Valley Solutions

High-speed rail’s deceit

Merced Sun Star. CA High-Speed Rail plan ‘lacks transparency’ on Central Valley station changes. 
Synopsis: The Legislative Analyst Office looked into the CA High-Speed Rail Authority’s latest plan and found some very troubling issues. After hearing the LAO’s report, one state senator called the plan “deceptive.” The latest business plan left out crucial information – total costs, exact routes and the location of the stations in Merced and Bakersfield. The LAO called the lack of transparency a critical failure. The HSRA’s chief of staff said the change in station locations “technically … is in the discussion stage.” But the LAO’s Helen Kerstein said changing station locations would be against state law passed in 2018.
MAD Take: It is unclear whether or not the HSRA’s report included details on its plan to take property and sales taxes generated within half a mile of its preferred stations – a plan not endorsed or approved by any city or county.

Fox26. CA high-speed rail price tag jumps to $231B, nearly seven times 2008 estimate. 
Synopsis: CA’s long-delayed high-speed rail project is facing renewed scrutiny after revealing the latest price tag -- $231 billion, or nearly 7x the original $33 billion estimate. That figure sparked renewed debate over whether the project can ever be completed. “What’s been promised is almost like a three-card monte,” said Sen. Tony Strickland. He called the project “a major failure.”

SF Chronicle. Add a $1 billion detour for CA high-speed rail to Cesar Chavez’s legacy. 
Synopsis: A detour around the grave of Cesar Chavez will add about $1 billion to the cost of high-speed rail as it exits the Valley and heads into the LA Basin. Chavez is buried in the 187-acre Chavez National Monument in the Tehachapi Mountains. Running alongside the monument grounds is a single-track rail line that carries about 36 freight trains each day. A second parallel track would be the most cost-effective way to cross the range, but the Monument’s leaders say it would be too disruptive for visitors. The only way to avoid such disruption is to add “more track, more tunneling and – on top of everything – a massive dirt berm stretching 1,700 feet to conceal the train.” In 2020 dollars, that would have cost $815 million; in 2026 it is a cool $1 billion. One HSRA board member says routing decisions are “constantly” reviewed, pointing to the decision to take the station out of downtown Merced as an example. Meanwhile, senators from Texas and Louisiana are sponsoring legislation to abolish the monument altogether – which might solve the problem.
MAD Take: Who said the station has been taken out of downtown Merced?

Modesto wants to get bigger

Modesto Bee. Modesto council chooses contested plan for growth; what was said, what’s next?
Synopsis: The city council voted 5-1 to embrace the most aggressive growth plan on the table, foreseeing expansion of the city to the north and across Hwy 99 into Wood Colony. The plan will add 12,240 acres to the city’s sphere of influence, extending the boundary out to Ladd and Patterson roads. Only Chris Ricci demurred in the 5-1 vote. Among those who spoke against “continued sprawl” was former mayor Garrad Marsh, who warned against an 80% increase in housing in the face of an 8% growth in population. Debby Schneider of Salida decried encroachment on her unincorporated community. Salida MAC chair Karen Gorne promised a “tooth and nail” fight. The Modesto police officers and Chamber both supported the vote, as did a few landowners who want to develop their property. But Gordon Heinrich, whose family has been in Wood Colony for generations, was dismayed: “Once the development starts, it won’t end.” 

Gray sees 3 bills through

Turlock Journal. Legislative Roundup: Alvarado-Gil shares personal story in bid to move legislation. 
Synopsis: After a story about Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil’s effort to recognize “Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness,” reporter Joe Cortez wrote about Rep. Adam Gray’s three bills that moved forward in Congress this week -- all with the help of Republican legislators. The first was the Telehealth Network grant reauthorization, which will fund healthcare delivery to rural communities. The Fire Improvement and Reforming Exception Events (FIRE) Act will ensure states are not punished for smoke and emissions over which they have no control, such as wildfire. The HEATS Act (Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources) will streamline geothermal energy development and cut costs.

Bees prefer Kounalakis

McClatchy Media. In election for state treasurer, McClatchy endorses a Sacramento leader. 
Synopsis: The McClatchy Editorial Board (made up mostly of Sacramento Bee columnists), have chosen their favorite for state treasurer. Of the six people running, the Bee says only two are even remotely qualified – Sen. Anna Caballero and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. It’s a close call, but McClatchy prefers Kounalakis. The first woman elected lieutenant governor, a former ambassador to Hungary, UC regent, and principle exec with AKT Development, she has all the experience needed to help safeguard the state’s money. “While the state treasurer’s position is often viewed as wonkish and low-profile, it comes with considerable authority,” wrote The Bee.  

Ceres is $2.4M in the hole

Ceres Courier. City wrestling with another dire budget deficit.
Synopsis: The city of Ceres is facing a $2.4 million budget deficit, according to finance director Vanessa Portillo. Rising pension and personnel costs are the main drivers. If the city uses reserves to plug the hole, it will leave Ceres with only $2 million in the bank – not enough to cover one month of expenditures. The city charter says the city should have reserves of 18%, not 6%. Among the city’s biggest expenses is a fire-service contract with Modesto for $1.5 million – which is 19% more than last year.

Stockton council gets a raise

Stockton Record. Stockton council approves 30% pay raise as police contract stalls.
Synopsis: Stockton city council members voted to give themselves a 33% raise, going from $30,000 a year with no benefits to $40,000. That drew the ire of several people in the chambers who noted that police officers have been without a new contract since July 2025. “When it’s their pay, things move fast,” said the union.

Stocktonia. Stockton city council unanimously approves moving start of regular meetings to afternoon.
Synopsis: On a 7-0 vote, the Stockton City Council approved a plan by Mayor Christina Fugazi to begin meetings at 1 p.m. every other Tuesday. Five people spoke against the plan, saying it would keep people with jobs away from meetings. No one spoke in favor of the change other than councilmembers, who are tired of meetings that last until midnight or beyond. The council also appointed Saiha San to the SJ Regional Transit Board, replacing Gary Giovanetti, who resigned two months ago.

Relief for peach growers

Modesto Bee. CA peach growers secure federal funds to pull trees after Del Monte bankruptcy.
Synopsis: Valley peach farmers will get up to $9 million to help remove peach trees whose fruit no longer has a buyer. Modesto’s Del Monte Foods cannery closed due to bankruptcy, stranding some 50,000 tons of fruit. The CA Canning Peach Association offered a $3 million match for federal funds.
MAD Note: Among those who signed the letter urging the USDA to help the peach growers were Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, and almost every representative from the Valley -- Adam Gray, Josh Harder, Jim Costa, David Valadao, John Garamendi, Vince Fong, Jared Huffman and Doris Matsui.

Worries over data centers

Inside Climate News. CA will soon have more than 300 data centers; where will they get their water?
Synopsis: Dozens of data centers are being considered in places like Imperial Valley. Massive buildings that house $10 billion in computers consume 330 megawatts of power and 750,000 gallons of water a day for cooling. Such numbers frighten locals, who do not believe such centers can be built without impacting municipal water supplies and threatening reliability of electricity supplies. They’re not alone; 54% of all Americans say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about data centers and their impact on water, land and power. For instance, a small 100-watt facility can use 1 million gallons to cool the center on a 100-degree day. That would be enough to supply 10,000 homes. There are 24 additional data centers planned for completion in CA by 2030, adding to the 275 already operating. There are 67 data centers in Santa Clara, 57 in LA and 46 in San Jose. Of those 24 planned centers, 13 will be in Santa Clara County.
MAD Note: Think this problem won’t touch our Valley? Santa Clara, which will have 80 data centers in just three years, is adjacent to Stanislaus. And all those solar panels that have been installed on the western edge of Stanislaus, all of that power is sent west. None of it is coming into the Valley to help create jobs or lower rates.

Pulling plug on solar farms

Mid-Valley Times. Feds pull plug on solar farm funding. 
Synopsis: Columnist John Lindt questions why Donald Trump is so vehemently anti-solar. It doesn’t make sense. “Solar power is the cheapest form of energy in history,” said economist Gernot Wagner from the Columbia Business School. “This stuff is so cheap that Germans are installing it as garden fencing. It keeps the dog in and the car charged.” Trump recently had this to say about solar power: “The days of stupidity are over in the USA.” The writer offers this rejoinder: “If solar is stupidity, farmers may reply, ‘I’m with Stupid.’” Lindt writes about San Luis & Delta -Mendota Water Authority, which plans to install solar panels over some of its canals. A recent court ruling may provide some relief after a federal judge struck down a truckload of Trump administration moves designed to paralyze solar and wind permits.

Thanksgiving in Bangkok

Merced Sun Star. Stone Ridge Christian boys basketball team plans international trip.
Synopsis: The Stone Ridge Christian boys basketball team will be spending Thanksgiving in Bangkok, says coach Tyler Rogers. Several teams from across the nation will be making the trip to play in The American Classic Tournament, including St. Joseph’s of Santa Maria. Players will take part in community service and cultural experiences while in Bangkok.

Rules for roadside memorials

CBS13. Stanislaus County regulations crack down on roadside memorials. 
Synopsis: The Stanislaus Board of Supervisors has set guidelines for how those killed in traffic accidents can be memorialized. Flowers, crosses and plaques will be allowed as long as they do not interfere with traffic safety or create a hazard. But candles, flashing lights, mirrors or sharp objects will not be allowed. Memorials will also be limited in size and will only be allowed to remain in place for 60 days. Public Works Director David Lehman said the county is walking a fine line between allowing families to grieve and keeping the traveling public safe.

Name the bear contest

Merced Golden Wire. Name the bear contest. 
Synopsis: Having gotten a lot of positive attention, the beautiful redwood bear sculpture in Merced’s Courthouse Park needs a name. Until artist Tommy McCarty Jr. went to work with his chainsaws, the bear was, uh, trapped inside the dying redwood tree. Supervisor Josh Pedrozo said the county will accept suggestions for names through May 31. Include your name, phone number and email address. “We’re excited to give residents the opportunity to help name this unique symbol of Merced County,” said Pedrozo.
MAD Take: How about Woody?