| Click the button below to search for articles... View News Items from prior months... June 2021 July 2020 June 2016 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 July 2013 June 2013 March 2013 February 2013 November 2012 October 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 October 2010 September 2010 February 2010 January 2010 | Falling Gas Prices Mask Hidden Tax By George Runner So why is it that while other states are now enjoying gas prices of less than $2 per gallon, California is still paying higher prices? Due to high taxes and costly regulations, our state's gas prices are higher than other states. It's been that way for years. But what's new is that the gap between California's and other states' gas prices has grown. To get a sense of the change, compare California gas prices with those of the nation as a whole. According to GasBuddy.com, even while overall prices have fallen, the gap has grown from about 32 cents per gallon just a month ago to as much as 47 cents this January. That's a 15 cent increase in just one month! The likely culprit is a new "hidden gas tax" that took effect January 1. The new regulation expands the state's cap-and-trade program to include transportation fuels. The expansion is the latest in a series of sweeping and costly regulations developed by the California Air Resources Board as it implements the California Global Warming Solutions Act. Luckily for the Governor and his Air Board appointees, gas prices barely budged when the new rule kicked in; in fact, prices have continued to fall, masking the rule's true impact and ironically causing the new "hidden gas tax" to be even more hidden. Just a few years ago gas prices were soaring dangerously near $5 per gallon. Imagine public outcry if the government had caused gas prices to soar then! When government imposes higher costs on fuel providers, California consumers inevitably pay the price in lost jobs, income and opportunity. As economist Severin Borenstein notes: "Every analysis of cap-and-trade - or of a gas tax or, for that matter, of movements in the price of crude oil - finds that a change in the cost of selling gasoline, up or down, is quickly and fully passed through to consumers." We'd likely all be paying 10 to 15 cents less per gallon if not for the new regulation. Depending on the auction price of emission credits, some fear the cost could grow far higher in future years. Concern about the economic impact of high gas prices led to a bipartisan effort last year to postpone the planned cap-and-trade expansion. Unfortunately, Assemblyman Henry Perea's legislation (AB 69) died when Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg refused to authorize a hearing. Republicans have already announced a repeal effort this year in the form of SB 5 and AB 23, but it's hard to imagine their bills will fare better. Of course, with hidden taxes, exactly how much more we're paying is anyone's guess. That's just one of many reasons hidden taxes are such a bad idea. Taxes should be transparent, straightforward and easy to understand. You shouldn't need to hire an economist to know how much money you're sending to Sacramento-or Washington, D.C.-each year or how it's being used. We do know that 25% of the billions in new revenue the State of California collects from its cap-and-trade system is being used to fund the state's costly and controversial high speed rail project. Yet even with this funding source, the project-which recently broke ground in Fresno-still lacks the necessary funding to finish the job. So next time you fill up at the pump, remember you're helping pay for a train you won't be able to ride until the year 2029-assuming it ever gets built. (Even then you'll still have to pay to ride the train.) Maybe that's why politicians try so hard to keep taxes like these hidden. Published: 01/28/15 LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL - February 24th LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL members Ernie Teague and Mark Marin attended the court hearing for the Loyalton Mobile Estates held in Downieville last week where the mobile home park dropped its receivership. City attorney Tom Barth was on teleconference. Prior to the court hearing, the City was awarded $1,600 in water bills but the Loyalton Mobile Estates owes $167,000 in prior bills. The court now decides about the mobile home park going into backruptcy. LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL voted Tuesday night to spend $1,500 out of general fund monies to decorate the abandoned indoor swimming pool building at the city park with barn quilts. Teresa Green will be paid $200 for one 4’x4’, $300 for one 6’x6’, $400 for one 8’x8’ and $600 for a 6’x12’ flag. Material includes 3/4” plywood, a 2”x4” frame, two coats exterior primer, two coats exterior color and two coats exterior uv polyshield. Teresa’s work can be seen on the barn quilt hanging on the Sierra Booster garage facing School Street in Loyalton. The featured quilts were winners selected in a contest held nearly two years ago with winners being awarded prize money. JEFFERSON PRESENTATION Loyalton City Council heard a presentation on the State of Jefferson presented by Tom Dotta Tuesday night at a special meeting at the Social Hall with an enthusiastic crowd attending. Tom explained the problem of a lack of representation based on population. He talked of the problem of regulation with taxes on income, sales, gas, property, fire and maybe mileage. As for finances, he told of 570 California agencies which he said would be “cut to bare bones.” He talked of California’s debt and unfunded liabilities and the need to talk to County supervisors. Supervisor Jim Beard was present. Tom said a vote meant a seat at the table which won’t cost. Mayor Brooks Mitchell questioned how they are funded and was told 100 percent volunteer. He questioned the need for tax streams and State and federal grants.Tom questioned back, where would the budget be without State mandates. He handed out flyers on projections of revenue. He said a resolution from the City would be non-binding and no cost but said we need change. And, he added, no management fees. Councilman Mark Marin felt the State has the best fire protection agency with Cal Fire and was told all equipment in northern California would stay here, just like with Caltrans. Beard talked about increased mandates but decreased money to fund more out of the general fund. Schools Superintendent Dr. Grant was all for local control but wanted to know how to make up the State allocation. Tom suggested getting paid for trees, mining, using natural resources, getting people back to work. They need votes to get the answers, he said. Jackie Mitchell asked how to get timber when the federal government owns the timberland. “We the people” own it but the federal government manages it, she said. Mark Marin asked what it would take and was told to get a declaration registered at the Capitol, there’s a “magic number” and vote by Assembly and Senate as a first vote and then it goes back to Washington for a second vote. Councilman Ernie Teague felt there is a big problem with the federal government. Mike Moore was concerned for education when we have “fantastic schools.” He stated Forest Reserves at 91% loss if no Secure Rural Schools and Sierra County roads will lose half of $900,000 with the federal road fund almost out of money. Tom stated there would be the same property tax. He asked how good California is doing with school enrollment down 50% over 10 years. Jim said next step is to get a seat at the table for negotiation. Bob Green talked of the decline in Sierra County and stated Jefferson gives us an optimistic attempt to control our own destiny. Cindy Ellsmore, former Sierra County Treasurer had concerns with changing representation which would violate the Supreme Court decision and said it “can’t happen.” She asked who pays the costs of suing to change representation, gave figures and called it “unrealistic.” Kristin Gallegos wanted prewritten letters to support the movement. Craig Fassbender asked what our forefathers would have done. Sue Camara talked about how the City was proactive with the County and getting its own building permits. Julie Osburn asked, “If not difficult, why do it?” and she wants to do something about being the second poorest county in California. A WHOLE REPLICA of the Clover Valley and B&L Railroad, complete with the mill pond by Gary Nelson of Sierra Brooks was approved by Loyalton City Council Tuesday night to be an exhibit at the Loyalton Museum at the new Loyalton City Center (formerly Loyalton Middle School). Councilman Mark Marin thought the display “really cool,” and member Betty Ferguson was impressed with it. Betty moved to acquire the display and Ernie Teague seconded it with approval in the absence of member Pat Whitley who remains in a Reno hospital yet is adamant she will be home the end of the week. Out of the $60,000 budget for the City Center project, the Council reported it had spent $22,000 and has $20,000 “earmarked.” A work day is being held Saturday and the school is moving its property. Next week the will have four volunteers painting. The City approved business licenses for Oleum Supply for selling recycled motor oil with whom the City wants a professional services agreement and to John Eberhard’s “King’s Ride,” a transportation business. Published: 01/28/15 Americans Need Money, Not Washington By Glenn Mollette American's median income was $51,939.00 in 2013. In 2012 our median income was $51,759.00. In 1999, the pre-recession peak median American income was $56,436.00. Five years ago the United States Treasury took in 2.1 trillion dollars. Last year our federal government collected a record amount of taxes, just over 3 trillion dollars! (Wikipedia, Household Incomes in America) Struggling Americans sent more money to Washington than ever before in our nation's history. As Americans' incomes have struggled, stagnated and stalled good old Washington is rolling. What is wrong with this picture? Americans are poorer but Washington is richer. Washington is getting more of hard working Americans' money so they can determine our lives. Washington now determines our health care, our retirement and care for all of the people who do not want to work. The average American could not survive in retirement without Social Security. Americans need more money, not Washington. Americans are spending their money on food, utilities, mortgages, rent, gasoline, car payments and health care. Granted, recent gasoline prices have helped. After these expenses, there is not much money left over for family excursions, clothes and saving for retirement. The American dream used to include owning a house, two cars, sending the kids to college and a two weeks vacation each year. By the age of 62 you retired to do what you wanted to do with your life. That's not happening today because Americans don't have enough money. Go to Walmart or MacDonald's and you'll see lots of seniors working. People who are 75 years old and occasionally even 80 are working minimum wage, 30 hour a week jobs. A few do it because they need something to do. Most Americans are in those jobs because they need the money - desperately. Here are some stats: 19% of middle-class Americans have zero retirement savings. 34% are not currently saving for retirement. 41% of Americans between the ages of 50-59 are not currently saving for retirement. Based on the numbers, most retirees will be unable to even retire on 70% of their working income. The median savings across all age groups was only $20,000. Housing, healthcare, food and transportation make up about 65% of Americans' spending. (Huffington Post: posted, 10/27/2014) Combine this with falling incomes over the last decade and you have a poorer America - but not Washington. What's wrong with this picture? Americans could always cut out a few things to save money, but what? Some Americans polled by Daily Finance said they could curtail eating out and buying fewer clothes, taking fewer vacations, giving fewer gifts, buying fewer groceries and cutting back on entertainment. 12% of those polled said they would not make any cuts and are spending like there is no tomorrow. Americans need better jobs that pay more money. Working at fast food restaurants and retail has never provided us with comfortable incomes. We need progressive industry. We need to continue on our path to being the world's energy provider. However, we must lead the world in clean energy. We can learn how to use fossil fuels cleaner but we are not there yet. We should learn how because we have a lot of oil and coal. However, we must become the world leaders in using wind and solar energy. We are on our way and this is not the time to stop. We must go back to making everything that China makes from clothes, to furniture, to electronics. The auto industry exports our cars to other countries and then brings those earnings back to America. We have to go back to work in this country. We have to sell our products to the 95% of the world's population who do not live in America. We have to stop penalizing people and corporations for being successful. It is time to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% and lower taxes for all Americans. Washington does not need more money, Americans do. Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group, organization or this publication. Published: 01/22/15 Assemblyman Dahle on Digital Privacy Consumers aren’t just consumers anymore. They are also the product. Today’s technology provides astounding information at the swipe of a finger. In the market for a car? You can search dozens of dealerships at once for the paint color and price you like best. Google Maps will give you detailed directions to the dealership in a strange town. Yelp will inform you of the neighborhood’s favorite spot for lunch. Facebook will connect you to the old friend who happens to be in town the same day. Accuweather will give you the hour-by-hour forecast so you know to leave early and avoid the rainstorm. But information flows both ways. The networks that feed us so much vital information are also watching us, tracking where we go, what we buy, who we see and what we eat. Those digital profiles are then fed into ever more sophisticated databases that are bought and sold like cattle at the auction yard. Your search history, reading habits, shopping profile – they’re all for sale to the right bidder. In some respects, this isn’t new or even a threat. Mailing lists have been around for decades – which is why one subscription to a dog magazine brings five catalogs for collars, chew toys and veterinary services. But the sheer volume of data being compiled about everyone one of us is unprecedented. And nobody much cares whether the world knows you’re a dog lover. But maybe instead you searched the web for information about how to help a severely depressed teenager. Or checked prices for diabetic socks and blood glucose monitors. Or bought a handgun and ammunition. Or researched bankruptcy. Our digital lives can reflect our innermost personal lives, and the privacy implications of their becoming new data points in freely traded customer profiles are frightening. Forget the retailer that wants to sell you something. Think about the stalker that wants to hurt you. Or the hacking ring that wants to steal your identity and drain your bank account. Technological innovation propels California’s economy. It has made life richer and more convenient for everyone. At the same time, our state has a long tradition of protecting citizens’ privacy – which the California Constitution declares an “inalienable right.” The growing tension between our economic trends and our legal tradition is what led the California Assembly to create a new Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. I have the honor of serving as one of the founding members. I am not remotely against technology, which isn’t just for techies. From the seat of a tractor out in the field, a farmer like me can check hay prices, order seed, get updated soil temperature and moisture readings, and arrange a contract to plow and plant the neighbor’s field – all while the GPS-enabled controls do most of the driving. And that’s using last season’s gadgets. But in this world of social media, ever-present surveillance cameras, location-based advertising, smart electricity meters and thermostats, and drone aircraft, the threats to our privacy have multiplied far faster than the law can keep up. We can’t and shouldn’t stop technology’s evolution, but it’s past time the Legislature takes a hard look at what it will take to ensure we don’t discard our treasured rights like last year’s cell phone. Published: 01/21/15 Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project Barn Quilts are coming to the Sierra Valley. The Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project had an organizational meeting on Wed., Jan. 28 at 12:00 noon at the Sierraville School, 305 Lincoln St, near the intersection of Hwys. 49 & 89. Carolyn Kenny, who was instrumental in the creation of the Quincy Barn Quilt Tour in Plumas County, will be guest speaker. Barn Quilts are a national movement featured in counties throughout the United States. Barn Quilts honor the economic and cultural contribution of ranching and farming in our rural communities while also celebrating one of America’s historical art forms, the quilt square. Barn Quilts become local landmarks helping to preserve our rural heritage and provide a point of interest for visitors and sightseers. Barn Quilts are painted Quilt Squares-usually fashioned on boards and then mounted. A Barn Quilt is almost always a single square. Barn Quilt Tours take visitors on a route through the countryside to view . These Quilt Squares come in all sizes, but traditionally are large, between 6ft x 6ft and 8ft x 8ft, depending on the size of the hosting structure. In many communities, an organizing group - an arts council, a quilt guild, a 4-H club, or simply a motivated bunch of residents - work together to organize their barn quilts into a tour. Sierra County Arts Council (SCAC) is spearheading the Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project. As State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council (CAC), the SCAC is in a prime position to apply for a grant from the CAC as part of their Creating Places of Vitality (CPV) Program that supports rural and underserved communities through grant opportunities for small arts organizations. Local organizations and volunteers will play an essential role in making this project a success. Community support is what will make the Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project a reality. Among those organizations we expect will play a vital role in our project: Plumas-Sierra Cattlewomen, Sierra County Historical Society, Rotary, 4H, Mountain Star Quilters, Eastern Sierra County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Loyalton, Sierra County, and Sierra County Volunteer Fire Departments. This is just the beginning of the list. We hope to also bring in local sponsors and businesses and any volunteers who would like to help. Community involvement and landowner cooperation is essential to this project. Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project The Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Project (SVBQP) held an organizational meeting Feb. 28 at Sierraville School. The next SVBQP meeting will be held on Wed. March. 18 at 6pm, Sierraville School, 305 Lincoln St, near the intersection of Hwys. 49 & 89. Plans are moving forward to the creation of these 8x8 foot square Barn Quilts and for the Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Tour, website and brochure. To raise funds the SBBQP plans to also create smaller 2x2 foot barn quilts and 4x4 foot barn quilts for purchase by local businesses and property owners. Keep an eye out for displays in your neighborhood and application forms if interested in owning a small barn quilt, or contact B.J. Jordan at the number below. Plans for the project also include a marketing and media campaign to promote tourism and support our local economy. A website and a tour map/brochure will be included as part of the campaign. The SVBQP is looking for owners of barns in the Sierra Valley that would be willing to host a barn quilt and be part of the tour. If you own a barn and are interested in hosting a Barn Quilt please contact B.J. Jordan at the number listed below. The Mountain Star Quilters are partnering with the Sierra County Arts Council to apply for the “Local Impact” grant through the California Arts Council, which will help to fund the project. Timetable includes one to two months of painting and construction this summer at Sierraville School. Sierra County and the Sierraville Recreation Association who manage the Sierraville School, have been very helpful with the project. Plans also include a celebration this fall completion of the project. How may you get involved? Come to the meeting on March. 18 and find out. If you can’t make the meeting please call or email B.J. Jordan at (530)289-3673 or info@sierracountyartscouncil.org. Website: www.sierracountyartscouncil.org LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL approved $1,500 out of general fund monies last month to decorate the abandoned indoor swimming pool building at the city park with barn quilts. The City approved $200 for one 4’x4’, $300 for one 6’x6’, $400 for one 8’x8’ and $600 for a 6’x12’ flag. Material includes 3/4” plywood, a 2”x4” frame, two coats exterior primer, two coats exterior color and two coats exterior uv polyshield. The featured quilts were winners selected in a contest held nearly two years ago with winners being awarded prize money. Published: 01/10/15 |