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Local/Regional Politics:
Deadline Fast Approaching – $56,000 Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship – Applications Due Friday, March 16th, 2018 The Maddy Institute Through the generosity of The Wonderful Company, San Joaquin Valley students will have the opportunity to become the next generation of Valley leaders through The Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship. This program helps students obtain an advanced degree from a top graduate program, return home, and apply what they have learned to help make the Valley a better place.
Assistant City Manager Job Opportunity (Fresno)City of FresnoThe City of Fresno is currently conducting a recruitment for Assistant City Manager. In this capacity, the City Manager is seeking an individual experienced in public administration with a strong understanding of varied municipal operations and public policy.Will Trump visit Fresno on his upcoming California visit?Fresno Bee With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit California next week, local politicians and activists suspect he will make a stop in Fresno. While White House staff has only confirmed that Trump will make appearances in San Diego regarding his proposed border wall and in Beverly Hills to attend a Republican fundraiser, rumors swirled Wednesday that he will also visit Fresno alongside Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, on March 14, a day after his other planned events in the state. See also: ● Trump to pay first presidential visit to California amid immigration ‘war’ The Sacramento Bee ● Trump to visit California next week, finally Los Angeles Times
Fresno County leaders discuss expansion of Millerton Lake Recreation Area Under a bill introduced by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, the Millerton Lake State Recreation Park expansion would include the San Joaquin River Parkway and 5,900 acres along the river between Friant Dam and Highway 99. “Currently the way that it’s written it’s unclear on if the state would take control of basically not only acquiring land but maintaining that land along the San Joaquin River,” Nathan Magsig said.
There’s no more free parking provided for jury duty downtown. Here’s whyFresno BeeFor years, the state’s court system has leased most of the spaces in a city-owned parking garage downtown to provide free parking for jurors summoned to Fresno County Superior Court. But the agreement to use Fresno’s Garage No. 4 on Tulare Street near Fulton Street came to an abrupt halt Monday, when the city notified the state it would finally enforce a rate increase approved by the Fresno City Council more than a year ago.
Farm leaders say they are a target for ICE raids Fresno Bee Fresno County agriculture leaders say they feel caught in the middle in the tussle between California and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions over illegal immigration. Sessions was in Sacramento Wednesday speaking to the California Peace Officers Association, and he was clearly annoyed with what state lawmakers have done to protect undocumented immigrants.
Most Valley voters back DACA, Fresno State survey finds Fresno Bee A recent Fresno State survey of central San Joaquin Valley voters found a majority support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and know someone who would be affected by its end. The survey was conducted by the university’s Institute for Leadership and Public Policy. From Feb. 5-15, a total of 634 registered voters were interviewed in English in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties.
Fresno Prosecutor Hopes to Defy Odds, Take Down Devin Nunes The California Report – KQED News Fresno prosecutor Andrew Janz never expected to be running for Congress, but he says the tipping point was when his representative, Devin Nunes, “mishandled classified information” on the Russia investigation. That’s when the Fresno County deputy district attorney decided to jump in. “Defeating Devin Nunes would be a great service to the country,” Janz told KQED while campaigning at the California Democratic Convention in San Diego on Friday. “He’s really working every day to undermine the special prosecutor’s investigation into the Russian meddling in the 2016 election.”
Millennial Republican to challenge Costa The Fresno Bee Rep. Jim Costa, the Fresno Democrat, will apparently have a challenger in 2018. On Feb. 16, a campaign committee filed federal paperwork for California’s 16th Congressional District. The candidate is listed as Elizabeth Heng, and the committee — Elizabeth Heng for Congress — lists a Fresno post office box address. The campaign has not filed any other documents.
Fresno area car insurance rates rising 2x national average; which ZIPs still pay most? The Zebra Car insurance rates are at an all-time high nationwide, and rates are rising especially fast in the Fresno area. In the Fresno/Visalia metro area, rates are up 45% since 2011 – more than double the 20% increase we’re seeing nationwide.
CHP seeing more hit-and-runs in Tulare County Visalia Times-Delta Oil marks were left behind by a driver suspected of a fatal hit-and-run just outside of Tulare Tuesday night. California Highway Patrol officers are hoping the marks and other evidence collected at the scene will lead them to an arrest. The incident happened just after 8:30 p.m. near Highway 137 and Road 56. Witnesses called officers after seeing a body lying in the roadway. Madera Tribune A delegation from the Jhang, Pakistan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry is visiting Madera this week to establish a sister chamber of commerce relationship with the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Madera has been a destination for many business people and medical professionals over the years, and as a result, the associations have been close, with people traveling back and forth to see friends and family and to do business.
UC Merced’s Republican club questions security fee to host conservative speaker The Modesto Bee Members of a conservative student organization at UC Merced are wondering whether the university can and should charge them a roughly $1,800 security fee to bring a controversial high-profile speaker to campus. KFSN-TV A proposed ordinance in the City of Merced could mean changes to the way citizens can voice their concerns. If approved, breaking conduct rules could be punishable as a misdemeanor. “Merced is changing were getting more people to come to City Hall were just bringing more structure to meetings,” said City Manager Steven Carrigan.
Deputy launches campaign against Sheriff Donny Youngblood with critique of leadership.Bakersfield Californian Justin Fleeman, a chief deputy with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, formally announced his plan to run against his boss, Sheriff Donny Youngblood, in June’s primary election. Fleeman was surrounded by a crowd of family, friends and supporters Wednesday morning as he made the announcement.
JobFest comes to Bakersfield next week Bakersfield Californian The Kern County Department of Human Services’ free JobFest series is coming to Bakersfield next week. Bakersfield’s JobFest will be on March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Another JobFest will be held in Lake Isabella on March 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kern River Valley Veterans Hall, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd. Additional JobFests are set for other Kern County communities through June.
Pot industry weighs in on Arvin’s cannabis operation requirementsBakersfield Californian The City of Arvin wanted to get feedback from the cannabis industry regarding its ordinance allowing commercial cultivation and they certainly got it. Members of the industry packed City Hall for a workshop on Wednesday in which city staff provided information on the requirements the city has drafted to govern the cultivation of marijuana in the city. Janice Keating announces intent to run for Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Modesto Bee Former Modesto Councilwoman Janice Keating is making a run for the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. Keating, 51, said she will file her papers for the District 4 seat before a deadline next week. The district includes most of the city of Modesto and Del Rio. Incumbent Dick Monteith is not seeking another term, which extends the filing period from Friday to Wednesday. The potential four-way race includes state senator Tom Berryhill, who is terming out this year and has a $75,000 campaign fund, and Frank Damrell III, a field representative for state senator Cathleen Galgiani of Stockton.
Roll Call If there’s been one consistent sign of Democratic optimism this cycle, it’s the unprecedented number of Democrats interested in running for Congress. Candidates keep announcing, and in many more districts than Democrats have targeted before. But in some of these races, there’s already been a Democratic candidate, or ten, for months.
WSJ Storms like the one that have doused arid California in recent days are cause for celebration, but also for better conservation. The Sierra Nevada mountains received nearly six feet of snow, which was especially welcome in a dry winter. Snowpack in the Sierras had measured a quarter of its historical average. But precipitation that falls fast and furious is often wasted. Reservoirs in the north can’t store the excess runoff, which flows too rapidly into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to pump to the Central Valley… See also: · Plans to build new huge dams and reservoirs in California hit hurdle The Mercury News
State Politics:
Hiring hot streak takes California’s jobless rate to record low The Sacramento Bee California’s employers added 35,500 payroll jobs in January, maintaining a hot streak that kept statewide unemployment at only 4.4 percent to start the year. The state Employment Development Department said California has gained more than 2.85 million jobs since economic expansion began in February 2010.
Women push for more female candidates in California Sacramento Bee Today is International Women’s Day, and the day has added significance in California in light of the ongoing sexual harassment scandals at the Capitol and across the state. Two groups that have played a prominent role in the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Women’s March Sacramento and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, are hosting a rally for International Women’s Day on the west steps of the Capitol starting at 10 a.m.
California Elections Chief Says State Security Is Strong AP California’s top elections official said Wednesday the state’s election system is secure but acknowledged public skepticism that he blamed on Russian attempts to interfere in 2016 and confusing media reports about those efforts.
Fox: For DeMaio, Does Run for Congress Mix with Recall Effort and Gas Tax Repeal? Fox & Hounds Former San Diego City Councilman and talk radio host Carl DeMaio pulled nomination papers to challenge fellow Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter in the 50th Congressional District. DeMaio has also been the face of two efforts headed to California ballots—the recall of state Senator Josh Newman and the repeal of the recent gas tax increase. Will DeMaio’s congressional ambition interfere with his ballot efforts?
Corruption scandals haven’t curbed lavish gift-giving to California lawmakers Los Angeles Times Special interests have continued to shower California legislators with hundreds of thousands of dollars in freebies, including foreign travel, golf games and concert tickets, as efforts to rein in gifts to elected state officials after a series of corruption scandals have stalled.
California’s housing crunch has turned liberals against one another NBC News A median-priced one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco rents for nearly $3,300 a month. In the Silicon Valley community of San Mateo, the median home will set you back almost $1.4 million. Even in semi-rural Petaluma in Sonoma County, at least an hour drive from the city, rent for a one-bedroom can reach $2,000 and more.
California Right to Repair bill takes aim at gadget makers like Apple The Mercury News Do-it-yourself fixers and independent repair shops in California have had to repair electronic devices like an iPhone without direct help from creators like Apple for several years. Now, a state legislator is trying to change that.
Federal Politics:
‘There is no secession,’ Sessions declares the day after suing CaliforniaFresno Bee The morning after the Trump administration sued California over its sanctuary policies, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday appeared in downtown Sacramento to say states cannot defy the federal government when it comes to immigration. Nearby at the state Capitol, Gov. Jerry Brown promised he would. See also: ● Text of AG Sessions’ Sacramento speech Sacramento Bee ● Attorney General Jeff Sessions slams California sanctuary law in fiery speechVisalia Times-Delta ● Jeff Sessions discusses lawsuit against California sanctuary law Visalia Times-Delta ● Stanislaus, Merced County leaders offer reactions to Session’s immigration lawsuit Modesto Bee· Most Valley voters back DACA, Fresno State survey finds Fresno Bee ● Former federal judge believes California sanctuary laws lawsuit will be heard by Supreme Court ABC30 ● DOJ wants to change the constitutional conversation in sanctuary cities cases Reuters ● Border Patrol: California sanctuary laws obstruct public safety, law enforcement Washington Times ● Sessions Targets California Immigrants Using a Ruling That Protected ThemNew York Times ● Jeff Sessions: California’s Sanctuary Policies Facing Lawsuit National Review ● Sessions: California immigration policy defies common sense The Bakersfield Californian ● Jeff Sessions wants to kill these three California laws Sacramento Bee● 3 California immigration laws that sparked the Trump administration suing the state KPCC ● On the improbable achievement of making me feel sorry for Jeff SessionsSacramento Bee ● California Democratic leaders embrace being singled out in Sessions’ speechLos Angeles Times ● California’s candidates for governor react to Trump administration lawsuit over immigration policy Los Angeles Times ● Gov. Brown calls Trump administration lawsuit ‘war,’ insists it ‘will not stand Calmatters ● Trump ‘basically going to war’ with California, Jerry Brown says Merced Sun-Star ● Brown suggests Trump ‘sanctuary’ suit against California driven by fear of Mueller probe Politico ● California Attorney General Says State Will Stand Firm With Its Immigration Policies NPR ● Becerra v Trump: How California is using the courts to fight the administrationCalmatters ● Lawsuit against California mirrors Arizona immigration fight Sacramento Bee ● Obama-ERA SCOTUS Precedent Could Doom California ‘Sanctuary State’ Laws National Review ● Harris: Sessions’ ‘credibility is shot’ The Hill ● Jeff Sessions comes to California bearing gifts CALmatters ● Skelton: Sessions did the California Democratic Party a big favor with his visit to the state Los Angeles Times ● Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign seeks to capitalize off California sanctuary state lawsuit The Sacramento Bee ● Trump’s immigration war with California has reached a fever pitch Los Angeles Times ● Fact Check: Jeff Sessions’ misleading claim: California bans police cooperation with ICE PolitiFact California
Analysis: Trump Skips Tough Immigration Talk With Latinos Roll Call The crowd Donald Trump addressed Wednesday didn’t chant “build the wall!” And the president didn’t mention the border barrier idea that helped him get elected. Nor did he talk of Latino gangs, immigrant “rapists” and mass deportations. Trump appeared something of a fish out of water as he stood at the familiar presidential podium before a backdrop featuring the logo of The Latino Coalition. After all, as a presidential candidate Trump railed against Latin American countries for sending drug pushers and “criminals” to the United States. See also: ● ‘Go Push Those Democrats’ on DACA, Trump Tells Latino Group Roll Call ● Are Democrats ‘nowhere to be found on DACA,’ as Donald Trump claimed?PolitiFact
California vs. Trump: All the lawsuits the state filed in 2017 The Sacramento Bee California has filed a double-digit number of lawsuits against the Trump administration since January. In some cases, California is leading the legal battle, taking on the Trump administration on immigration, health care and the environment. In others, it has joined other states such as Washington – the first to sue the Trump administration when President Donald Trump penned his first major executive order banning travel to the United States from Muslim-majority countries. Trump snubs California at willMadera Tribune When devastating wildfires whipped through both Northern and Southern California last fall, state requests for emergency declarations that would open federal purse strings to assist in paying for firefighting, cleanup and recovery were almost immediate.
Liberal plan to win back Congress hinges on California’s millennials Sacramento Bee The path to a Democrat-controlled Congress most likely runs through California. Liberal philanthropist Tom Steyer believes that path hinges on the state’s nearly 10 million millennials. The challenge is making sure those young voters show up at the polls in November.
Trump to raise money in Beverly Hills next week. Donors can give up to $250000 Los Angeles Times President Trump will headline a high-dollar fundraiser for his reelection campaign when he visits California next week for the first time in his presidency, according to an invitation obtained by The Times. Donors will contribute up to $250,000 each to Trump’s campaign and various Republican National Committee accounts to attend the Tuesday evening event at an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills.
California Republicans urge Trump to rethink steel and aluminum tariffs Los Angeles Times Several of California’s Republican representatives are openly challenging President Trump’s plans to impose steel and aluminum tariffs. The tariffs are a rare source of disagreement between congressional Republicans and the White House, and the opposition in California comes from several lawmakers who face difficult reelection bids this fall. See also: · 107 House Republicans Urge Trump To Narrow Tariff Proposal Roll Call Trump reopens a seemingly settled video-game debate AP In the wake of the Florida school shooting, President Donald Trump is reviving an old debate over whether violent video games can trigger violent behavior. There’s just one problem: Roughly two decades of research has repeatedly failed to uncover any such link. Trump plans to meet Thursday with representatives from the video game industry. Trump’s recent public comments referencing the “vicious” level of game and movie violence in the context of school safety show that he is eager to explore the issue. See also: ● Trump to meet with video-game industry in wake of Florida shooting Reuters Donald Trump Movement Is Based on Psychology, Not Ideology National Review Trump presents an insurmountable challenge to an intellectual approach to politics because his decisions aren’t based on any coherent body of ideas. For the last couple of years I’ve been banging my spoon on my high chair about how Trumpism isn’t a political or ideological movement so much as a psychological phenomenon.
Hopeful sign – Trump may be learning to listenFresno BeeListening, genuinely listening, is one of the most powerful tools in politics. Not many politicians are good at it. Oh, they pretend to listen during campaigns. Mostly they want to deliver their heat-’n-serve talking points. It took him long enough. But finally, in his 15th month, President Donald Trump is showing genuine signs of harnessing the persuasive powers of saying nothing at times, of listening, more importantly of being seen to listen.Hiltzik: Loan to Jared Kushner raises questions about California water project Los Angeles Times Followers of the ecologically dubious and largely pointless Cadiz water project in the Mojave Desert might have pricked up their ears last week at reports of a possible conflict of interest involving Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, and the investment firm Apollo Global Management.
California closes in on compromise for complying with federal education law EdSource After a high-level, face-to-face meeting in Washington and continued negotiations, state officials are expressing confidence the federal Department of Education will approve California’s plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act and avert a standoff with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos over differing interpretations of the federal law.
AEI Political Report: Women in 2018 AEI In the March issue of AEI’s Political Report, we look at views on the position of women in the country today, areas of dissatisfaction including gender discrimination and sexual harassment, and how men and women feel about Donald Trump. We then look at the gender gap among voters in House races, men’s and women’s voting intentions in 2018, and whether people believe having more women in office would make a difference in government. Finally, we compare the political party affiliation and ideological views of young men and women.
Other:
U.S. Census Shouldn’t Ask About Citizenship Bloomberg There are many ways to illustrate the importance of the U.S. census, and one that should resonate strongly with conservatives is this: It is required by the Constitution. And right up front — Article 1, Section 2. The Founding Fathers thought it was pretty important, and it is. For one thing, the census — which is designed to be a complete count of the U.S. population conducted every 10 years — determines how many seats in the House of Representatives are awarded to each state.
FBI used Best Buy Geek Squad as paid informants, documents show UPI.com The FBI used employees of Best Buy’s Geek Squad repair service as paid informants for several years, according to records obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital privacy rights organization. The documents, obtained by EFFthrough the Freedom of Information Act, shows the relationship between the FBI and Best Buy going back to at least 2008, when FBI agents in Louisville, Ky., met with Geek Squad employees at a Best Buy facility there.
In Search of Common Ground: Expert Judgments on Gun Policy Effects RAND As our review of the existing literature demonstrated, there is very little scientific evidence available to support the decisions that policymakers and the public must make about whether to implement or change various gun policies. Without strong scientific evidence, policymakers and the public rely heavily on what advocates or social scientists believe the effects of policies are most likely to be. See also · One student killed in Huffman High School shooting UPI.com
Topics in More Detail…
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Farm leaders say California’s sanctuary status makes them a target for ICE raidsFresno BeeFresno County agriculture leaders say they feel caught in the middle in the tussle between California and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions over illegal immigration. Sessions was in Sacramento Wednesday speaking to the California Peace Officers Association, and he was clearly annoyed with what state lawmakers have done to protect undocumented immigrants.
‘History in the making’: California aims for world’s highest farm animal welfare law The Guardian They call Chris Winn the signatures guy. A delivery driver by day, he spends his free time drumming up support for animal rights. “When I did the shark fin ban I got 4,000 signatures,” says Winn, 53. “Usually I’m the top guy in California.” Now he’s on a new mission.
Pot industry weighs in on Arvin’s cannabis operation requirementsBakersfield Californian The City of Arvin wanted to get feedback from the cannabis industry regarding its ordinance allowing commercial cultivation and they certainly got it. Members of the industry packed City Hall for a workshop on Wednesday in which city staff provided information on the requirements the city has drafted to govern the cultivation of marijuana in the city.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
For stories on ”gun control,” See: “Other Stories – State Politics,” above
Crime:
This man could receive the longest prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court historyFresno BeeA Fresno Superior Court jury on Wednesday convicted a man of 36 counts in a child molestation and child porn case, which will carry a potential sentence of 1,882 years to life in prison. At that, it would likely be the longest sentence ever handed down in Fresno County Superior Court.
CHP is seeing an increase in hit-and-runs across the Tulare County Visalia Times-Delta Oil marks were left behind by a driver suspected of a fatal hit-and-run just outside of Tulare Tuesday night. California Highway Patrol officers are hoping the marks and other evidence collected at the scene will lead them to an arrest.
LCF safety forum takes a multilayered look at crime trends and prevention Los Angeles Times Public safety-minded La Cañadans attended a town hall forum Tuesday to learn more about the city’s many crime-fighting resources as well as its vulnerabilities and how an apparent increase in crime could point to state laws in need of reform.
FBI used Best Buy Geek Squad as paid informants, documents show UPI.com The FBI used employees of Best Buy’s Geek Squad repair service as paid informants for several years, according to records obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital privacy rights organization. The documents, obtained by EFFthrough the Freedom of Information Act, shows the relationship between the FBI and Best Buy going back to at least 2008, when FBI agents in Louisville, Ky., met with Geek Squad employees at a Best Buy facility there.
Public Safety:
Fresno Police Department to formally celebrate the opening of new northwest substation KFSN-TV After years of planning, and some construction, the Fresno Police Department is finally having the grand opening for the new northwest district substation. The new substation is located in the Winepress Shopping Center on Shaw and Marks.
CHP to hold safe driving class for teens next week Bakersfield Californian The California Highway Patrol is holding a “Start Smart” class in Bakersfield next week to discuss safe driving habits with current and prospective teenage drivers. The two-hour, free class is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13 at the Bakersfield CHP Office at 9855 Compagnoni St. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Call the Bakersfield CHP Office at 396-6600 to sign up.
Fire:
‘My World Was Burning’: The North Bay Fires and What Went Wrong | The California Report KQED News Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann wasn’t scheduled to work until Monday morning, but he decided to head in Sunday, Oct. 8, just in case.
ECONOMY / JOBS
For more information on “Trump & Tariffs” see: Top Stories – Federal, above
Economy:
US metros most exposed to a Trump trade shock Brookings In both rhetoric and action, President Trump is already drastically reshaping U.S. trade policy. In his inaugural address, President Trump’s declaration was clear: “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.”
Why populists of the left and right are soulmates on trade AEI President Trump seems set on launching a trade war with, well, pretty much everybody. And that may include a good chunk of his own political party. Indeed, the usually docile congressional Republicans are coming out in force against Trump’s protectionist spasm, upgrading their response from the usual “deeply concerned” to “extremely worried.” For those keeping score at home, that’s basically DEFCON 1 (you know, the bad one) for these folks.
Jobs:
Hiring hot streak takes California’s jobless rate to record low The Sacramento Bee California’s employers added 35,500 payroll jobs in January, maintaining a hot streak that kept statewide unemployment at only 4.4 percent to start the year. The state Employment Development Department said California has gained more than 2.85 million jobs since economic expansion began in February 2010. See also: · California gains 35500 jobs, and unemployment falls to record-low 4.4% Los Angeles Times · Orange County’s tight jobs market continues to grow, up 2.5 percent in a year OCRegister
JobFest comes to Bakersfield next week Bakersfield Californian The Kern County Department of Human Services’ free JobFest series is coming to Bakersfield next week. Bakersfield’s JobFest will be on March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Another JobFest will be held in Lake Isabella on March 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kern River Valley Veterans Hall, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd. Additional JobFests are set for other Kern County communities through June.
Pacific Southwest Container accused of wage theft in lawsuit filed by employee Modesto Bee Pacific Southwest Container is being accused in a lawsuit of not paying hourly employees for all of the hours they worked through such measures as underreporting their hours, having them work through lunch without pay and failing to correctly calculate their pay, including overtime.
AEI In the 1980s, American steelmakers needed 10.1 man-hours to produce a ton of steel; now they need 1.5 man-hours (see chart above), says Joe Innace of S&P Global Platts. Most American steel is now made at super-efficient mini mills, which use electric arc furnaces to turn scrap metal into steel. (Traditional integrated steel mills make steel from scratch, feeding iron ore and coking coal into blast furnaces.)
EDUCATION
K-12:
California closes in on compromise for complying with federal education law EdSource After a high-level, face-to-face meeting in Washington and continued negotiations, state officials are expressing confidence the federal Department of Education will approve California’s plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act and avert a standoff with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos over differing interpretations of the federal law.
Mountain Vista to be honoredMadera Tribune Mountain Vista High School will be recognized as a Model Continuation High School (MCHS) at the 2018 California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) State Conference, scheduled for April 27–29 in San Diego. An award certificate will be presented to principal Aimee Anderson at the conference by a representative from the California Department of Education (CDE).
‘We can’t prevent it. We just want to help’: Bakersfield High seniors launch baby supply drive to benefit teen momsBakersfield Californian Two years ago, Bakersfield High School students Nigeria Manning and Temia Williams watched as their close friend — a high school junior — unexpectedly became pregnant. They got a first-hand look at the struggles she faced. Just 16 years old, she didn’t know how to plan for a child. She didn’t know what kinds of supplies she needed to usher an infant into the world. See also: · Abstinence-only education making a comeback under Trump TheHill
OCRegister The California Department of Education has ruled that a middle school teacher in Ventura County presented material about Islamic Sharia Law that was discriminatory and biased. In January, the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Los Angeles chapter filed an appeal on behalf of a Ventura County family whose son received instructional material taken from an anti-Muslim website that berated Islam and Muslims, as part of a seventh-grade social studies class.Higher Ed:
COS alum, administrator named college president Visalia Times-Delta College of the Sequoias has named its next superintendent/president — and he’s one of the college’s own. With a unanimous vote Tuesday morning, COS Board of Trustees selected Brent Calvin, current vice president of student services, as the community college’s next leader.
UC Merced’s Republican club questions security fee to host conservative speaker The Modesto Bee Members of a conservative student organization at UC Merced are wondering whether the university can and should charge them a roughly $1,800 security fee to bring a controversial high-profile speaker to campus.
EdSource While the California State University system offers community college students guaranteed admission if they take the required classes, the University of California does not. That may soon change.
Australia’s student loan problem is a teachable moment for the U.S. Brookings For years, economists and pundits pointed to Australia’s generous student loan program as a model for reform in the U.S.1 But late last year, Australia revamped its program over warnings of a cost blow out.2 This major development has received little attention among policymakers in the U.S. Yet it offers important lessons, particularly as government watchdogs are raising alarm over unexpected costs in the U.S. loan program. It turns out, the events in both countries are related.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Toxin forces order to stop eating recreationally caught shellfish in Bay Area San Jose Mercury News The California Department of Public Health warned residents in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties to refrain from harvesting and consuming mussels, clams, oysters and other bivalve shellfish due to harmful levels of paralytic shellfish poison.
More of the Bay Area Could Be Underwater in 2100 Than Previously Expected New York Times A new report suggests that sinking land, known as land subsidence, will increase the potential reach and damage of flooding in the Bay Area, submerging a larger portion of the region by the year 2100 than previously estimated.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Amazon reduces its Prime price for Medicaid recipients Fresno Bee Amazon is seeking to woo more low-income shoppers by offering a discounted Prime membership to those on Medicaid. The online retailer already offers a cheaper monthly membership to people who receive food stamps or other government assistance through Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
Toxin forces order to stop eating recreationally caught shellfish in Bay Area San Jose Mercury News The California Department of Public Health warned residents in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties to refrain from harvesting and consuming mussels, clams, oysters and other bivalve shellfish due to harmful levels of paralytic shellfish poison.
Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains NPR A major study is challenging the widely held view that adult human brains make new neurons. The study of brain samples from 59 people of various ages found no immature neurons in anyone older than 13, scientists report online Wednesday in the journal Nature.
Safety net investments in children Brookings Institution We examine what groups of children are served by core childhood social safety net programs—including Medicaid, EITC, CTC, SNAP, and AFDC/TANF—and how they have changed over time. We find that virtually all gains in spending on the social safety net for children since 1990 have gone to families with earnings, and to families with income above the poverty line.
Healthcare Costs Too Much, In Part, Because Hospitals Bill Too Much. Fortune STAT News has a good op-ed today from an ER doc who let her health insurance lapse between jobs. Then she got pneumonia. The story—a quick one—details what happens next: a $10,282.34 bill for emergency treatment after she put off care for too long.
Electronic Health Records Were Supposed To Cut Medical Costs. They Haven’t. Forbes Despite the promise that electronic health records would cut billing costs, savings have yet to materialize, according to a major new study by researchers at Harvard Business School and Duke University.
IMMIGRATION
For stories on “Fed-State Dispute on Sanctuary State” See: “Top Stories – Federal Politics,” above
Californians and Immigration Policy Public Policy Institute of California During President Trump’s first year, perhaps no issue caused more conflict between the state and federal government than immigration. In January, California became a sanctuary state. Yesterday, the US Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California over three state immigration-related laws that were passed by the California Legislature in 2017.
What it actually takes to bring a relative to the U.S. Marketplace In the debate over immigration, President Donald Trump has advocated for a systemthat favors skills over family reunification. He’s called for an end to so-called chain migration, claiming that under the current system, a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives.But truth is, there’s very little that’s quick or easy about family migration.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Location, results matter for Modesto’s low-barrier shelter Modesto Bee The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 last week to support a temporary location for a low-barrier shelter, and to start the process of identifying a permanent location for the shelter and homeless access center.
California’s housing crunch has turned liberals against one another NBC News A median-priced one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco rents for nearly $3,300 a month. In the Silicon Valley community of San Mateo, the median home will set you back almost $1.4 million. Even in semi-rural Petaluma in Sonoma County, at least an hour drive from the city, rent for a one-bedroom can reach $2,000 and more.
CEQA isn’t stopping housing, it’s protecting health Sacramento Bee California needs affordable housing. But legislators must follow the data, not anecdotal evidence from monied interests, to find a legislative fix that will encourage development consistent with California’s priorities.
High Housing Prices: To Make It Affordable, Relax Constraints on Supply National Review David Ricardo noted that when an economy grows but depends on an input with a fixed supply, most of the gains will accrue to the owners of that limited input. During the Industrial Revolution in Britain, those were the owners of crop land. Normally a rising demand for food would lead to imports, but in 1815 the British Parliament passed prohibitive tariffs, called the Corn Laws, to prevent a collapse in the price of grain after the Napoleonic Wars.
PUBLIC FINANCES
For stories on “tax reform” See: “Top Stories – Federal Politics,” above
San Francisco earns its first triple-A credit rating San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco may not be able to stop car break-ins or solve the homeless problem, but its finances are top-notch, according to Moody’s Investors Service, which raised its credit rating on the city’s general obligation bonds to Aaa on Tuesday.
TRANSPORTATION
Carpool sticker shock: Applications soar and California HOV lanes get more crowded The Mercury News Applications for carpool stickers soared 35 percent last year, the biggest one-year increase ever as more California drivers seek ways to beat the maddening traffic jams choking the state. The trouble is, all those green cars are crowding into the state’s already crowded HOV lanes.
Walters: Road taxes needed, but benefits claim overblown Calmatters After decades of shameful neglect of California’s vital transportation network, Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature last year enacted a multi-billion-dollar package of new fees and fuel taxes.
WATER
WSJ Storms like the one that have doused arid California in recent days are cause for celebration, but also for better conservation. The Sierra Nevada mountains received nearly six feet of snow, which was especially welcome in a dry winter. Snowpack in the Sierras had measured a quarter of its historical average. But precipitation that falls fast and furious is often wasted. Reservoirs in the north can’t store the excess runoff, which flows too rapidly into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to pump to the Central Valley… See also: · Plans to build new huge dams and reservoirs in California hit hurdle The Mercury News
Fresno County leaders discuss expansion of Millerton Lake Recreation Area Under a bill introduced by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, the Millerton Lake State Recreation Park expansion would include the San Joaquin River Parkway and 5,900 acres along the river between Friant Dam and Highway 99. “Currently the way that it’s written it’s unclear on if the state would take control of basically not only acquiring land but maintaining that land along the San Joaquin River,” Nathan Magsig said.
Recycled water from sewers coming to California taps San Francisco Chronicle New regulations approved Tuesday by the California State Water Resources Control Board allow treated recycled water to be added to reservoirs, the source of California municipal drinking water.
Hiltzik: Loan to Jared Kushner raises questions about California water project Los Angeles Times Followers of the ecologically dubious and largely pointless Cadiz water project in the Mojave Desert might have pricked up their ears last week at reports of a possible conflict of interest involving Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, and the investment firm Apollo Global Management.
Westlands Water-US drainage settlement is fair and equitable San Francisco Chronicle After decades of hearings, reports and public meetings and a comprehensive review by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Interior, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the United States and the Westlands Water District hammered out a landmark, bipartisan settlement that provides a transparent, fair and equitable solution to a 50-year dispute over the federal government’s responsibility to provide drainage services for Central Valley farmers.
San Luis Obispo County considers cloud seeding KCBX It’s no secret California officials are always on the lookout to enhance water sources. Here on the Central Coast, some are looking to the sky. San Luis Obispo County is considering a new cloud seeding program water managers hope will increase the local water supply. The county’s hope is to increase precipitation in the Lopez Lake and Salinas Reservoir watersheds during what’s called winter precipitation events. That’s a scientific way of saying storms. How? It involves shooting particles up into a storm when one is headed our way.
“Xtra”
Fresno State battles student hunger with March Match Up campaign Clovis Roundup Fresno State’s March Match Up campaign that benefits the Student Cupboard kicked off March 1 with a community partner teaming up to help battle student hunger issues. The project is supported by accounting firm Moss Adams LLP, which has promised to match, dollar-for-dollar, every monetary gift given during the campaign up to $25,000 through March 31. The campaign goal is to raise $100,000 for the Student Cupboard.
Annual Bakersfield firefighters’ fishing derby to host children from Jamison Children’s Center Bakersfield Californian The 7th Annual Bakersfield Firefighters’ Trout Fishing Derby will be held this Saturday at the Park at River Walk with firefighters hosting children from the Jamison Children’s Center at the event.
CHP to hold safe driving class for teens next week Bakersfield Californian The California Highway Patrol is holding a “Start Smart” class in Bakersfield next week to discuss safe driving habits with current and prospective teenage drivers. The two-hour, free class is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13 at the Bakersfield CHP Office at 9855 Compagnoni St. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Call the Bakersfield CHP Office at 396-6600 to sign up.
Timeless inventions take center stage at Collectors Showcase Bakersfield Californian Glass and China Collectors of Bakersfield to remind us of where it all began. The group’s 47th annual Collectors Showcase Antique and Collectibles Show, taking place this weekend at Hodel’s, will pay special tribute to “amazing inventions of the past.”
Bakersfield Californian Each year, local comic book fans look forward to the annual Bakersfield Comic Con, a gathering of special guests, panels, artists, vendors, cosplay and more. But every other year, those folks get another treat: the Bakersfield Mini Comic Con. The biennial gathering has all the good stuff expected at a comic book convention along with the added bonus of being all for charity.
Visalia set to celebrate St. Pat’s Day with parade, food festival Visalia Times-Delta Don’t miss the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Visalia on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17 At 10 a.m., the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will precede the Irish Fest on Main Street in downtown Visalia. Come celebrate this fun tradition and help us congratulate our 2018 Grand Marshal Nina Clancy. The seventh-annual Irish Fest 2018 will follow the parade from 1-5 p.m. at Rawhide Ballpark.
Valley Cultural Calendar Thursday, March 8 , 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!
Meetings, club events in and around Modesto The Modesto Bee
EDITORIALS
Sessions won’t be able to bully our state Merced Sun-Star It wasn’t until about 100 years ago that anyone cared who was crossing into California from Mexico, or vice versa. The Border Patrol didn’t exist until zealous teetotalers began worrying about Mexicans sneaking in prohibited hooch in the 1920s.
Go ahead, Mr. President. Bring it onSacramento Bee Immigrants, with and without papers, are part of California’s economic and social fabric. This state has long experience in balancing that reality with the need for law and order – and with the perils of allowing divisive and cynical interests to use foreign-born people as political pawns.
Thanks, Jeff Sessions, for suing California — you might be doing the state a favorLos Angeles Times Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions warned California on Wednesday that “there is no secession” from federal jurisdiction as he appeared before members of the California Peace Officers Assn. in Sacramento to announce a lawsuit against three so-called “sanctuary state” laws. To no one’s surprise, his claims drew immediate rebukes from state officials.
Trump v. California immigration fight: Federal courts the right refereesSan Diego Union Tribune The inevitable showdown between California and the Trump administration over immigration is at hand. On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions sued the state over laws that limited how much state and local law enforcement agents could work with federal immigration authorities in transferring or assisting in detention of unauthorized immigrants; cleared the way for state officials to inspect federal immigration detention facilities; and required employers to warn workers if there will be immigration enforcement operations at job sites.
Locked-down schools with metal detectors may harm students more than help themLos Angeles Times After recent school shootings, especially the appalling attack at a Florida high school that killed and injured so many students and staff, it’s only natural and right for local authorities throughout the nation to consider how they might best protect the children and teenagers in their charge.
Is Proposition 47 responsible for crime increases in California?OCRegister In 2014, voters approved Proposition 47, which reduced a handful of drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Those crimes include possession of certain drugs as well as petty theft, receiving stolen property and forging/writing bad checks when the amount involved is $950 or less.
One reason you can’t afford California housing? State subsidies. San Francisco Chronicle California’s homeownership rates are the lowest they’ve been since the 1940s, but that’s not stopping homeowners from getting enormous subsidies from the state. According to a new study, the state will spend $929 per homeowner household in fiscal year 2018-19. As for renters? They’ll receive just $71 in expenditures from the state. |