WASHINGTON
Thompson votes to create select committee on competition between the United States and China
On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) voted to pass H.Res. 11 to establish the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
“Winning the 21st century means ensuring that our economy outcompetes China and we maintain our strategic advantage,” said Thompson. “However, we cannot allow this committee to blatantly traffic in xenophobia and anti-Asian American rhetoric. Focusing on specific policy concerns that relate directly to the People’s Republic of China will ensure that we can secure economic success and protect our national security. I look forward to following the work of the Select Committee and hearing its recommendations to deliver on the issues that will benefit our standing on the global stage.”
—Submitted
CALIFORNIA
The Salvation Army prepares help amid Atmospheric River
The Salvation Army Del Oro Division is organizing to provide help to those impacted by the atmospheric river dumping precipitation throughout Northern California. Emergency Disaster Service teams are on standby in Lodi, Auburn, Roseville, Stockton, Yuba, Oakland, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, and Redding prepared to help the community in any situation that arises because of these storms. We are expecting to see continued power outages, flooding, evacuations, downed trees, and displaced residents.
Here is a summary of our Emergency Disaster Services responses since Dec. 31, 2022:
- Stockton provided 240 meals to 150 veterans who had power outages for two days at Liberty Square.
- Santa Rosa cooked and delivered meals, snacks, and waters to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
- Oakland cooked and delivered meals to the Castro Valley Library.
- Sacramento B Street Kitchen cooked meals for two senior center locations with power outages, serving a total of 89 residents.
- The Salvation Army has placed 25 people with disabilities/low income who lost power into hotel rooms for 4 nights in Sonoma County and San Joaquin.
—Submitted
McGuire’s statement on Gov. Newsom’s budget
Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire issued the following statement in response to Gov. Newsom’s budget released on Tuesday morning:
“Governor Newsom has put forward a fiscally responsible early budget that carefully balances the financial uncertainty our state is facing, while maintaining critical investments in many of our state’s top priorities – strong public schools and kids, homelessness and housing, making our communities more fire safe, and public safety. This economic slowdown we are experiencing is exactly what we’ve been planning and preparing for over these past many years, and we are committed to making sure the state of California is on strong financial footing, while investing in our future.
McGuire has been an outspoken leader in the Legislature on increasing funding for our public schools and kids. For example, since McGuire took office in 2015, per-student spending in California’s schools has more than doubled, from $8,931 to $23,723. This is now the highest state education per-student funding in the history of California.
“We’re continuing to invest in the future of California, even during these tight-budget times. We’re looking forward to working with Pro Tem Atkins, the Legislature and the Governor in the months to come as this budget progresses.”
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Statement: Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget cuts environment, climate programs
Facing a $22.5 billion deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled his 2023-2024 budget, which proposes cutting $6 billion in investments to stave off the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
The proposed budget would cut:
- More than $1 billion in clean energy funding, including solar and storage and building electrification
- More than $1 billion from the state’s zero emission vehicle incentive programs
- More than $2 billion from clean transportation like transit, walking and biking funds
- Over $700,000 from ocean and coast and nature based solutions.
The budget does commit enough resources to implement recently passed climate legislation. Those new laws will accelerate the state’s transition from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy and protect communities from the adverse effects of oil and gas drilling.
To his credit, the governor proposed ways to minimize the impacts on environmental programs. Those include ‘budget triggers’ that would restore priority climate investments in the event of a brighter budget picture, a request for additional federal climate funds for California and the option to issue bonds to raise money. With the governor’s proposal completed, the state legislature will now work to develop its version.
Environment California State Director Laura Deehan issued the following statement:
“Cuts to climate and environment initiatives are penny-wise but pound-foolish. While it’s true that Gov. Newsom has to make tough choices given the difficult budget situation, proposing delays and cuts to the programs that will protect California from the worst impacts of climate change is not a good response. Federal environmental investments and innovative clean energy solutions — such as solar on highways — that could save the state money or generate revenue are now more crucial than ever.
“We still have a chance to come up with a better solution. This proposal is only the first step toward a final budget. We look forward to working with the state legislature and the Governor’s office to get a more climate-friendly budget signed by June 15th.”
—Submitted
