POLICY & POLITICS
__________________________________________________________
We spend hours collecting articles from local, state and national sources to provide you with a thorough and balanced review of public policy issues that directly impact the Valley to produce the Maddy Daily.
If you value our work, please consider making a
tax-deductible contribution TODAY
Thank you!
__________________________________________________________
North SJ Valley:
Lawsuits from Central Valley, Bay Area keep state ‘water grab’ tied up in courts
Merced Sun-Star
An assortment of groups, from a leading farming organization to a water supplier for Silicon Valley, joined the legal fray in courts over the State Water Board decision in December to reduce water diversions for farms and cities from the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced rivers.
Central SJ Valley:
Study had several flaws in its look at Fresno’s naturalization rate
Fresno Bee
A factor to be considered in Fresno’s low naturalization rate is the high %age of immigrants from Mexico. Traditionally, Mexicans are less likely to apply for naturalization than most other nationalities.
Fresno has some of the lowest apartment rents. It’s still not cheap for low-income renters
Fresno Bee
Renting an apartment in Fresno got more expensive in the past year — though it’s still cheaper to live here than most other California cities.
Fresno Camping Ban 18 Months In: Few Arrests, Homeless Dispersed
VPR
Fresno’s no-camping ordinance — aimed at sprawling tent cities — has been in effect for about a year and a half. Since then, the homeless population has slowly increased, and the city recently received millions in state funds to tackle homelessness issues.
EDITORIAL: New jobs or good planning? Fresno can have both in proposed industrial park
Fresno Bee
It took longer than it should have, but the city and a group of residents finally arrived at the right place when it comes to a proposed industrial park in southwest Fresno.
South SJ Valley:
City Council selects mostly business leaders for sales tax oversight committee
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council largely followed the advice of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and associated groups in selecting the makeup of a sales tax oversight committee Wednesday evening.
Sexual assault lawsuit filed against former Bakersfield fire chief
Bakersfield Californian
A lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of a woman who alleges that former Bakersfield Fire Chief Douglas Greener sexually assaulted and harassed her.
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin, in an appearance with Robert Price on TBC Media’s “One on One” webcast, discusses his department’s plans for its share of the revenue from the 1 % sales tax increase approved by voters in November.
Price: Nazi flag apology? We never got one, and thank you for that
Bakersfield Californian
So it’s refreshing to not have been apologized to over the latest local controversy: The Nazi flag that hung on a classroom wall for a day at west Bakersfield’s Frontier High School last month.
State:
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Public Policy Institute of California
Most Californians support Governor Newsom’s first proposed budget, and overwhelming majorities favor his plans to increase funding for preschool and higher education.
See also:
● Most Californians like Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $209 billion budget proposal, survey says Sacramento Bee
● Poll: Californians Strongly Support Newsom’s Budget Priorities KQED
● In Style And Substance, Gavin Newsom Goes His Own Way Capital Public Radio
California Democrats are ‘excited’ about Kamala Harris. But they like Joe Biden, too
Fresno Bee
California Democrats are enthusiastic about Sen. Kamala Harris’s bid for president, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University. Of Democratic or ‘Democratic-leaning’ voters surveyed, 58 % said they’d be “excited” if Harris secured the party’s nomination.
See also:
● Poll: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden generate most excitement among California Dems San Francisco Chronicle
● Poll: California Democrats Most Excited About Biden and Harris (in That Order) KQED
● Poll: California voters divided on Kamala Harris as president Politico
● Democrats identify 44 vulnerable House members to defend in 2020 Roll Call
Becerra spotlighted McClatchy with his post-Trump speech. But what did students learn?
Fresno Bee
Becerra took on the responsibility to push back on Trump’s ethnically divisive campaign for a wall on America’s southern border. He had to counter the caustic rhetoric and overheated falsehoods Trump that has employed while attempting to sell his border wall.
California National Guard to transgender troops: ‘Nobody’s going to kick you out’
Sacramento Bee
One of the highest-ranking officers in the California National Guard told lawmakers on Tuesday that the state is not removing transgender soldiers and airmen from its ranks despite efforts by the Trump administration to bar transgender people from the Armed Forces.
The truth about State Senate Judiciary Committee’s use of gender pronouns
Sacramento Bee
When we use gender-specific language, we are leaving out those who do not identify as he or she. California has the highest population of LGBTQ people in the United States and as such, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect the tremendous diversity of our state.
California Officials Draft a $600M Plan To Help Low-Income Households Absorb Rising Water Bills
Western Water
Low-income Californians can get help with their phone bills, their natural gas bills and their electric bills. But there’s only limited help available when it comes to water bills. That could change if the recommendations of a new report by the State Water Resources Control Board are implemented into law.
How did California Dems win close House races? They outspent GOP
San Francisco Chronicle
The blue wave that drowned California Republicans in the November election had a distinctly greenish tinge.
California voters optimistic about state’s direction, but not America’s
San Francisco Chronicle
Two-thirds of likely voters surveyed say the country is on the wrong track, 47 % say race relations in the U.S. are worse than they were a year ago and only 18 % believe the new Congress and President Trump “will be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the next year” — the lowest level the institute has recorded on that question in 12 years of polling.
Skelton: California voters don’t know much about government. But they do have common sense
Los Angeles Times
Voters can be weird. They’re often dead wrong on public policy details, but still instinctively arrive at a sensible conclusion.
California needs a public ombudsman
Los Angeles Times
For 50 years, California law has required government agencies to make most records available to the public upon request, in keeping with the notion that the state must be accountable.
Federal:
Locals weigh in on Trump’s State of the Union address
Bakersfield Californian
Perhaps you saw how those attending Tuesday night’s joint session of Congress felt about President Trump’s State of Union address. Perhaps you saw how the television pundits reacted.
See also:
● 5 key takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address abc30
● California Lawmakers React To Trump State Of The Union Capital Public Radio
● Trump’s speech showed how he’s redefined conservatism in his own toxic image Washington Post
● Brookings experts react to Trump’s second State of the Union Brookings
● Is the State of the Union just another campaign stop? Sacramento Bee
● The State of the Union offered a taste of the Trump presidency that might have been Washington Post
● EDITORIAL: On this stage, Trump not the only attraction Modesto Bee
DACA off the table in border wall negotiations, two lawmakers say
Fresno Bee
The White House and some lawmakers from both parties have been floating the possibility of using border security negotiations to stop the deportation of DACA recipients, but party leaders are focused on keeping the government open with a more narrow solution.
See also:
● Democrats Could Back Some Funds for New Barriers on U.S.-Mexico Border Wall Street Journal
● EDITORIAL: The nation faces many problems. A crisis at the border isn’t one of them Los Angeles Times
With White House awash in vacancies, Blunt moves to cut debate time on Trump nominees
Fresno Bee
Sen. Roy Blunt is moving quickly with an effort to reduce the amount of required debate time for most of President Trump’s nominees to fill hundreds vacancies throughout federal agencies and the judicial branch.
See also:
● Trump announces controversial pick for World Bank president abc30
Democrats set their House agenda with investigations into Trump and new legislation
Los Angeles Times
A day after the State of the Union address, House Democrats responded Wednesday by launching a counter-agenda, including a series of investigations into the Trump administration and legislation they hope will send a compelling message to voters ahead of the 2020 election.
See also:
● House Intelligence Committee votes to send Russia probe transcripts to Mueller abc30
● House Intelligence Committee says it will expand inquiry beyond Russian meddling Los Angeles Times
● Democrats unveil Green New Deal that would compel government to make radical changes Roll Call
● EDITORIAL: Who’s Afraid of Socialism? Wall Street Journal
Obstruction of Justice? Careful What You Wish For, Lawmakers
Wall Street Journal
Democrats have attacked Attorney General-designate William Barr for a memo in which he argued against a legal theory some claim could support prosecuting President Trump for obstruction of justice.
Other:
Deadline FAST APPROACHING:
Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship
The Maddy Institute
Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships
Due Friday, February 22nd, 2019.
As social networks tighten up, they’re taking your data hostage
San Francisco Chronicle
Facebook turned 15 Monday, and it’s hard for most of us to remember life outside Mark Zuckerberg’s social panopticon.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, February 10, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report: “Immigration: Dreaming in a Sanctuary State” – Guests: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of Calif., Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee, and Dan Walters with CALmatters. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, February 10, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: Valley Views Edition: “Income Inequality and Immigration: Are They Related?” – Guests: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of Calif., Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee, Dan Walters with CALmatters, California Budget Center Policy Analyst Luke Reidenbach, and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) California State Director Tom Scott. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, February 10, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Resultados de las elecciones de California en 2018: ¿un tsunami político?” – Guest: Liam Dillon, Reportero de Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Valley nurseries take measures to protect plants during cold stretch
abc30
Some plants at your home may be worth covering, but others are more cold tolerant. If you’re unsure, it’s probably best to ask a professional. But even the professionals are having a difficult time protecting their inventory during this stretch of cold weather.
The Hill is alive with the signs of new farmers market
Bakersfield Californian
Although bad weather knocked the wind out of the planned grand opening of Market on the Hill last weekend, the farmers market is ready to debut this Saturday in northeast Bakersfield.
Court gives Trump administration another chance to argue against pesticide ban
San Francisco Chronicle
Any of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s more than 5 million electric customers could have their power shut off during dangerously dry and windy weather as part of an expanded wildfire prevention program the utility outlined Wednesday.
‘This One Here Is Gonna Kick My Butt’—Farm Belt Bankruptcies Are Soaring
Wall Street Journal
A wave of bankruptcies is sweeping the U.S. Farm Belt as trade disputes add pain to the low commodity prices that have been grinding down American farmers for years.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Hundreds of Bounty Hunters Had Access to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint Customer Location Data for Years
Motherboard
Documents show that bail bond companies used a secret phone tracking service to make tens of thousands of location requests.
Dozens of Cities Have Secretly Experimented With Predictive Policing Software
Motherboard
Documents obtained by Motherboard using public information requests verify previously unconfirmed police department contracts with predictive policing company PredPol.
Public Safety:
Winter Driving And Power Outages; Are You Prepared?
Sierra Star
Here are some safety tips for customers who may need to drive in the snow, as well as gas safety tips for customers who plan to leave their homes until electric service is restored.
‘No more Stephon Clarks:’ Lawmakers revive bill to prosecute officers who use deadly force
Fresno Bee
California police officers could be prosecuted more easily over officer-involved shootings if the Legislature approves a bill by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber that aims to reduce killings.
See also:
● What lawmakers said about bill to set rules around deadly use of force by police Merced Sun-Star
● California lawmakers try once again to make it easier to prosecute police officers for killing civilians Los Angeles Times
● When should police be allowed to shoot? Fight returns to California Capitol San Francisco Chronicle
● EDITORIAL: Democrats’ test of wills on police use of force San Francisco Chronicle
California Attorney General Refuses To Release Misconduct Records For Department Of Justice Officers
Capital Public Radio
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is tasked with enforcing and upholding the state’s laws. But when it comes to a new measure that requires the release of law enforcement misconduct records, Becerra is refusing to budge.
See also:
● California cities taking cue from attorney general’s decision not to disclose police disciplinary files Orange County Register
It’s a crime to refuse to help the police in California. This bill could change that.
Sacramento Bee
It is a crime in California to refuse to help the police make an arrest. A state senator is calling for a repeal of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1872, calling the law, punishable by a fine, antiquated.
Fire:
California wildfires: Get ready for bigger, broader PG&E blackouts this summer
Fresno Bee
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Wednesday that it plans to increase the scope of the PG&E wildfire safety blackouts this summer to help with California wildfire prevention.
See also:
● Pacific Gas & Electric Vows To Improve Wildfire Prevention Capital Public Radio
● PG&E expands power shut-off plan: All electric customers could be impacted San Francisco Chronicle
● Southern California Edison unveils plan to prevent wildfires Los Angeles Times
● PG&E’s Fire Safety Plan Could Cut the Lights for Customers Outside Risk Areas Bloomberg
● Southern California Edison unveils plan to prevent wildfires Los Angeles Times
California wildfires, hurricanes make 2018 fourth-costliest disaster year
San Francisco Chronicle
California’s deadly wildfires joined hurricanes as the nation’s costliest natural disasters in 2018, contributing to a total $91 billion in losses from major catastrophes last year and underscoring a sober trend of increasing devastation over recent decades, the federal government reported.
Trump seems to soften his threat to halt emergency funding for California fire victims
Los Angeles Times
A month after tweeting that he might order FEMA to cut federal disaster funding to California fire victims, President Trump declined to renew that threat and indicated that talks with state officials were going well.
See also:
● Trump says Newsom ‘agrees with me’ on California forest problems San Francisco Chronicle
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Consumer Protection Bureau Aims To Roll Back Rule For Payday Lending
Capital Public Radio
The rule would have protected borrowers from ballooning loans with giant interest rates. Now, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes ripping the rule’s teeth out.
Stock indexes slip as video game companies drop
Los Angeles Times
A mixed bag of corporate earnings nudged U.S. stocks slightly lower Wednesday, snapping the market’s five-day winning streak.
The Economy & Efficiency Report 2017-18
Little Hoover Commission
The report provides a synopsis of the Commission’s oversight work and accomplishments in 2017 and 2018, and identifies top opportunities for government reform from the Commission’s body of work.
State Fiscal Health Index: December 2018
LAO
Knowing when the state’s next budget slowdown will happen is impossible. Many economic factors outside the state’s control influence state revenues. Despite this, certain data points can help us understand whether shifting economic conditions are likely to lead to growth or declines in state revenues in the coming months.
Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Amplify Income Inequality Message
Wall Street Journal
Several prominent Democrats are pressing for redistributing wealth to low-income families in a bid to make income inequality a defining term of the 2020 presidential elections.
U.S. Trade Deficit Narrowed in November
Wall Street Journal
The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in November to its smallest amount in five months, driven by a drop in imports, especially from China.
See also:
● California Trade Report for November 2018 California Center for Jobs & the Economy
CEOs Scramble to Avoid Trump’s Tariffs to Survive His Trade War
Bloomberg
But last year, it paid more in duties than it made in profit because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Now he’s examining every legal option to avoid the duties — including relocating his production to Mexico.
See also:
● To Beat Trump, Embrace Free Trade Wall Street Journal
Tech Rally Puts Nasdaq on Cusp of Exiting Bear Market
Wall Street Journal
The Nasdaq Composite is on the cusp of exiting a bear market, rebounding nearly 20% from its Christmas Eve low and highlighting the resilience of the technology shares that have long powered the market higher.
New York Times
At some level of extreme wealth, money inevitably corrupts. On the left and the right, it buys political power, it silences dissent, it serves primarily to perpetuate ever-greater wealth, often unrelated to any reciprocal social good.
Jobs:
Modesto picks health insurance fix, will help workers with added costs
Modesto Bee
Modesto has taken steps it believes will free itself from a health insurance mess in which its employees’ medical claims have gone unpaid and they faced huge increases in their contributions, but the city’s fix also will be costly.
California child care providers renew push for collective bargaining rights
Sacramento Bee
California child care providers are renewing a push for collective bargaining rights, hoping that Gov. Gavin Newsom will grant them the power to negotiate they could not obtain from Gov. Jerry Brown.
Updated: Search our salary database of California state workers
Sacramento Bee
Search the salaries of California’s 500,000-plus state workers and view up to 12 years of their pay history with The Bee’s state worker salary database.
EDUCATION
K-12:
An act of kindness surprises Dixieland student
Madera Tribune
The Great Kindness Challenge at Dixieland Elementary School kicked off with a Kindness Assembly and a special guest speaker.
Bakersfield Californian
Students with the Youth Leadership Bakersfield program pulled up to the Kern County Public Health Services Department thinking they were getting a tour of the facility. Instead, department personnel surprised them with a mock medical emergency, tasking the students to identify the source of an E. coli outbreak.
Music Makers concert highlights hundreds of student performers
Bakersfield Californian
Students from the Panama-Buena Vista School District will demonstrate their musical abilities in the district’s 35th annual Music Makers concert this Thursday evening to celebrate an activity that extends well beyond making beautiful music.
See also:
● Young Artists Spotlight 2019 – Music Of Bakersfield VPR
Textbooks with LGBT history-makers coming to Elk Grove classrooms after tense debate
Sacramento Bee
After a contentious debate Tuesday night capping a year of controversy, the Elk Grove Unified school board voted to adopt new textbooks that include LGBT leaders.
Do charter schools harm traditional public schools? Gov. Newsom wants to find out
Los Angeles Times
In the wake of the Los Angeles teachers’ strike, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has joined a push for a review of how charter schools could be causing financial problems for traditional school systems.
Higher Ed:
Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship
The Maddy Institute
Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, February 22nd, 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.
#MeToo movement founder encourages Fresno State students to push for change
Fresno Bee
The founder of the “Me Too” movement on Wednesday told Fresno State students she hasn’t been to one college campus that doesn’t have sexual violence issues.
California Health Sciences University showcases new technology
abc30
Future medical students will soon have an option to study and practice in the Central Valley. Wednesday the California Health Sciences University showcased what their new campus will offer to students who want to become doctors.
Storytelling For Change Connects Generations, Links Past To Present
VPR
On Saturday Feb. 9, a group of writers, educators and artists will tell personal stories about social injustice in front of an audience at Fresno State’s Madden Library from 2-4 p.m.. It’s called Storytelling for Change and it’s part of a larger effort to get people talking about present day civil liberties struggles.
College athletes could soon get paid in California, but not from the NCAA
Merced Sun-Star
College athletes could soon be getting a check in the mail, but it won’t be from the NCAA. A proposal introduced by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would allow players to get compensated for sponsorship opportunities.
Gen. Wesley Clark to speak at Univ. of the Pacific Thursday
Stockton Record
Former NATO head and retired Gen. Wesley Clark will share his views on world events and national security today at University of the Pacific.
State auditor says UC’s Napolitano has not implemented transparency reforms
San Francisco Chronicle
Nearly a year after a deadline for the University of California to overhaul business practices at its headquarters, UC President Janet Napolitano has made improvements but is still doing business in a way that lets her office amass “virtually an unlimited amount” of money.
California’s new online community college taps tech entrepreneur for top job
CALmatters
California’s community college system has chosen an entrepreneur with a background in technology and philanthropy to lead its controversial new online college, as system leaders push to meet a fall deadline to have the school up and running.
See also:
● Former Gates Foundation executive and entrepreneur to lead California’s online community college EdSource
International Student Enrollment Drops for Second Year, Report Says
Wall Street Journal
The international market for U.S. graduate education is softening. For the second year in a row the number of students from abroad who enrolled in U.S. graduate schools fell by 1%.
Pay Gap Persists Among M.B.A. Graduates
Wall Street Journal
For people of color, getting a master of business administration degree brings big career benefits, but the degree still doesn’t ensure equal pay with white classmates, according to a new study.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
2018 was among warmest years in history, government scientists say
abc30
The past five years are the warmest in recorded history, scientists from NASA and NOAA say, part of a continued trend of higher temperatures around the world.
See also:
● 2018 Was Earth’s Fourth-Hottest Year On Record, Scientists Say Capital Public Radio
● 2018 was one of the hottest years on record — and this year could be even hotter Los Angeles Times
● It’s Official: 2018 Was the Fourth-Warmest Year on Record New York Times
● 2018 Was Fourth-Hottest Year in Modern Records, U.S. Government Scientists Say Wall Street Journal
How the geography of climate damage could make the politics less polarizing
Brookings
As a new Congress and the 2020 presidential election cycle gear up, much of Washington is likely to focus on topics where political polarization is high. Yet there may be surprises.
Energy:
Shell sells oil pipeline to Crimson, Physicians Automated Laboratory joins WestPac
Bakersfield Californian
Denver-based Crimson Midstream LLC has agreed to buy Shell Pipeline Co. LP’s 600-mile California oil pipeline system, which includes a key, state-regulated conduit — the San Pablo Bay Pipeline — linking oilfields in western Kern with Bay Area refineries.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Valley Fever cases in California continue to increase
SF Gate
A potentially deadly illness found in the soil and dusty winds of California’s Central Valley is on the rise, state health officials say. Documented cases of Valley Fever rose 11 % in 2018.
abc7
Scientists say that’s because communities most affected by air pollution also tend to be neighborhoods with a higher %age of black and Latino residents.
Female brains age slower than men’s, study says
abc30
A new study shows that female brains tend to age more slowly than men’s. Researchers say women’s brains appear to be about three years younger than those of men at the same chronological age.
Online Psychotherapy for the Elderly
Wall Street Journal
Many elderly patients with mental-health conditions have a hard time getting to a doctor, due to physical disabilities and cognitive decline. So health providers increasingly are trying a new approach for these older patients: online psychotherapy.
‘A Match Into a Can of Gasoline’: Measles Outbreak Now an Emergency in Washington State
New York Times
Measles, declared eliminated as a major public health threat in the United States almost 20 years ago, has re-emerged this winter in the Pacific Northwest and other states where parents have relatively broad leeway over whether to vaccinate their children.
See also:
● EDITORIAL: The anti-vaxx movement is a worldwide pandemic Los Angeles Times
Human Services:
Carlton Jones’ absence leaves Tulare hospital future in limbo
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare hospital board needs money. They turned to the city of Tulare. With an expectation of leaving Tuesday night’s city council meeting with $9 million, instead, they were met with legalities and roadblocks.
California Medical Provider Shortfall Is A Looming Crisis. This Commission Has a Plan
Capital Public Radio
A commission studying the medical workforce is out with a new report offering solutions for how to prevent a provider shortfall.
In rush to revamp Medicaid, Trump officials bend rules that protect patients
Los Angeles Times
As it races to revamp Medicaid by allowing work requirements for the first time, the Trump administration is failing to enforce federal rules directing states to assess the impact of the change on low-income patients who rely on the half-century-old safety net program.
Single-payer health care isn’t popular in California
Orange County Register
One of the most persistent ideas of Democratic politics in California — the push for single-payer health insurance — is favored by only 41 % of voters statewide, while 46 % would not swap their private insurance for a government-backed system, according to a poll released Wednesday, Feb. 6 by Quinnipiac University
Democrats Unite to Begin Push to Protect Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
New York Times
Democrats, claiming a mandate from voters, opened a legislative campaign on Wednesday to secure protections under the Affordable Care Act for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
IMMIGRATION
Study had several flaws in its look at Fresno’s naturalization rate
Fresno Bee
A factor to be considered in Fresno’s low naturalization rate is the high %age of immigrants from Mexico. Traditionally, Mexicans are less likely to apply for naturalization than most other nationalities.
Trump now says he wants more legal immigration
Fresno Bee
President Donald Trump says he’s now in favor of more legal immigration, marking a break from the policies he’s advocated.
More Californians think illegal immigration a priority than education, poll says
Mercury News
More Californians think immigration and illegal immigration are the most important issue for state officials to tackle in the coming year than education, jobs, the environment and homelessness, according to a new statewide poll released Wednesday.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Dog House Grill owners pull out of Packwood Creek
Visalia Times Delta
Best Buy’s move across the street may have a ripple effect. While one store is coming to town, one is pulling the plug on expansion.
Family offers to buy out struggling gold mine near Mojave
Bakersfield Californian
The family that owns about half of Kern County’s unprofitable gold and silver mine near Mojave has offered to buy the other half from the Canadian company running the operation.
EDITORIAL: New jobs or good planning? Fresno can have both in proposed industrial park
Fresno Bee
It took longer than it should have, but the city and a group of residents finally arrived at the right place when it comes to a proposed industrial park in southwest Fresno.
Housing:
Fresno has some of the lowest apartment rents. It’s still not cheap for low-income renters
Fresno Bee
Renting an apartment in Fresno got more expensive in the past year — though it’s still cheaper to live here than most other California cities.
Fresno Camping Ban 18 Months In: Few Arrests, Homeless Dispersed
VPR
Fresno’s no-camping ordinance — aimed at sprawling tent cities — has been in effect for about a year and a half. Since then, the homeless population has slowly increased, and the city recently received millions in state funds to tackle homelessness issues.
To overcome its housing crisis, California needs YIMBY to become the new NIMBY
Los Angeles Times
YIMBYs have assembled a statewide organization favoring more development, including affordable housing, but only in certain areas along transit corridors.
Cities are committed to addressing housing shortage
CALmatters
While cities don’t build homes, we do lay the groundwork for housing by planning and zoning new projects in our communities. This is a transparent process that involves input from residents, detailed environmental documents, and approval of projects.
PUBLIC FINANCES
CalPERS and other big pension funds are getting more conservative, report says
Sacramento Bee
A new survey of public pensions suggests the financial health of California’s largest pension system is roughly in line with that of the majority of funds around the country.
Trump ‘open to talking about’ a change in tax law that is costing Californians $12 billion
Sacramento Bee
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is open to revisiting changes to a state and local tax deduction that Republicans in Washington enacted in 2017 and were projected to cost California taxpayers an extra $12 billion.
See also:
● N.Y., NJ Governors Blame Shrinking Revenue on Federal Tax Changes Wall Street Journal
● Walters: Will the one-%ers flee California’s high taxes? CALmatters
● The Global Con Hidden in Trump’s Tax Reform Law, Revealed New York Times
CFPB moves to water down tough pending rules on payday loans
Los Angeles Times
The nation’s new consumer financial watchdog proposed Wednesday to significantly water down tough pending rules on payday and other short-term loans designed to prevent lenders from taking advantage of cash-strapped Americans.
See also:
● CFPB Unveils Plan to Revise Obama-Era Payday Loan Regulation Wall Street Journal
● Consumer Bureau To Roll Back Payday Lending Rule NPR
TRANSPORTATION
More errors at the DMV: Thousands of customers can’t get licenses after paying early
Sacramento Bee
The DMV sent renewal notices to Californians 120 to 150 days before their licenses were scheduled to expire. But the department’s technology could only accept payments 115 days before a license’s expiration.
Yosemite reopens some roads following heavy snowstorm
Fresno Bee
Yosemite National Park reopened Wawona Road (Highway 41), El Portal Road (Highway 140) and Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) following a heavy snowstorm that trees and closed schools and shutdown roads.
See also:
● Visitors flock to reopened Yosemite after storm abc30
● Yosemite Highways To Reopen, Badger Pass Road Still Closed Sierra Star
● Heavy snow closes roads to Yosemite Visalia Times Delta
Flooded Highway 59 causes havoc for commuters and farmers
abc30
A 6-mile portion of State Route 59 is blocked off to drivers as water from the Mariposa Creek covers the road.
Opinion: California overstates bullet train climate benefits
Mercury News
It now appears that the bullet train, if ever slowly working their way back to normal after this week’s snowstorm. According to the National Weather Service, Oakhurst received about six inches of snow and Bass Lake about nine inches.
WATER
Lawsuits from Central Valley, Bay Area keep state ‘water grab’ tied up in courts
Merced Sun-Star
An assortment of groups, from a leading farming organization to a water supplier for Silicon Valley, joined the legal fray in courts over the State Water Board decision in December to reduce water diversions for farms and cities from the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced rivers.
Will Trump’s California water plan send more to Republican farmers and short Democratic cities?
Modesto Bee
President Donald Trump proposed relaxing restrictions on Delta water pumping to aid Central Valley Project farmers. The plan could hurt the State Water Project, California cities and endangered fish species.
“Xtra”
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early at Madera ‘Wine and Chocolate Weekend’
abc30
You can celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early. The Madera Wine Trail is hosting it’s 17th annual “Wine and Chocolate Weekend.” Eight wineries are serving up their wines, and you can sample local and handmade chocolates.
This new restaurant is farm-to-table on steroids, with some familiar Fresno talent behind it
Fresno Bee
Fresno’s newest restaurant has a tandoori cauliflower entree on the menu. There’s steak on the menu too, and there’s certainly a lot more exciting food than cauliflower available, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s an example of how Heirloom is something different.
Fresno waited a long time for this sandwich chain to come to town. It’s open now
Fresno Bee
The first of two Ike’s Love and Sandwiches shops in Fresno is open. Highly anticipated by Fresnans, the San Francisco-based sandwich shop has opened its first location at the Palmdon shopping center.
Crazy for Physics on Instagram
abc30
The @physicsfun Instagram account is run by a Fresno State professor. It has no pictures of pretty people, places, or food. Instead it’s just videos of physics experiments… but the account has 1M followers!
Lindsay Chamber of Commerce awards
Porterville Recorder
The Lindsay Memorial building was the place to be Saturday night to celebrate the recipients at the 107th annual Chamber of Commerce awards banquet. Over a dozen local businesses and residents were recognized at the ceremony.
Five-day music festival could come to Bakersfield in May
Bakersfield Californian
With one festival off the table for 2019, another could be on the way in. On the heels of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival announcing it will take 2019 off, the Lightning in a Bottle Festival could be coming to Kern County in May.
Dig in with new interactive sandbox at Buena Vista Museum
Bakersfield Californian
The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science is all about proving that learning can — and should — be fun, no matter your age. With a new addition, the museum has one more way to do just that.
Test yourself with our new free game: PolitiTruth
Think you can tell the difference between True and False?
Do you really know what is fake news?
Support the Maddy Daily
Thank you!
Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.
The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno was established to honor the legacy of one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.
This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, The Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno does not officially endorse or support views that may be expressed in the document. If you want to print a story, please do so now before the link expires.
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe: mjeans@csufresno.edu