Highlights and lowlights from the week’s news
HIT » From the soft opening of the non-congregate housing site to the rulings of Magistrate Judge Kendall Newman, this has been a great week on the homelessness front for all of Chico.
And when was the last time we were able to say that?
A few dozen previously homeless people are off the streets and sleeping behind a locked door in a temperaturecontrolled climate with a roof over their heads, with food, showers, laundry and service providers right there on the grounds. And, according to Friday’s official ruling, the city is free to begin enforcing its anti-camping ordinances again.
At this point, we think it’s a good idea to remind everyone of two things:
— For all the complaints that the settlement was “taking too long” and the city should have “fought harder,” we once again repeat: The alternative was taking it to the Supreme Court, the same court that shot down the latest Martin-Boise appeal less than three years ago. It would have taken years, and probably millions of dollars, with zero guarantee of success. And in the meantime, the city still couldn’t have enforced its ordinances, and the homeless problem would have only gotten worse. Those who still disagree might want to Google “the definition of insanity” and “because a federal judge said so.”
— Finally, there is no magical cure for homelessness. It’s an issue all over the state and country. What we need are positive steps and actual progress with a coordinated, workable plan across all levels for the future. As Senior Judge Morrison England said just about a year ago, “It’s not just Chico.”
This week, we actually have the first signs of progress. While nothing will ever happen quickly enough to please many people in town, we should at least be thankful that we’ve finally reached a turning point, for our housed and unhoused residents alike.
MISS » “Whoops! Missed it by that much.”
Such seems to be the reaction of many state legislators to news that California’s budget surplus has now swelled to a previously unimaginable $68 billion.
The reason? Well, to understand one spin, it’s because so many rich people — you know, the people who supposedly “never pay taxes” — did much better than expected last year. And that’s why the surplus that Gov. Gavin Newsom pegged at $29 billion just three months ago has now more than doubled to $68 billion.
As a result of this torrential downpour of unexpected money, Senate Democrats have proposed sending $200 rebate checks to every taxpayer who made less than $125,000 last year. Newsom has proposed sending checks as large as $800 to people who own cars to help with the rising costs of gas.
Guess what? We do have this weapon called “math.” There are not quite 40 million people in California. With a $68 billion surplus, you could give everyone in the state — taxpayer or not — $1,700 apiece. And still come out ahead. Or, since less than half of the people in our state actually file tax returns, let’s go ahead and call that $3,400 per taxpayer. And the state would still come out ahead.
Of course, that won’t happen, nor should it to such a degree. We would like to see more of this money address things like mental health, public safety and roads.
Just keep in mind these senators aren’t doing anybody any big favors by offering to return $200 of your own money.
HIT » There are times we like to tell people “Take It Easy” and maybe relax and enjoy a nice “Tequila Sunrise” while reminding yourself that so much of this political bickering is nothing but “Wasted Time.”
And with that, yes, we’re going to praise the return of live music to our lives, while mentioning a special event this Sunday at the Paradise Performing Arts Center — a concert featuring an Eagles tribute band called One Of These Nights.
The band is known for replicating the work of the Eagles, from the classic-era three-guitar lineup to those amazing five-part harmonies.
It’s a late-afternoon event this Sunday and tickets are $35, probably a good hundred bucks less than it would cost to see the actual Eagles from a cheap seat these days.
The “Hotel California” opens in Paradise at 4 p.m.
MISS » We’ll be the first to admit PG&E is an awfully easy target. The problem is, they’re the ones who keep making it that way.
The biggest “Are you kidding me?” story of the week was news that PG&E’s profits just tripled from the same time a year ago, a period that naturally included two hefty price increases that the company insisted it needed.
We have absolutely no doubt that the state’s Public Utilities Commission will take a seriously hard look at this and do something to protect the consumers (and all of the victims of the fires started by PG&E) in no time flat.
And if you believe that … well, insert your own punch line here.