Quick reads — Supreme Court clears new North State congressional maps

The redrawn congressional maps in the North State will remain in place for this year’s midterms.

The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the gerrymandered districts that voters approved last year with Proposition 50.

They’re meant to help Democrats gain more seats in the House of Representatives. Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed the measure in response to redistricting in Texas that favored Republicans.

The California Republican Party tried to block the new voting map by claiming it illegally bolsters Latino voters.

The voting map restructured the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s district and will be in effect for the regular June primary and November general election.

It was redesigned to favor Democrats by getting rid of Redding and including parts of the North Bay.

The upcoming special election to serve out LaMalfa’s term will still use the old lines that spanned from Yuba County north to the Oregon border.

Jae C. Hong

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AP Photo

California hasn’t passed a mileage tax. But lawmakers are studying one, and that’s sparking political pushback.

CapRadio reports that Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley warns similar studies have led to new taxes layered on top of existing fees.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state bill only authorizes a study, not a new tax.

Assembly Democrats Monday rejected an amendment that would have barred adding a mileage charge to the gas tax.

Shasta County has a new judge.

Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Redding attorney Ryan Birss to the Shasta County Superior Court, according to a press release.

Birss has a law degree from UC Law San Francisco, and has operated his own practice since 2018.

He’s taking the spot left open when Judge Monique McKee retired.

A new library service is helping Butte County residents sign-up for emergency alerts.

According to reporting by KRCR, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office is working with all six library branches to register more people following the recent switch to RAVE Mobile Safety’s Smart 911 system.

The office previously used CodeRED, but the service experienced an outage that led the agency to change the way it alerts residents.

Library staff are available to assist county residents with the online registration process, by phone or in person. No appointments are needed.

A Northern California congressman is calling for a federal audit into financial mismanagement across California government programs.

CapRadio reports that Republican Representative Kevin Kiley says he’ll ask the Government Accountability Office to review pandemic-era unemployment fraud, financial aid fraud in the community college system and recent cases tied to homelessness and health care funding.

Kiley says the audit could help guide reforms in California and across the country.

Shasta County Superior Court

California's top judge wants to curb immigration enforcement at county courthouses.

According to reporting by CalMatters, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero worries the arrests by federal agents are impeding peoples’ access to justice and scaring off witnesses. She says the arrests cause a “chilling effect” by “instilling fear” into people who have business at court.

CalMatters reports that Guerrero’s office informally found that the most activity is being reported by the Shasta County Superior Court.

In April, the Judicial Council will consider officially keeping records of immigration arrests statewide. The new rule would aim to increase transparency and help clarify possible impacts on access to the courts.

Guerrero lists remote hearings and more education about the legal authority of local courts as ways to address immigration enforcement at courthouses.