SACRAMENTO
Little Hoover Commission to conduct an implementation review hearing Thursday
On Thursday, March 24, 2022, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct an implementation review hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on the California Rebuilding Fund. Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will conduct a business meeting. Both the hearing and meeting will be conducted via Zoom.
Members of the public are encouraged to listen to the events by joining online or by phone. Click the URL to join online: https://bit.ly/3J6b7BT. To join via phone, call toll free from the U.S. by dialing (888) 788-0099. The webinar ID is 956-7137-8187. The password is 753622. We highly recommend members of the public access the events through the Zoom app. Please visit the Zoom website for instructions on how to download the Zoom app onto a computer or smartphone.
During the meeting, members of the public may indicate to staff that they wish to make public comment by using the “raise” hand feature in Zoom or sending an email to LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov with your question and the phone number from which you have joined the meeting. As is the Commission’s normal procedure during
The hearing and meeting may be cancelled without notice. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Little Hoover Commission at (916) 445-2125 or LittleHoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 17, 2022.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
Clearlake Grange invites public to their membership meetings
The Clearlake Grange No. 680 invites the public to their membership meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 P.M. at the hall at 1510 Big Valley Rd. On the third Tues. the Music Club meets there at 6 PM for live music, potluck food, and big fun, all free. Contact Dennis Booth at popbooth@yahoo.com or 707 245 7532.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
Operation Tango Mike marches on
The Task Force Pegasus Chaplain wrote, “Thank you so much for all the care packages to the soldiers serving here. We are so blessed to have so many great Americans show their support. From PVTs to COLs, all have stopped into the office to have a quick snack, grab some toiletries, and chat with their chaplain.”
“So, thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. Make it a great day!”
On the third Thursday of every month, volunteers gather at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, to prepare care packages deployed military personnel.
Monthly shipping costs averaging at least $2000, and items for care packages, are all covered through donations and fundraising. No government funding is provided.
The local effort began on behalf of local soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in March 2003. Troops from Lake and Mendocino Counties are supported, as well as deployed personnel from across the United States.
At times, more than 150 monthly care packages have been shipped. Today, 80-100, and sometimes more, care packages are sent every month to troops in the Middle East, Africa, aboard ships and in many other countries.
Military families are supported as well. Many volunteers that support Operation Tango Mike have volunteered their assistance with home repairs, transportation and more.
With no base or military installation in the local area, folks who wish to support troops and their families gather via Operation Tango Mike. Military families are welcomed and are provided with emotional support, knowing that they and their loved ones are appreciated.
“Forget politics, support our troops,” is the mantra that has helped ensure that all are welcomed and appreciated at Operation Tango Mike functions. The effort does not involve politics and exists to support our troops and their families.
Packing parties are family friendly and children are encouraged to participate. Every care package is decorated with stickers and artwork by “the world’s greatest decorating crew” of children.
Troops express appreciation in thank you messages that are sent to Operation Tango Mike.
Major Robinson wrote, “I received your packages and gave them all out to the Soldiers and they were very grateful. It is great to still get support long after the bumper stickers have faded.”
The public is invited and encouraged to help celebrate and commemorate nineteen years of community effort. More than 24,000 care packages have been shipped.
On Thursday March 17, from 5 to 6 p.m., there will be an open house at Umpqua Bank. It will be an opportunity to pay a visit and learn more about Operation Tango Mike, read letters from troops, browse photos and get acquainted.
Delicious food will be served. Catering is generously being donated by Rosemary Martin of Rosey Cooks, LLC.
The regular monthly packing party will take place at 6 p.m., and as holiday items are shipped one month in advance to ensure timely delivery, the March care packages will be Easter boxes. You are invited to bring along any special treats, candies, correspondence or items you would like to include in care packages.
For further information or to add someone to the care package recipient list, please call 707-349-2838 or e-mail operationtangomike@mchsi.com.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Lawmakers pass UC Berkeley fix, block gas tax bill
Monday was a day of stark contrasts in the California Legislature.
State lawmakers unanimously sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk a bill they say will allow UC Berkeley to avoid a court order to slash its in-person fall enrollment by 2,600 students — while also making it impossible to use student population as the sole basis for challenging a public college’s growth plans under California’s landmark environmental protection law.
Hours later, Newsom signed the bill into law.
But, as CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn reports, the UC Berkeley saga likely won’t end with Newsom’s signature: The university is still facing a host of possible headwinds, including forthcoming legal challenges from the Berkeley neighborhood group that secured the court-ordered enrollment cap.
And despite overwhelming support for the bill, some lawmakers noted that it had been introduced just three days prior — cutting short the Legislature’s typical deliberative process and limiting public input.
- Assemblymember Luz Rivas, a San Fernando Democrat: “Mistakes were made by UC Berkeley, and that’s why … we’re rushing this through, because we don’t want to affect students. But unfortunately, we’re not going through the full policy process and public review that something like this should.”
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers slammed Democrats for fast-tracking certain bills while blocking proposals deemed critical by the GOP. On Monday, the Assembly declined to consider a bill from Republican Assemblymember Kevin Kiley of Rocklin that would have suspended California’s gas excise tax for six months.
At a press conference at a Sacramento gas station held hours before the vote, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City accused Democrats of hypocrisy.
- Gallagher: “Today the Legislature is fast-tracking … a fix for the UC Berkeley housing problem. … We’re fast-tracking that bill, as we should, because that’s an urgent issue. But this is an urgent issue also, to make sure that every Californian gets 50 cents a gallon off of their gas right now.”
- With the average price of a gallon of gas reaching $5.74 in California on Monday, the Senate Republican Caucus also sent Newsom a letter imploring him to work with lawmakers to institute a “full moratorium” on the gas excise tax — a proposal that doesn’t seem likely to go very far in the supermajority-Democratic Legislature.
Another measure that will likely be dead on arrival: A Republican-led resolution to end California’s pandemic state of emergency — and terminate Newsom’s emergency powers — which a Senate committee is set to consider today.
—Hoeven, CALMatters
