News Archive (6192)
By Alex Lane -
And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 6, which would require at least 965 million to be spent annually on police and local law enforcement. According to Supporters, “Proposition 6 is a comprehensive anti-gang and crime reduction measure that will bring more cops and increased safety to our streets, and greater efficiency and accountability to public safety programs.” Supporters say Proposition 6 “returns taxpayer’s money to local law enforcement without raising taxes.” The proposition includes a number of plans to address crime, including prohibiting bail to illegal immigrants charged with violent or gang related crimes, imposing a 10-year penalty increase on gang offenders, providing GPS equipment for monitoring gang and sex offenders, and increasing penalties for multiples acts of graffiti. But opponents say Prop 6 “writes into law new crimes, increases penalties for old crimes, and mandates more spending…but it provides not a single penny of new funding to pay for it.” Opponents say Prop 6 “wastes money on ineffective programs without accountability” and “disrupts existing crime prevention efforts.” As a result, opponents believe this means “less money for schools, health care, parks, roads or any of the state’s other important priorities.” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.
By Alex Lane -
And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 4, which would change the constitution to require doctors to notify a parent or guardian 48 hours before performing an abortion for a girl under the age of 18. Supporters say this law would “reduce teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases without danger or harm to minors.” Supporters criticize organizations that perform abortions, like Planned Parenthood, of “secrecy” that “enables abuse to continue.” But opponents say “mandatory notification laws may sound good, but…a scared, pregnant teen who can’t go to her parents may…turn to illegal, back alley abortions” and “not all teens live in homes where communication is possible.” Opponents believe “no law can mandate family communication” and that the “state should not be forcing that conversation.” California voters defeated similar propositions in 2005 and 2006. Also known as “Sarah’s Law”, the contentious issue has been frequently debated amongst special interest groups, much like the subject of abortion itself. On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.
State - Record hot temperatures will continue in the forecast for two more days. Some areas in the southern Central Valley could hit 100. The heat wave is from a high pressure system lodged over the West. Highs have been above average since last Thursday and won't get back to near normal readings until Friday. Two records were broken Sunday. Modesto hit 93 degrees and Stockton hit 92. Sacramento Executive Airport recorded 89 degrees which tied the record for that day. Experts say to expect more record highs to be broken Monday throughout the valley. Expect highs to hit the low 90s which is close to many records. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County - Senator Dave Cox, whose district covers the Northeastern part of the state, issued the following statement after Sierra Pacific Industries announced the closures of sawmills in Camino, Sonora and Quincy: “The closure of these sawmills is devastating to the workers and the families who depend on these jobs,” said Cox. “It is especially disheartening to know that these closures account for almost half of the jobs in each of the local communities.” Cox added, “In the rural County of Plumas, the unemployment rate is already at 18.9 percent – fourth highest in the state. With California’s economic crisis, this announcement could not come at a worse time for workers of these sawmills.” In last month’s budget negotiations, Cox met with the Governor and legislative leaders several times. Cox argued that the state needed to begin to end the stranglehold placed on job providers in order to create job opportunities. Specifically, Cox asked that the state revise its timber harvest laws with a Timber Harvest Plan/Forest Conservation Plan to allow professional foresters to manage California’s forests and allow for proper thinning. “With California facing the highest unemployment rate in over a decade, my goal in budget negotiations was to create a more job-friendly environment so people can go back to work. I was told that my recommendations were too extreme,” he said. Sierra Pacific Industries also announced the closure of a sawmill in Tuolumne County affecting 146 workers and their families. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State - U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell announced yesterday the Agency’s plan to participate in the nation’s economic recovery program. The Forest Service has received $1.15 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The first group of Forest Service projects nationwide created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, totaling $98 million, have been selected. These initial projects will create 1,500 jobs, giving the Agency the early opportunity to put people to work. The remaining projects, totaling $1.052 billion, will be announced shortly and will create an additional 23,500 jobs nationwide.
First round projects on lands managed by the Forest Service in California will include maintenance and construction on facilities, roads and trails totaling 70 jobs and $7.75 million. The jobs are estimated to last from four months up to a year. These projects will benefit 11 counties. The Eldorado National Forest will receive funding to replace roofs at five locations: the Forest Service auto shop and fire cache near Camino; an historic cabin at Alder Ridge Lookout; the historic Bunker Hill Lookout; and a Forest Service building at Echo Summit. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to provide private sector jobs,” said Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo. “This is the first round of funding and we look forward to receiving additional funds to put more people to work. The roofing project will be a good start.” Under the language of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Forest Service will create as many jobs as possible to support nearby communities and to get money flowing through the economy again. All funds will be spent on specific targeted projects that are, or soon will be, ready to go. “The Forest Service anticipates playing a key role in our nation’s economic recovery,” said Chief Kimbell. “We are grateful for the confidence Congress has shown us and look forward to demonstrating how the Forest Service can create good jobs during difficult times,” Kimbell added.
Many of the most affected communities of the economic downturn are located near national forests. Rural jobs will be created in areas needing restoration work with shovel ready projects related to fire prevention, roads, bridges, buildings and recreation facilities. More detailed information about new Forest Service projects and jobs in California will be forthcoming. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Alex Lane -
And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 5, or the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, which would expand rehabilitation services for drug offenders in prison, on parole, and in the community. It is estimated that this expansion would require California to spend an extra $1 Billion. Supporters of the Proposition believe the long-term investment in rehabilitation is more beneficial than the $10 Billion California currently spends on prisons every year. “Our State prisons are badly overcrowded,” supporters say, and they add: “Prop 5 offers greater accountability and better treatment for nonviolent offenders.” Supporters believe that “treating violent and nonviolent offenders differently is the smart fix for overcrowded prisons.” Supporters include Dr. Judith Martin from the California Society of Addiciton Medicine and Daniel Macallier, Executive Director for the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. Prop 5 proposes a three step process that would transfer responsibility for drug treatment amongst non-violent offenders from the prisons to drug counselors and the nonviolent offenders themselves. But according to local opponent and Amador County District Attorney Todd Reibe, “You can’t leave it to people who are in the throes of addiction to determine when their ready to get serious treatment.” Opponents say the Prop will “establish two new bureaucracies with virtually no accountability…that will cost hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.” Opponents say “the real beneficiaries of Prop 5 are the violent criminals who can escape persecution for their violent acts by claiming they weren’t responsible- or, ‘the meth made me do it.’” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.
Amador County – Dave White, Chief of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, announced yesterday the availability of $20.9 million in funding to help California counties improve ambient air quality standards. White made the announcement during his first visit to California to chair the national Agricultural Air Quality Task Force meeting in Fresno. Amador County is one of those 36 counties that regularly fail to meet standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The funds are available to qualifying farmers and ranchers interested in “reducing air quality emissions from off-road mobile or stationary agricultural sources.” The funds will share the costs of practices that have been shown to reduce ozone precursors and particulate matter. “These funds should help California producers comply with local and state regulations,” said White, adding: “We believe agriculture can be on the leading edge of setting a cleaner, greener example for protecting the air we all breathe. We're doing what we can to help in that pursuit -- technically and financially.” Funded practices include the NRCS' combustions system air emissions management practice to improve high polluting, fully functional engines with newer, reduced-emission technologies that meet or exceed current emission standards. The first allocation of $10.9 million was announced last week, and an additional $5 million was allocated upon White’s visit. According to Ed Burton, California State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, “producers in all California counties will continue to be encouraged to do air quality conservation, working through the Agency's technical assistance and regular (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) allocation.” NRCS and agricultural producers in California have spent over $73 million on air quality projects funded through EQIP since 1998. Interested farmers and ranchers are invited to apply between April 30 and June 26, 2009, for funds made available under a new air quality provision of the 2008 federal Farm Bill. Interested applicants in eligible counties should contact their local NRCS service center. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – The Governor announced the obligating of $1 billion dollars in highway funding, including 2 projects rehabilitating Highway 88 in Amador County. Camille Anderson of the governor’s office said Monday that the California Recovery Task Force released a list of 80 projects “2 months ahead of deadline.” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s list included “transportation infrastructure projects statewide.” Anderson in the release said “under the Recovery Act, states were given 120 days to obligate the first half of their transportation infrastructure funding, and California has obligated this funding in less than 60 days.” The governor said planning helped place “funding into the economy as quickly and effectively as possible.” Last week, California’s first Recovery Act project broke ground, a $13.3 million Interstate 80 pavement rehabilitation project, that would create 200 jobs. Anderson said: “With today’s announcement, 80 transportation projects are now in the pipeline to begin construction.” California will receive a total of nearly $2.6 billion dollars from the Recovery Act for highways and local streets and $1 billion dollars for transit projects. Discretionary programs could add another $300 million dollars. California expects to be “very competitive in securing a major share” of $8 billion dollars set aside nationally for high-speed and intercity passenger rail. Amador County’s two projects include work on Highway 88. One will fund maintenance chip seal coating on 88 at Plasse, from 2 miles west of Tragedy Springs Road to 3/10ths miles east of Kit Carson Lodge, costing $407,169 dollars. Also on Highway 88, the Recovery Act package will fund $1.1 Million dollars for rubberized asphalt overlay maintenance on 88, near Barton, from 1/10th mile west of Wagon Wheel Drive to 1/10th mile west of Silver Lake. Local projects included Alpine County, which received $27.3 million dollars to “improve water quality” on Higway 89 near Meyers, from the Alpine County Line to Route 50. Tuolumne County got $1.5 million dollars for overlay maintenance near Sonora on Highway 49, from south of Pesce Way to the Calaveras County line. El Dorado County received $9.3 Million dollars to widen shoulders on Highway 49, near El Dorado, from Ore Court Road to China Hill Road. The largest projects included $192 Million dollars toward a 2-lane tunnel project on Highway 24 in Alameda County. And Los Angeles received $190 Million dollars toward adding a lane on Interstate 405. The city of Fairfield in Solano County received $27.7 Million dollars to rehabilitate a portion of Highway 80. For information, see www.recovery.ca.gov, or call (916) 322-4688. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State - On May 19th, Amador County voters will have the opportunity to vote on six budget-related propositions in a statewide special election. In a special series here on TSPN, we’ll bring you information on each ballot measure, what it means for California, and more specifically, how it affects Amador County. Today we discuss Proposition 1C, also known as the Lottery Modernization Act. It would authorize borrowing against future lottery proceeds as a way to avoid state government spending cuts. There is no cap on the amount of future lottery revenue that could be used, and the 2009-10 budget plan includes $5 billion from this source. The measure would authorize similar borrowing in future years. The proposal would repeal current requirements that lottery revenues be used only for education, although the measure would require the legislature to appropriate general fund revenues to education in an amount equivalent to the lottery revenues that previously went to schools. Prop 1C was authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans and legislatively-referred to the ballot through Assembly Bill 12. Supporters of the measure include the California Democratic Party and Budget Reform Now, a coalition of groups assembled by the governor to support the overall budget agreement. “Modernizing the lottery…can generate $5 billion in revenues without a tax increase,” said Roger Salazar, a spokesman for the Yes on 1C campaign. Opponents include the California Nurses Association and the Peace and Freedom Party. They are most concerned with how the lottery profits - the percentage of revenues the state keeps - would be allocated. On May 19th, you’ll have the opportunity to vote on this and other contentious issues. Stay tuned for more information on the propositions in upcoming newscasts. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – A new workshop is designed to educate private landowners as to the best method to maintain and manage thousands of miles of forest roads. Titled “Designing, Improving, and Maintaining Forest & Ranch Roads,” the seminar will cover the thousands of miles of roadways that crisscross the forests and ranches of rural California. The event is organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Resource Conservation District. “This one-day workshop emphasizes field evaluation of road system conditions. Rural landowners are in need of good practical information to help them manage their road systems,” said Scott Oneto, UC Cooperative extension farm advisor. The workshop is instructed by Richard Harris, a forestry specialist with the University of California; John Schlosser, Engineering Geologist with the California Geological Survey; and Peter Cafferata, hydrologist with CALFIRE. Topics include landowner rights in relation to property access, environmental impacts from rural roads, rural road design standards, road surfacing and drainage alternatives, and the costs and funding for road projects. The workshop is offered in two locations. The first is Friday, May 8th at 12200B Airport Road in Jackson. The second is May 22nd at the Poverty Hill Schoolhouse, on Stent cutoff Road in Jamestown. Both workshops run from 8am to 5pm. The $20 cost includes lunch, refreshments and a road handbook. For more information, call Robin Blood at the UC Cooperative Extension office at 209-533-5695. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
