At times, Fresno politics can get a little wild and crazy — especially on social media. But Julie Solis, a progressive Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong in the 34th District, jumped the shark at Tuesday's Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting. Clean Energy, and What Did She...
California Bill Would Strip Tax Break for Vacation Homes
SACRAMENTO — California would raise taxes on some homeowners and use the money to pay for homeless services under a bill proposed Thursday. Assemblyman David Chiu, a Democrat from San Francisco, wants to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction on vacation homes. His bill would also lower the amount of mortgage...
Free Rides for 3 Assemblymen, and Wild Cards in House Race
Fresno Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson is unchallenged on the March ballot. So are Republican Assemblyman Frank Bigelow of O'Neals, and Democratic Assemblyman Adam Gray of Merced. But in a Valley congressional race that is expected to be highly competitive, two mavericks — a father and son from outside the region...
Vaccines, Guns, Housing Bills Await California Legislature
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers return to work Monday with one month left to pass bills before adjourning for the year. The Legislature was busy before the July recess, passing a $214.8 billion operating budget and setting up funds to pay future wildfire victims and clean up drinking water. But lawmakers still have lots to do...
Vaccines, Guns, Housing Bills Await California Legislature
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers return to work Monday with one month left to pass bills before adjourning for the year. The Legislature was busy before the July recess, passing a $214.8 billion operating budget and setting up funds to pay future wildfire victims and clean up drinking water. But lawmakers still have lots to do...
Shouts, Tears, Votes Push Police Use-of-Force Standard Through Assembly
For an hour and a half Wednesday morning, California lawmakers lined up to speak for or against (but mostly for) one of the most high-profile bills of the year. One member of the Assembly, a former state cop, choked back tears as he wrestled with the implications of his vote....
Joaquin Arambula Acquitted of Child Abuse Against Daughter
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula was acquitted of child abuse Thursday in connection with a December incident in which prosecutors say he struck his 7-year-old daughter in the face. Arambula faced one misdemeanor count of willful child cruelty. Prosecutors said the wedding ring on Arambula's left hand left a small bruise near the...
Arambula’s Daughter Says She Was ‘Grasped,’ not Slapped
Defendant Joaquin Arambula’s 7-year old daughter spent most of Friday afternoon in Fresno County Superior Court. Holding a green purse with a cat’s face painted on the side and a stuffed toy bunny in a Wonder Woman costume, she took the stand as the prosecution's first witness. Arambula, who represents...
An Assembly Seat Isn't Worth What's Ahead for the Arambulas
Please, can someone close to Joaquin Arambula talk sense to the assemblyman? He's in desperate need of a lucid, heart-to-heart conversation from somebody close, somebody he respects. The High Cost of Winning There are no victories on the course Arambula is taking in his trial on misdemeanor child-abuse charges allegedly...
Arambula: Defense Motion Describes Incident With Daughter, Accuses PD of Bad Faith
Attorneys for Joaquin Arambula, the Fresno assemblyman accused of child cruelty, say Fresno police illegally obtained evidence and want the case thrown out. In a motion filed on the first day of pre-trial hearings Tuesday, Arambula’s legal team says that Fresno police illegally acquired a report from the Child Protective...