Valley Public Radio News

California Republicans Urge Federal Immigration Reform

Katie Orr — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:15:22 +0000

The Republican Party isn’t typically seen as leading the charge on federal immigration reform. But in California some Republicans have become outspoken supporters of Congressional action. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

Republican State Senator Anthony Cannella is one of two lawmakers who travelled to Washington DC this week to press for immigration reform.

California Budget Could Loosen State's Public Records Act

Julie Small - KPCC — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:50:37 +0000

Local government agencies will no longer be required to follow key provisions of California’s Public Records Act in a bill that’s part of the budget state lawmakers approved over the weekend. As KPCC’s Julie Small reports, Governor Jerry Brown is expected to enact the change—which is less drastic than one he proposed.

Searching For the 'Perfect Peach' with the Masumoto Family

Joe Moore — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:10:32 +0000

Without a doubt one of the best parts of summer in the San Joaquin Valley has to be fresh stonefruit from valley orchards. Ripe, juicy and delicious, the valley’s peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines are the envy of the rest of the country.

Budget Agreement Diverts Money From Cap and Trade

Amy Quinton — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:34:32 +0000

California’s budget agreement borrows 500-million dollars from the state’s cap-and-trade program. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, environmentalists say the maneuver neglects polluted communities.

Environmentalists say money from the sale of carbon pollution permits is supposed to go to programs that help further reduce emissions. California Governor Jerry Brown and lawmakers say it will, just not this year.

New Budget Fills In Dental Coverage Gaps for Poor Californians

Pauline Bartolone — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:00:05 +0000

California lawmakers and Governor Jerry Brown reached a budget agreement this week. The Governor had previously said he had no intention of bringing back services slashed in years past, but a small number of areas won restored funding for next year - dental care was one of them. Health care reporter Pauline Bartolone has more from Sacramento about what that led up to the decision to renew services.

For four years, Karen Wadsack has been struggling to get the dental care she says she needs.

New Law Would Limit California Public Records Act

Katie Orr — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:50:00 +0000

A new California law could make it more difficult to get public records from local governments. A “trailer bill” attached to this year’s state budget would make compliance with certain parts of the California Public Records Act optional.

Phillip Ung with the open government advocacy group Common Cause says Senate Bill 71 would enact drastic changes to the Act.

“SB 71 essentially makes participation in the California Public Records Act voluntary, based on what it is the city wants to do,” says Ung.

Parties Clash Over Budget Transparency

Katie Orr — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:07:44 +0000

Lawmakers will begin voting on the California budget on Friday. But Republicans say they’ll also have to vote on several bills they know little about. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

The budget is the big picture bill. It dictates where the state’s money will go. Trailer bills are attached to the budget and spell out how the money will be allocated.

Typically trailer bills are published a few days before the budget vote. This year the earliest of at least 15 came out Wednesday morning.

California Insurance Commissioner Wants Anthem Out of Group Health Exchange

Pauline Bartolone — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:33:58 +0000

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says Anthem Blue Cross should be left out of the new health insurance marketplace for small businesses next year.

Jones says Anthem’s planned premium rate increase for small employers next month is excessive.

He says the Affordable Care Act requires him to evaluate whether insurers are suitable to participate in the new marketplace.

Fresno Fire Chief Rob Brown Placed On Leave Following Domestic Violence Arrest

Joe Moore — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:10:40 +0000

Fresno Fire Department Chief Rob Brown was placed on administrative leave today by City Manager Mark Scott. The move comes hours after Brown was arrested by Fresno County sheriff's deputies after an alleged domestic violence incident at his Fresno home late Wednesday night.

According to the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, Brown was arrested on charges of felony domestic violence and criminal threats. Jail logs indicate that Brown was released from the Fresno County Jail on bond early Thursday morning.

Study: Development of Alternative Fuels Surpassing Expectations

Joe Moore — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:22:56 +0000

California’s low carbon fuel standard may be driving the development of alternative fuels more quickly than expected. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, a new report shows significant progress in fuels that can replace or blend with gasoline and diesel.

The report is produced by a coalition of utilities and alternative fuel makers. It looks at different ways companies can comply with the regulation that requires a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020.