The Legislature’s Democratic supermajority put on something of a show Monday as they pretended to pass a new state budget. There were floor speeches, formal roll call votes and a deluge of self-congratulatory statements after the day’s activities. 'Fake Budget' Still Needs to Settle 10% of Disagreements “The budget we’re...
Immigrant Health Care is on California Senate’s Wish List
SACRAMENTO — Democrats in the California Senate said Wednesday they want to spend the state's projected multibillion-dollar budget surplus on things such as making college debt-free for students, paying for the health care of some older, low-income adults living in the country illegally and partnering with first-time homebuyers in the...
Staffer Caught Up in Merced Legislator’s Political Rift. It Involves Valley Water, Too
Adam Gray, like his 79 other colleagues in the California Assembly, is supposed to be in Sacramento this week conducting the people's business. Because of COVID-19, the Legislature's return has been delayed until Jan. 11. When Gray does resume work in the state's capital, he might be happy to see...
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...
Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB145 Isn’t a ‘Pedophile Bill.’ Here Are the Facts.
THE CLAIM: California just passed Senate Bill 145, a bill that would end felonies for child rape and legalize pedophilia in the state. THE FACTS: SB 145, which has passed the California Legislature and awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature, would not legalize pedophilia. The bill is intended to reform the state’s sex...
California Courts Opt to Resume Evictions in September
California will resume eviction and foreclosure proceedings on Sept. 2, stoking fears of a wave of evictions during the coronavirus pandemic unless the governor and state Legislature can agree on a proposal to extend protections into 2021. The Judicial Council of California voted 19-1 on Thursday to end the temporary...
Reducing Energy Mandates Could Help Fresno Save Big in Economic Downturn
Like the rest of the state, the Central Valley is experiencing a severe economic downturn. According to the latest figures, the Valley’s unemployment rate has risen to 17.8% – nearly two full points higher than the statewide average. Too many people living in working-class communities across the region were already...
Governor Exploring Stimulus for Immigrants in Country Illegally
An economic stimulus package for immigrants in the country illegally is under consideration as California deals with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday. Newsom said the idea it is part of a broader package he plans to unveil in May that will include “some...
The New Thing for California Politicians? Sweet Charity
The California Legislature’s Latino Caucus recently circulated a memo offering a potential perk for members: A trip to Cuba to learn about “culture, history and possibly government structure and policy making.” The caucus’ nonprofit foundation, the memo said, would help pick up the tab. A visit to Israel for the...
Opinion: California Must End the Plague of Human Trafficking. This Proposal Can Help.
Ending the plague of human trafficking is one of my top legislative priorities. Sadly, California is prime hunting ground for pimps and gangs to exploit human trafficking. There are a number of reasons for this including: The state’s growing under-18 population. The state’s network of highways providing quick access to...