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

“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

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

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.