In the News
With the collapse in global oil prices, members of Congress are once again pushing to raise the federal gasoline tax, with the proceeds going to new roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. While some in Congress might be averse to a tax increase of any kind, they might find it more palatable if it came packaged with a tax cut.
Fortunately, there is a perfect option, a hidden levy that has benefited a small group of farmers and manufacturers in a handful of states: the corn ethanol tax.
WASHINGTON—Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Robert Dold (R-IL) and Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) in commemorating the brutal massacres of Armenians in the Azerbaijani cities of Baku, Sumgait and Kirovabad from 1988-1990 and condemning the ongoing violence and intimidation fostered by the government of President Ilham Aliyev, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). They add their voices to Rep.
Bettina Boxall and David Pierson reported on the front page of Saturday's Los Angeles Times that, "In another blow to California's parched heartland, federal officials said Friday that for the second year in a row most Central Valley farmers are unlikely to receive water from the region's major irrigation project this summer.
"The announcement, while expected, means growers will probably have to idle more land — and produce fewer crops — because there is simply not enough water for all of their fields.
Bettina Boxall and David Pierson reported on the front page of Saturday's Los Angeles Times that, "In another blow to California's parched heartland, federal officials said Friday that for the second year in a row most Central Valley farmers are unlikely to receive water from the region's major irrigation project this summer.
"The announcement, while expected, means growers will probably have to idle more land — and produce fewer crops — because there is simply not enough water for all of their fields.
California water legislation is starting to trickle across Capitol Hill.
One newly introduced bill would speed approval of Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley. Another would help restore San Francisco Bay habitat. More targeted bills are coming.
So are some frustrations.
"I feel like that pop song, ‘Call Me Maybe,'" said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael.
In this region that calls itself "The Cantaloupe Center of the World," vast fields that once annually yielded millions of melons lie fallow. And, for some farmers, planting tomatoes and other traditional row crops may now constitute acts of courage.
America's largest agriculture economy is changing because of a lack of water. Amid a prolonged drought and an anticipated third straight year of cutbacks in federal water supplies, the one assured constant is stress.
California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger speaks at a state Capitol news conference, during which he and other speakers urged action to end a labor dispute at West Coast ports.
Emphasizing the hardship that the slowdown at West Coast ports is having on California agriculture, several members of the state Legislature called on President Obama to intervene in the ongoing labor dispute between dockworkers and shippers that has crippled the movement of goods.
Fresno Democrat Jim Costa last November had his second close race in his past three congressional reelection bids, barely beating underfunded and unheralded Republican Johnny Tacherra.
Still, it appears national Republicans don't think Costa is vulnerable in 2016.
On Wednesday, the National Republican Congressional Committee released a list of 19 Democrats it will target in next year's elections. There are six Californians on the list, but Costa isn't among them.
How did Costa — who beat Tacherra by just 1.4-percentage points — escape the NRCC's 2016 crosshairs?
United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced today that the United States has pursued dispute settlement consultations with the Government of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning China's "Demonstration Bases-Common Service Platform" export subsidy program.
By several accounts, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is considering a U.S. Senate run, taking his time and weighing whether he wants to jump into an election battle that already includes state Attorney General Kamala Harris.
Villaraigosa's deliberations have not gone unnoticed in the central San Joaquin Valley, where Latinos — who are both allies and detractors — are eagerly awaiting a decision in the race to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Local, state and federal leaders gathered Saturday at The Fresno Center to address recent immigration enforcement actions that have caused widespread fear and disruption in Central Valley immigrant communities.
SACRAMENTO, California — California farmers — some of President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters in the deep blue state — are sticking with him, even after he wasted their water.
The head of Customs and Border Patrol told Fresno’s democratic congressman that the immigration enforcement operation it carried out in the Central Valley this week has concluded and was confined to Kern County, the U.S. representative said Saturday during a news conference.
(Inside California Politics) — Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, joined Inside California Politics co-host Frank Buckley to discuss President Biden’s executive actio
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Traveling to Yosemite National Park as a group is now easier for people who live in Fresno, or visit the city.
Four brand new YARTS buses are now available, extending the Highway 41 corridor.
"There was absolutely no way, that we could pass up the opportunity to ensure that our residents here in Fresno, as well as those passing through our airport, and visiting would not have the ability to access the gem that we have in Yosemite," said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.