10Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

Community Engagement at Center of New State Law On Air Protection

VPR

When it comes to monitoring air quality, we typically turn to state and local air regulators. But a recent state law is taking on a new strategy.

See also:

· In California’s Fertile Valley, Industry and Agriculture Hang Heavy in the Air Undark

· Many Central Valley school districts transitioning to electric buses abc30

North SJ Valley:

Berryhill, released from hospital, takes Stanislaus County oath of office

Modesto Bee

Tom Berryhill, who arrived in a wheelchair and looked somewhat frail, took the oath of office Wednesday to start a four-year term as Modesto’s representative on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors.

● EDITORIAL: We fear Tom Berryhill too sick to serve as supervisor Modesto Bee

State files DUI charges against SJ Supervisor Tom Patti in July accident

Stockton Record

More than five months after his involvement in a three-car accident on Interstate 5, San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti has been charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence.

Central SJ Valley:

He raised $9 million to challenge Devin Nunes. Now he’s out to protect voter rights

Fresno Bee

Andrew Janz, the Fresno Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Devin Nunes in one of the country’s most contentious congressional races of 2018, announced the launch of a new political organization Wednesday that he says will work nationwide to protect voting rights, combat voter suppression and target “bad actors” who are on the wrong side of either issue.

After two terms in office, these outgoing councilmen say Fresno is getting better.

Fresno Bee

Two Fresno City Councilmen who brought camaraderie and candor to the governing body served their constituents for the last time earlier this week. Oliver Baines and Clint Olivier both completed two terms on the council. They are termed out.

Magsig named Fresno County supervisor chair

The Business Journal

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has a new chairman for the New Year. Nathan Magsig, supervisor for District 5, was named chairman for 2019, with District 4 Supervisor Buddy Mendes serving as vice chairman.

South SJ Valley:

County Administrative Officer receives contract extension

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year contract extension for County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop at its Tuesday meeting. Alsop’s contract was set to expire in 2020. The extension extends him until 2023.

Tulare looks for permanent city manager, police chief and attorney while lawsuits loom

The Business Journal

It’s a new year and Tulare has two new council members and a new mayor. But, the city still has a lot of the same old problems. Some of those the City hopes to rectify in the near future, said Mayor Jose Sigala.

Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend sworn in as supervisors

Our Valley Voice

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors swore in two new members on January 8, Eddie Valero for District 4 and Dennis Townsend for District 5.

Farmers’ market relocation causes controversy at Lindsay City Council meeting

Porterville Recorder

The Lindsay City Council held their first meeting of 2019 on Tuesday evening, and it was met with concern about the possibility of the Friday night market relocating.

State:

Gavin Newsom Will Release His First California Budget Proposal Thursday. Here’s What We Know.

Capital Public Radio

Here’s what we know so far about Newsom’s state budget proposal for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, based on the governor’s public statements, press releases and a source close to Newsom’s transition team.

See Also:

● Newsom’s first California budget aims to balance promises Sacramento Bee

● Gov. Gavin Newsom hints at a more hopeful budget for the state Los Angeles Times

● Gov. Gavin Newsom starts his California budget balancing act San Francisco Chronicle

Gavin Newsom’s health plan could help lower your insurance costs – or make you pay a fine

Sacramento Bee

California’s new governor wants to reinstate the individual mandate for health insurance. What is that? Do I have to pay it? Here’s a breakdown of Gavin Newsom’s plan and how it might affect Californians.

● Newsom’s got an idea even Trump likes—will it lower California’s drug prices? CALmatters

● EDITORIAL: Gavin Newsom is already moving California toward single-payer Los Angeles Times

Trump, Newsom have something in common – a problem

Modesto Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom punctuated his inaugural address with several jabs at President Donald Trump, referring at one point to “the corruption and incompetence in the White House.” Neither man will admit it, but they share a very similar political problem.

· Dr. Newsom wants to cure state’s tech disease CALmatters

· Skelton: When it comes to style, Brown and Newsom couldn’t be more different Los Angeles Times

Hear why a California lawmaker wants to do away with paper receipts

Fresno Bee

On Jan. 8, 2019 assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, announced his plan to rid California of long receipts by 2022.

California Senate paid $350,000 to former staffer who says she was fired after reporting rape

Fresno Bee

The California Senate in November settled a lawsuit from a former employee who alleged she was fired for asking for accommodations after she reported being raped. The settlement surfaced on Jan. 9, 2019.

Direct democracy in California has been a dangerously mixed bag. It doesn’t have to be.

Los Angeles Times

California has just seated a new governor and legislature. But our state is not so much governed by these elected officials as by direct democracy. California’s most consequential decisions in recent years — on taxes, budget, the environment and other issues — have been made by citizens at the ballot box through the initiative process.

Federal:

Local leaders react to Presidential address, Democrats rebuttal

abc30

In a televised plea to the American people, President Donald Trump called the dire situation at the border a humanitarian and security crisis. But Democrats aren’t moved. They are demanding that the President reopen the government first, then continue on with the border debate.

● Fact Check: Trump invokes California crimes to argue for border wall Merced Sun-Star

● Humanitarian Experts Debate Trump’s Use Of The Term ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ Capital Public Radio

● In Oval Office address, Trump aimed to rally public support for wall funding. Here’s the transcript, with fact checks and annotations. Washington Post

Trump walks out of meeting with Democrats, tweets a ‘total waste of time’

abc30

Top Democrats say President Donald Trump walked out of a meeting with congressional leaders as talks to end the partial government shutdown remain at an impasse.

● In shutdown talks, Trump administration seeks $5.7 billion for “a steel barrier” and offers $800 million for humanitarian aid Washington Post

● Pence calls on Democrats in Congress to accede to wall-funding demand, end shutdown Washington Post

● 8 House Republicans break with Trump on shutdown strategy, back Democrats’ plan to reopen Treasury without new border wall funds Washington Post

● Build the wall? It could take at least 10 years, even with 10,000 workers Washington Post

● Trump has said that keeping opponents off balance wins negotiations. But with the shutdown, his go-to tactics aren’t working. Washington Post

● Trump walks out of meeting as White House confab devolves Roll Call

● Trump Storms Out of Shutdown Meeting with Dems as Negotiations Stall National Review

● Trump Ends Meeting in White House After Pelosi Rejects Border Wall WSJ

● Democrats’ Cynical ‘No’ on Immigration WSJ

● Trump Can’t Afford to Lose WSJ

● The Right’s Resistance WSJ

● Trump’s shutdown could wear out his welcome in the Senate once and for all Brookings

● Fireworks and presidential threats send shutdown talks careening into chaos Roll Call

● House churns through measures designed to put heat on GOP Roll Call

Supreme Court has placed limits on presidential emergency powers, but that may not stop Trump

Los Angeles Times

More than a half century ago, the Supreme Court in one of its most famous decisions boldly put a check on executive power, one that has been cited repeatedly as proof the president cannot declare a national emergency to bypass Congress.

● Trump’s base would applaud an emergency. But Democrats could win, too San Francisco Chronicle

● An emergency declaration for Trump’s wall? Not so fast, say experts San Francisco Chronicle

● Trump aides lay foundation for emergency order to build wall, saying border is in ‘crisis’ Washington Post

● An ‘emergency’ power grab would only add to Trump’s problems Washington Post

● If Trump is looking for a national emergency, he should try these ones instead Roll Call

● Trump sends clear signal he’s moving toward a national emergency over southern border Roll Call

● EDITORIAL: Trump’s wall of nonsense San Francisco Chronicle

Crash safety to craft beer: Shutdown impacts Americans in surprising ways

Visalia Times Delta

While President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders haggle over his demand for $5.7 billion to fund a southern border wall – both sides went on national TV to argue their case Tuesday night – millions of Americans increasingly feel the impact of the impasse.

● Shutdowns reinforce the widely held belief that ‘government is broken’ Los Angeles Times

● Shutdown ripples hit K Street; businesses and unions anxious Roll Call

Trump’s team had over 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, report shows

Visalia Times Delta

Members of President Donald Trump’s campaign and transition team had more than 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, according to an analysis by the Center for American Progress think tank and its Moscow Project.

Rod Rosenstein expected to leave Justice Department in weeks

Los Angeles Times

Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein is expected to leave his position soon after William Barr is confirmed as attorney general. That’s according to a person familiar with the plans who wasn’t authorized to discuss them publicly and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Harris reportedly ready to jump into 2020 race

San Francisco Chronicle

Word is California Sen. Kamala Harris will announce she’s running for president either on or shortly after the upcoming Martin Luther King weekend.

● Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), a potential contender, signaled in her new book that she would seek accountability from financial institutions WSJ

● Billionaire Tom Steyer Won’t Run for President, Will Focus on Trump Impeachment WSJ

● Reports: Kamala Harris to launch 2020 presidential run around MLK Day Roll Call

What to expect of House Democrats

San Francisco Chronicle

Democrats are now in control of the House of Representatives, under Speaker Nancy Pelosi. After two years of Republican control over both chambers of Congress and the presidency, some balance has been restored to our democracy.

Supreme Court considers whether predecessors made a mistake 40 years ago

Washington Post

Should justices overturn a precedent that says states can be sued in other states without their consent? The case is a key test of a concept called stare decisis, or respecting past decisions, for the court’s strengthened conservative majority.

Other:

Artificial intelligence and the myriad ethical issues surrounding its use.

Harvard Magazine

“Artificial intelligence” refers to systems that can be designed to take cues from their environment and, based on those inputs, proceed to solve problems, assess risks, make predictions, and take actions.

Enabling opportunities: 5G, the internet of things, and communities of color

Brookings

With peak download speeds as high as 20 gigabits per second, fifth-generation (5G) networks are expected to be the next big leap in mobile broadband. A new report explores how this new technology can increase economic opportunity for communities of color and other vulnerable groups in America.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, January 13, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 –Maddy Report:“Billions for Questionable Medi-Cal Payments: What Went Wrong?” – Guest: California State Auditor, Elaine Howle. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 13, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: Valley Views Edition: “The Senior Boom: Preparing for the Baby Boom Aftershock” – Guest: PPIC Analyst Laurel Beck. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 13, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “San Joaquin Valley Water: a comprehensive review” – Guest: Alvar Escriva-Bou, expert Public Policy Institute of California. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

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AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Central California Food Bank braces for shutdown cuts that may impact hundreds of thousands

Fresno Bee

As the shutdown of the federal government drags on with little prospects for resolution, the Central California Food Bank has begun preparations for a worst-case scenario: the loss of food stamp funding that would send tens of thousands of recipients rushing to its door for immediate help.

Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak ‘appears to be over,’ CDC determines

abc30

No new illnesses have been reported for a month, officials said, and lettuce from the area is no longer in stores or restaurants.

State slaps Visalia company with $50K fine over exams

The Business Journal

Officials with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) said this year they will step up enforcement actions against those who violate pesticide licensing laws and potentially endanger people and the environment.

Hot summer, tariff war create uncertainty for citrus growers

The Business Journal

Many citrus groves across the Valley have been quieter than normal in recent days, as an unwanted lull in the industry as growers deal with the fallout of the trade war that began earlier this year between the U.S. and China, with each side imposing tariffs on the other’s imported goods.

Turkish food industry delegation to visit Fresno

The Business Journal

The West Mediterranean Exporters’ Association, also known as BAIB, will be making a stop in Fresno this month as part of a tour to develop business ties with California. The Turkey-based food cluster’s mission is to establish connections and create trade opportunities during the visit.

Food inspections by the FDA have been sharply reduced due to government shutdown

Los Angeles Times

The furloughing of hundreds of Food and Drug Administration inspectors by the partial government shutdown has sharply reduced inspections of the nation’s food supply.

After shutdown stalls payments from Trump’s farm bailout, USDA extends application deadline

Washington Post

President Trump’s program to send billions of dollars to farmers hurt by his trade war has been stalled by the partial government shutdown, as the Agriculture Department office responsible for administering the payouts is closed for lack of funding.

In California’s Fertile Valley, Industry and Agriculture Hang Heavy in the Air

Undark

The San Joaquin Valley is a cornucopia that supplies a quarter of America’s food. Thanks to cows, cars, and pollution-trapping mountains, it’s also home to some of the filthiest air in the nation.

County moves forward on efforts to regulate cannabis industry

Stockton Record

The Board of Supervisors this week narrowly approved a framework for the establishment of legal commercial cannabis businesses in unincorporated pockets of San Joaquin County.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Car thefts are down over 5% countywide (Tulare) in 2018

Porterville Recorder

For the first time in several years, vehicle thefts in Tulare County are down compared to the previous year. CHP credits community vigilance, technology with improvement.

Manteca sees slight decrease in crime in 2018

Stockton Record

The majority of crimes committed in Manteca saw a slight decrease in 2018, but what Police Chief Jodie Estarziau is most proud of is that there were no homicides last year.

Criminal Records for Obsolete Crimes

WSJ

There’s been a revolution in America’s attitude about marijuana. Two-thirds of voters favor legalization. Nine out of 10 are OK with medical use. Ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and more are expected to follow suit.

Public Safety:

Cybersecurity may suffer as shutdown persists

Roll Call

The partial government shutdown may be making some key federal departments and agencies running with skeletal staffs more vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches, experts said.

Fire:

Federal shutdown has halted training, other wildfire prep — and it could get worse

Fresno Bee

Training has been halted for thousands of western firefighters. The U.S. Forest Service can’t award contracts for needed equipment. In forests across the West, no federal employees are doing work to reduce dry “fuel” that feeds catastrophic blazes.

Judge could force PG&E to inspect all 106,000 miles of electric grid before wildfire season

Fresno Bee

A federal judge in California proposed requiring PG&E to re-inspect its entire electrical grid and engage in more aggressive tree removals to curb wildfire risk on Wednesday.

● Judge proposes ordering PG&E to shut off power for wildfires Los Angeles Times

● Federal judge proposes PG&E inspect and rate all of its power lines San Francisco Chronicle

President Trump threatens to cut off FEMA funding for Calif.

abc30

President Trump is threatening to cut off FEMA funding to the State of California. This isn’t the first time the president has criticized California for its handling of wildfires.

● Fact Check: Can Trump withhold FEMA money from California? Merced Sun-Star

● Trump, California spar over money for wildfire relief funds Bakersfield Californian

● McCarthy backs Trump fire comments Bakersfield Californian

● ‘This Twitter war … is not helpful:’ California leaders blast Trump’s FEMA threat Sacramento Bee

● Trump Repeats Overly Simplistic, False Claim On California’s Wildfires Capital Public Radio

● Trump threatens to cut off disaster funding for California fire victims Los Angeles Times

● Trump’s “forrest” mismanagement threats are as disturbingly uniformed as they are authoritarian. Los Angeles Times

● Trump threat to cut off California fire relief draws bipartisan rebukes San Francisco Chronicle

● Trump Threatens to Block Emergency Funds for California Fire Relief WSJ

● EDITORIAL: Trump would be wrong to withhold federal aid from those burned out in wildfires Fresno Bee

Suspect shipyard contractor gets huge state deal for Camp Fire cleanup

San Francisco Chronicle

The agency in charge of wildfire cleanup has awarded a contract worth as much as $250 million to the company at the center of S.F.’s Superfund scandal.

Newsom weighs in on PG&E’s murky future

San Francisco Chronicle

Fresh off his inauguration this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom has begun to shed light on how he is approaching the wildfire-fueled crisis consuming Pacific Gas and Electric Co., providing a measure of relief to investors worried about the utility’s future.

● EDITORIAL: While Trump threatens cuts, Newsom plans firefighting steps San Francisco Chronicle

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

Markets Right Now: Stock indexes rise for 4th straight day

The Business Journal

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its first four-day winning streak since September. Technology companies and banks posted big gains Wednesday. Those stocks tend to benefit the most from economic growth.

● Markets Make Record Rebound, But It’s Not All Rosy OZY

● Stocks extend gains after Fed minutes WSJ

A very good economic idea may be about to replace a very bad one

Washington Post

Trust me, I wouldn’t waste your time with just any new economics paper. But economist Olivier Blanchard just released an analysis that is so germane to issues of great importance to economies across the globe that attention must be paid.

Jobs:

Faraday ends legal battle, may fire up Hanford facility

The Business Journal

Hundreds of Faraday Future employees laid off in late October have wondered for weeks when — and even if — they would get back to work. That answer may come by the end of this week, said John S. Lehn, head of government affairs for the startup electric car company in Hanford.

See Also:

● Hope for Faraday Future Hanford Sentinel

Delayed surgeries and bologna sandwiches: US workers’ family budgets hit the wall

San Francisco Chronicle

It’s called a “partial” government shutdown but there’s nothing partial about the number zero, which is what many will be paid on Friday.

EDITORIAL: The embarrassment that is Wells Fargo

Sacramento Bee

This week, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $5 million to California and relinquish its insurance license to settle allegations that it opened insurance policies for customers and charged them without their consent. A week before, the company agreed to pay $575 million to resolve investigations by all 50 states into a range of activities, including improper auto loan and mortgage charges.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Fresno is ‘ready’ for universal preschool. But is Newsom’s plan the best way to fund it?

Fresno Bee

University of California at Berkeley researchers and Fresno County administrators agree that expanding early education and preschool is critical to school success, but disagree on the best way to do it.

Fresno Unified spokesman Miguel Arias leaving district. New job bigger than expected

Fresno Bee

Fresno Unified’s long-time spokesman Miguel Arias will leave his position at the end of this week as he joins the Fresno City Council. Previously, Arias had planned to hold down both positions, but said he realized that coming in to council as vice president would make additional demands on his time.

Tim Hire sworn in as TCOE Superintendent of Schools

abc30

Tulare County has a new Superintendent of Schools. Tim Hire was sworn on Monday as the new head of Tulare County Office of Education.

Many Central Valley school districts transitioning to electric buses

abc30

A pair of new electric school buses are ready to pick up and drop off students in Central Unified. Both will help save money on transportation cost and improve air quality since gas or diesel will no longer be used.

FFA puppy-raising project named Organization of the Year

Hanford Sentinel

Students in the Lemoore High School FFA Guide Dog Puppy Raising Project have been raising and socializing puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind program since the late 1980s. The program has been named Organization of the Year by the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce.

Gavin Newsom wants more bathrooms for kindergartners

CALmatters

Before Gavin Newsom can reach his audacious goal of universal preschool, California will first have to get to full-day kindergarten. And full-day kindergarten means having to build a lot more classrooms with little adjacent toilets to meet all those 5-year-olds’ bladder needs.

School Safety Commission Issues Report and Recommendations

aalrr

On December 18, 2018, the Federal Commission on School Safety—created by President Donald Trump in March 2018 after the Parkland, Florida school shooting, and chaired by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos—published its final report.

Higher Ed:

Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship

The Maddy Institute

Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, February 22^nd, 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.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Community Engagement at Center Of New State Law On Air Protection

VPR

When it comes to monitoring air quality, we typically turn to state and local air regulators. But a recent state law is taking on a new strategy.

See also:

· In California’s Fertile Valley, Industry and Agriculture Hang Heavy in the Air Undark

The blinding fog of California’s Central Valley

California Sun

Out east, it’s the snow that sometimes keeps kids home from school. But for schoolchildren in the Central Valley, another seasonal wonder delivers the gift of free days: the tule fog.

Shutdown is exposing larger problems within Yosemite, say experts

abc30

In the days following the shutdown, Yosemite National Park quickly started seeing human waste and trash issues. Along with those problems, UC Merced experts now say the shutdown highlights larger issues the park service has faced for years.

● Libertarian Party organizes Yosemite cleanup Hanford Sentinel

● Amid closure at Joshua Tree, volunteers struggle to clean up after unruly visitors Los Angeles Times

● The Shutdown’s Lasting Damage to Joshua Tree New York Times

Interior Restaffs Some Wildlife Refuges During Shutdown

Capital Public Radio

Furloughed staff will return to 38 protected sites around the country. Critics are panning the move as a way to avoid bad optics during the political tussle.

High surf pummels Southern California, forcing pier closures in 2 counties

Los Angeles Times

High surf will pummel the Southern California coastline Wednesday and Thursday, the result of large swells created by storms spreading from the northern Pacific and sparking dangerous conditions along the beaches of Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to forecasters.

Climate change: 11 policy ideas to protect the planet in 2019

Washington Post

Last year’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sounded the alarm: The world has until 2030 to implement “rapid and far-reaching” changes to our energy, infrastructure and industrial systems to avoid 2 degrees Celsius of warming, which could be catastrophic.

Energy:

Competitor files lawsuit alleging fraud by Bakersfield fuel additive-maker

Bakersfield Californian

A Bakersfield producer of biodiesel fuel additives has been sued by a Los Angeles competitor over claims the local company won a valuable state certification by fraudulently manipulating third-party tests of a product that allegedly doesn’t work.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Shingles vaccine is in short supply. What should you do?

Fresno Bee

A shortage of the shingles vaccine is caused by unprecedented demand, says the CDC and GSK, the manufacturer of the Shingrix shot. More supplies are on the way.

Muscular Dystrophy Association takes operations out of office

The Business Journal

The decision came in November to shut down the Fresno office’s brick and mortar location near Fresno State to save on overhead.

Doctors Hope ‘Precision Medicine’ Program With Veterans Could Change How We Treat Patients

Capital Public Radio

A growing number of researchers are pushing ‘precision medicine’ — a new approach where doctors draw on a patient’s history and DNA to find the best treatment.

Finally, we’re all wising up about the dangers of screen time for kids

Los Angeles Times

Parents who want to reduce their kids’ screen time now have the culture on their side when it comes to making the right call: less time with the phone or gaming system and more face-to-face interaction, time outside, and physical activity.

How birth rates vary across the country

WSJ

The number of babies born in the U.S. in 2017 was the lowest in 30 years, but some places are more fertile than others, according to a new look at federal data.

Human Services:

Gavin Newsom’s health plan could help lower your insurance costs – or make you pay a fine

Sacramento Bee

● Newsom’s got an idea even Trump likes—will it lower California’s drug prices? CALmatters

● EDITORIAL: Gavin Newsom is already moving California toward single-payer Los Angeles Times

Covered California enrollment period ends next week

Bakersfield Californian

Time is running out to sign up for health coverage in 2019 through Covered California. The last day to sign up and get coverage for this year is Jan. 15. People with special qualifying life events such as a move or loss of coverage may enroll anytime during the year.

Boys and Girls Club facility gets new roof, solar installation

Bakersfield Californian

Rain has not been a friend to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. That will soon end as Aera Energy announced on Wednesday that it is investing $280,000 into a new roof at the facility and a 74,000-kilowatt solar installation that could save up to $60,000 a year in electricity costs for the club.

Kaweah Delta welcomes public to Exeter Women’s Health Clinic on Thursday

The Business Journal

While Kaweah Delta’s premier women’s health clinic officially opened in August, they are finally ready to show the community all the improvements they have accomplished between 2017 and 2018 this Thursday, Jan. 10.

Transparency In Hospital Pricing The Goal Of New Federal Law – But Will It Work?

VPR

With a new law that just went into effect this month, the federal government is requiring hospitals to be more transparent about their prices.

Senators clash over abortion fee rule

Roll Call

Senate Democrats and Republicans at odds over a proposed rule that would change how individuals are billed for abortion coverage sent two competing letters to Health and Human Services this week.

If You Have to Ask How Much Socialized Medicine Costs…

WSJ

After dismissing for years the idea that Democrats’ health care plans would lead to a government takeover, new House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth on Tuesday asked Congress’ top economist to sketch out the options for a government takeover.

IMMIGRATION

These policy changes will impact legal immigrants in the U.S. in 2019

Merced Sun-Star

In 2018, the Trump administration pushed to cut down on legal immigration and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to enforce immigration laws.

How ICE Arrests Created Fear and Paranoia For High Schoolers In The Valley

VPR

Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, an undocumented high schooler in Delano received a text from her parents. It was a photo of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their town. Her parents were on their way to work.

Living In California Can Give Asylum Seekers An Advantage, If Housing Costs Don’t Push Them Out

Capital Public Radio

In recent weeks, thousands of migrants have gathered in Tijuana, hoping for asylum in the United States. Some will be deported before ever stepping foot in California. Others will be detained by U.S. immigration authorities as they wait for their hearings.

Asylum-seekers in California wait for their day in immigration court.

NPR

In recent months, thousands of migrants have gathered in Tijuana, hoping for asylum in the United States. Some will be deported before ever stepping foot in the U.S. Others will be detained by U.S. immigration authorities as they wait for their hearings.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Sears at Modesto’s Vintage Faire Mall and Kmart in Ceres close their doors

Modesto Bee

After almost 80 years of continuous business in Modesto, Sears has shut its doors for good. The Sears store at Vintage Faire Mall closed last weekend, shortly after the New Year’s holiday.

Housing:

State Senator Wants to Give CA Homeless a ‘Right to Shelter’

Public CEO

Democratic lawmakers are already gearing up for brawls with Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom over costly efforts. Now, another ambitious bill with a huge price tag has emerged: one guaranteeing the state’s steadily growing homeless population an inherent right to government paid or provided shelter.

Homeless people move on from Turlock park after another city cleanup effort

Modesto Bee

A few dozen homeless people who had been living in Turlock’s Broadway Park were on the move again Wednesday after city workers removed what the city said was illegally stored personal property in the park.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Gavin Newsom Will Release His First California Budget Proposal Thursday. Here’s What We Know.

Capital Public Radio

See Also:

● Newsom’s first California budget aims to balance promises Sacramento Bee

● Gov. Gavin Newsom hints at a more hopeful budget for the state Los Angeles Times

● Gov. Gavin Newsom starts his California budget balancing act San Francisco Chronicle

California’s other fiscal time bomb

CALmatters

California’s state and local agencies have $187 billion in unfunded retiree health care and other benefit liabilities that threaten to crowd out public services, such as public safety and education, that Californians expect government to provide.

IRS workers to rally over shutdown on Thursday

abc30

Talk in Washington that tax returns would be processed haven’t reached the Fresno processing center, where returns and refunds for a dozen western states are handled.

Small business tax deduction has CPAs scratching their heads

The Business Journal

Millions of small business owners will be in uncharted waters this tax season as they try to determine if they qualify for a deduction that could exempt one-fifth of their income from taxes.

The Unworkable 70% Tax

National Review

During the first week of her new job as a representative from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a top statutory tax rate of 70 percent. Her stated goal is to raise revenue to fund what she calls the “Green New Deal,” an effort to transition the U.S. economy to fully renewable energy in ten years.

See Also:

● Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 70 percent marginal tax rate idea PolitiFact

● High Tax Rates Aren’t Optimal WSJ

TRANSPORTATION

Gavin Newsom deploys strike team to fix ‘chronically mismanaged’ California DMV

Fresno Bee

California’s new governor signaled on Wednesday he is making the state’s “chronically mismanaged” Department of Motor Vehicles a major priority, announcing the creation of a new team to improve services.

● Gov. Gavin Newsom orders ‘reinvention’ of troubled California DMV Los Angeles Times

● Audit Says DMV Ignored Warning: Finances: State officials knew about computer system’s problems in 1990, yet spent $50 million on doomed project. Los Angeles Times

Extension granted allowing California’s driver license to be used to fly

abc30

California has been granted a reprieve from rules that could have prevented millions of Californians from flying anywhere without a passport or other federally accepted ID.

Ride-hailing subscriptions: Are they worth it?

The Business Journal

The start of a new year often coincides with a surge in monthly memberships to gyms. Ride-hailing services are hoping customers will think along the same lines about their transportation needs. Uber and Lyft recently launched subscription plans promising savings for those trips to the gym, to work or around town.

Improvements to I-5 aimed at improving traffic between Kern, L.A. counties

Bakersfield Californian

A major infrastructure improvement project along Interstate 5 in the Santa Clarita area is expected to speed the movement of goods and people between Kern and Los Angeles counties.

Are absent workers causing delays at airport security? TSA says no, others disagree

Los Angeles Times

Are absences of Transportation Security Administration officers slowing down airport screening lines? Depends on whom you ask.

Infrastructure projects, new and ongoing, could be delayed.

WSJ

State highway groups say the partial federal government shutdown could delay the start of new highway, bridge and other infrastructure projects across the U.S. if the budget impasse in Washington goes on much longer.

WATER

Rain returns in Sacramento as Sierra gets more snow. Here’s the outlook through the weekend

Sacramento Bee

Following intense weekend storms, rain returned to the Sacramento area on Wednesday, with snow creating possible travel delays in the Sierra Nevada.

“Xtra”

Tower District: New restaurants opening, plus updates on Audie’s Olympic, Landmark

Fresno Bee

While it seemed like all of Fresno was focused on Livingstone’s reopening last month, there were quite a few other changes happening in the Tower District. Now, two more new restaurants are open, along with the former Audie’s Olympic/Club Fred.

C-SPAN is in Visalia to highlight history, landmarks — except shutdown Sequoias

Visalia Times Delta

C-SPAN, the cable and satellite-funded public affairs network best known for its Capitol Hill coverage, made a stop at Visalia City Hall this week to celebrate the kickoff of its 2019“Cities Tour.”

Sip, stretch and more this Second Saturday

Bakersfield Californian

If one of your intentions for 2019 is to try something different, consider Second Saturday. Even those who have attended in the past will find new things to do for the monthly gathering of local businesses and organizations promoting downtown.

Bane is ‘no doubt a hero and will always be remembered as one’ in Tulare County

Visalia Times Delta

On Wednesday, roughly 70 K-9 units from across the state honored Bane in Tulare. Lined along the entrance to the Agri-Center, police dogs barked as Garcia drove in. On Wednesday, Tulare officer Ryan Garcia said goodbye to Bane.

Kern County, Cat People working together for a solution to Hart Park’s feral cats

Bakersfield Californian

Even as Kern County Animal Services and The Cat People work together to find a humane solution to the hundreds of feral cats that live in Hart Park, there’s a wild card: people.

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

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