SAN JOAQUIN AIR BOARD EXPANSION FIGHT INTENSIFIES; FLOOR BATTLE LOOMS

A controversial bill seeking to increase the membership of the San Joaquin Valley air district board cleared a key committee this week, but faces two more fights in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and on the floor. The bill has ignited a conflict between environmental groups -- which blast the district as ineffective and beholden to agribusiness -- and valley officials and agriculture groups that argue the measure will remove crucial local control over regulatory decisions. SB 999 (Sen. Mike Machado,...