San Joaquin Valleyfornia

Morning political briefing 7.4.08

Barnett's numbers wrong on marriages, Kern official says – The county's top administrator has debunked Auditor-Controller Ann Barnett's financial reasoning for ending civil marriage ceremonies in Kern County. Barnett has claimed the move will save taxpayers more than $18,000 a year. The savings is more like $171 a year, according to a Thursday memo from County Administrative Officer Ron Errea to the Board of Supervisors. Bakersfield Californian article

Most Assembly members will take next week off; still no budget deal – Assembly Speaker Karen Bass on Thursday sent most of her members home until July 14 – the latest indication a deal on the state budget is not imminent. The 80-member Assembly had tentatively scheduled two floor sessions next week. But because there aren't enough bills ready to be voted on, those sessions were canceled, said Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for Bass, D-Los Angeles. The 17-member Assembly Appropriations Committee is still scheduled to meet in the Capitol on Wednesday to wade through 140 bills. Sacramento Bee article

E.J. Schultz: Bulldogs get Capitol parting gifts – Assembly resolutions: $800. Winning a championship: priceless. Assembly GOP Leader Mike Villines spared no expense as he recognized the championship-winning Fresno State Bulldog baseball team at the Capitol today. Only coach Mike Batesole and pitcher Jason Breckley made the trip for the ceremonies on the Senate and Assembly floors. But, thanks to Villines, a 1990 Fresno State grad, each player on the team will get a framed and personalized resolution honoring the achievement. That's about 40 resolutions at a cost of about $20 each. Fresno Bee political notebook

Dan Walters: Inalienable rights still going strong – Yes, those signing the Declaration of Independence were an imperfect lot. They were all white men of property, many of them slaveholders, and their concept of political liberty pretty much began and ended with those of similar status. But they lit a fire that still burns 232 years later, even if "inalienable rights" is still a concept, rather than reality, in too much of the world. Walters column

California neglected to save for a fiery day – California spent a record $392 million fighting fires across the state in the fiscal year that ended Monday, burning another hole in the state's already strained finances and forcing officials to dip into shrinking cash reserves to pay firefighting bills. The amount is by far the highest in the past decade, and it will likely get worse with wildfires in 27 areas of the state already burning early in the fire season. San Francisco Chronicle article

Morning news briefing 7.4.08

Michael Fitzgerald: Rising tide of litigation for Delta – Good rivers attract people. Bad rivers attract attorneys. That being so, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta is not only the largest freshwater estuary on the Pacific Coast, it is a whitewater boil of litigation.That came home this week. A sportfishing group and a south Valley coalition of water-takers - excuse me, of farmers - both announced they will sue the city of Stockton. Fitzgerald column

Senate committee changes could make high-speed rail less attractive to Valley – A high-speed rail bond remains on track for a November statewide vote, but late changes might not appeal to as many valley voters. A California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee majority on Tuesday rebuffed a Republican charge to remove from the November ballot a $5 billion bond measure providing seed money for 225 mph bullet trains between San Francisco and Anaheim. But members also voted to focus solely on that main line, with no money left for others, such as the Altamont corridor. Modesto Bee article

Kern's property valued at $84.1 billion – Despite a battered housing market, the taxable value of Kern County property is up for the fiscal year beginning July 1, in large part due to new construction of oil and gas wells and production facilities, Assessor-Recorder Jim Fitch said in a news release Thursday. Kern County's taxable property value increased 5.6 percent from last year to $84.1 billion, Fitch reports. Bakersfield Californian article

Kern number one for strokes, but hospital programs responding – The county ranked No. 1 for stroke incidence with 5.2 percent of residents having reported suffering a stroke, according to the 2005 California Health Interview Survey, a report done by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. The state average was 2.3 percent. In May, San Joaquin's stroke center received national certification from The Joint Commission, which is widely considered the gold standard in health care. It is the first certified stroke program in Kern County and the only one in the Central Valley, according to the commission's Web site. Bakersfield Californian article

Saint Agnes infection control plan released – Saint Agnes Medical Center will hire more infection-control staff and aggressively monitor surgeries to convince state health officials that an outbreak of infections among cardiac-surgery patients won't happen again. The plan, released Thursday, is part of the hospital's attempt to get its beleaguered cardiac surgery unit reopened. But it remains unclear when surgeries will resume. Fresno Bee article

Stockton Record: High cost of health – If you want to know a major reason why medical costs are soaring, look no farther than California Street and Harding Way in Stockton. St. Joseph's Medical Center's new, 78-bed Patient Pavilion is going up almost as quickly as its cost. Stockton Record editorial

Jim Boren: Would it save gas to slow down? – Gas is now approaching $5 a gallon, but I have my doubts that people will slow down, especially to a turtle-like 55 mph. They drive 55 in school zones, talking on their cell phones, with a flat tire, and intoxicated. Fifty-five on the freeway? No way. Boren blog – scroll to item

High gas prices create a mass-transit boomlet, maybe a trend – America's days as an automobile nation are far from over. But the specter of high gas prices becoming permanent has forced the nation to reassess its "Yeah, right" attitude toward public transportation and to reconsider how Americans get from point A to point B. Sacramento Bee article

Kern fire grows to 16,000 acres – By Thursday evening, the fire had charred more than 2,500 additional acres, bringing the total to 16,461 acres, according to a fire command spokesman. However, firefighters continued to keep the flames away from homes and ranches in the area. As of Thursday, only six outbuildings and one abandoned cabin had been damaged or destroyed. The fire was 18 percent contained. Bakersfield Californian article

Kern foreclosures surge in first half of year – Kern County has been inundated by property foreclosures during the first six months of 2008, with totals already surpassing last year's record-breaking numbers by more than 1,000, Kern County Recorder's office statistics show. Bakersfield Californian article

$20 million grant to aid 'smart growth' in southeast Fresno – With $20 million of grant money in hand, the developer of Fancher Creek can now move forward with plans for hundreds of apartments atop shops and restaurants in the mixed-use project in southeast Fresno. Ed Kashian said he's only waiting for approval of a development agreement with city officials. Then, he'll start work on the $400 million community that incorporates housing, shopping and businesses. Such "smart-growth" planning is designed to reduce driving and air pollution, and is a more efficient use of land. Fresno Bee article

Lodi redevelopment approved – Despite the mayor's objections and the vow of a small group of citizens to oppose the process, Lodi's City Council voted Wednesday to begin redeveloping the eastern half of the city. Beginning in January, more than 2,000 city acres will be designated a redevelopment area, meaning that the city will keep a larger share of the property tax in that section. In turn, the tax money will be used for various revitalizing projects, such as improved sidewalks, roads and parks. Lodi News-Sentinel article

Samples positive for West Nile in Tulare – The Delta Vector Control District confirmed Thursday that four recent mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The test mark the seventh confirmation of the presence of the virus in Visalia this year, said Yolanda Lourenco, assistant manager of the Delta Vector Control District. Visalia Times-Delta article

No deal yet for Stockton Unified, potential superintendent – Negotiations between Stockton Unified School District and prospective superintendent Tony Amato will remain unresolved through the holiday weekend, but members of the Board of Education privately expressed optimism Thursday night that they may be nearing an agreement. Stockton Record article

Merced labor contractor reopens, then is shut down again – The company that employed the 17-year-old girl who died of a heat stroke has been shut down by the state for a second time after briefly reopening. Merced Farm Labor sent its laborers back to the fields this past week after it proved to Cal-OSHA that it met all heat protection requirements. The agency had shut the company down in mid-June because it wasn't making sure that all employees received heat training. Merced Sun-Star article

Turlock Web site is pushing green solutions – Turlock is going green this week with a new Web site offering ways to conserve water, recycle and cash in on energy rebates. The city's municipal services department came up with 100 ways to "go green" in honor of the 100-year anniversary of Turlock's incorporation as a city in 1908. Modesto Bee article

Charities see drop in giving – Charitable giving declined in the first quarter of this year, according to a bellwether study by a consulting firm for nonprofit agencies. It's the first decline since 2005, when charities collected record donations after the Indian Ocean tsunami and U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes. It came as no surprise; charitable contributions generally track economic conditions. Sacramento Bee article

Stockton airport traffic grows -- Stockton Metropolitan Airport drew the highest number of passengers in June - with more the 4,300 passing through the boarding gate - since leisure-travel specialist Allegiant Air began offering service two years ago. Airport officials reported 3,068 travelers taking the airline's five-day-a-week flights to Las Vegas last month and another 1,260 flying to Phoenix/Mesa. As previously announced, Allegiant has now discontinued the Phoenix service. Stockton Record article

Veterans now have a new place to get help in Modesto – For 10 years, organizations lobbied the federal government to put a Vet Center in Modesto. On Thursday, the Modesto Vet Center finally was christened in an office building at 1219 N. Carpenter Road. Modesto Bee article

Merced nixes bonuses for retirement notice – The Merced County Board of Supervisors finalized a decision this week to scrap a controversial policy that gives bonuses to elected officials who provide at least one-year notice before leaving office. The board voted Tuesday to rescind the bonus, formalizing a tentative decision it made last month. Merced Sun-Star article

Delta, ExpressJet end flying agreement -- ExpressJet will stop flying as a carrier associated with Delta Air Lines as of Sept. 1, the two companies say. ExpressJet currently operates 23 aircraft for Delta on flights that primarily operate out of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Delta says it intends to award a portion of this flying, including all routes currently operated by ExpressJet at its Salt Lake City hub, to another Delta Connection carrier, the name of which was not made public Thursday. Central Valley Business Times article

Valley editorial roundup 7.4.08

Fresno Bee – The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies.

Sacramento Bee – 'We hold these truths to be self-evident …'

Stockton Record – If you want to know a major reason why medical costs are soaring, look no farther than California Street and Harding Way in Stockton.St. Joseph's Medical Center's new, 78-bed Patient Pavilion is going up almost as quickly as its cost; Today we celebrate the declaration that defines our nation.

Visalia Times-Delta – Independence born of words, will and risk.

Celebrate the Fourth of July ...

... by reading San Joaquin Valleyfornia. We'll have the usual morning updates as well as the regular Friday features -- the quotes of the week and our weekly news quiz.  Not sure about the afternoon update, but we'll pick back up with the Saturday and Sunday updates.

Afternoon update 7.3.08

Kern County proposes layoffs, deep service cuts – Kern County's proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year is so lean it hurts. Sixteen county employees — 10 of them full-time workers — would lose their jobs, under the proposal released Thursday afternoon. "There will be impacts to the departments and there will be impacts to the public," said county Budget Director Debbie Stevenson. Bakersfield Californian article

Air officials urge fireworks restraint – Because of the continuing threat of unhealthy air quality related to several California wildfires, Valley Air District officials are strongly encouraging residents to refrain from using fireworks July 4. For current air-quality forecasts, visit www.valleyair.org. Air District news release

Assembly taking a break after all – Assembly Speaker Karen Bass on Thursday sent most of her members home until July 14 - the latest indication a deal on the state budget is not imminent. The 80-member Assembly had tentatively scheduled two floor sessions next week. But because there aren't enough bills ready to be voted on, those sessions were cancelled, said Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for Bass, D-Los Angeles. Sacramento Bee article

ARB's greenhouse gas plan raises questions among enviros, others – The draft blueprint released last week by the state Air Resources Board to curb California's climate-changing pollution is a worthy effort but has a number of weaknesses that could limit the landmark law's ultimate effectiveness, critics note. As lawmakers prepare hearings this summer on the plan required by AB 32, the state's 2006 greenhouse gas emissions law, several issues are gaining attention. One is the lack of attention paid in the document to land-use and zoning, which can play pivotal role in cutting commute times and, thus, reduce carbon emissions from cars' tale pipes. Capitol Weekly article

Public comments sought on high-speed rail – Public comments are being sought for a July 9 meeting in San Francisco at which the California High-Speed Rail Authority will select a preferred route for the bullet train between the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Central Valley Business Times article

Restrictions begin on salmon fishing – Salmon fishing closures on Central Valley rivers took effect today to protect what's left of the fall-run chinook population. No chinook may be kept anywhere on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers or any of their tributaries, including the American and Feather rivers. Sacramento Bee article

E.J. Schultz: Termed-out Maze still raising money – Visalia Republican Assembly Member Bill Maze is termed out at the end of the year. Why, then, did he hold a fundraiser at a Sacramento eatery Wednesday evening? Because he's running for the state Senate in two years, he said. As for what he'll do between now and then, Maze said he's got "three of four different options I'm looking at." He would not elaborate. Fresno Bee political notebook

Modesto gets second human case of West Nile virus – A 78-year-old man is in a Modesto hospital with the second confirmed human case of West Nile virus this year in Stanislaus County. The victim has "neurological symptoms," according to a news release from the county Health Services Agency, which did not say where the man lives. Modesto Bee article

Infected birds raise caution on West Nile in Fresno County – An American robin and a Western scrub-jay have tested positive for West Nile virus in Fresno County, and health officials are reminding people to protect themselves from mosquito bites on this Fourth of July holiday. The birds were the first confirmed to carry the virus that is spread from birds to humans through mosquito bites. Fresno Bee article

Small army mobilizes to feed seniors in San Joaquin County – It had been less than three weeks since the nonprofit Seniors First folded and county government took over providing about 900 meals a day to seniors throughout San Joaquin County. The quick mobilization of resources to provide social services has not been seen on such a scale outside of a catastrophic disaster in recent memory, a county official said. Stockton Record article

Bill McEwen: Fresno tax push may hurt efforts to curb crime -- Now, with another election coming in November, talk of a Fresno public-safety tax is surfacing again. This time, backers of the tax have done polling and are considering a city-only measure. This could be bad for Fresno County, which has frozen positions and cut services to juggle its budget the past two years. McEwen column

Newsom eyes social issues, budget as campaign for governor begins – Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco whose political career has been both meteoric and troubled, has formed a committee to run for governor in 2010. On the eve of his announcement this week he sat down in his office for a wide-ranging interview with Capitol Weekly. He talked about gay marriage, the budget, governing San Francisco and his own political future. Capitol Weekly article

Poizner poised to bring on Mike Murphy for 2010 gubernatorial campaign – Jon Fleischman of the FlashReport checks out rumors that state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has advanced in preparations for a run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010 to the point that he was in dialogue with nationally acclaimed political strategist Mike Murphy. FlashReport

LA toll roads, light rail eyed in Capitol political dispute -- A push by Los Angeles lawmakers to capture hundreds of millions of federal transportation dollars has turned into a regional struggle among Capitol pols that transcends party lines.
Publicly, partisans say there is little or no connection between the extension of LA's light rail extension to the San Gabriel County line, and a push for new toll roads in the San Gabriel Valley. Privately, however, negotiations are afoot linking them together in what partisans say is a classic case of Capitol hardball. Capitol Weekly article

Analyst sees 'ghost town' in Inland Empire -- A financial analyst fresh from a tour of construction sites in the Inland Empire is warning Wall Street of a "ghost town" where finished homes sit vacant and additional homes are still under construction.  "At several properties, there were a significant number of fully built homes sitting vacant along with a large number of additional homes still under construction," Sandler O'Neill & Partners analyst Aaron Deer wrote today after touring developments in Corona and Ontario. "At one master plan community, the entire development appeared to be vacant -- with the exception of crews working on new construction, it was a ghost town." LA Times blog

Dog day morning at Capitol

It's not exactly Disneyland, but Fresno State representatives went on the road to Sacramento today to continue celebrating their national baseball championship.

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines led ceremonies to honor the team in their respective chambers. Assemblymember Juan Arambula joined Villines in congratulating the team during the Assembly ceremony.

Representing Fresno State in Sacramento were Coach Mike Batesole, pitcher Jason Breckley, Athletic Director Thomas Boeh, and Senior Associate Athletic Director Betsy Mosher.

Here is a joint news release issued by Sen. Cogdill and Assemblyman Villines about today's festivities.

Valleyfornia watched the ceremonies on the California Channel and thought we noticed the Fresno Bee's E.J. Schultz close to the action, so we'll be posting a link to his coverage when it's available.

Also, don't forget to vote for Fresno State in the ESPY Award competition. The Bulldogs have been nominated in the Best Upset category. The winner of the competition will be determined by fan voting only.  Fans can log onto http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2008/ to vote for the Fresno State baseball team.

Morning political briefing 7.3.08

School funding bill fails – California schools are still waiting for millions of dollars in aid as Gov. Schwarzenegger and lawmakers tangle over accountability rules for poor-performing districts. The latest twist came Wednesday. The state Senate rejected a bill that would distribute $47 million in federal money to 96 school districts and one county office of education, including 13 districts in the central San Joaquin Valley. Fresno Bee article; Visalia Times-Delta article

Dan Walters: San Francisco mayor launches dicey gubernatorial bid – Glib and movie-star handsome, Newsom brings some rakish glamour to what shapes up as a multicandidate battle royal for the Democratic nomination (he admitted to an alcohol problem and an affair with the wife of a top aide). Meanwhile, his stance on gay marriage endears him to the party's liberal core, even if he's considered a moderate by San Francisco standards and spars constantly with the city's left-wing politicians. Walters column

Fresno Bee: Perata hopes to avoid redistricting again by baffling voters – We need a truth-in-labeling law for politics. That might prevent Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata from lying about Proposition 11, the redistricting reform measure on the November ballot. He's trying to kill the initiative because it would make legislators more accountable to voters. Fresno Bee editorial

Merced County supervisor says he has prostate cancer – Supervisor John Pedrozo has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, he announced Wednesday. Pedrozo, who turns 51 today, learned he had early-stage prostate cancer in June. Pedrozo, who represents District 1, said the cancer hasn't spread and he expects to recover fully. He has no plans to step down or take a leave of absence from his supervisor's seat. Merced Sun-Star article

Fresno deputy mayor's future could involve another run for office – Jeff Eben finished fourth, well behind Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin, who face a runoff in November. But losing hasn't quenched his interest in elective office. In fact, Eben said, he already is considering another run -- he just isn't sure what he may seek. Fresno Bee article

Most dialed in on new cell law – Some local officers are having trouble enforcing the new law prohibiting hand-held cell phone use by drivers. "We didn't write any tickets Tuesday," said Sgt. Jay Struble with the Merced Police Department. "I know one of my guys was trying to find someone to stop, and he couldn't find anybody." Officers in Stanislaus and Merced counties said, overall, drivers are following the rule restricting cell phone use while driving. Modesto Bee article

San Francisco switches gears on migrant criminals – San Francisco will shift course and start turning over juvenile illegal immigrants convicted of felonies to federal authorities for possible deportation, Mayor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday as he took the blame for what he conceded was a costly and misguided effort to shield the youths. San Francisco Chronicle article

Restaurant lobby sticking a fork in menu-label reform – The restaurant industry is walking the halls of the California Legislature offering a "compromise" to a major obesity prevention bill. But this compromise is like banning smoking and exempting cigarettes. Now that New York City, San Francisco and other localities have passed menu-labeling policies for fast-food and other chain restaurants, the restaurant industry has changed its lobbying strategy. Wootan/Stern op-ed

Morning news briefing 7.3.08

Kern fire growth slows -- The Piute fire in the mountains east of Bakersfield has more than quadrupled in size since early Monday, and it's probably going to get bigger before it's contained, officials say. Bakersfield Californian article

Assessment sought for levee repairs – Landowners from Weston Ranch to Lathrop will be asked this month to help pay for $30 million in levee repairs, perhaps avoiding mandatory flood insurance in the process. A proposed assessment would cost most homeowners just shy of $100 a year, said officials with Reclamation District 17, a finger of land consisting of farms and new development on the east side of the San Joaquin River. Stockton Record article

Sacramento won't fine couple who let lawn die – Sacramento city officials on Wednesday admitted their code enforcement policies may not be drought-friendly, and said they won't fine the couple featured in Wednesday's Bee who let their front lawn die to save water. The story prompted a torrent of outrage from the public, who overwhelmingly supported Anne Hartridge and Matt George, the east Sacramento couple cited by city code enforcers after they stopped watering their lawn. Sacramento Bee article

Throttled by gas, economy, vacationers say less is more – Vacationers are putting the brakes on their travel spending this summer, making stays shorter or eating out less to compensate for rising gasoline prices and the nation's economic woes. They're still traveling, and this Fourth of July weekend will be no exception. Motels in Pismo Beach and Morro Bay and lodging and campsites in the region's national parks are expected to be packed. But when it comes to vacations this year, travelers seem to be opting for less, not more. Fresno Bee article

Stanislaus district's missteps aren't rare for schools – The rural La Grange School District is embroiled in controversy over accounting and financial practices, as well as an apparent decision to close its charter school for next year. Such strife underscores the importance of oversight, training and support offered to smaller school districts by county offices of education. Modesto Bee article

Millions in stimulus funds still unclaimed – Tens of thousands of people in our region who could most use a few extra dollars aren't signed up to get their economic stimulus payments, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS says the individuals who are missing out are mostly retirees subsisting on Social Security or disabled veterans, people who do not normally have any reason to file an income tax return. But this year, not filing a return means missing out on the stimulus payment. Most people in this situation are entitled to $300 for an individual or $600 for a couple. Stockton Record article

Diesel production ramps up in California – With inventories running substantially ahead of a week before, California's refiners curtailed gasoline production during the week ended June 27 and increased diesel output, where inventories were lower. The state's refineries made 6,713,000 barrels of clean-burning gasoline meeting the standards of the California Air Resources Board – so-called "CARB" gasoline. The amount was 1 percent less than the week before but 9.4 percent more than a year earlier. Central Valley Business Times article

Tulare hospital project on track -- Recent price increases on raw materials haven't delayed the Tulare District Hospital expansion project yet. The construction of the four-floor tower is on time and within budget, despite a whopping 30 percent price increase on steel and concrete in May. Visalia Times-Delta article

Merced grand jury: County jail too crowded – Merced County won't be expanding its jails anytime soon, though chronic overcrowding and staffing shortages keep them at "crisis levels," according to the civil grand jury. The county should find a way to increase the number of correctional officers at the jails because it creates a dangerous environment with the high number of inmates housed at the two jails, the civil grand jury urged in its yearly jail evaluation. Merced Sun-Star article

Valley editorial roundup 7.3.08

Bakersfield Californian – Bakersfield, Kern justified in raising developer fees to pay for extension of roads and infrastructure.

Fresno Bee – We need a truth-in-labeling law for politics. That might prevent Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata from lying about Proposition 11, the redistricting reform measure on the November ballot. He's trying to kill the initiative because it would make legislators more accountable to voters; Fresno's two-tier park plan has lots of problems.

Merced Sun-Star – Driving danger is in any kind of phone use; best advice is to hang up and drive.

Modesto Bee -- Reports show Stanislaus grand jury going beyond duty's call.

Sacramento Bee – Congress should clear the tracks for Amtrak; This is a year to be careful with fireworks.

Stockton Record – Who's responsible for devastating Quail Lakes fire?; Stockton Unified should officially have a new superintendent by the end of the day. Or maybe not.

Visalia Times-Delta – Take care, or governor will terminate fireworks.

Afternoon update 7.2.08

Jim Boren: Now Perata is lying about redistricting reform – Perata has set up a committee to fight the measure called "Citizens for Accountability -- No on the Power Grab." It's Perata and his special-interest friends, of course, who don't want citizen accountability and the power grab is by the politicians in Sacramento. But he will try to sell this lie to California voters and the special interests say they'll give him all the money he needs to do it. Boren blog – scroll to post

Dan Walters: Census Bureau gets it wrong on California voting – A new Census Bureau report seemingly undercuts the portrait of Californians' disinterest in voting, rating the state only slightly below the national average in voter turnout in the 2006 election and ahead of 22 other states. But the problem with the Census Bureau's report is that it's dead wrong, at least about California, which makes one suspect it's wrong about other states as well. Walters in Capitol Alert

Foreclosure bill sent to governor -- The state Senate has approved legislation giving homeowners facing foreclosure some new rights to deal with lenders. Wednesday's bipartisan 32-8 vote sent the bill (Senate Bill 1137) by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, and he indicated he'll sign it. Capitol Alert

Stanislaus civil grand jury: Needle exchange could curb HIV, Hep C – Stanislaus County should create a needle exchange program to reverse a trend of rising hepatitis C infections, the civil grand jury recommended Monday. The county is on pace to record 620 new hepatitis C cases this year, up from 519 in 2007, according to the grand jury report. The grand jury advised the county that a needle exchange program could decrease the number of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus infections while diminishing the threat to public employees who come in contact with discarded syringes. Modesto Bee article

First case of human West Nile reported in Stanislaus -- Stanislaus County health officials today reported the first case of West Nile illness this year, a 47-year-old woman who came down with mild symptoms. The woman was not hospitalized and is recovering, according to the county Health Services Agency, which did not release her name or city of residence. Modesto Bee article

Report: Fresno County needs more staffing, funds management – Fresno County needs better oversight of purchases made by its 23 departments to ensure taxpayer money is being spent properly, according to a grand jury report made public today. Fresno Bee article

Delta College ranked fifth in nation in associate's degrees – What started as a marketing idea led San Joaquin Delta College to be recognized as the nation's fifth-highest associate's degree producer. The 2007 ranking, released last month by Community College Week, was a significant increase from the previous year, when Delta ranked 58th. A total of 3,783 students received two-year degrees last year; in 2006 that number was 1,457. Lodi News-Sentinel article

Fresno Unified deploys more than 7,000 laptops – As part of its efforts to facilitate the adoption and integration of technology in schools, HP announced on July 1 computing products, education solutions and 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Leadership Award winners at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). Included in that announcement is that Fresno United School District is deploying more than 7,000 HP Mini-Note PCs to its K-12 students. LateUpdate.com

New Lodi Unified superintendent hopes to raise academic standards – Cathy Nichols-Washer is focused and ready to close the gap. Nichols-Washer, who was unanimously voted in as the new superintendent by the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education on Tuesday evening, hopes she can help close the academic achievement gap Lodi Unified is currently battling. Lodi News-Sentinel article

Gang fears rise in Tracy – A shooting of five people in the Southside is the latest of several high-profile instances of gang violence in Tracy, and it has some residents worried about the safety of their neighborhoods. Tracy Press article

Report: Del Ray water district mismanaged funds – A district that provides water, sewer and other services to about 1,200 residents south of Sanger has mismanaged funds and is in "serious financial trouble," according to a Fresno County grand jury report made public today. Fresno Bee article

Ex-Schwarzenegger aide takes reins of Team McCain – Steve Schmidt, who served as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign manager during his 2006 march to reelection, has a new, expanded role in the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain. Capitol Alert

Kathryn Hickman: Fresno supervisors wise to save boot camp -- National attention for the past 15 years has focused on the operation of so-called military-style boot camps that induct and instruct youthful offenders to decrease recidivism and improve social and educational outcomes. While research models tend to focus on recidivism rates, researchers have, in general, not found significant differences in boot camp and traditional rehabilitation models, this is not true in Fresno. Hickman op-ed

Alfred Evans: Supply, demand and the high cost of oil – The Fresno State political science professor emeritus writes that the oil situation calls for a vigorous national response, including expanded conservation, greater efficiency in the use of energy and increased reliance on alternative sources of energy. "But we need to realize that no options available to this country can ensure that the era of cheap oil will return," he writes. Evans op-ed

LA mayor makes big money push -- As Gavin Newsom was announcing the start of a potential bid for governor, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa finished off a fundraising sprint Tuesday night, gathering checks at 12 fundraisers in the past 11 days. Villaraigosa, who is running for re-election next year, has attended as many as four fundraisers in a single day and collected checks from as far away as Florida in the past two weeks, according to invitations filed with the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. Capitol Alert