The Barbed Wire - September 09, 2016

September 9, 2016
RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting – REGISTER TODAY!!!
Annual Meeting Preview: Too Much at Once? Criminal Justice Reform in California
RCRC Advocates for Federal PILT in Washington
CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Released – Rural Communities Remain Unqualified
Congress Returns and Begins Work on Federal Funding
Senate Considers Water Infrastructure Spending
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BULLETIN BOARD
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting – REGISTER TODAY!!!

RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting will be held September 28-30 at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Placer County.  This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics of interest to rural counties including:

  • An Insider’s Perspective on the U.S. Supreme Court;
  • Balancing the Benefits and Challenges of Drones;
  • There’s an App for That: The Impacts of the Internet on California’s Rural Economy;
  • Too Much At Once?  Criminal Justice Reform in California;
  • Emerging From the Shadows – Regulating the Medical Marijuana Industry;
  • Rebuilding the American Dream: The Changing Focus of Housing Needs;
  • Expert Commentary on the Current Political Landscape; and,
  • Navigating the Foster Care System.

To register for RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting or to access the current program, click here.

Annual Meeting Preview: Too Much at Once? Criminal Justice Reform in California

Over the last six years, California has launched a number of significant criminal justice reforms. In 2011, the Legislature and Governor Brown enacted a complete realignment of responsibilities for offenders, with an emphasis on county programs to reduce recidivism and lower costs. In 2014, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 47, which reclassifies a number of crimes to misdemeanors in order to minimize the number of felony offenders serving in State custody. This November, California voters will consider yet another criminal justice reform measure aimed at altering sentencing practices. Much of these reforms come against the backdrop of the federal courts’ involvement in managing the State prison population and the level of healthcare afforded to inmates. Join esteemed panelists as they assess the results of these reforms upon California’s criminal justice system.

  • The Honorable Brian McCabe, Merced County Superior Court Judge
  • The Honorable Kory Honea, Butte County Sheriff
  • Magnus Lofstrom, Senior Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California 

RCRC Advocates for Federal PILT in Washington

This week, Mariposa County Supervisor and National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) 2nd Vice President Kevin Cann joined RCRC staff, and Supervisors and Commissioners from around the U.S. to advocate for Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding.  

Congress authorized discretionary funding of $452 million for 2016 Federal PILT.  For FY 2017, the U.S. Department of the Interior has estimated $480 million will be necessary to fully fund the federal government’s obligation to Federal PILT counties.  Supervisor Cann joins his NACo colleagues to urge Congress to fully fund Federal PILT for 2017, and support permanent funding for the future.  RCRC supports the long-term reauthorization and full funding of the Federal PILT program.  Federal PILT funding is vital for many of the nation's counties to continue providing critical programs and services to rural communities.

CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Released – Rural Communities Remain Unqualified

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released the public review draft of the Proposed California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen) 3.0.  This latest update incorporates recent data for nearly all indicators, improvements in the way some indicators are calculated, and two new indicators – cardiovascular disease and rent-adjusted income.  The update also removes the “age” indicator for children and the elderly, as it did not adequately measure age vulnerability, and includes additional information on pollution sources in Mexico.  

The CalEnviroScreen uses a suite of statewide indicators and assigns scores for each indicator in a given geographic area (census tracts).  Scores for the pollution burden and population characteristics categories are then multiplied together, thus basically eliminating areas of the state with good air quality from being defined as disadvantaged communities, no matter what the population’s socioeconomic characteristics represent.  While the intent of this tool is to provide state agencies with a means to prioritize and direct their resources and make policy decisions intended to benefit the most impacted communities, RCRC is concerned that strictly using the CalEnviroScreen scores unfairly limits rural county eligibility for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) monies earmarked for disadvantaged communities.  Rural areas cannot compete in many of the AB 32 programs since they cannot demonstrate the “biggest bang for the buck.”  Being denied access to the “disadvantaged community” designation basically eliminates these counties from any access to the funds.

RCRC believes that CalEnviroScreen should keep the pollution burdens scores separate from the population characteristics scores, allowing the top scores from both categories to be defined as disadvantaged communities and the opportunity for rural areas to receive some direct benefit from the GRRF monies.  In addition, there should be a mechanism to allow a local jurisdiction to demonstrate how a community, smaller than a census tract, can meet the definition of a disadvantaged community. 

Comments on Proposed CalEnviroScreen 3.0 are due October 21, 2016.  The Proposed CalEnviroScreen 3.0 and additional information can be accessed here.

Congress Returns and Begins Work on Federal Funding

Congress returned to Washington this week after a seven week recess facing a deadline to pass legislation to continue federal funding into fiscal year 2017.  With only a few weeks left until the end of the fiscal year, Congress has started discussions regarding a short-term funding solution through a continuing resolution (CR).  

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) have begun talks with the White House about a CR that would continue federal funding through Friday, December 9, 2016.  The Senate could consider the CR as early as next week.  House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rodgers (R-KY) has indicated he would like the CR to run until Friday, December 16, 2016.  Congress must pass a funding bill by September 30th to avoid a government shutdown. 

Senate Considers Water Infrastructure Spending

On Wednesday, the Senate moved to consider a bill that would authorize more than $10 billion in federal spending for water infrastructure projects across the country.  The Water Resources and Development Act, WRDA, authorizes the investigation and construction of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation and flood control projects.  Among the projects authorized for construction by the legislation are the West Sacramento flood control project and the American River Common Features flood control project in northern California. 

Each project is estimated to cost over $1 billion, split between federal and non-federal partners.  Typically, WRDA bills only authorize Corps projects, but the Senate has added assistance to Flint, MI for the removal of and rehabilitation of old lead water transmission lines.  The bill also reauthorizes the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, programs run by the Environmental Protection Agency which help rural and low-income communities replace aging water infrastructure.  The additional provisions added to this year’s WRDA bill could delay its passage as Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have already signaled their disapproval of the additional language.  The Senate is expected to take a week to finalize work on the bill but the bill faces a far less certain future in the House.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Exporting Presents Growth Opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

With more than 95 percent of the world’s population and 75 percent of the market residing outside of U.S. borders, starting or enhancing exporting provides potential opportunities for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to market and sell their products and services to a much broader audience.  

This potential opportunity is especially important for rural businesses with a limited customer base.  Although small to medium-sized business account for 98 percent of all exporting enterprises, only about 4 percent actually engage in exporting goods and services.  Despite the innate challenges and inherent barriers to exporting for SMEs, there are numerous entities that offer no or low cost export assistance.  Some examples include: The Center for International Trade Development, The U.S. Small Business Administration, The California State Trade and Export Program, and The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics developed a policy brief that contemplates free trade agreements, its potential impacts on SMEs, and provides recommendations on how the exporting process could be more efficient and manageable for SMEs.  Clearly there are varying analyses and perspectives regarding U.S. free trade agreements, and there is likely a great deal of room for improvement, but access to the global economy has the potential to significantly help SMEs in rural California grow and expand their business to the betterment of their communities as a whole.

U.S.D.A.: Rural U.S. Communities are Improving

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack released an op-ed outlining the various improvements rural communities throughout the U.S. are currently experiencing.  

The key points Secretary Vilsack highlights include:

  • Rural counties added 125,000 jobs in both 2014 and 2015;
  • Unemployment is below 6 percent for the first time since 2007;
  • Child poverty rates decreased 3 percent from 2012 to 2014, and food insecurity for children is at its lowest level on record;
  • Assisted 1.2 million families purchase, repair or refinance their homes;
  • Invested in 8,350 community facilities such as schools, libraries, hospitals and public spaces; and,
  • Enabled access to 21st century basic broadband infrastructure.

Is Energy Storage the Future?

Several bills were passed by the Legislature that are designed to significantly increase the use of energy storage.  The bills are intended to help the State meet its 50 percent renewable energy mandate by 2050.  But even as various technologies continue to move closer to viable commercialization, it is clear this will be a challenge as California’s population is expected to increase significantly.  Hydroelectric energy storage solutions, which are specifically targeted as storage solution in AB 33, will need to be balanced with California’s growing water demands.  Fortunately, there is no shortage of potential solutions that companies around the globe are racing to deploy:

Facing stricter climate goals, California passes 4 bills to boost energy storage

How Much Energy Storage Would Be Needed for California to Reach 50 Percent Solar?

Uncle Sam's battery bank: ARPA-E spurs commercialization of innovative storage technology

These Technologies May Actually Deliver Elon Musk’s Dream of Changing the World

BULLETIN BOARD

Delta Counties Hosting 2016 Water Discussion

Click here

RCRC, CSAC, and CALCIMA Host Free Webinar on SMARA

Click here

Groundwater Resources Association 2016 Conference and 25th Annual Meeting

Click here

California Groundwater Briefing: Findings and Implications for the Future of California’s Water

Click here

County of Del Norte Hiring Assistant Director of Health and Human Services

Click here

Notice of Proposed Revisions and Public Comment Period for Water Storage Investment Program Regulations

Click here

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties.  

AB 1546 (Olsen): Vital Records.  Assembly Bill 1546 authorizes a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record to include a feature other than intaglio print that provides equal or greater security protection than intaglio print.  Status:  Signed into law by the Governor.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1628 (Committee on Budget): No Place Like Home Program: Financing.  Assembly Bill 1628 establishes the bond financing mechanism and structure for funding the $2 billion No Place Like Home homeless housing package that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in late June 2016.  RCRC worked with a coalition of stakeholder groups to secure amendments on both the No Place Like Home programmatic and financing bills.  Status:  Signed into law by the Governor.  RCRC Position: No Position

AB 2476 (Daly): Notice of Parcel Tax Increases.  Assembly Bill 2476 requires a local agency to notify an out-of-jurisdiction property owner of an approved parcel tax following its successful passage.  Status:  Signed into law by the Governor.  RCRC Position:  Oppose

SB 838 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review): Transportation.  Senate Bill 838 is a 2016-17 budget trailer bill that, in addition to other non-related policy changes, increases the annual vehicle registration fee by $10 from $43 to $53 per year.  The increase in revenues would provide funding to the California Department of Motor Vehicles to support programs and operations.  Status:  Signed into law by the Governor.  RCRC Position: No Position

SB 1029 (Hertzberg): Debt Issuance.  Senate Bill 1029 requires local governments to submit various reporting elements to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Committee for all bond debt that has not been fully repaid or redeemed.  RCRC worked with CSAC and the author’s office over several months to address county concerns.  Status: Signed into law by the Governor.  RCRC Position: No Position

REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to submit comments on regulatory matters to state and federal regulatory bodies, and to provide a copy to RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of regulations impacting California’s rural counties.  

Update to the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (Proposed CalEnviroScreen 3.0).  The CalEnviroScreen uses a suite of statewide indicators and assigns scores for each indicator in a given geographic area (census tracts).  Scores for the pollution burden and population characteristics categories are then multiplied together.  The intent of this tool is to provide State agencies with a means to prioritize and direct their resources and make policy decisions intended to benefit the most impacted communities.  This latest update incorporates recent data for nearly all indicators, improvements in the way some indicators are calculated, and two new indicators – cardiovascular disease and rent-adjusted income.  The update also includes additional information on pollution sources in Mexico.  The tool precludes 30 counties (27 RCRC counties) from being defined as having any “Disadvantaged Communities.”  Agency: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Status: Draft released September 6, 2016, available for public comment until October 22, 2016.  Draft proposal and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: RCRC is seeking member county input.  RCRC Advocates: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org and Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org