May 23, 2018

23May

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Valley:

 

Schumer: GOP lawmakers tell me Nunes is ‘off the deep end’

TheHill

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Tuesday that Republican lawmakers have privately told him that House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) is “off the deep end.”

See also:

     Devin Nunes doesn’t rule out possibility of multiple FBI informants in Trump campaign Washington Times

     An Oscar-winning movie has inspired this Valley anti-Devin Nunes campaign Visalia Times-Delta

 

Child pornography claim leaves LGBT+ Visalia group flabbergasted. Hear their response.

Visalia Times-Delta

"I was frankly flabbergasted by the comments," Reeves said. "To say they were misinformed is an understatement." 

 

Questions over possible conflicts of interest for Merced DA in drug, gun case

Merced Sun-Star

A case involving drugs and guns found at a Merced apartment that Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II lists as community property is raising new questions about conflicts of interest.

See also:

      George Soros, liberal groups turn California D.A. races into big-dollar battleground Los Angeles Times 

 

County Supervisor Leticia Perez says she will abstain from future cannabis votes

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez said during the Tuesday morning Board of Supervisors meeting that she will no longer vote on the cannabis issue due to conflict-of-interest concerns.

 

State:

 

New poll finds a volatile race for second place in California governor's contest

Los Angeles Times

The fight for second place in California's governor's race between Republican John Cox and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa remains unpredictable and volatile as the June 5 primary approaches.

See also:

     Newsom strategy: Face Republican in the fall by knocking Dems out in June San Francisco Chronicle

     Pro-Antonio Villaraigosa group attacks a Republican as a Pelosi tool San Francisco Chronicle

     Pro-Villaraigosa ad touting Barack Obama's support leaves false impression Sacramento Bee

     How Villaraigosa convinced voters to tax themselves in a recession — and won Los Angeles Times

 

Tax bill and Obamacare repeal are potent issues in California congressional races, poll shows

Los Angeles Times
With Democrats angling to win back control of the U.S. House, the new tax law and the failed attempt to repeal Obamacare may prove to be important campaign flashpoints against California Republicans.

See also:

     Trump’s rising popularity is bad news for Dems in California House races San Francisco Chronicle

     Why these California Republicans keep winning in Democratic-leaning districts Los Angeles Times

 

Why centrist Dianne Feinstein is moving so much to the left that she now opposes the death penalty

Los Angeles Times

Dianne Feinstein built one of California's most successful political brands by standing up to her party's liberal wing.

See also:

     Running for fifth term, Feinstein now says capital punishment is unfair and ineffective Los Angeles Times

     Six influential things Dianne Feinstein has done in the U.S. Senate Los Angeles Times

 

Have you seen a campaign ad on social media?

CALmatters

Is your social media feed filling up with political campaign ads? Our reporter Laurel Rosenhall wants to see them. After you submit an ad, Laurel may contact you for a story about how campaigns use social media to communicate with voters. 

 

Walters: Campaigns try to fool California voters

CALMatters

Politics – the means by which we govern ourselves – can be a positive, even uplifting human enterprise. Too often, however, political tactics are based on the cynical assumption that voters can be easily fooled and the current election season is, unfortunately, rife.

 

California to its presidential wannabes: Don't quit that day job!

Los Angeles Times
Having just settled into her first full year as California's junior U.S. senator, it would be unseemly to admit such fast-tracked political ambitions. So Senator Kamala Harris has quickly learned the art of the dodge.

On 100 years of women serving in the California Legislature

San Francisco Chronicle

Are women finally on the way to having the political voice we need and deserve in California? The record number of women running for office and the emergence of the #MeToo movement suggests a rising tide of political and cultural change.

See also: 

     When will Cristina Garcia return to the Assembly? Sacramento Bee

California Moves To Let Schools, Co-workers ‘Red Flag’ Dangerous Gun Owners

Huffington Post

The bill would expand the list of those who can petition to take away firearms beyond family, roommates and police.

See also: 

     Trending Now: We asked every House member about the Parkland students' agenda on gun violence. Only 2 Republicans said they support it all. Washington Post

 

Bernie Sanders to make swing in California, state that will play starring role in 2020

NBC News

The 2016 presidential candidate is not endorsing in congressional primaries, but will hold events across the state — which will play a prominent role in picking Democrats' next presidential nominee.

 

EDITORIAL: Padilla deserves another term as secretary of state

Mercury News

Alex Padilla has arguably been California’s best secretary of state since Jerry Brown held the office from 1971-74 and won cases against Standard Oil, ITT, Gulf Oil and Mobil for violating campaign finance laws. Voters should re-elect Padilla, who faces a weak field of opponents in the June 5 primary.

 

Federal:

 

Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris try to cut a deal with Trump

Sacramento Bee

The president’s legal advisers have been working with California’s two Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, to vet potential nominees.

 

U.S.-China trade deal 'too hard to get done,' Trump says

Reuters

“Our trade deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion,” Trump wrote in his post.

 

Paul Ryan’s Hold on Speaker’s Job Is Tested by G.O.P. Infighting

New York Times

Speaker Paul D. Ryan pledged to “run through the tape” and finish out his term when he announced last month that he would retire from Congress. But with Republicans in revolt on both his right and his left, Mr. Ryan is increasingly facing questions about whether he can manage to stumble across the finish line.

 

Pruitt bars AP, CNN from EPA summit on contaminants, guards push reporter out of building

NBC News

The journalist said she was grabbed by the shoulders and shoved outside. The EPA said there was no room but later reversed course and let the reporters in.

See also:

     The Latest: EPA bars AP, CNN from summit on contaminants AP

     Three Reporters Are Turned Away From an E.P.A. Event New York Times

     White House to 'look into' incident involving EPA turning away reporters The Hill

     Former EPA head Gina McCarthy knows why climate change activists aren’t getting their message across Boston Globe

     EDITORIAL: Ejecting reporters from a speech is the latest failing of EPA chief Scott Pruitt San Francisco Chronicle

The Blue Dogs Are Barking Again

Roll Call

Brendan Kelly is running in a district in southern Illinois that went for Donald Trump by nearly 15 points in 2016, so his message shouldn’t come as a surprise.

 

Other:

 

How to Increase Immunity to Truth Decay

RAND

Americans have always held differing views about policy issues, but increasingly we don’t agree on even basic facts. It’s a symptom of what RAND calls “Truth Decay,” and it’s doing severe damage to our democracy.

 

Hedge Those Bets: Sports Gambling May Not Be a Jackpot for States

Pew Charitable Trusts | Stateline

Starry-eyed lawmakers might be overestimating their haul from legalized sports betting.

 

#LivingWhileBlack—A new normal or history repeating itself?

Brookings

More than 50 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, perhaps we should be asking ourselves what can be done to stop new forms of racial violence and the related public humiliation waged against African Americans. Let’s review some disturbing recent events.

 

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING  

 

Sunday, May 27, at 5 p.m. on ABC 30 – Maddy Report“Candidate for Governor: John Chiang” – Guest: John Chiang, State Treasurer and Candidate for Governor. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, May 27, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report​​ ​​ - Valley Views EditionGubernatorial Candidate John Chiang and California's Future”  – Guests: State Treasurer John Chiang  and PPIC Experts: Sarah Bohn, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Paul Warren, Magnus Lofstrom and Brandon Martin. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, May 27, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Fighting Fire with Fire: Rethinking forest management”  Guest: Little Hoover Commission Representative, Julissa Delgado. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.


Support the Maddy Daily HERE


Thank you!

 

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Citrus brings $7 Billion of Impact to California Economy

Business Journal

“California citrus is a major contributor to the economic value of the state’s agricultural sector and is much larger than just the value of its sales,” Babcock said. “Estimated full-time equivalent California citrus jobs totaled 21,674 in 2016-17, and estimated wages paid by the industry during that same timeframe totaled $452 million.”

 

A lot less pot is being sold in California than initially estimated, analyst says

Los Angeles Times

With tax revenue from legal pot sales in California falling short of projections, a financial analysis firm estimated Tuesday that total sales this year will be $1.9 billion, significantly less than the $3.8 billion the company expected.

 

California’s Pot Laws Veiled No More

Public CEO

Recreational cannabis sales became legal Jan. 1 in California, but with local zoning and land use regulations — as well as outright bans — guiding the growth, distribution and sale of cannabis still being drafted and carried out, the State is covered in a patchwork of regulations that can vary across narrow dividing lines.

 

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

 

Crime:

 

What Will Jerry Brown's Departure Mean for Criminal Justice in California?

KQED

When Gov. Jerry Brown was sworn in seven years ago, he inherited a prison system that by most accounts was at a breaking point. Years of “tough on crime” laws had packed state lockups to the brim. Federal judges told California leaders they needed to reduce the prison population by 40,000 inmates, or else the court would start releasing prisoners. 

See also:

     Gov. Jerry Brown: Criminal Justice Initiative Is 'Poorly Drafted' KQED News

 

McGuire bills aims to give more time to prosecute for illegal timber conversions to cannabis farms

Eureka Times Standard

A bill that would give Cal Fire investigators and district attorneys more time to prosecute rogue cannabis farms where illegal timberland clearing was done is advancing and is set for a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

 

Public Safety:

 

Fresno police survey cites low morale; Dyer says national anti-cop sentiment a factor
Fresno Bee

A majority of Fresno police officers queried in a survey released Tuesday indicated that low morale was a serious problem for the department, something Chief Jerry Dyer said may be due in large part to a nationwide “anti-police sentiment.”

 

Yosemite hiker falls to his death from cabled-section of Half Dome

SF Gate

The body of a hiker who fell from the Half Dome cables in Yosemite National Park on Monday was recovered Tuesday afternoon, according to National Park Service officials.

 

Fire:

 

Experts on Fire Season 2018: Dealing With the ‘New Normal’

New York Times

Rusty Witwer has the soot and flames of California wildfires seared into his blood. Over more than 40 fire seasons, he’s watched “the chain saws get lighter and the helicopters get bigger.”

 

ECONOMY / JOBS

 

Economy:


A lot less pot is being sold in California than initially estimated, analyst says

Los Angeles Times
With tax revenue from legal pot sales in California falling short of projections, a financial analysis firm estimated Tuesday that total sales this year will be $1.9 billion, significantly less than the $3.8 billion the company expected.

California could cut your high sales tax if it taxed business services. Why that won’t happen—yet

CALmatters

Some state lawmakers are pushing a new idea: Create a new business services tax they say would allow the state to cut California’s high sales tax to consumers and pull the state’s antiquated tax code into the 21st century.

 

Bill easing bank regulations heads to Trump, but falls short of overhaul GOP wanted

Los Angeles Times

Bipartisan legislation focused on easing regulations for small and midsize banks passed the House on Tuesday and headed to President Trump for his expected signature.

See also: 

     Congress passes rollback of banking rules put in place after financial crisis, sending bill to Trump to sign Washington Post

     Bank Deregulation Bill Clears Congress Wall Street Journal

     The Fine Print: What’s in the Bank Deregulation Bill Wall Street Journal

 

EDITORIAL: Hallinan would get rid of BOE; Ma, Yee will protect state’s finances

Modesto Bee
If Tom Hallinan is elected to the Board of Equalization, he has no intention of ever running as an incumbent. That’s because Hallinan’s sole purpose in running is to put the ineffective, unnecessary and scandal-ridden bureaucracy out of existence.

 

EDITORIAL: California must save more, but invest more, too

Modesto Bee
Gov. Jerry Brown, frugal to the end, wants to fill the state’s “rainy day” fund. Great idea. But for too many Californians, it’s pouring hardship right now.

 

Jobs:

 

Full California Employment Report for April 2018 Available

California Center for Jobs & the Economy

The Center for Jobs and the Economy has released its full analysis of the April employment data. 

 

Texas Laps California In Job And Population Growth

Forbes

In spite of California’s large advantage in residents, the Golden State generated 356,800 new nonfarm jobs in the past 12 months through April, a rate of 2.1 percent, compared to 332,300 jobs in Texas, clocking in at 2.7 percent growth.

 

How states can counteract the Supreme Court’s awful ruling on mandatory arbitration

Slate

Governors, state lawmakers, mayors, and city council members can take concrete steps in the coming months to protect their constituents from the fallout of Monday’s decision. And workers’ rights advocates ought to demand action from their state and local leaders.

 

Disabled workers fear losing their jobs at California prison

Sacramento Bee

PRIDE Industries trains disabled people for work. But, their contract at the California Health Care Facility is coming to an end, primarily because state government’s largest union filed a grievance charging that it violated state protections against outsourcing public sector jobs.

 

Elon Musk: Tesla workers don’t want to unionize

San Jose Mercury News

At Tesla, CEO Elon Musk says its workers could vote to unionize “tomorrow if they wanted.” Musk’s statement, in response to a tweeted question Monday, comes as Tesla is facing a federal labor complaint over accusations of union busting.

 

SEIU 1000 elections sweeps out Yvonne Walker's allies

The Sacramento Bee

The leader of California state government's largest union won re-election, but three of her top deputies were unseated by challengers in an election for Service Employees Union International Union Local 1000.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Modesto taps Sacramento educator as next schools leader. Board member resigns.

Modesto Bee

Sara Noguchi, associate superintendent of innovations, research and design in the Twin Rivers Unified School District in Sacramento County, is expected to be officially be appointed as the next superintendent for the Modesto City Schools on June 4 at a regular meeting of the Board of Education, pending a validation visit and final contract negotiations.

 

Ceres elementary school evacuated over bomb threat

Modesto Bee

In what thankfully turned out to be nothing more than “a nice safety drill,” as Superintendent Scott Siegel put it, students were evacuated from a Ceres school after a bomb threat Tuesday morning.

 

Partners wanted for KHSD externship program

Bakersfield Californian

To ensure its students possess the basic skills and knowledge needed to be immediately productive in the workplace, the Kern High School District is holding an externship program​​ for its teachers, providing 30 paid hours for teachers to connect with industries similar to what they teach.

 

California school spending grows at fastest pace in the U.S.

OC Register

A report by a relatively independent arbiter — covering up to 2016 spending patterns nationwide — gives a glimpse into how California public school budgets compare with nationwide trends. It tallies taxpayer funds going to everything from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and includes charter schools if they’re school-district-funded.

 

Students Missing Class Is A Red Alert — But Researchers Say They Have A New Tool To Address The School-Absence Problem

Capital Public Radio

Educators consider chronic absenteeism a red alert — a blaring sign that a student might be academically at risk. But schools and parents now have a new tool to investigate the problem, in the form of open-source data collected by UC Davis and research partners Attendance Works and Children Now. 

 

Innovative high school for new immigrant students a model in California

Ed Source

One of two international high schools in California, the small Oakland campus offers special programs for immigrant students. 


"Astounding ignorance of the law": Civil rights groups slam DeVos for saying schools can report undocumented students

Washington Post

Civil rights groups slammed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for saying Tuesday that schools can decide whether to report undocumented students to immigration enforcement officials, saying her statements conflict with the law and could raise fears among immigrant students.

 

Higher Ed:

 

How the candidates for California governor would make college more affordable

San Jose Mercury

All of the top Democrats running for California governor are calling for major new investments to make the state’s public universities more affordable and relieve crushing student debt, suggesting they’d be more willing than Gov. Jerry Brown to open state purse strings and give students a hand up. 

 

State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State

Los Angeles Times

After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall.

 

UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitano's office budget in a step toward stronger oversight

Los Angeles Times

University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting.

See also:

       Lawmakers Propose Limits On University Of California Power AP

 

200 Professors Call for Ouster of U.S.C. President, Citing Lack of ‘Moral Authority’

New York Times

Two hundred professors at the University of Southern California have demanded the resignation of the school’s president, C.L. Max Nikias, saying that he no longer had the “moral authority to lead” and had failed to protect students and staff from “repeated and pervasive sexual harassment and misconduct.”

See also:

     EDITORIAL: USC President Max Nikias should resign Los Angeles Times

 

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

 

Environment:

Checking the math on cap and trade, some experts say it’s not adding up

CALmatters

As California accelerates its efforts to reduce greenhouses gases over the next decade, experts are pointing to vulnerabilities in its celebrated cap-and-trade system, weaknesses that could make the state’s goals difficult—even impossible—to reach.

See also:

     How California Undercuts its Efforts to Combat Climate Change Pacific Standard

 

This California agency has so many new employees that it's installing smaller cubicles

Sacramento Bee

California can’t fit all of its environmental regulators in its 25-story EPA headquarters, and it doesn't want to shell out tens of millions of dollars to find them new digs, either.

 

State considers exempting local aquifers for oil work

Bakersfield Californian

State regulators are gathering public input before making an environmental recommendation that could have big implications for local oil production.

 

U.S. refining giant Marathon seeks EPA biofuel waiver, sources say

Reuters

Marathon Petroleum Corp, the second-biggest refining company in the United States, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency for a hardship waiver exempting one of its facilities from the nation’s biofuels law, two sources with knowledge of the application told Reuters.

 

Energy:

 

Electric cars could wipe out 7 million barrels per day of oil demand by 2040

Business Insider

Demand for electric vehicles keeps increasing, and that's reducing the need for oil. Oil demand could drop by 7 million barrels per day by 2040. 

 

Geopolitical implications of U.S. oil and gas in the global market

Brookings

Subcommittee Chair Poe, Ranking Member Keating, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the invitation to testify today about how growing U.S. oil and gas production affects energy security and trade.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

TRMC board seeking financial administrators

Visalia Times-Delta

Tulare hospital's Board of Directors will consider seeking proposals from those interested in managing or leasing Tulare Regional Medical Center.

 

Veterans Service Department reduces wait times by 90%

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern County Veterans Service Department said it has drastically reduced wait times at its main office thanks to a restructuring.

 

Alzheimer’s disease is about to become a crisis. Here’s how California could lead

Sacramento Bee
With the organizational structure, financial clout, technological resources, biomedical expertise, and political will of the world’s fifth largest economy, California is the ideal venue for taking on Alzheimer’s disease.

 

California moves to defend law allowing life-ending drugs

ABC News

California's attorney general is asking an appeals court to quickly block a judge's decision to toss a 2016 state law allowing the terminally ill to end their lives.

 

House Approves Giving Terminally Ill Quicker Access to Experimental Drugs

Wall Street Journal

Patients with life-threatening conditions would get the right to try unproven drugs under legislation that passed in the House and now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

 

When Working for the U.S. Government Is a Cancer Risk

Bloomberg

According to a union representing USDA employees, public officials in Washington, D.C. are exposing them to risks from cancer-causing asbestos and lead paint.

 

Human Services:

 

Too many violent offenders fail to complete programs that can calm their anger

Fresno Bee

A Fresno Police Department review of 630 cases in May 2017 that were sent to the domestic violence unit found 53 percent of the defendants were re-offenders.

 

First time 'without our boss,' Hall EMT academy graduates 30

Bakersfield Californian

Hundreds of family members and friends gathered to watch Tuesday as 30 recruits graduated from the Hall EMT Academy to become Kern County’s newest first responders.

 

Kevin McCarthy: Thank Republicans for leading the charge against the opioid crisis

USA Today

Our nation is in the midst of the deadliest drug crisis in history — a crisis fueled by opioids. A response is already under way, led by President Trump and Republicans in Congress.

 

California's Message To Hospitals: Shape Up Or Lose 'In-Network' Status

NPR

Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, has devised what could be a powerful new way to hold hospitals accountable for the quality of their care.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Podcast: California bill to provide MediCal to all adults, regardless of immigration status

89.3 KPCC

A recent Senate Bill from Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) would extend MediCal to all adults in the state, regardless of their immigration status.

See also:

     Immigrants Could Gain Full Medicaid Coverage in California U.S. News

 

Bipartisan petition aims to defy GOP leaders with vote on DACA

UPI.com

A bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives is close to forcing a series of immigration votes to override the will of the top two Republicans in Congress. The movement aims to address multiple immigration issues, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that President Donald Trump is ending.

See also:

     Prominent donor threatens GOP over DACA Politico

     House GOP Immigration and Leadership Battles Entwined Roll Call

     GOP Immigration Divide Ratchets Up Pressure on Lame-Duck Speaker Wall Street Journal

 

Push to allow Dreamers to enlist in the military for citizenship fails, again

Fresno Bee

A push to allow Dreamers to enlist in the military and become legal residents by a coalition of congressional Republicans and Democrats failed Tuesday night.

 

Trump isn’t pushing hard for this one popular way to curb illegal immigration

Washington Post

In President Trump’s many vocal pronouncements about stopping illegal immigration, one solution he promoted during the campaign has been conspicuously missing — a requirement that employers check whether workers are legal.

See also:

     LAPD Chief Charlie Beck disputes Trump's remark on release of immigrant in U.S. illegally Los Angeles Times

 

Trump administration's lawsuit against California sanctuary laws backed by these cities, counties

Fox News

The U.S. Justice Department sued California over its alleged interference with federal immigration policies – and it’s gotten some support from the state’s own municipalities.

 

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Kingsburg strengthens abatement laws

Kingsburg Recorder

At the May 16 Council meeting, City Manager Alex Henderson gave an update on what actions have been taken regarding those key structures in town.

 

Housing:

 

Homeowners rate increases have city and residents at odds

Hanford Sentinel

The last City Council meeting left some residents and the city at odds over fees for maintenance districts.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

California could cut your high sales tax if it taxed business services. Why that won’t happen—yet

CALmatters

Consider these two scenarios: A family spends Saturday afternoon at the local shopping center, buying a new washing machine, summer sandals, children’s books, and and dog food. With every purchase, the state takes its cut, courtesy of California’s 7.25 percent sales tax.

 

CalPERS CFO Becomes Latest Official to Exit Largest U.S. Public Pension

Wall Street Journal

Charles Asubonten, who joined as CFO less than eight months ago, “no longer works” at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, a Calpers spokesman said Tuesday. The spokesman declined to describe the circumstances surrounding Mr. Asubonten’s exit.

 

State Won’t Ride to the Rescue over Local Government Pension Problems

Fox & Hounds

At his latest state budget press conference, Gov. Jerry Brown made it clear there will be no state cavalry riding to the rescue of local governments battling the pension monsters local officials created. Therefore, taxpayers will have to be on guard against a potential avalanche of tax measures that could appear to deal with the problem.

 

Effective Tax Rates on Business Investment Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

AEI

An important objective of Public Law 115-97, commonly called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was a reduction in the tax burden on investment. We compute marginal effective tax rates under 2017 law and under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and find significantly lower marginal effective tax rates under the new law.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

A SloCal road trip gives you a geographic, climatological super sampler

Los Angeles Times

You know NorCal. You know SoCal. But do you know SloCal? If not, you’re invited to this Central California region, which is trying to carve out an identity of its own.

 

Modernizing infrastructure policies to advance public-private partnerships

Brookings

In an era of political tribalism, infrastructure investment is one of the few areas of American public policy that polls well among everyone. Which makes sense; who doesn’t like the idea of filling potholes, new airport terminals, and water systems that don’t burst?

 

WATER

 

Billions in water bond funding await decision by California voters

ABC 30

The Friant Kern Canal provides much of the water to valley crops, and it's sinking. The November bond measure would pump 750 million in for repairs. The sinking has cut the canals carrying capacity in half.

 

Expanding Groundwater Recharge in San Joaquin Valley Cities

Public Policy Institute of California

While agriculture is the region’s predominant water user, its cities are more likely to rely on groundwater as their primary source of water. For this reason, the urban sector will need to play a bigger role in the regional effort to balance groundwater use and replenishment.

 

Independent governance eyed for State Water Project

Capitol Weekly

The Legislature created the Department of Water Resources in 1956 for the purpose of managing the State Water Project, then in its early stages of planning. That project now comprises 700 miles of tunnels, pipelines, aqueducts and siphons that transport water from California’s north to its more arid south, serving 26 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland along the way.

 

EDITORIAL: Opponents of Delta tunnels deserve their day in court

Sacramento Bee

It’s one thing to streamline environmental reviews for a major project, which happened for the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento. It’s entirely another to dismiss any environmental lawsuits and prevent others from being filed.

 

“Xtra”

 

Science and commercial satellites launched from California

Sacramento Bee

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched a pair of U.S.-German science satellites and five commercial communications satellites into orbit from California on Tuesday.

 

Planning a long road trip with your pet? Top reasons to secure pet friendly accommodations before you hit the road

Hanford Sentinel

Road trips do move along a bit more slowly when you're traveling with your furry sidekick.  All those potty breaks add up, and hey - you've got four extra legs to stretch! An extended amount of time on the road can mean more hotel stays. It's a good idea to plan beforehand how often you will stop for the night, as well as where you will stop, and when.  Here’s why!

 

 

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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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