A joint production of 90.7 KFSR and The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at Fresno State present a new public affairs program - The Maddy Forum. The weekly program features conversations about the important public policy issues facing the San Joaquin Valley, and interviews with local leaders and elected officials. It airs Saturdays at 1:00 PM and Sundays at 11:00 AM.
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"So you want to be on the school board" The public school system is critical to the economic, social and political health of a community. In most communities, the education policy of your public school is set by an elected School Board. Many parents and concerned citizens get their first experience in elected office by running for the School Board. Before long, they are confronted with a broad range of topics pertaining to school governance and management, policy making, student achievement, and the many challenges that go with school leadership. Recently, Janet Ryan, a member of the Fresno Board of Education sat down with Michelle Asadoorian, Clerk of the Fresno Unified Board. They discussed the job of a school board member, how board members respond to the public, and public oversight — without micromanaging the school superintendent. And who, exactly, oversees the Board?
The Central Valley Business Incubator: The Engine that Pulls the Valley Out of the Economic Ditch?
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but could a recession be the mother of innovation? The current recession has made the challenges faced by the Valley's economy even more dire. Serving entrepreneurs and innovators since 1996, the Central Valley Business Incubator – or CVBI – continues to focus on creating the new businesses. CVBI supports economic development through the creation of small business. Through the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator, for example, it is expanding its focus to the commercialization of Clean and Green Technologies – businesses and innovations that focus on the new technology that will address our current and future the water and energy needs. Recently, Stacy Dabbs, Government Affairs Manager for the Office of Economic and Community Development at Fresno State, sat down with Kirk Nagamine – Chief Executive Officer, Central Valley Business Incubator and discussed a number of issues, including: How innovation and entrepreneurship drive the rebuilding of local economies? What partnerships exist to foster entrepreneurship here in the Valley? And what the future holds for entrepreneurs trying to start businesses here. The Central Valley Business Incubator: Can it be engine that pulls the Valley out of its economic ditch?
Agritourism: Can Valley Farms Operate Like Napa Wineries?
It has been noted that tourism has long been a staple of the California economy, generating nearly $94 billion last year. While the state's wineries have for years enchanted visitors far and wide, an increasing number of families are seeking the scenery, serenity and farm-fresh food found throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Agricultural tourism, or agritourism, has been steadily growing in popularity the last decade as farmers across the globe discover that their business can also operate as a place of entertainment and education. While we’ve all seen the roadside fruit stands and bakeries, petting zoos, U-Pick pumpkin patches, olive oil tastings, and massive corn mazes, the Valley is just beginning to explore its agritourism potential. Recently, Elliot Balch sat down with Layla Forstedt, Interim CEO, Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau and Penny Leff, Agritourism Coordinator, UC Small Farm Program and discussed what local and state agencies are doing to develop agritourism in the region. Can Valley agriculture develop a 'brand"—like Napa wine? If agritourism comes to the Valley, what form will it take? What are some examples of exceptional agritourism operations, either in California, the United States or around the world? What resources do the Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau and UC Small Farm Program provide to help operators start or maintain a tourism operation? What can local, state or federal government do to support agritourism—are public markets and festivals celebrating various crops a way for Valley communities to cash in on California's tourism dollars?
Are We Prepared for the Next Big One? The State of Emergency Preparedness in the Valley
California's natural disasters are like something out of the Bible—floods, fires, earthquakes, infectious diseases and the like. As many Californians would tell you, though, its just the price you have to pay for living in one of the most beautiful states in the nation…The question is—are we prepared for the next "big one?" Of course, natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases and acts of terrorism can all have serious public health implications. The local community response is critical for success when coping with, and recovering from, a disaster. Other major California cites, like Los Angeles, have implemented a Community Emergency Response Teams to assist victims, organize volunteers and assist professional responders following a disaster. What are the major cities in the Valley doing? What is the City of Fresno’s emergency operations plan? What types of emergencies do we, in Valley, need to plan for? What can, and should, we be doing to better prepare ourselves for the next disaster? Recently, Chris Fiorentino sat down with Carla Glazebrook, the Director of the Citizen Corps Program and Gary Eberhard, the Emergency Preparedness Officer and Emergency Services Manager for the City of Fresno and discussed what we are doing, here in the Valley, to prepare for our next major disaster.
A Medical School for the Valley – Curing Our Doctor Shortage by 2015?
It is projected that California faces a major physician shortage—in the range of 17,000 physicians—in the near future. The future is now, however, in the San Joaquin Valley. No matter how you measure it, the Valley is underserved. For example, where the State averages 302 MDs for every 100,000 California's, the number plummets to only 173 MD's for every 100,000 Valley residents. The numbers are similar for primary care physicians—where the average is 126 per 100,000 state residents and only 87 per 100,000 Valley residents…and specialists where the average is 87 per 100,000 state residents and only 43 per 100,000 Valley residents. It is estimated that more than $845 million leaves the Valley each year as residents are forced to go elsewhere for quality healthcare. These facts have united leaders and residents of the eight San Joaquin Valley counties from San Joaquin to Kern to Mariposa in a common cause—establish a medical school at UC Merced by 2015. With strong evidence confirming that new physicians choose to practice where they train, many believe a medical school in the San Joaquin Valley would produce immediate benefits for the region. In February 2008, Congressman Dennis Cardoza and Congressman Jim Costa joined officials from UC Merced and Valley leaders to form the Valley Coalition for UC Merced Medical School, comprised of more than 1,000 healthcare officials, business and community leaders and elected officials, to support the development of—and serve as a strong advocate for—the establishment of a medical school at UC Merced. Recently, Stacie Dabbs, the Government Affairs Manager for the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley sat down with Luisa Medina – Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee for the Valley Coalition for UC Merced Medical School and discussed what's been happening and the prospect of a Valley medical school by 2015. Their conversation in a moment.
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Housing and the Homeless: Creative Local Strategies for Addressing Chronic Homelessness
The economic downturn has made the homelessness problem in the Central Valley go from bad to worse. Not too long ago, an article appeared in the New York Times entitled "Cities Deal With a Surge in Shantytowns." The focus of that article was the shantytowns that have sprung up in Fresno—making the homeless in our region a national, and even international, story. As the Times article pointed out, Fresno like a dozen or so other cities across the nation, is dealing with an unhappy déjà vu: the arrival of modern-day Hoovervilles — illegal encampments of homeless people that are reminiscent, on a far smaller scale, of Depression-era shantytowns. Is homelessness a chronic problem endemic to our region, as the Times article suggests? What is a city’s role in addressing chronic homelessness? And what new, creative ideas are being applied to address this problem in an effective and efficient manner? Recently, Chris Fiorentino sat down with Gregory Barfield, the City of Fresno's Homeless Policy and Prevention Manager and Professor Lloyd Crask, Professor of Construction Management at California State University, Fresno and discussed the creative strategies that are being applied locally to address chronic homelessness in our region.
Preparing for California’s Next Natural Disaster: Is Our Water Supply at Risk?
California has its share of natural disasters. Given our history with earthquakes, floods, forest fires, mudslides and the like, we’d like to think we are ready for the next natural disaster—but are we? What would happen, for example, if an earthquake caused a major levee failure in the Sacramento Delta? The Sacramento Delta supplies about two-thirds of Californians with drinking water and millions of acres of agricultural land with irrigation water. It includes approximately 60 islands, which are protected by over 1,100 miles of levees. The Delta is particularly vulnerable to levee failures due to its location, aging infrastructure and low elevation. Can the levees in the Delta withstand the next big earthquake when—not if—it happens? Recently, Elliot Balch sat down with Jay Alan, Communications Director California Emergency Management Agency ("Cal-E-M-A") and Dr. Jeffrey Mount, Professor of Geology UC Davis and discussed whether California and levees that we rely on so heavily will survive our next big natural disaster.
Dealing with the Aftershocks of the Housing Meltdown
The Central Valley has been "ground zero" for the nation's housing crisis. Foreclosures in our region are among the highest in the nation. Are the alarming foreclosure rates likely to continue or have we seen the worst of it? What's happening to people and neighborhoods impacted by foreclosures? What are the options for those who are facing either foreclosure or are severely underwater in the value of their house? What are some of the traps and scams that people in danger of foreclosure are facing? Recently Rollie Smith, Field Office Director, US Housing & Urban Development sat down with Martha Lucey, President Pacific Region at ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions and Jeff Schrager, President, No Homeowner Left Behind Foundation and discussed what is being done to deal with the aftershocks of the Valley’s housing meltdown.
California Higher Ed Fee Increases: To Cap or Not to Cap?
California's on-going budget crisis is eroding the state's once vaunted higher education system making the goal of a college degree harder to obtain. Last year UC and CSU raised student fees by a whopping 32 percent. It now cost $4,900 per year to attend a CSU and more than $10,000 annually at UC school. The pain of huge fee increases at California colleges has prompted lawmakers to author bills that might cap tuition increases. But do these measures recognize the reality of decreased state funding for universities? Could attempts to limit fee increases on current students make the problem worse for future students—who might then see even higher fee increases to make up for the lost revenue? And what about the impact all of this is having on students striving to earn their college degree? Recently, Chris Fiorentino, Director of the Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning at California State University, Fresno spoke with Karen Zamarripa, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy and State Relations in the CSU Office of the Chancellor and Jessica Sweeten, the immediate past president of the Associated Students on campus and discussed to cap or not to cap -tuition that is - that is the question.
Advancing Higher Education in the Valley
A report by the Higher Education Work Group of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley said it best. A skilled workforce is essential in a knowledge-based economy. In the "old economy," regions prospered by simply having a large number of jobs and workers in low-wage positions. In the knowledge economy, regions prosper if their workers have honed their intellectual skills and are capable of being employed in the knowledge-based, information-intense jobs that are driving the "new economy." A review of existing studies on the status of the San Joaquin Valley workforce indicates there is a significant "education gap" between the San Joaquin Valley and the rest of the state: Our drop out rates are higher; our students are less likely to be prepared for college. And they are less likely to advantage of available resources to attend college. Only 28% of students in the San Joaquin Valley region that qualify for Cal Grants actually submit an application. Not surprisingly, college attendance in the Valley is 50% below that State average. What is being done to address these issues? Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson and Fresno Unified Associate Superintendent for Equity and Access, Jorge Aguilar, recently sat down with Fresno Unified School Board member Janet Ryan and discussed what is being done to prepare the Valley’s students to succeed in the new knowledge-based economy.
The June Ballot Propositions
It feels like déjà vu all over again as voters go back to the polls this June to vote on another five propositions - just the latest in a long list of over 90 other ballot propositions that have confronted California voters in the last eight years. As in the past, this June’s propositions cover important public policy issues. And like many past propositions, they have been placed on the ballot and funded by special interest groups and individuals spending millions of dollars for their passage. Recently, Elliott Balch, Fresno’s Downtown Revitalization Manager sat down with California State University Political Science professor Jeff Cummins and discussed some of the key propositions in this June’s ballot, including Proposition 14 on Open Primaries, Proposition 15 on Public Campaign Financing, Proposition 16: on Electricity Providers.
"Poverty and Hunger: Moving from Politics & Policy to the Kitchen Table"
According to a report by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Health Policy Research, the pains of poverty are sharpening in California with hunger and food insecurity on the rise. In the cruelest of ironies, the study found that some of the worst conditions in the state prevail among the poor and working poor in the Central Valley, one of the nation's centers of agricultural production. The UCLA researchers determined that almost 3 million adults in low-income California households feared not being able to feed themselves or their families. The report notes that if each of the adults suffering from food insecurity had just one child - modest guess - the total number of people affected by this condition in California would be approximately 6 million. Of those deemed food insecure, almost 1 million experienced periods of hunger and the remaining 2 million are at continual risk of being hungry. In our region, a significantly higher population lives below the federally determined poverty level than in either the nation or the State. Researchers from California State University, Fresno have found that almost half of low-income immigrant households with children were food insecure, with a significant negative impact on childhood health. All this in one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. What is being done by local non-profits to address poverty and hunger in the Valley? Recently, Chris Fiorentino and at down with Dana Wilkie, the Executive Director of the Community Food Bank, and Don Romsa, the Director of Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno and an advisor to the Bulldog Pantry here in Fresno to discuss poverty and hunger, moving from politics to policy to the kitchen table.
"Big Challenges Facing the Valley's Small Communities"
With the nation-wide economic recession and the state’s ongoing fiscal crisis, local governments are struggling to do more with less. The impact is particularly great in the Valley’s smaller communities—that face unique challenges as they try to create healthy, sustainable communities when meeting daily demands in services has become increasingly difficult. The Regional Small Communities Network was established to address these issues. Comprised of wide array of elected and government officials, as well as business owners, non-profits and engaged citizens, it attempts to provide a unified voice to maintain and improve quality of life in such communities by educating stakeholders and attracting resources. The Network stemmed from the growing awareness that small cities, unincorporated communities, and service districts in the San Joaquin Valley often face some of the largest barriers to creating sustainable, healthy communities. So what began as a gathering of city leaders from communities in the Westside of Fresno County in the fall of 2009, is now a promising network of regional collaboration that has gained momentum throughout the eight counties in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. The hope is that the Network will create a united voice to pool resources, enhance political clout, and engage regionally in comprehensive planning—all while maintaining community culture and developing appropriate economic development strategies for the Valley’s smaller communities. Recently, Stacie Dabbs, the Government Affairs Coordinator from the University’s Office of Economic and Community Development sat down with Cruz Ramos – City of San Joaquin, Felicity Lyons- Housing and Community Development Specialist from the California Coalition for Rural Housing and Ismael Herrera, Program Manager for the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, to discuss the big challenges facing the Valley’s smaller communities.
"The California Legislative Analyst: Speaking Truth to Power"
The Legislative Analyst's Office has been providing fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature for more than 65 years. It is known for its fiscal and programmatic expertise and nonpartisan analyses of the state budget. The office serves as the "eyes and ears" for the Legislature to ensure that the executive branch is implementing legislative policy in a cost efficient and effective manner. The LAO is overseen by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), a 16-member bipartisan committee. The office currently has a staff of 43 analysts and approximately 13 support staff. The newly appointed head of the LAO, Mac Taylor-a Fresno native, is the guest. Mr. Taylor has an MPA in public affairs from Princeton University and a BA in political science from UC Riverside. He is also a graduate of the Sanger Unified School District. Fresno State Political Science Prof. Jeff Cummins recently sat down with Mr. Taylor and discussed how the budget process has changed in the past few decades and what he thinks of this year's budget situation, as well as the various budget reforms being proposed to address the state's chronic budget problems.
"Energy: Can We Have Both Clean Energy and Energy Independence?"
Republican and Democrats agree on few things—but one issue both parties seem to agree on is energy independence. Of course, one thing that Republicans and Democrats disagree about is how to get there and whether the focus on clean energy will assist or detract from that effort. Some believe the solution to the apparent clean energy-energy independence dichotomy exists in the San Joaquin Valley – where our rich supply of renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and biomass could make our region a leader in energy independence through clean energy research, development and use. Recently, Rollie Smith, with the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development and Chair of the SJ Valley Clean Energy Organization spoke with Paul Johnson, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization and discussed the issues. Can we have both clean energy and energy independence?
"Reducing the Federal Deficit: Do We Have the Political Courage To Do What It Takes?"
In a recent U.S News and World Report article,Alice Rivlin, former founding director of the Congressional Budget Office and the former director of Pres. Clinton’s Office of Management and Budget warned that the rising federal debt is going to be "a real tsunami if we don't get ahead of it." Putting the federal budget back in balance without stalling a still-fragile economy, she notes, is a huge challenge. We can start, Rivlin says, by trimming outmoded federal programs and increasing revenue over the long term by raising the retirement age for Social Security and means-testing Medicare benefits. As she and others have noted, however, we can't get out of this problem without doing both spending cuts, especially slowing the growth of entitlement, and tax increases. In short, reducing the federal debt will require the political courage to cut spending and increase taxes. Recently, Janet Ryan, a member of the Fresno Unified School District Board and a member of the Concord Coalition sat down with Robert Bixby, Executive Director of the Concord Coalition; and Stefan Bryd-Krueger, Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Concord Coalition to discuss the strategies and options to reduce the federal deficit. What are our options—and do we have the political courage to do what it takes to do what it will take to reduce the federal deficit?
"Building Sustainable Communities in Auto-Centric California: A Square Peg in a Round Hole?"
Transportation and housing together accounted for more than 43 percent of the nation's carbon emissions in 2008, and California's Central Valley is filled with unsustainable, auto-centric communities. An effort is underway, however, to start breaking down the barriers between transportation, housing and the environment to take an more coordinated approach to smart growth. Often referred to as the "sustainable communities" effort, it aims to provide federal and state support for localities that want to offer more walkable neighborhoods and cleaner commuting options than the car. What does this mean for the Valley? What are the opportunities? What has the City of Fresno and the Fresno Council of Goverments done locally to promote sustainability? These are the questions for our guests, Keith Bergthold, City of Fresno Assistant Director of Planning and Barbara Steck, Deputy Director of the Fresno County Council of Governments. Leading the discussion is Rollie Smith, Field Office Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"Improving Education in the Valley: Our Unique Challenges"
The challenges for educational leaders in the Valley are staggering. Nearly one-third of students in the San Joaquin Valley attend schools that rank in the bottom 20% of the Academic Performance Index (API). College attendance in the Valley is 50% below that State average. And since we are home to a large migrant workforce, the Valley has a significant population (over 25%) that is classified as English learners. What can be done address the region's educational performance challenges? Recently, community leader Dick Johanson sat down with Dr. Larry Powell, the Fresno County School Superintendant and discussed the social, economic and legal factors that confront Valley educators as they work to make Valley schools better.
"Minding Your Manners: Whatever Happened to Civility in Politics?
Is civility in politics dead? Is civil discourse passe? For many people, it seems like the quality of discourse in America has declined dramatically. Rarely, in political discussions, is there a respectful exchange of ideas. Instead, such interactions are either one-sided or full of ad hominem attacks or self-serving misinformation. Examples of the "incivility movement" abound. The over-the-top rants of Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh on the right or the Rev. Al Sharpton and Keith Olbermann on the left make great media copy —but they do little to advance an intelligent and respectful discussion on the issue. Perhaps uncivil discourse is the price we pay for freedom of speech. Is there any hope of a return to civil discourse? Civility was a hallmark in the career of the late Sen. Ken Maddy, for years a Republican leader from Fresno and the namesake of the Maddy Institute. It has also been the hallmark of our guest, current Assemblymember Juan Arambula, a Democrat from Fresno. Recently, he sat down with community leader Dick Johanson and discussed what has happened to our ability to disagree without being disagreeable—and whether political rudeness has become the "new normal."
By now, the lack of student achievement in the Valley is well known. Fewer than half—only 445—of Valley schools meet federal guidelines under No Child Left Behind Law. Nearly one-third of students in the San Joaquin Valley attend schools that rank in the bottom 20% of the Academic Performance Index (API). Are charter schools the answer? Charter schools are taxpayer-supported, tuition free public schools. Unlike other public schools, however, charter schools are free from some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools. Proponents of charter schools argue that this approach creates schools that are more flexible and accountable in their structure, operations and management that traditional public schools. They also contend that charter schools are more open to curricular and management innovations that ultimately can improve academic performance. Charter schools have grown in popularity—in a 2008 survey of charter schools, 59% of the schools reported that they had a waiting list—but is that popularity warranted and what does it mean for traditional public education? Fresno School Superintendent Michael Hanson and education law expert Susan Hatmaker recently sat down with Janet Ryan, a member of the Fresno Board of Education and discussed the origins of charter schools and what the charter school movement may mean for education in California.
"Alternative K-12 Education: Life Outside the Educational Mainstream"
Alternative education, also known as non-traditional education, includes a number of approaches to teaching and learning other than mainstream or traditional education. Educational alternatives are often rooted in various philosophies that are fundamentally different from those of mainstream or traditional education. They include charter schools, alternative schools, independent schools, and home-based learning. One very successful program has been the Center for Advanced Research and Technology, otherwise known as CART, jointly operated by the Fresno and Clovis School Districts. What explains the recent popularity in such alternative education programs? What is the CART approach? And how is it different from a Charter School? What have been the results? Do students perform better? What about Charter Schools—are they the answer? Recently, community leader Dick Johanson sat down with Susan Fisher, Chief Operating Officer for CART and discussed K-12 alternative education and the CART model–and whether such innovative approaches to education are merely fads or have the staying power—and results—to radically alter the way we education our children in the future.
"Pete Mehas – Reflections of a Lifetime in Education"
Dr. Pete Mehas has had a long and illustrious career in education. From his days as a championship collegiate athlete, to his work as the Superintendent of the Fresno County Office of Education, to the senior positions he has held in State government, Dr. Mehas has a unique vantage point from which to discuss the strengths and weaknesses inherent in our educational system. Is our educational system helping or hurting U.S. competitiveness? Have any of the recent educational reforms really made a difference? What changes to State of California’s education code would he like to see enacted to improve performance at the elementary, middle school and high school level? What about the California’s public university system—is it up to the task? And is improving education simply a matter of more dollars—or more sense? Recently, community leader Dick Johanson sat down with Dr. Mehas and discussed the lessons learned from a lifetime in education. Can California reclaim its place as a world-wide leader in education?
"Valley Blueprint: To Sprawl or Not to Sprawl—That is the Question"
The 8-county San Joaquin Valley is experiencing a population boom. In the next 40 years, we will more than double in population—from 3.3 million to more than 7 million. But where will all these people live, work and play? The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process has been working for the last four years to develop a regional vision of land use and transportation to guide growth in the San Joaquin Valley over the next 50 years. Their goal? To help Valley's citizens, planners and politicians better understand how local decisions on land use and transportation will affect the entire region. We recently sat down with two leaders in the Blueprint effort: John Wright, Former Planning Director of the City of Clovis, and Barbara Steck, the Deputy Director of Fresno County Council of Governments, and discussed the vision for the San Joaquin Valley in the next fifty years. Will we end up looking like LA or San Francisco -- or be something completely different? "The Valley Blueprint: To Sprawl or Not to Sprawl—That is the Question."
"The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley: How Far Have We Come and Where are We Going?"
It's been almost five years since Gov. Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order establishing the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. The Partnership was an unprecedented effort to focus attention on the needs of the San Joaquin Valley by bringing together public and private leaders and resources to address the top challenges faced by the region—from air quality, to economic development to water. Veteran Sacramento observer has Dan Walters compared it to FDR's Tennessee Valley Authority. The goal of the Partnership was, among other things to "…identify projects and programs that will best utilize public dollars and most quickly improve the economic vitality of the Valley… and recommend to the Governor changes that would improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its residents." The result was a Strategic Plan for the Valley—with over 150 specific actions that address the critical challenges facing our region. How successful has the Partnership been in achieving its goals? We'll talk with two leaders in the effort: Partnership Board Member Pete Weber and Mike Dozier, the lead executive for the Partnership.
"Is Downtown Fresno on the Verge of a Renaissance?"
Craig Scharton, the City of Fresno's Director of Downtown and Community Revitalization, is our guest and will discuss why, after years of decidedly mixed results, the city's new comprehensive approach holds real promise for finally revitalizing downtown Fresno. Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler is the host.
"Redrawing California's Political Boundaries: Will the Valley be Represented?"
Every 10 years, after the federal census, every state—including California—must redraw the boundaries of its legislative districts to reflect the new population data. Previously, these boundaries were drawn by lawmakers. In November 2008, however, California voters passed Proposition 11 (the Voters FIRST Act) and transferred that responsibility to a new 14 member Citizens Redistricting Commission. The application process to become a member of the Citizens Redistricting Commission ends on February 12th. We'll talk to Elaine M. Howle, the California State Auditor whose Office responsible for reviewing the applications of those interested in serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission.We'll outline the who, what, when, where and how of serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission. How will the new district boundaries will get approved How will the new districts impact the politics of the Valley? And what implications new legislative boundaries could this have for the Valley’s political clout in Sacramento?
