Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast. No Danger to California

12 minutes ago

Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms

4 hours ago

US House Clears Procedural Hurdle on Cryptocurrency Legislation

5 hours ago

Fresno County Lifts Evacuation Order for Max Fire Near Pine Flat Lake

6 hours ago

Newsom Calls Trump a ‘Son of a B***h’ Over ICE Raids and Guard Deployment

6 hours ago

Trump Indicated to Republican Lawmakers He Will Fire Fed’s Powell, CBS Reports

7 hours ago

Wall Street Steadies as Investors Assess Inflation Data, Earnings

8 hours ago

Trump Administration Sued by US States for Cutting Disaster Prevention Grants

8 hours ago

Open Mic Contest Offers Fans a Chance to Perform at Outside Lands 2025

10 hours ago

PBS and NPR Mount Last-Ditch Fight to Save Federal Funding

1 day ago
How Valley Lawmakers Voted on Vaccine Exemption Bill
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
September 5, 2019

Share

SB 276 is one of the most emotional bills debated in the state Legislature this year. It would create greater state oversight on how doctors grant medical exemptions from vaccines for public or private school students.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub
David Taub
Politics 101
Supporters, such as author Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), say the bill is needed to crack down on what he says are doctors fraudulently writing exemptions. The bill’s opponents say it would limit their ability to receive legitimate exemptions, and alter the doctor-patient relationship.
After a series of amendments, both houses took votes on the bill this week before it heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. However, Newsom recently indicated the bill needs more changes before he approves it. That may happen with a separate piece of legislation.

SB 276 Roll Call of Valley Delegation

Assembly (passed 48-19 with 12 no votes Sept. 3)
Yes: Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield)
No: Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), Adam Gray (D-Merced), Devon Mathis (R-Visalia)
Not voting: Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals)
Senate (passed 28-11 with 1 no vote Sept. 4)
Yes: Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger)
No: Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield)
Not voting: none from Valley

Project Labor Agreement Headed to SCCCD

The State Center Community College District board took the first step to build its $87 million west Fresno campus with labor selected by a local union.
Known as a Project Labor Agreement, it is a contract between the government and labor interests on terms of a public project. Examples include wages, no work stoppages, completion deadlines, and control of who gets to work on a project. The last provision has caused contention between labor groups and the construction industries. The sides disagree about whether these agreements increase project costs and unfairly limit who gets to work on them.
The SCCCD board voted Tuesday 7-0 to instruct staff to start negotiations for a PLA with Chuck Riojas of the local unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Riojas also helped broker a PLA for the city of Fresno’s airport project.
The eventual contract will come back to the board for a vote.

Sparse Ballot

The Fresno County clerk’s office will have a light election night Nov. 5.
There is only one item to count, a special tax election in Parlier. The proposal asks voters to increase the sales tax by 1% for the general fund. It would raise an estimated $400,000 a year. The measure needs a majority to pass.
Other items scheduled for the ballot, like the Orange Cove Police Protection District, will not have an election because only one candidate appears.

Karbassi Hires Staff

Alyssa Stevens
Newly minted Fresno councilman Mike Karbassi is filling out his staff. Alyssa Stevens is the new chief of staff. She previously held the role for former councilman Clint Olivier and worked at the Fresno Chamber after Olivier termed out. Stevens started this week.
Andrew Kloose will be Karbassi’s council assistant. He comes over from council president Paul Caprioglio’s office.
 
 
 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast. No Danger to California

DON'T MISS

US Renewable Power Transmission Project Under Fire From Farmers

DON'T MISS

Fresno Detectives Nab Murder Suspect With Help From Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies

DON'T MISS

Bains Is Challenging Valadao. An Early Look at Fundraising.

DON'T MISS

Trump, White House Race to Stem Epstein Conspiracy Fallout

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Judge Gives Green Light to 4-Story NW Fresno Apt. Complex

DON'T MISS

Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms

DON'T MISS

Fresno Fire Destroys Vacant Building on Blackstone Avenue

DON'T MISS

US House Clears Procedural Hurdle on Cryptocurrency Legislation

DON'T MISS

Madera County Launches New Team to Tackle Homelessness, Mental Health Crises

UP NEXT

Fresno Detectives Nab Murder Suspect With Help From Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies

UP NEXT

Bains Is Challenging Valadao. An Early Look at Fundraising.

UP NEXT

Fresno Fire Destroys Vacant Building on Blackstone Avenue

UP NEXT

Madera County Launches New Team to Tackle Homelessness, Mental Health Crises

UP NEXT

Authorities Seek Answers After Man Found Dead Near Rural Fresno County Road

UP NEXT

Fresno County Lifts Evacuation Order for Max Fire Near Pine Flat Lake

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Ryan Joseph Enos

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Found Dead After Hike Near Courtright Reservoir

UP NEXT

Fresno City Attorney Briefly Ineligible to Practice Law, Cites State Bar Error

UP NEXT

Grass Fire East of Sanger Contained at 21 Acres, CalFire Says

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Bains Is Challenging Valadao. An Early Look at Fundraising.

3 hours ago

Trump, White House Race to Stem Epstein Conspiracy Fallout

4 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Judge Gives Green Light to 4-Story NW Fresno Apt. Complex

4 hours ago

Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms

4 hours ago

Fresno Fire Destroys Vacant Building on Blackstone Avenue

5 hours ago

US House Clears Procedural Hurdle on Cryptocurrency Legislation

5 hours ago

Madera County Launches New Team to Tackle Homelessness, Mental Health Crises

5 hours ago

US Senate Pushes Toward Aid, Public Broadcasting Cuts Sought by Trump

5 hours ago

Authorities Seek Answers After Man Found Dead Near Rural Fresno County Road

6 hours ago

Fresno County Lifts Evacuation Order for Max Fire Near Pine Flat Lake

6 hours ago

7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast. No Danger to California

A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands on Wednesday afternoon, but officials say there is no tsunami threat...

12 minutes ago

12 minutes ago

7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast. No Danger to California

Windmills line a hillside in Palm Springs, California, U.S., November 29, 2019. (Reuters File)
26 minutes ago

US Renewable Power Transmission Project Under Fire From Farmers

2 hours ago

Fresno Detectives Nab Murder Suspect With Help From Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies

3 hours ago

Bains Is Challenging Valadao. An Early Look at Fundraising.

U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
4 hours ago

Trump, White House Race to Stem Epstein Conspiracy Fallout

4 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Judge Gives Green Light to 4-Story NW Fresno Apt. Complex

Elk Grove California Housing Construction 2022
4 hours ago

Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms

A vacant building on North Blackstone Avenue in Fresno was destroyed by fire Tuesday, July 15, 2025, night, though firefighters prevented it from spreading to nearby structures. (Fresno FD)
5 hours ago

Fresno Fire Destroys Vacant Building on Blackstone Avenue

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend