for the state of California

Sacramento Bee

Dennis B. Kellogg has spent nearly three decades as a California state employee. He has moved nine times around six different departments in his tenure as a labor relations specialist – a strategy he says is common and even advantageous in that role. Others say he has been shuffled around because of repeat allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.  

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Louis Mirante on Housing and SB 827

Capitol Weekly

Nothing ever really dies in the Capitol, as the saying goes, but sometimes you come across a knockout blow.  And that’s what happened with SB 827, a sweeping bill aimed at addressing California’s housing crisis. To the surprise of just about everybody and after months of media attention, the measure was rejected decisively in its first committee hearing

State auditor: California doing a poor job on homelessness

The Bakersfield Californian

California is doing a poor job of sheltering the nation’s largest homeless population and needs to provide statewide leadership to address the problem, the state auditor said Thursday in a report that also singled out problems with homeless services in Los Angeles County.

See also:

     California doing a poor job on homeless crisis — especially LA County, state audit finds 89.3 KPCC

California’s plan to protect net neutrality will shield consumers from telecom bullies

Los Angeles Times

Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and other big internet service providers must be wondering if they didn’t outsmart themselves by lobbying the federal government to kill network neutrality rules. President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, served as the executioner last December.

Gay ‘conversion therapy’ services would be banned under measure advancing in California

Los Angeles Times

The California Assembly voted Thursday to add gay “conversion therapy” to the state’s list of deceptive business practices, following a debate that focused on the personal experiences of several lawmakers and hinted at potential lawsuits to come.

See also:

     California lawmakers move to limit gay conversion therapy The Washington Post

Kamala Harris’ rapid rise confounds California

Politico

Kamala Harris has been called “the female Barack Obama.” She’s built a national following with her outspoken criticism of Donald Trump and prolific fundraising for fellow Democrats. But the California senator’s rapid rise — she’s just 15 months into her first term — has created an awkward issue.

Federal Politics:

Freedom Caucus seeks to make McCarthy pay to become speaker

Politico

The Freedom Caucus is prepared to exact a price from Kevin McCarthy if he wants to be the next speaker of the House — three years after foiling his first bid for the job. 

California’s GOP House members are taking their challengers more seriously and the numbers show it

Los Angeles Times

For much of last year, consultants and campaign managers for some of California’s most vulnerable Republican incumbents maintained a bullish tone on the prospect that the GOP would hold the House in this year’s midterms.

Democrats Have Neglected Online Privacy

Wall Street Journal

Mark Zuckerberg’s apology tour in Washington was commendable but beside the point. Facebook isn’t responsible for protecting Americans’ online privacy and can’t solve the larger problem on its own. That’s up to Congress, where efforts at online privacy legislation have languished for years. 

Other:

Special Report: The Columbine shooting was 19 years ago. An exclusive Post analysis shows 200,000 students have experienced gun violence since.

The Washington Post

Beyond the dead and wounded, children who witness the violence or cower behind locked doors to hide from it can be profoundly traumatized. The Post has found that at least 131 children, educators and other people have been killed in assaults, and another271 have been injured.

See also:

      COMMUNITY VOICES: Today, students march to keep guns off campuses Bakersfield Californian

●     April Is A Cruel Month For This Columbine Teacher And Survivor NPR

      Students Begin Nationwide Walkout in Protest Over Gun Violence WSJ

     Gunned Down: The Power of the NRA FRONTLINE – PBS

New Push for Senators to Pay Their Interns (NOTE:  The Maddy Institute is one of the few public policy institutes that provides scholarships for its leg interns.)

Roll Call

Ideas to boost diversity on the Hill have been thrown around, and the numbers are slowly improving. But what if the solution was right in front of everyone, sitting at tiny shared desks in congressional offices? Paid interns.

See also:

●      Opinion: We Can’t Afford Not to Pay Interns Roll Call

●     Intern Success Story: How to Get Hired Right Away Roll Call

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING  

Sunday, April 22, at 9 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “To Catch a Thief: Workers Comp Fraud”​ – Guest: California State Auditor, Elaine Howle. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, April 22, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report ​ – Valley Views Edition​: “Prosecuting Workers Comp Fraud in the Valley” – Guests: Manuel Jimenez (Fresno County District Attorney’s Office), Janelle Crandell (Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office), Spencer Johnston (Tulare County District Attorney’s Office), Dave McKillop (Kern County District Attorney’s Office). Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler. 

Sunday, April 22, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Workers Comp Fraud”  Guest: Margarita Fernandez, PIO State Auditor’s Office. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

Support the Maddy Daily HERE.

Thank you! 

Topics in More Detail…

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

California peach canners feeling sour over schools buying imported food

Fresno Bee

Is your kid eating canned peaches from China at school? If so, California peach farmers aren’t happy about it. The state’s canned peach industry is behind an effort in Congress to tighten the rules for buying imported food for the federal school lunch program. 

How local farms are evolving beyond CSA

San Francisco Chronicle

A visit to Noci Sonoma means grabbing a handbasket and passing through a square metal portal that opens into 24 acres of fruit, vegetable, herb and flower gardens, ready to pick your own produce.

Central Valley prepares for the first legal 420, a ‘high holiday’ for marijuana

Modesto Bee

Mention 420 in a crowd and you’ll probably get one of two reactions: a bemused stare or a grinning nod.

See also:

      Sacramento’s pot czar to make compliance inspections at local 4/20 events Sacramento Bee

      Cannabis gaining mainstream acceptance, smokers say, but confusion about the law remainsBakersfield Californian

      Do a majority of Americans live in states with legal marijuana? PolitiFact

●      The great California cannabis experiment lurches forward Los Angeles Times

     Happy 4/20? How marijuana legalization is ruining the unofficial stoner holiday. Washington Post

     On 4/20 Chuck Schumer To Introduce Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana NPR

     Amid “Green Rush” Of Legal Cannabis, California Strives To Control Adverse Effects On Water Water Education Foundation

●     Do Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Addictions and Deaths Related to Pain Killers? RAND

     Pot 101: Facts you should know about California’s legal marijuana PolitiFact California

America and the World Need a Strong Farm Bill

Roll Call

Decisions made in Washington this year will directly impact Chris and most farmers across the country. For one, the Farm Bill will determine what types of tools Chris has to manage potential risks – ranging from severe weather to commodity price swings.

When Is It Safe to Eat Salad Again?

New York Times

For lovers of leafy greens, these are not salad days. A multistate outbreak of E. coli infections has been linked to bags of chopped romaine lettuce, and information from different sources about the risk has been confusing, making many of us scared to eat salad.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE​ ​/​ ​FIRE​ ​/​ ​PUBLIC SAFETY

For stories on  ”gun control,” See: “Top Stories – Other Politics,” above

Crime:

Seniors face higher rates of violent crime in Fresno County than statewide average

Fresno Bee

An analysis of data from the state Department of Justice indicates that in 2016, the rate of violent crimes – homicide, rape, robbery and assault – against victims age 60 and older was higher in Fresno County than all but 10 of California’s 58 counties.

Tulare County DA teams up with U.S. Attorney’s Office to target violent criminals

ABC30

They’re in every community, officials say: Hardened criminals, preying on law-abiding people and making their neighborhoods less safe.

See also:

     DA, feds target ‘knuckleheads’ in Tulare County Visalia Times Delta

 Proposed law makes it a felony to hurt a police dog or horse

Fresno Bee

Two California legislators are trying to improve protections for police dogs and horses who get hurt in the line of duty.

See also:

     New bill looks to protect police dogs  ABC30 

Public Safety:

Consultant: SJ should split sheriff’s, coroner’s offices

Stockton Record

A consultant has recommended separating the duties of sheriff and coroner in San Joaquin County and establishing a separate, independent medical examiner’s office operated by a physician and not the sheriff.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

April 2018: Personal Income Tax Tracker

LAO

April is a major revenue month for the state. This post includes two graphs that track the state’s progress in meeting the administration’s January 2018 projection for April receipts.

Trump Tax Plan Will Make U.S. Only Advanced Economy to See Its Public Debt Ratio Increase, IMF Warns

Newsweek

The United States is the only country with an advanced economy that will see its public debt ratio increase over the next three to five years, according to a new report issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Jobs:

Job Killer Update: CalChamber Identifies Three Additional Bills

CalChamber

The California Chamber of Commerce today added three more bills to its job killer list, bringing the total number of job killers to 27.

EDUCATION 

For stories on “school shootings” See: “Top Stories – Other Politics,” above

K-12:

Barlow campaigns for Kings County superintendent of schools

Hanford Sentinel

Todd Barlow, candidate for Kings County Office of Education superintendent of schools, held a meet and greet on April 6 at the train depot in Lemoore to lay out his platform to supporters. “The grassroots energy is exciting,” Barlow said in a press release, adding he has received a good deal of encouragement from the educational community.

More California teenagers are pre-registering to vote after March gun violence protests

EdSource

In the three weeks since the March walkouts, there’s been a surge in potential new voters with the pre-registration of 7,090 16- and 17-year-olds between March 14 and April 2. “The uptick in activity is undeniable,” said California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

See also:

     Will 2018 be the year of the young voter in California? EdSource

Hundreds of school walkouts planned on Columbine anniversary

The Sacramento Bee

Another wave of student walkouts is expected to disrupt classes Friday at hundreds of schools across the U.S. as young activists press for tougher gun laws. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, which left 13 people dead in Littleton, Colorado.

See also:

     Students to walk out across United States in call for gun reform Reuters

California court rules that truancy can’t be punished by incarceration

SFGate

Repeated truancy from school is illegal. But it’s not a crime that can get you locked up, a state appeals court said Thursday, even when you’re defying orders from a police officer as well as your parents. 

Arizona Teachers Vote To Strike, Sparking First-Ever Statewide Walkout

NPR

Teachers in Arizona held a strike vote on Thursday that launched Arizona’s first-ever statewide walkout and turned down a proposed pay raise — instead demanding increased school funding. The Arizona Education Association and the grass-roots group the Arizona Educators United announced that teachers will walk off the job April 26.

Higher Ed 

California State University cancels tuition hike plan

The Fresno Bee

California State University has abandoned its plans to raise tuition next year.

See also:

     Tuition will not increase at California State University next year Sacramento Bee

     Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: ‘It’s the right thing to do, but it’s not without risk’ Los Angeles Times

University of California union votes for strike, commencement speakers urged to boycott

OCRegister

The union that says it represents more than 25,000 employees in the University of California system announced today that 97 percent of its members have voted to authorize a strike. The union also called today on speakers invited to participate at upcoming UC graduation events to support workers by boycotting university engagements until the labor dispute is resolved.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Modesto gets another flunking grade for air pollution, but there is some good news

Modesto Bee

The San Joaquin Valley has made some strides in cleaning the air but continues to rank among the most polluted areas for ozone and soot in California, according to a 2018 American Lung Association report on air quality.

See also:

     Santa Cruz County air rated F because of wood smoke The Mercury News

Three steps we need to take, starting this Earth Day, to avoid a climate catastrophe

Sacramento Bee

A recent report by 30 leading scientists warned of “existential” threats to humanity posed by climate change. As coauthors of that report, we did not choose such a term lightly or with a melodramatic intent to scare people into action. 

Energy:

Most of us can’t afford to go all-electric. Here’s a fairer way to curb climate change

Sacramento Bee

On Wednesday, lawmakers in Sacramento are set to debate legislation aimed at taking away Californians’ right to make choices about the energy they use in their homes and businesses. Assembly Bill 3232 would drive up energy bills, make housing more expensive and stall innovation. State leaders should consider affordability and Californians’ preferences.

EPA to unveil policy aimed at avoiding legal action over oil and gas polluters: source

TheHill

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) office of enforcement will announce a new policy aimed specifically at helping polluters in the oil and gas industry, The Hill has learned.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Modesto gets another flunking grade for air pollution, but there is some good news

Modesto Bee

The San Joaquin Valley has made some strides in cleaning the air but continues to rank among the most polluted areas for ozone and soot in California, according to a 2018 American Lung Association report on air quality.

See also:

     Santa Cruz County air rated F because of wood smoke The Mercury News

Memorial Medical Center fined by state after patient’s death

Modesto Bee

The state has issued a $71,000 fine against Memorial Medical Center after a serious medication error resulted in a patient’s death at the Modesto hospital. In November 2016, a woman suffering from confusion and kidney failure at Memorial was accidentally given the blood thinner heparin in an amount 25 times the usual dose, a state report says 

Report: Sugar-laden drink consumption on the rise among CA kids

San Diego union-Tribune

A new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research estimates that consumption of sodas, sports drinks and other super-sweet beverages among children ages 2 through 11 has continued to rise since 2009 after six straight years of decline.

Do Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Addictions and Deaths Related to Pain Killers?

RAND

Recent work finds that medical marijuana laws reduce the daily doses filled for opioid analgesics among Medicare Part-D and Medicaid enrollees, as well as population-wide opioid overdose deaths.

IMMIGRATION

ICE enforcement ends in death of farmworkers, leaving anger and questions

Los Angeles Times

Celestino Hilario Garcia, his eyes bloodshot and his voice raw, struggled to explain that his brother’s and sister-in-law’s deaths were not his fault. A month ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had trained their sights on Santos Hilario Garcia. 

New Study Says Majority of Californians Want More Deportations

KABC

A surprising number of Californians support President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley found that 59% of all Californians support more deportations, even in the deep blue Bay area, plus 53% of Latinos.

See also:

·       Laguna Niguel opts out of sanctuary status, joining growing group of cities opposing California’s new law  OCRegister

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Experience a weekend escape at a campsite in the sky in Sequoia National Forest

Los Angeles Times

Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in a fire lookout tower? At 4,900 feet high and 40 steep steps off the ground, Oak Flat Lookoutin the Greenhorn Mountains of the Sequoia National Forest about an hour’s drive northeast of Bakersfieldis basically a campsite in the sky.

Housing:

Yelp CEO calls on Google, Facebook to help housing crisis

San Francisco Chronicle

Two days after a controversial state bill to allow more housing near public transit was stopped dead in its tracks, one of its biggest supporters — Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman — called on other tech leaders to pressure their local governments to expand housing near their campuses.

Democrats’ housing problem

Washington Post

Since the late 1950s, economists have paid attention to “housing starts” — the number of times in a month that ground is broken to build a home. In recent years, however, economists have started to pay closer attention to something we might call “housing stops”: the thicket of laws and regulations that make it harder for communities to build.

PUBLIC FINANCES

 U.S. to fine Wells Fargo $1 billion for misdeeds in auto, mortgage markets — the most aggressive bank penalty of the Trump era

The Washington Post

The regulators — the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency — have been investigating Wells Fargo for months after it acknowledged charging thousands of customers for auto insurance they didn’t need, driving some to default on their loans and lose their cars through repossession.

Trump tariffs are more likely to kill U.S. jobs than create them, Fed economists say

Bloomberg

President Trump may hope his tariffs on imported steel and aluminum will create new jobs, or at least protect existing ones. Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said the opposite outcome was more likely.

TRANSPORTATION 

Cost of High-Speed Rail project in Fresno jumps $300M

ABC30

The cost of the high-speed rail project in Fresno has now jumped by more than $300 million.

See also:

      Engineer pitches high speed rail project to Fresno State students The Collegian

Uber or Lyft? Sacramento’s newest rideshare competitor may be Regional Transit

Sacramento Bee

Residents in nearly a dozen Sacramento County areas may soon be able to order a bus to their front door and have it drop them off where they want in the neighborhood – at the tap of a smartphone app and for a flat fee of $2.75.

California should set ambitious goal for low-carbon automotive fuels

San Francisco Chronicle

California is a global leader in tackling climate change, yet it is infamous for cars, traffic and smog. In fact, the state’s automobiles produce almost 40 percent of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, more than any other source.

See also:

·       Is it a good idea to roll back California’s strict vehicle standards? The San Diego Union-Tribune

WATER

Prop.1 grants should include groundwater storage

Capitol Weekly

In the coming weeks, the California Water Commission is set to announce its comparative ratings of proposed water storage investments, allocating up to $2.7 billion in taxpayer dollars that will shape the State’s future water storage strategy and help us through future droughts 

How California Water Suppliers Are Getting Earthquake-Ready

KQED

State officials and local agencies know the clock is ticking, and mile by mile, pipe by pipe, work crews are replacing or retrofitting water lines throughout much of the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas.

Amid ‘Green Rush’ of Legal Cannabis, California Strives to Control Adverse Effects on Water

Water Education Foundation

The “green rush” from a newly legal recreational cannabis industry has introduced a host of issues as state and local officials seek to stay on top of a quickly growing industry. State Water Resources Control Board officials have crafted regulations that are unique to the cannabis industry, including a small irrigation use permit specifically for cannabis growers with unique terms and conditions. Yet no one really knows whether growers will widely accept the new regulations or shrug them off as too burdensome. 

“Xtra”

The 2018 Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference

Bakersfield Californian

The 2018 Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference was held at the Rabobank Convention Center in Bakersfield with keynote speaker Laila Ali speaking at noon Thursday.

Valley Cultural Calendar

Valley Cultural Coalition

Great things are happening in the Valley. Here’s a list of VCC member offerings to keep you busy and entertained! 

Kern Mega Adoption Event

Bakersfield Californian

In the market for a new furry friend? Local shelters and rescues are teaming up for the second Kern Mega Adoption Event, where prospective pet parents can check out animals from several different agencies all in one place, at the Kern County Fairgrounds. 

EDITORIALS

All of these people have died in school shootings since Columbine. Enough.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

Exactly nineteen years ago, 13 people were killed at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. At the time, it was the deadliest high school shooting — and one of the worst mass shootings — in modern U.S. history. Now it’s not even one of the 10 worst — and students and adults are still dying on our country’s campuses.

Even on 4/20, California needs clear-headed policies on pot

Sacramento Bee

There will be plenty of stoned Californians on Friday, the first 4/20 celebration since recreational marijuana became legal in the state. Thank goodness that some sober folks in the Legislature are finally taking on a major problem – how to handle all the cashin what is projected to be a $7 billion industry by 2020. 

We need clear-headed policies on pot

Modesto Bee

There will be plenty of stoned Californians wandering around on Friday, the first 4/20 celebration since recreational marijuana became legal in the state. Thank goodness that some sober folks in the Legislature are finally taking on a major problem – how to handle all the cash in what is projected to be a $7 billion industry by 2020.

End federal marijuana prohibition, return responsibility to the states

OCRegister

Federal marijuana prohibition has been nothing short of a grotesque and wasteful failure, which is why we urge President Trump to honor commitments he made last week to support legislation to return responsibility for marijuana policy to the states. 

SB 827 is dead. But California still can — and should — build more housing near transit

Los Angeles Times

Few bills in Sacramento have gotten as much attention or stirred up as much controversy recently as SB 827, Sen. Scott Wiener’s bold proposal to override local zoning laws to allow the construction of buildings four to five stories tall near rail stations and frequently served bus stops — even in single-family neighborhoods where dense development is prohibited.

Tariffs are no more than wishful thinking     

OCRegister

Trade wars and tariffs aren’t the key to prosperity or protecting American workers. Throughout his presidential campaign, and even long before he ever announced his presidential ambitions, Donald Trump has lambasted international trade agreements as being unfair to the United States and to American workers.

 

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

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno was established to honor the legacy of one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.

                                                      

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