Valley Solutions

An Odd (political) Couple

Fresno Bee. State of the Union guest list included Madera Republican; why did a Democrat invite him?
Synopsis: Madera Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff had a dream of seeing Donald Trump deliver his state-of-the-union message. But tickets are hard to get. Wamhoff, a dedicated Republican, got his wish – thanks to a Democrat. He was the guest of Rep. Adam Gray, a Democrat, who just happened to have a ticket available. “Supervisor Wamhoff and I both answer to the same families across the Valley,” said Gray. “They expect safe communities, economic opportunity and a better quality of life. We need leaders who will work together to deliver it.” On Facebook, Wamhoff wrote: “In a partisan world, it’s an honor that my Democrat Congressman Adam Gray chose me, a Republican, to be his guest tonight.” It might not seem unusual for those who know Gray. He is known for his pragmatism and willingness to extend a hand to those who can help him solve problems.

What to do with Coalinga?

KVPR. Tiny CA farm town will join a House district that touches Silicon Valley. 
Synopsis: Writer Samantha Rangel examines Coalinga, in southwestern Fresno County. Having been assigned to CA Congressional District 13 for the past four years, it now is in District 18, which goes north to Gilroy through Salinas to the southern edge of San Jose. “The district covers a region that stretches over 100 miles …” writes Rangel. Many of those quoted are conservative and bristle at being represented by liberal Zoe Lofgren.
MAD Take: Context is important, and this story needed more of it. While true that the district stretches “over 100 miles,” Coalinga is leaving a district that extended 160 miles. And while it’s true Coalinga lacks a political connection to San Jose, it also lacked a political connection with the Delta community of Lathrop, a commuter community. Remote cities, by necessity, become part of larger districts stretching over vast spaces and often including vastly differing priorities. The best that can be hoped for is not to be ignored. In his latest House appropriations bill, Adam Gray – who represents Coalinga for the time being -- secured $16 million for small communities like Chowchilla, Gustine, Dos Palos, Biola, Mendota, Caruthers and Huron.

Valley Politics: Kiley opts for 6th

Fox40. In surprise twist, Kiley opts to run for Democratic-leaning 6^th district.
Synopsis: Instead of challenging Rep. Tom McClintock as expected, Rep. Kevin Kiley has decided to run in CA’s 6^th Congressional District – which includes “the core” of his old district prior to redistricting under Prop 50. He faces a crowded primary with Dr. Richard Pan, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero and Sacramento DA Thien Ho all running for the seat.

GV Wire. Costa demands that Congress be involved in overseeing war with Iran. 
Synopsis: Editor Bill McEwen reaches out to Valley representatives and others to gather their opinions on the attack on Iran. Rep. Jim Costa noted Iran’s history of supporting terrorism but pointed out the very “real possibility that this conflict could expand into a wider and prolonged war.” Rep. David Valadao cheered Trump’s attack as an effort to “keep us all safe.”

The political cost of gas

Cal Matters. CA GOP lawmakers are incensed over a gas tax study bill; rural groups say they need it. 
Synopsis: Democrats are trying to find alternative ways to pay for roads because the current funding mechanism – sales tax on gas – is diminishing every year. Bottom line: Electric cars, which are heavier than gas-powered vehicles and wear out the roads more quickly, don’t currently contribute to road upkeep. In 10 years, the state will collect at least $31 billion less in gas taxes than today. That shortfall will lead to $230 billion in unmet road needs. It would be better, say many people, to charge a “road-use” tax. This would, of course, be on top of what is already the nation’s highest gas tax (90 cents a gallon). Therein lies the problem. Republicans are attempting to weaponize any discussion of alternative ways to pay for road repairs. Democrats, the newfound affordability champions, are terrified of being accused of levying any new taxes. Madera supervisor Rob Poythress calls it “political drama.” But the revenue cliff is real. So are potholes. The head of the CA Cattlemen’s Assn says the “status quo … is entirely untenable.” Others are asking why the state distributes road funding based on the number of registered vehicles in a county, saying that isn’t fair, either.
MAD Note: The last time gas taxes went up, two leaders from the Valley – one Republican, one Democrat – had the guts to vote in favor of better roads. They were subsequently crucified by foes. One eventually left politics; the other is in Congress. And they’re still friends. 

Transparency must matter

Modesto Bee. Modesto councilmembers up for re-election comment on MID investigations. 
Synopsis: Reporter Trevor Morgan talks to Chris Ricci and others about the turmoil occurring down the street at Modesto Irrigation District. Former city councilmember Janice Keating, now an MID director, has effectively shielded director Larry Byrd from investigation into his use of district water on land he farms outside of district boundaries – essentially, taking water without paying for it. A preliminary review of documents called into question his explanation that he had used groundwater pumps to get an almond crop from 96 acres outside the district. Further investigation was warranted, according to two members of the board, but with two members abstaining all three remaining board members had to agree to move it forward. Keating demurred. “Transparency and impartiality matters in government,” said Ricci, who described the MID meetings as “really corrupt.” Councilmember Eric Alvarez was less forceful, saying “if taxpayer dollars are being wasted, I have a problem with that.” Councilmember Jeremiah Williams declined to answer questions. Nick Bavaro said he hasn’t been following the controversy.

A fast track to nowhere

Merced County Times. Op-Ed: Don’t let Merced get railroaded on the station move. 
Synopsis: Rosie Campagna of Strong Towns Merced questions why the CA High Speed Rail Authority would want to move the promised train station from downtown to a location well south of the city. She details several reasons for sticking to the original plan for a downtown station: A) There’s already a transit hub downtown. B) City “services” such as sewers and public safety won’t have to be built from scratch. C) It won’t encourage sprawl. Most importantly, she asks the Rail Authority to explain how it can save $1 billion on a station expected to cost $50 million.

Bad smell in Los Banos

Merced Sun-Star. Los Banos shelter-in-place lifted after chemical leak.
Synopsis: Emergency crews responded to an ammonia leak at the Kagome food-processing facility on Johnson Road on Monday morning, telling nearby residents to close their doors and windows and remain indoors. Police later said the odor was noticeable but not dangerous. Schools were open as usual, but outdoor activity was limited.

Did study miss something?

Stanford Law School. Paper analyzes water permitting for confined animal facilities in CA. 
Synopsis: The Stanford Natural Resources Law & Policy Program released a paper saying CA has failed to adequately oversee “confined animal facilities” such as dairies. It urges the state to use the Porter Cologne Water Quality Act to force changes at “large commercial dairies.” One of its students looked at 1,280 annual reports submitted to regional water-quality boards and drew the conclusion that dairy farms have failed to “accurately report their waste production and manure disposal practices.”
MAD Take: Interestingly, this report provides exactly one example of a dairy farm which might have underreported manure production. Even more interesting is that its “methodology” cites a 2003 study for estimating manure content and makes absolutely no mention of the impact of methane digesters on dairy farms. A cursory internet search reveals a UC Riverside study showing manure volume is reduced by 80% when passed through a digester. Other searches would reveal that a third of all CA dairy farms have installed these digesters – the first in 2008, five years after the study used to calculate manure production. Seems maybe cows aren’t the only things producing manure.

98 will lose jobs

KCRA. 98 workers in Stanislaus County to face layoffs as beleaguered First Brands Group closes facility. 
Synopsis: The feds say brothers Patrick and Edward James ran a Ponzi scheme, pocketing millions and eventually bankrupting the auto-parts distribution firm they created. Now, its facilities are closing – including the one in Patterson. Last week, First Brands issued a WARN filing saying it would lay off all 98 of its workers by April 30. Investigators say they inflated invoices, double-pledged collateral and falsified financial statements.

Eight people you should know

Merced County Times. Eight African Americans who change CA history. 
Synopsis: Dr. Susan Walsh, a former archivist and historian at Merced College, writes about people important to California. Among them was Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth, founder of the Valley community that still bears his name. Others were less well known but no less important, from teacher Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood to real estate magnate Mary Ellen Pleasant to Frederick Madison Roberts, the great-grandson of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson and a publisher in LA who later served 16 years in the CA Assembly.

Downtown Mo gets new abodes

Modesto Bee. Four stories of low-cost apartments begin rising near depot where Modesto was born.
Synopsis: Modesto celebrated the ground-breaking for 79 low-income apartments considered “crucial to its downtown revival.” The apartments will be a block from the new Modesto Transit Center, scheduled to offer train service to the Bay Area by 2027. Rent will range from $512 to $1,895 depending on income and apartment size. The apartments will be near the site of Modesto’s original train station.

Turlock Lake to reopen?

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus County considers agreement to reopen Turlock Lake recreation in 2027. 
Synopsis: Stanislaus County and Turlock Irrigation District are nearing agreement to reopen Turlock Lake in the summer for 2027. The lake, with its 26 miles of shoreline, has been closed since 2020 when the lake’s concessionaire pulled out. Prior to closure, it was a summertime favorite for swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking. If it reopens, similar activities will be available, but with some restrictions – such as a speed limit of 10 mph for boats. The county would install a $7.5 million floating aqua-park with slides and beach play.

It’s championship season

Modesto Bee. Modesto Christian beats Sheldon to claim fourth D-1 title in five years.
Synopsis: Folsom transfer Siincere Hudson led the Modesto Christian Crusaders to a come-from-behind 55-42 win over Sheldon in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 title game.

Merced Sun-Star. Los Banos wrestler falls short in state title match.
Synopsis: Los Banos High’s Angelina Borelli’s dream of winning a CIF state title came up one win short Saturday night as she lost in the State Championship match to Me’Kala James of Central East Fresno. Borelli was the top seed entering the tourney and ranked No. 3 in the nation at 125 pounds.