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Political Stories
Top stories
Governor, top lawmakers ready to modify climate change measure as negotiations continue — Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders have outlined potential changes to controversial climate change legislation, such as modifying the power of state regulators and shifting the focus of proposed targets for reducing gasoline consumption. LA Times article; Sacramento Bee article
John Myers: Legislators tackle bills, struggle with big items, as clock ticks in Sacramento — Tuesday’s floor debates in the state Assembly and Senate saw action on several bills of note. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the year on Friday. Myers in KQED; San Francisco Chronicle article
State budget
Michael Fitzgerald: A Stockton man’s answer to state debt – Dino Cortopassi, a wealthy Stockton-area farmer and food processor, has spent around $3 million pushing his “No Blank Checks” initiative. If it qualifies for the 2016 ballot, the measure would require a public vote on any big project revenue bond over $2 billion that will result in higher taxes or fees. Fitzgerald column in Stockton Record
Gov. Brown
Dan Walters: Governor embraces tokenism — Jerry Brown’s political modus operandi has become well established in the second half of his two-part governorship. He declares something to be vitally important, then often settles for a half-a-loaf “solution” or an initial gesture that allows him to check it off his political bucket list. Walters column in Sacramento Bee
Valley politics
Congressman Jim Costa: Iran nuclear deal is our best option – The Fresno Democrat writes, “After weighing the pluses and minuses, I have come to the conclusion that although the agreement is not perfect, it is our best option to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East because if Iran complies, this agreement will ensure a nuclear-free Iran for the next 15 years.” Costa op-ed in Fresno Bee
Congressman David Valadao: Why I oppose Iran nuclear pact – The Hanford Republican writes, “The proposed nuclear agreement is unacceptable. While I appreciate the White House’s efforts, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry stepped away from the negotiating table far too soon. We need an agreement that actually prevents Iran from achieving nuclear weapon capabilities and provides much needed security to our important allies in the Middle East.” Valadao op-ed in Fresno Bee
Manuel Cunha: Perea is sticking up for Valley – The president of the Nisei Farmers League writes, “In response to the Aug. 31 commentary by Dean Florez, “Two bills, two momentous choices for Valley lawmakers,” I ask this: How dare he condemn Assembly Member Henry T. Perea for standing up for the Valley?” Cunha op-ed in Fresno Bee
Valley Edition Interview: Melanie Mason of the LA Times on Henry T. Perea — Fresno Assemblymember Henry T. Perea is the informal leader of a faction of moderate Democrats who have yet to fully support the bill. Last week, Perea was the subject of a major feature in the LA Times by reporter Melanie Mason, which looked at his stance on the bill. Mason joined us on Valley Edition to talk about the bill and Perea’s vote, which could be a key to SB 350’s passage. KVPR report
Eggman aide to run for Villapudua’s seat on San Joaquin County board — Prior to a life in politics, Gustavo Medina spent his career listening to people and fighting for their needs as a social worker. He’s hoping he can once again listen to the public, and hopefully implement changes to help them, when he runs for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2016. Stockton Record article
Statewide politics/Ballot Measures
Kamala Harris inks fundraising deal with California Democrats — The California Democratic Party has found its first taker as part of an effort to jointly raise money with federal candidates. Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, has agreed to allow her donors to write one big check that gets divided between her campaign and the state party. Sacramento Bee article
Duf Sundheim enters race for Barbara Boxer’s U.S. Senate seat — George “Duf” Sundheim, a Silicon Valley lawyer who led the state Republican Party during the recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and election of Arnold Schwarzenegger, will announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate on Wednesday. LA Times article
Immigration
Ben Carson calls for guest-worker status for immigrants — Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson jabbed Tuesday at front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal to deport everyone who is in the country illegally, calling the plan impractical. AP article; San Francisco Chronicle article; San Jose Mercury News article
Other areas
Senate legislation would impose new taxes on health plans, tobacco — The leader of the Senate’s healthcare special session committee introduced legislation Tuesday that would raise tobacco taxes by $2 per pack and revamp an existing tax on managed-care organizations to help pay for various health and welfare programs. Sacramento Bee article
What’s at stake in California climate bill? – By the end of the week, California lawmakers will decide the fate of a sweeping measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the subject of intense lobbying on both sides and a priority of Gov. Jerry Brown. Sacramento Bee article
Joel Fox: Observations/questions about Gov. Brown’s road fix proposal – Governor Jerry Brown says we should raise per-gallon gasoline taxes 6-cents, diesel fuel 11-cents a gallon and tie these taxes to inflation. Brown also supports SB 350, the climate change legislation that proposes to cut petroleum use in transportation vehicles 50-percent in 15 years. Wouldn’t reducing the use of gasoline shrink the revenue anticipated from the gasoline tax to fix the roads? Fox in Fox & Hounds
Joe Mathews: Note to Jean Fuller: Republicans always raise taxes – Jean Fuller, the latest unlucky soul to win a seat in the never-ending game of musical chairs known as the Republican legislative leadership, declared upon taking over that: “Republicans do not raise taxes.” That certainly is the stereotype. But, in California at least, it’s not the truth. Here, Republicans always raise taxes. Mathews in Fox & Hounds
The high-stakes fight over Medi-Cal – The issue involves $1.1 billion and affects roughly one in three Californians. There are sharp differences in positions. Some special interests fear being hurt financially, while others might stand to gain. No wonder lobbyists with determined looks are cruising Capitol corridors. Capitol Weekly article
Assembly approves measure to restrict police searches of email – Lawmakers in the Assembly narrowly approved a bill that would put in place stricter privacy limits on police access to emails and other electronic communications. LA Times article
California lawmakers vote to ban Confederate names from public buildings – The California Legislature on Tuesday sent the governor a measure that would bar the naming of public buildings, including schools, after Confederate leaders from the Civil War. LA Times article; Sacramento Bee article
Marchers rally against racial profiling – With a vote expected by week’s end on a bill aiming to end the use of racial profiling by California law enforcement, several community groups joined forces Tuesday morning to press state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, to support the measure. Stockton Record article
State-funded child care providers drop unionization push — State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León has abandoned his efforts this session to unionize California child care providers. Sacramento Bee article
Tax break for earthquake retrofitting passes California Senate – A proposed state tax credit for earthquake retrofits passed the Senate on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle for a bill that would ease the burden of strengthening thousands of at-risk buildings across California. LA Times article
Assembly passes three bills to curb psych drugs in California foster care – The state Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation to better protect California foster children from too many psychiatric drugs through greater oversight by nurses, social workers, caregivers and court professionals. San Jose Mercury News article
California lawmakers approve ban on plastic microbeads – California lawmakers on Tuesday approved a measure banning the sale of personal care products that contain plastic microbeads starting in 2020. LA Times article
Assemblyman Mike Gipson offers tax penalty amnesty bill for pot shops – Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) has revised a bill in the waning days of the legislative session so that it would grant amnesty from tax penalties to medical marijuana dispensary operators who have not paid taxes. LA Times article
California cocktail tax would spike end-of-session mix — A California lawmaker is blending a five-cent-a-drink tax on cocktails into the hectic end-of-session legislative push. Angered by a budget deal they see as cutting out disabled Californians, advocates have been pushing lawmakers to better fund services. Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, is hoping the extra revenue can pour into state coffers from martini, margarita and Manhattan glasses. Sacramento Bee article
Sacramento Bee: Lay off Planned Parenthood — Other than a few Republican politicians playing to exceptionally conservative bases, this fight benefits no one. On the other hand, the hysteria around it has incited real violence and damage. Sacramento Bee editorial
California Government Today:
News Stories
Top Stories
Federal subpoena of Fresno Unified targets school district officials involved in no-bid contracts — A federal grand jury subpoena of Fresno Unified School District records demands answers about the use of public bond money and focuses on school district officials who oversaw no-bid contracts for multimillion-dollar construction projects. Fresno Bee article
Rough fire prompts expanded evacuation warnings – The roster of areas told to be ready to evacuate because of the Rough fire grew Tuesday night, with evacuation warnings issued for the Grant Grove area and the communities of Pinehurst, Miramonte and Dunlap. Fresno Bee article; KVPR report
Jobs and the Economy
Tejon Indian tribe casino project begins environmental review – The Tejon Indian Tribe’s effort to build a casino on 306 acres of land just west of Mettler is now under a federal environmental review. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is accepting comments from the public on the “scoping” of the environmental impact statement through next Monday. Bakersfield Californian article
Gas prices fall 20 cents in Fresno — Gas prices are plunging everywhere, including Fresno, where the price has fallen 23 cents in the last month to an average $3.14 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline, according to AAA of Northern California. Prices fell even more – 30 cents – in the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville area to an average $3.10 per gallon. Fresno Bee article
Storyland earns $62,700 over Labor Day weekend — Fresno’s Storyland reopened to large crowds over Labor Day weekend, generating $62,782 in total revenue. The children’s park officially reopened on Sept. 4 after six months of renovations and upgrades including fresh paint, new landscaping, ADA-compliant walkways, and renovated restrooms. The Business Journal article
Apple seems keen on Elk Grove expansion — Fueled in part by the popularity of the iPhone, Apple Inc. and a subcontractor have hired hundreds of workers at Apple’s Elk Grove campus in the past few years, and more jobs are apparently coming. Details are few, but Apple filed paperwork with the city last week to add approximately 1,400 parking spaces at its Elk Grove campus in order “to manage parking demand long term,” said Darrell Doan, the city’s economic development director, in an email. Sacramento Bee article
Sacramento engine maker Aerojet makes $2 billion offer – Aerojet Rocketdyne, the Sacramento area rocket-engine manufacturer, has made a $2 billion offer to buy a Lockheed-Boeing joint venture that launches rockets for the Defense Department, NASA and other governmment agencies. Sacramento Bee article
Uber and Lyft must improve access for disabled riders, advocates say – As the start-ups negotiate for permits to pick up passengers at Los Angeles International Airport, advocates are pressing regulators to require better access for disabled travelers, saying they should be as confident that they can catch a ride with Uber and Lyft as with a taxi. LA Times article
Raley’s to add shops, restaurants to new Sacramento store — Raley’s new store on Freeport Boulevard in Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood is expected to be surrounded by shops and restaurants as the grocery chain tries to build a “neighborhood-oriented project,” according to planning documents filed with the city. Sacramento Bee article
California board told 91 clean-energy projects completed — California officials told a citizens oversight board Tuesday that they know of 91 school energy-efficiency projects completed with funding from a green energy ballot initiative, and they expect the number will climb as districts provide updates at the end of the year. AP article
Supermarket chain Haagen files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — Supermarket chain Haggen filed Tuesday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after struggling for months with a huge expansion into new states including California. LA Times article
Macy’s says it will close 35 to 40 stores in early 2016 — Macy’s says it will close 35 to 40 stores in early 2016, or as much as 5 percent of its namesake department stores. Macy’s said Tuesday it hasn’t selected all of the stores that will be closed yet. AP article
Agriculture/Water/Drought
Officials relieved Foster Farms water won’t count for Livingston — Livingston city officials on Tuesday said they were relieved to hear the city received a reprieve from state mandated water use reductions. The city has ranked worst in the state in water savings. Livingston is home to Foster Farms’ headquarters, which is by far the biggest water user in the city. So, the city received the state’s first alternative compliance order from the Water Resources Control Board last week, which means the meat processor’s water use won’t count against the city’s conservation efforts. Merced Sun-Star article
Will the drought kill Fresno’s historic trees? — California’s four-year drought has taken its toll on many trees in the valley, and now some are concerned it could also kill iconic trees that line Fresno’s boulevards. But is the city doing anything to keep the trees from succumbing to the harsh conditions? KVPR report
Visalia schools reduce water use by 41 percent — Visalia Unified School District reduced water use by 41 percent between January and May — far exceeding the state’s mandated 32 percent reduction. The Business Journal article
South San Joaquin Irrigation District explores remaking entire delivery system — Experts ran rough numbers Tuesday on costs and benefits of remaking the delivery system for the South San Joaquin Irrigation District. They said the project, which would conserve about a quarter of the Stanislaus River supply, would make sense if the saved water were sold to outside buyers for an average of at least $350 per acre-foot. Modesto Bee article
Criminal Justice/Prisons
Appeals court sides with Facebook in fight over postings — Criminal defendants’ right to information that will aid in their defense does not extend before trial to social networking posts that are protected under federal law, a California appeals court ruled Tuesday. AP article; San Jose Mercury News article
Year of San Diego Police Department body cameras yields surprises — San Diego police officers outfitted with body cameras have received fewer complaints from the public but have also used more force — a finding that surprised department leaders. San Diego Union-Tribune article
Tulare County swears in new deputies, support personnel – As it stands right now, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department has 533 sworn positions, 272 in detentions and 261 in operations according to Lt. Chris Wenzinger. The three deputies sworn in Tuesday morning are all on the operations side of the department. Visalia Times-Delta article
Bloodstains found in ex-NFL player, accused murderer Lawrence Phillips’ cell, reports say — Suspected bloodstains were found on clothing, bedsheets and pill supplement bottles in the cell former NFL player Lawrence Phillips shared with a convicted murderer in Kern Valley State Prison. Bakersfield Californian article
Santa Clara County jail inmate died screaming, ‘I’m sorry!’ — A mentally ill Santa Clara County inmate was heard screaming, “I’m sorry” and “Stop,” as he was allegedly beaten by correctional officers hours before he was found dead, authorities said Tuesday as they charged the jailers with murder. San Francisco Chronicle article
Jose Gonzalez: Youth correctional workers deserve respect – The retired state youth correctional counselor who worked at facilities in Stockton writes, “Shame on the Rev. Beverly Brewster for a piece on solitary confinement for our state’s incarcerated youths that was misleading and that deprecates the dedicated men and women that work in the trenches.” Gonzalez op-ed in Sacramento Bee
Education
Cal State data breach hits nearly 80,000 students – A data breach at eight Cal State campuses exposed the personal information of nearly 80,000 students enrolled in an online sexual violence prevention class, officials said Tuesday. The breach occurred through a company, We End Violence, that was contracted to provide the non-credit class on sexual harassment, which is required of all students under state law. LA Times article
Former San Jose president in line for $261,000 benefit – He’s headed to Afghanistan after resigning his controversial stint as San Jose State president, but the state university system plans to keep paying Mohammad Qayoumi, to the tune of $261,000 over the next year. San Jose Mercury News article
UCLA and USC tie in magazine rankings; UC Berkeley best public university in nation – LA and USC are tied for the third time in four years in the closely-watched rankings of national universities compiled by U.S. News & World Report. LA Times article
Why UC regents’ next meeting is likely to upset some Jewish groups – The passionate politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts may seem off topic for a university governing board more accustomed to setting tuition levels, approving the salaries of campus chancellors and managing a vast hospital system. But emotions surrounding the Middle East situation are expected to be felt once again at next week’s meeting of the UC Board of Regents. LA Times article
Teachers, too, will learn a lot from new tests – The initial release of statewide test scores in California this week will reveal how well schools, districts and groups of students did in classes aligned with the Common Core standards. With two-page reports that will be mailed to their homes, parents will find out how well their children did on the new Smarter Balanced tests on the Common Core. And with their own database of information, teachers will learn how effectively they’ve taught them. EdSource article
Brian King: Embrace public benefit of helping students succeed – The chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District writes, “It’s time to rally support for free community college fees to help all students willing to work for an associate’s degree or certificate. These are proud, hardworking students who are not asking for a handout. But they could use a step up in the form of a debt-free community college education – a sturdy ladder to help them climb out of poverty to prosperity.” King op-ed in Sacramento Bee
Nan Austin: Nerd-vana: Giving fellow reporters tips on school bond sales statements – On Tuesday I tried to pass along everything I know about reporting on school bonds to education reporters around the country as a panelist on an Education Writers Associationwebinar. Austin in Modesto Bee
Visalia Unified to rescind new boundary maps – Visalia Unified School District trustees will rescind their approval of controversial new boundary maps for middle and high schools and accept additional public comment on the issue at a special board meeting next week. Fresno Bee article
Karen Williams: LearningQuest helps adults find and stay on path of education – The executive director of LearningQuest writes, “LearningQuest is an agency serving those who have stopped or wandered off the path, and it is our mission to help them find the trail again and have the stamina, resources and confidence to keep going. This path of life-long learning is necessary to reach the goal of a living-wage job for a family and hope for a better tomorrow.” Williams op-ed in Modesto Bee
Energy/Environment
Smoke from Rough fire covers Fresno, Clovis area – Smoke as thick as fog shrouded Clovis and surrounding foothill communities, forcing schoolchildren indoors. Air quality authorities advised people to stay inside if they smelled smoke – a scent Clovis residents awakened to this past weekend holiday and at the start of the work week. Fresno Bee article
Tenaya fire in Yosemite estimated at 300-500 acres — A fire discovered in Yosemite Valley on Monday night is spewing more smoke into the air. The Tenaya fire, estimated at 300 to 500 acres, is in Indian Canyon above the north rim of the Valley. It is on both sides of the Lehamite Creek Trail, between the Valley and Tioga Road, the National Park Service said. The fire is spotting among dead trees, helping to create a large plume of smoke. Fresno Bee article; LA Times article
Forest fire threatening education camps near Sonora — A forest fire in Tuolumne County has prompted evacuations and is threatening structures about 20 miles northeast of Sonora. Modesto sixth-graders who arrived at the Foothill Horizons Outdoor School just Tuesday morning were sent home as a precaution. Modesto Bee article
5 years after San Bruno, PG&E’s gas safety comes up short – Five years after the catastrophic San Bruno blast, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. still accounts for the bulk of gas safety violations in California and nearly all the regulatory fines levied by the state, leaving regulators struggling to find ways to hold the company more accountable. San Francisco Chronicle article
Ousted regulator says Gov. Brown fired him for opposing illegal, ‘fast track’ oil permit program – A former top California oil regulator has alleged he was fired by Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration in 2011 after refusing to “fast track” oil field waste injection permits he said would have violated the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Bakersfield Californian article
More than 200,000 trout die at American River Hatchery – More than 200,000 rainbow trout suffocated in a matter of minutes Tuesday at the American River Hatchery near Rancho Cordova due to an unexpected release of gunk from Folsom Dam that clogged water intakes. Sacramento Bee article
Earth Log: September, climate change and ice mummies in the Sierra — Ten years ago, I wrote my favorite two paragraphs about climate change. And I didn’t even mention those two words: “Authorities Wednesday gingerly removed an ice-entombed body believed to be a World War II airman who was frozen 63 years in a Kings Canyon National Park glacier, and flew it to a Fresno airport for coroner’s officials.” Earth Log in Fresno Bee
Health/Human Services
City Council votes to ban smokeless tobacco at all sports venues in LA — Los Angeles City Council members took a strong first step Tuesday toward striking smokeless tobacco out of all sports venues in the city. LA Times article
Half of U.S. adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes, study says — New research suggests that half of all U.S. adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes. AP article
Psychedelic drugs may be ready for a medical comeback — New research on the use of psychedelic drugs as treatment for a range of mental disorders appears to be throwing open doors of perception long closed within the medical community, says a new analysis in the Canadian Medical Assn. Journal. LA Times article
Land Use/Housing
City of Selma limits storefront window ads — The City of Selma recently enacted an ordinance restricting advertising space in storefront windows in order to promote public health and safety. The Business Journal article
Transportation
Merced council to interview high-speed rail consultants – The Merced City Council decided on Tuesday it should conduct its own interviews for the applicants for the first phase of high-speed rail planning in town. Merced Sun-Star article
American Airlines steps up jet game from Fresno to LAX — American Airlines is stepping up its game on its regional flights between Fresno and Los Angeles, introducing a new generation of larger, quieter regional jets on Wednesday. Fresno Bee article
College Avenue sticking to its ‘diet’ — The work converting a roughly 11/2-mile section of College Avenue to a traffic-calming device called a “road diet” is nearing the halfway point and should be completed within a month. Modesto Bee article
Sacramento ponders: Where should sidewalk cycling be banned? — Sacramento officials are formulating a new rule that would allow bicyclists to ride on city sidewalks except in busy pedestrian areas where signs would be posted banning bikes. Repeat violators of the ordinance could pay a $250 fine. Sacramento Bee article
Other areas
Montion was a warrior for Valley Hispanics – Bob Montion was an impassioned fighter for Valley Hispanics, from helping form the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to advocating for changes to Tulare’s and Visaila’s voting districts to give Hispanics more political power. That fight ended early Saturday morning when he died at Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia surrounded by his wife and four children. Visalia Times-Delta article
Wells Fargo, military nonprofit donate Bakersfield home to Iraq combat veteran – A combat veteran from Chino and his family have become the newest residents of a gated neighborhood in east Bakersfield, thanks to a partnership between Wells Fargo & Co. and the Texas-based nonprofit Military Warriors Support Foundation. Bakersfield Californian article
Big loss for Food Bank, little ill-gotten gain — Early Monday morning, when the facility was closed, thieves cut through a chain-link fence surrounding the property on West Scotts Avenue in south Stockton, then cut through security fencing and made off with all three air conditioning units that cool the administrative offices. Estimated loss is between $12,000 and $15,000. Stockton police Officer Yer Her, making the report, said each unit taken would yield about $20 apiece in copper. Stockton Record article
Valley Editorial Roundup
Fresno Bee – Kim Davis is no religious martyr.
Merced Sun-Star – Kim Davis is no religious martyr; How to get your millions back from the state.
Modesto Bee – Kim Davis is no religious martyr; How to get your millions back from the state.
Sacramento Bee – Kim Davis is no religious martyr; The crusade against Planned Parenthood has now led to violence.
Maddy Events
Sunday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. on Fresno ABC30 – Maddy Report: “Livable Communities: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You?” — — Guests: Laura Podolsky, policy director, National Center for Sustainable Transportation– Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis; Gian-Carla Sciara, assistant professional researcher, Urban Land Use and Transportation Center, UC Davis, and Paul Zykofsky, associate director of the Local Government Commission. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. on KMJ (580AM and 105.9FM Radio/podcast) – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: “Walkable, Bikeable Transit-Oriented Communities: What (is the) Demand?” — Guests: Keith Bergthold, executive director of Fresno Metro Ministry and past assistant director of Planning for the City of Fresno; Mike Prandini, executive officer for Fresno & Madera Counties, California Building Industry Association; and John Wright, former planning director for the City of Clovis). Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 a.m. on Univision 21 (KFTV) and UniMas 61 (KTFF) – El Informe Maddy: “Livable Communities” – Guest: Paul Zykofsky, associate director of the Local Government Commission. Host: Maddy Institute Deputy Director Ana Melendez.
The Maddy Report airs throughout California on The Cal Channel. Check http://www.calchannel.com to find the Cal Channel and schedule in your area. You also can view previous Maddy Report programs in their entirety at http://www.maddyinstitute.org/policy-analysis/the-maddy-report-tv.
Community Events
- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will hold its Fresno seminar at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Fresno on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information: www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.
- The Wonderful Company will hold information sessions in Avenal and Wasco for area nonprofits, churches, religious organizations and local government agencies interested in applying for the Wonderful Community Grants initiative. The Wasco event will be held at Wasco City Hall on Monday, Sept. 14, from 10-11 a.m. The Avenal event will be held at the Avenal Recreation Center on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. More information: www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com.
- CA Fwd will hold an event on “Money, Schools, Jobs and You – A Bipartisan Conversation in Clovis” at the Center for Advanced Research Technology on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6-8 p.m. Speakers are Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin; former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed; Pete Peterson, executive director of Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership; and Marshall Tuck, Educator in Residence, New Teacher Center. Event is free but registration is required. More information: www.CAFWD.org.
- West Hills Community College District will hold an event, “Shifting Ground — Adapting the San Joaquin Valley Economy to a Changing Climate,” on Oct. 8 at Harris Ranch in Coalinga. Senior leaders from business, agriculture, government agencies and nonprofits will gather to launch immediate actions and provide near-term guidance to create next generation jobs in a region battered by drought and struggling with multiple challenges. Visit www.essentialelementsseries.comfor details of this no-fee policy series.
- The 2015 California Economic Summit will be held in Ontario on Nov. 12-13. Since its inception in 2012, the Summit has brought together hundreds of private, public and civic leaders from the state’s diverse regions in an effort to advance the triple bottom line: promoting a prosperous economy that respects environment and equity concerns. More information and registration is available here.
Interactive
Next 10: UPDATED California budget challenge – For the first time in a decade, California’s budget is largely in balance. However, the state has outstanding debts of $28 million, not counting long-term pension and retiree health care costs. Budget choices affect us all. Take the Challenge and decide how much should be spent on programs and where the money should come from. Next 10 California Budget Challenge
Next 10: Federal budget challenge — The Federal Budget Challenge is based on The Concord Coalition’s Principles and Priorities budget exercise, which has been used in numerous town hall meetings across the country by members of Congress from both parties, as well as in hundreds of high school and college classrooms. Next 10 Federal Budget challenge at www.federalbudgetchallenge.org.
Next 10: California Water Challenge – As our state faces some of the most severe drought conditions in its history, Next 10 wants to issue a new challenge to Californians: can you create a plan to make sure there’s enough water for everyone? Next 10 California Water Challenge
LEGISLATORS’ VOTING RECORDS: How often has a California legislator broken party ranks, abstained or switched sides? The Sacramento Bee has a database of the voting records of every member of the state Senate and Assembly. Enter a lawmaker’s last and first names to see how he or she voted, or enter a bill number to see how every legislator voted on it. Check it out at this link. http://www.sacbee.com/votingrecord/
More Information
Please visit http://www.maddyinstitute.com/news/maddy-daily if you want to view the Maddy Daily with our comprehensive list of links to all federal, state and local government, public affairs institutes/regional entities, Valley media and public policy blogs. (Please note new website address.)
Maddy Institute Updates List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials – The Maddy Institute has updated its list of San Joaquin Valley elected officials. The list is available here.
Maddy Institute on Facebook and Twitter – To learn about Maddy Institute activities (e.g. The Maddy Report tv show, The Maddy Associates’ Luncheons, the Maddy Legislative Intern Program), become a fan of the Maddy Institute on Facebook or log on to http://twitter.com/MaddyInstitute. And if you have a Facebook or Twitter account, please add us and follow us!
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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.
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