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Gavin's Law Fails Again in Sacramento
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
May 22, 2021

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A third attempt to increase the penalties on hit-and-run drivers has failed in the state Legislature.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

David Taub

Politics 101

“Gavin’s Law,” championed by Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, failed to advance past the body’s appropriations committee, effectively killing it. The bill was placed in the “suspense file,” where bills go to die without a formal vote.

“What happened today was an injustice heaped upon their heartache,” Patterson said in a news release. “It has never been more clear that the ruling party in Sacramento cares more about criminals than they do about victims. They demonstrate that every time they are in session these days. This is what the victims of crime can expect unless there is a change in Sacramento.”

The bill, AB 582, is named for Gavin Gladding, the Clovis Unified principal who was killed in a hit-and-run in 2018 by a suspected DUI driver. Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla served only 13 months for hit-and-run.

In 2019, the bill didn’t pass out of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, but it was agreed to make it a “two-year” bill. In 2020, it passed the Assembly but failed in a Senate committee.


Also in Politics 101: 

  • Appropriations chairwoman explains why bills make it out.
  • Scott Miller now full-time Chamber leader.
  • City of Clovis challenging court case.

Chairwoman Explains

Lorena Gonzalez

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, chairs the appropriations committee. She explained why some bills made it out, and some didn’t.

“We approved bills that offer real solutions to help address longstanding inequities that were exacerbated during the pandemic, including legislation that would ensure all families can access reliable broadband services, help combat the state’s homelessness crisis, strengthen health and safety protections for low-wage workers, drastically cut down on plastic waste, and extend healthcare and support services to our immigrant communities who were largely left out of pandemic relief efforts,” Gonzalez said in a news release.

Miller Now Full-Time Chamber CEO

Scott Miller

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce named president/CEO Scott Miller to the full-time position, a bump up from the interim title.

Miller, who also operates Gazebo Gardens, was named interim chamber leader in February, replacing Nathan Ahle.

The chamber returns to its annual State of the City address in person. Mayor Jerry Dyer will deliver the speech June 25, 8:30 a.m., at Chukchansi Park.

Clovis Strikes Back on Housing Lawsuit

The city of Clovis will challenge a court decision on housing.

After losing a lawsuit filed by homeless activist Desiree Martinez, the council voted this week, 5-0, to file an appeal.

The suit centered on whether the city was building enough high-density housing according to state mandates. Judge Kristi Culver-Kapetan ruled on April 30 that the city has 120 days to comply with the housing mandates.

“We disagree with the court’s decision, and after consulting with our City Attorney’s Office, we are confident that we have a strong case to have the decision overturned,” Mayor Jose Flores said in a news release.

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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

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