FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — More than $91 million was spent by lobbyists, during the second quarter of the California legislative session. That’s up $10 million year-over-year. Heated issues such as universal healthcare, cap-and-trade, and the gas tax increase, drew the bulk of that cash. Single-payer insurance failed, but lawmakers approved a cap-and-trade extension, along with the…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Covered California is expecting rates for 2018 to rise by an average of 12.5 percent. Officials say a portion of that increase is due to a one-time tax, under the Affordable Care Act. Despite uncertainty at the federal level, all 11 health companies in the exchange will continue to participate. Aaron Abeytia…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The controversial Fire Prevention Fee has been repealed by the California Legislature. However, property owners on whom it was imposed, must still pay meet their existing obligations. CalFire says bills issued for the fiscal years during which the fee was in place must be paid in full. Rhose who are delinquent face…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Legal heroin injection centers could become a reality in the Golden State. A measure aimed at reducing heroin-related deaths has cleared the California Assembly, and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.= However, many remain skeptical, including Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, who tells KMJ, “It’s a slow degradation of our society —…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Support for drilling off the California Coast is down to a record low. A new Public Policy Institute of California survey finds it’s fallen to 25 percent, with 69 percent opposed. 81 percent of Democrats oppose offshore drilling, compared to 45 percent of Republicans. Support for wind and wave energy projects, meanwhile,…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Golden State could have nearly 1 million licensed, undocumented motorists, by the end of 2017. As of June, the DMV had issued around 905,000 licenses, under a state law that requires only California residency for eligibility, and disregards citizenship. A recent Stanford University study claims licensing undocumented residents has helped to…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield, Visalia, and Porterville are among the least-educated cities in America, according to a new WalletHub report. Analysts looked at the nation’s top 150 metro areas, and examined 9 key factors, including college degree attainment, and the quality of public schools. Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Washington D.C. score at the…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Given its demographics, it may come as little surprise that the Golden State is among the least supportive of the Trump Administration. However, according to the latest Gallup poll, despite leading the charge against many of the president priorities, California is not the administration’s biggest opponent. Vermont and Massachusetts give the president…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Golden State is on track to receive an additional sum of nearly $154 million from the Volkswagen Group of America. It’s in addition to the $533 million settlement, over VW’s use of illegal emissions defeat devices, on its 2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel engines. Officials say there are still a number…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Fraudsters are using caller ID spoofing, claiming they’re from the Apple store in Fashion Fair Mall. According to the Better Business Bureau, the scammers insist that your iCloud account has been compromised, and demand the serial number of your iPhone. The calls are entirely bogus. If you receive one, don’t provide…… MORE
