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Friday, March 29, 2024

City News

Prop 12 would fund housing loans for veterans

Proposition 12, also known as the Veterans' Bond Act of 2008, will appear on the ballot on Nov. 4. Approval of the proposition provides for a bond issue of $900 million to provide loans to California veterans to purchase farms and homes.

Since 1921, the voters have approved a total of about $8.4 billion to finance the veterans' farm and home purchase program, also known as Cal-Vet. As of July 2008, there was about $102 million left to support new loans.

Proposed plan for UCD research site cleanup faces some public concern

The former Laboratory for Energy-Related Health Research at UC Davis has been a site of controversy for several years with regards to the potential contamination left in the soil on site.

Government officials presented a proposed final cleanup plan for the site at a public meeting Thursday.

UCD grad student runs for Congress

If you think midterms are rough, try running for Congress at the same time. Zane Starkewolf, a UCD alumnus and current graduate student in chemistry, is the Republican candidate for Congress in California's 1st Congressional District.

POLICE BRIEFS

MONDAY

 

Gimme the meds!

An individual left a clinic on West Covell Boulevard upset and making threats after he could not get medications from his doctor.

Prop 9 would expand victims’ rights

California law gives victims of crime the right to speak out at sentencing and parole hearings, but supporters of Prop 9 say crime victims' rights cannot stop there.

"Victims should have the right to be involved in all the proceedings," said Patricia Wenskunas, attempted murder victim and founder and CEO of Crime Survivors Inc. "A lot of times right now the families are not even notified. [Prop 9] gives them a right to have their voice heard."

Prop 10 would fund renewable energy research

Among the propositions on the November ballot, the one that deals with the environment and renewable resources is Proposition 10, the alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy initiative.

Prop 10 is a bond measure that would provide $5 billion to fund research into alternative fuel technology. The funds would also go toward helping consumers purchase high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas vehicles.

Majority of Asian Americans against Prop. 8, study finds

A comprehensive survey of Asian American voters in California released last week found that a majority of Asian Americans oppose Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Professors from Rutgers University, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside and USC conducted the study.

SF mayor speaks about Prop 8

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was at UC Davis on Wednesday for meetings with campus Democrats as well as area agriculture leaders.

Propositions could affect county funding levels

At their meeting Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors received a presentation and report on how the statewide measures on the November ballot will affect the county from a fiscal standpoint.

County staff analyzed each measure to determine whether it would have a negative fiscal impact on the county by taking away funding from county programs and services, according to the report.

The county has struggled to preserve services in the face of significant cuts coming from the state.

"Staff recommends supporting only new programs with a dedicated revenue source," said deputy county administrator Dirk Brazil in a memo to the board.

The following is a summary of the staff findings.

Prop 6 would guarantee police funding, increase penalties

Gangs, guns and meth: They're problems inextricably tied to street crime in California.

Backers of Proposition 6, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods Act, say the way to combat these problems is to guarantee a certain level of funding for police and prosecutors. Opponents attack the measure's lack of an identified funding source.

Department of Energy prepares plan for final cleanup at UC Davis facility

Since 1996 UC Davis has been working closely with the Department of Energy to clean up the off-campus Laboratory for Energy Related Health Research Center and rid it of all toxic chemicals.

POLICE BRIEFS

THURSDAY

 

Soccer moms revolt

Two mini-vans were abandoned for several weeks on Hanover Drive.

Prop 5 would change drug offender rules

Blame it on the "war on drugs," blame it on insufficient funding for rehabilitation programs, blame it on whatever you want - most Californians agree that the criminal justice system for drug offenders is broken.

The problem is finding a solution.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Twelve people were arrested Wednesday in a sting operation to put unlicensed and uninsured employers out of business, according to a District Attorney's Office press release. Seven were fined civil assessments totaling $9,500 for not having workers' compensation insurance or for paying their employees under the table.

The operation is aimed at contractors who are not complying with labor and contracting laws. Wednesday's arrests were part of a broader operation that has resulted in 112 people who have been cited, arrested or fined for operating without a license, not providing workers' compensation insurance and paying employees under the table, authorities said.

Faith groups gather to oppose Prop 8

Religious leaders from around Davis came together Thursday at the Davis United Methodist Church to speak in opposition to Prop 8. If approved by voters, Prop 8 would amend the California Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Historically a controversial issue, the bill has elicited both support and opposition from religious and secular groups.