The Barbed Wire - December 7, 2018

Rural Community and Business Leaders Raise More Than $56,000 for Humboldt County Charities

Earlier this week, the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) announced that rural community and business leaders from across the state raised $56,590 for seven Humboldt County Charities at RCRC’s 2018 Annual Meeting.  Raised during the RCRC Basket Raffle Dinner in Napa County earlier this fall, the funds will assist a multitude of countywide resource providers in their efforts to serve the residents of Humboldt County.  Read More…

RCRC Recognizes Two Retiring State Leaders

On Wednesday, RCRC Supervisors and staff recognized two retiring long-time friends of the rural county family.  Supervisor Doug Teeter (Butte) presented Jim Branham, Executive Officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy with an award acknowledging his more than 30 years of work on natural resource and rural community issues in California.  Supervisor Randy Hanvelt (Tuolumne) presented Chief Ken Pimlott, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director with an award recognizing his collaborative spirit, and profound direct and indirect impacts upon forest health and fire protection in California. 

Both Mr. Branham and Chief Pimlott officially retire at the end of the year.

2019-20 Legislative Session Convenes

The California Legislature kicked-off the 2019-20 Legislative Session on Monday with the swearing-in of new Senate and Assembly members, and the introduction of nearly 200 legislative measures.  This “Organizational Session” allows both houses to adopt legislative rules and introduce key legislation before the winter holiday and the reconvening of the Session on January 7, 2019.  The Assembly will continue to introduce bills through December 14^th. 

The day started with a moment of silence for victims of recent wildfire disasters, followed by an introduction of legislation dealing with the state’s housing crisis, early childhood education, and health care.  It should be noted that several of the early legislative measures reflects policy priorities Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom championed on the campaign trail.  Governor-Elect Newsom will be sworn into office on January 7, 2019.  The Governor’s proposed 2019-20 State Budget will be released several days later on January 10, 2019.

RCRC’s Government Affairs staff will be reviewing hundreds of bills to assess their impact on RCRC member counties.  RCRC member counties are encouraged during the 2019 Legislative Session to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with staff.

Farm Bill Update

The House of Representatives and U.S. Senate canceled votes this week to allow members time to mourn the passing of former President George H.W. Bush.  Congress will push its legislative agenda into the final two weeks of December.  Farm Bill negotiators were hoping to release the text of the final agreement on a 2018 Farm Bill this week, but Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) said the final bill will not unveiled until next week at the earliest. 

The final version of the 2018 Farm Bill is likely to be unpopular among conservative members of Congress who supported Republican-backed provisions that were removed during last minute negotiations.  These include new and additional work requirements in order to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as well as extensive forestry reform efforts aimed at thinning national forests.  To address forest management activities, Chairman Roberts hinted the forestry title could be spun-off as separate legislation.

Without Republican language on forestry or food stamp programs, the bill is expected to face opposition from conservative members of Congress, most likely on the House Floor.  However, with the removal of these controversial provisions, it is expected nearly all Democrats in both houses of Congress will support the final agreement.

Senate Republicans plan to attach the remainder of the Fiscal 2019 budget to the Farm Bill.  The deadline to pass the Fiscal 2019 budget was set for December 7, 2018, but was extended until December 21, 2018. 

Rural Broadband Update

Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), who is set to be Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in the 116^th Congress, is standing by his proposal to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fix its broadband mapping data.  Senator Wicker announced last week he would push language in an upcoming spending bill that would require the FCC to consider the concerns of senators from rural states who argue the FCC’s mapping data misrepresents broadband coverage in rural America.  

It is uncertain whether Congress will allow Senator Wicker’s language to pass, but the FCC is likely to heed the concerns of the incoming Chairman of the Committee with direct oversight of the Commission.  

Microsoft President Brad Smith announced this week that Microsoft will lead a new effort to bring broadband to rural California.  Smith announced in a press release that Microsoft is expanding its “Airband Initiative” into new states, including California.  Through the Airband Initiative, Microsoft partners with internet service providers leveraging a mix of innovative broadband solutions, including TV white spaces, to deliver high-speed internet coverage for rural areas.  Microsoft founded the program in 2017 with the goal to bring broadband to 2 million rural Americans without internet access.

Long-Time Tuolumne County Administrator Retires

This Tuesday, dozens of people, including RCRC representatives, attended a ceremony in honor of Tuolumne County Administrator Craig Pedro in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers.  Supervisor Randy Hanvelt acknowledged Mr. Pedro’s long tenure and secured the adoption of a resolution by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors honoring his years of accomplishments. 

After thirty-eight years of public service, thirty-four of which has been with Tuolumne County, Mr. Pedro is retiring.  Mr. Pedro started as a Management Analyst in the County Administrator's office in 1984, became a Senior Administrative Analyst in 1988, Assistant County Administrator in 1997, and County Administrator in 2006.

In recent years, Mr. Pedro implemented long-term budgeting strategies, streamlined various departments, and created a joint Economic Development Authority. Throughout the ceremony, Mr. Pedro was praised for his work ethic, dedication, and commitment to making Tuolumne County a better place to live.

Mr. Pedro, a native and life-long resident of Tuolumne County, was presented with numerous letters and proclamations from office representatives of U.S. Senators Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein, Congressman Tom McClintock, former State Senator Tom Berryhill, Assembly Member Frank Bigelow, and others.  Mr. Pedro was surrounded by members of his immediate family and other long-time residents.

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. 

KEEPING UP

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.

Sean Maguire, 37, of Carmichael, has been appointed to the California State Water Resources Control Board. Maguire has been supervising water resources control engineer at the State Water Resources Control Board since 2017, where he was senior water resources control engineer from 2015 to 2017. He held several positions at Kennedy/Jenks Consultants from 2003 to 2015, including water resources practice leader, senior associate engineer and senior staff engineer. Maguire is a member of the Groundwater Resources Association of California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $153,689. Maguire is a Democrat.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

USDA Invests in Four California Communities, Including San Luis Obispo County, to Improve Water Infrastructure

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Fee and Tax Waiver Program for Manufactured and Mobilehome Owners

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