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.

David Taub
Politics 101
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

Andrew Kloose will be Karbassi’s council assistant. He comes over from council president Paul Caprioglio’s office.
Trump Tariff Fears Erase $2 Trillion From US Stocks
14 hours ago
Senate Confirms Mehmet Oz to Take Lead of Medicare and Medicaid Agency
15 hours ago
First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close
17 hours ago
Pence Will Receive the Profile in Courage Award From the JFK Library for His Actions on Jan. 6
17 hours ago
Pentagon’s Watchdog to Review Hegseth’s Use of Signal App to Convey Plans for Houthi Strike
17 hours ago
President Trump’s Tariffs Could Be the Political Tipping Point
18 hours ago
Order That Kept Water in the Kern River Reversed by 5th District Court of Appeal
18 hours ago

Trump Fires NSC Officials a Day After Far-Right Activist Raises Concerns to Him

China Halts Approvals for New US Investment Projects

Trump Tariff Fears Erase $2 Trillion From US Stocks

Senate Confirms Mehmet Oz to Take Lead of Medicare and Medicaid Agency
