June 29, 2018

29Jun

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Valley:

 

Democratic poll shows Janz eight points behind Nunes

Fresno Bee

Democratic challenger Andrew Janz is eight percentage points behind powerful Republican incumbent Devin Nunes in the race for California's 22nd Congressional District, according to a new Public Policy Polling poll released Thursday.

 

Kevin McCarthy taps new leader for his political operation as he prepares for possible speakership

Washington Examiner

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has tapped Nick Bouknight to helm his political operation as he ramps up to possibly succeed House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the Washington Examiner has learned.

 

Kings County precinct correction gives Salas narrow primary win in 32nd AD

Bakersfield Californian

A recount prompted by the discovery of a glitch in a Kings County voting machine has changed the outcome of an Assembly primary.

 

State of the City Luncheon to be held July 11

Bakersfield Californian

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce will host the State of the City Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. July 11 at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center located at 801 Truxtun Ave.

 

A Dairy Town, A Facebook Argument, And The Unseating Of A Mayor

Valley Public Radio

Last week, the city of Tulare ousted its mayor after he got involved in a heated argument on Facebook. The argument centered around agriculture and its impacts on the environment and the economy—but the story is far bigger than a few punches thrown on social media.

 

On behalf of everyone breathing, time to douse legal fireworks sales in Fresno
Fresno Bee

There’s nothing safe nor sane about how cities like Fresno, Clovis and Visalia permit their own citizens to celebrate the Fourth of July by willfully and gleefully polluting the air they breathe with soot and particulates.

See also:

     EDITORIAL: Use illegal fireworks, face zero tolerance Bakersfield Californian

 

State:

 

Negotiating and name-calling as California lawmakers head off ballot battles

Los Angeles Times

A crosscurrent of deadlines governing November’s election and the legislative process led to a chaotic week of policymaking in Sacramento, as lawmakers hurriedly acted on Thursday to expand consumer privacy rights and limit local soda taxes rather than see interest groups take both issues to the fall ballot.

 

Sweeping data privacy bill approved in California

AP News

California will soon have what experts call the nation’s most far-reaching law to give consumers more control over their personal data under a bill the governor signed Thursday. The law will compel companies to tell customers upon request what personal data they’ve collected, why it was collected and what categories of third parties have received it.

See also:

     California Passes Strict Internet Privacy Law With Implications For The Country NPR

     California passes strictest online privacy law in the country CNN

     New California Privacy Bill Gives Consumer Sweeping Control Over Their Personal Data Huffington Post

     New California Privacy Law Could Accelerate Retail Blockchain Adoption Forbes

     California Passes Sweeping Law to Protect Online Privacy New York Times

     How California Could Win the U.S. Tighter Data Privacy New York Times

     Big Tech Worried as California Law Signals U.S. Privacy Push  Bloomberg

      Calif. passes law limiting how tech companies sell users' personal data UPI

      The potential reach of California’s privacy race AEI

 

Massive data leak could affect nearly all American adults, security researcher says

San Jose Mercury News

A new data leak could affect hundreds of millions of Americans, perhaps more than the nearly 150 million affected by the Equifax breach.

 

The Threat to Privacy of Opinion

Wall Street Journal

The NAACP fought to protect names of members and donors, but advocacy groups still face pressure.

 

Here Are the 12 Statewide Measures on California's November Ballot

KQED

The Secretary of State's office certified the final list of ballot measures on Thursday, after a series of last minute deals scrapped potential ballot measures on lead paint cleanup, local taxes, and internet privacy.

See also:

     California voters will weigh these 12 propositions on November's ballot Los Angeles Times

     Brace yourself, Californians: Here are the 12 ballot measures you get to decide in November CALmatters

     California voters will get to weigh in on daylight saving time in November Los Angeles Times

     Paint companies pull lead cleanup measure from California's November ballot Los Angeles Times

     Heading off a ballot fight, California lawmakers approve consumer privacy rules San Francisco Chronicle

     Three states, gas-tax repeal, rent control and property tax breaks for seniors: What is on — and off — the ballot  San Jose Mercury News

     California voters will get to weigh in on daylight saving time in November  Los Angeles Times

 

California bans local soda taxes through 2030 to avert industry-backed initiative

Sacramento Bee

California cities and counties will be banned from creating taxes on soda and other sugary drinks for more than a decade under a measure signed Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

See also:

      California cities banned from imposing new soda taxes for 13 years San Francisco Chronicle

     California bows to beverage industry, blocks soda taxes ABC News

     Soda Tax Ban Becomes Law, Industry Groups Yank California Ballot Measure Threatening Government Services Capital Public Radio

 

California high court tosses suit over bullet stamping law

AP News

The California Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit that sought to invalidate a state law requiring new models of semi-automatic handguns to stamp identifying information on bullet casings.

 

Mathews: Colluding with California’s Russians is eye-opening

Sacramento Bee

Then there is the mystical connection between California and Russia, two of earth’s greatest puzzles. Each territory is too vast, and its people too strange, to ever be fully understood.

 

A Race Ahead of His Time

U.S. News
Kevin de Leon looks like the future of California politics. But he may have moved too soon. As he talks through the case against Dianne Feinstein – the most senior female and oldest member of the U.S. Senate – de Leon also soberly acknowledges what he's up against.

 

Federal:

 

Battle over Trump court pick to be most expensive ever

The Hill

The fight to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy is expected to be the most expensive Supreme Court confirmation battle in history.

See also:

     Senator Kamala D. Harris Statement on Announcement of Justice Kennedy Retirement Sierra Sun Times

     Will Dems ‘gum up the works’ to try to block a Trump Supreme Court pick? San Francisco Chronicle

      Feinstein: Senate should follow 'McConnell standard,' wait to vote on Supreme Court justice The Hill

      Outside Groups, Democrats Form Ranks in Supreme Court Fight Roll Call

      White House Narrows List for Supreme Court Nomination Wall Street Journal

      Abortion Foes to Take New Aim at Roe v. Wade Wall Street Journal

      Both Parties Mobilize for Supreme Court Battle Over Kennedy’s Successor Wall Street Journal

     EDITORIAL: Supreme stakes of Trump’s next court pick San Francisco Chronicle

 

The Janus ruling doesn’t have to be fatal for public sector unions. Here’s how. Sacramento Bee

More than 7 million public sector union members in America are asking the same question now that the U.S. Supreme Court has forbidden their unions to collect mandatory fees: Is​​ this the end of public employee unions? Not in the least. Pro-labor states can undo the Janus ruling by adopting a simple legislative workaround.

See also:

     Fox: Janus Decision Reverberates in California Fox & Hounds

     Group funded by conservative billionaires launches anti-union campaign following Supreme Court ruling Los Angeles Times

     Here’s why the Supreme Court’s “right-to-work” ruling is a win for conservatives Center for Responsive Politics

      Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AEI

 

Podcast: The Supreme Court upheld Trump’s travel ban. Now what?

Brookings

Fellow Jessica Brandt discusses the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Trump’s travel ban, including what it could mean for other, highly contested immigration measures on the administration’s agenda.

See also:

      Supreme Court travel ban decision moves left’s fight with Trump from the courts to the ballot box AEI

 

Obama: ‘You are right to be concerned’

Politico
In his first public comments in months, the former president talks about anger, regrets — and what the Republicans are doing right.

See also:

     Obama Tells Democratic Donors To 'Get Organized' And Register Voters Before Midterms NPR

     Obama, at Beverly Hills fundraiser, says GOP 'mad even when they win' Fox News

     Most Americans don’t want a world ‘where everybody is angry all the time,’ Obama says, injecting himself into midterms Washington Post

 

Comparing Trump to the greatest—and the most polarizing—presidents in US history

Brookings

While other periods in American history have also featured incivility and deep divides today the divide between parties not only encumbers coalition-building and policy-making, but also even how regular people work and shop.

 

California representatives considering House Democratic leadership bids

Los Angeles Times

At least three California Democrats are considering a bid to lead the Democratic caucus in the House.

 

Other:

 

The Media's Role in Making Democracy Work Locally

CMAC

A speakers’ panel presentation hosted by the League of Women Voters of Tulare County titled 'The Media's Role in Making Democracy Work Locally'. Moderated by Mark Keppler (Maddy Institute) with speakers Catherine Doe (Valley Voice), Lewis Griswold (Fresno Bee), Joe Moore (KVPR) and Eric Woomer (Visalia Times Delta).

 

Life after tronc: Norman Pearlstine’s plans for the LA Times

Columbia Journalism Review

Norman Pearlstine, the new editor of The Los Angeles Times, sits down for an interview. Among the questions he says he must grapple with: “What do we do just to get the current operation running better?”

 

A shameless effort to consolidate control of local broadcasters

Brookings

By rewriting the rules governing local broadcasting, the Trump FCC is allowing Sinclair to turn supposedly “local” television operations into a coordinated national platform for the delivery of messages such as the one cited above.

 

No, Really: Delete Your Accounts

National Review

Imagine a world without social media. It’s easy if you try. Well, scratch that: It’s actually not easy at all.

 

Mexico’s Presidential Watershed

Wall Street Journal

The country may elect a left-wing populist who says he’s changed. Has he?

See also:

     Two States of Mexico Reveal the Split Driving Sunday’s Presidential Election Wall Street Journal

 

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING  

 

Sunday, July 1, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report“Veterans Programs and Services” – Guests: Carole D'Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission and Jacqueline Barocio from LAO. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, July 1, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report​​ ​​ - Valley Views Edition“Valley Vets: Challenges and Opportunities” – Guests: Carole D'Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission; Jacqueline Barocio from LAO; Julie Cusator with Fresno Veterans Home; and Lorenzo Rios with Clovis Veterans Memorial District. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, July 1, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Senior Citizen Boom”  Guest: Marisol Cuellar, PPIC Analyst. Host: Ana Melendez.

 

 

Support the Maddy Daily

 

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Thank you!

 

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

EDITORIAL: Fear is growing on California farms over Trump’s trade war. Valley Republicans must help stop it
Sacramento Bee

The skirmish between Harley-Davidson and Donald Trump spotlighted the president’s spiraling trade war, but it’s small potatoes compared to the devastation that could befall California agriculture.

See also:

     Millions of jobs, billions of dollars – don’t sacrifice California farms to trade war Sacramento Bee

 

Senate overwhelmingly passes sweeping farm bill, setting up fight with House

Washington Post

The Senate passed its version of the $428 billion farm bill Thursday, setting up a bitter fight against the House over food stamps, farm subsidies and conservation funding.

See also:

     California Farm Bureau Federation Welcomes Senate Farm Bill Passage Sierra Sun Times

     Senate passes its version of farm bill, setting up clash over food stamps Fox News

     Senate passes farm bill, setting up food stamp battle with the House Politico

     Senate passes mammoth farm bill The Hill

     Senate Passes $867 Billion Farm Bill, Omitting House’s Food-Stamp Work Requirements Wall Street Journal

 

D’Arrigo Bros. sign new contract with farm workers

Monterrey Herald

D’Arrigo Brothers Co. of California President John D’Arrigo and United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez signed a union contract on Thursday that will benefit more than 1,500 UFW members.

 

Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak is over as new evidence points to tainted water

Washington Post

New evidence showed bacteria taken from several canal water samples in the Yuma growing region to be a genetic match to the strain of bacteria that caused the outbreak, according to a statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Thursday.

 

California's Weed Black Market Ramps Back Up

Bloomberg

Thousands of manufacturers, growers and retailers have lost their licenses amid tighter regulations on marijuana and more oversight from local authorities, some of which aren’t too keen on the plant.

 

Marijuana on clearance as dispensaries sell off inventory before new rules take effect
Sacramento Bee

Six months after marijuana was legalized, new safety and regulation laws take effect Sunday, and some Sacramento dispensaries are rushing to clear inventory that will no longer be salable come Sunday, July 1.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE​​ /​​ FIRE​​ /​​ PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Ex-Police Chief Cited Misleading Stats When Lobbying Against Pot Facilities

Voice of San Diego

Former Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman warned the San Diego City Council last year not to expand the number of marijuana licenses, citing crime stats from existing dispensaries. Documents reveal those stats included police calls to nearby businesses and other unrelated incidents. Yet Zimmerman’s testimony is now being used to dissuade other governments from allowing marijuana storefronts in their communities.

 

Maryland community reeling after mass shooting inside the Capital Gazette newsroom

ABC News

A community is reeling hours after a gunman targeted the local Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland, looking for victims before he gunned down five unsuspecting employees.

See also:

     Five dead in 'targeted attack' at Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, police say; Laurel man charged with murder Chicago Tribune

     Capital Gazette shooting suspect charged with five counts of murder Washington Post

     A Shooting in Annapolis The Atlantic

     Gunman was 'continually shooting people' as he walked inside Capital Gazette newsroom CNN

     Newsroom targeted in shooting ran story on suspect’s harassment conviction New York Post

     The 5 Victims of the Capital Gazette Newsroom Shooting New York Times

     The hot takes on the Maryland Gazette shooting are a hot mess Los Angeles Times

     Even amid the horror in its newsroom, a newspaper’s voice wasn’t stilled Washington Post

      Yet Another Case of a Convicted Harasser Legally Purchasing a Gun National Review

 

Public Safety:

 

Making Earthquake Safety More Intelligible

New York Times

A number of speakers and participants at the conference urged engineers to be better at addressing the disconnect between what the public often thinks the building code protects them from — and what it actually does.

 

EDITORIAL: Child death cases are obviously tragic, but we need to let fact overrule emotion

Los Angeles Times

It’s tempting to respond, “So what? The young boy was killed, and that’s what matters.” And indeed, that is the essential issue. But how did it happen, and when, and what signals were missed in the months before, and by whom?

 

Fire:

 

Pawnee Fire crews prepare for strong winds, Lassen residents evacuate

Sacramento Bee

Some Lake County residents were able to return to their homes Thursday even as crews fighting the Pawnee Fire brace for a warm, windy weekend. Meanwhile, a new conflagration forced some Lassen County residents to evacuate.

See also:

     California Wildfire Survivors Return Home — Some To Total Devastation Huffington Post

 

ECONOMY / JOBS

 

Economy:

 

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley Dinged in Fed Stress Tests

Wall Street Journal

Regulators cleared most of the largest U.S. banks to increase their dividends and share buybacks, but forced two Wall Street titans, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley, to freeze those payouts at recent levels.

 

Trump’s Newsprint Tariff Is a Tax on America’s Free Press

Wall Street Journal

Local newspapers were already struggling when Trump imposed a 30% levy on Canadian paper.

 

Jobs:

 

Engineering firm cuts ribbon for new office in Clovis’ SoFi district

Business Journal

Regional engineering firm QK celebrated its move to Old Town Clovis’ SoFi district with a ribbon cutting and a grand tour on Thursday.

 

Local Minimum Wages Set to Increase July 1, 2018

Labor & Employment Law Blog

The following cities and counties in California are scheduled to increase minimum wage rates on July 1, 2018.

 

Watch: How Robots Will Change the 150 Million Jobs in the U.S.

Inc. Video

Inc. Editors Jim Ledbetter, Jon Fine and Zoe Henry try to figure out just how much of an impact robots will have on future occupations.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

California Aims to Make (Even) More Students Multilingual

Education Week

California plans to triple the number of students proficient in a language other than English over the next 12 years. The initiative builds on what the state sees as public support for expanding language courses in schools.

 

The 2018 Brown Center Report on American Education

Brookings

Are schools equipping students with the tools to become engaged, informed, and compassionate citizens? Are they equipping some students, or groups of students, better than others?

 

The Dangers of Distracted Parenting

The Atlantic
When it comes to children’s development, parents should worry less about kids’ screen time—and more about their own.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Mitchell transfers leadership to Lynnette Zelezny as new CSUB president

Bakersfield Californian

Cal State Bakersfield President Horace Mitchell passed the baton — technically the school mace — to incoming President Lynnette Zelezny on Thursday.

 

CSU Summer Arts Returns To Fresno State

Valley Public Radio

Fresno State is hosting CSU Summer Arts for the second year in a row. CSU Summer Arts is a series of college courses offered over the summer. The program also includes a festival, which is like a showcase for the students and for the instructors.

 

California’s growing Latino college population brings attention and extra funds

EdSource

A Hispanic Serving Institution means that at least 25 percent of the schools’ full-time undergraduates describe themselves as Hispanic, Latino or other related terms. California has the most such schools by far of any state.

 

Trends in Math Reforms at Community Colleges
Public Policy Institute of California

With the passage of Assembly Bill 705, community colleges will be required to maximize entering students’ likelihood of completing college-level math and English within a year.

 

Apprenticeships:

 

Making apprenticeships and workplace learning inclusive of persons with disabilities

International Labour Organization

Apprenticeships and workplace learning can effectively respond to many of the challenges by proving to employers the professional potential of disabled persons and improving their vocational skills.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Mariposa Grove: Seeking Balance Between Humans And Their Environment

Valley Public Radio

Last week, Yosemite National Park unveiled its biggest conservation project to date, and it aimed to protect some of the park’s biggest and oldest inhabitants.

 

Wineries Hedge Against Climate Change, Move to Cool Climates

NBC Los Angeles
Even minor weather variations that occur vintage to vintage can change the grapes' sugar, acid and tannin content, affecting the wine's taste and characteristics.

 

She Sells Soda by the Seashore — But Maybe Not With a Plastic Straw

Pew Charitable Trusts

Three states — California, Hawaii and New York — have considered plastic straw legislation in 2018. But objections from the plastics industry, restaurants and disability advocates have derailed or delayed some proposed straw bans.

 

Kennedy’s Retirement Could Clear Path for Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks

New York Times

The retirement of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy from the Supreme Court could significantly reshape environmental law in the decades ahead and potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to roll back Obama-era climate change policies in the coming years.

 

Energy:

 

As Trump Doubles Down on Coal, West Virginia Lawmakers Are Eyeing Natural Gas

Roll Call

There’s no small irony in the approach: Such a hub is likely to bolster an industry that has been a source of woe for West Virginia coal miners.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Report: Who is exercising their legal right to die in California?
Mercury News

Two years after California enacted a right-to-die law, more residents are using it – but they tend to be white and well-educated. This suggests that more Californians are becoming aware of the law, but that it may not readily available to everyone.

 

Seeking to help people in need

CALmatters

Gov. Jerry Brown, acknowledging that homelessness increased on his watch, will ask voters this November to authorize $2 billion in spending to build housing for mentally ill people.

 

Amazon Buys Online Pharmacy PillPack for $1 Billion
Wall Street Journal

Amazon.com Inc. is buying online pharmacy PillPack Inc. giving the e-commerce giant the ability to ship prescriptions around the country, and overnight, making it a direct threat to the more than $400 billion pharmacy business.

 

Further Findings from Kaiser’s June Health Tracking Poll: Women’s Issues

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

There has been increased attention to the role of women’s issues in the political process and the courts. The latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll examined the public’s attitudes towards these issues with a focus on the views of women of reproductive age (ages 18-44).

 

Human Services:

 

Here's what you should know about TRMC's new managers

Visalia Times-Delta

Here's a look at Tulare Regional Medical Center's future financial administrators, Adventist Health. The faith-based medical group includes locations in more than 75 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii.

 

Can Adventist Health open Tulare hospital this fall, as promised?

Visalia Times-Delta

Adventist Health is poised to take over Tulare Regional Medical Center, if the two can agree to terms of a lease.

 

Whom should government serve? Kids vs. grandparents

AEI

Policymakers should take great care to consider the unintended consequences of laws that affect families — within and across families, in the moment and over time, in and across generations. This would require more deliberate policymaking. It would result in better policy, too.

 

EDITORIAL: The Supreme Court’s decision on antiabortion centers could have dangerous repercussions

Washington Post

According to the conservatives on the Supreme Court, the government’s interest in disclosure does not outweigh their First Amendment rights to say what they want about medicine or their qualifications. This is a dangerous precedent.

See also:

     The Supreme Court puts religion-based dishonesty above the health and welfare of vulnerable pregnant women Los Angeles Times

 

IMMIGRATION

 

House Republicans Hope to Resuscitate Immigration Issue

Roll Call

House Republicans’ thorniest issue, immigration, is not going away after Wednesday’s embarrassing defeat of their “compromise” bill.

See also:

      Jeff Denham: Balanced, bipartisan solution needed on immigration reform Modesto Bee

      Question of Legalizing Dreamer Parents Trips Up Immigration Debate Roll Call

 

Parents deported without children even before "zero-tolerance" policy: report

San Diego Union-Tribune

At least 228 children were left behind when their parents were removed after they crossed illegally together into the U.S. in April, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse of Syracuse University.

See also:

      Difficult road lies ahead for reuniting migrant children with parents, despite court ruling Los Angeles Times

     Tally and Location of Migrant Minors in Question Wall Street Journal

     Pentagon Is Asked to Prepare Housing for 12,000 Migrants Wall Street Journal

 

More than a dozen ICE agents call to dissolve agency

The Hill

More than a dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents have signed a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen calling to eliminate ICE and shift its work to another bureau.

See also:

       CBS was interviewing an ICE whistleblower at home. Then government agents showed up Washington Post

       ‘This Is Intimidation’: Interview With ICE Whistle-Blower Is Interrupted by Federal Agents  New York Times

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Visalia Rescue Mission expands Downtown boutique

Visalia Times-Delta

The Visalia Rescue Mission is expanding one of its thrift stores. Simply Chic Boutique in Downtown Visalia is one of the non-profit's three stores in the South Valley.

 

Housing:

 

Millennials Prefer Suburban Living

Public CEO

Thanks to the interest millennials are taking in homeownership, the demand for homebuilders is there, and growing – in the suburbs.

 

The Rise of the Older, Single Female Home Buyer

Wall Street Journal

Unmarried women over 55 is one of the largest, and fastest-growing, demographics of home buyers. With longer lifespans and careers, many look for homes with ‘no bad memories’.

 

Is Rent Control Working and Should We Have More or Less of It?

KQED

As California's housing crisis continues to roar on, some wonder if expanding rent control could help. But how exactly does it work? And is it effective?

 

Eight California housing complexes accused of not complying with lead-safety regulations

Los Angeles Times

Federal regulators have accused eight federally-assisted apartment complexes in California of failing to ensure that children living there were not exposed to unhealthful levels of lead paint.

 

Dispelling myths about California’s homeless

PolitiFact

City and state leaders are paying more attention to California’s surging homeless population. The total topped 134,000 last year, up 14 percent from 2016.

See also:

      Lessons Learned At Sacramento’s New Homeless Triage Shelter Capital Public Radio

      Inside One of Oakland's 'Tuff Shed' Homeless Communities  KQED

     San Francisco Homeless Project: How many on San Francisco's streets? Not as many as it may seem San Francisco Chronicle

 

Pets Offer Comfort, Normalcy For Homeless People. They Also Prevent Them From Finding Help

Capital Public Radio

There appears to be a change of heart on behalf of shelter operators to make it easier for homeless people to get themselves and their pets off of the streets.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

Fresno City Council passes budget after clashes on public safety, senior center funds

Fresno Bee

After a bitter fight about how to fund additional police and fire staffing as well as a senior activity center, the Fresno City Council on Thursday approved a $1.115 billion budget for 2019.

 

Fresno mayor kills tax plan aimed at improving police, fire staffing and park facilities

Fresno Bee

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand on Thursday morning abandoned his plan to add a public safety and parks sales tax measure on the November ballot.

Modesto prudent with budget as it faces rising pension costs

Modesto Bee

Modesto's new budget reflects a conservative approach — including increasing reserves — as the city prepares for pension costs that are expected to more than double in a decade before leveling off.

There’s a New 1040 Tax Form. Will Millions of E-Filers Even Notice?

Wall Street Journal

The paper form is ‘iconic,’ but 89% of households filed electronically this year.

See also:

       Trump's New IRS 'Postcard' Is Not So Simple And Not Really A Postcard NPR

 

Long-term deficits will weaken the economy and invite a crisis

AEI

A wider deficit today will almost always boost employment and wages in the near term. The problems occur later. The Congressional Budget Office’s new report explains why long-term deficits and debt will matter, even if the consequences are delayed and build slowly over time.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Kroger Plans to Introduce Driverless Grocery Deliveries

Wall Street Journal

Supermarket chain aims to test what executives call the world’s first autonomous deliveries this year

 

WATER

 

As Decision Nears On California Water Storage Funding, a Chairman Reflects on Lessons Learned and What's Next
Water Education Foundation

New water storage is the holy grail primarily for agricultural interests in California, and in 2014 the door to achieving long-held ambitions opened with the passage of Proposition 1, which included $2.7 billion for new reservoirs and groundwater storage projects.

 

Nestlé Offered Permit To Continue Taking Water From California Watershed

NPR

The U.S. Forest Service has offered Nestlé a three-year permit to continue drawing millions of gallons of water from the San Bernardino National Forest.

See also:

     U.S. Allows Nestlé to Keep Piping Water From Drought-Ridden Southern California EcoWatch

 

“Xtra”

 

What to do when Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday?

Bakersfield Californian

It's kind of too bad, really. The Fourth of July "loses its impact if it's falling in the middle of the week," Teacher Rhonda Lamb said. "It's more just a (regular) day."

 

Celebrate the Fourth of July with Beale Park Band and more

Bakersfield Californian

Independence Day is all about celebrating the United States of America, but who says the festivities have to be confined to just the Fourth of July? In Kern County, there is patriotic fun going on the first and third of July too, as well as the 30th of June.

 

Vote for your favorite name for Bakersfield's newest entertainment hub

Bakersfield Californian

Since we asked readers on Monday to submit name ideas for the entertainment hub on Buck Owen's Boulevard, we have received quite a few submissions.

 

Valley Cultural Calendar Thursday, June 27, 2018

Valley Cultural Coalition

Great things are happening in the Valley. Here's a list of VCC member offerings to keep you busy and entertained!

 

Oakland Zoo puts spotlight on California wildlife

SFGate

The Oakland Zoo has high hopes for its new California Trail exhibit opening July 12. The animals were selected for their significance to California even though some had disappeared.

 

Test yourself with our new free game: PolitiTruth

Think you can tell the difference between True and False?

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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.

 

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

                                                      

This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, The Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno does not officially endorse or support views that may be expressed in the document. If you want to print a story, please do so now before the link expires.​​ ​​​​​​​

 

 

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