November 10, 2020

10Nov

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Check Before You Burn program begins amid wildfire season

Hanford Sentinel

Nov. 1 marked the beginning of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Check Before You Burn program, reminding Valley residents that their cooperation is essential in protecting public health and improving wintertime air quality.

 

North SJ Valley:

 

Coronavirus update: More grim infection totals for Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County’s daily coronavirus case totals continue to be worrisome as it tries to further reopen its economy. The county Monday night reported 87 new cases, the most since mid-September.

 

How former inmates are getting a fresh start on life through Stan State program

Modesto Bee

Project Rebound works with current and former inmates seeking to earn degrees. Project Rebound operates at 14 of the 23 campuses in the CSU system. It began at San Francisco State University in 1967 and reached Stan State just last year.

 

How can we lift our community? We have stories to tell — but need your help

Modesto Bee

Next year, we are launching a team of reporters that will help bring focus and provide solutions to equity and inequalities in Stanislaus County.

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

Here’s what prominent Fresno Republicans had to say about Biden, Trump election outcome

Fresno Bee

Top Fresno-area Republicans are waiting for the outcome of legal challenges and potential election investigations before declaring Joe Biden as president-elect, echoing President Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud and challenges to vote counts.

See also:

 

After a weekend surge in COVID-19 cases in Fresno County, where does the risk level stand?

Fresno Bee

A weekend surge of coronavirus infections at state prisons in Kings County, coupled with hundreds of new cases reported in Fresno County, sent the central San Joaquin Valley lurching to more than 75,000 total cases since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

See also:

 

As Fresno’s COVID-19 cases spike, these local schools could still reopen classrooms

Fresno Bee

As Fresno County reports a spike in COVID-19 cases this week, elementary schools may soon have to rely on waivers from the California Department of Health if they want to welcome students back.

 

Will Fresno schools cut funding for police officers on campus? It’s up for discussion

Fresno Bee

Police reform advocates and Fresno school leaders are gearing up for a lengthy discussion over a push to cut funding for police officers on city school campuses, a month after Fresno Unified postponed a key budget vote.

 

Fresno renters, homeowners: Behind on payments? City Council increases cash assistance

Fresno Bee

For Fresno renters and homeowners struggling to keep up with housing-related payments due to the pandemic, more help is on the way.

 

South SJ Valley:

 

New home construction could be on the rise as Bakersfield reports five-year record in processed permits

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield’s housing market continues to display signs of strength even as the coronavirus pandemic shows little sign of abating.

 

Fearing tax hikes, cities rebel against county plan to increase cost of fire services

Bakersfield Californian

A long-simmering battle over the cost of fire services is showing no signs of slowing as the Kern County Board of Supervisors prepares to approve a plan that could dramatically alter the financial well-being of many cities throughout Kern.

 

Meadows Field Airport leads California in air transportation recovery

KGET

According to new data released by the Kern County Department of Airports, Meadows Field Airport (BFL) leads California in air transportation recovery.

 

Inside the quiet classrooms as some KHSD students return this week

Bakersfield Californian

Monday marked the beginning of a new wave of as many as 3,000 students returning to the Kern High School District. It was a quiet but notable occasion at most schools.

 

State:

 

Purple to red, and back? How California counties’ COVID risk tiers have changed over time

Fresno Bee

As coronavirus infection rates rise in California and spike nationwide, several counties might be moved into more restrictive coronavirus risk tiers when California officials announce the newest tier update Tuesday.

See also:

 

‘From headwinds to tailwinds’: What Joe Biden’s victory means for California in Washington

Fresno Bee

California’s relationship with the federal government appears poised to shift dramatically, a change that could mean more federal money for coronavirus response and unemployment backlogs as well as legal victories on greenhouse gas emissions.

See also:

 

Nine ways Joe Biden and Kamala Harris aim to make the U.S. like California

CalMatters

Democratic candidates for president — with rare exceptions — don’t typically point to California as a model, at least not explicitly. But many of the major policies that former Vice President Joe Biden is proposing are already in place here to some degree.

 

'A Vexing Decision': Calif. Governor Mulls Who Will Replace Harris In Senate

VPR

"This is not something that I wish even on my worst enemy, because you create enemies in this process you know, not just friends. And it's a vexing decision. It's a challenging one," Newsom said.

See also:

 

What We Know About California Proposition Results

Capital Public Radio

Early results are in for California’s 12 state ballot measures. One thing to keep in mind is that a huge portion of the vote still has to be counted — this will include late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots and ballots placed in drop boxes today.

See also:

 

California is prepared to keep suing a lame-duck Trump, Attorney General Xavier Becerra says

Fresno Bee

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has already sued President Donald Trump’s administration 106 times. As Trump enters the lame duck phase of his presidency, Becerra says he’s prepared to file lawsuits if the president tries to “wreck the train” on his way out.

 

Walters: Sacramento again refuses to grow up

CalMatters

In population, Sacramento is one of California’s larger cities, but it stubbornly refuses to adopt a big city system of governance.

 

Walters: Winners celebrate while losers rationalize

CalMatters

It’s been a week since election day, and while there’s a modicum of doubt about some outcomes as ballots continue to be counted, overall results are pretty well settled.

 

Federal:

 

Affordable Care Act challenge before Supreme Court could strip insurance from millions

San Francisco Chronicle

As the Supreme Court hears a challenge Tuesday to the Affordable Care Act, the stakes are enormous: Insurance coverage for more than 20 million Americans during a disastrous pandemic. Medicaid coverage for more than 15 million with low incomes.

See also:

 

Election 2020: What Biden’s Win Means for Key Industries and Business Issues

Wall Street Journal

President-elect Joe Biden will step into the White House as U.S. companies are coping with the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and adapting to new ways of doing business. Here is a look at how the incoming administration might shape key industries and issues over the next four years.

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Biden names three California doctors to coronavirus task force. Here’s who they are

Fresno Bee

President-elect Joe Biden has tapped three California doctors to serve on his coronavirus advisory task force as he prepares to take office in January.

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‘Wear a mask’: Biden urges coronavirus caution as he praises vaccine progress

Los Angeles Times

In his first address to the nation since declaring victory, President-elect Joe Biden warned that widespread distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine was still months away, and he implored Americans to wear masks to contain the spread of the virus as the nation headed into a “dark winter” that could see hundreds of thousands more deaths.

See also:

 

Trump May Never Concede and 4 Other 2020 Election Takeaways

VPR

The tumultuous and chaotic Trump presidency is coming to an end — even if President Trump himself hasn't accepted it yet. Biden is now the president-elect, according to calls from The AP, which NPR relies on for race calls, as well as all the other broadcast networks.

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Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the first in an expected purge

Los Angeles Times

Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday became the first high-profile Cabinet member fired by President Trump in what is expected to be a purge of security officials following the election of former Vice President Joe Biden.

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How Politics Has Pulled the Country in Different Directions

Wall Street Journal

The 2020 election results are just the latest indicator of how Americans have been drifting apart for decades.

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Other:

 

Facebook takes down a widespread network of pages tied to Stephen Bannon for pushing misinformation

Washington Post

Facebook took down a widespread network of pages tied to President Trump’s former chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon for pushing misinformation about voter fraud and delegitimizing election results.

See also:

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

 

Sunday, November 15, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “James Irvine Foundation: Closing the Valley’s Opportunity Gap - Guest: Don Howard, President & CEO of the James Irvine Foundation. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, November 15, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: “Philanthropy in the Valley: An Update- Guests: Kristen Beall Watson, President & CEO of the Kern Foundation; Marian Kaanon, President & CEO of the Stanislaus Community Foundation; Ashley Swearingen, President & CEO of the Central Valley Community Fund. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

California wine country adapting to annual wildfire threat

Bakersfield Californian

Harvest season in Northern California's wine country is what dream weddings are made of: ripe grapevines and golden sunsets provide ceremonies an alluring backdrop that every year draws millions of visitors.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Oregon voted to decriminalize possession of hard drugs. Could California be next?

Fresno Bee

Oregonians’ vote to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and LSD, provides a catalyst for other states, including California, to follow, said Jeannette Zanipatin, California state director for the Drug Policy Alliance.

 

Scammers are sending texts about fake COVID-19 trials. Don’t click on link, BBB warns

Fresno Bee

The fake messages sent through text, email or social media claim recipients may be eligible to help researchers study COVID-19, the Better Business Bureau said last week in a news release.

 

Public Safety:

 

Madera County Sheriff's Office unveils new substation

abc30

The Madera County Sheriff's Office unveiled its brand new substation to the public on Saturday. Deputies and employees came together to celebrate the new Ranchos Substation on Berkshire and Fernwood.

 

Fire:

 

Creek Fire update: Snow, rain helping firefighters. Here’s the latest on containment

Fresno Bee

The snowstorm that blessed the central Sierra Nevada with moisture after months without rain continued to aid the Creek Fire effort on Monday.

See also:

 

SQF Complex update: Winter's first storm blesses firefighters

Visalia Times Delta

Firefighters across the Sierra Nevada benefitted from a winter storm that delivered up to a foot of snow over the weekend after months of scorching heat and virtually no rain.

 

Cold, wet conditions affects Sequoia Complex

Porterville Recorder

It was wet and cold across the Sequoia Complex on Sunday with ¼ to 1 inch over the fire. A freeze warning was also issued. There was rain, gusty winds and small-sized hail at the Incident Command Post in Porterville. Snow showers also fell at higher elevations over the fire area, becoming heavy at times.

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

How Stanislaus nonprofits are thinking outside the box to help during COVID-19

Modesto Bee

Local nonprofits must innovate and collaborate to succeed during the coronavirus pandemic and maximize their reach across Stanislaus County, organization leaders said during a Friday webinar.

 

Business groups breathe sigh of relief over prospect of divided government

The Hill

Lobbying firms are telling their clients that two more years of divided government is the best-case scenario and most likely outcome of the 2020 elections.

 

Regal Cinemas Closing Down Remaining New York & California Locations

Deadline

For all the headlines today that everything is coming up roses with exhibition after Pfizer’s good news about a COVID-19 vaccine, Regal Cinemas, will shutter the 18 locations the chain left open in New York and California, effective Thursday.

 

Opinion: Congress still needs to respond further to the COVID recession

AEI

Friday’s data on the October employment situation provides a sobering reminder of the ongoing need for sound economic policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Stocks rally worldwide with hopes for a return to 'normal'

abc30

Brimming hopes that people will again return to office buildings, shopping centers and normal life sent markets rallying worldwide on Monday, following encouraging data about a potential coronavirus vaccine.

See also:

 

Jobs:

 

Who Is Hiring? 5 Industries to Start Your Job Search

U.S. News

Millions of people have lost their jobs in the months since COVID began, and entire industries have ground to a halt in the wake of government shutdowns and restrictions. Now is not the time to find a job in the tourism or hospitality industries, for instance.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Will Fresno schools cut funding for police officers on campus? It’s up for discussion

Fresno Bee

Police reform advocates and Fresno school leaders are gearing up for a lengthy discussion over a push to cut funding for police officers on city school campuses, a month after Fresno Unified postponed a key budget vote.

 

As Fresno’s COVID-19 cases spike, these local schools could still reopen classrooms

Fresno Bee

As Fresno County reports a spike in COVID-19 cases this week, elementary schools may soon have to rely on waivers from the California Department of Health if they want to welcome students back.

 

Inside the quiet classrooms as some KHSD students return this week

Bakersfield Californian

Monday marked the beginning of a new wave of as many as 3,000 students returning to the Kern High School District. It was a quiet but notable occasion at most schools.

 

Higher Ed:

 

How former inmates are getting a fresh start on life through Stan State program

Modesto Bee

Project Rebound works with current and former inmates seeking to earn degrees. Project Rebound operates at 14 of the 23 campuses in the CSU system. It began at San Francisco State University in 1967 and reached Stan State just last year.

 

Affirmative action failed on California’s ballot — but colleges commit to diversity goals

Fresno Bee

After California voters rejected a measure to repeal the state’s ban on affirmative action last week, higher education leaders reiterated a commitment to diversify their student population by providing outreach and support to Latino and under-represented students.

 

Cal State schools see enrollments surge during COVID-19 pandemic

Los Angeles Times

The 23 campuses of the university collectively enrolled 485,549 students in fall 2020, about a 0.75% increase over last fall.

See also:

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Brisk weather, but great air, for Fresno area. Another freeze warning lies ahead

Fresno Bee

A freeze warning for the Central California region was expected to expire early Monday, but the sudden cold snap that struck the region is expected to continue at least through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

See also:

 

California’s climate agenda likely to get big boost from Biden — look for reversal of Trump policies

San Francisco Chronicle

California’s war with Washington over the environment will soon come to an end. The legal wrangling that sparked 57 environmental lawsuits against the Trump administration should turn to consensus and cooperation.

 

Groups fight to keep gray wolf protections for most of US

Fresno Bee

Wildlife advocates and environmental groups have announced that they are challenging the removal of federal protections for gray wolves across most of the U.S.

 

Energy:

 

California Energy Price Data for October 2020

California Center for Jobs & the Economy

Energy use provides another indicator of the effects coming from the current shutdowns related to the pandemic. In the period April through August, residential electricity use in California was up 12.4% from the comparable period in 2019.

 

How Hydrogen Is and Isn’t the Future of Energy

Washington Post

Surely hydrogen is the future of energy. Why else would the EU, as part of its Green Deal, plan to shovel 470 billion euros ($550 billion) into infrastructure to electrolyze and use the stuff? Why else would China, Japan and South Korea be placing their own bets on the gas?

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Coronavirus update: Fresno County sees big case spike. Here are the latest numbers

Fresno Bee

The California Department of Public Health recorded a surge in new coronavirus infections in Fresno County over the weekend, reporting 441 new cases, bringing Fresno County’s total case count to 32,497.

See also:

 

Coronavirus updates: Over 3,000 Californians hospitalized for first time in 2 months

Fresno Bee

Coronavirus activity continues to elevate in California, where health officials have reported more than 7,000 new lab-confirmed infections on back-to-back days and where the hospitalized total has crossed a milestone not exceeded in two months.

See also:

 

Coronavirus cases top 10 million in United States. ‘Daily cases are skyrocketing’

Fresno Bee

Coronavirus has infected more than 10 million people in the United States, Johns Hopkins University reports. There have been more than 50 million confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus worldwide, with more than 1.25 million deaths, according to the university.

 

Does the temperature impact the spread of the COVID-19 outside?

abc30

Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside? Not really. The World Health Organization says the virus can be transmitted in any kind of weather and that there is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill it.

 

COVID-19 Could Become a Widespread Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World

Rand Corporation

On November 10, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in California v. Texas, a case that asks: When Congress eliminated the penalty for not carrying health insurance, did that make the whole Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional?

 

How Long Do I Need to Quarantine If I’m Exposed to Covid?

Wall Street Journal

More than seven months into the pandemic, public health thinking on quarantine lengths is evolving. It’s an especially pressing question now as Covid infection rates surge, families contemplate holiday gatherings, and schools try to balance safety and education.

 

Human Services:

 

Mass vaccines still months away despite promising new COVID data from Pfizer, Gov. Gavin Newsom says

Fresno Bee

Californians shouldn’t get their hopes up about getting a coronaivurs vaccine this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday, cautioning that even once a vaccine is approved, mass availability will still be months away.

See also:

 

Biden Said He'd Walk Back Trump's WHO Walkout. Can All The Damage Be Undone?

VPR

When the U.S. first announced plans to pull out of WHO, many critics worried about the effects on funding for the organization. The U.S. has historically been its top donor — contributing $893 million to the agency's budget for the budget cycle of 2018 and 2019.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Immigration changes to take time under Biden, experts say

Roll Call

The Trump administration has taken over 400 executive and regulatory actions on immigration, imposing sweeping restrictions and expanding enforcement efforts.

 

Even as Trump Cut Immigration, Immigrants Transformed U.S.

New York Times

To grasp the impact of the latest great wave of immigration to the United States, consider the city of Grand Island, Neb.: More than 60 % of public school students are nonwhite, and their families collectively speak 55 languages.

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

City to host community planning meetings for possible park project

Hanford Sentinel

The city of Hanford Parks and Community Services Department will hold a series of community-based planning meetings to gather public input for the conceptual design of a new 40-acre community park.

 

Housing:

 

Fresno renters, homeowners: Behind on payments? City Council increases cash assistance

Fresno Bee

For Fresno renters and homeowners struggling to keep up with housing-related payments due to the pandemic, more help is on the way.

 

New home construction could be on the rise as Bakersfield reports five-year record in processed permits

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield’s housing market continues to display signs of strength even as the coronavirus pandemic shows little sign of abating.

 

Race for Space Pushing Up Suburban Rents

Wall Street Journal

Big companies that own single-family homes are raising rents at the fastest rate since they emerged from last decade’s foreclosure crisis, capitalizing on a rush for suburban housing.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

If you worked remotely due to Covid-19, a state tax surprise could be coming

CNBC

More than half of adults who worked remotely during the pandemic are unaware that they could face tax consequences because they didn’t update their tax withholding to reflect their new location, a study by the American Institute of CPAs found.

 

Biden’s Tax Agenda Faces Blockade If GOP Holds Senate

Wall Street Journal

President-elect Joe Biden’s tax plan is on life support even before he takes office, and his chances of raising taxes on businesses and high-income individuals likely rest on whether Democrats can win two January runoffs in Georgia to take control of the U.S. Senate.

See also:

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Meadows Field Airport leads California in air transportation recovery

KGET

According to new data released by the Kern County Department of Airports, Meadows Field Airport (BFL) leads California in air transportation recovery.

 

Five Ways The Biden Administration May Affect U.S. Transportation

Forbes

With a new President comes new priorities and direction, and the Biden administration will hit the ground running in January. The Federal Government makes policies that affect how goods and people move, so it is likely that changes in how this happens are afoot.

See also:

 

Opinion: Biden Is Good News for High-Speed Rail

Streetsblog Cal

When he was vice-president, Biden masterminded the HSR component of the 2009 stimulus package, which ended up channeling $3.5 billion to California’s project to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles.

 

Opinion: California’s Ban on Gas-Powered Cars Isn’t Enough

Curbed

In September, California governor Gavin Newsom announced he was banning the sale of internal-combustion-engine passenger vehicles after 2035 — a command that was met with surprise and a great deal of skepticism.

 

WATER

 

WET Center Webinar Series:  Navigating the State of the Irrigation Industry with Aric Olson, President of Jain Irrigation Inc.

The Water, Energy, and Technology Center

Join us on November 20 at 10:00 am to discuss the current and future state of the irrigation industry with Aric Olson, President of Jain Irrigation, Inc. We will be covering topics such as where irrigation innovation is needed in the areas of permanent crops and how technology could fill the gaps.

 

Worried about your private well water in San Joaquin Valley? What you need to know

Fresno Bee

The Bee is also hosting a live, interactive event where you can talk directly with regional water experts. Join us on The Fresno Bee Facebook page for a live conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Traducción en vivo disponible.

 

Making End-of-Life Decisions on Aging Dams

Public Policy Institute of California

California’s nearly 1,500 large dams are aging, and many pose hazards to communities downstream. We talked to Andrew Rypel—co-director of the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences—about what we should do about  this aging dam population.

 

Commentary: Delta tunnel project would secure California’s water future

CalMatters

The State Water Project’s 1960-era infrastructure is aging and needs to be upgraded to meet the climate challenges ahead in California.

 

“Xtra”

 

How one Fresno holiday event will go on during pandemic. Plus, more to add to the calendar

Fresno Bee

Think of downtown Fresno’s annual Christmas Parade as a Christmas-themed cruise night, with parade participants decorating parking stalls along downtown’s Fulton Street. Spectators then will move through the “parade” from the safety of their cars.

 

Merced County’s Annual Veterans Day Parade to go virtual this year, due to COVID-19

Merced Sun-Star

Merced County residents will not be lining West Main Street this year to honor the region’s military men and women, due to restrictions placed on large gatherings because of coronavirus.

 

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

 

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute 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 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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