CalWatchdog Morning Read — April 7, 2016

Good morning!

We just got back from Klamath, where Gov. Jerry Brown signed an agreement to remove four dams along the Klamath River.

Brown said the removal was about “correcting mistakes,” a nod to the indigenous people who inhabit the area and have for years suffered from the ill effects the dams cause on the river and its fish. How much does a correction cost? California could contribute anything from zero dollars to as much as $250 million.

And while Wednesday’s event was a joyous occasion for all who attended, some locals are not pleased with the deal.

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news:

  • A Democratic assemblywoman has introduced a bill that would establish “supervised consumption sites,” where drug users could go get high under the care and supervision of local health officials, according to the Orange County Register. There will likely be some opposition to this bill.
  • Speaking of drugs, the Public Policy Institute of California is urging state lawmakers to develop a single, highly regulated marijuana market for both medicinal and recreational pot (assuming recreational use becomes legal). Capitol Weekly has more.
  • A new poll shows business tycoon Donald Trump (still) leading the Republican presidential field in California, reports The Sacramento Bee.
  • The Clovis Unified School District voted to drop its gender-specific dress code after months of debate and pressure from groups like the ACLU, which means boys are now allowed to have long hair and wear earrings, reports The Fresno Bee.

CLARIFICATION: In yesterday’s Morning Read, we said Democrat Joaquin Arambula likely avoided a November run-off for a Fresno Assembly seat after his victory in Tuesday’s special election. While it’s true he avoided a run-off, Arambula will still have to compete in the June primary and possibly in the November general, as he’s filling out the term of the assemblyman he replaced.

Assembly:

Session begins at 9 a.m. A committee will discuss improving female participation in STEM.

Senate:

Session begins at 9 a.m. There’s a full slate of hearings.

Gov. Brown: 

Will speak at the 26th Annual Crime Victims’ Rights event in Sacramento.

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

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Tags assigned to this article:
Morning ReadKlamathClovisJerry BrownSTEM

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