POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Vote count update: One race for Stanislaus County judge remains unsettled
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County released another update Monday afternoon on votes in the March 3 primary. The new numbers bring no resolution to the only undecided race, a Stanislaus Superior Court judgeship sought by three candidates.
What do you want covered in the 2020 election? Tell us in our Modesto Bee reader survey
Modesto Bee
Our community is changing every day, and The Modesto Bee and its local reporting staff are rising to meet the challenge to keep you informed and engaged. For us, journalism has evolved. We’re not a news organization solely putting forward the events of the day; we also want to create a conversation with you, our readers and loyal subscribers, on important issues.
Central SJ Valley:
City Approves Water Supply Fee
Clovis RoundUp
The Clovis City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance that would establish a water supply fee to pay for future developments at its Monday, March 9 meeting. According to city documents, the need for additional water is directly tied to land development that creates demand for water supply. The water supply fee will be used to acquire new water resources for land that developed with water demands that exceed available allocation.
The Women Who Have Shaped Clovis Part 1
Clovis RoundUp
One little-known fact about Clovis is that it was a woman who donated the land that would eventually become the Gateway to the Sierras. A woman named Sarah Simpson, originally of Visalia, donated a parcel of land in Northeastern Fresno County in 1868 to build the Methodist Episcopal South Church.
Supervisors Postpone TOT Ballot Measure Debate
Sierra News
At their regular meeting, the Madera County Board of Supervisors postponed a discussion about a potential ballot measure to hike the County’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate.
South SJ Valley:
New City Manager to have first meeting
Porterville Recorder
The new City Manager for Lindsay will be joining his first City Council meeting as a city employee tonight, and he has already shared his excitement to get started.
Supervisor David Couch loses ground in latest vote update
Bakersfield Californian
Supervisor David Couch lost several percentage points in the latest update of vote totals by the Kern County Elections Division.
City to take up affordable housing projects, street repaving at Wednesday meeting
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council will take up two affordable housing projects at its meeting Wednesday, addressing a shortage in the cheapest housing available to low-income residents.
Oil prices stage moderate recovery, but near-term prospects appear dim
Bakersfield Californian
One day after oil saw its biggest one-day price drop since 1991, the industry experienced a modest rebound Tuesday, with primary benchmarks and local grades recovering some value even as prospects for a near-term recovery appeared dim.
See Also:
● Gas prices keep going low in Fresno, Valley as coronavirus concerns grow Fresno Bee
● Coronavirus effect: California gas prices to drop amid turmoil San Francisco Chronicle
House GOP leader McCarthy stands by ‘Chinese coronavirus’ tweet
San Francisco Chronicle
House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy is facing calls to apologize and delete a tweet that referred to the novel coronavirus as the “Chinese coronavirus,” a title health professionals say is incorrect and counterproductive.
See Also:
● Pelosi joins Asian American lawmakers in demanding McCarthy apology for 'bigoted' tweet Politico
● EDITORIAL: Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s coronavirus tweet echoes anti-Chinese racism. He must apologize Fresno Bee
State:
California governor warns of more restrictions to stop virus
Hanford Sentinel
California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged the state's nearly 40 million residents Tuesday to avoid sporting events, concerts and large gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and adamantly warned the elderly to stay away from cruise ships as he pondered measures to restrict cruise travel off the California coast.
See Also:
● For now, no changes to the work of California Legislature over coronavirus concerns Los Angeles Times
● As California retreats from containment, New York sends in the National Guard Los Angeles Times
● California proposes 3-day backup power for cell towers, communication networks San Francisco Chronicle
● Newsom slams NBA, other pro leagues for playing in packed stadiums Politico
For now, no changes to the work of California Legislature over coronavirus concerns
Los Angeles Times
Leaders of the California Legislature said Tuesday they have no plans to impose coronavirus-related restrictions on the work schedules of lawmakers or the operations of the Capitol, though they said they are closely watching events across the state.
California Chief Justice Delivers State of the Judiciary Address
California Courts
(Transcript and photos) Chief Justice acknowledges three-branch effort making California courts “centers for social justice,” calls for study of actions to help address homeless crisis.
California’s Political Geography 2020
PPIC
With the 2020 presidential election fast approaching, attention turns to how public views may shape the outcome. California is often considered quite liberal, with strong support for the Democratic Party—but the state encompasses many people with differing political views. In this report, we examine California’s political geography to inform discussion for this election season and beyond.
California’s Population Slowdown
PPIC
The decennial census is fast approaching. Starting this Thursday, March 12, most households in the country will be sent an invitation to fill out a census form online. Over the next several months, the US Census Bureau will prod those who have not responded to make sure they are counted. The count will have important implications for political representation, federal funding, and a wide range of research.
15 Years of State of the State Addresses: What Do Governors Care About Most, and What Has Changed
EdNote
Over the past 15 years, Education Commission of the States has read and summarized State of the State addresses delivered across the nation. In addition to cataloging governors’ education-related policy proposals and celebrations, we have published seven papers providing analysis of the top trends in education policy priorities outlined by governors.
Federal:
More coronavirus tests are on the way, and Pence promises ‘no surprise billing’
Fresno Bee
Meeting with health insurance CEOs at the White House on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence said that the executives had all committed to ensure “no surprise billing” for coronavirus testing as it continues to spread.
See Also:
● Avoid cruises, travel and large groups, doctor advises Congress in new guidelines Roll Call
● Coronavirus and Autocracy: An Extremely Dangerous Mix New York Intelligencer
● U.S. tops grim coronavirus milestone: 1,000 cases Politico
● Commentary: Is ‘corona stimulus’ the latest example of never letting a serious crisis go to waste? AEI
Pelosi, Mnuchin to tackle stimulus plan; Trump’s payroll tax cut gets mixed reviews
Los Angeles Times
One of President Trump’s key proposals to confront the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus — a payroll tax cut — got mixed reviews from Senate Republicans on Tuesday during a Capitol Hill strategy-planning lunch that ended without agreement on the details of a possible stimulus plan.
House leaders strike deal to renew surveillance law
Politico
House leaders have struck a bipartisan deal to renew a set of expiring surveillance tools — giving a huge boost to efforts to extend the law five days before the deadline. Senior aides for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) started negotiating after it became clear that committee leaders in both parties weren't going to come together on a proposal to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ahead of the March 15 expiration date.
United States Census 2020
If you are filling out the census for your home, you should count everyone who is living there as of April 1, 2020. This includes any friends or family members who are living and sleeping there most of the time. If someone is staying in your home on April 1, and has no usual home elsewhere, you should count them in your response to the 2020 Census.
Column: Trump’s payroll tax cut would hurt Social Security without helping workers
Los Angeles Times
It’s natural for decision-makers grappling with a new crisis to dust off ideas tried in the last one, whether they were good ideas or bad. Here’s a bad idea, unearthed by President Trump from a decade ago: Cutting the payroll tax to goose the economy.
Elections 2020:
Joe Biden has another big primary night, wins 4 more states
Fresno Bee
The former vice president's victory in Michigan, as well as in Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho, dealt a serious blow to Sanders and substantially widened Biden's path to the nomination.
See Also:
● The Democratic Nomination Is Now In View For Joe Biden — And 5 Other Takeaways Capital Public Radio
● Biden Campaign Cements Strong Position With More Wins; Sanders' Path Narrows Capital Public Radio
● Biden wins Michigan, Idaho, Mississippi and Missouri. Calls arise for Sanders to quit Los Angeles Times
● Joe Biden rolls up victories as Bernie Sanders struggles for a foothold in the Democratic race Washington Post
● Democratic primaries live updates: Biden seeks to capitalize on another strong showing against Sanders Washington Post
Bernie Sanders is on the brink after Tuesday’s setback. The road ahead isn’t any easier.
Fresno Bee
Joe Biden won decisive victories in the Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi primaries, dealing a critical blow to Bernie Sanders’ presidential hopes.
See Also:
● Sanders, An Unlikely Front-Runner 2 Weeks Ago, Faces A Stark Reality Capital Public Radio
● Commentary: One part of Bernie Sanders’ democratic socialist agenda should be getting more attention AEI
5 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Democratic Primaries
New York Times
It was a drubbing. Four years ago, the Missouri Democratic primary was one of the closest in the nation in the grinding and protracted campaign between Senator Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
See Also:
● Election 2020: March 10 Democratic Primary Results KQED
Fact Check: Is there no policy daylight between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, as RNC says?
PolitiFact
The Republican National Committee didn’t waste much time after the Democratic presidential race narrowed to two main candidates to paint Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders with the same brush. A mass email sent by the RNC on March 5 began with the subject line, "Biden and Bernie, two sides of the same coin." It offered about a dozen policy issues where — according to the email at least — the two Democrats had identical stances.
Donald Trump: The Obama administration "didn't do anything about” swine flu.
PolitiFact
Asked about reassuring Americans about the coronavirus, President Donald Trump downplayed the number of people stricken, then went on the attack. Without mentioning President Barack Obama, Trump criticized the Obama’s administration response to another outbreak — H1N1, commonly known as swine flu.
Other:
No ‘Kids Day’ papers were sold. But fundraiser still brought in $128,000. Here’s how
Fresno Bee
There were no volunteers in orange vests selling Kids Day papers on street corners this year, but the annual fundraiser for Valley Children’s Healthcare still brought in at least $127,955. The donations pushed the fundraiser past the $10 million mark since it started in 1987.
Empowering the Next Wave of Female Leaders
EdNote
Over the last decade, women have made great strides in state leadership positions — and in particular, positions of power related to education policy. Currently, women lead nine states as governor and hold 15 lieutenant governorships and 66 other statewide elected positions.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Fresno EOC
Provides food to families residing in rural communities and inner city areas impacted by weather issues and economic downturn. No documentation is required to receive food. We will ask you the following questions to register with us to receive food: First and last name, Birthdate, How many people live in the home?, How many under the age of 18 years?, How many 5 years of age or younger?
Doctors’ group wants processed meats added to cancer-warning list
San Francisco Chronicle
California requires Proposition 65 cancer warnings on hundreds of products, ranging from tobacco and gasoline to beer and french fries. But there are no warnings on processed meats, like hot dogs, corned beef and bacon, despite an international agency’s findings in 2015 that those foods cause cancer in humans.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
A ‘horrific’ crisis. Hundreds of Valley child abuse reports intentionally discarded
Fresno Bee
Children faced “incredible pain and suffering” when a Madera County social worker intentionally discarded hundreds of child abuse reports last year, according to government emails uncovered in a Fresno Bee investigation.
Opinion: Gov. Newsom was right to halt death penalty last year. Now California must go further
Sacramento Bee
California has the largest death row in the country and 67 percent of the people on California’s death row are Black, Latino, Asian, Native American or other people of color.
Public Safety:
Central Valley 11th Annual Conference on Human Trafficking
Fresno EOC
Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking project will host the 11th Annual Conference on Human Trafficking Be Free: Empowerment & Beyond on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The conference will explore a multi-disciplinary approach to regional partnerships, identification and recovery for victims of human trafficking in the Central Valley.
$300,000 a year isn’t enough to persuade psychiatrists to work at Calif prisons
Fresno Bee
A 24 percent pay bump offered three years ago failed to convince enough psychiatrists to go to work in California’s prisons, where inmate suicides reached record highs last year, according to prison and union officials.
Release some inmates to ease coronavirus threat in jail, California official says
Sacramento Bee
Should jails free some inmates to help curb the spread of coronavirus? Yes, one California official says. Mano Raju, the San Francisco public defender, released a statement Tuesday urging sheriff’s officials to immediately release some prisoners, particularly those at greatest risk from the COVID-19 virus.
See Also:
● Calif jails, prisons on alert for coronavirus. Fear it will ‘spread like wildfire’ Sacramento Bee
16 BPD officers potentially meet minimum qualifications for police chief vacancy
Bakersfield Californian
With the application process for the Bakersfield police chief position closing today, a maximum of 16 Bakersfield Police Department officers have been identified as potentially eligible for the position.
Fire:
PG&E settles key battle over $13.5B wildfire victims' fund
Porterville Recorder
Pacific Gas & Electric told a federal bankruptcy judge Tuesday that it has settled a dispute with disaster-relief agencies that threatened to siphon money away from a $13.5 billion fund earmarked for victims of catastrophic wildfires in California caused by the nation's largest utility.
PG&E settles with FEMA over billions in wildfire claims, avoiding bankruptcy fight
Sacramento Bee
PG&E Corp. settled a major dispute that could have jeopardized its bankruptcy reorganization plan, agreeing to pay $1 billion to FEMA for costs of responding to disastrous wildfires caused by the California utility.
See Also:
● PG&E agrees to settle $4 billion bankruptcy dispute with FEMA San Francisco Chronicle
● FEMA: PG&E’s poor power line maintenance means it intentionally caused fires San Francisco Chronicle
When Wildfires Hit Close to Home
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
In this podcast you’ll hear how NIEHS-funded researchers are studying urban wildfires to better understand these complex exposures and the unique ways they may affect human health. You’ll also learn how information from these studies could help communities better prepare for urban wildfires in the future.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Stocks fall again on Wall Street as wild swings continue
Fresno Bee
Stocks are sinking again Wednesday, wiping out half of a huge rally from a day earlier as Wall Street continues to reel on worries about the coronavirus.
See Also:
● Stock Market Volatility Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Capital Public Radio
● Here We Go Again: Dow Drops 800 Points As Stock Market Turmoil Continues Capital Public Radio
● Dow sinks as coronavirus tightens grip on economy and oil price war escalates Washington Post
● EDITORIAL: We’ve entered the coronavirus economy Los Angeles Times
Oil prices stage moderate recovery, but near-term prospects appear dim
Bakersfield Californian
One day after oil saw its biggest one-day price drop since 1991, the industry experienced a modest rebound Tuesday, with primary benchmarks and local grades recovering some value even as prospects for a near-term recovery appeared dim.
See Also:
● Gas prices keep going low in Fresno, Valley as coronavirus concerns grow Fresno Bee
● Coronavirus effect: California gas prices to drop amid turmoil San Francisco Chronicle
Commentary: A dozen facts about the economics of the US healthcare system
Brookings
The health-care sector is in many ways the most consequential part of the United States economy. It is a fundamental part of people’s lives, supporting their health and well-being. Moreover, it matters because of its economic size and budgetary implications.
Jobs:
California’s Paid Family Leave Program is Out of Reach for Workers With Very Low Wages
California Budget & Policy Center
California’s paid family leave program helps workers balance career and caregiving commitments by providing up to six weeks of paid time off to attend to a sick family member or bond with a newborn or adopted child. The vast majority of California workers contribute to paid family leave and are eligible to take time off when the need arises.
How Working-Class Life Is Killing Americans, in Charts
New York Times
When the economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton first published their research on “deaths of despair” five years ago, they focused on middle-aged whites. So many white working-class Americans in their 40s and 50s were dying of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse that the overall mortality rate for the age group was no longer falling – a rare and shocking pattern in a modern society.
What coronavirus means for California state workers: Telecommuting, sick time
Sacramento Bee
California state workers may use sick leave to take care of children who are home due to school closures, according to guidance CalHR sent to state departments Sunday night.
See Also:
● Quarantined workers would be protected from retaliation under proposed California law Sacramento Bee
● Coronavirus: Gig economy companies from Uber to Instacart promise support for workers San Francisco Chronicle
● Labor Issues Implicated by the Coronavirus (Podcast) Ogletree Deakins
● COVID-19: FAQs on Federal Labor and Employment Laws Ogletree Deakins
● Labor Relations During a Pandemic: Employer Duties Under the NLRA in the Wake of COVID-19 Ogletree Deakins
● California Department of Industrial Relations Issues Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Employers AALRR
● Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 OSHA
● COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers U.S. Department of Labor
● Commentary: Paid medical time off: A sensible way to stem the spread of COVID–19 AEI
Google asks all North American employees to work from home
Axios
Google issued one of the most sweeping cautionary edicts, recommending on Tuesday that all its employees in North America work from home until at least April 10 amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
See Also:
● Google tells more than 100,000 employees in North America to work from home Los Angeles Times
EDITORIAL: Payroll tax cut not a cure for coronavirus’ effects
San Francisco Chronicle
Way late, President Trump is waking to the seriousness of the coronavirus. He’s taking aim at its devastating impact on a once-thriving economy. But his brewing plan for a cut in the payroll tax is a knee-jerk reaction that won’t help laid-off workers and ailing industries.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Parlier Unified closing schools because of coronavirus concerns. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
Parlier Unified is closing two of its schools the remainder of this week due to concerns of the coronavirus. The school district announced Tuesday evening that Parlier High and Brletic Elementary will be closed until Monday.
See Also:
● Should Fresno-area students wear masks to school to avoid contracting coronavirus? Fresno Bee
● Parlier High School first Valley school to close amid coronavirus concerns abc30
● As coronavirus spreads in the state, will schools remain open in Stanislaus County? Modesto Bee
● As Coronavirus Closes Schools, USDA Offers Limited Help to Kids Who Rely on School Meals Civil Eats
● Coronavirus could delay standardized testing for California students EdSource
● COVID-19 And The Catch-22 Of School Closure Forbes
● Schools hamstrung over feeding students as coronavirus leads to closures Politico
Had enough? Californians turn down higher taxes, debt
Fresno Bee
Everyone knows that living in California comes with a price: Its residents pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on the money they earn, the gas they pump and the clothes they wear. But for the moment, at least, it appears voters have had enough.
See Also:
● California voters reject $15 billion school upgrade bond Fresno Bee
● Proposition 13: CA voters reject $15 billion school upgrade bond KTLA
● California voters reject $15 billion school upgrade bond Associated Press
Peach Blossom Festival canceled due to coronavirus concerns
abc30
Coronavirus fears have prompted officials to cancel this year's Peach Blossom Festival at Fresno State. The festival draws thousands of students from dozens of schools each spring to the university. It is the first time in 62 years the event will not take place.
Higher Ed:
Fresno State operating as normal as COVID-19 outbreak continues
abc30
College life on the campus of Fresno State remains as normal as possible despite growing concerns locally and nationwide over the spread of COVID-19.
See Also:
● Coronavirus threat causes California JC state basketball tournament in Lemoore to ban fans Fresno Bee
● Events canceled at BC, CSUB over coronavirus concerns Bakersfield Californian
● UC Davis halts in-person final exams and bans large gatherings over coronavirus fears Sacramento Bee
● USC, UCLA and other UC campuses announce transition to online learning to protect against coronavirus Los Angeles Times
● College campuses become ghost towns as classes go online San Francisco Chronicle
● California State University campuses might close for 2 to 4 days due to coronavirus San Diego Union-Tribune
Fresno-area college bus pass program gets new life - for now. Bitwise proposes solution
Fresno Bee
State Center Community College officials voted Tuesday to extend the district’s free bus pass program through the fall 2020 semester. The unanimous vote came after elected officials scrambled to find funding before the program ended in May, and with it, student’s ability to get to class.
See Also:
● New rideshare program at Fresno City College hoping to resolve parking issues abc30
California’s affirmative action ban, Proposition 209, targeted for repeal
San Francisco Chronicle
California is about to wade back into the fight over affirmative action, nearly a quarter-century after state voters banned the consideration of race and sex in public education, employment and contracting.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
OPINION: PG&E bankruptcy will test California’s climate goals
Capitol Weekly
“PG&E, that company no longer exists.” Those were the words of Gov. Gavin Newsom as he reaffirmed his demand that PG&E come out of bankruptcy completely transformed. With that in mind, it is important that state leaders stay firm on their resolve that PG&E is restructured in a way that both hardens our electrical grid and keeps our commitments to California’s climate and clean energy goals.
Energy:
Oil prices stage moderate recovery, but near-term prospects appear dim
Bakersfield Californian
One day after oil saw its biggest one-day price drop since 1991, the industry experienced a modest rebound Tuesday, with primary benchmarks and local grades recovering some value even as prospects for a near-term recovery appeared dim.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Warszawski: Want to slow spread of coronavirus in Fresno? ‘Social distancing’ is a good remedy
Fresno Bee
If you’re not familiar with social distancing, my hunch is you will be soon. Defined by the Center for Disease Control as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” it may be our most effective tool in combating coronavirus.
See Also:
● Coronavirus response efforts increase in Merced County, as concern grows statewide Fresno Bee
● Valley schools, businesses making extra cleaning efforts amid Coronavirus outbreak abc30
● Safety measures, limited visitation to protect residents at Valley senior centers abc30
● Merced County provides coronavirus hotline and webpage abc30
● Madera County Reports 9 Now Being ‘Monitored’ for COVID-19 Sierra News
● Coronavirus update: Five being monitored locally Bakersfield Californian
● California nursing homes limit social visits, ramp up prevention as coronavirus hits elderly Merced Sun-Star
● Update: First COVID-19 cases in San Joaquin, Calaveras; some Modesto events postponed Modesto Bee
● Stapley: Stay calm, bump elbows and fight unreasonable coronavirus fear in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
● Stay calm, bump elbows and fight unreasonable coronavirus fear in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
● First confirmed coronavirus cases found in San Joaquin, Calaveras counties Stockton Record
● US states race to contain coronavirus as cases exceed 1,000 Porterville Recorder
● Health Officials In The Valley Monitor At-Risk Individuals To Prevent Spread Of COVID-19 VPR
● California hotels are being used for coronavirus quarantines, Gavin Newsom announces Sacramento Bee
● Coronavirus updates: Passengers sent to Pacific Grove, California county bans gatherings Sacramento Bee
● California Could Soon Process 5,000 COVID-19 Tests A Day In Commercial Labs, Including One In Sacramento Capital Public Radio
● California has 157 coronavirus cases, but thousands may have been exposed to disease Los Angeles Times
● Northern California woman dies of coronavirus — first known senior facility case statewide Los Angeles Times
● Most California coronavirus patients are aged 18-64, new data shows Los Angeles Times
● As California retreats from containment, New York sends in the National Guard Los Angeles Times
● Coronavirus declared a pandemic amid rapid worldwide spread Los Angeles Times
● Coronavirus: As Cases in California Climb, Newsom Addresses Testing Concerns KQED
● Apple: It’s Fine To Clean Your iPhone With A Disinfectant Wipe KPIX
● Coronavirus: Emergency room doctor calls for calm and perspective San Francisco Chronicle
● How California is responding to the coronavirus CalMatters
● As coronavirus toll rises, so does health care workers’ alarm CalMatters
● Live updates: WHO declares coronavirus a pandemic Washington Post
● ‘It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response New York Times
● Flattening the Coronavirus Curve New York Times
● Top US health official says worst is yet to come with coronavirus outbreak The Hill
● Hospitals gird for coronavirus surge after years of cutbacks Politico
● WHO declares coronavirus outbreak a pandemic Politico
● California governor warns of more restrictions to stop virus Associated Press
● WALTERS: We are nation’s ground zero for coronavirus CalMatters
● EDITORIAL: Panicking might work in zombie films, but it’s making coronavirus worse for everyone Los Angeles Times
Points of Progress: US life expectancy increases, and more
Christian Science Monitor
For the first time in four years, life expectancy increased in the United States, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which gathered data from 2018. The rise – only a month – is largely a product of lower mortality rates for drug overdoses and cancer.
Human Services:
No ‘Kids Day’ papers were sold. But fundraiser still brought in $128,000. Here’s how
Fresno Bee
There were no volunteers in orange vests selling Kids Day papers on street corners this year, but the annual fundraiser for Valley Children’s Healthcare still brought in at least $127,955. The donations pushed the fundraiser past the $10 million mark since it started in 1987.
See Also:
● Central Valley community finds new way to fundraise for Kids Day abc30
$300,000 a year isn’t enough to persuade psychiatrists to work at California prisons
Sacramento Bee
A 24 percent pay bump offered three years ago failed to convince enough psychiatrists to go to work in California’s prisons, where inmate suicides reached record highs last year, according to prison and union officials.
IMMIGRATION
EDITORIAL: When the U.S. uses migrants’ therapy disclosures against them
Los Angeles Times
The bill would also create a new training regimen to help border agents address mental health issues among migrants and require at least one mental health expert at each Customs and Border Patrol facility. Both of those steps are worth considering too.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Modesto wants to hear from residents on Muni golf course’s future
Modesto Bee
Residents will have two chances to tell city officials how they would like the Modesto Municipal Golf Course to be redeveloped if the city decides to sell the cherished nine-hole course.
Housing:
State Supreme Court Chief Justice says courts will help with homeless crisis
Porterville Recorder
California's chief justice said Tuesday that she will appoint an advisory panel on how the court system might better help the state address its growing homelessness crisis.
City to take up affordable housing projects, street repaving at Wednesday meeting
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council will take up two affordable housing projects at its meeting Wednesday, addressing a shortage in the cheapest housing available to low-income residents. The council’s action could help add 101 affordable housing units to the city, a portion of which would be devoted to homeless veterans. Although both projects were already in the process of being completed, the council could move them closer toward construction on Wednesday.
EDITORIAL: SB902 another sign of California’s resistance to housing
San Francisco Chronicle
State Sen. Scott Wiener has responded to the defeat of his legislation to dramatically boost California housing construction with a proposal that would settle for relaxing the most restrictive zoning.
Trump Administration Presses Cities to Evict Homeowners From Flood Zones
New York Times
The federal government is giving local officials nationwide a painful choice: Agree to use eminent domain to force people out of flood-prone homes, or forfeit a shot at federal money they need to combat climate change.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Had enough? Californians turn down higher taxes, debt
Fresno Bee
Everyone knows that living in California comes with a price: Its residents pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on the money they earn, the gas they pump and the clothes they wear. But for the moment, at least, it appears voters have had enough.
Coronavirus could extend the deadline to file your taxes. Here’s what we know
Fresno Bee
Several lawmakers want the Internal Revenue Service to extend the deadline for Americans to file their taxes because of the growing coronavirus outbreak in the United States. The Trump administration is reportedly mulling a similar request.
California’s new state-run retirement program survives taxpayer group’s challenge
Sacramento Bee
A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a California conservative tax group’s effort to block the implementation of a state-run financial savings program that was created to help lower-income workers save for retirement.
TRANSPORTATION
Gas prices keep going low in Fresno, Valley as coronavirus concerns grow
Fresno Bee
As fears grow over the potential effects of a coronavirus outbreak with at least two confirmed cases in the central San Joaquin Valley, one by-product of the global concern is cheaper gasoline prices at retail fuel pumps.
RTD increases efforts to sanitize buses, transit hubs
Stockton Record
San Joaquin Regional Transit District is taking additional precautions beyond its daily bus and facility cleaning and sanitation practices to deter the spread of disease during the current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, the new coronavirus.
Construction completed on major downtown traffic artery
Bakersfield Californian
It sounds almost biblical, but three lanes have become four on 23rd Street downtown. After months of dust, mud and inconvenience, this stretch of new asphalt between D and M streets may be worth celebrating — by merchants and motorists.
The California DMV rejected these license plates. Now it’s getting sued
Sacramento Bee
Think “OG” and “Queer” are too extreme for a license plate? The California Department of Motor Vehicles did. Now it’s getting sued by five Californians who believe the department unfairly censored their requests for vanity license plates.
WATER
South Valley sees most significant rainfall for the first time since January
abc30
Experts at the San Joaquin Valley National Weather Service in Hanford say the rain is a welcome sight after a dry February. Experts say the storm hit Kern County the hardest and still has the potential to be stronger in the South Valley on Wednesday.
See Also:
● Storm to hit South Valley after dry spell Tulare County's dry spell is set to break in dramatic fashion Tuesday. Visalia Times Delta
City Approves Water Supply Fee
Clovis RoundUp
The Clovis City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance that would establish a water supply fee to pay for future developments at its Monday, March 9 meeting. According to city documents, the need for additional water is directly tied to land development that creates demand for water supply. The water supply fee will be used to acquire new water resources for land that developed with water demands that exceed available allocation.
Rural Water Issues: Progress and Challenges in Implementing California's Human Rights to Water
U.S. EPA
Learn about how the State of California is implementing a Human Right to Water statute to address disadvantaged and environmentally overburdened communities, particularly those in rural areas. This framework involves policies, analytical tools and resources to ensure safe, accessible and affordable water for all. The webinar will discuss progress and challenges, including those related to a changing climate.
Job Description: Community Organizer
Community Water Center
The Community Water Center (CWC) acts as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. We seek to build and enhance leadership capacity and local community power around water issues, create a statewide movement for water justice alongside low-income communities and communities of color who do not have access to safe, clean and affordable water.
See Also:
● Job Description: Community Solutions Coordinator Community Water Center
“Xtra”
How Can We Make Farm Work Healthier?
Zócalo Public Square
On Tuesday, April 14th, Organic farmer and artist Nikiko Masumoto, Huron Mayor Rey León, health researcher Chia Thao, and Tania Pacheco-Werner, co-assistant director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, visit Zócalo to consider how to make farm work healthier.
Mooney Museum hosts Italian-themed fundraiser this weekend
Hanford Sentinel
When the moon hits Lemoore like a big Italian dinner — that’s amore. Lemoore’s Sarah A. Mooney Memorial Museum is teaming up with several local organizations to host “An Evening in Venezia, Italia” from 6-10 p.m. Saturday.
Some favorite “Creations” will be shown off by Modesto’s Central West Ballet
Modesto Bee
The Modesto premiere of a famous Tchaikovsky work joins a look back at 15 years of dance from Central West Ballet. “Creations, Choreography in America” celebrates the Modesto company’s tenure under Artistic Director René Daveluy. It will be presented at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21.