Maddy Institute – December 22, 2020

22Dec

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

To comply or not comply? How Modesto restaurants vary in handling of COVID shutdown

Modesto Bee

When Cheng Her and his business partner, Nicholas Vang, bought Modesto Sukiyaki almost a year ago, they expected challenges because they were new to the restaurant industry. But they did not expect a pandemic that has been a public health and economic disaster.

New jobless numbers are out, and here’s what’s ahead for Stanislaus County residents

Modesto Bee

Unemployment numbers in Stanislaus County dropped to 8.3% in November, marking another month of decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The Vibe Of It All: Turning Stockton Into 'An Oasis Of Joy'

Capital Public Radio

Twice yearly as a kid, I trekked with my family in our station wagon from Fresno to Reno to visit my grandparents. Along Highway 99, facing the cars behind me about two hours in, I watched miles of green orchards eventually turn into the drab-looking city of Stockton.

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno County ranked No. 1 among U.S. metro areas for COVID-19 spread, says NYT analysis

Fresno Bee

Fresno County ranks highest in the country for metro areas where the coronavirus pandemic is spreading the fastest, according to an analysis Monday from the New York Times.

● Fresno death toll sets new record as city weighs shutdown order Fresno Bee

● Fresno County adds 89 COVID-19 deaths, making December the pandemic’s deadliest month Fresno Bee

● Fresno County tops 5,500 cases in just two days Fresno Bee

● Active cases down; ICU availability still at 0 percent Porterville Recorder

Fresno council to consider a retail shutdown order if hospitals are overrun

Fresno Bee

The Fresno City Council will mull an emergency ordinance that could shut down retail shops if the health care system in Fresno County gets further strained, according to Councilmember Luis Chavez.

· Fresno pastors pledge to give up holiday gathering in order to defeat the coronavirus Fresno Bee

Newsom ‘likely’ to extend stay-at-home order in Fresno, Merced and Valley counties

Fresno Bee

The regional stay-at-home order affecting businesses and others in the San Joaquin Valley is likely to extend beyond the original order, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.

South SJ Valley:

Kern County reports 948 new COVID-19 cases on Monday

Bakersfield Californian

As another 948 new coronavirus cases were reported Monday by Kern County Public Health, Kern was also identified as a "sustained hotspot" for COVID-19 in a new federal report.

Price: Bakersfield hates taxes but right now it loves 2018’s Measure N

Bakersfield Californian

Had Bakersfield voters, a notoriously tax-averse bunch, rejected Measure N, as any self-respecting bookie would have forecast, we’d be much worse off right now than we are.

State:

Gov Newsom names California’s first Latino U.S. senator to replace Kamala Harris

Fresno Bee

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Secretary of State Alex Padilla as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ successor in the U.S. Senate, making him the first Latino from California to fill the role in the state’s 170-year history.

· California Gov. Gavin Newsom selects Alex Padilla to replace Kamala D. Harris in the Senate Washington Post

· Harris’s Senate Seat Up in Air With Top Pick Ensnared in Ad Feud Bloomberg

· Who’s in the running to be California’s next secretary of state? Sacramento Bee

California once quelled COVID with stay-at-home order. Why this one isn’t working as well

Los Angeles Times

California’s first coronavirus lockdown order, in the spring, produced benefits within a month. By April, Gov. Gavin Newsom was able to crow that the state had “arguably flattened” the curve on infections.

● California shatters daily COVID-19 record with more than 62,000 new cases as hospital conditions worsen Los Angeles Times

Gavin Newsom ‘concerned’ about new COVID-19 strain, urges UK travel ban

Fresno Bee

As a new strain of COVID-19 continues to spread in southern England, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday called on the federal government to take action to prevent it from reaching the United States. The governor delivered his remarks from quarantine, after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.

● Dire COVID warnings go unheeded as many insist on Christmas traditions; officials fear new surge Los Angeles Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff leaves as new top advisor joins his team

Los Angeles Times

Halfway into his first term as governor and immersed in a historic struggle to slow the spread of COVID-19 in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed on Monday the departure of his chief of staff and the selection of a veteran Sacramento strategist to lead his administration.

Recall effort against California governor an attempt to 'destabilize the political system,' analysts say

NBCNews

Less than two years into office, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is being forced to defend his job. Battered by several crises, including the coronavirus pandemic, crippling unemployment, devastating wildfires and one very poorly timed fancy dinner, Newsom faces a recall effort that shows no signs of slowing.

Which California county voted the most? The least? Let’s compare

CalMatters

California voters are as diverse as its geography, from mountain ranges to valley farmland to forests and beaches. So a look at official voting results released this month shows notable differences in who turned out, how we voted, and where we voted.

California dropped its guard before it was hit with $2 billion in unemployment fraud

Los Angeles Times

As California grapples with staggering levels of unemployment benefit fraud — $2 billion or more by one estimate — lawmakers and security experts say the state let its guard down well before the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, failing to keep up with what other states have done to flag bogus claims.

Little Hoover Commission Releases its Biennial Review of California State Government Operations

Little Hoover Commission

The Little Hoover Commission – California’s independent government watchdog – today released its traditional biennial report, summarizing its oversight activities during the past two years and highlighting top opportunities for government reform.

Walters: No federal bailout for California budget

CalMatters

California’s fiscal squeeze tightened up Sunday when congressional leaders reached agreement on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that did not include direct aid to state and local governments.

Federal:

COVID-19 Update:

● U.S. deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far the most ever counted. COVID-19 is to blame Los Angeles Times

Here Is What's In Congress' COVID-19 Relief Package

VPR

Congress plans to pass on Monday a bipartisan $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill after intense negotiations over its final details. Leaders of both parties are lauding the agreement, claiming victory for provisions they were able to get in — and keep out.

● Feuds, Zoom and Italian food: How the stimulus got done Politico

● Congress Passes Covid-19 Relief, Spending Package With Overwhelming Support Wall Street Journal

● Biden to push for more coronavirus relief, setting up a clash with GOP Washington Post

● Calculate how much you’ll get from the $600 (or more) coronavirus checks Washington Post

● Coronavirus relief package includes broadband money for low-income, jobless Roll Call

● Column: The COVID relief bill isn’t nearly big enough Los Angeles Times

● Commentary: $900 billion in coronavirus stimulus won’t save America AEI

'No reason' for special counsel on 2020 election, Hunter Biden investigation, AG Bill Barr says

abc30

Attorney General William Barr said Monday in his final press conference that the investigation into Hunter Biden's financial dealings was "being handled responsibly and professionally."

● Barr Won’t Appoint Special Counsel to Probe Vote-Fraud Claims or Hunter Biden Wall Street Journal

Joe Biden gets first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, says it's 'nothing to worry about'

abc30

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the American public the inoculations are safe.

● Joe Biden Receives Covid-19 Vaccine in Public to Reassure Its Safety Wall Street Journal

Travel From U.K. Shut Down As Nations Assess Threat Of New Coronavirus Strain

VPR

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Monday attempted to reassure skittish European neighbors that his government had the threat of a new strain of the coronavirus under control.

Biden picks Connecticut schools chief as Education secretary

Los Angeles Times

President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Miguel Cardona, the education commissioner for Connecticut and a former public school teacher, to serve as secretary of the Department of Education.

● Biden to Nominate Miguel Cardona as Education Secretary Wall Street Journal

● Big Tech's stealth push to influence the Biden administration Reuters

● Biden Talks Up Bipartisanship; He Has Three Good Reasons Wall Street Journal

● House conservatives huddle at White House to plan challenging election results The Hill

● With Cabinet picks, Joe Biden shows that he recognizes the urgency of climate change Washington Post

● Commentary: What Deb Haaland’s historic nomination as interior secretary means for Indigenous peoples Brookings

SolarWinds Hack Hit Office Home to Top Treasury Department Officials

Wall Street Journal

Suspected Russian hackers compromised dozens of Treasury department email accounts and breached the office that houses its top officials, as part of a broad campaign targeting several critical federal government agencies, a senior senator said Monday.

Trump Will Face Different Twitter Rules When He Leaves Office

Wall Street Journal

President Trump has used his Twitter account as a megaphone during his administration. When he leaves office, he will need to abide by a different set of rules.

Google, Facebook Agreed to Team Up Against Possible Antitrust Action, Draft Lawsuit Says

Wall Street Journal

Facebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google agreed to “cooperate and assist one another” if they ever faced an investigation into their pact to work together in online advertising, according to an unredacted version of a lawsuit filed by 10 states against Google last week.

Other:

Commentary: Does America have a trust problem?

AEI

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a big story trying to unpack the idea of social trust with the headline of “Why are Americans So Distrustful of Each Other.” The author of the piece argues that social trust in American is declining, relying on data from national surveys.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Dairy Says City’s $65m Lawsuit ‘tearing at The Fabric’ Of Community

Business Journal

A legal fight looms between a dairy and the City of Corcoran with poor water quality and $65 million in penalties hanging in the balance.

Central Valley Farmworkers Distrustful Of COVID Vaccine, Survey Suggests

Capital Public Radio

Since the start of the pandemic, Hernan Herandez and his employees with the California Farmworker Foundation have been out in the fields of San Joaquin Valley, handing out tens of thousands of face masks and administering COVID-19 tests to agricultural workers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

California dropped its guard before it was hit with $2 billion in unemployment fraud

Los Angeles Times

Public Safety:

COVID-19 spikes follow in prisons after inmate transfers

Bakersfield Californian

Families of men incarcerated at Michigan’s Kinross Correctional Facility believed its remote location would spare it from a deadly COVID-19 outbreak. For a while, they seemed to be right.

California prisons start vaccinating employees, inmates in Stockton

Sacramento Bee

A state prison in Stockton that houses California’s most seriously ill inmates will be the first to start vaccinating employees and prisoners Tuesday morning, a union official said.

Fire:

Changes caused by worsening wildfires in California forests will last centuries

Los Angeles Times

The single-engine Cessna was buzzing 1,000 feet above a Northern California burn scar as UC Berkeley scientist Scott Stephens shifted excitedly in his seat and peered out the window for a better view.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Fresno, Valley businesses got billions in COVID relief loans. Here’s who received the aid

Fresno Bee

When the threat of the novel coronavirus first prompted broad shutdowns of many retailers, restaurants and others, Congress quickly enacted a massive federal loan program to help businesses keep employees on the payroll and stay afloat in the pandemic.

To comply or not comply? How Modesto restaurants vary in handling of COVID shutdown

Modesto Bee

Locals helping locals: Companies spend on restaurant gift cards, challenge others to do the same to keep local dining scene alive

Bakersfield Californian

Several locally owned companies have banded together to help inject cash into struggling Bakersfield restaurants and are challenging others to do the same.

Stocks fall amid concern on new coronavirus strain

Los Angeles Times

Stocks fell on Wall Street Monday, giving back some of their recent gains, as a new, potentially more infectious strain of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom raised worries that the global economy could be in for even more punishment.

Commentary: How to boost long-run growth after COVID-19

Brookings

While the economic shocks of COVID-19 have occupied the full attention of policymakers, once the pandemic is under control the problem of slow long-term growth will resurface. This report outlines the challenges of long-term growth that America faces and policy proposals to help overcome them.

Jobs:

New jobless numbers are out, and here’s what’s ahead for Stanislaus County residents

Modesto Bee

Unemployment numbers in Stanislaus County dropped to 8.3% in November, marking another month of decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Why Many Bosses Won’t Require Workers to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine

Wall Street Journal

Some of America’s largest businesses say they will encourage—but not mandate—employees to get Covid-19 vaccines, using a mix of incentives and consequences to ensure as many workers as possible are inoculated.

Commentary: Federal unemployment benefits to eclipse $500 billion

AEI

With its 5593-page legislative text just released, news accounts suggest the coronavirus relief package expected to be considered by the House and Senate today will push total federal unemployment benefit payments in the 12 months since the coronavirus struck to over $500 billion.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Education Lab: More Fresno Unified students received at least one F this school year

Fresno Bee

A recent academic assessment shows more Fresno Unified students performed at their appropriate grade level this year compared to the same time last year. But, in terms of student academic performance, not all the news is good.

Did COVID-19 help Fresno-area high school graduation rates? Here are the numbers

Fresno Bee

Graduation rates for high school seniors in Fresno County’s three largest school districts improved slightly compared to the year before. Fresno, Clovis, and Central Unified all outperformed the state graduation rate for the Class of 2020, which was 84.3%, according to data from the California Department of Education.

Higher Ed:

CSU campuses with most COVID-19 cases have one thing in common — they like to party

Fresno Bee

The California State University campuses with the most reported cases of COVID-19 have something else in common — they also regularly top the lists of best party schools in the state. San Diego State, Cal Poly, and Chico State are suffering some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks among the 23 CSU schools.

Despite High Demand for Nurses, Colleges Aren't Keeping Up

VPR

At a time when the pandemic has exposed a growing shortage of nurses, it should have been good news that there were more than 1,200 applicants to enter the associate degree program in nursing at Long Beach City College.

Fauci: Vaccines Should Allow CA Colleges To Teach In-Person Next Fall

Capital Public Radio

While coronavirus cases are surging across California and overwhelming intensive care units, the country’s top infectious disease expert said today he’s “cautiously optimistic” that college students can return to campus in the fall.

California college freshmen find alternatives to campus life in a virtual world

EdSource

When Kaelynn Kuang pictured being in college, she didn’t just imagine lecture halls and living in dorms. She wanted to join the honor society and Asian American student alliance at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

EDITORIAL: Student loan forgiveness should benefit the neediest first

Los Angeles Times

The staggering student loan debt in this country — estimated to be around $1.6 trillion — stymies much of its young population. Many borrowers are putting off having families because they can’t afford the expense of raising children. Nor are they buying houses or cars, which would boost the economy.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

California’s relationship with the animal kingdom is broken. Can it be fixed?

Sacramento Bee

There’s an ecological crisis underway in California’s lonely corner of the American West. Invasive grasses are causing fires to explode. Wild horses are trampling fragile habitats. Thousands of water birds are dying miserable deaths. Wolves are settling down in hostile territory.

Biden needs massive funds for climate plans. Where will he find them?

Washington Post

For Biden, who helped oversee the $900 billion economic stimulus bill President Barack Obama signed in 2009, this seems doable, and he will seek to merge the need for stimulus spending with the need for climate action — without taxing crude oil, carbon or gasoline, as previous presidents tried to do in vain.

Energy:

Geothermal Rising points to valuable role for California’s clean energy future

Think GeoEnergy

The current resource mix cannot satisfy the state’s resource adequacy needs, and carbon-free geothermal can “provide the resource diversity, grid reliability, and system resilience that other renewables, even with batteries, cannot.”

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

California could see 100,000 hospitalizations in January

Fresno Bee

California has recorded half a million coronavirus cases in the last two weeks and could have nearly 100,000 hospitalizations in the next month. Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged Monday that a state projection model shows hospitalizations in that range and that he’s likely to extend his stay-at-home order for much of the state.

Kern County reports 948 new COVID-19 cases on Monday

Bakersfield Californian

As another 948 new coronavirus cases were reported Monday by Kern County Public Health, Kern was also identified as a "sustained hotspot" for COVID-19 in a new federal report.

● Fresno County adds 89 COVID-19 deaths, making December the pandemic’s deadliest month Fresno Bee

● Fresno County tops 5,500 cases in just two days Fresno Bee

● Active cases down; ICU availability still at 0 percent Porterville Recorder

● 525,000 cases in 2 weeks for California; ICU availability at 2.5% Merced Sun-Star

● Stanislaus cases top 30,000; hospital patients at 363 Modesto Bee

● U.S. deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far the most ever counted. COVID-19 is to blame Los Angeles Times

● California shatters daily COVID-19 record with more than 62,000 new cases as hospital conditions worsen Los Angeles Times

● Monitoring the Coronavirus Outbreak in Metro Areas Across the U.S. New York Times

COVID-19 reaches California veterans homes that had largely avoided virus

Sacramento Bee

The coronavirus has reached California’s state-run veterans homes, which had managed to keep infections to a minimum through the year. CalVet’s eight homes had 72 active cases as of Friday, including residents and employees, according to the most recent data from the department. Thirty-three residents and 39 employees were infected, according to CalVet.

Los Angeles Times

For several seconds, 8-year-old Xitlali Vasquez’s heart stopped beating. The girl’s parents had driven her to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in May when her temperature spiked and delirium sent her into a fever-sleep. She was placed in intensive care as specialists tended to inflammation around her heart and arteries.

Covid-19 Deaths to Reverse U.S. Life-Expectancy Gains

Wall Street Journal

U.S. life expectancy inched up last year but in 2020 could decline by the largest amount since World War II, as Covid-19 becomes the nation’s third-leading cause of death.

Human Services:

California needs more medical help as ICUs fill. Gavin Newsom asks for volunteers, federal aid

Fresno Bee

As California’s hospital beds fill up and intensive care unit capacity goes down, Gov. Gavin Newsom identified the state’s most critical issue during a press conference Monday.

● California hospital staff shortage triggers battle over nurse ratios Politico

Child care workers should be prioritized for COVID vaccines, lawmakers tell Gavin Newsom

Sacramento Bee

As he holes up in a room in his house, quarantining from the rest of his family after a potential COVID-19 exposure, Gov. Gavin Newsom joked that he feels like a “full-time red carpet concierge” for people who want to know when they can get a coronavirus vaccine.

Group greenlights Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in California as hospitals struggle

Los Angeles Times

A working group of scientists and experts Sunday endorsed the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, clearing the way for it to be distributed throughout California and much of the West.

Covid Spurs Families to Shun Nursing Homes, a Shift That Appears Long Lasting

Wall Street Journal

The pandemic is reshaping the way Americans care for their elderly, prompting family decisions to avoid nursing homes and keep loved ones in their own homes for rehabilitation and other care.

Commentary: Scaling and stretching the supply of COVID-19 vaccines

AEI

While the commencement of the U.S.’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign has brought a much-needed positive news cycle, the realization that supply will be limited for many months is a reason for some emotional restraint.

IMMIGRATION

Answers to Questions About the Legal Fight Over the Dreamers

Wall Street Journal

A federal court in Texas is set to hear a case challenging the legality of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program offering some deportation protections to young immigrants living in the country illegally.

Mixed-status immigrant families eligible for stimulus checks in COVID relief bill

CBSNews

As part of the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill currently before lawmakers, Congress is set to allow mixed-status households with undocumented family members to receive stimulus checks that they were denied under the first round of legislation in the spring.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Amazon plans distribution hub at former Bakersfield Kmart

Bakersfield Californian

The former Kmart on Wilson Road is slated to become an Amazon distribution hub and the e-commerce giant's second warehouse development in Kern County.

Housing:

How new COVID stimulus package affects California renters, homeowners. What to expect

Fresno Bee

Congress is making some money available for people who need help paying their rent, but they’re only extending an eviction moratorium by a month. And there’s no new help for people with mortgages.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Congress set to act on $900 billion pandemic relief package that includes $600 direct stimulus

abc30

After months of Washington gridlock, Congress is set to vote on a $900 billion pandemic relief package, finally delivering long-sought cash to businesses and individuals as well as resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

● Mnuchin Says Stimulus Payments to Households Could Come Next Week Wall Street Journal

Opinion: The Martini Lunch Tax Code

Wall Street Journal

Congress’s latest Covid relief and omnibus spending bills are a mash-up of special favors for teachers unions, the booze industry, wind power, race horses, and so much more. There’s even a bailout for Broadway; take a bow, Chuck Schumer.

Departments told to be less specific about COVID case numbers among state workers

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom directed California state departments to provide less specific information to state workers about COVID-19 outbreaks in their workplaces on Friday, citing confidentiality concerns.

TRANSPORTATION

DMV extends suspension of behind-the-wheel driving tests, due to statewide COVID surge

Bakersfield Californian

The Department of Motor Vehicles announced that it is continuing to suspend behind-the-wheel driving tests until at least January 4 because of a surge in state coronavirus cases.

Congress Raises Standards for Assessing New Airliner Designs

Wall Street Journal

Congress approved significantly tighter rules for accepting jetliner designs as part of a year-end federal omnibus spending bill, the final step to locking in safety overhauls sparked by two fatal Boeing Co. 737 MAX jet crashes.

Congress: $900B COVID Relief Agreement; $15B For Rail

Railway Age

Congress reached an agreement Dec. 20 on a nearly $900 billion pandemic relief package, and approved a one-day stop-gap bill to avoid a government shutdown and allow time for a vote, expected Dec. 21.

WATER

Temperance Flat Dam returns $171 million to state. Still, backers swear it’s ‘not dead’

Fresno Bee

Backers of a $3 billion project to construct the second-tallest dam in California swear the project isn’t dead, despite the Temperance Flat Reservoir Authority returning money and canceling applications.

EPA Adopts New Rules on Lead Contamination in Water

Wall Street Journal

The Environmental Protection Agency is adopting new rules requiring water utilities to notify the public more quickly about possible lead contamination, the first major regulatory update of its kind in nearly 30 years.

“Xtra”

Dodge Ridge announces opening. Here’s how to ski and snowboard amid a pandemic

Modesto Bee

The Dodge Ridge ski area will launch its season Monday, Dec. 21, with new rules brought on by COVID-19. It’s the 70th year for the Pinecrest-area attraction, the closest skiing to Stanislaus County.

The Mission at Kern County invites community to warm Christmas Eve meal

Bakersfield Californian

The Mission at Kern County invites anyone in need of a warm meal this Christmas to its annual Christmas Eve meal on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meals are possible because of donations and food drives from the community, according to a news release from The Mission.