July 30, 2019

30Jul

POLICY & POLITICS

In a blow to the bullet train, California might shift billions from Valley to L.A., Bay Area projects

Los Angeles Times

Key California lawmakers have devised a plan to shift billions of dollars from the Central Valley bullet train to rail projects in Southern California and the Bay Area, a strategy that could crush the dreams of high-speed rail purists.

North SJ Valley:

Fire in far Northern California results in appeal for Modesto to conserve electricity

Modesto Bee

The Modesto Irrigation District is asking customers to restrict their electricity usage due to a fire hundreds of miles away.

Central SJ Valley:

Trump snubs Nunes for top administration job

Visalia Times Delta

Dan Coats, director of national intelligence, is resigning after a turbulent two years in which he and President Donald Trump were often at odds over Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump named a GOP congressman and fierce loyalist to replace him.

See also:

●     Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick for nation’s top spy, finds GOP support from Cornyn Fresno Bee

●     National intelligence director departing, Rep. Ratcliffe to be nominated to replace abc30

Candidates for special city council election in Fresno

Fresno Bee

Northwest Fresno, you have a special election coming up on Aug. 13. Who do you want to represent you on the Fresno City Council?

County employees protest wage increase

Visalia Times Delta

On Friday, dozens of county employees took to the doorsteps of the County Administrator Office with chants such as, “Hey hey, ho ho, county greed has gotta go!” to protest a proposed 2% wage increase, poor working conditions and substandard healthcare.

South SJ Valley:

‘In God We Trust,’ sanctuary city resolution fail before Delano City Council

Bakersfield Californian

After almost four hours last Monday night, not a lot happened on either side of the dais. There was a no on the resolution to adopt “In God We Trust” as the city’s motto.

Missing McFarland city manager’s vehicle found submerged in Kern River

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County law enforcement has found the vehicle last seen being driven by missing former McFarland City Manager John Wooner, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Trump defeat on census a victory for Kern — without a question

Bakersfield Californian

A couple of hard hitting issues directly impacting millions of people in the country, state and in Kern County came to light recently both involving bad and good news.

Local Democratic groups host two nights of debate watch parties

Bakersfield Californian

The public is invited to join local Democrats on Tuesday and Wednesday at Goose Loonies in downtown Bakersfield for the second Presidential Candidate Debates.

State:

Gavin Newsom blames Trump, Republicans for ‘culture of gun violence’ after Gilroy shooting

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed President Donald Trump and Republicans for a “culture of gun violence” during a Monday appearance in Gilroy, where a gunman killed three people at a food festival the night before.

See also:

●     Gilroy shooting happened despite strict California gun laws. What more can state lawmakers do? Fresno Bee

●     Hundreds gather to mourn Gilroy festival shooting victims Visalia Times Delta

●     Gunman in Gilroy mass shooting bought ‘assault-type rifle’ legally in Nevada, police say Modesto Bee

●     Gilroy shooting: CA laws can’t stop out of state gun imports Sacramento Bee

●     Trump calls Gilroy shooter ‘wicked,’ Dems urge more gun control San Francisco Chronicle

●      Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting: Spotlight on congressional inaction on guns San Francisco Chronicle

●      Editorial: Congress Has Started to Revive Gun Violence Research–and Must Follow Through  Scientific American

●     EDITORIAL: Gilroy Garlic Festival killings are part of a sick American tradition Los Angeles Times

●     EDITORIAL: Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting reaffirms that no corner of the country is safe from gun violence San Francisco Chronicle

Californians and the Environment

Public Policy Institute of California

The PPIC Statewide Survey delivers objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of California residents.

See also:

●      Worried about wildfires, Californians ready to spend, vote to fight climate change  CALmatters

●      California Republicans and Democrats are living in opposite universes on climate change, poll finds

California Lottery earns $7 billion a year. But are schools getting a fair share?

Sacramento Bee

The state Legislature has added another audit to the list of investigations into the California State Lottery.

CA Insurance Commissioner Lara tells insurers he’s ‘receptive’ to their ideas, including vehicle data use

Politico

Embattled state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara last week assured a convention of insurance executives that he would “start engaging the industry like never before” on issues that include giving insurers more access to drivers’ vehicle data — an effort long opposed by consumer advocates as a privacy invasion.

Help Shape California’s Future

California State Auditor

Every ten years, after the federal census, California must re-establish the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts to reflect new population data and shifting populations. The Voters FIRST Act gave this power to California citizens ensuring that new and fair political boundaries are drawn without special interests, politics and political influence.

Fox: Is it time to Change the Great Seal of California?

Fox & Hounds

With the movement toward change that some interests and groups are trying to impose upon the country from using different language to tearing down monuments or painting over historical murals that represent a different era, I wondered how long the Great Seal of California would survive as is.

Federal:

Nearly half of House Democrats support impeachment. But that doesn’t mean it’s imminent

Washington Post

Only nine of the 107 House Democrats who want impeachment proceedings to begin come from Republican-leaning districts. The rest of their more moderate colleagues make up the core of the other half of House Democrats, about 120 lawmakers, who oppose impeachment.

Led by Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, Disrupters Rise Globally

Wall Street Journal

President Trump is the most prominent leader to take a wrecking ball to a prevailing political system. He wasn’t the first, nor will he be the last.

Conservatism after the age of Trump

Bloomberg

Trump’s disruption of the Republican Party’s status quo has made it possible to move in new directions on policy, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

EDITORIAL: President Trump is on a race-baiting roll. Of course he is

Los Angeles Times

President Trump has been on a roll. He has a particular animus for people of color; exploiting racial divisions for political gain is a Trump specialty.

Elections 2020:       

‘Enough is enough’ — Democratic candidates respond to mass shooting at Gilroy festival

Los Angeles Times

Sunday’s mass shooting at the garlic festival in Gilroy, Calif., which left four dead — including the suspected gunman and a 6-year-old boy — brought a flurry of condemnation and calls for more gun control from the Democrats running for president in 2020

What time is the July Democratic presidential debate this week and who will be on stage?

Los Angeles Times

They’re at it again, the army of Democrats running for president, preparing to jostle under the bright lights and offer, as best they can in soundbite-sized pieces, their vision for the nation and why they alone are best suited to take on President Trump in 2020.

See also:

●     Biden and little-known candidates have the most at stake in this week’s Democratic debate Los Angeles Times

●     Biden leads Democrats, but it’s still a ‘pretty fluid race’ Los Angeles Times

●     New rules for 2nd debate: No 1-word answers or show of hands Stockton Record

●     The Democratic Debate Lineups Might Lead to Fireworks New York Times

Where the 2020 Democrats stand on carbon taxes, Paris climate deal

Politifact

The first 2020 Democratic presidential debates spent 15 minutes on climate change. That’s more than the candidates spoke about the issue during presidential debates for the 2016 election, but it’s much less than would satisfy some who care about the issue.

Kamala Harris plans to charge Wall Street to pay for health care

Fresno Bee

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is again clarifying her position on private health insurance, days before the next round of primary debates, as she rolls out a new plan to create a government-run healthcare system that covers every American.

See also:

●     Kamala Harris’ new health plan draws critics from all sides Bakersfield Californian

●     Kamala Harris Releases ‘Medicare For All’ Plan With A Role For Private Insurers Capital Public Radio

●     Kamala Harris joins the club with a solid ‘Medicare for all’ proposal Los Angeles Times

●     Harris unveils Medicare for All plan ahead of Democratic debate San Francisco Chronicle

●      Kamala Harris has narrow lead in new California poll San Francisco Chronicle

●      Kamala Harris Sets Up Debate Showdown on Health Care With New Plan New York Times

●     Frontrunner no more: California poll puts Harris on top and Biden (way) down CALmatters

●      Kamala Harris Touts Tough-on-Banks Record. Others See a More Complicated Picture Wall Street Journal

●      Rivals unload on Kamala Harris’ health plan from left and right Politico

●     PolitiFact statements about Medicare Politifact

Listen: What really drives voters to the polls?

Brookings

In a new episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Donald Green, co-author of “Get Out the Vote,” discusses the different tactics that are used to motivate Americans to cast their votes, such as door-to-door canvassing and digital outreach, and what the science shows about which methods work best.

See also:

·       Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X outvoted their elders in 2018 midterms Pew Research Center

Other:

Darren Parker, California activist who lifted the voices of African Americans, dies at 59

Los Angeles Times

Darren W. Parker, a political activist who fought for racial equality as chairman of the California Democratic Party’s African American Caucus and former president of the local National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, has died at his home in Lancaster.

Opinion: Religion Creates Community

RealClearPolicy

As a professor at a college that declares itself proudly progressive, I am regularly told by my students that both my faith and my teaching on religion and civil society are anachronistic.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, August 4, at 5 p.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “Water in the San Joaquin Valley: A PPIC Report” – Guest: Ellen Hanak, Director – Water Policy Center – PPIC. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, August 4, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: “A Comprehensive Look at the Valley’s Water Challenges” – Guest: Ellen Hanak, Director – Water Policy Center – PPIC. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, August 4, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy“Prevención de la violencia escolar: Informe de la auditora estatal” – Invitados: Margarita Fernandez, Jefe de Relaciones Publicas de las Oficina de la Auditora Estatal. Presentado Por: Coordinadora del Programa del Maddy Institute, Maria Jeans.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Fresno County’s top crop is almost ready for harvest

abc30

Almonds in Kern County are the first to be shaken off the tree in the Valley, but the loaded orchards closer to Fresno are almost ready for harvest. “They naturally start to open, and this is the drying process,” said Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen.

Rising demand for olive oil may point to rebirth for a crop in local decline

Bakersfield Californian

At the mouth of the Kern River Canyon, in a relatively small corner of a legacy growing operation, sits one of Kern agriculture’s most delicious ironies.

Newsletter: The quest for a more perfect California avocado

Los Angeles Times

The long road to a more perfect avocado certainly didn’t begin in Parlier, Calif. But the tiny agricultural town 30 minutes southeast of Fresno is where a U.S. Department of Agriculture flavor scientist has been pushing samples through sliding doors into evaluation booths, for a panel of tasters to individually consider.

“We’re not going to be able to survive:” Why Californians could bear the brunt of Trump food stamp cuts

CALmatters

A Trump administration proposal would cut food stamps to 3.1 million Americans—largely working families with high housing, childcare and medical costs. That could hit hard in California, a state where both the cost of living and the minimum wage are on the rise.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Gavin Newsom blames Trump, Republicans for ‘culture of gun violence’ after Gilroy shooting

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed President Donald Trump and Republicans for a “culture of gun violence” during a Monday appearance in Gilroy, where a gunman killed three people at a food festival the night before.

See also:

●     Gilroy shooting happened despite strict California gun laws. What more can state lawmakers do? Fresno Bee

●     Shooter should ‘rot in hell’: Gun store owner speaks out over selling weapon to Gilroy gunman Fresno Bee

●     Who is the Gilroy shooting gunman? Police identify 19-year-old Santino William Legan Fresno Bee

●     Arrest in hoax made as police search Gilroy suspect’s car, home abc30

●     What we know about Gilroy Garlic Festival suspect abc30

●     Witness says Gilroy shooter ‘made eye contact with me’ abc30

●     Hundreds gather to mourn Gilroy festival shooting victims Visalia Times Delta

●     Investigation into Gilroy mass shooting enters its third day Mercury News

●     Gilroy shooting: CA laws can’t stop out of state gun imports Sacramento Bee

●     Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting: What we know about the victims Los Angeles Times

●     Gunman used a rifle banned in California, officials say Los Angeles Times

●     A town in shock; suspected killer and 3 victims identified San Francisco Chronicle

●     Gilroy Gunman Cited White Supremacist Manifesto on Instagram Just Before Shooting Newsweek

●     Gunman posted online minutes before killing 3 at festival Associated Press

●     California town pledges to remain strong in wake of shooting Associated Press

●     Gilroy Foundation sets up fund to benefit shooting victims San Jose Mercury

Experts say check emergency plans after festival shooting

Associated Press

Event organizers should review their emergency plans after the deadly shooting at a California food festival to see if they can make additional safety improvements as the peak of summer and fair season brings open-air environments that are notoriously difficult to secure, law enforcement experts said.

See also:

●     Police look to improve safety at local events following Gilroy shooting abc30

●     How do we reduce gun violence? By treating it like a disease Los Angeles Times

Capital One data breach affects 100 million customers

abc30

A hacker gained access to personal information from more than 100 million Capital One credit applications, the bank said Monday as federal authorities arrested a suspect in the case.

See also:

●     Massive data breach hits Capital One Visalia Times Delta

●     Capital One data breach compromises tens of millions of credit card applications Stockton Record

●     Capital One data theft may cover millions of applications, U.S. says Los Angeles Times

●     Capital One data breach compromises tens of millions of credit card applications, FBI says Washington Post

Public Safety:

‘An amazing animal and partner.’ Fresno police mourn death of K-9 Axel

Fresno Bee

The Fresno Police Department is mourning the death of one of its K-9 officers. Axel, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, died last Thursday of natural causes, according to a news release from the departments K-9 unit.

See also:

●     Fresno Police mourn loss of fellow K-9 officer abc30

Fresno DA to meet new HQ next summer

Business Journal

After some six years of searching and negotiating, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office will likely have a new home by next summer.

In fatal police shootings, race of officer not predictive of civilian’s race: Study

abc30

Research into racial disparities in officer-involved shootings has been limited by a lack of publicly available data. But new research published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences uses a more complete data set of fatal police shootings.

Valley woman joins lawsuit against Calif. prisons

Visalia Times Delta

Six women are suing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the agency’s “radically, internally inconsistent” policy regarding pregnant correctional officers.

Fresno State Operation Rebound student success (video on Arnold Trevino)

Fresno State

Life after prison: Medalist pays it forward.

CASA to graduate 15 new members

Bakersfield Californian

The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kern County is pleased to be graduating 15 new advocates Wednesday. It will be the 82nd class to take oath at CASA of Kern County.

Opinion:  Poverty, Crime, & Politics: No Easy Answers

National Review

Don’t hold your breath for solutions in the cities or rural America.

Fire:

Nearly All The Fire Prevention Projects Fast-Tracked By Gov. Gavin Newsom Are Less Than Half Complete

Capital Public Radio

On his first full day as governor, at a Cal Fire station in the Sierra foothills, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an executive order asking for a list of priority fire prevention projects within 45 days.

What is a Red Flag Warning?

Sacramento Bee

A Red Flag Warning is used to call attention to limited weather conditions that could result in extreme burning conditions.

See also:

●      In New Climate, California’s Wildfires Are 500% Larger The Atlantic

Californians’ Concerns About Worsening Wildfires at Record High

KQED Science

A new poll reveals Californians’ considerable anxiety about the effects of climate change on the state.

See also:

●      Worried about wildfires, Californians ready to spend, vote to fight climate change  CALmatters

ECONOMY / JOBS

Valley Community Small Business Development Center (SBDC) holds open house and ribbon cutting

Clovis RoundUp

The Community Small Business Development Center (SBDC) officially unveiled their new-look offices on the Clovis Community College.

Tejon Ranch Co. to Ring the Closing Bell at the NYSE on July 30, 2019

Bakersfield Californian

On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, Tejon Ranch Co. (NYSE:TRC) will have the honor of ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, in celebration of its 20 th anniversary as a member of the Exchange.

As U.S.-China Trade Talks Resume, A Deal Remains Uncertain

Capital Public Radio

U.S. trade negotiators are heading to Shanghai for talks with their Chinese counterparts this week, but there appears to be little pressure for a settlement in the year-old conflict.

See also:

●      U.S.-China Trade Talks Resume With No Breakthroughs in Sight Wall Street Journal

Stocks end mixed as Federal Reserve meeting nears

Los Angeles Times

Major U.S. stock indexes ended mixed Monday as investors turned cautious ahead of a key Federal Reserve interest rate policy announcement and other potentially market-moving developments on tap for this week.

Why consumers must beware Libra

The Hill

Nothing in life is free, and Libra is another example of this. In the end, it will be far safer and cheaper for consumers to continue using dollars in the banking system.

Getting Older, Going Broke: Who’s Going to Pay for Long-Term Care?

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Ninety percent of Americans don’t have long-term care insurance — even though half of all people 65 and over will need such care at some point. Without it, seniors can go bankrupt paying for assisted living, nursing home care or home health care.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Raisin City Superintendent, criticized for active shooter drill involving masked janitor and fake gun, given letter of reprimand

Your Central Valley

A letter of reprimand with directions for more collaboration, and no suspension or termination for the Raisin City Superintendent criticized after an active shooter drill, which teachers had no clue was coming.

See also:

●     Superintendent to address active shooter drill at meeting abc30

Grant will help Office of Education launch new prep program for teachers

Stockton Record

The San Joaquin County Office of Education has received funding towards launching a new preparation program for its teachers college.

Families use Stockton 209 Cares/Sherwood Mall event to prepare for school

Stockton Record

Stockton 209 Cares partnered with Sherwood Mall, C3 NorCal Car Club, Grand Canal Salon and Sky Zone Trampoline Park to help struggling families receive a fresh start to the school year with free haircuts, school supplies, free time inside Sky Zone and a muscle car show.

California Lottery earns $7 billion a year. But are schools getting a fair share?

Sacramento Bee

The state Legislature has added another audit to the list of investigations into the California State Lottery.

Opinion: California Wants to Teach Your Kids That Capitalism Is Racist

Wall Street Journal

A new model curriculum for ‘ethnic studies’ is a handbook for classroom propagandizing.

The Long-Run Effects of Teacher Collective Bargaining

National Bureau of Economic Research

Teacher collective bargaining is a highly debated feature of the education system in the US. This paper presents the first analysis of the effect of teacher collective bargaining laws on long-run labor market and educational attainment outcomes, exploiting the timing of passage of duty-tobargain laws across cohorts within states and across states over time.

Higher Ed:

What’s the #1 concern for students when choosing a college? In a new poll, 45% say cost

Visalia Times Delta

What matters most when you’re choosing a college? In a recent Twitter poll run by USA TODAY on behalf of College Ave Student Loans, cost is king, with 45% of 41,025 participants claiming it as their No. 1 consideration when choosing a higher education institution.

EDITORIAL: Why make it more difficult to apply to Cal State?

Los Angeles Times

Only about 60% of California State University students graduate within six years. No wonder Cal State leaders want to do what they can to raise that number.

Fresno State Operation Rebound student success (Video on Arnold Trevino)

Fresno State

Life after prison: Medalist pays it forward.

Native American Enrollment In Community College Has Plummeted 60% In 20 Years. Here’s Why

laist

The numbers scream at you: in the 1997-1998 academic year, there were about 26,000 Native American students enrolled in California’s community college system. Twenty years later, that number was down to about 10,000.

College Financial-Aid Loophole: Wealthy Parents Transfer Guardianship of Their Teens to Get Aid

Wall Street Journal

Education Department, universities are investigating the practice, which has been used in the Chicago area.

The Old College Try: Getting Students Into Government

Route Fifty

A new initiative will establish regional councils to create talent pipelines from universities to state, local and federal government agencies.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Not even Modesto officials are immune to consequences of underfunded forestry division

Modesto Bee

The trees in Modesto CA continue to fall while the city refuses to put more funds into the forestry division to provide support and much-needed maintenance to the beneficial urban forest.

Lawsuit filed to prevent forest clearing near Frazier Park

Bakersfield Californian

Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Forest Service from cutting down trees in the Frazier Park as a way of reducing the risk of wildfire.

Californians and the Environment

Public Policy Institute of California

The PPIC Statewide Survey delivers objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of California residents.

See also:

●      Worried about wildfires, Californians ready to spend, vote to fight climate change  CALmatters

●      California Republicans and Democrats are living in opposite universes on climate change, poll finds

Bipartisan bills push carbon tax, as GOP pollster offers Democrats help on climate

Roll Call

Climate change policy may be in for a softer, less polarized atmosphere with Republicans and Democrats teaming up on a flotilla of legislation to tax carbon emissions and decarbonize American industries, and a longtime Republican spin guru pledging to help Democrats with their climate messaging.

From Environmental Leader to ‘Worst Company in the World’

New York Times

For years, the American agricultural giant Cargill has been on relatively good terms with environmental advocates, praised for agreeing to a landmark moratorium on buying soybeans grown on deforested land in the Amazon rain forest.

Energy:

Fire in far Northern California results in appeal for Modesto to conserve electricity

Modesto Bee

The Modesto Irrigation District is asking customers to restrict their electricity usage due to a fire hundreds of miles away.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Kern County Department of Human Services battles bedbugs at call center

Bakersfield Californian

Over the last two months, the Kern County Department of Human Services has battled encroaching bedbugs at its call center on Wilson Road in Bakersfield.

Paperwork Woes Keep Some Low-Income Moms And Kids From Enrolling In Medi-Cal. Is An ‘Express Lane’ The Fix?

Capital Public Radio

A bill moving through California’s Legislature could better sync Medi-Cal enrollment with other public benefits, with the goal of connecting more vulnerable families to care.

3 Companies Pay California $70 Million For Delaying Drugs

Capital Public Radio

Three pharmaceutical companies collectively are agreeing to pay California nearly $70 million to settle allegations that they delayed drugs to keep prices high, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday.

See also:

●     Three drugmakers settle with California over deals to keep generic medications off the market Los Angeles Times

●     CA to receive $70 mn from drug companies accused of delaying generics San Francisco Chronicle

Column: Insured price: $2,758. Cash price: $521. Could our healthcare system be any dumber?

Los Angeles Times

The magnitude of reforming the $3.6-trillion U.S. healthcare system is so daunting, it’s hard to even know where to start.

Trump Proposes Forcing Hospitals to Disclose Discount Rates Negotiated With Insurers

Wall Street Journal

Trump administration rule would compel hospitals to reveal prices for services in effort to boost transparency, competition.

For nurses at risk of suicide, program lets them seek help when they need it the most

Los Angeles Times

Nurses die by suicide at a significantly higher rate than the general population, according to a recently released study from a team of researchers at UC San Diego.

Opinion: Reducing access to contraception won’t reduce the abortion rate

Brookings

Katherine Guyot and Isabel Sawhill explain how the Trump administration’s new rules banning abortion referrals at federally funded family planning centers would also hinder access to contraceptive services for low-income women, reversing progress on unintended pregnancies and leading more women to seek abortions.

IMMIGRATION

ICE arrest at Delano courthouse stokes fears entire justice system may suffer

Bakersfield Californian

The arrest of a man in a Delano courthouse by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has raised concerns that immigrants may be discouraged from participating in the justice system, possibly threatening legal procedures.

Barr Changes Asylum Rules, Limits Family Endangerment Claims

Capital Public Radio

Attorney General Barr says Congress never intended for asylum seekers to include family members as part of a “particular social group” eligible for protection.

See also:

●      DOJ restricts asylum claims based on family relations Politico

●     Asylum seekers targeted by kidnappers, extortionists and traffickers while waiting in Mexico Los Angeles Times

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

San Luis Obispo officials say no to public monuments of people

KCBX

Should San Luis Obispo have a formal policy regarding monuments? That was the discussion among city officials this week after a group proposed placing a statue of a former U.S. president in a city park.

The Dana Point Headlands is setting an example for how conservation can be done in urban areas

Los Angeles Times

The Dana Point Headlands preserve, half of which is owned by the center and half by the city, is home to various rare and endangered species.

Housing:

AEI Housing Market Indicators release on April 2019 data

AEI

AEI’s Housing Center released its monthly update to the AEI Housing Market Indicators. Read the full article for this month’s takeaways.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Budget Decider: Making choices that impact millions

CALmatters

California lawmakers have passed a $215 billion budget filled with progressive eye-catchers. But what if you had the awesome power to tax and spend, charting a new course for California?

CalPERS loss triggers more debt payment reform

PublicCEO

Investments earning 6.7 percent during the fiscal year that ended June 30 might seem like a good return, particularly after an alarming stock market drop at the end of last year

Retirees Denied CalSTRS Administrative Appeal Rights May Proceed Directly to Court

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

A California Court of Appeal has determined that where CalSTRS reduces a retiree’s pension without allowing the retiree to challenge the decision in an administrative hearing, the retiree may challenge the pension adjustment by filing a Petition for Writ of Mandate (hereinafter “Petition”) in Superior Court.  

Federal Borrowing Soars as Deficit Fear Fades

Wall Street Journal

The Treasury expects to sell over $1 trillion in debt this year; issue has little traction in 2020 race.

See also:

●     What the two-year budget deal means for federal spending Roll Call

●     Opinion: Budget deal is no win for the military Wall Street Journal

TRANSPORTATION

With An Eye Toward Lower Emissions, Clean Air Travel Gets Off The Ground

Capital Public Radio

Air travel is set to grow dramatically. It will be a while before electric planes truly take off, but people are trying to reduce their carbon footprint now with offsets and “flight shaming.”

In a blow to the bullet train, California might shift billions from Valley to L.A., Bay Area projects

Los Angeles Times

Key California lawmakers have devised a plan to shift billions of dollars from the Central Valley bullet train to rail projects in Southern California and the Bay Area, a strategy that could crush the dreams of high-speed rail purists.

WATER

300 California Communities Can’t Drink From the Tap. Will More Money Make a Difference?

Civil Eats

A new fund created to direct cap-and-trade dollars to communities could make a difference.

“Xtra”

32nd annual Pint for Pint Blood Drive just a few days away

abc30

Starting this Friday, people in the Central Valley have a big opportunity to help those in need. The Pint for Pint Blood Drive is August 2nd and 3rd. Those who donate a pint of blood to the Central California Blood Center get a pint of ice cream in return.

See also:

●     Pint For Pint Blood Drive abc30

Mad Duck to open northwest Fresno location July 31

abc30

In an Instagram post, restaurant officials said they “can’t wait to see some new and some familiar faces next week.”

Here’s what Redlands’ first Pride festival looked like        

PE

The Saturday, July 27, event in downtown included rainbow flags, drag queens and live music.

Garth Brooks to perform at Crystal Palace

Bakersfield Californian

Garth Brooks will play at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace on the second stop of his upcoming Dive Bar Tour, the country singer announced Monday night on a streamed video on his Facebook page.

Take me home! Animals available for adoption

Bakersfield Californian

These 10 animals at Kern County Animal Services are looking for their forever homes. Can you help?

Hiking and paddling in San Joaquin County’s wilderness

Stockton Record

The preserve’s website calendar shares several upcoming events, including a guided nature walk on Saturday; a river walk bird survey and tour Aug. 10; both a tall-forest bird survey and tour and a guided paddle tour on Aug. 17; and a guided photography walk Aug. 24.