It was with brash confidence that Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that by 2035, the only new cars and light trucks sold in California would be emission-free. Critics, rightly, suggested that he couldn’t reshape consumer choice and entirely reorganize the state’s auto fleet through an executive order, or a phony codification of the...
Earth Day Festival at Fresno City College Is a Great Place to Eat, Play, Learn
In these hyper partisan times it seems surprising that much of our major environmental protections came about under a Republican administration. In April 1970, the growing outrage over oil spills, pesticide toxicity, chemical dumping, air pollution, ozone damage and the loss of animal species led to huge participation in the...
Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion
In early March, trustees of the State Center Community College District passed a resolution to adopt a district-wide Project Labor Agreement for all of its major construction projects. In predicable fashion, the Associated Builders and Contractors, a lobbyist group for low-wage construction contractors, claimed that PLAs will increase costs, exclude...
State Center Trustees Vote for Special Interest Giveaway Over Students: Opinion
Fewer school facilities. Higher costs for taxpayers. Reduced opportunities for young people trying to build a future in the trades. That’s what we’re getting because of the State Center Community College District’s decision to pursue a construction project labor agreement (PLA) behind closed doors. This was an unwarranted, unasked for,...
I Will Force Votes on Blocking Arms Sales to Israel: Sen. Bernie Sanders
This week, I will force U.S. Senate votes on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval I have introduced to block certain offensive arms sales to Israel. These sales, proposed by the Trump Administration, would provide $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extremist government to continue...
Why the Nation Would Be Wise to Support a Third Term Amendment for Donald Trump
“Chance Favors the Prepared Mind.” — Louis Pasteur For Donald Trump to run for a third term as president, a constitutional amendment is required. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, states that no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice. Because you need a...
California Seniors Are Paying the Price for Lawsuit Abuse
California’s cost of living is one of the highest in the nation. From skyrocketing housing and utility costs to rising prices for healthcare and groceries, many Californians are being forced to choose between basic necessities. Unfortunately, for California’s fastest-growing demographic group — seniors — the cost of living crisis is...
Don’t Listen to Critics. SJ River Conservancy Is Doing Its Job
The recent Fresnoland article on the proposed CEMEX mining project in Fresno County raises several important issues but misrepresents the San Joaquin River Conservancy, its role, and its capabilities. The article critiques the Conservancy for not taking a more direct stance on the mining proposal and portrays its staff and...
How California’s Wildfire Crisis Is Burning Through Your Wallet
For years, we’ve known that California is a kindling box, waiting for the next spark to ignite another catastrophic fire. Whether it’s downed power lines, dry lightning, deliberate arson, or a flat tire, which lead to the destruction of a family’s property, the threat of large-scale wildfires isn’t just a...
A Tale of Two Local Districts: Implementing the CA Classroom Cell Phone Ban
People behave in different ways, and the same can be said about school districts. Consider how Madera Unified and Fresno Unified have responded to a recent piece of legislation from Sacramento. In late September 2024 Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act. This new law mandates that...