Maddy Institute – April 28, 2020

28Apr

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Modesto, area cities brace for major budget shortfalls due to coronavirus crisis

Modesto Bee

Now, Turlock and Stanislaus County’s other cities are bracing for the pandemic to reduce their general fund budgets, which pay for basic services, from police and fire to parks and recreation.

Opinion: Why Patterson mayor broke from Stanislaus mayors on coronavirus, in her own words

Modesto Bee

When seven of the nine mayors in Stanislaus County recently signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking to aggressively reopen businesses here, I wondered why two didn’t.

Central SJ Valley:

Is it time to let Fresno’s non-essential businesses to reopen? City leader makes a case

Fresno Bee

The call to re-open Fresno’s small businesses grew on Monday with the voice of a second member of the Fresno City Council.

● Here’s what Fresno’s top health official said about safely reopening local businesses Fresno Bee

● How close is the Valley to conducting enough tests to reopen confidently? Abc30

● Fresno councilmembers call for reopening of non-essential businesses Business Journal

’They hate me:’ How Devin Nunes taps into Trump outrage to raise millions for his campaign

Fresno Bee

Rep. Devin Nunes sent out a campaign fundraising pitch on the afternoon of Feb. 13 with the subject line: “They hate me.” Between that day and the next, nearly $50,000 flooded into Nunes’ campaign account.

Critics say Fresno mayor’s COVID-19 committee lacks diversity. He defends ‘strong’ record

Fresno Bee

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced a 22-member committee last week to plan the city’s recovery from the coronavirus shutdown and it was swiftly criticized for its lack of diversity.

Fresno County Public Health Town Hall Addressed Testing Availability, COVID-19 In Winter

VPR

In lieu of its regular media briefing Friday, the Fresno County Department of Public Health held a virtual town hall where community members could submit their own questions about the coronavirus. The meeting was live-streamed on Facebook.

A Message from the City of Madera

Madera Tribune

The City of Madera has been working with local and state officials to adjust plans to help protect the safety and well-being of residents and City employees.

COVID-19 business recovery task force in Tulare launched

Visalia Times Delta

The Tulare County Economic Development Corporation announced Tuesday the appointment of a task force to develop plans for economic recovery. The task force’s immediate job is to review economic damage, evaluate the local business survival efforts, and develop recovery plans.

State Sen. Borgeas: Reopening Calif’s economy needs a path forward; here are 5 steps how

CalMatters

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s early precautions enabled California to be better situated than many states and countries. We need to replicate this decisive direction to restart California’s economy while still protecting the health and welfare of our residents.

South SJ Valley:

Local doctors’ assertions on COVID-19 make waves on social media, attract national attention

Bakersfield Californian

A call by two local doctors last week to reopen the economy and lift social distancing orders caught fire on social media over the weekend, landing them an appearance on Fox News tonight while drawing strong criticism from medical and health professionals.

City recognized with fiscal budget award

Bakersfield Californian

The City of Bakersfield has received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Financial Officers Association for the 20th consecutive year.

Ridgecrest to discuss stay-at-home order during virtual town hall Wednesday

KGET

The city of Ridgecrest will hold a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday to get input from residents about the “safest and best way” to reopen the city.

Want California to reopen? Bakersfield says residents can do part by wearing masks

Bakersfield Californian

As Californians across the state shift from fearing the novel coronavirus to wondering when businesses and parks will reopen, the city of Bakersfield is encouraging residents to wear masks as a potential method toward returning to normalcy.

● How Effective Are Cloth Face Masks Anyway? Here Are The Fabrics Which Filter Out Airborne Particles Best Forbes

Taft City Council plans to allow businesses to reopen May 4

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County has been suppressing the rates for coronavirus infections and deaths, the letter states, but the city is concerned about the growing negative effects of business closures.

State:

California governor weighs easing virus order for businesses

Fresno Bee

California, Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering a strategy for slowly reopening business in a state divided between rural areas with small numbers of coronavirus cases and urban areas struggling with still-rising death tolls.

● California rural counties push to reopen as Bay Area opts to shelter through May Politico

● San Francisco had the 1918 flu under control. And then it lifted the restrictions. NBC News

● Photos of the 1918 flu pandemic in California California Sun

Gavin Newsom rebukes California beach-goers: ‘This virus doesn’t take the weekend off’

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday rebuked Californians who flocked to Southern California beaches over the weekend, warning that crowded beaches could prolong the stay-at-home orders he and local governments handed down last month to slow the coronavirus outbreak.

● California Governor To Beachgoers: Coronavirus ‘Doesn’t Take The Weekend Off’ Capital Public Radio

Where is state’s coronavirus equipment going? Newsom aides give details

San Francisco Chronicle

After prodding from state lawmakers, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration debuted a website Monday to let people track the shipment of coronavirus-related personal protective equipment across California.

CHP ban on protests over coronavirus sparks lawsuit by gun advocate, GOP candidate

Sacramento Bee

Days after the California Highway Patrol banned demonstrations at the state Capitol and other state properties because of coronavirus fears, a federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed in Sacramento accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom and the CHP of a “gross abuse of their power.”

Skelton: In the coronavirus crisis, California isn’t under one-party rule, it’s under one-man rule

Power abhors a vacuum. With the legislative and judicial branches basically shut down because of the virus, the executive has seized almost complete control over state government. And many legislators are smarting.

Federal:

House not coming back to Washington next week after all, Hoyer says

Roll Call

The House will not come back to Washington next week, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told reporters Tuesday, reversing an announcement he made on a Democratic Caucus conference call the previous day.

Doubts about testing remain in spite of Trump’s assurances

Fresno Bee

The White House released new guidelines aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation.

● 260,000 Words, Full of Self-Praise, From Trump on the Virus New York Times

Barr orders prosecutors to look for unconstitutional coronavirus rules

Los Angeles Times

Atty. Gen. William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments “that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.”

Local small businesses passed over by federal relief program may get another shot at it

Bakersfield Californian

Fortunately, a new round of help may indeed be on its way. Last week in bipartisan votes, Congress approved a second round of relief for struggling small businesses. The program restarted Monday with an infusion of another $320 billion.

● Some businesses won’t return funds despite pressure from Trump administration Washington Post

● 10 SoCal Businesses Are Suing Big Banks Over Federal Coronavirus Loans LAist

● Opinion: Congress and Trump have produced four emergency pandemic bills. Don’t expect a fifth anytime soon. Washington Post

● Opinion: The small business relief program is still broken Brookings

EDITORIAL: Senate report validates concerns about Russians’ election interference

San Francisco Chronicle

The U.S. intelligence community assessment that Russia conducted a sophisticated campaign to boost Donald Trump’s candidacy in the 2016 presidential election has received significant validation in a 158-page report that was endorsed unanimously by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Coronavirus Trackers:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California

Covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

● Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC

● Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic – WHO

● John Hopkins University & Medicine John Hopkins University

● Tracking coronavirus in California Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus Tracker San Francisco Chronicle

● Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count New York Times

● How many coronavirus cases have been reported in each U.S. state? Politico

● Coronavirus Daily NPR

● Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads Financial Times

● Coronavirus in California by the numbers CalMatters

Elections 2020:

Joe Biden keeps his lead over Donald Trump in presidential race, new polls show

Fresno Bee

Vice President Joe Biden would beat President Donald Trump in the general election, according to new polling data. RealClearPolitics polling shows Biden edging out Trump by an average of around 6 points.

● EDITORIAL: Joe Biden needs competence — not sizzle — from his vice presidential running mate Los Angeles Times

New York Cancels Primary Election, Angering Sanders Supporters

Capital Public Radio

State elections officials canceled New York’s Democratic presidential primary amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, a move that supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders strongly oppose.

Trump campaign lashes out over ‘Don’t defend Trump’ memo

Politico

Earlier this month, the Senate Republican campaign arm circulated a memo with shocking advice to GOP candidates on responding to coronavirus: “Don’t defend Trump, other than the China Travel Ban — attack China.” The Trump campaign was furious.

Not if, but how: California prepares for an all vote-by-mail election in November

CalMatters

This coming November, every one of California’s more than 20 million registered voters may receive a ballot in the mail — whether they ask for one or not. In fact, many election administrators and advocates say it’s inevitable.

Other:

Why do some people refuse to social distance? Experts have a few ideas

Fresno Bee

Social media posts and press interviews indicate people are still blatantly ignoring social distancing rules despite scientific evidence that says it’s needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease the virus causes.

● Rumor Control is Critical and Time-Consuming for States Pew Trusts

Some States Want to Track Your Phone – If You’re OK With That

Pew Trusts

The ACLU, in a recent white paper, cautioned that any system using cellphone data must be voluntary, encrypted, time-limited with a specific end point to the data collection, and conscious of the “rights of privacy and free association.”

Cable TV and Coronavirus: How Americans perceive the outbreak and view media coverage differ by main news source

Pew Research

In particular, the responses to COVID-19 news from those whose main source for political news is MSNBC or Fox News are strikingly different. The views of those who identify CNN as their main news source most often fit somewhere between the two.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, May 3, at 5 p.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: Groundwater Banking: Saving for a Not-So-Rainy Day – Guest: Alvar Escriva-Bou with the Public Policy Institute of California. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, May 3, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: Groundwater Recharge: Regionwide Challenges, Local Solutions? – Guest: Alan Hofman, General Manager of the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, May 3, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: Como Entender las Reservas del Presupuesto Estatal – Guests: Jacqueline Barocio & Lourdes Morales, investigadores de LAO y Alexei Koseff, Reportero de San Francisco Chronicle. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Employees at Hanford meat plant test positive for COVID-19

abc30

A South Valley facility has joined the growing list of meat processing plants across the country dealing with workers infected with the coronavirus.

Is coronavirus really causing the food supply chain to break? Here’s what experts say

Fresno Bee

Tyson said the prospect of closing down pork, beef and chicken plants because of the coronavirus has made the U.S. supply chain “vulnerable,” pointing to the potential for meat shortages and a growing concern over food waste.

Commentary: COVID-19 pandemic response elevates cannabis to mainstream

CalMatters

The recent decision of elected officials in California and elsewhere to embrace cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic has solidified its status as part of the mainstream fabric of America.

Commentary: Without Farmworkers You Wouldn’t Eat

The Nation

It is impossible to socially distance inside a food processing plant, so this pandemic has added a new threat to their work, and it could soon severely impact our food supply.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Federal inmates battle mixed messages on home confinement

Fresno Bee

The Bureau of Prisons has given contradictory and confusing guidance how it is deciding who is released to home confinement in an effort to combat the virus, changing requirements, setting up inmates for release and backing off and refusing to explain how it decides who gets out and when.

Opinion: A missed opportunity and tragic loss of life as Fresno’s gun violence remains constant

Fresno Bee

At a time when Fresno residents are strongly encouraged to stay home, shooting incidents are up 67% from the previous year. Among the recent cases is the April 16 death of 19-year-old Jacaree Fisher at the intersection of Valencia and Thorne avenues.

Public Safety:

As Protests Spread, States Tread Carefully to Avoid Inflaming Extremists

Pew Trusts

Trackers say extremist groups of all types are using the pandemic to foment misinformation, stoke anger against the government or prepare to take advantage of breakdowns in society.

After COVID-19 recovery, first responders get back to work

Hanford Sentinel

The new coronavirus doesn’t care about a blue uniform or a shiny badge. Police, firefighters, paramedics and corrections officers are just a 911 call away from contracting COVID-19 and spreading it.

Opinion: Supreme Court ducks a 2nd Amendment issue — for now

Los Angeles Times

It’s not often that a non-decision is a good decision, but the Supreme Court’s ruling Monday morning that it would not decide a New York City gun case was the right call.

Fire:

Cal Fire reminds property owners about hazard reduction burn rules

Sierra Star

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on April 23 announced burn rules for the Mountain Area, encouraging eastern Madera County residents to continue their hazard reduction burning while setting Friday, May 1 as the date burn permits are required in Mariposa County.

Fire badly damages historic downtown Modesto building, empty during coronavirus pandemic

Modesto Bee

An early-20th-century building in downtown Modesto, badly damaged by fire Monday morning, was a victim of the coronavirus stay-at-order, a co-owner said, looking on as firefighters worked to ensure the blaze was out.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Q&A with UC Merced economist Greg Wright: COVID-19’s impact on the economy

Merced Sun-Star

The global pandemic has caused record unemployment in the United States and the future of the economy and workforce is unclear. Economics Professor Greg Wright weighs in on the impact COVID-19 has had on the nation’s economy and what we can expect moving forward.

State Leaders Move to Protect Stimulus Checks from Debt Collectors

Route Fifty

The CARES Act, which authorized $1,200 payments, lacks the protections afforded to similar federal payments like Social Security checks that prevents that money from being seized by debt collectors.

Calif. could become 1st state to borrow to pay jobless benefits in crisis

San Francisco Chronicle

Within the next couple of weeks, California’s unemployment insurance fund — which was the most-insolvent state fund coming into the coronavirus crisis — will run out of money. It’s vying with New York and Ohio to be the first state fund to go negative since the last recession.

● California issues more details on unemployment for the self-employed San Francisco Chronicle

● States navigate jobless flood at different speeds Roll Call

Pockets of Rural America Are Less Vulnerable to Economic Fallout — For Now

Pew Trusts

But the small and isolated rural areas that lagged during the economic boom may fare better, relatively speaking, in the aftermath of the pandemic. Those places tend to be less tied to global and financial markets.

Jobs:

IRS Tells Thousands To Return To Work, With Their Own Face Masks

Capital Public Radio

Anyone who returns to work has to wear a face covering, the agency says, but it may not have enough for every employee. The House Ways and Means Committee called the move “completely irresponsible.”

Quirk in coronavirus relief law gives full $600 a week even to workers facing only cut hours

Los Angeles Times

California workers who see their hours cut as little as 10% due to the coronavirus outbreak are eligible to receive the entire $600-a-week federal subsidy offered in the $2-trillion federal rescue package, state officials and employment experts say.

● Opinion: Opinion: $1,200 Is a Start. But Americans Need Regular Direct Cash Payments Newsweek

On the open road, U.S. truck drivers face the coronavirus and new risks

Los Angeles Times

Just as the outbreak has helped some truckers prosper, it also has left some truckers idle and brought new concerns about their health and security on the road.

The US economy has wiped out all the job gains since the Great Recession

NBC

Combined with the prior four jobless claims reports, the number of Americans who have filed for unemployment over the last five weeks is 26.45 million. That number far exceeds the 22.442 million jobs added to payrolls since November 2009.

State, city workers could be next wave of layoffs as tax revenue dries up amid COVID-19

USA Today

State and municipal employees could be among the workers who lose their jobs in the next wave of layoffs as tax revenue that pays their salaries plunges amid the coronavirus pandemic.

EDUCATION

K-12:

‘Bad news’ for Fresno-area high school graduates, no ‘physical graduation ceremony’

Fresno Bee

As expected, Fresno high school graduates won’t have a “physical graduation” ceremony in June, Superintendent Bob Nelson announced Monday afternoon.

Fresno schools face big budget cuts amid coronavirus. Should they trim police funding?

Fresno Bee

California schools are bracing for multi-million dollar budget shortfalls in the wake of economic destruction sparked by coronavirus shutdowns, and Fresno schools are eyeing contracts with the city’s police department as they look for ways to cut costs.

Visalia Unified backs off 5th high school plans

Visalia Times Delta

A fifth Visalia high school won’t be built any time soon, as the district pivots to balancing the number of students attending each of its existing high schools and to modernizing its campuses.

AP Exams Are Still On Amid Coronavirus, Raising Questions About Fairness

VPR

Concerns about the coronavirus have put most standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, on hold this spring. But AP exams are going forward with a new online format — and that’s raising questions about fairness.

Richer Schools Not Necessarily Faster To Set Up Distance Learning

Capital Public Radio

A CalMatters analysis of more than 170 school districts’ pandemic response finds less correlation with wealth or geography than previous efforts to close digital divide.

Trump urges states to consider opening schools before summer

Fresno Bee

President Donald Trump says states should “seriously consider” reopening their public schools before the end of the academic year, even though dozens already have said it would be unsafe for students to return until the summer or fall.

‘Feeling like a failure.’ Parents overwhelmed teaching kids at home. Here are some tips

Sacramento Bee

NPR suggests that while teaching your child, it’s helpful to know their strengths — such as if they work better independently or need the extra support of working one-on-one with you.

Federal special education law must stay intact during school closures, DeVos says

EdSource

Responding to a request from Congress for recommendations on changes to special education requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, DeVos declined to waive the bulk of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, saying “learning must continue for all students during the COVID-19 national emergency.”

Higher Ed:

CSUB offers refunds on housing and parking, but some students want more

Bakersfield Californian

When Cal State Bakersfield announced it would move classes online for the remainder of the spring semester due to the coronavirus outbreak, some questions arose: How will classes work? Will students still be able to graduate? And will refunds be available?

Coronavirus and the law: California suspends bar exam this summer

San Francisco Chronicle

The California Supreme Court postponed the scheduled July bar exam Monday for about 8,000 law school graduates hoping to begin their legal careers but refused to cancel it, saying it would try instead to conduct a first-ever online exam in September.

● California postpones bar exam, aims to administer it remotely Reuters

Alone among public colleges, California Maritime Academy plans face-to-face classes

San Francisco Chronicle

Every public college in California plans to continue remote learning at least through the summer session to stem the coronavirus outbreak, except one. The Cal Maritime Academy in Vallejo could start face-to-face classes in late May.

Opinion: SCCCD proudly gives back to the community

Madera Tribune

The State Center Community College Foundation has created the COVID-19 Emergency Aid for Students fund. This fund provides relief for SCCCD students facing a financial crisis, including food or housing insecurity, technology needs or other unexpected financial emergencies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apprenticeships:

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

American Lung Association: Despite improvements, Kern still ranks last in air quality

Bakersfield Californian

Following the American Lung Association’s State of the Air annual report for 2020, air quality experts pointed to both progress made and hurdles that remain toward achieving improved air quality locally.

Go fish! Two North Valley lakes re-open with restrictions

abc30

A day of fishing is a welcome change for many families after several weeks with limited options for entertainment.

Will national parks reopen by summer? States, feds are working on a coronavirus plan

Fresno Bee

As much of the country shut down and people were instructed to stay home to put the brakes on the coronavirus pandemic, many national parks locked their gates.

American Lung Association: Despite improvements, Kern still ranks last in air quality

Bakersfield Californian

EDITORIAL: The coronavirus brought back plastic bag madness. Let’s make sure it’s temporary

Los Angeles Times

Among the many bad things to come out of the coronavirus pandemic is the resurgence of single-use plastic.

EDITORIAL: California has a chance for a green future after the coronavirus. Don’t waste it.

San Francisco Chronicle

Bears are taking over Yosemite meadows, and coyotes are wandering city streets. Hilltop sunsets never looked more pure and bright. Around the world, smog-glazed skies are giving way to blue vistas and fresh air. A deadly pandemic is slowing human activity and boosting wildlife in startling ways.

Energy:

Sign of the times: Dozens of oil tankers off California coast as demand plummets

Fresno Bee

Dozens of oil tankers anchor off the Californian coast near Los Angeles and Long Beach as the reduced demand for oil takes hold. The tankers are acting as storage tanks for oil as demand has reduced throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

● Slumping Oil Prices Swing Wildly Wall Street Journal

We can clearly see that reduced emissions should be a California goal

CalMatters

Angelenos are collectively amazed with our new coastal vistas — Catalina Island to the south and Point Dume to the north. My friends in Northern California report that they can even see the Point Reyes Peninsula from San Francisco’s coastline.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno County nears 500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, officials report

Fresno Bee

Fresno County reported nearly 40 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, including cases confirmed over the weekend. The total number of cases confirmed is close to 500.

● Total Merced County coronavirus cases rise to 110, recoveries increase to 73 Merced Sun-Star

● Stanislaus County announces sixth and seventh deaths related to coronavirus Modesto Bee

● Coronavirus update, April 28: Stanislaus deaths at seven; new effort brings free meds Modesto Bee

● 28 new cases, no new deaths, no new recoveries Visalia Times Delta

● Coronavirus update: No new deaths, Tulare County cases surpass 500 Visalia Times Delta

● Kings County now at 67 total COVID-19 cases Hanford Sentinel

● Kern County announces fifth COVID-19 death Bakersfield Californian

● Case fatality rates rise as coronavirus runs deadly course The Hill

Five more nursing homes, in Fresno and Tulare counties, report coronavirus cases

Fresno Bee

Coronavirus has been reported in five more nursing homes in California’s central San Joaquin Valley in both Fresno and Tulare Counties.

● Ten residents test positive for COVID-19 at Linwood Meadows abc30

● Third COVID-19 outbreak hits Tulare County nursing home Visalia Times Delta

● Another nursing home outbreak; now 3 deaths at Sierra View Porterville Recorder

● Coronavirus update April 26: Turlock care home reports cases; city budgets see losses Modesto Bee

● COVID-19 has brought havoc to nursing homes. Will pandemic end ‘warehousing’ the elderly? Sacramento Bee

● Opinion: After Coronavirus, Nursing Homes Need More Scrutiny Wall Street Journal

CDC Adds 6 Symptoms To Its COVID-19 List

VPR

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added several new symptoms to its existing list of symptoms for COVID-19.

● CDC adds new symptoms to list of possible COVID-19 signs San Francisco Chronicle

● CDC confirms six coronavirus symptoms showing up in patients over and over Washington Post

● New study raises concerns about lingering coronavirus particles in air The Hill

● Cancer patients are nearly three times more likely to die of covid-19, study says Washington Post

As Coronavirus Lockdowns Ease, WHO Urges Caution

Wall Street Journal

More U.S. states and countries around the world prepared to relax coronavirus-containment measures, while Germany’s infection rate began rising again and the head of the World Health Organization warned that the pandemic is far from over.

Medicaid to Play Key Role in Response to Coronavirus

Pew Trusts

Anticipating a surge in Medicaid costs for states at a time when they can least afford it, Congress chose the program as one of the earliest targets for relief dollars in its multi-bill stimulus package to resuscitate the ailing U.S. economy.

Human Services:

Will Child Care Be There When States Reopen?

Pew Research

As some governors prepare to lift stay-at-home orders, child care advocates warn that if child care centers cannot survive, it’ll be harder for parents to return to work.

High demand for antibody tests coming from those who think they had COVID-19

abc30

There’s an increasing need for testing to confirm cases of COVID-19. More recently, there’s also a demand for antibody tests from those who think they had the virus before tests were even available.

● Poll: Cost makes nearly 1 in 10 leery of seeking COVID care KGET 17

Turlock philanthropic partnership offers free medications, prescription assistance

Modesto Bee

The CHCA Charitable Pharmacy, opened in early April as the coronavirus pandemic was taking hold. It’s the first charitable pharmacy in the Central Valley and one of only a handful in California.

Patients Are Being Billed For Some Phone Chats With Doctors That Used To Be Free

VPR

Patients say doctors and insurers are charging them upfront for video appointments and phone calls — and not just copays but sometimes the entire cost of the visit, even if it’s covered by insurance.

Many Health Providers on Brink of Insolvency

Pew Trusts

Elective surgeries and routine medical care are on hold. As a result, medical providers of all kinds are seeing drastic reductions in patient visits and crushing losses of revenue. At the same time, some continue to pay wages along with rent and other overhead costs.

Opinion: The Supreme Court just restored another piece of Obamacare — years too late

Los Angeles Times

Looks like health insurers will get their “bailout” after all. The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Congress muffed the effort, led by Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Tim Griffin, to deny insurers the money Congress promised to pay them if they wound up shouldering an unexpected amount of risk in the fledgling Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges

● Supreme Court Rules Government Must Pay Insurers Under Affordable Care Act Program Wall Street Journal

● EDITORIAL: ObamaCare’s Latest Taxpayer Beating Wall Street Journal

IMMIGRATION

Newsom plays ‘anti-Trump’ by helping undocumented immigrants

San Francisco Chronicle

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a staunch supporter of immigrant rights, announced a $125 million relief fund for undocumented immigrants.

ACLU petitions Newsom, Becerra to reduce jail populations, freeze ICE transfers amid pandemic

Sacramento Bee

The American Civil Liberties Union filed two lawsuits against California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra late Friday, demanding a reduction in jail populations and a freeze on ICE transfers due to the coronavirus.

● Lawsuits ask high court to stop transfers from prisons to detention centers San Francisco Chronicle

Americans support state restrictions on businesses and halt to immigration during virus outbreak, Post-U. Md. poll finds

Washington Post

Support for a temporary halt to nearly all immigration is another sign of public wariness as the country tries to quell the spread of the virus. In the past, support for legal immigration has been consistently strong.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Shade structure installed at Lowell Park

Bakersfield Californian

A shade structure was recently installed at Lowell Park in Bakersfield. It will be open for picnic reservations once social distancing restrictions are eased, according to the Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department.

Housing:

Influx of federal funds will help keep veterans off the streets

Stockton Record

Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton is receiving an influx of federal emergency funding to help get homeless veterans off the streets and in hotels during the ongoing public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Eviction Warnings Cause Fear, Confusion For California Renters Amid COVID-19

Capital Public Radio

California’s courts put a freeze on most eviction proceedings earlier this month. But landlords can still start the process, even though they cannot currently ask courts to physically remove tenants who do not pay their rent on time.

Opinion: On housing, as with coronavirus and climate change, California must follow the evidence

Fresno Bee

The pandemic is making the housing crisis worse – and vice versa; over 150,000 of our unhoused neighbors continue to face this crisis with no home to shelter in.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Why State Budget Officials Worry About COVID-19’s Impact on Sales Taxes

Pew Trusts

Sales taxes have provided a relatively stable source of revenue for states in previous downturns, helping to smooth out the ups and downs in taxes collected from more volatile economic activities such as capital gains, corporate income, or oil extraction. But the coronavirus pandemic and its sudden hit to the economy may be different.

States Take Early Steps to Manage COVID-19 Budget Fallout

Pew Trusts

The moves provide a glimpse at months of budget-balancing actions ahead by governors and legislators as they triage the pandemic’s damage to state economies and finances.

TRANSPORTATION

‘Never felt less safe.’ Video shows passengers packed onto American Airlines flight

Fresno Bee

When stepping onto an airplane before the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn’t too shocking to find out that flight was full. It was a common irritation that was dealt with an exasperated sigh.

Speeders Take Over Empty Roads — With Fatal Consequences

Pew Trusts

And while many states, such as California and Ohio, have seen a reduction in overall crashes during the pandemic compared with last year, some are reporting a jump in traffic fatalities that they say is linked to speeding or reckless driving.

Boeing CEO Sees Years Of Recovery From Coronavirus Ahead For Aviation Industry

Capital Public Radio

David Calhoun says airlines are “grounding fleets, deferring airplane orders, postponing acceptance of completed orders, and slowing down or stopping payments.”

Californians backed a gas tax to fix roads. What will coronavirus mean for highway projects?

Sacramento Bee

Californians are buying much less gas and paying less tax. Suddenly the state’s ambitious program to improve those roads faces an uncertain future.

Bus companies want in on the recovery largesse

Roll Call

Lawmakers allocated $61 billion to airlines, $25 billion to transit and $1 billion for Amtrak in the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package. The motorcoach industry, which includes charter buses, private transit buses and passenger buses, said it has been largely ignored.

WATER

California Sues Trump Administration Over New Federal Water Rules

GV Wire

Taking aim at new Trump administration rules that allow farmers to use more water from the state’s largest rivers, California claimed in a federal lawsuit Thursday that the rules fail to protect endangered fish species.

“Xtra”

Tahoe’s 3 biggest ski resorts to give credit-based refunds as coronavirus ends season

Modesto Bee

Vail Resorts, which operates the Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, on Monday announced a plan to credit pass holders toward next season’s pass based on the number of days they were able to hit the slopes this past season.

Modesto’s Gallo Center to stay dark through October due to coronavirus restrictions

Modesto Bee

Executive Director Lynn Dickerson and her staff announced Monday on Facebook and in an email to patrons that the center plans to remain closed through October.

‘A Fever In The Dust’ – NPR’s Science Friday Spotlights Valley Fever

VPR

For their episode on April 24, 2020, producers of the show Science Friday turned their focus to the fungal disease valley fever – its origins and effects on the body, as well as burgeoning research and hope for new treatments.

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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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