Last month, Covered California announced its rates for health insurance in 2017 with some health plans intending to expand into new areas this year. This will provide more competition for state health insurance consumers. The statewide weighted average change will be 13.2 percent, up from 4 percent in 2016 and 4.2 percent in 2015. Inland…

Parental role in developing priorities grows, too Last week, June 5, the Hemet Unified School District held public hearings for its proposed 2018-19 budget, which begins July 1, and its 2018-19 Local Control and Accountability Plan. The proposed budget for next fiscal year is $290.6 million, which is $10.2 million more than the current year….

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened Monday, April 1, after damage during the Feb. 14 rains and storm resulted in a 46-day closure. In addition to a section of the road being washed out over a drainage culvert, a second section of road also was replaced due to subsidence from rain run-off.  Additional repairs included…

Riverside County Executive Officer Jay Orr presented his dismal projections and tough budget recommendations for fiscal year 2016-17, which begins July 1, to the Board of Supervisors last week. Besides stressing the county’s expected costs will be significantly greater than its revenues, Orr urged the board to maintain the county’s reserve levels at a minimum…

On Friday, with numerous wildfires burning thousands of acres in Northern California, Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed “… a state of emergency in California due the wildfires burning throughout the state.” The declaration mobilizes the California National Guard for disaster response and relief efforts. Also, all state agencies will be available, if necessary, to support the…