In the News
Humboldt County supervisors call on Congress for FEMA money
by Sage Alexander
Humboldt County Supervisors on Tuesday tacked on their support for approving more funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It’s part of an effort by elected representatives to increase hurricane relief in Congress — but Humboldt County’s interest is getting its own FEMA reimbursements from roads wrecked in past winter storms. “They’re essential. We aren’t able to do roadwork right now. We have three, four projects that we’ve had to put on the back burner because our General Fund … Continue Reading
October 14, 2024
Effort to posthumously pardon Petaluma war hero Richard Penry shifts to the White House
by Andrew Graham
Last summer, members of the Veterans for Foreign Wars Post 1929 in Petaluma began working to clear the felony convictions clouding the legacy of Richard “Butch” Penry, a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. Now they are turning to President Joe Biden as the effort gains sweeping backing from the North Bay’s elected officials. When The Press Democrat documented Penry’s exploits in battle, and his later life, in detail in June 2023, advocates believed a pardon would come through Gov. … Continue Reading
October 08, 2024
FFRF lambastes Project 2025’s plan to defund official hurricane forecaster
by The Freedom From Religion Foundation
The Freedom From Religion Foundation strongly opposes Project 2025’s proposed plan to defund and dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton strongly in people’s minds, FFRF warns that stripping vital agencies like NOAA of their funding will severely weaken the nation’s ability to predict, prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, plays … Continue Reading
October 04, 2024
Federal bill would allow Marin wetlands transfer
by Krissy Waite
One of Marin County’s biggest wetlands might be closer to becoming a federal reserve under new legislation proposed by a group of U.S. lawmakers. Rep. Jared Huffman, whose district includes Marin, joined Rep. John Garamendi, Rep. Mike Thompson and Sen. Alex Padilla in introducing the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. The legislation, House Bill 9826, introduced on Sept. 27, could expand the refuge’s boundaries by 5,658 acres, including 1,774 acres of state-managed wetlands … Continue Reading
October 03, 2024
Rep. Jared Huffman says Point Reyes ranchers ‘deserve respect’ as talks over seashore’s farms approach latest deadline
by John Beck
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman admits he’s found himself in difficult positions at times while trying to navigate the decades-old battle over the future of private farming and ranching in Point Reyes National Seashore. “One thing that I’ve pushed back on over the years, and I’ve taken some heat for it, is I don’t like the way (the ranchers) have sometimes been caricatured. You know as industrial polluters or factory farms or other things that I know to be untrue,” Huffman said in a Sept. 25 … Continue Reading
October 02, 2024
Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act introduced to expand boundary in San Pablo Bay
by Daily Democrat
Late last week, Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives John Garamendi, Mike Thompson, and Jared Huffman introduced the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act (H.R. 9826). According to a press release, the expanded acquisition boundary for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge will include 5,658 acres that are currently owned by the California State Lands Commission, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and the Sonoma Land Trust. Expanding the acquisition boundary … Continue Reading
October 01, 2024
This American state, ready to cover its rivers: They will absorb historic amount of energy coming from space
by D.Garcia
California is initiating an innovative approach to renewable energy by mounting solar panels over its canals. With the support of federal funding, the objective of this project is to increase the production of green energy while addressing water sustainability. Not only does this floating solar project aid in producing clean energy it also decreases water evaporation, a serious problem for the state. Together with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Governor Gavin Newsom has just launched this … Continue Reading
September 30, 2024
Senators Padilla and Garamendi Spearhead Bill to Expand San Pablo Bay Refuge by over 5,500 Acres in Northern California
by Eileen Vargas
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and U.S. Representative John Garamendi have proposed a bill to expand the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by approximately 5,658 acres. Joining in support are Representatives Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson, who are cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives. These additional lands include areas in Solano, Marin, and Sonoma counties, already managed by the state and nonprofit organizations. The expansion is critical in safeguarding Northern … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Proposed Federal Law Targets Plastic Barrage; Follows Similar National Efforts
by Arlene Karidis
If a newly proposed federal bill passes, companies that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets will be in violation of the law if they discharge plastic pellets into waterways, storm drains, or sewers. The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act (HR 7634) leverages the Clean Water Act to establish zero-discharge limits for these microplastics— also called nurdles— which are the second largest source of ocean microplastics after tire dust (by weight), according to 5 Gyres Institute, … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Capitol Hill Hearing Exposes Project 2025 as an Extreme Republican Agenda
by Sara Hossaini
North Bay Congressman Jared Huffman’s Stop Project 2025 Task Force held its first congressional hearing on Tuesday focused on exposing the nearly one thousand-page conservative playbook many see as a sweeping MAGA manifesto. For two hours on Capitol Hill, Congressman Huffman joined the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in a multimedia presentation and testimony that directly targeted the blueprint fueled by former Trump administration officials and led by the Heritage Foundation, a … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
California House Democrats seek to tie Trump to conservatives’ controversial Project 2025
by Andrea Castillo
California House Democrats — seeking to connect former President Trump to the ultraconservative policy blueprint Project 2025 — held a public hearing Tuesday to lay out “its devastating impact on hardworking American taxpayers.” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) founded the Stop Project 2025 Task Force in June, designating it a “central hub” for preempting what members see as a “right-wing plot to undermine democracy.” Democrats see bringing attention to Project 2025 as a winning election … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
California House Democrats seek to tie Trump to conservatives’ controversial Project 2025
by Andrea Castillo
California House Democrats — seeking to connect former President Trump to the ultraconservative policy blueprint Project 2025 — held a public hearing Tuesday to lay out “its devastating impact on hardworking American taxpayers.” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) founded the Stop Project 2025 Task Force in June, designating it a “central hub” for preempting what members see as a “right-wing plot to undermine democracy.” Democrats see bringing attention to Project 2025 as a winning election … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
California House Democrats seek to tie Trump to conservatives’ controversial Project 2025
by Andrea Castillo
WASHINGTON — California House Democrats — seeking to connect former President Trump to the ultraconservative policy blueprint Project 2025 — held a public hearing Tuesday to lay out “its devastating impact on hardworking American taxpayers.” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) founded the Stop Project 2025 Task Force in June, designating it a “central hub” for preempting what members see as a “right-wing plot to undermine democracy.” Democrats see bringing attention to Project 2025 as a … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Marin City Has Long Felt Its Flooding Woes Were Neglected. That’s About to Change
by Ezra David Romero
Marin City is one step closer to a solution for the floodwaters that often block the neighborhood’s only entrance and exit after the federal government formalized a partnership with local advocates to completely fund a potential fix of up to $13.5 million. Residents in the unincorporated Marin County community — a bowl of a town sandwiched between steep mountains and Highway 101, just 5 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge — have advocated for solutions for decades. But with a historic Black … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
SMART Pathway proving convenient for bicyclists
The SMART Pathway is the southern portion of the Great Redwood Trail, which provides first and last-mile connections to SMART stations and offers a safe way to travel along the rail corridor, particularly in areas where the SMART Pathway is the shortest path of travel between communities. The pathway allows cyclists of all abilities to make local trips or longer journeys by bicycle or by bicycle in combination with the train. In the past year, more than 784,200 pedestrian and bicycle trips … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Democrats seek public’s help in learning about Project 2025 launch plan
by Mike Lillis
House Democrats are seeking outside help in deciphering conservatives’ plans for launching their Project 2025 agenda under the next Republican president. Leaders of the Democrats’ Project 2025 task force — a group formed in June to push back against the expansive right-wing policy document — launched a confidential tip line Thursday designed to glean the details of that nebulous rollout strategy, which the groups behind Project 2025 are pushing to deliver in the first six months of the next … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
House Democrats plan multimedia Project 2025 hearing
by Jacqueline Alemany and Marianna Sotomayor
House Democrats will hold their own hearing next week to illustrate potential impacts of Project 2025 under a hypothetical Trump administration, according to people involved with the planning. The hearing, which will be held by a committee made up only of Democrats, will feature lawmakers and testimony from people across the country who have been or could be affected by far-right policies like those proposed by the conservative Heritage Foundation in a 922-page policy document that former … Continue Reading
September 18, 2024
Lawmakers propose sweeping measures to help an unforeseen victim of overfishing: 'This bill introduces stronger protections for seabirds'
by Lindy Whitehouse
In July, lawmakers introduced the Sustaining America's Fisheries for the Future Act of 2024, which will help provide protection not only to fish but to the many animals that rely on them, including seabirds. As reported by Audubon, the act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman, Ed Case, Mary Peltola, and James Moylan. The bill reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, a primary law that governs marine fisheries management in federal waters, and adds new … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Democrats go all in on tying Project 2025 to House GOP
by Mike Lillis
House Democrats have adopted an aggressive strategy of linking Project 2025 to House Republicans in the final stretch of this year’s campaign, hoping the controversial conservative document will help them flip control of the lower chamber in November’s elections. The Democrats are invoking Project 2025 at every turn — in leadership press conferences, chamber-floor debates, public committee hearings and private hallway conversations — warning that Republicans in Congress are already pulling … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
55 Democratic lawmakers ask Biden administration to expand Arctic protections
by Zack Budryk
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) led a letter from more than 50 congressional Democrats calling on the Interior Department to expand federal protections in the Arctic. The Interior Department in July solicited comments on whether further protections should be imposed within a 23-million acre swath of the western Arctic. The Interior Department first began designating so-called Special Areas within the region in the 1970s, most recently in April, when … Continue Reading