In the News
Experts fear Trump’s weakening of environmental policy could expose North Coast to drilling
by MARY CALLAHAN
A move by the Trump administration to roll back landmark environmental policy intended to ensure vigorous scrutiny of federal infrastructure projects has struck alarm in the hearts of California conservationists, particularly those striving to safeguard North Coast waters from offshore energy exploration and production. Proposed changes to the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act would have sweeping effects nationwide, wherever there is federally built, funded or permitted … Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Federal lawmakers tell FEMA to drop bid for billions out of PG&E’s settlement with wildfire victims
by JULIE JOHNSON
A group of federal lawmakers from California is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to drop its bid to get about one-quarter of the $13.5 billion trust PG&E is setting aside to pay wildfire victims, saying the move risks undermining a fund designed to help families still struggling to rebuild their lives. Addressed to FEMA acting administrator Peter Gaynor, the letter by North Bay Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman and signed by 36 of their colleagues questioned the agency's … Continue Reading
January 05, 2020
Flouting War Powers Act, Trump claims his tweets are sufficient notice to Congress that U.S. may strike Iran
by Felicia Sonmez
President Trump claimed Sunday that his tweets are sufficient notice to Congress of any possible U.S. military strike on Iran, in an apparent dismissal of his obligations under the War Powers Act of 1973. Trump's declaration, which comes two days after his administration launched a drone strike that killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, was met with disbelief and ridicule from congressional Democrats, who called on the president to respect the role of the legislative … Continue Reading
January 03, 2020
California members of Congress react to fatal attack on Iran general
Members of California's congressional delegation react to President Trump's authorization of the drone attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad Thursday: Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo: I fear that last night's strike constitutes the Trump Administration's biggest and most consequential foreign policy blunder to date. These killings will not be judged by their deserving targets, but by President Trump's overall strategy in the region, or lack thereof, and the ability to prevent … Continue Reading
January 03, 2020
Huffman: Congress needs to ‘provide a check on Trump unilaterally taking us to war’
by SONIA WARAICH
One of the United States' top foreign policy objectives in the Middle East is to contain Iran's influence in the region, but the recent move by President Donald Trump to order the killing of a top Iranian general is counter to those efforts and will likely give Iran a stronger foothold in the region, Rep. Jared Huffman told the Times-Standard Friday. "I don't think President Trump has thought through the first and second order implications of the events he set in motion," Huffman said by … Continue Reading
December 31, 2019
Climate, development top Petaluma news in 2019
by MATT BROWN
Like in 2017, the past year was again marked by natural disasters - fires, floods and power outages. In 2019, Petaluma again showed resiliency as a community, responding to these disasters by welcoming evacuees while lending a hand to stem the crisis. But Petaluma this year also addressed the root cause of nature's ire - climate change. From ranking climate change among the top of the Petaluma City Council's goals to declaring a climate emergency, the issue was the top story in a busy … Continue Reading
December 26, 2019
'The Weight of History': Huffman reflects on historic impeachment vote
by THADEUS GREENSON
Congressman Jared Huffman speaks at a campaign event for Beto O'Rourke. PHOTO BY JD LASICA It was a day North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman had long been pushing and waiting for, but when Dec. 18 came and the U.S. House of Representatives readied to vote on articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump, it was a bit strange. "It has been quite an odyssey," said Huffman, who was one of the first members of Congress to begin calling on colleagues to launch an impeachment inquiry and … Continue Reading
December 25, 2019
Public lands bill passes through house committee
by Amanda Barragar
On Nov. 20 four bills proposing additional protection for California's public lands passed through the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. Among them was one that pertains greatly to Trinity County; Congressman Jared Huffman's Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act (HR 2250), which passed with bipartisan support. This bill safeguards some of the state's most unique public lands and rivers for future generations, including critical habitat … Continue Reading
December 24, 2019
Dick Spotswood: 2019 was a good year for Pelosi, Huffman, Phillips
by Dick Spotwood
It's been a good year for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. At the start of 2019, the San Francisco Democrat was in a defensive mode with even a few Democratic members pledging not to vote for her election as speaker. It seemed her time had passed and younger, more progressive leadership was likely to take over. Fast forward 12 months and Pelosi is at the apex of Congressional power. Only fools claim the 79-year-old San Francisco Democrat is too old for the job. She … Continue Reading
December 16, 2019
State and Federal Action on Environmental Justice in 2019: A Year of Milestones
by ADRIENNE HOLLIS
We cannot close out 2019 without acknowledging some of this year's many significant events focused on environmental justice, vulnerable populations and climate change. There have been many milestone events that should be acknowledged and/or celebrated, and to that end I have created a 3-part series focused on some of these actions. This first post presents activities that have occurred at the federal and state levels. On the hill The year began with a January 15th press conference hosted by … Continue Reading
December 16, 2019
Lytton reservation in Sonoma County headed for approval with prohibition on gaming
by GUY KOVNER
Lytton Rancheria's quest for a federally recognized reservation next to Windsor appears headed for realization this week as part of a $738 billion defense spending bill. Approved by the House in a 377-48 vote last week, the 3,448-page bill, including Rep. Jared Huffman's tribal lands measure, is headed for Senate adoption this week along with a hearty endorsement from President Donald Trump. The bill would restore territory to the Lytton tribe left homeless nearly 60 years ago, but made … Continue Reading
December 16, 2019
California water politics complicate House panel’s oversight
by Jacob Holzman
House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona wants his committee to give him subpoena authority for multiple possible investigations, but California Democrat Jim Costa may vote against that as the panel considers whether Interior Secretary David Bernhardt improperly influenced a decision to send more water to his district. Costa told CQ Roll Call he's not sure he can support giving Grijalva such unlimited subpoena authority. Costa said he discussed the matter with the … Continue Reading
December 15, 2019
House OKs Military Budget That Includes Jones’ Repeal of Widow’s Tax, Sends It to Senate
KEY VOTES AHEAD The House will vote on articles of impeachment against President Trump this week and may take up a U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact. The Senate will consider the 2020 military budget and judicial nominations. WASHINGTON - The House last week approved a $738 billion military policy budget (S 1790) for fiscal 2020 that included a repeal of the so-called "widow's tax," sponsored by Sen. Doug Jones, R-Ala. The "widow's tax" affects spouses of military men and women who were killed … Continue Reading
December 14, 2019
Sonoma-Marin train line debuts Larkspur Station and easier trips to and from city
by Rachel Swan
The first train pulled into Larkspur Station as dawn broke through the fog-shrouded hills Friday - a hard-fought victory for Sonoma Marin-Area Rail Transit. Service to Larkspur is scheduled to begin on Saturday, but SMART dropped off 100 early-morning commuters at the new station on Friday, allowing them to christen the newly retrofitted tunnel through Cal Park Hill, and the canopied platform at Larkspur Landing Circle. Another train left the station shortly after 2 p.m., bound for the … Continue Reading
December 12, 2019
Sheriff Allman retiring at the end of the year
by K.C. MEADOWS
Sheriff Tom Allman announced today that he will retire on Dec. 28 after 13 years in office. He was elected by the voters in 2006 and took office in 2007. In an interview at the Daily Journal offices, Allman discussed his career as sheriff and said he will ask the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors to appoint UnderSheriff Matt Kendall to replace him permanently, not in an 'acting' capacity. Kendall would then face election in three years. Allman said he planned to retire at the last … Continue Reading
December 12, 2019
The Progressive Caucus Used Freedom Caucus Tactics To Win On Prescription Drugs
by Matt Fuller and Daniel Marans
WASHINGTON. As House Democrats finish their first year in the majority since 2010, the Progressive Caucus is ending 2019 with its most significant legislative victory this Congress: The passage of a prescription drug bill. From the very beginning, the Congressional Progressive Caucus has been heavily involved with this prescription drug measure, which passed Thursday by a vote of 230-192. The CPC was instrumental in writing the legislation, moving it through Congress, and most recently, … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Stakes high as long-awaited drug pricing vote nears in House
by Andrew Siddons
When House Democrats vote Thursday on their signature drug pricing negotiation measure, they will be seeking to show that they are addressing an issue that prompted voters to give them the majority and demonstrate that impeachment isn't stopping them from legislating. The political power of the drug price issue isn't lost on either party. House Republicans unveiled their own drug pricing bill Monday, soon after Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley of Iowa announced changes to his own … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Huffman floats green transportation legislation
by Nick Sobczyk
Rep. Jared Huffman wants to make the nation's transportation planners slash greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change. The California Democrat introduced legislation, H.R. 5354, late last week that would direct the Department of Transportation to establish minimum standards for states to reduce emissions along the National Highway System. The bill, dubbed the "Generating Resilient, Environmentally Exceptional National Streets Act," would generally aim to reduce per capita miles … Continue Reading
December 09, 2019
Rural County Representatives of California Reports Newly Introduced Federal Legislation Would Provide Funding to Design and Implement New Community Wildfire Defense Plans
December 9, 2019 - Senator Kamala Harris has introduced the Wildfire Defense Act (S. 2882) to help local communities defend themselves from the growing danger of wildfires. This bill will empower communities to implement science-based methods for mitigating wildfire damage and provide funding to design and implement new Community Wildfire Defense Plans (CWDP) with community members, first responders, and relevant state agencies. Specifically, the legislation will invest $1 billion per year … Continue Reading
December 08, 2019
Democrats gear up for high-stakes Judiciary hearing
by BY OLIVIA BEAVERS AND MIKE LILLIS
House Democrats are gearing up for one of their last opportunities to present evidence about President Trump's contacts with Ukraine before introducing articles of impeachment. The high-stakes Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday will feature Democratic and Republican investigators seeking to win the PR battle over whether the president's conduct rises to the level of an impeachable offense. As investigators from the Intelligence and Judiciary panels duke it out, the hearing … Continue Reading