Gavin’s Law was headed for failure in the Democratically-controlled Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. The law, authored by Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), would increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene. Patterson named AB 582 after Gavin Gladding, the Fort Washington Elementary School vice principal who died last...
Will Gavin’s Law, Honoring Killed Educator, Clear First Hurdle?
Hundreds of family and friends of a Clovis Unified educator killed in a hit-and-run accident gathered at a Fresno park on Friday asking Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) one thing: Bring home justice for their beloved Gavin Gladding. “This is a very valid pursuit. We are encouraged. We are poised for...
Hot Dog! Former Intern Franks Buys a Piece of Fresno Grizzlies.
Derek Franks is now part owner of the Fresno Grizzlies. Not bad for a guy who started with the team as an intern in 2004 and dressed as a hot dog. The Pacific Coast League team announced it offered Franks, currently the team president, the opportunity to buy stock in...
Jim Patterson: Newsom Is Right to Order DMV Overhaul
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has been a source of frustration for employees and customers for as long as anyone can remember. I started pushing for major reforms of this department in 2016 when my office was flooded with calls from truck driving students who were waiting 12 weeks to...
GOP Legislators Draft Legislation to Avoid Future Text Taxes
Although a federal ruling recently put the kibosh on a California plan to tax text messages, Republicans in the Assembly want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) announced his intention to prohibit the California Public Utilities Commission from taxing or applying fees to text messages....
California Withdraws 'Text Tax' Proposal After FCC Ruling
SAN FRANCISCO — California regulators have canceled a plan to charge a fee for text messaging on mobile phones. The California Public Utilities Commission reversed course after a Federal Communications Commission ruling last week classified text messaging as an information service and not a telecommunications service. State Has Limited Authority...
Rail Fail? Richards Answers Patterson’s HSR Questions
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) had his chance on Thursday (Nov. 29) to confront high-speed rail leadership over a state audit, which blames high costs and delays on mismanagement of the project. HSR board vice chair Tom Richards, also from Fresno, defended the decision to begin building tracks in the Central...
Patterson: I’m Not Running for Supervisor
Jim Patterson says he is staying put at the state Capitol. On Monday (Nov. 26), GV Wire wrote about the possibility of Patterson running for the soon-to-be-vacant Fresno County supervisor seat, held by state Sen.-elect Andreas Borgeas. Patterson, a Republican Assemblyman from Fresno, quashed all speculation Tuesday. "To clear the rumor...
Will Assemblyman Patterson Jump into Supervisor Race?
Update: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m. Jim Patterson says he is staying put at the state Capitol. On Monday (Nov. 26), GV Wire wrote about the possibility of Patterson running for the soon-to-be-vacant Fresno County supervisor seat, held by state Sen.-elect Andreas Borgeas. Patterson, a Republican Assemblyman from Fresno, quashed all...
Is Janz In or Out of Fresno County Supervisor Race?
In a few weeks, Fresno County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas will take his seat as a state senator, the position he won in the Nov. 6 election. He will also officially vacate his current office, triggering a special election slated for early 2019. One possible candidate is Andrew Janz, fresh off...