Veteran Republican state lawmaker Shannon Grove of Bakersfield dropped a political bombshell on Wednesday morning. Grove says she will run for state Senate re-election in a Bakersfield-Fresno seat that could pit her versus another sitting Republican senator, Andreas Borgeas of Fresno. In the new electoral lines, Senate District 16 —...
Fresno Sheriff Opposes Bill to Strip Policing Experience as Election Qualification
A proposed bill by a San Francisco state senator would remove the barrier of having to work in law enforcement to run for sheriff. Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is seeking to remove the requirement that a sheriff candidate have a Police Officer Standards and Training certificate. "It’s time we...
Not Even Yet Sworn In, Valadao Faces 2022 Competition
Before David Valadao has been sworn in to the 117th Congress, he has competition in 2022. Outgoing Congressman TJ Cox (D-Fresno) told "Sunday Morning Matters" host Alexan Balekian he will "absolutely" consider running again. "The fight to make a difference never quits. What I was doing before, trying to make...
State Lawmakers Want Proof of COVID Spread by Businesses. Restaurants Say Fight.
State lawmakers, backed by the restaurant industry, want Gov. Gavin Newsom to prove a connection between dining out and the spread of COVID-19 infections. A restrictive stay-at-home order has been in effect since Monday covering the state's designated San Joaquin Valley region. That includes restaurants that can no longer offer...
Questions Remain from Borgeas’ Hawai’i Trip. He’s Not Talking.
State Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) said he went to a conference in Hawai'i last week to discuss how to reopen California. But he's been silent on other details, and still doesn't want to talk about. Politics 101 reached out to Borgeas and his spokesman who said they will not offer...
Aloha: Three Valley Republicans Defend Controversial Hawaii Conference
At least three Central Valley Republican lawmakers are at a Hawaiian legislative conference while California officials are discouraging out-of-state travel. State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow (R-O'Neals) say they are conducting business at the event, hosted by the Independent Voter Project. Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon) also confirmed his...
Tom Berryhill, Politician, Champion of Farmers and Organ Donors, Dies at 67
Tom Berryhill, a former Valley representative in the Assembly and state Senate, died Saturday at the age of 67. Berryhill, a champion for agriculture and a fourth-generation farmer himself, had suffered health issues much of his political life. In 2001, Berryhill had a heart transplant and at the time of...
Bipartisan Valley Support for Borgeas’ Effort on COVID Lawsuit Immunity
Central Valley lawmakers are making a bipartisan effort to provide immunity for all California businesses and their employees from COVID-19 lawsuits. Thirteen representatives from the Assembly and state Senate are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to use executive action to provide immunity. "We must protect businesses and their employees, complying with...
City, County Will Get $175 Million in Fed COVID-19 Funds
The city of Fresno and Fresno County will receive a combined $175 million in federal funds to help combat COVID-19 through the CARES Act. The stimulus act set aside $150 billion for cities and counties with populations over 500,000. Also in Politics 101: Fresno City Council approves funding plan with...