State - Lawmakers are getting closer to fixing California's budget crisis after details of a possible deal were leaked to reporters. According to the LA Times, the vehicle license fee, state tax and fuel tax would go up. There would also be an income tax service charge of 2.5% added to a person's tax bill. Staff members are working on a draft. Several senators say the proposal will be ready by Friday. The Governor's press secretary says it's too soon to say to say there's a deal. However, if there's no deal by Friday, the Governor says he will send out 20,000 layoff notices to state workers. Story by Alex Lane

State - The U.S. Senate approved a major expansion of wilderness areas nationwide Thursday, protecting more than 2 million acres of public land from drilling, logging and mining, including 735,000 acres across California. The 73-21 vote was a huge victory for conservationists, who persuaded Senate leaders to roll 160 wilderness bills into one giant package. The bill would permanently protect lands in nine states, from the Eastern Sierra Nevada in California to Oregon's Mount Hood and from Utah's Zion National Park to the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. The package now heads to the House for final passage consideration, but its sponsors said the Senate's lopsided passage will help smooth the way. It could be the first environmental bill that Barack Obama signs as president. In California, the measure would expand wilderness areas from Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks to Joshua Tree National Park and also would authorize $88 million to help restore the historic salmon run on the San Joaquin River. The bill would help implement a settlement to end the 18-year dispute between environmentalists, federal regulators and Central Valley farmers over how to maintain water levels to preserve a key spawning ground for Chinook salmon. The newly designated wilderness areas are all on existing public lands - managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and other agencies - but now will have the highest level of protection under law. Under the 1964 Wilderness Act, drilling, mining and logging are banned, as are motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles and four-wheelers. Hiking, camping and horseback riding are allowed. California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who helped sponsor the bills to protect the new wilderness areas in California, said that as the state's population climbs toward 50 million people as early as 2020, it is crucial to set aside areas for the public to enjoy where wildlife can still thrive. The bill includes some areas in California that conservationists and recreational users view as true gems, including 77,000-acre additions to the Hoover and Emigrant Wilderness that feature alpine lakes, glacial valleys, pine forests and 12 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail; a 223,000-acre stretch of the White Mountains in Mono County, which is the country's largest and highest desert mountain range; and 85,000 acres in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, famous for its Giant Sequoia groves. Staff Report

Sacramento - Faced with a $26 billion budget deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed off on a number of budget cuts that will have a direct impact on Amador County. During his State of the State address in January, Schwarzenegger called the massive deficit “a rock upon our chest, and we cannot breathe until we get it off.” Since then he has proposed draconian cost-cutting measures, from scheduling early release for prisoners to selling off historic state properties. The Legislature remained deadlocked in budget negotiations for months before finally agreeing on a solution July 28 that includes $16.1 billion in spending reductions. When included with the $15 billion in reductions last February, the cuts amount to approximately $31 billion. While the package makes it possible for the state to operate during the current fiscal year without new taxes, it spares few other areas, including $9.3 billion in cuts to education, $3 billion in cuts for health and human services and cuts in general government spending of $1.7 billion. Even then, it was still $156 million short of being balanced. Schwarzenegger likened the approval process to “the good the bad and the ugly.” Almost simultaneously, he signed off on another $489 million in spending cuts to eliminate the $156 million deficit and build up the reserve, borrowed $50 million from a state special fund and found $117 more in savings from last fiscal year. Many of theses drastic cuts will be felt locally. The largest cut was $80 million allocated to counties for child abuse programs. $27.8 million was eliminated from the Williamson Act program, which enables local governments to enter into contracts with private landowners for the purpose of restricting specific parcels of land to agricultural or open space use. $6.2 million will be eliminated from the state parks budget, resulting in the likely closure of 100 of the state’s 280 parks. $50 million was eliminated from the Healthy Families program, providing medical insurance to low-income families that don’t qualify for MediCal. $52.1 million was cut from the Office of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, eliminating all services except drug assistance and surveillance. Schwarzenegger said, “I see the real Californians that will be affected by the decisions made within this budget and nothing guarantees revenues won’t drop further, but this budget puts us on a path toward fiscal responsibility so we can focus on bringing jobs back to get California moving forward again.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State – The California Legislature voted to abolish the California Integrated Waste Management Board Friday as one of many efforts to help close California’s $26 billion budget deficit. The bill was carried in the assembly by 10th District Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who said “I don’t think this bill goes far enough…it is a good beginning.” California has the largest bureaucracy of any state in the union, with over 1,000 boards and commissions. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger projected that the elimination of the board’s five members will save up to $3 million annually, but it doesn’t help immediate budget issues because the board is funded through fees, not taxes. Democratic lawmakers, who traditionally make up the majority of the 20-year-old board, have argued that its elimination will squash a valuable layer of public oversight on environmental regulations. Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, a former ten-year board member, called it the state’s most successful environmental program. Also on the chopping block were a number of other smaller boards and commissions. Schwarzenegger sees Friday’s vote as a minor victory in his efforts to make structural changes in California government. The Department of Conservation will take over the board’s primary duties and 450 employees. Huber also authored legislation ABx4 20 which eliminates or consolidates a number of other boards. That bill is still awaiting legislative approval. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State – Representatives from cities throughout California are pooling their collective frustration over state proposed borrowing and budget cuts in order to help solve the state’s $26.3 billion budget deficit. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn called the state legislature’s indecision “the big unknown” in determining whether local cities can balance their own budget’s for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Jackson City Manager Mike Daly is urging local employees to participate “in a grassroots effort to get our legislators to listen to their constituents and urge the state to solve its problems without raiding local government coffers.” Hundreds of cities in California have now passed a resolution put forth by the League of California Cities declaring a state of severe fiscal hardship. The League said the “actions reflect the impacts that the stagnating economy has had on California cities due to serious declines in local tax revenues.” Beverly Hills City Manager Rod Wood decried the legislature’s inaction in an open email to city managers throughout the state. “We need our citizens to demand their legislature do exactly what 480 cities and 58 counties do every year, in good times and bad, adopt a balanced budget,” he said. Hopeful news came from Sacramento yesterday when legislative leaders announced they have reached a tentative agreement with the governor on how to close almost all of the state's deficit and hope to conclude negotiations by today. The resolution will inevitably include major cuts to vital state programs. Even if the state can manage to find a resolution, local government’s will still struggle for a long time to come said Flynn. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – This Thursday, the Amador County Democratic Central Committee will host Dr. Ami Bera, one of three candidates vying for the 3rd Congressional District Seat currently held by Congressman Dan Lungren. Bera is competing with fellow Democrats Gary Davis, an Elk Grove City Councilmember, and Bill Slaton, a member of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board of Directors. Bera sites his professional experience as a teaching physician and former Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, and his experience growing up as the son of immigrants as the inspirations behind his run for congress. “This country offered (my parents) the opportunity to give their children (my two older brothers and me) a chance to be anything that we wanted. It is this dream that constitutes what this country means to me and why I have decided to run for Congress,” writes Bera on his website. The Amador County Democratic Committee will host Bera as a guest speaker. Bera will discuss his campaign and his plans for winning the June 2010 primary. There will be time for questions following Bera's presentation. The event takes places June 25th at 7pm at the Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road in Jackson. Regular meetings of the Amador County Democratic Central Committee are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Amador Senior Center and are open to the public. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Region - Non-profit agencies throughout the region are seeing their budgets wiped away by the cost of toilet paper, but an unusual drive in Sacramento was organized to alleviate that problem. The United Way of Sacramento is spearheading a toilet paper drive to collect rolls for the region’s nonprofits. Loaves and Fishes, a Sacramento area charity, estimates its spends up to $15,000 per year on toilet paper. The numbers are similar for other charities and food banks providing essential services to the less-fortunate across the Mother Lode. By collecting toilet paper, more money can be allocated for other basic services these organizations provide. More than 140 nonprofits in Sacramento and the surrounding four counties – Amador, El Dorado, Placer, and Yolo - were estimated to benefit from donations received at Golden 1 Credit Union headquarters, Cal Expo main entrance and Folsom High School on Wednesday. The collection goal was 30,000 rolls. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock State Park in Amador County is among hundreds of state parks considered for closure as one solution to the state’s deepening budget crisis. State park officials last week predicted that Schwarzenegger's plan would take more than $213 million away from state parks over the next two fiscal years. 80 percent, or 220 of 279 parks would be shut down as early as this fall. In our region, this includes Sutter’s Fort, Indian Grinding Rock, Columbia State Park and Calaveras Big Trees Park. Last year, Schwarzenegger proposed a smaller plan to close 48 parks, but the idea was dropped during budget negotiations. “Chaw’se brings in so many children from school districts throughout the state to see these Indian artifacts. This would be a shock to these learning institutions,” said Supervisor Ted Novelli. Chaw'se is nestled in a little valley eight miles east of Jackson. The park is named after a great outcropping of marbelized limestone with over 1,185 mortar holes - the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. “I would consider its closure an awful shame,” said one Jackson resident who has volunteered at the park for many years. Novelli said the money saved through these proposed closures is a fraction of the $24.6 billion debt the state has incurred. Novelli wondered aloud about the repercussions, asking: “If people are out of work and out of a job, where will they bring their families if the parks are all closed?” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State - Amador County agencies and interest groups are up in arms over Governor Schwarzenegger’s controversial plans to cut, borrow and sell in order to help solve California’s budget crisis. After the state’s proposed budget solutions were roundly rejected by voters in the May 19th Special Election, Governor Schwarzenegger vowed to take all steps necessary in order to make the budget solvent. State park officials released last week predictions that Schwarzenegger's plan would take more than $213 million away from state parks over the next two fiscal years. In other words, 80 percent, or 220 of 279 parks would be shut down as early as this fall. In our region, this includes Sutter’s Fort, Indian Grinding Rock, Columbia State Park and Calaveras Big Trees Park. Previously announced reductions include another $680 million less for schools, further cuts for in-home care and children’s health programs, and a 5 percent cut for some 235,000 state workers. Schwarzenegger also plans to cut welfare programs all together, effectively returning billions of federal dollars, but faces attacks from Democrats and Republicans who say the plan is too severe. California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst has suggested that the state could borrow $500 million from water and wastewater agencies – possibly as much as 100% of the agencies’ property tax revenues. When that would happen is unclear. According to a recent report by the California Budget Project, or CBP, 430 Amador County children would lose health coverage under Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to eliminate the state's Healthy Families Program. That affects 942,000 children statewide who would have been covered through June, 2010. The CBP also predicts 730 children would lose health coverage under the Governor's proposed elimination. Amador County would lose approximately $393,000 in state and federal funding for children and families in 2009-10. Calaveras County would lose approximately $671,000. While many of the governor's plans won't go fully into effect, the net result is likely to be painful cuts, increasing unemployment and the loss of high profile amenities like parks, camping grounds and even perhaps libraries. Currently, Schwarzenegger and lawmakers are dealing with an estimated $24.3 billion deficit. For more information on proposed state park closures, visit the website on your screen. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A polls previously predicted, voters across the state rejected five of the six budget-related propositions in Tuesday’s Special Election. Only Proposition 1F, which prevents many top elected officials from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit, passed. Most of the propositions received more than a 65 percent “no” vote. Had all the measures passed, the state's deficit would have been slightly reduced to $15 billion. As the Golden State’s financial woes grew ever deeper, indecision and partisan divides within the state legislature led to a $42 billion budget package proposal three months ago that included the budget provisions voted on yesterday. A Field poll released earlier this month suggested that nearly 75 percent of registered voters disapproved of the state legislature’s job – the poorest rating ever recorded by the survey. The legislature now faces tough decisions over how to pay the state’s debts, and Schwarzenegger may now recommend severe cuts in education and social services. And in a move that has drawn some criticism, Schwarzenegger's budget also calls for selling off state properties, including San Quentin State Prison and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In Amador County, voter turnout was low at around 9,000. Amador County citizens were consistent with statewide voters in voting against Propositions 1A through 1E, and overwhelmingly voted “yes” for 1F. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.