Maddy Institute – January 7, 2021

07Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

COVID relief for some Merced County businesses kicks off 2021’s first supervisors meeting

Merced Sun-Star

New Merced County Board of Supervisors District 2 member Josh Pedrozo kicked off his first day on Tuesday with a board meeting underscoring challenges to come, with COVID-19’s unprecedented obstacles nearing the one-year mark.

Special Council meetings to determine future of City Manager, City Attorney

Turlock Journal

The first action of the Turlock City Council in the new year has been to evaluate the services of the City Manager and City Attorney, following two emergency meetings called by the Mayor.

Gallo finalizes $1.1 billion purchase. Here’s what it means for Modesto wine giant

Modesto Bee

E. & J. Gallo Winery announced Tuesday that it has finally completed its $1.1 billion purchase from Constellation Brands Inc. The Modesto-based company got 30-plus labels at various price levels, along with winemaking capacity in the Lodi area and four other locations.

‘Shameful’ and ‘disturbing’: Modesto-area leaders react to storming of DC Capitol

Modesto Bee

Two Stanislaus County leaders on Wednesday expressed their shock at and condemnation of the rioters who pushed past police lines and occupied the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in an effort to halt the certification of the November presidential election.

Central SJ Valley:

California orders Central Valley, SoCal to delay nonessential surgeries as COVID-19 swamps hospitals

abc30

Hospitals in California are so swamped by the coronavirus pandemic that the state has ordered those with room to accept patients from others that are out of intensive care beds.

● Coronavirus update: Fresno hospitals break records as ICU availability remains at 0% Fresno Bee

● Hospitals struggle to keep up in Covid-19 hotspot California Business Journal

● Fresno County adds 1,100 COVID cases. State weighing more relief money for families Fresno Bee

● Clovis City Manager Says COVID-19 Cases Are Trending Down, County ICU Capacity Still at 0% Clovis Roundup

● City of Clovis and United Health Centers Hosting Free COVID-19 Testing Clovis Roundup

● Editorial: Maskless protesters, stop harassing Fresno businesses over made-up rights violations Fresno Bee

Tulare County leaders push for farmworkers to receive COVID-19 vaccine priority

Visalia Times Delta

Tulare County and city leaders want farmworkers to be among the first eligible to receive one of two COVID-19 vaccines, arguing that the essential workers are critical to the region's economy and the nation's food supply in a letter addressed to Gov. Gavin Newsom's office.

Fresno Church Buying Tower Theatre Faces Rigorous Rezoning Process

VPR
The sale of Fresno’s historic Tower Theatre is raising concerns among businesses and residents. The buyer, Adventure Church, currently holds Sunday services at the theatre. But according to Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria, that’s a violation of current zoning laws.

‘It must end immediately.’ Fresno-area, Valley leaders react as mob storms U.S. Capitol

Fresno Bee

As hundreds of rioters — encouraged by President Donald Trump’s denial of his November loss to President-Elect Joe Biden — stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, many Fresno-area and Valley elected officials condemned the mob’s actions.

● 'This is un-American': Some Valley lawmakers condemn breach of US Capitol abc30

● Editorial: Valley lawmakers, it’s time to demand that Trump concede the presidential election Fresno Bee

South SJ Valley:

Kern Public Health: 1,014 new coronavirus cases, 3 new deaths reported Wednesday

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health Services reported 1,014 new COVID-19 cases and three new deaths Wednesday. That brings the case count since the pandemic began to 73,892. Public Health reports that 521 people have died from the virus.

· Free COVID-19 testing now available at fairgrounds, 6 clinics in Kern County Bakersfield Californian

McCarthy, Valadao on Washington D.C. protests: It is 'un-American,' has to stop

Visalia Times Delta

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) condemned the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and called on President Trump to make a statement in a bid to calm the mob in an interview on CBS.

See also:

● McCarthy rebukes violence at the Capitol Bakersfield Californian

● Local political leaders speak out on Wednesday's rally outside Capitol building in Washington Bakersfield Californian

Pro-Trump protesters gather in downtown Bakersfield after wild day in Washington

Bakersfiled Californian

A group of around 30 Trump supporters gathered in downtown Bakersfield on Wednesday evening to protest Congress certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory.

State:

COVID Update:

● California Coronavirus Map and Case Count New York Times

● California shares county-by-county COVID data for Christmas week Sacramento Bee

● California hits 2.5 million coronavirus cases, adding 1 million in less than a month Los Angeles Times

State Legislators Representing the Valley propose $2.6B in business aid

Business Journal

Senate Bill 74 — called the Keep California Working Act — allocates $2.6 billion be distributed to small businesses impacted by government-mandated closures. State senators Andres Borgeas (R-Fresno) and Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) are the principal co-authors on the bill.

Newsom proposes $600 payments to Californians in need and extending COVID-19 eviction moratorium

Los Angeles Times

With a state law protecting California tenants from pandemic-related evictions expiring at the end of this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Wednesday to extend the protections and expedite distribution of $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance for low-income tenants.

Newsom condemns attack on U.S. Capitol and cancels press conference to protect his staff

Merced Sun-Star

Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the mob of extremists supporting President Donald Trump who took over the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and canceled a previously scheduled press conference in Sacramento as a measure to protect his own staff.

● California Republican leader promotes conspiracy theory about pro-Trump rioters Sacramento Bee

● Newsom cancels COVID-19 briefing amid outrage over mob violence at U.S. Capitol Los Angeles Times

California prison union to gather in Las Vegas for board meeting amid COVID-19 surge

Sacramento Bee

The union for California state correctional officers has invited representatives from every prison to gather in Las Vegas for a board of directors meeting even as their institutions contend with surging coronavirus outbreaks.

After riot, 7 California Republicans (including Nunes & McCarthy) voted to challenge Joe Biden’s election

Fresno Bee

Seven California Republicans voted to dispute President-elect Joe Biden’s win late Wednesday and early Thursday after a mob of activists for President Donald Trump overwhelmed the Capitol and disrupted the process of certifying the election.

Battered, California GOP struggles to maintain toehold

Capitol Weekly

The California party faces obstacles far more challenging than its brethren in other parts of the country, so what might it take for Republicans again to influence California politics and policy?

● Opinion: After the riot at the Capitol, where do we go from here? Ask the Republicans Los Angeles Times

Federal:

COVID Update:

● US sets new record for daily COVID-19 deaths with over 3,800 The Hill

Schumer calls for Trump to be removed from office; Trump pledges an ‘orderly transition’

Washington Post

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday called for President Trump’s immediate removal from office, either by his Cabinet or through impeachment, describing the violence at the Capitol on Wednesday as “an insurrection against the United States, incited by the president.”

● Calls for impeachment, prosecution of president after pro-Trump mob storms Capitol Roll Call

● Republicans consider drastic options to stop Trump Axios

● Aides weigh resignations, removal options as Trump rages against perceived betrayals Washington Post

● Opinion: How Trump’s moral corruption infects others in his party AEI

‘Un-American’: California lawmakers shelter as pro-Trump activists storm Capitol

Fresno Bee

California lawmakers pleaded for additional help as a mob supporting President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building Wednesday. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, declared that “help is needed” in a live phone interview with CBS News, as lawmakers evacuated the House and Senate chambers and sheltered in place.

● Former White House aides urge Trump to restore calm after supporters mob U.S. Capitol Fresno Bee

● Joe Biden calls on Capitol mob to 'pull back,' urges restoring decency abc30

● Capitol Reels After Pro-Trump Mob Breaches Building; Woman Is Killed VPR

● Trump Supporters Storm U.S. Capitol, Clash With Police VPR

● McConnell finally rejected Trump. Then pro-Trump rioters overtook the Capitol. Modesto Bee

● News Analysis: Trump spoke of ‘American carnage,’ then made it his reality Los Angeles Times

● Pro-Trump mob storms the U.S. Capitol, forces lawmakers to flee Los Angeles Times

● Long warned against inciting violence, Trump does so with supporters’ Capitol siege Los Angeles Times

● Election Officials Warned 'Someone's Going To Get Shot,' But That Didn't Stop Trump VPR

● Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas fired Washington Post

● Woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter USA Today

● 'Not all Trump supporters’: Conservative media tries to shift blame, cast doubt on identities of Capitol invaders Washington Post

● Kid glove treatment of pro-Trump mob contrasts with strong-arm police tactics against Black Lives Matter, activists say Washington Post

● ‘Second revolution begins’: Armed right-wing groups celebrate Capitol attack Los Angeles Times

● Pro-Trump Mob Force Way Into Capitol; D.C. Orders Curfew Wall Street Journal

● Trump to Rioters: Election Was 'Stolen' but 'You Have to Go Home Now' Wall Street Journal

● What is sedition? US Capitol breach was 'almost textbook' example, legal expert says USA Today

● What Trump and His Mob Taught the World About America Atlantic

● Congress needs to revive itself The Hill

● Opinion: The coup failed, but Republicans must face prosecution for seditious U.S. Capitol attack Fresno Bee

● George Will: Trump, Hawley and Cruz will each wear the scarlet ‘S’ of a seditionist Washington Post

● Opinion: Trump caused the assault on the Capitol. He must be removed. Washington Post

● Opinion: The Disgrace on Capitol Hill Wall Street Journal

Pence declares Biden winner of the presidential election after Congress finally counts electoral votes

Washington Post

Vice President Pence declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election at the end of a violent and deadly day at the Capitol. Pence also announced that Sen. Kamala D. Harris had won the vice presidency, after the Senate and House rejected Trump loyalists’ challenges to Biden’s win in Pennsylvania and Congress finally counted the electoral votes.

● Trump says Pence ‘didn’t have the courage’ after VP says he can’t change electoral vote Modesto Bee

● VP Mike Pence defies Trump, says he can't reject electoral votes that make Biden president abc30

● ‘Let’s get back to work’ — Mob doesn’t deter Congress from electoral vote certification Roll Call

● Congress Certifies Joe Biden’s Election Win Following Day of Turmoil Wall Street Journal

● GOP Senate Leader McConnell Rejects Trump's Fraud Claims Wall Street Journal

Trump Commits to Orderly Transition of Power on Jan. 20

Wall Street Journal

President Trump issued a statement early Thursday committing to an orderly transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20.

● Trump acknowledges end of presidency after Congress certifies Biden win The Hill

Biden to name Judge Merrick Garland as attorney general

Sacramento Bee

President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday.

● Merrick Garland, Obama’s blocked Supreme Court nominee, to be Biden’s attorney general Los Angeles Times

● Editorial: Merrick Garland is the right choice to rehabilitate the Justice Department Los Angeles Times

Ossoff wins Georgia runoff race, Democrats take Senate control

Los Angeles Times

Jon Ossoff was declared the winner of a runoff election in Georgia against Republican David Perdue on Wednesday, handing Democrats control of the Senate and giving President-elect Joe Biden a major early victory that will improve his chances of getting his legislative agenda and nominations through Congress.

● Joe Biden’s Agenda Gets Boost From Georgia Runoff Wins Wall Street Journal

● Ossoff wins Georgia runoff race, Democrats take Senate control Los Angeles Times

● Editorial: Georgia wins strengthen Biden’s hand — but he still has to engage Senate Republicans Los Angeles Times

How Biden can rebuild a divided and distrustful nation

Brookings

Joe Biden’s election to the presidency this November did not heal the wounds of division in this country. If anything, the election and the refusal of Donald Trump and his base to recognize the result, have further exposed the depth of our divisions.

Other:

Trump banned from Facebook indefinitely, CEO Mark Zuckerberg says

Washington Post

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday the social media giant is banning President Trump indefinitely, marking a dramatic escalation between Silicon Valley and the White House after Trump weaponized the web to help stoke a riot at the U.S. Capitol.

See also:

● Trump Banned From Facebook Through at Least End of Term Wall Street Journal

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Tulare County leaders push for farmworkers to receive COVID-19 vaccine priority

Visalia Times Delta

Gallo finalizes $1.1 billion purchase. Here’s what it means for Modesto wine giant

Modesto Bee

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Body-cam video of Modesto Police Department fatal officer-involved shooting

Modesto Bee

The following video, provided by The Modesto Police Department, is from the fatal officer-involved shooting that killed Modesto resident Trevor Seever, 29, on the grounds of the Church of the Brethren in west Modesto, California, on Dec. 29, 2020.

California Supreme Court takes a step toward abolishing cash bail at hearing

San Francisco Chronicle

Two months after California voters refused to abolish cash bail, the state Supreme Court appeared ready Tuesday to take a step toward abolition by requiring pretrial release without bail unless a defendant was likely to commit violent acts or flee.

Public Safety:

Hidden costs: How police reform could change the shape of other public safety agencies

Public CEO

As jurisdictions consider the effects of reforming police department budgets and the allocation of funds, they often look to redistribution of responsibilities and limiting police presence in certain areas.

Fire:

SQF Complex Fire reaches 100% containment, forest officials say

abc30

The U.S. Forest Service says that the SQF Complex Fire has reached 100% containment. The fire, which initially started burning in Tulare and Inyo Counties, reached over 170,000 acres. It is the largest wildfire in Tulare County's modern history, surpassing the 2002 McNally Fire.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Restaurant lawsuit suffers early setback

Bakersfield Californian

A Kern County Superior Court judge declined Wednesday to issue an injunction sought by local restaurant owners looking for legal clearance to resume outdoor service.

Poverty Grows Despite Economic Recovery

PEW
Even as average personal incomes rose during the pandemic largely because of government aid, millions of people who didn’t receive such help have fallen into poverty, struggling to pay for food and other basic expenses.

Editorial: Maskless protesters, stop harassing Fresno businesses over made-up rights violations

Fresno Bee

As if Fresno retailers did not have enough struggles to deal with in the COVID pandemic, add one more to the list: maskless people protesting the requirement to wear masks to enter stores. That is what happened at the front of the Trader Joe’s store in north Fresno off Friant Road last weekend.

Jobs:

Trucking Companies Beware: Motor Carriers Must Comply With California Law When Classifying Truck Drivers As Independent Contractors

AALRR
Federally licensed motor carriers that operate trucking companies in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the largest ports in the United States, often contract with owner-operator truck drivers to perform drayage, or the short distance movement of cargo.

U.S. Unemployment Claims Nearly Steady as Extra $300 Payments Start

Wall Street Journal

New applications for unemployment aid held nearly steady during the week of New Year’s, as an extra $300 in weekly payments kicked in from the coronavirus aid package signed into law last month.

Private payrolls post first drop since April as coronavirus spread hits job growth, ADP says

CNBC

Private payrolls in December contracted for the first time since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report Wednesday from ADP. The decrease of 123,000 provided a sign that the U.S. economy had cooled considerably heading into the end of 2020. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting growth of 60,000.

Nearly 800,000 Americans filed for unemployment in the last week of 2020

CBS News

The number of Americans filing for jobless aid stayed essentially flat in the last week of 2020, as enhanced unemployment benefits kicked in for laid-off workers.

Gig-Economy Companies Get Worker Flexibility From Trump Administration

Wall Street Journal

The Trump administration made it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, a victory for gig-economy companies such as food-delivery and ride-sharing services and a counter to a California law that did the opposite.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Fresno Unified among large districts slamming Gavin Newsom’s school reopening plan

Fresno Bee

Fresno Unified and six other of the state’s largest school districts say Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new plan to reopen schools will fail communities with high poverty and most negatively affect people of color, according to a letter sent by the superintendents to the Capitol on Wednesday.

Clovis Unified School District delays bringing back secondary students

abc30

Empty parking lots and vacant campuses - not the scene Clovis Unified staff had planned for the day. "We were really disappointed to share news on New Year's Eve that we're making a modification," says Kelly Avants.

California schools need more than Newsom’s $2 billion to reopen, superintendents say

Modesto Bee

Leaders of seven large California school districts argue in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom that his 2 billion plan to reopen classrooms falls woefully short of ensuring equitable access to education for students of color and those in low-income communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

● Gov. Newsom’s push to reopen schools slams up against raging COVID-19 surge Los Angeles Times

Commentary: To Help Address Learning Disparities, Boost Internet Access for Low-Income Students

Public Policy Institute of California

Without equitable access to broadband internet and digital devices, many students are at risk of falling behind or dropping out, exacerbating educational inequities.

Higher Ed:

Punjabi language classes will now be offered for the first time at all UC campuses

Fresno Bee

The University of California will offer Punjabi-language courses at all of its campuses starting in January, marking the first Punjabi-language curriculum to be taught throughout the UC system.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Trump administration pollution rule strikes final blow against environment

The Guardian

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed one of its last major rollbacks under the Trump administration, changing how it considers evidence of harm from pollutants in a way that opponents say could cripple future public-health regulation.

How Trump Tried, but Largely Failed, to Derail America’s Top Climate Report

New York Times

The White House repeatedly attempted to thwart the country’s premier climate science document, one meant to steer policy for years. Scientists got in the way.

Energy:

Trump auctions drilling rights to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday

Washington Post

Trump administration officials auctioned off oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, capping Republicans’ decades-long quest to drill in one of the nation’s most vast unspoiled wild places. The move marks one of the most significant environmental rollbacks the president has accomplished in his term.

The 10 Ways Renewable Energy’s Boom Year Will Shape 2021

Bloomberg

Even after Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on almost everything else, the new year begins with surging growth for renewable energy. “2020 was the year of positive surprises for the environment in a way that very few saw coming,” says Jeff McDermott, head of Nomura Greentech. “It was the breakout year in sustainability and infrastructure.”

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

What happened to the flu? Here’s why influenza spread is way down this season

Fresno Bee

Deadly coronavirus pandemic aside, the U.S. would normally be seeing loads of flu cases this time of year. But health care professionals aren’t seeing their standard influenza-ridden patients this season, suggesting the virus isn’t making its usual rounds in the northern hemisphere.

Kern Public Health: 1,014 new coronavirus cases, 3 new deaths reported Wednesday

Bakersfield Californian

● [Clovis] City Manager Says COVID-19 Cases Are Trending Down, County ICU Capacity Still at Zero Percent Clovis Roundup

● Central CA COVID-19 updates: Latest ICU capacities, stay-home order restrictions abc30

● Coronavirus update, Jan. 7: Stanislaus reports 11 more deaths and 394 more cases Modesto Bee

● California Coronavirus Map and Case Count New York Times

● California shares county-by-county COVID data for Christmas week Sacramento Bee

● California hits 2.5 million coronavirus cases, adding 1 million in less than a month Los Angeles Times

● US sets new record for daily COVID-19 deaths with over 3,800 The Hill

More than a quarter of COVID tests in Kern County's poorest areas return positive

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County has one of the highest rates of coronavirus spread in the state, but some parts of the county are harder hit than others. By and large, those areas tend to be more disadvantaged than the community at large. And Kern County’s disadvantaged communities have been harder hit than their counterparts throughout the state.

How COVID-19 Attacks The Brain And May Cause Lasting Damage

VPR

Early in the pandemic, people with COVID-19 began reporting an odd symptom: the loss of smell and taste. The reason wasn't congestion. Somehow, the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared to be affecting nerves that carry information from the nose to the brain. That worried neurologists.

People without symptoms spread virus in more than half of cases, CDC model finds

Washington Post

People with no symptoms transmit more than half of all cases of the novel coronavirus, according to a new model developed by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Human Services:

California orders Central Valley, SoCal to delay nonessential surgeries as COVID-19 swamps hospitals

abc30

Hospitals in California are so swamped by the coronavirus pandemic that the state has ordered those with room to accept patients from others that are out of intensive care beds.

● Hospitals struggle to keep up in Covid-19 hotspot California Business Journal

Free COVID-19 testing now available at fairgrounds, 6 clinics in Kern County

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health Services announced there is now free COVID-19 testing. Services are available in both walk-in or drive-thru formats. To find the nearest location and make an appointment, call 211 or visit the interactive map at https://kernpublichealth.com/2019-novel-coronavirus.

City of Clovis and United Health Centers Hosting Free COVID-19 Testing

Clovis Roundup

The City of Clovis in collaboration with United Health Centers will again be hosting No-Cost COVID-19 testing center at the Clovis Recreation Center at Dakota and Clovis Avenues.The testing will be a drive-thru testing site and will be taking place every Thursday throughout January.

Governors scramble to speed vaccine effort after slow start

Fresno Bee

New York’s governor threatened to fine hospitals if they don't use their allotment of COVID-19 vaccine fast enough. His South Carolina counterpart warned health care workers they have until Jan. 15 to get a shot or move to the back of the line.

● Dentists can now give COVID vaccines in California Fresno Bee

● Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout at Nursing Homes Encounters Fewer Residents, Reluctant Staff Wall Street Journal

Nations Stretch Scarce Covid-19 Vaccines by Delaying a Second Shot

Wall Street Journal

Governments engaged in a desperate race to roll out vaccines to beat back a winter surge of the coronavirus have turned to a new tactic: freeing up scarce vaccine supplies so they can inoculate more vulnerable people faster with a single shot by delaying the second dose.

Can you get paid to get a COVID vaccine? Some employers offering incentives

Fresno Bee

As the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution rolls on, some health care workers and first responders are being offered bonuses, prizes and other incentives, as encouragement to get the shots, media outlets report.

Pandemic Could Hurt Home-Based Care for Kids With 24/7 Needs

PEW
Midway through a conversation about her 14-year-old, Claire, Jamie Davis Smith felt the need to change direction for a moment, to highlight the happiness her daughter can experience.

IMMIGRATION

Joe Biden’s New Policies For Asylum, DACA And Legal Immigration

Forbes

President-elect Joe Biden faces a series of decisions on how best to change immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. Biden’s actions will affect millions of lives.

Trump administration finalizes rule that turns refugees away because of late tax returns

AEI

I specifically called attention to a provision of the proposed regulation that would have generally denied asylum to applicants based on tax noncompliance, even if the noncompliance was inadvertent and caused little or no revenue loss.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Fresno Church Buying Tower Theatre Faces Rigorous Rezoning Process

Price tag nearly doubles to $2.5 billion for huge new dam project in Santa Clara County

Mercury News

In a major and potentially fatal setback for plans to build the largest dam in the Bay Area in more than 20 years, the price tag to construct a new reservoir in southern Santa Clara County near Pacheco Pass has nearly doubled, from $1.3 billion to $2.5 billion.

Housing:

Gavin Newsom wants to send $600 to millions of Californians, extend renter protections

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking state lawmakers to approve an additional $600 in cash for low-income families and an extension of California’s eviction moratorium to help people through the coronavirus pandemic, Newsom announced Wednesday morning.

Amazon Pledges $2B for affordable housing in 3 US cities

Business Journal

Amazon has announced $2 billion in loans and grants to secure affordable housing in three U.S. cities where it has major operations, including a Seattle suburb where the online retail giant employs at least 5,000 workers.

AEI housing market indicators, January 2021

AEI

The American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center released its monthly update to the AEI Housing Market Indicators on January 5, 2021.

PUBLIC FINANCES

City Council Vote to use Community Grant to Help Families Impacted by COVID-19

Clovis Roundup

On January 4 City Council meeting, councilmembers voted on a resolution that would amend the 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in order to transfer funds into the 2020-2021 Emergency Housing Payment Program.

Newsom proposes $600 payment for low-income Californians; roughly 4 million would be eligible

Visalia Times Delta

Millions of low-income Californians would get a $600 payment from the state under a budget proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

● Newsom Wants Extra $600 Stimulus For Low-Wage Californians Capital Public Radio

● California’s governor proposes state stimulus checks to augment federal aid Washington Post

Inside Newsom’s $4.5 billion economic recovery plan: Clean vehicles a top priority

CalMatters

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled a $4.5 billion plan for business and job recovery, dedicating one-third of the funding to eliminating new gas-powered cars by 2035.

Some Americans learn they won’t get a stimulus payment until they file their 2020 taxes

Washington Post

The U.S. Treasury has sent out about 68 percent of the second stimulus payments. But many are learning they must file a 2020 tax return to receive their $600 payment.

Most Second Stimulus Payments Reach Household Bank Accounts

Wall Street Journal

The U.S. Treasury Department has sent out more than $112 billion in stimulus payments electronically, meaning that about two-thirds of the second round of payments approved by Congress is already in households’ bank accounts, according to data released Tuesday.

TRANSPORTATION

Changes coming to Highway 41 ‘death trap’ south of Fresno. Road closure, detour planned

Fresno Bee

Changes are coming next week to a stretch of Highway 41 south of Fresno, what officials vow will lead to other improvements along a six-mile stretch of two-lane highway that’s been the site of numerous accidents – many fatal.

Commentary: Budget proposal can send a clear signal on clean transportation

CalMatters

Gov. Newsom should prioritize clean transportation and incentive funding for buyers of zero-emission vehicles to achieve his executive order.

WATER

Reservoir proposal above lake prompts concerns

Kern Valley Sun

A proposal for a new reservoir above Lake Isabella has surprised some residents who have expressed some initial concerns about the project’s impact on water flow on the Kern River. Premium Energy Holdings asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to build a “pumped storage” electric power plant above Lake Isabella.

Delta Conveyance Project Public Engagement Outlook for 2021-2022

California Department of Water Resources

As the planning process for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project continues to move forward, public information and community engagement will remain a central and important focus. Looking ahead to the next few years and release of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review in mid-2022, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has prepared a public outreach plan that identifies information and engagement opportunities and milestones.

A Wish List for Water Collaboration with the Biden‒Harris Administration

Public Policy Institute of California

Cooperation between California and the federal government was at a low ebb over the past four years. With a new administration in the nation’s capital, what should be top water priorities for collaboration between the state and the federal government?

California’s water wars serve as a ‘bellwether’ for Colorado River negotiations

AgriPulse

Policy experts hope a new era in collaborative management will offer inspiration for the ongoing and complex negotiations over Colorado River allocations amid a historic and deepening drought.

“Xtra”

Devils dance, observe virus protocols at Ecuador festival

Modesto Bee

Talk of the devil and he is bound to appear, the saying goes. In Ecuador, that means even during the pandemic. An Andean village festival known as the Diablada, or dance of the devils, was muted Wednesday because of the health emergency.