A California Congressman is introducing legislation that aims to modernize how the U.S. combats megafires. Congressman Josh Harder is touting the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act as a comprehensive and effective approach to addressing the wildfire crisis. Harder says fighting wildfires is a bipartisan issue because it can affect everyone. Harder believes the bill provides an “all-of-the-above” approach to dealing with the wildfire crisis by modernizing existing fire prevention efforts.
State leaders are battling over several public safety bills and reforms to Proposition 47. Democrats in the State Senate and Assembly in the State Capitol Monday introduced a package of 14 public safety related bills. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Governor Newsom and others who don’t support a bipartisan effort to reform Prop 47 are trying to negotiate it off the November ballot. The ballot initiative changes Prop 47 to enhance penalties for repeat offenders and requires those who steal for a third time to spend up to three years in prison. It would also classify fentanyl possession as a felony. Democrats plan to add clauses that will prevent them from going into effect if voters approve the Prop 47 reforms. Republicans are calling it a poison pill and argue any voter-driven initiative should be given fair consideration. The signatures to get the measure to reform Prop 47 on the ballot are currently being verified by the Secretary of State’s office.
Governor Gavin Newsom is disputing a story in the New York Post about fast-food workers in California. According to the Post, ten-thousand jobs have been cut in the industry since California instituted a 20-dollar-per-hour minimum wage. Newsom contends that 45 hundred jobs have been added, citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Newsom called the article inaccurate. Employment experts note that jobs “added” does not necessarily mean employees clocking into work, while jobs “cut” does mean people getting fired or laid off. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does note that California’s five-point-three percent unemployment rate is the highest in the nation and eight-tenths of a percent higher than it was a year ago.
The Kids Farmers Market is moving. The Ukiah Branch Library announced it will move the market to the grassy area of Alex Thomas Plaza for its 35th year. This year the market starts on June 19th and will be every Wednesday from 10am to noon until August 7th. The market invites children from 5 to 17 years old to participate. The young entrepreneurs will learn all about marketing and selling their products. Get more details on the Ukiah – Mendocino County Library Facebook page.
Representative Jared Huffman was in Ukiah on Friday to announce a 2 million dollar grant has been awarded to the Eel-Russian River Authority. The money is coming from the US Bureau of Reclamation, according to officials. It will be used to study the best way to approach diversion options after the dams have been removed as part of the Potter Valley Project. They’re calling the plan the Two Basin Solution.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued seasonal fire restrictions, starting tomorrow. Restrictions will apply to public lands managed by the Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices. These restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide restrictions that are already in place, according to a news release. Campfires and open flames of any kind are prohibited, with some exceptions. All recreational target shooting is temporarily prohibited. Operating any internal combustion engines, like chainsaws and generators, is prohibited. Smoking is prohibited unless its in an enclosed vehicle or camp space while in a designated area. Welding, and the use of acetylene or other open flame torches are prohibited under this order. Anyone who violates the order may be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor and may be subject to fines or jail time. The order is in effect until further notice. Read the full fire prevention order and get more info here
