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1. Horse packing permits to resume in high country

   By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

   Friday, May 18 2012 07:56 PM

   Horse packing permits in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be issued again soon, a group of California lawmakers announced after the House of Representatives approved a bill addressing the issue Friday afternoon.

   According to a news release from the office of Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, the House approved the bill after improvements were made by Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both Democrats from California.

   The bill directs the Park Service to issue permits for commercial stock operations in the wilderness areas of Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, the release said. The permits are to be issued to local outfitters, packers and guides whose businesses have been impacted by a court-ordered ban.

   Under the Senate's revised legislation, the permits are to be issued at use levels that the Park Service determines are appropriate, a more permissive standard -- meaning more permits could be issued -- than the initial House-passed legislation.

   The bill now goes on to the White House for the president's signature.

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2. State questions millions in local redevelopment loans

   The state Department of Finance is challenging the city of Bakersfield's attempt to continue collecting property tax money to pay off about $13 million in loans made to its now-dissolved redevelopment agency.

3. Rubio spearheads deeper look at high expulsion rates

   Is Kern County, as has widely been reported, really the expulsion capital of California?

4. New controversy strikes Goh campaign

   Since Karen Goh returned to Kern County from a publishing career in New York in 2004, she has helped foster a strong network of Christian leaders in government, politics, media, business and nonprofits. In return, that network has stood behind her as she moved into the political world.

5. Election notebook: GOP committee rejects donating to Valadao

   The Kern County Republican Central Committee on Monday voted down a suggestion to give $10,000 to David Valadao's campaign for a congressional seat.

6. GOP rebukes Black Republicans over endorsement of Democrat

   The Kern County Republican Central Committee has shunned a local black Republican organization over the group's decision to endorse a Democrat in a state Assembly race.

7. County ballot measures aimed at streamlining government

   The winners in the "obscure ballot measure" category on June 5 in Kern County will almost certainly be shared by Measures D, E and F -- a trifecta of proposed changes to county hiring and firing practices.

9. New maps, primary system shape legislative races

   SACRAMENTO -- Independently drawn political boundaries and a new way of electing lawmakers are expected to change the face of the California Legislature and could bring Democrats total control of the state Senate.

10. Measure G lets voters weigh in on messy marijuana fight

    Measure G is not, technically, a ban on medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives in unincorporated Kern County. Practically, it comes very close to being one.

11. Black Republicans group could face sanctions over endorsement

    The Kern County Republican Central Committee is set to decide Monday whether to revoke the charter of a local black Republicans group for endorsing a Democrat for elected office.

12. Election notebook: Valadao named a Republican 'Young Gun'

    The National Republican Congressional Committee has named David Valadao as one of 12 "Young Guns" candidates Thursday, signaling it believes Valadao could win in the November election.

13. Proposition 28 seeks to modify term limits

    SACRAMENTO -- Two decades after approving term limits to force entrenched state lawmakers from office, California voters are being given a chance to change the law with an initiative its supporters say will encourage more consistency and stability.

14. City offers mixed views on gay marriage

    Bakersfield homemaker Marcie Brown feels pulled in two directions in the debate over gay marriage.