POLICY & POLITICS
Deadline extended: March 15, 2019
Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship
The Maddy Institute
Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships
Climate Science: Adapting To Change In the San Joaquin Valley
VPR
Since 2006, California has been releasing periodic reports on how the state should adapt to the potential impacts of climate change. The most recent report is unique in that it also looks at key climate risks from a regional perspective.
Analysis says to end Valley’s groundwater overdraft, farmland must be retired
Fresno Bee
The San Joaquin Valley is on the brink of a major transition as it seeks to balance its groundwater accounts. California’s largest farming region has the state’s biggest groundwater deficit — almost 2 million acre-feet per year by our estimates.
Valley Air News for February 2019
Valley Air
The latest, important news and information from the Valley Air District.
North SJ Valley:
Bonds will raise $131 million for Modesto schools. Who will oversee how it’s spent?
Modesto Bee
In November, voters gave Modesto City Schools approval to issue a whopping $131 million in bonds for renovations and improvements to elementary and middle school campuses. Now, the school district needs to appoint an independent citizens committee to monitor the spending of Measure D and Measure E funds.
New president selected for Modesto Junior College
Modesto Bee
James Houpis, dean of academic support and learning technologies at Skyline College in San Bruno, has accepted the offer to become president of Modesto Junior College, the Yosemite Community College District announced Thursday.
Rep. Tom McClintock Distorts Number Of Homicides By Undocumented Immigrants
Capital Public Radio
During a speech on the House floor last month, Rep. Tom McClintock made the claim that “illegal aliens murdered 1,800 Americans” in 2017. PolitiFact California fact checked that claim.
See also:
● Rep. Tom McClintock distorts number of homicides by undocumented immigrants PolitiFact California
Central SJ Valley:
The Leader
It appeared to be a good year for the Lemoore Police Department and the citizens of Lemoore as Lemoore Chief of Police Darrell Smith presented the 2018 Annual Police Report to councilmembers Tuesday night during their regular study session.
Masumoto: California’s Central Valley had its own Green Book
Fresno Bee
Imagine you’re driving down Highway 99 and pull over for a quick bite to eat. You go inside and the owners ask you to leave. “Your kind isn’t welcome here.” “Keep moving down the road, we don’t serve you people.” You are refused food because of your race, class, religion or gender.
See also:
● The Ku Klux Klan and Visalia: A legacy of racism that hasn’t died Visalia Times Delta
South SJ Valley:
Cox calls high-speed rail an ‘important component’ of Congress’ infrastructure plans
Fresno Bee
Rep. TJ Cox, D-Fresno, says California’s high-speed rail project is a major part of Congress’ greater infrastructure goals – provided it ultimately connects the Silicon and Central valleys.
See also:
● Trump administration demands California return billions doled out for high-speed rail abc30
● California And Trump Face Off Over High Speed Rail Money And Border Emergency Capital Public Radio
● Trump’s plan to take back $2.5 billion in California’s high-speed rail funding ‘unprecedented’ Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Will California’s bullet train be derailed by a waffling governor and a petty president? Los Angeles Times
County’s deficit to be eliminated in next budget
Bakersfield Californian
After years of penny-pinching, Kern County administrators say they will soon emerge from the budget deficit that has plagued the county for the past four years. The county says by the end of the next fiscal year, the $44.5 million deficit will have been eliminated.
Downtown East Precise Plan to be repealed
Hanford Sentinel
The Hanford City Council met Tuesday evening and initiated the repeal of the Downtown East Precise Plan, which was adopted in 2013 and was intended to promote revitalization within the project area.
Porterville Recorder
Tuesday night’s City Council meeting brought a lively debate on the partnership between the City and Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC) for the Farmers Market.
EPA proposes to delete part of Beckman Superfund site
Porterville Recorder
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday it is proposing to delete the land portion of the Beckman Instruments site in Porterville from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).
State:
Key Leadership Posts Remain Unfilled Six Weeks After California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Inauguration
Capital Public Radio
California’s governor campaigned on promises to build a single-payer health care system and 3.5 million new homes. But he has yet to appoint the cabinet secretaries or department heads who will lead those ambitious initiatives.
To shore up Obamacare in California, Newsom wants to try an individual mandate
Los Angeles Daily News
When the federal Affordable Care Act first took effect in 2014, Americans had to pay a penalty known as the individual mandate if they didn’t have insurance. Congress has since rolled back the penalty, meaning Green won’t be fined for not having coverage.
See also:
● A tax penalty could help shore up Obamacare in California. Gavin Newsom wants to try it. Sacramento Bee
● California’s Individual Mandate: A Fix For A Broken System? Or A Penalty On The Poor? Capital Public Radio
● ‘Uncovered California’ Collaboration Looks At Who Still Lacks Access To Health Insurance Capital Public Radio
Trump’s EPA halts talks with Gavin Newsom administration on clean cars, climate change
Fresno Bee
The Trump administration Thursday broke off negotiations with California over limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, blaming state officials for failing to offer “a productive alternative” to the White House’s plans.
See also:
● White House ends California talks on mileage dispute Fresno Bee
● Trump administration announces no deal with California on fuel efficiency abc30
● White House Ends California Talks On Mileage Standards Capital Public Radio
● Trump administration confirms it has ended fuel-economy talks with California Los Angeles Times
● Trump Administration Cuts Off Talks With California Over Fuel-Efficiency Standards Wall Street Journal
Inside the Capitol: California News and Analysis
CALmatters
Where to find news about how the California Capitol works—the players, the policies that affect how state government affects you.
CAFWD
Former California State Controller and State Treasurer John Chiang has been elected co-chair of California Forward’s Leadership Council. Chiang is a Democrat and will join Republican Pete Weber of Fresno as Co-Chairs of the bipartisan public policy organization.
VIDEO: Lenny Mendonca Shares Newsom Administration Priorities
California Economic Summit
Earlier this month, the new chief economic and business advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom, Lenny Mendonca, provided an agenda overview in the above webinar focusing on how the administration will work to restore the California Dream.
California GOP’s next leader needs to raise money — fast
Los Angeles Times
But when delegates vote to elect the party’s next chair this weekend, they’ll weigh pitches from two front-running candidates with very different views about just how to put Republicans on the offensive again in a blue state that’s a reliable cash machine for Democrats.
See also:
● California Republicans hope their next leader can make them relevant again San Francisco Chronicle
● Critical choice for California GOP: Which door—if any—leads to revival? CALmatters
California Democrats to Congress: Don’t bulldoze our privacy law
Politico
Congressional efforts to pass a national data privacy law could face a major obstacle: California’s powerful bloc of House Democrats.
Politico Magazine
On Wednesday, after Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom decided to scale back the state’s troubled high-speed rail project, the president gleefully mocked it as a green fiasco: “Send the Federal Government back the Billions of Dollars WASTED!”
Opinion: For California’s sake, the 2020 Census needs to be rescued
Sacramento Bee
There is too much at stake in California to allow an undercount. Political representation and federal funding top the list. A Public Policy Institute of California report in September found that more than half of the state’s federal funding that is determined by population goes to Medi-Cal, which provides life-saving health services for low-income families.
My turn: Why California elections are fair
CALmatters
Californians ought to congratulate themselves. If this is a wave election year, it will be in large part because California ended gerrymandering and set an example for other states to pursue the idea that voters have the right to pick their politicians, rather than politicians picking their voters.
Federal:
Trump pledges to expand opportunity for every race
Fresno Bee
President Donald Trump is pledging to expand opportunity for Americans of every race, religion and creed as he commemorates Black History Month.
Trump Disinformation on Deficits
FactCheck
President Donald Trump misleadingly claimed that “deficits seem to be coming down,” when in fact deficits are rising, largely because of the tax cuts he enacted. In fact, the deficit in the first three months of fiscal year 2019 was 42 percent higher than it was for the same period last year
Bernie Sanders enlists Ro Khanna for presidential campaign
San Francisco Chronicle
Fremont Rep. Ro Khanna will be a top adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential run, with the assignment of being the Vermont independent’s point person in Silicon Valley.
Kamala Harris’ call-them-out Twitter strategy
San Francisco Chronicle
When it comes to online conspiracy theories, Sen. Kamala Harris’ campaign follows the old mantra: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
2020 Democrats Embrace Race-Conscious Policies, Including Reparations
New York Times
But in recent weeks, some candidates have started embracing specific goals and overtly race-conscious legislation that even the most left-wing elected officials stayed away from in recent years.
See also:
· How race and education are shaping ideology in the Democratic Party Brookings
· Opinion: Nickel-and-Diming Democrats Wall Street Journal
Other:
These Are the Americans Who Live in a Bubble
The Atlantic
Yet according to a new study by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and The Atlantic, a significant minority of Americans do not live this way. They seldom or never meet people of another race. They dislike interacting with people who don’t share their political beliefs. And when they imagine the life they want for their children, they prize sameness, not difference.
Smollett reactions epitomize polarized state of US politics
Sacramento Bee
Democratic politicians and celebrities called it a shocking instance of Trump-era racism and hate. Republicans now depict it as yet another example of liberals and mainstream media rushing to judgment while disparaging the president’s supporters as bigots.
National Enquirer’s biggest investors include California taxpayers and state workers
Los Angeles Times
The National Enquirer has been one of President Trump’s most controversial allies, delivering scathing coverage of his opponents to supermarket checkout lines and funneling $150,000 to one of his alleged mistresses to buy her silence.
Abusive callers, chatty constituents? It’s all in a day’s work on the Hill
Roll Call
Answering phone calls is a major part of day-to-day responsibilities for interns and staff assistants in Congress, many of them hoping to climb the Capitol Hill ladder.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Valley farmers fear threat of more hail, freezing temperatures
abc30
Hail pounded parts of the city and farmland west of Fresno overnight. Plastic coverings over rows of vegetables were knocked down, and lots of blossoms were knocked off of the trees. Damage assessments are being made, but the threat of more hail, and an overnight freeze warning are a potential concern.
Thefts continue to trouble beekeepers
AgAlert
Early last week, Tulare County beekeeper Steve Godlin of Visalia learned that about 100 honeybee colonies he was managing had disappeared from an almond orchard west of Visalia.
U.S. Soda Taxes Work, Studies Suggest — But Maybe Not As Well As Hoped
Capital Public Radio
Connecticut and California are considering statewide taxes on sugary drinks. New data from soda taxes in Berkeley and Philadelphia present a mixed picture of their effects on sugar consumption.
See also:
● California lawmakers seek tax, other limits on sugary drinks Sacramento Bee
● Berkeley’s sugary soda consumption plummeted after tax, study says San Francisco Chronicle
Marijuana activists help minority dealers go legal
Visalia Times Delta
Lawmakers and legalization advocates across the country are demanding not just cannabis legalization but remedies to address decades of demonstrably racist policing.
Cannabis Leaders Say California’s Recreational Pot Market Faltering
KQED
Leaders in the cannabis industry say California’s recreational marijuana market is not working. On Thursday, a group of them sent Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration a list of recommendations on how to fix it.
Kamala Harris’ father rips her comments on weed
San Francisco Chronicle
Sen. Kamala Harris just got in trouble with her father after telling the world she smoked weed as a college student. But Harris didn’t get scolded for the reason other pot-smoking children might.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
The Leader
It appeared to be a good year for the Lemoore Police Department and the citizens of Lemoore as Lemoore Chief of Police Darrell Smith presented the 2018 Annual Police Report to councilmembers Tuesday night during their regular study session.
California bill seeks to update outdated 1872 law on when police can shoot
San Francisco Chronicle
Three days before Willie McCoy, a young black man, was fatally shot on Feb. 9 by six officers from the Vallejo Police Department, a bill that would update a law that astoundingly hasn’t been changed in almost 150 years was introduced in the Assembly.
California Attorney General says police transparency law should apply to older incidents
Los Angeles Times
In a legal briefing for a pending state Supreme Court case, Becerra says state legislators intended for the public to know about all investigations of shootings or confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty by officers within a department’s possession when they passed Senate Bill 1421 last year.
CDCR News
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) will abolish inmate copayment charges for medical and dental services and charges for dental prosthetic appliances effective March 1, 2019. Copayment fees are not charged for mental health services.
EDITORIAL: The Catholic Church finally begins to own up to its #MeToo reckoning
Los Angeles Times
A message needs to be sent not only in connection with the abuse of children and adolescents by clergy, an evil that the church has been grappling with for decades, but also with a scandal that has attracted attention more recently: the sexual exploitation of adults, including seminarians and nuns, by powerful clerics.
Public Safety:
Fatalities from police chases climbing, could be higher than records indicate
Sacramento Bee
At least 416 people were killed in police chases in 2017, according to an analysis of federal records by FairWarning. That’s the fourth consecutive year when the number of people killed during police pursuits increased.
California prisons to drop $5 fee they charge to inmates for doctor visits
Sacramento Bee
Starting in March, California inmates will no longer need to make copayments when they go in for medical help. The payments are no longer necessary, as they offer “minimal fiscal benefit” and “may hinder patients from seeking care,” according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Correctional Health Care Services department.
Fire:
PG&E says splitting utility would improve wildfire safety, but there’s a downside
Fresno Bee
PG&E, in a filing with the California Public Utilities Commission, says separating its gas and electric operations would improve customer safety, but rates could rise. The utility is in bankruptcy.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Stocks fall a bit, breaking S&P 500’s three-day winning streak
Los Angeles Times
Healthcare and energy companies led U.S. stocks lower Thursday, ending a three-day winning streak for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. The decline was only the benchmark index’s fourth loss this month.
Tax Law Helped Boost 2018 Bank Profits to Record Level
Wall Street Journal
The new tax law drove double-digit profit growth at U.S. banks last year, a federal regulator said Thursday, boosting the industry’s earnings, which would have hit a record even without the tax changes.
EDITORIAL: It’s unfair to ban cash in retail stores
San Francisco Chronicle
Sorry, your cash is no good. That’s the message that some retail stores are sending to customers to steer them toward cashless payments. The virtues are speed, convenience and safety, not to mention lower costs.
Jobs:
This Fortune 500 healthcare company just landed in Sacramento, and promises 2,000 new jobs
Sacramento Bee
Four years ago, then-Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the city established what they called an Innovation and Growth Fund. The goal: Compete for new businesses with higher wage jobs by offering cash and other incentives.
Fastest growing jobs in the United States through 2024
Sacramento Bee
Employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate which occupations are growing the fastest and which ones are adding the most new jobs. See which of them require a bachelor’s degree or some postsecondary education.
New York Times
The women the N.D.W.A. represents are diverse and scattered. There are more than two million domestic workers in the United States, most women of color and immigrants. They are housecleaners, nannies and health aides working in private homes, a majority making less than $13 an hour.
Data Shows Mismatch Between Jobs and Workers in Cities
CityLab
Mapping job openings with available employees in major U.S. cities reveals a striking spatial mismatch, according to a new Urban Institute report.
EDUCATION
K-12:
She worked for district for over 30 years. Now new Clovis school will bear her name
Fresno Bee
Clovis Unified’s newest school will be named for former superintendent Janet Young, who retired in 2017 after over 30 years with the district. The elementary school, scheduled to open in August 2020, will be known as the Dr. Janet L. Young Elementary School.
Charter school disclosure bill on fast track after push by Gavin Newsom
Fresno Bee
Charter schools could soon have to hold open meetings and hand over public records under a bill advancing in the California Legislature. State Sen. Connie Leyva said she thinks Governor Gavin Newsom will sign it.
Teachers’ strikes roll on as 3,000 more educators hit the picket line in California
abc30
A national wave of teachers’ strikes rolled into Oakland, California, Thursday where more than 3,000 public school educators hit picket lines in a fight for higher wages, smaller class sizes and better overall working conditions.
See also:
● Teachers’ strike fueled by Bay Area housing crisis: ‘They can’t afford Oakland’ Los Angeles Times
Bonds will raise $131 million for Modesto schools. Who will oversee how it’s spent?
Modesto Bee
In November, voters gave Modesto City Schools approval to issue a whopping $131 million in bonds for renovations and improvements to elementary and middle school campuses. Now, the school district needs to appoint an independent citizens committee to monitor the spending of Measure D and Measure E funds.
We need a child care system that keeps California working and children learning
Sacramento Bee
California’s working families, especially single parents, know quality child care is essential to both their ability to earn a living and to their children’s development. Employers need to join this movement because stability and accessibility in the child care workforce allows for their own workforce stability.
The Educators’ Revolt Is Spreading
The Nation
Starting February 21, Oakland teachers will be on strike to reverse the dismantling of their school system.
Educator Access to and Use of Data Systems
RAND
Teachers’ use of student data to inform instruction is commonly accepted as sound educational practice, and this data use is only likely to grow as more data, as well as more-complex data, become increasingly available to educators.
Higher Ed:
Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship
The Maddy Institute
Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, March 15th, 2019. Through the generosity of The Wonderful Company, San Joaquin Valley students will have the opportunity to become the next generation of Valley leaders through The Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship. The Maddy Institute will award two $56,000 Fellowships to Valley students who are accepted into a nationally ranked, qualified graduate program in the fall of 2019.
New president selected for Modesto Junior College
Modesto Bee
James Houpis, dean of academic support and learning technologies at Skyline College in San Bruno, has accepted the offer to become president of Modesto Junior College, the Yosemite Community College District announced Thursday.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Trump’s EPA halts talks with Gavin Newsom administration on clean cars, climate change
Fresno Bee
The Trump administration Thursday broke off negotiations with California over limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, blaming state officials for failing to offer “a productive alternative” to the White House’s plans.
See also:
● White House ends California talks on mileage dispute Fresno Bee
● Trump administration announces no deal with California on fuel efficiency abc30
● White House Ends California Talks On Mileage Standards Capital Public Radio
● Trump administration confirms it has ended fuel-economy talks with California Los Angeles Times
● Trump Administration Cuts Off Talks With California Over Fuel-Efficiency Standards Wall Street Journal
Climate Science: Adapting To Change In the San Joaquin Valley
VPR
Since 2006, California has been releasing periodic reports on how the state should adapt to the potential impacts of climate change. The most recent report is unique in that it also looks at key climate risks from a regional perspective.
Valley Air News for February 2019
Valley Air
The latest, important news and information from the Valley Air District.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Pinterest blocks vaccine-related searches as it gears up for IPO
Los Angeles Times
As social media companies wrestle with how to police dangerous health misinformation on their platforms, Pinterest Inc. has taken an extreme approach: blocking search results related to vaccinations, whether the results are medically accurate or not.
See also:
● FDA chief: Federal government might step in if states don’t change lax vaccine laws CNN
Human Services:
Google wants to help answer this question: Where can I drop off drugs I don’t need?
Fresno Bee
Google Maps will allow users to search for places where they can drop off drugs they don’t need. The effort comes as people in the United States die from opioid overdoses each day.
Big Pharma companies sue CalPERS, state prisons to block disclosure of drug prices
Sacramento Bee
CalPERS could be on the hook for attorneys’ fees after a Los Angeles County judge ruled that pharmaceutical companies don’t have to publicly disclose plans to raise drug prices, according to information CalPERS’ legal office is presenting to its Board of Administration this week.
A tax penalty could help shore up Obamacare in California. Gavin Newsom wants to try it.
Sacramento Bee
Governor Gavin Newsom wants to recreate the individual mandate penalty tax in California as part of his plan to prop up the state’s health insurance market. But mostly low- and middle-income people would pay it.
See also:
● California’s Individual Mandate: A Fix For A Broken System? Or A Penalty On The Poor? Capital Public Radio
● ‘Uncovered California’ Collaboration Looks At Who Still Lacks Access To Health Insurance Capital Public Radio
California Economic Summit
In his State of the State address, Governor Gavin Newsom committed to taking on a host of critical issues this year, none bigger than expanding access to health care—one of the most ambitious elements of his January budget proposal (and, not coincidentally, one of the greatest sources of anxiety for millions of Californians).
State approaches to mitigating surprise out-of-network billing
Brookings
These surprise bills occur when patients are treated by providers outside their health plan’s contracted network under circumstances that cannot reasonably be avoided.
IMMIGRATION
Trump plan fails to cut immigration court backlog; caseload soars 26%
Sacramento Bee
The Trump administration’s controversial plan to shrink the ballooning backlog of immigration cases by pushing judges to hear more cases has failed, according to the latest data, with the average wait for an immigration hearing now more than two years.
See also:
● Trump plan fails to cut immigration court backlog, as caseload soars more than 26% Los Angeles Times
Trump administration begins effort to strip work permits for immigrant spouses
San Francisco Chronicle
After nearly two years of delays, the Trump administration is moving ahead with its plan to stop granting work permitsto the spouses of many high-skilled visa holders, an effort that could jeopardize tens of thousands of immigrant families in California alone.
Wait Times for Citizenship Have Doubled in the Last Two Years
New York Times
The time that aspiring Americans must wait to be naturalized is now almost twice as long, 10 months, as it was two years ago. In Las Vegas, where the office has a particularly large backlog, applicants could wait 31 months.
State Senate Republicans ask for review of ‘sanctuary’ laws in Newman cop killing
Modesto Bee
California Senate Republicans asked the Attorney General’s Office to determine whether “sanctuary state” laws impacted events leading up to fatal shooting of Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh.
See also:
● ICE says Napa deputy shooting could have been prevented San Francisco Chronicle
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
EPA proposes to delete part of Beckman Superfund site
Porterville Recorder
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday it is proposing to delete the land portion of the Beckman Instruments site in Porterville from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).
Housing:
First phase of homeless people move from Beard Brook to camp under Modesto bridge
Modesto Bee
On Wednesday, about 20 homeless people living at the park were expected to move their belongings a couple hundred yards to the new camp under the bridge, said Modesto spokesman Thomas Reeves.
Construction Management Students Build Shelter For Poverello House
Fresno State News
About a year after a team of Fresno State construction management students was tasked with designing and building a temporary home to help raise awareness of homelessness in the Valley, their 100-square-foot prototype will be presented to the Poverello House for use in the community.
Could this new bill help solve California’s housing crisis? New study suggests otherwise
Sacramento Bee
It’s often held up as a key strategy for solving California’s housing crisis: increase the supply of cheaper housing by encouraging more dense construction near transit centers. New research, however, suggests that the approach known as “upzoning” isn’t necessarily a magic bullet.
More Californians are considering fleeing the state as they blame sky-high costs, survey finds
CNBC
Fifty-three percent say they are considering fleeing, representing a jump over the 49 percent a year ago. The poll conducted by Edelman Intelligence found the chief reason for dissatisfaction isn’t wildfires or earthquakes but housing cost and availability.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Supports CA Fwd’s One Million More Homes Initiative
California Economic Summit
With the supply of housing lagging far below demand – and with half of Californians now unable to rent or buy a home in their communities – California Forward continues to press the urgent need to build more housing of all types over the next decade. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has now joined with CA Fwd as a partner in this effort.
Housing is a right. Lawmakers should work to provide it
CALmatters
When people earning lower incomes have housing they can afford near their jobs and important family resources, we all get less traffic, a healthier community, a stronger economy, and more diverse neighborhoods and schools. In other words, when we prioritize people with the greatest need, everyone wins.
PUBLIC FINANCES
National Enquirer’s biggest investors include California taxpayers and state workers
Los Angeles Times
During the 2016 presidential campaign, California’s massive public pension fund, CalPERS, was one of the biggest investors in the debt-laden owner of the National Enquirer.
Trump Disinformation on Deficits
FactCheck
President Donald Trump misleadingly claimed that “deficits seem to be coming down,” when in fact deficits are rising, largely because of the tax cuts he enacted. In fact, the deficit in the first three months of fiscal year 2019 was 42 percent higher than it was for the same period last year
Understanding the uproar over IRS refunds
Brookings
In fact, the decrease is mainly the result of changes to IRS withholding tables, meaning most Americans, while receiving a smaller refund, had little variance in their overall tax liability.
TRANSPORTATION
No speed limit? That could become a reality for two California highways
Fresno Bee
A California bill would add two lanes to the I-5 and Highway 99 with no speed limit. If the bill passes, it would tie Germany’s Autobahn for the world’s fastest speed limit.
See also:
● I bet you think you can handle Highway 99 with no speed limit. Think I trust you? Nope Fresno Bee
Embattled California DMV gets its third director in just 32 days
Fresno Bee
The agency struggling to register licenses is also struggling to find a leader. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has gone through two directors in just over a month.
Can Gavin Newsom put California high-speed rail back on track? It may be up to Trump
Fresno Bee
It’s survived cost overruns, lengthy delays and a public scolding from the new governor. Now California’s controversial high-speed rail project faces what may be its toughest test yet: presidential opposition.
See Also:
● Cox calls high-speed rail an ‘important component’ of Congress’ infrastructure plans Fresno Bee
● What happens if Trump takes back California’s high-speed rail funds? Easy Bay Times
How trains under the bay – not high-speed rail – may connect Sacramento and San Francisco
Sacramento Bee
Capitol Corridor train officials have joined with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to explore building a second transit tunnel under San Francisco Bay that would carry additional BART trains – as well as Capitol Corridor trains directly into San Francisco job centers.
Domestic airfares hit a record low, but fees help airlines make healthy profits
Los Angeles Times
The price of a domestic airline ticket has hit a record low, but airlines are still collecting strong profits thanks to passenger fees and other charges.
Measuring Progress Toward a Culture of Health… at the Library
Rand
For the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), that evolution fits squarely into its Culture of Health vision. In fact, the number of libraries per 100,000 population is one of 35 national-level measures—ranging from walkability of a locality to reductions in racially segregated housing to voter participation—that we believe should be monitored as important signals of progress toward a nation where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to live a healthy life.
Another company set to bring more electric scooters to Bakersfield
Bakersfield Californian
One more company has plans to bring more electronic scooters to Bakersfield, according to the City Manager’s office. Spin, a San Francisco-based startup, met with city officials on Tuesday about coming to Bakersfield, said Assistant City Manager Steve Teglia.
WATER
Analysis says to end Valley’s groundwater overdraft, farmland must be retired
Fresno Bee
The San Joaquin Valley is on the brink of a major transition as it seeks to balance its groundwater accounts. California’s largest farming region has the state’s biggest groundwater deficit — almost 2 million acre-feet per year by our estimates.
Wet February almost eliminates drought in California
abc30
February storms have almost eliminated drought conditions from California. The U.S. Drought Monitor said Thursday that just over 67 percent of the state is totally free of any level of dryness.
See also:
● Snow likely around 500 feet on Thursday Visalia Times Delta
● Storm brings more snow to California Bakersfield Californian
● Rainy Winter Means More Water For Central Valley Cities, Farms Capital Public Radio
Despite wet winter, Fresno is monitoring conditions to determine outdoor watering regulations
abc30
The month of February has rainfall totals in the Central Valley above normal. Still, Fresno is looking at what watering restrictions will be in place for this spring and summer. It is something the city has done for decades. Fresno is at a Stage Two Water Use Regulation.
Fishermen rejoice, Lake Kaweah could hit capacity
Visalia Times Delta
The Central Valley has seen several inches of rain — and snow this winter. Starting Sunday, though, temperatures will slowly begin to rise, and now at lower elevations with melt away. The first sight of warmer weather starts a months-long warm-up.
Isabella Lake pool restriction lifted in time for coming snowmelt
Bakersfield Californian
Since Oct. 1, the level of water in Isabella Lake has been kept very low to allow work to be completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That artificially low water limit was lifted last week, and the lake located about 40 miles northeast of Bakersfield will be allowed to get much deeper.
Cal Water seeking to combine Stockton, Dixon districts
Stockton Record
Thousands of Stockton residents served by the California Water Service Company could see slight rate increases on their bills in 2020 if the agency is allowed to consolidate two of its districts.
Why California should turn down Trump’s offer to raise Shasta Dam
Los Angeles Times
If the Trump administration wanted to increase California’s water supply by the most cost-effective means possible, it would immediately drop its attempt to raise Shasta Dam by 18.5 feet.
California Economic Summit
Sustainable Landscapes on Commercial and Industrial Properties in the Santa Ana River Watershed explores how landscape conversion on commercial and industrial properties can reduce water use, increase stormwater capture and groundwater recharge, improve water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pesticide use.
Commentary: Delta Interests Should Seize the Opportunity to Cease Water Fights
PPIC
The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is a major source of water for cities and farms across the state, and a major source of water conflict.
“Xtra”
Fresno is chock full of talented musicians, and chances to hear them perform
Fresno Bee
From the Fresno Community Chorus Master Chorale to opera and a military band, there is no shortage of live music to hear in Fresno, CA.
This new Fresno restaurant serves Indian street food, ‘naughty naan’ and tacos
Fresno Bee
“Naughty naan” and street food. These are two things that make Fresno’s newest restaurant, Bollywood Indian Street Food, a little different than your typical Indian place. The quick-service restaurant opened a few weeks ago at Cedar and Herndon avenues, near John’s Incredible Pizza.
Here’s a list of perfectly powdered spots to play
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare County residents can see snow-covered peaks all around thanks to recent storms. If you are thinking of packing up the children, sleds or skis here are a few spots that are easily accessible for Tulare County residents.
Black American History Parade coming to downtown Bakersfield Saturday
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield residents will be able to celebrate African American culture and history with a parade this weekend.