UC Davis researchers predict severe drought could cost the Central Valley's farming industry more than a billion dollars.
Louis Sahagun reports in the Los Angeles Times: “The drought could cost the region’s farm industry $1.7 billion in 2014 and cause more than 14,500 workers to lose their jobs, according to preliminary results of the study, which also predicts that Central Valley irrigators will only get two-thirds of their normal water deliveries.”
“Additional pumping of groundwater to replace those shortages will cost farmers about $450 million. About 410,000 acres, or 6%, of the irrigated cropland in the Central Valley will be fallowed this year.”
Speaking to scientists gathered in Sacramento for a drought conference, Gov. Jerry Brown continued to heed warnings of the impact of extreme weather.
Jennifer Medina reports in the New York Times: “Portraying California as the front line of climate change, Gov. Jerry Brown said Monday that the effects of man-made global warming were devastating the state, drawing a direct link between climate change and both the record-setting drought that has left the state parched and the early-season wildfires that broke out across California last week. He declared that people must find a way “to live with nature, not collide with it.”
A special distribution fund that helps dozens of poor tribes is nearly empty after decades of surpluses.
Jim Miller reports in the Sacramento Bee: “The distribution fund is on track to be empty by the end of June 2015, the LAO reported. There are no easy fixes — ultimately, the analyst said, lawmakers might have to tap the state's general fund to pay for programs now covered by the distribution fund.”
“Other possible solutions include crafting future tribal casino deals that provide more money for poor tribes and requiring tribes to negotiate casino-mitigation agreements with surrounding communities, the analyst said.”
Lite Gov. Gavin Newsom is again taking the lead on a controversial topic – this time it’s virtual currency.
Joe Garofoli reports in San Francisco Chronicle: “Risk-averse politicians have kept their distance, but bitcoin has found fans on the far left and the far right. Some liberals view it as a way to help low-income constituents avoid usurious bank fees. Some conservatives see it as a way to get the government out of monetary policy.”
“Aside from Newsom, Democrats like Oakland mayoral candidate Bryan Parker and Colorado Rep. Jared Polis, and Republicans like Texas attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott now accept bitcoin contributions.”
Senators approved a bill to dramatically cut back gifts lawmakers can accept.
Christopher Cadelago reports in the Sacramento Bee: “De León's bill would ban all gifts from lobbyists (they currently can give a gift of up to $10 a month to each elected official), and prohibit elected officials from accepting certain gifts that the author believes lack legislative merit. Such gifts include tickets to concerts, sports venues and amusement parks; spa services and rounds of golf; cash and gift cards.”
“The bill is part of a package of proposed changes that, among other things, would ban campaign fundraisers at lobbyists' homes and require fundraising committees to file campaign finance reports four times a year.”
John Burton, chairman of the California Democratic Party, wrote to Grover Norquist to condone his plan to name 3,000 things after Ronal Reagan.
Trapper Byrne writes in SF Gate: “Here’s Burton’s letter to Norquist, extolling the Republican project to honor “somebody who has such a liberal progressive record.”
...“I also fondly remember Governor Reagan signing the bill that liberalized abortion, the Therapeutic Abortion Act.
I think it’s wonderful that you’re willing to honor somebody who has such a liberal progressive record.”
Peace and friendship,
John Burton”
