The Barbed Wire - January 4, 2019

RCRC’s 2019 Annual Installation of Officers and Rural Leadership Awards Reception

The RCRC Annual Installation of Officers and Rural Leadership Awards Reception will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the California Room of the California Chamber of Commerce. Read More…

California’s Legislature Set to Return and Constitutional Officers to be Sworn-In

On Monday, the California Legislature will reconvene for the 2019 Legislative Session.  As such, a significant number of bills will be introduced in the coming weeks, and RCRC’s Government Affairs staff will review each bill to assess its impact on RCRC member counties.  In addition, policy committees will begin to convene to consider legislation as well as hold hearings on a variety of public policy concerns. 

Also, on Monday, a number of Constitutional Officers will be sworn into office, including Gavin Newsom as Governor.  Many expect a noticeable turn in both the substance and style of governance vis-à-vis former Governor Jerry Brown.  Despite early suggestions by Governor-Elect Newsom that he will govern in the model of former Governor Brown, he is likely to have a number of bills placed on his desk that had been previously vetoed or dramatically re-shaped by previous governors. 

Along with Governor Newsom, Eleni Kounalakis will be sworn as Lieutenant Governor, Fiona Ma as the State Treasurer, Ricardo Lara as Insurance Commissioner, and Tony Thurmond as the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Controller Betty Yee and Secretary of State Alex Padilla were re-elected in November to their second term.

Table Setting the 116th Congress

The 116th Congress has commenced, and the federal government remains partially shut down. Until President Trump reaches an agreement with Congress on border wall funding, key programs for rural counties, including the Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Secure Rural Schools, and e-Connectivity rural broadband will be suspended.

Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) brought to the House Floor two separate spending bills that would reopen the government and end the current partial shutdown. House Joint Resolution 1, Homeland Security Continuing Resolution, would extend temporary stopgap funding for the Homeland Security Department through February 8, 2019. The continuing resolution would buy House Democrats time to continue their negotiations with Republicans for border wall funding. HR 21, Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal 2019, is a six-bill “minibus” that would fund the remainder of the federal government through the fiscal year. The minibus would provide funding for several federal agencies that are critical to rural California, particularly the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Interior (DOI).

House Joint Resolution 1 and HR 21 offer a first glimpse into the budget priorities of House Democrats. HR 21 bill provides USDA with $23.2 billion in net discretionary spending, a $225 million increase from Fiscal 2018 levels. Despite an increase in overall discretionary funding at USDA, the minibus would reduce funding for the e-Connectivity rural broadband program at the Rural Utilities Service from $600 million in Fiscal 2018 to $425 million in Fiscal 2019.

HR 21 would increase spending for the Interior-Environment appropriations bill from $35.6 billion in Fiscal 2018 to $35.9 billion in Fiscal 2019. The bill retains Fiscal 2018 funding levels for critical water programs and rejects the Trump Administration’s requested cuts to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

HR 21 would provide a total of $13.2 billion in discretionary funding for DOI and related agencies, a $56 million increase from Fiscal 2018 levels. The bill would appropriate $1.1 billion for fire management programs at DOI, a $168 million increase from Fiscal 2018 levels. HR 21 would also allocate $4.3 billion to the U.S. Forest Service for fighting wildfires on public lands. The authors say the combined funding for the wildfire fighting activities at DOI and the U.S. Forest Service is $900 million more than the 10-year funding average. The measure includes $3.1 billion for core (non-wildfire) Forest Service activities — $14 million more than comparable Fiscal 2018 funding, and $851 million more than what was requested by the Trump Administration.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) was quick to criticize House Democrats after the texts for House Joint Resolution 1 and HR 21 were released. He signaled that Republicans will not consider a proposal without border wall funding, and that House Joint Resolution 1 and HR 21 are nonstarters until wall funding is agreed to. Majority Leader McConnell believes the shutdown could last for weeks, and that no significant progress has been made over the border wall issue. It is possible, if not probable, that Republicans reject the Democrats’ combined proposal, but HR 21 provides a new baseline for what to expect from Democrat appropriators as negotiations move forward.

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.

Karen Relucio, 51, of Napa, has been appointed to the Commission on Emergency Medical Services. Relucio has been public health officer and deputy director at the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency since 2015. She was medical director of public health clinics, assistant health officer and chief of infectious diseases for the San Mateo County Health System from 2006 to 2015 and a clinical instructor at Stanford University Medical Center from 2003 to 2006. Relucio is a member of California Conference of Local Health Officers, County Health Executives Association of California, Napa County Medical Society and Health Officers Association of California. She earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Rush University Medical College and a Master of Science degree in biology from the University of Illinois. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Relucio is a Democrat.

Claire Crenshaw, 29, of Alturas, has been reappointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2017. Crenshaw has been secretary to the superintendent at the Modoc Joint Unified School District since 2015 and a cowboy at the Modoc Auction Yard since 2014. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Crenshaw is a Republican.

Kevin Kunkel, 42, of Alturas, has been appointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors. Kunkel has been a rangeland management specialist at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management since 2016. He is a member of the California Native Plant Society, Northern California Botanists, Modoc County Grand Jury, society for range management and the Surprise Valley Future Farmers of America Agriculture Advisory Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Kunkel is a Democrat.

John McQuarrie, 62, of Alturas, has been reappointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2017. McQuarrie was a branch manager and loan officer for American Ag Credit from 2002 to 2016. He was a loan officer for Northern California Farm Credit from 1998 to 2002 and for Intermountain Farm Credit from 1986 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McQuarrie is a Republican.

Diana Milton, 73, of Alturas, has been reappointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2002. Milton served as a contact representative at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Surprise Field Office from 2001 to 2007 and at the Alturas Field Office from 2000 to 2001. She was an information assistant for the U.S. Forest Service from 1998 to 1999, a clerk at Surprise Valley Napa Auto Parts from 1997 to 1998, an office manager at Vision Home Health Care from 1991 to 1997 and a human resource specialist at the Physician’s Community Hospital from 1986 to 1991. Milton is a member of the Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Milton is a Democrat.

Troy Bird, 54, of Clarksburg, has been reappointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2016. Bird has been a mortgage banker at Guild Mortgage since 2014. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Rotary Club of West Sacramento, La Salle Club and LeTip of Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bird is registered without party preference.

Laurie Schuler-Flynn, 56, of Woodland, has been reappointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2011. Schuler-Flynn has been co-owner of Hillstone Olive Oil since 2004. She was an agricultural and standards specialist at the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office from 1988 to 2017. Schuler-Flynn is a member of Applied Sensory. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Schuler-Flynn is a Democrat.

Gary Holman, 65, of Woodland, has been reappointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2016. Holman has been an outside service technician at Valley Hydraulics since 1976. He is a member of Woodland Sunrise Rotary and the Woodland Tree Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Holman is a Republican.

Nancy Muller, 62, of Woodland, has been appointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors. Muller was a student advisor at Woodland Adult Education from 2002 to 2012 and weed research and information program representative at the University of California, Davis Department of Plant Sciences from 1994 to 1999. She is a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Muller earned a Master of Science degree in agricultural economics from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Muller is a Democrat.

 Elaine Yamaguchi, 54, of Woodland, has been reappointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2011. Yamaguchi has been executive officer of the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians since 2018. She was a projects and communications manager at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System from 2007 to 2017 and director of the California State Library's California Civil Liberties Public Education Program from 2005 to 2006. Yamaguchi served as a special assistant in the California State Assembly Speaker’s Office from 1998 to 2005. She held several positions at the Center for Asian American Media from 1993 to 1997, including managing director. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Yamaguchi is a Democrat.

Charles Rabamad, 61, of Mather, has been appointed assistant director for recovery at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, where he has been special advisor to the director since 2017 and has served in several positions since 1991, including program manager, public assistance officer and disaster assistance program specialist. Rabamad is a member of the Community Housing Opportunities Corporation Board of Directors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $138,120. Rabamad is a Democrat. 

Thomas Browning, 62, of North San Juan, has been reappointed to the 17th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2006. Browning has been battalion chief at the North San Juan Fire Protection District since 2012. He was battalion chief at the Grass Valley Fire Department from 1998 to 2011 and deputy fire marshal at the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District from 1993 to 1998. Browning was a correctional officer for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department from 1991 to 1993. He is a member of the Nevada County Farm Bureau, Nevada County Livestock Producers Association and the Native Sons of the Golden West. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Browning is a Republican.

Ann “Shanti” Emerson, 76, of Nevada City, has been reappointed to the 17th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2012. Emerson was an instructor at the Academy of Art University from 1996 to 2001 and a teacher at the Paramount Unified School District from 1989 to 1994. She was a teacher at Baldwin Park High School from 1984 to 1989, at Holy Family High School from 1981 to 1984 and at Bishop Conaty High School from 1980 to 1981. Emerson is a member of the Business and Professional Women of Nevada County, American Association of University Women, Soroptimist International of Grass Valley, League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County and the Democratic Women’s Club of Nevada County. She earned a Master of Education degree in English from the United States International University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Emerson is a Democrat.

James Franks, 53, of Grass Valley, has been appointed to the 17^th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors. Franks has been a sales representative at First American Title Company since 2010. He was a sales representative at Fidelity National Title Company from 2008 to 2010 and from 1998 to 2007, a loan officer at Olympia Mortgage from 2007 to 2008 and park ranger for the City of Santa Cruz from 1987 to 1998. He is a member of Agricultural Boosters and Livestock Producers. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Franks is a Republican.

Robert “Simi” Lyss, 82, of Nevada City, has been reappointed to the 17th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2005. Lyss was senior vice president for health affairs and chief medical officer at Health Partners of the Southeast from 1998 to 1999 and regional medical director at Kaiser Permanente’s Northeast Region from 1986 to 1996. Lyss was physician-in-chief and chief of staff at Kaiser Permanente’s Walnut Creek Medical Center from 1975 to 1985 and an assistant physician-in-chief at Kaiser Permanente’s Hayward Medical Center from 1968 to 1975. Lyss earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Lyss is a Republican.

Barbara McDonald, 55, of Grass Valley, has been appointed to the 17^th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors. McDonald has been a chief workshop manager for Build-A-Bear Workshop since 2011 and owner of La Vida Buena Ranch since 2008. She was a merchandise manager for Barnes and Noble from 2009 to 2011 and president of Garcia Imports Inc. from 1985 to 2008. McDonald is treasurer of the Nevada County Fair Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McDonald is a Republican.

Jeanette Royal, 65, of Grass Valley, has been reappointed to the 17th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 1993. She has been a realtor at Network Real Estate since 2003. Royal was a financial consultant at A.G. Edwards and Sons from 2000 to 2003. She was a realtor associate at Alta Sierra Real Estate from 1995 to 2000. Royal was owner and facility manager of Royal Oaks Arabians from 1982 to 1996 and an adult education teacher for the Grant Union High School District from 1977 to 1980. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Royal is a Republican.

Shannon Douglass, 35, of Orland, has been reappointed to the 42^nd District Agricultural Association, Glenn County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2014. Douglass has been operator at CalAgJobs since 2011 and co-owner of Douglass Ranch since 2005. She was an outreach coordinator at the California State University, Chico College of Agriculture from 2005 to 2009. Douglass is a member of California Women for Agriculture and the California Farm Bureau Federation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Douglass is a Republican.

Evan Hutson, 30, of Willows, has been appointed to the 42^nd District Agricultural Association, Glenn County Fair Board of Directors. Hutson has been an owner and agent for Hutson Agency Inc. since 2012. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Huston is a Republican.

Ray Mudd, 58, of Willows, has been appointed to the 42^nd District Agricultural Association, Glenn County Fair Board of Directors. Mudd has been an events manager at Thunderhill Raceway Park since 2011. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Mudd is a Republican.

Candice Pierce, 38, of Orland, has been reappointed to the 42nd District Agricultural Association, Glenn County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2016. Pierce has been a teacher for the Princeton Joint Unified School District since 2017. She was a substitute teacher for the Glenn County Office of Education from 2005 to 2007. She is a member of the Capay Parent Teacher Organization and Orland Little League Baseball. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Pierce is a Democrat.