The Barbed Wire - December 21, 2018

RCRC Celebrates Mary Pitto’s Contribution to California’s Rural Counties!!!

Earlier this month, RCRC recognized Mary Pitto, RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate, for her years of dedicated service to California’s rural counties.  Ms. Pitto will be retiring from RCRC at the end of the year, capping off a 16-year career with the organization. 

“I could go on and on about the great work Mary has done on behalf of California’s rural counties over the years,” said Greg Norton, RCRC President and CEO.  “However, her kindness and generosity of spirit are what we’re going to miss most around the office.  We wish her health and happiness as she transitions into retirement…”

In addition to her regulatory portfolio on behalf of RCRC, Ms. Pitto served as Program Manager for the Rural Counties’ Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) for more than 15 years. 

In addition to RCRC and the ESJPA, Ms. Pitto received resolutions and recognition from Assembly Member Frank Bigelow (R–O’Neals), the California Department of Conservation, and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.  Ms. Pitto can be reached at mpitto@rcrcnet.org through December 28, 2019.

Commentary: California Coalition Outlines Wildfire Policy Recommendations Following Governor-Elect’s Swift Action

Late last week, Public CEO published the following commentary by Justin Caporusso, RCRC Vice President of External Affairs and Chair of the California Forest Watershed Alliance (CAFWA).

Less than 48 hours after being elected the 40th Governor of California, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Butte County due to the Camp Fire.  As of Nov. 28, 2018, 88 lives have been lost, more than 150 are still listed as missing, more than 151,000 acres have burned, and more than 15,000 residences and other structures have been destroyed, making it the most destructive wildfire in California’s history.  Impacts from the Camp Fire were felt throughout the state as smoke-filled skies caused the air quality in Northern California to be rated the worst in the world.  Read More…

2018 Farm Bill Signed Into Law

Yesterday, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law.  The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorizes many of the programs under the 2014 Farm Bill as it embodies a large percentage of the federal government’s rural and agriculture policies.  

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue spoke briefly at the signing ceremony where he noted the absence of additional forest management provisions in the final bill was a disappointment.  In lieu of forest management legislation, Secretary Perdue indicated the U.S. Department of Agriculture will use its own authority to promote active forest management programs in the future.

Rural Broadband Update

Last week, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching its e-Connectivity program to deliver high-speed internet in rural America.  Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers, and municipalities may apply through USDA’s new “ReConnect Program” for up to $600 million in loans and grants.  

Projects that are eligible for ReConnect Program funding will target rural areas with insufficient broadband service. Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload.

USDA will make available $200 million in grants (applications are due by April 29), $200 million for loan and grant combinations (applications are due by May 29), and $200 million for low-interest loans (applications due by June 28).  Projects that receive funding through the program will be required to create access speeds of up to 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload.

The funding for the USDA’s new rural broadband program originates from the Fiscal 2018 omnibus, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.  Congress passed the omnibus spending package in March 2018 with $600 million in new funding for rural broadband projects.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Fails Reauthorization

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) fell short of passing a bill to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation fund at the tail end of the 115^th Congress.  The public land measure included several provisions that would reauthorize or reform public land management programs in rural California.  Senate leadership declined to bring the bill to the Senate Floor for a vote despite its support from a number of western senators.  The bill’s supporters claim the Land and Water Conservation Fund will be at the top of the priority list for the 116^th Congress.

2019 Budget Update

President Trump took Congress by surprise on Thursday when he announced he would veto a temporary spending measure that did not include funding for a southern border wall.  Earlier that day, Congress passed a temporary spending measure, often referred to as a continuing resolution, which would extend the deadline to February 8, 2019 to pass a budget for a number of federal agencies and programs for Fiscal Year 2019.  

Washington is now preparing for a partial government shutdown that could last through the holiday break.

RCRC Staff Gives Back This Holiday Season

RCRC staff participated in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program this holiday season.  Originating in 1979, the Angel Tree Program has grown from serving 700 children in one Virginia location, to now providing toys and clothing for more than one million children across the United States.  RCRC staff assisted in the Sacramento Metro program, both collecting toys, and distributing to families.   

RCRC employees and their family members participated in each phase of the event, adopting two local families (seven children).  Gifts of toys and clothing were purchased and delivered to the distribution site at Cal Expo.  RCRC staff then spent two days sorting the toys and then distributing the gifts and food to more than 2,000 families.  

“Participating in the Angel Tree program allowed RCRC employees to experience local generosity firsthand,” said Lisa McCargar, RCRC Chief Financial Officer.  “It was a moving experience as some recipients have tears of joy, as do some volunteers.”  

THE RURAL RUNDOWN PODCAST

The Rural Rundown discusses the legislative and regulatory issues impacting California’s rural counties, featuring commentary and interviews from individuals committed to improving the quality of life in rural California. 

The Rural Rundown can be accessed here. 

BULLETIN BOARD

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

Forest Health Watershed Coordinator Grants

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HDL Releases Local Government Guide to California Sales, Use and Transaction Tax

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