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Health care for undocumented children may see funding cuts under President-Elect Donald Trump: According to Capital Public Radio, more than 150,000 undocumented children are enrolled in California’s version of Medicaid called Medi-Cal. That number is projected to increase by the end of the year. According to proposals by Trump, he will give the state’s block grants for their health care programs, which means federal funding would be significantly reduced. The cost for providing coverage to the state’s undocumented children is estimated to be $40 million in the next fiscal year. Following implementation costs are expected to be $132 million annually.
Farmers and rural residents concerned about proposed increase in San Joaquin River flows: Tuesday the first of five public hearings took place in front of the State Water Resources Control Board where those both in favor of and concerned over a controversial plan to increase water flows on the San Joaquin River and its tributaries could voice their opinions. According to Capital Public Radio, the proposed plan is to protect threatened fish, as native fish species have seen declining populations for decades. Some farmers and rural residents are worried an increased flow for fish will mean less water for cities and agriculture. The State Water Resources Control Board will adopt a plan in July.
Opponents of Chico Scrap Metal will submit signatures for city-wide referendum to move facility: NSPR’s Marc Albert reports that newly elected City Councilman Karl Ory says more than 6,000 signatures have been gathered by those who want a controversial scrap yard in Chico moved away from a school and homes. The number is enough to force the contentious issue to a city-wide referendum. Chico Scrap Metal is the last industrial business standing after environmentalists have been working to seek enforcement of a decades-old plan to make the area surrounding the scrap yard more residential. Chico Scrap Metal – which has been at its current site since 1983 – argues moving would be too costly and it shouldn’t be forced out.
Chico could again see passenger planes in the sky? NSPR’s Marc Albert reports that plans are underway for an official study of potential air ticket demand with bids on writing the report happening as soon as next month. Many obstacles remain: more expensive larger jets are replacing small turbo-props in the industry and the existing terminal would need to be remodeled as is too small to handle a profitable amount of passengers or to accommodate TSA-compliant security screening. But problems aren’t being seen as insurmountable. Solutions being discussed include securing federal and state funding and working with major local employers to help cover costs. Friday marks two years since the final SkyWest turbo-prop departed Chico Municipal Airport.