BY AUGUSTINE CORCORON
 

 
Loyalton Grizzly Football went on the road to play the Greenville Indians in a traditional league matchup last saturday.   With he weather alternating between springtime mountain snow flurries and patches of sunshine your grizzlies came out of a long winters hibernation to defeat Greenville 30-0.  
 
The shutout win, made possible by a stifling defense was also punctuated by a number of splash plays on offense.   The Loyalton faithful that were allowed to attend enjoyed the day accompanied by the Cheer Squad coached by Sheri Jackowiak. 
 
The game started with Loyalton deferring the toss and starting off on defense.   The Grizzlies caused a sack and a fumble on the first series.  That along with a nice punt return gave the offense favorable field position, which they used to score on their opening drive.  The drive was capped by a touchdown pass from Quarterback Lathan Ryan, to James Durney.
 
Ryan, a savvy veteran coach on the field, finished the game 7 of 14 with two touchdowns and an interception.  James Durney threw two TD passes on reverses for 145 yards.  One of which was a 70 yarder to his brother Lucas.  Chance added 6 receptions for 52 yards to the passing game while Johnny Gould added a TD catch to the days’ fun. 
 
The defensive effort was anchored by Mason Williams who spent the day wreaking havoc all day in a performance that included forcing numerous fumbles while getting a sack, a TFL and several QB pressures all while drawing double and triple teams.  Other highlights include Lucas Durneys interception, Johnny Goulds 8 solo tackles and Sophomore Drew Jordans’ 3 Sacks.
 
A big thanks to all the Football Boosters and everybody who has helped with the program since we started back up! 

The contestants were unable to meet in person and held the competition via Zoom.
Jordyn Crews, first place winner of the Music Contest (photo submitted) playing sax.
Kylie Litz, second place (flute), Naomi Canseco, third place (clarinet).
Sophia Dutton, first place winner of the Speech Contest (photo submitted, Jostens).  Olivia Fragiacomo, second place.

​Jordyn Crews, first place winner of the Music Contest (photo submitted) playing sax.

Olivia Fragiacomo, Second Place Speech Contest

Kylie Litz (second place, music)  Not pictured: Naomi Canseco, third place (clarinet).
​

By Ted Gaines
Word count 532
 
Proposition 19, The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act, was passed by voters last November, enacting significant changes to California’s property tax law. One provision of the measure – that concerning “parent-child” and “grandparent-grandchild” exclusions – triggered a massive property tax increase that took effect February 16.
 
Unfortunately for homeowners, the statute in its current state is a confusing mess. As a State Board of Equalization Member and dedicated taxpayer advocate, I continue to work closely with state legislators and county assessors to provide clarity and answer as many questions as possible for taxpayers affected by these provisions.
 
While Proposition 19 has some serious shortcomings – increasing taxes on tens of thousands of California families and making it more difficult and expensive to pass on property and family farms to your children and grandchildren – it does offer noteworthy tax benefits to homeowners who are nearing retirement, severely disabled or victims of natural disasters. Beginning April 1, 2021, qualified homeowners can transfer their low Proposition 13 tax base year value to a replacement home of any value, in any of California’s 58 counties. Homeowners who want to downsize, move closer to family, or relocate for any other reason can blend the taxable value of their old house with the purchase price of a new, and possibly more expensive home, reducing the property tax burden they would otherwise face.
 
When voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 13 in 1978, it was to rein in property tax rates that had spiraled out of control as county governments routinely raised property taxes, in many cases forcing families from their homes. The landmark ballot initiative placed restrictions on how much a homeowner’s taxable value could increase every year, even if a home’s market value grew substantially.
 
California voters later passed Propositions 60, 90, and 110, which extended Proposition 13 protections to homeowners 55 or older and people with severe disabilities by giving them a one-time opportunity to retain their Proposition 13 tax base if they moved to a home of equal or lesser value within the same county or to one of the 10 counties with an intercounty agreement.
 
Proposition 19 further expands Proposition 13 benefits by allowing eligible homeowners to transfer their base year value up to three times. It also gives property owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a wildfire or other natural disaster the ability to transfer their Proposition 13 base year value to a new home. These provisions of Proposition 19 take effect on April 1, 2021 and give homeowners two years to transfer their base year value to a replacement residence in any county.
 
I support the base year transfer provisions of Proposition 19 because they allow more homeowners to take advantage of Proposition 13 protections that continue to be widely supported by California voters. While some of Proposition 19’s provisions hurt California taxpayers at a time when they need economic security the most, it’s always nice to have a silver lining.
 
Visit my website at boe.ca.gov/gaines for more information on Proposition 19. I encourage all homeowners to check with their County Assessor for specific county regulations, policies, and any paperwork associated with base year transfers.
 
Senator Ted Gaines (Ret.) was elected in November 2018 to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He is a leading taxpayer advocate and is committed to providing trustworthy and transparent representation for nearly ten million constituents in 30 counties of northern, eastern, and southern California. For more information, visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines.
​

The Eastern Plumas Recreation District, a Plumas County community services district, announces its newest project. The Board has approved a plan to build a Community Park, Gateway Visitor and Civic Center and a Railway Depot for the future commuter train on the 5 acres owned by the District at 95438 Highway70. This parcel is located alongside the Union Pacific railway line that runs east to Reno and Omaha and west to Quincy and Sacramento/Bay Area. The parcel is located just east of the Chilcoot Fire Department.
The Chilcoot Community Park will offer a ball park, outdoor amphitheater, dog park, children’s playground, running track, tennis courts and ample parking. The Civic Center will offer an indoor gym, art gallery, conference rooms for meetings, physical health classrooms and a Gateway Visitor Center to greet and assist incoming outdoorsmen and tourists to our High Sierra region.
The District is working towards initiating future commuter train service to connect Eastern Plumas County from Quincy to Reno, NV. The Chilcoot Railway Depot will be one of the 4 planned Plumas County depot stops. The other three will be located in Portola, Blairsden and east Quincy. Board members have been in contact with Union Pacific officials and both Northern Nevada and Northern California Railway Transportation Departments. The Plumas County Transit recently expanded their long term Transportation plan to include future railway service. Each of the depot locations will offer a community park, civic center, visitor center and railway depot amenities similarly planned for Chilcoot. Each depot would also become a safe transportation hub for other forms of transportation including bus stops, electric car and bike rentals, electric car charging stations, depot parking and UBER pickup and dropoff stops.
The District submitted a grant application to CA Parks and Recreation for the project but it has yet to be awarded any money. The Eastern Plumas Recreation District is seeking volunteers to help with the park project and it needs to fill two vacant board seats. If you are tired of staying home and want to get involved again in your community, please join us for our next meeting to be held April 21st at 5 pm at the Goodwin Store and Gas Station on Hwy 70 in Chilcoot. The meeting is open to the public and is handicap accessible. We could use your help. For more information please Contact Mimi Garner at 775-229-3140 (phone & text) or by email at MGarnerBroker@gmail.com
With the help of the community, we can provide quality parks and recreation for residents and visitors and better transportation solutions for Eastern Plumas County. 

​

By Diane Nens, Audiologist and Senior Clinical Director, UnitedHealthcare Hearing
 
While COVID-19 most frequently affects the lungs, other parts of the body may also be impacted, such as a loss of taste and smell. For a smaller number of people, instances of hearing loss are emerging, according to the International Journal of Audiology.
Of equal or greater concern is that some people with hearing loss may be opting to delay treatment, in part due to COVID-19 exposure concerns with in-person medical appointments for testing and care. While hearing aid sales reached nearly 3.5 million in 2020, that represents a significant decline compared to the previous year, which may be attributed to the fact that the average person with hearing loss waits seven years before seeking treatment.
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition among older Americans, affecting more than 48 million people nationwide. Hearing loss may become even more widespread in the future, in part because of an aging population and the frequent use of earbud headphones, which can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss.
Here are five tips to consider related to hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future: 
Prevent Hearing Loss Before It Starts. Our ability to hear declines naturally as we age, especially among people over 65. But exposure to loud sounds – both one-time and cumulatively – can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss. To help reduce your risk, consider limiting exposure to loud sounds and the use of earbud headphones, especially when listening to music or movies on a mobile device. Consider over-the-ear headphones – especially models with noise-canceling properties – as those are generally considered a better option than earbuds. When using earbuds, follow the “60/60 rule”: listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time and at no more than 60% of the player’s maximum volume.

Look for Signs of Hearing Loss. For some people in the early stages of hearing loss, there is an expectation – and hope – the problem will resolve itself or improve eventually. The reality is hearing loss tends to gradually worsen over time without treatment. Unlike a broken bone or other physical injury, hearing follicles don’t regrow or repair themselves. Once someone has hearing loss, the most effective treatment is usually hearing aids. Common signs of hearing loss include turning up the volume on the TV or radio to levels that others find too loud, having trouble hearing people on the phone, and difficulty following conversations in noisy environments.  
Evaluate Testing Options. Online hearing screeners can help people identify potential signs of hearing loss and start the process for accessing care. Meanwhile, some primary care physicians are starting to offer hearing testing, making it more convenient to follow recommended guidelines, which include being screened at least every decade through age 50 and then at three-year intervals thereafter. Consider checking with your employer-sponsored or Medicare Advantage health plan, which may be able to connect you with an audiologist or hearing health professional for testing.  
Recognize the Risks of Avoiding Treatment. While some people may think diminished hearing is merely a nuisance or a sign of aging, it can have a significant impact on people’s overall health and well-being. For instance, people with hearing loss are 32% more likely to be hospitalized and have a 300% greater risk of falling, according to the Better Hearing Institute. For people in the workforce with hearing loss, the condition reduces household income by an average of $12,000 per year; the use of hearing aids can mitigate up to 50% of that loss. Importantly, people with hearing loss who obtain treatment experience a lower risk of falls, dementia and depression, as compared to individuals who delay treatment. 
Consider Virtual Care and Home-Delivery Options. Some new regulations and companies are changing the way hearing aids are sold, helping to bring down costs. Through home-delivery options, people may be able to purchase quality, custom-programmed hearing aids for less than $1,000 per device – a potential savings of up to 60% compared to devices sold through traditional channels.[2] As technology has improved and programming has become more precise, people with hearing test results may be able to order custom-programmed hearing aids, have them delivered to their doorstep and then adjusted virtually through a smartphone, potentially avoiding the need for in-person appointments with hearing health professionals.  
About 80% of people who could benefit from using a hearing aid do not actually use them, often because of cost, limited knowledge, or lack of access to a hearing health professional. By considering these tips, people may be able to maintain or improve their hearing health and contribute to their overall well-being.
 


 



Hello! Reaching out to ask if you can share, “The Surprising Connection Between Hearing Health and COVID-19,” with your readers.  Attached is a photo!  Please let us know!  Thanks, Maryann 949-375-0856

 
The Surprising Connection Between Hearing Health and COVID-19 
By Diane Nens, Audiologist and Senior Clinical Director, UnitedHealthcare Hearing
 
While COVID-19 most frequently affects the lungs, other parts of the body may also be impacted, such as a loss of taste and smell. For a smaller number of people, instances of hearing loss are emerging, according to the International Journal of Audiology.
Of equal or greater concern is that some people with hearing loss may be opting to delay treatment, in part due to COVID-19 exposure concerns with in-person medical appointments for testing and care. While hearing aid sales reached nearly 3.5 million in 2020, that represents a significant decline compared to the previous year, which may be attributed to the fact that the average person with hearing loss waits seven years before seeking treatment.
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition among older Americans, affecting more than 48 million people nationwide. Hearing loss may become even more widespread in the future, in part because of an aging population and the frequent use of earbud headphones, which can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss.
Here are five tips to consider related to hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future: 
Prevent Hearing Loss Before It Starts. Our ability to hear declines naturally as we age, especially among people over 65. But exposure to loud sounds – both one-time and cumulatively – can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss. To help reduce your risk, consider limiting exposure to loud sounds and the use of earbud headphones, especially when listening to music or movies on a mobile device. Consider over-the-ear headphones – especially models with noise-canceling properties – as those are generally considered a better option than earbuds. When using earbuds, follow the “60/60 rule”: listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time and at no more than 60% of the player’s maximum volume.

Look for Signs of Hearing Loss. For some people in the early stages of hearing loss, there is an expectation – and hope – the problem will resolve itself or improve eventually. The reality is hearing loss tends to gradually worsen over time without treatment. Unlike a broken bone or other physical injury, hearing follicles don’t regrow or repair themselves. Once someone has hearing loss, the most effective treatment is usually hearing aids. Common signs of hearing loss include turning up the volume on the TV or radio to levels that others find too loud, having trouble hearing people on the phone, and difficulty following conversations in noisy environments.  
Evaluate Testing Options. Online hearing screeners can help people identify potential signs of hearing loss and start the process for accessing care. Meanwhile, some primary care physicians are starting to offer hearing testing, making it more convenient to follow recommended guidelines, which include being screened at least every decade through age 50 and then at three-year intervals thereafter. Consider checking with your employer-sponsored or Medicare Advantage health plan, which may be able to connect you with an audiologist or hearing health professional for testing.  
Recognize the Risks of Avoiding Treatment. While some people may think diminished hearing is merely a nuisance or a sign of aging, it can have a significant impact on people’s overall health and well-being. For instance, people with hearing loss are 32% more likely to be hospitalized and have a 300% greater risk of falling, according to the Better Hearing Institute. For people in the workforce with hearing loss, the condition reduces household income by an average of $12,000 per year; the use of hearing aids can mitigate up to 50% of that loss. Importantly, people with hearing loss who obtain treatment experience a lower risk of falls, dementia and depression, as compared to individuals who delay treatment. 
Consider Virtual Care and Home-Delivery Options. Some new regulations and companies are changing the way hearing aids are sold, helping to bring down costs. Through home-delivery options, people may be able to purchase quality, custom-programmed hearing aids for less than $1,000 per device – a potential savings of up to 60% compared to devices sold through traditional channels.[2] As technology has improved and programming has become more precise, people with hearing test results may be able to order custom-programmed hearing aids, have them delivered to their doorstep and then adjusted virtually through a smartphone, potentially avoiding the need for in-person appointments with hearing health professionals.  
About 80% of people who could benefit from using a hearing aid do not actually use them, often because of cost, limited knowledge, or lack of access to a hearing health professional. By considering these tips, people may be able to maintain or improve their hearing health and contribute to their overall well-being.
 
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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Hello! Reaching out to ask if you can share, “The Surprising Connection Between Hearing Health and COVID-19,” with your readers.  Attached is a photo!  Please let us know!  Thanks, Maryann 949-375-0856

 
The Surprising Connection Between Hearing Health and COVID-19 
By Diane Nens, Audiologist and Senior Clinical Director, UnitedHealthcare Hearing
 
While COVID-19 most frequently affects the lungs, other parts of the body may also be impacted, such as a loss of taste and smell. For a smaller number of people, instances of hearing loss are emerging, according to the International Journal of Audiology.
Of equal or greater concern is that some people with hearing loss may be opting to delay treatment, in part due to COVID-19 exposure concerns with in-person medical appointments for testing and care. While hearing aid sales reached nearly 3.5 million in 2020, that represents a significant decline compared to the previous year, which may be attributed to the fact that the average person with hearing loss waits seven years before seeking treatment.
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition among older Americans, affecting more than 48 million people nationwide. Hearing loss may become even more widespread in the future, in part because of an aging population and the frequent use of earbud headphones, which can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss.
Here are five tips to consider related to hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future: 
Prevent Hearing Loss Before It Starts. Our ability to hear declines naturally as we age, especially among people over 65. But exposure to loud sounds – both one-time and cumulatively – can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss. To help reduce your risk, consider limiting exposure to loud sounds and the use of earbud headphones, especially when listening to music or movies on a mobile device. Consider over-the-ear headphones – especially models with noise-canceling properties – as those are generally considered a better option than earbuds. When using earbuds, follow the “60/60 rule”: listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time and at no more than 60% of the player’s maximum volume.

Look for Signs of Hearing Loss. For some people in the early stages of hearing loss, there is an expectation – and hope – the problem will resolve itself or improve eventually. The reality is hearing loss tends to gradually worsen over time without treatment. Unlike a broken bone or other physical injury, hearing follicles don’t regrow or repair themselves. Once someone has hearing loss, the most effective treatment is usually hearing aids. Common signs of hearing loss include turning up the volume on the TV or radio to levels that others find too loud, having trouble hearing people on the phone, and difficulty following conversations in noisy environments.  
Evaluate Testing Options. Online hearing screeners can help people identify potential signs of hearing loss and start the process for accessing care. Meanwhile, some primary care physicians are starting to offer hearing testing, making it more convenient to follow recommended guidelines, which include being screened at least every decade through age 50 and then at three-year intervals thereafter. Consider checking with your employer-sponsored or Medicare Advantage health plan, which may be able to connect you with an audiologist or hearing health professional for testing.  
Recognize the Risks of Avoiding Treatment. While some people may think diminished hearing is merely a nuisance or a sign of aging, it can have a significant impact on people’s overall health and well-being. For instance, people with hearing loss are 32% more likely to be hospitalized and have a 300% greater risk of falling, according to the Better Hearing Institute. For people in the workforce with hearing loss, the condition reduces household income by an average of $12,000 per year; the use of hearing aids can mitigate up to 50% of that loss. Importantly, people with hearing loss who obtain treatment experience a lower risk of falls, dementia and depression, as compared to individuals who delay treatment. 
Consider Virtual Care and Home-Delivery Options. Some new regulations and companies are changing the way hearing aids are sold, helping to bring down costs. Through home-delivery options, people may be able to purchase quality, custom-programmed hearing aids for less than $1,000 per device – a potential savings of up to 60% compared to devices sold through traditional channels.[2] As technology has improved and programming has become more precise, people with hearing test results may be able to order custom-programmed hearing aids, have them delivered to their doorstep and then adjusted virtually through a smartphone, potentially avoiding the need for in-person appointments with hearing health professionals.  
About 80% of people who could benefit from using a hearing aid do not actually use them, often because of cost, limited knowledge, or lack of access to a hearing health professional. By considering these tips, people may be able to maintain or improve their hearing health and contribute to their overall well-being.
 
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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by Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]
 
It would appear, based on the stories making news these days, that the younger generations among us are hell bent on revolution— but not the kind that gave us the Constitution and a way of life that made America the envy of the world. Rather, it’s more like the Russian revolution that enslaved hundreds of millions of people for nearly seven and a half decades from 1917 to 1990. But it appears that the young anarchists among us, including those with a so-called progressive agenda in Congress, are oblivious to that fact and are willing to risk our freedom to give it a try. 
 
As Winston Churchill put it: “A Nation That Forgets Its Past Has No Future.”
 
How could this be? Perhaps a recent opinion article in the Wall Street Journal signed by six former U.S. Secretaries of Education holds the answer. As co-authors Lamar Alexander, Arne Duncan, John King, Rod Paige, Richard Riley and Margaret Spellings put it: “Following years of polarization and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the world’s oldest constitutional democracy is in grave danger. We stand at a crossroads, called to protect this democracy and to work toward unity.” 
 
The progressive movement is specifically targeting America’s youth by sugar-coating the idea of socialism. Take the article with the headline “What Is Democratic Socialism [is that an oxymoron] and Why Is It Growing More Popular in the U.S.?” that appeared in Teen Vogue, which bills itself as “the young person’s guide to saving the world.” It was written by Samuel Arnold, an associate professor of political theory at Texas Christian University, and it focuses on what he seems to be promoting among the teenage audience-- the socialist ideal.
 
For example, he cites a list of reasons why “socialism is much more democratic than capitalism;” reasons such as “socialism would harness our collective wealth to meet everyone’s basic needs, or so its advocates maintain. No longer would some people be fantastically rich while others are reduced to begging in the street. Key needs like food, shelter, health care, education (including college), and retirement support would be “decommodified” — provided to all, regardless of ability to pay.”
 
I guess it works in countries like Red China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela etc. – socialist paradises whose citizens, for some reason, are routinely seeking to escape. 
 
Meanwhile, the success of socialist Scandinavian countries that Bernie Sanders likes to bring up is a myth that has been debunked; it doesn’t exist. Jeffrey Dorfman, professor of economics at the University of Georgia, explained it in a Forbes article: “To the extent that the left wants to point to an example of successful socialism, not just generous welfare states, the Nordic countries are actually a poor case to cite. Regardless of the perception, in reality the Nordic countries practice mostly free market economics paired with high taxes exchanged for generous government entitlement programs.”
 
Bernie Sanders has long referred to himself as a socialist rather than a member of the Democratic Party, which has naturally led to a lot of questions about what socialism means to him. He consistently references the social models of the Nordic states — especially Denmark — as his idea of what democratic socialism is all about. But, not long ago, in a speech at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that while he's flattered to see Denmark discussed in a widely watched US presidential debate, he doesn't think the socialist shoe fits.
"I know that some people in the US associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism," he said. "Therefore, I would like to make one thing clear. Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy."
 
So, why is socialism gaining traction among the younger generations. Maybe it’s because they don’t know better, because they didn’t pay attention in history class. As the late Dr. Bruce Cole, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, once put it: the U.S. is “a country of historical amnesiacs”
 
The National Assessment of Educational Progress issues its so-called Nation’s Report Card every four years and the recent report cards they’ve issued show that tAmerican schoolchildren have an “alarming” lack of knowledge when it comes to our nation’s history.
 
Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos put it this way: “In the real world, this means students don’t know what the Lincoln-Douglas debates were about, nor can they discuss the significance of the Bill of Rights … And only 15% of them have a reasonable knowledge of U.S. history. All Americans should take a moment to think about the concerning implications for the future of our country.”
 
Another former Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige, had this to say: “History is an important and integral part of the foundation upon which our education system is built. It provides a logical context for our lives as Americans. It offers an understanding of how to overcome adversity and how to learn from our mistakes. It teaches us about ourselves—who we are, how the U.S. came to be a model for democracy in the world and why our melting-pot population has played and continues to play such an important role in the country’s development and success. If we don’t teach our children these things, they will be doomed to a lifetime of doubt and struggle.”
 
The Bolsheviks had a willing population of gullible peasants ready to take up the communist cause when they overthrew the Czar back in 1917. Is it too much of a reach to believe that those who would like to see our American democratic republic take a left turn are counting on the history deficit of our unwitting younger generations to promote a socialist agenda?
 
###


The 2.3 million member Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] www.amac.us is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. AMAC Action is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing the membership in our nation’s capital and in local Congressional Districts throughout the country. 
AMAC | Washington DC | 917-846-8485 | Email | Website
Association of Mature American Citizens | 17th Street N.W., Washington , DC 20036

Dr. Glenn Mollette 

The followers of Jesus believed in his resurrection because they saw him alive after he was dead.  They had a powerful testimony of firsthand evidence seen with their own eyes. 

Mary Magdalene saw Jesus first. In John’s gospel chapter 20:14-16 we have the recorded appearance. “Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him ‘Rabboni’ which is to say teacher.” 

Jesus next appeared to Mary the mother of James, Salome and Joanna. They were on their way to tell the disciples that an angel had told them Jesus had risen when he appeared before them. He greeted them and the women took hold of his feet and worshipped him. (Matthew 28:9) As with Mary Magdalene these three women also touched Jesus. 

Jesus appeared to Peter. “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34) This was a private appearance and occasion where Jesus reassured Peter. Peter had earlier denied him. 

Later on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They had lost hope in Jesus and were leaving Jerusalem. They were not expecting Jesus to rise. Jesus approached them and began traveling with them. Luke 24:13-16. 

Jesus’ last appearance on Easter Sunday was to the disciples with Thomas absent. It took place in the upper room in which Jesus had instituted the Lord’s Supper. It is recorded in Luke’s and John’s gospel. Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when he had said this, he showed them both his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” 

There were other appearances of Jesus later as recorded in the scriptures but these were the five appearances on Easter. 

The followers of Jesus were terrified. They had been hiding behind closed doors. They thought they could be arrested and crucified at any time, just like Jesus. Seeing Jesus alive turned their lives around completely. They were so empowered they went out to dynamically proclaim that Jesus had risen. Their message brought hope to a scared and hopeless society.

Last Easter most of the world sat behind closed doors for fear of Covid-19. Many church doors around the world were closed in fear. This Easter will be different as millions have received their vaccinations and are feeling hopeful. Most houses of worship will be open and many will go to church this Easter. It probably will not be like “before” Covid-19 as many have yet to be vaccinated and still will not feel safe to venture out. 

America and the world have been down emotionally. Sickness, death, business failures and our Covid lifestyles have taken a lot out of us. We want to live again. Easter is about life, new life.  

If you possibly can, get up, get out and celebrate life this Easter, safely. America is ready for a resurrection.



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SACRAMENTO – Senator Scott Wilk, representing the 21st Senate District, announced Senate Bill 58 (SB 58), which would put the state’s Employment Development Department on a solid path to tackling the rampant fraud in benefit claims, has passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary. This legislation would require the agency to stop including full social security numbers on its correspondence among other fraud prevention improvements.

Introduced by Senators Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), SB 58 is coauthored by a bipartisan group of legislators, including the entire Senate Republican Caucus. It stems from a 2019 State’s Auditor recommendation to exclude full social security numbers from correspondence as well as recommendations from a 2021 State Audit Report, which found that EDD’s fraud prevention efforts are disjointed and the agency has no dedicated unit to mitigate the risk of fraud or manage fraud detection efforts. 

“EDD sent at least 38 million pieces of mail with claimants’ full social security numbers in the first 8 months of the pandemic,” said Wilk. “It is no coincidence that this coincided with over $10.4 billion in fraudulent claims being paid out in the same time period. The fact that the agency had not fully implemented the auditor’s 2019 recommendations on using these social security numbers is appalling especially since the agency was warned of the risks associated with that practice in 2019.”

Republican legislators have been working to address fraud at EDD. Last week, Senator Shannon Grove’s (R-Bakersfield) Senate Bill 39 (SB 39) passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee with a 4-0 vote. The bill would require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to share information regarding current inmates to the EDD in order to prevent payment on fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits.

“Senate Republicans are leading where the Newsom Administration has failed. We have seen no action by this Administration to address the fraud at EDD, so it is heartening to see bipartisan support for these measures,” said Wilk.

In addition to prohibiting the inclusion of full social security numbers, SB 58 would also require EDD to identify areas where it can improve fraud prevention efforts during periods of high demand, to designate a single unit responsible for coordinating fraud prevention, and to align the unit’s duties with best practices for detecting and preventing fraud.

SB 58 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee next month.

BACKGROUND:
 

• In March 2019, the California State Auditor issued audit report 2018‑129, which recommended that EDD stop mailing out correspondence containing claimants’ full social security numbers.

• In April 2020, Wilk and other legislators warned Governor Newsom about the failures of the EDD after hundreds of thousands of jobless Californians reached out to legislative offices seeking help with their unemployment claims. Click here to read the April EDD letter.

 

• In June 2020, Wilk and colleagues asked for an independent audit of the EDD through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC). Democratic members of JLAC canceled a crucial hearing in August, which would have been an opportunity to review the EDD audit request. Signed by Republican members from both the Assembly and Senate, the letter to JLAC is a bicameral effort to demand answers from EDD. Click here to read the JLAC letter.

 

• In July 2020, Senators Wilk and Hurtado (D-Sanger) sent a letter to Governor Newsom asking that he staff EDD 24/7 to help clear the backlog. Click here to read the Wilk/Hurtado letter.

 

• In August 2020, a bipartisan coalition of legislators delivered another letter to the Governor demanding that he take action to improve EDD operations. Click here to read the August EDD letter.

 

• In August 2020, San Mateo Sheriffs arrested 21 people in a massive unemployment fraud scheme using inmates.

 

• In September 2020, members of JLAC approved an audit of the EDD. Click here for the approval letter. 

 

• In October 2020, EDD unilaterally freezes 350,000 debit cards because of a variety of fraud indicators, including a high number of claims at a single address. It wasn't clear how much the debit cards were worth, but law enforcement officials say they've uncovered fake cards amounting to $20,000 each.

 

• In late November 2020, District Attorneys announced a major fraud scheme operatingin and around California’s prisons projecting at least $140 million dollars has been paid out to some inmates and their accomplices, so far. In December that estimate jumped to $1 billion.

 

• In mid-November 2020, the State Auditor issued the follow-up audit report 2020-502, which concluded that EDD has continued to place Californians at risk of identity theft by not complying with the original audit’s recommendation to stop mailing out correspondence with claimants’ full social security numbers

• In early December 2020, on the first day of the new legislative session, Senators Scott Wilk and Shannon Grove introduced SB 58 and SB 39, respectively.

 

• In January 2021, the State’s Auditor released two additional and highly critical reports on the Employment Development Department: Significant Weaknesses in EDD's Approach to Fraud Prevention Have Led to Billions of Dollars in Improper Benefit Payments and EDD's Poor Planning and Ineffective Management Left It Unprepared to Assist Californians Unemployed by COVID‑19 Shutdowns

• In mid-February 2021, Senator Wilk and all members of the Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter to Governor Newsom requesting that he ensure that EDD helps victims of unemployment insurance identity fraud avoid tax liabilities for benefits that they never received or applied for. Click here to read the letter. 

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Senator Wilk represents the 21st Senate District, which includes the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Victor valleys. Learn more about Scott by visiting his website and be sure to connect with him on social media.

For press inquiries or questions, please contact Jacqui Nguyen, press secretary for the Senate Republican Caucus, at 858.999.7706.

 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved his bill, the Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act. This bipartisan bill will prevent the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from seeking reimbursement from Pacific, Gas, and Electric’s (PG&E) $13.5 billion fund that was originally set aside for wildfire victims.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “No disaster victim should be subject to the government raiding their disaster compensation and obstructing their recovery efforts. The Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act will ensure that no disaster victim will have their compensation stripped from them by the federal government under the guise of reimbursement.”
 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), who sponsored H.R. 539 with LaMalfa, said, “The Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act will ensure disaster victims trying to recover and rebuild their lives, homes, and businesses aren’t revictimized because of a federal agency’s error.”
 
The bipartisan H.R. 539 will prevent FEMA from taking back disaster assistance funds that it mistakenly awarded to victims who applied for assistance in good faith and utilized that money to help rebuild their lives.  The bill requires FEMA to waive the debt of disaster relief recipients in cases where the agency later determined it mistakenly granted assistance, but no fraud was committed.  Under current law, FEMA can come back weeks, months, or even years later to seek repayment of funds it awarded victims, even when the agency is at fault for making the error and the funds were appropriately used in the wake of a disaster.  The bill also ensures that FEMA reports to Congress on its efforts to minimize similar errors in the future.
The bill passed the committee by voice vote and now awaits action on the House floor. 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
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The Oxford Method, a tutoring community, offers tips to help your child be successful in school
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – (March 25, 2021) – Over the last year, during the pandemic, there have been many kids who have struggled academically. This is in part due to the millions who have had to do online learning and find the setup difficult. Whether children are learning online, in person, via classroom or through a combination of the three, there are things that parents can do to help them be more successful. Knowing what to do can help make a world a difference and reduce the struggling.
 
“Many parents are aware of the way their kids are struggling with school over this school year,” explains David Florence, professor and founder of The Oxford Method, a community that offers tutoring services around the country. “Rather than let them fall behind, it’s a good idea to take action and do what you can to help them keep up and even pull ahead.”
 
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 93% of households with school-age children report that their kids have engaged in some sort of distance learning during the pandemic. They also report that the vast shift in the way kids are learning has also caused digital inequality because some kids don’t have access to computers and/or the Internet. Whether students are learning online or in class, there are things parents can do to help them get a good education.
 
Here 7 ways to help ensure your child gets a good education: 

1. Sleep. It’s crucial for a child to get enough sleep each night, which will help them to be more focused, as well as improve their behavior, quality of life, and mental and physical health. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children ages 6-12 should get 9-12 hours of sleep per night, and teens ages 13-18 should get 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
2. Teach value. It usually starts at home whether or not a child values an education. Parents who want their kids to get a good education should instill a love of learning in their children and teach them to value the education they are getting. 
3. Get them help. If your child is struggling, you may be able to help them, but there also comes a time when kids need a tutor to step in. A good tutor can make a world of difference in ensuring that a child gets a good education. They can help ensure that students will not fall behind and that they will get the foundation they need to move on in a subject.
4. Show them how. Oftentimes, kids don’t know how to effectively study for a test or to take notes when they are in class. Take the time to show them how to do it effectively, as well as how to stay organized with their schooling. When students are organized, they are more likely to succeed.
5. Ask them questions. Be sure to ask your kids how it is going, if they got their homework done, if they need any help, or if there’s anything they need to be more successful. They like to know that you are interested in how they are doing, so it’s good to show an active interest.
6. Get involved. It’s always a good idea if you can get involved with the school and have good communication with the teacher. That way you will be aware of what is going on and know how to help your child more. Teachers love it when parents take an active interest in their child’s education.
7. Praise your kids. Help kids to know what they are doing is right or what they are doing is wrong. Praising and encouraging the kids builds their confidence and helps them to succeed as they grow.

“Just about every parent has the ability to help kids succeed with their academics, even if it’s ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed,” added Florence. “We help parents be successful, even those who don’t have the funds to pay for a tutor. Our mission is to help as many students to achieve as we can.”
 
The Oxford Method has over 100 tutors around the country, covering all subject areas. They offer online tutoring, as well as in-person and in-classroom options. Their tutoring services are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Instructors have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with many of them having a master’s degree, PhD, and at least four years of teaching experience. The Oxford Method works with their nonprofit, Social Actualization, Inc., by giving them 10% of all profits. The funds are used to provide free computers, high-speed internet, and instruction to underprivileged families in urban and rural America. Plus, 40% of their instructors are PhDs, 40% have a master’s degree, and 20% have only a bachelor’s degree.
 
The Oxford Method believes that education is the great equalizer and the best gift you can give the next generation. Subject areas include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as business, social studies, psychology, English, history, public speaking, study methods, test taking, and more. To get more information about The Oxford Method, visit the website at: https://theoxfordmethod.com.
 
About The Oxford Method
Started in 2020, The Oxford Method has over 100 instructors who provide access to tutoring 24/7. It also has a nonprofit sector of its community, which offers tutoring services and computers to underprivileged students. Its relationship-based education helps everyone, including those who need financial assistance and those with special needs. It donates 10% of its profits to social organizations that help those in urban areas. To get more information about The Oxford Method, visit the website at: https://theoxfordmethod.com.
 
 
# # #
 
 
 
Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Supports Childhood Sleep Guidelines. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/AAP-Supports-Childhood-Sleep-Guidelines.aspx
 
U.S. Census Bureau. Schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/08/schooling-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html
 

By Jim Braun


With tax time upon us, one message we keep hearing is that you should file as early as possible.
You may recall that last year there were numerous delays in getting tax refunds after the pandemic caught everyone, including the IRS, off guard. If you have a refund coming, the sooner you file, the sooner that refund will make its way into your bank account.
If you’re like most Americans, you also want to do everything you can to reduce your overall tax bill. We all understand that taxes are needed to run the government, but there’s no need for you as an individual to pay more than you owe.
Let’s face it, though. It’s a little late in the game to put into play most steps that can help you reduce your 2020 tax bill. You really need to have done whatever you were going to do before the end of the tax year.
But now is definitely a good time to start thinking about ways you can improve your tax situation for next year. Here are a few areas to consider or understand as you do so:

• Funding tax-preferenced accounts. One way to save on taxes is by putting money in a variety of tax-preferenced savings accounts such as an IRA, a 401(k), and others. Depending on the account, you can deduct your contribution each year, defer paying taxes on growth, or take withdrawals tax free. In at least one case – health savings accounts – you can do all three. Since an HSA gives you that triple whammy of tax avoidance, it’s definitely something you want to consider. although there are eligibility requirements you need to meet. Also, unlike retirement accounts, an HSA can only be used for medical expenses. With a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, you don’t get that triple whammy that comes with an HSA, but there are still significant tax advantages. With a traditional IRA, you don’t pay taxes on your contributions, and you defer taxes on the account’s growth. You do pay taxes on withdrawals you make in retirement. A Roth IRA has different advantages. You can’t deduct your contributions now, but your money grows tax free and you aren’t taxed when you make withdrawals.
• Using a 529 for K-12 private education. Many people are familiar with 529 plans, but often they think of these solely as a way to save for a child’s college education. But a 529 can also be used to pay for private school in elementary and high school if you so desire. The big tax advantage with a 529 is that you don’t pay federal income taxes on the account’s growth, but you must spend the money on qualified educational expenses and nothing else. That last point is important to remember and understand because if you use the money for other reasons, you will pay taxes on that withdrawal and you will also pay a penalty. A 529 account is definitely something to consider if you have children or grandchildren and want a tax-efficient way to save either for K-12 or college educations.
• Making charitable contributions. Charitable contributions are a powerful tool for reducing your tax bill, and they come with the added bonus of allowing you to make a positive impact in your community or the world. What could be better? Through charitable contributions, you can reduce your income tax, your capital gains tax, and your estate tax. Some people view this in the most straightforward way – you choose a worthy cause that qualifies under the tax rules, and you write  a check. But there are other tax-advantaged ways to approach charitable giving. Here’s just one of many examples: You can establish a donor-advised fund, which is a personal charitable account opened in the name of one or more donors and held in custody by a nonprofit organization. How does that work? Let’s say you sell a stock and, instead of paying the capital gains tax, you place the proceeds in a donor-advised fund. You can claim the full amount as a charitable deduction, but you don’t have to donate the money all at once. The money remains in the fund and can be donated in small amounts over a period of years. All the while it is drawing interest.

These are just a few examples of strategies you can consider as you seek ways to reduce that tax bill. Certainly, all of this is complicated, but your financial professional should be able to help you work your way through the IRS weeds and find what works best for you and your personal situation.
Your future tax-filing self will thank you.


About Jim Braun
Jim Braun is president of Tri-State Retirement (www.tristateretirement.com). Over the course of his career, he has been involved in more than 14,000 retirement meetings, helping to make life and retirement better for clients. Braun got his start in the financial services industry in 2006 as a college student who enjoyed helping others with their financial strategies. Today, he helps clients optimize Social Security, reduce Medicare costs, and create retirement income strategies that will last the rest of their lives.

​

By Harold Pease Ph.D. 



On March 15, 2021, Joe Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act.  Not a single Republican in the House or Senate voted in favor of this legislation, as only 9% of which had anything to do with the Wuhan China Virus.  This in light of the fact that a trillion dollars was not yet spent from the money previously allotted for COVID relief.  
Prior to this the first spending package for the virus was last year March 27, 2020, when Congress added $2.5 trillion to the national debt with the The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) giving most adults $1,200.  Most were jubilant to receive a stimulus check but to pay this single stimulus back today would cost each taxpayer $18,863 since about 50% of adults pay no income taxes (Compare U.S. Debt Clocks Nov. 2019 with April 2020).  I would rather not have the $1200 stimulus if it costs me $18,863 later.  
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed a second Stimulus Bill of $900 billion giving most adults another stimulus of $600.  We have not assessed what the payback for this particular stimulus will be.
These three stimulus packages ($2.5T, $900 B, $1.9T) added increased the national debt by $5.3 trillion in less than one year.  This total is more than the combined cost of World War I, $334 billion, and World War II, $4.1 trillion “adjusted for inflation to today's dollars” (“The Cost of U.S. Wars Then and Now,”Military History, by Norwich University, October 20, 2020).  Such debt is a recipe for bankrupting America and those doing it must know this.
So what is a trillion dollars?  To begin with a trillion is the number one followed by twelve zeros. A trillion dollars is a thousand billion and a billion is a thousand million.  One mathematician gave us a very practical way of evaluating our outstanding debt.  One trillion one-dollar bills stacked atop each other (not end to end but flat) would reach nearly 68,000 miles into space—a third of the way to the moon (See CNN News Cast, Feb. 4, 2009).  If so, the debt thus far incurred by the coronavirus alone, $5.3 trillion, would reach to the moon and two-thirds back to earth.
Senator Mitch McConnell gave another illustration just as awe striking.  He calculated that if we spent a million dollars every day since Jesus was born, we still would not have spent a trillion dollars—only three-fourths of a trillion dollars (Ibid).
Who will pay these three coronavirus loans?  Since we never liquidate our debt—only increase and pass it on to posterity—our grandchildren yet unborn, will be saddled with this debt plus the interest on it.  How can I prophesy with such certainty?  The United States has not been free of debt since Warren G. Harding 100 years ago (US Debt by President by Dollar and Percentage Who Increased the U.S. Debt the Most? Depends on How You Measure It. By  Kimberly Amadeo, Updated November 04, 2019)?
Yes the coronavirus is a massive rogue wave that has sunk thousands of businesses in its path but following closely behind it is a tsunami many times larger—the national debt—that is and will bring down this country because our children cannot pay it either.  Our national debt has soared to $28.09 trillion (USDebtClock.org).  This debt in one dollar bills laid flat atop each other, not just the COVID portion as mentioned, will now go to the moon and back almost five times.  We are drowning in debt.
I ask students, “Who gets to go without so that this debt can be paid?” “Go without!!!?”  That is a concept foreign to this generation!!  They do not know, and neither do their parents and grandparents who laid it on their backs.  When they are told that their share to liquidate this debt is not just $37,726 for the coronavirus bailouts, but $224,456 per taxpayer—due immediately, they get angry (see USDebtClock.org).  “Someone should have told me that government handouts are not free.”  
The 13th Amendment ending slavery has been rescinded, they are America’s new slaves.  Bondage was given them before their birth, or while they were in the womb, or before they were old enough to know what it meant to be sold into slavery.  The past and present generations wanted nice costly programs for free and were willing to sell their children to have them.  Worse, the older generation is still anxious to incur even more debt on our defenseless children and grandchildren. Are we not the most debt addicted, insensitive generation in U.S. History?  
Yes these are hard times and in such adding to a national debt is said to be justified.  What isn’t justified is that in prosperous times, of which most of the last 70 years have been, we should, and could have, liquidated that debt.  Then a $5.3 trillion debt to handle a virus could have been repaid in the next prosperous time or perhaps by the children, but not now.  We have squandered our wealth in foreign endless wars, foreign aid and domestic welfare.
Both parties are responsible for this debt.  I had hoped with the robust Trump economy (the best in several decades) that we could start paying off the debt but now chances of removing, even the coronavirus portion of the national debt enslaving us, is slim.  Biden proposes $3 trillion for infrastructure updating.  Trillions more debt Democrats plan for reparations for descendants of slaves, the green new deal, and free college for everyone.  It is hard to believe that the Democrats are not purposely pushing us over a cliff destroying the once wealthiest nation in world history.


 
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Consitution and a syndicated columnist. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years. Newspapers have permission to publish this column. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.

Calls on Pelosi To Quickly Bring Legislative Fix
 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) led every California Republican Member of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi to ask for a quick vote on reforms to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act.  The bill, passed with only Democrat support, included a provision that prevents states from reducing fees and taxes if they receive stimulus funds.  Governor Newsom and Democrats in the California Legislature failed to correct a law that taxes forgiven PPP loans as profit before the ARA passed.  In order for the loans to be forgiven PPP loan funds must be spent on employee salaries, rent, and utilities. California’s struggling small businesses are now facing large, unexpected tax bills.  The new law Biden and Pelosi passed now forbids California from fixing the tax problem.  The ARA passed with no Republican votes and no Republican amendments were included in the House of Representatives to improve the bill.  It is the most expensive bill ever passed on a purely partisan vote.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “California’s shut down policies have already harmed struggling small businesses.  Congress stepped in with forgivable loans if funds were spent on salaries, rent and utilities to keep people employed and small businesses afloat.  California is alone in taxing the aid Congress provided.  Small businesses are being hit with thousands of dollars extra in taxes under California’s punishing business taxes.  Now that Gov. Newsom has awoken to a problem that other states fixed months ago, Speaker Pelosi has passed a bill preventing California from reducing its insanely high tax burden.  Every California Republican Member of Congress joined me in calling on Speaker Pelosi to repeal the legal ban on tax cuts.  Her policy, combined with Governor Newsom’s inaction, is crushing small business in our state.”
 
Rep. Kevin McCarthy said, “California small business owners are yet another victim of Speaker Pelosi and Democrats’ refusal to collaborate with Republicans on common-sense issues that affect everyday Americans. During one of the most challenging times in our Nation’s history, the Democrat majority should have worked with Republicans to ensure that small businesses across America have the relief they need, especially after they were forced to shut down because of government mandates. To ensure small businesses, already struggling due to the pandemic, are not saddled with new tax liabilities, Congressman LaMalfa, our California Republican colleagues, and I demand that the Let States Cut Taxes Act, legislation that would repeal provisions that have created this troubling situation for California businesses, be immediately considered on the House Floor.” 
 
Rep. Ken Calvert said, “California small businesses and their employees have suffered greatly under Gov. Newsom’s lockdown orders. Now when some relief may finally arrive from the state, Speaker Pelosi’s rushed and unfocused ‘stimulus’ bill may pull the rug out from under small businesses once again. This level of incompetence by Democrats in Sacramento and in D.C. would be shocking if it wasn’t such a regular occurrence.”
 
Rep. Mike Garcia said, “We must provide the necessary assistance to California’s small businesses that have suffered from state-mandated lockdowns. The partisan rush to pass the American Rescue Plan Act without considering Republican’s concerns has resulted in a law that has left far too many California small business owners in limbo. I’m grateful to Representative LaMalfa and Republican Leader McCarthy for spearheading this effort to help our small businesses and correct the issue created by the American Rescue Plan Act and AB 80. I will continue to fight to ensure that our small businesses have the resources necessary to recover and rebuild after a year of closure.”
 
Rep. Michelle Steel said, “This harmful provision in the American Rescue Plan is yet another obstacle for California small businesses and the workers they employ. The law is preventing small businesses that are struggling due to COVID-19 from receiving much needed tax relief, and many are now confused by conflicting policies from the federal government and the state. Congress should immediately pass the Let States Cut Taxes Act to repeal this unconstitutional and misguided policy that is only hurting our small businesses at a time when they need our support.”
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
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Feinstein to CDC: Extend Evictions Moratorium
 
Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to extend the nationwide evictions moratorium beyond the end of the month.
 
“I write to you today to urge you to extend the evictions moratorium beyond March 31, 2021 to prevent a surge in homelessness in California and across the nation,”Senator Feinstein said. “As you know, the federal evictions moratorium has helped millions of Americans who were at risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic remain in their homes and it is critical to maintain this moratorium through the end of the emergency declaration.
 
“Recent Census Bureau data collected between February 17 and March 1, 2021 indicate that millions of Americans are having difficulty paying rent. An estimated 13.5 million adults living in rental housing – which represents nearly 1 in 5 adult renters – were not caught up on rent.”
 
The full text of the letter is available here and below:
 
March 23, 2021
 
The Honorable Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
 
Dear Director Walensky:
 
I write to you today to urge you to extend the evictions moratorium beyond March 31, 2021 to prevent a surge in homelessness in California and across the nation. As you know, the federal evictions moratorium has helped millions of Americans who were at risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic remain in their homes and it is critical to maintain this moratorium through the end of the emergency declaration.
 
Recent Census Bureau data collected between February 17 and March 1, 2021 indicate that millions of Americans are having difficulty paying rent. An estimated 13.5 million adults living in rental housing – which represents nearly 1 in 5 adult renters – were not caught up on rent. In addition, the survey found that renters of color were more likely to report that their household was not caught up on rent, including 33 percent of Black renters, 20 percent of Latino renters, and 16 percent of Asian renters, compared to 13 percent of white renters.
 
Congress has provided nearly $50 billion in emergency rental assistance to help alleviate the financial burdens renters are experiencing as a result of the pandemic. However, most states are just beginning the process to disburse these funds, and more time is needed to ensure this assistance reaches those who need it most. Without action to extend the current federal eviction moratorium, the U.S. could see a significant surge in homelessness, and subsequent increases in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
 
It is imperative that we take every step possible to protect vulnerable Americans for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.
 
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
 
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California Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Rate Climbs 64%WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (March 22, 2021) –  The latest data analysis from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows fatal wrong-way driving crashes on our nation's highways are getting worse. Researchers found that the odds of being a wrong-way driver increased with alcohol-impairment, older age, and driving without a passenger. 

"Fatalities from wrong-way crashes are heading in a dangerous direction," said Sergio Avila, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. "AAA and the NTSB urge state transportation agencies to adopt driver-based countermeasures to combat this deadly trend."


Researchers from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety examined eight factors relating to these types of crashes. The following increased a motorist’s odds of being a wrong-way driver: 

• Alcohol impairment:  The single most significant factor, with six in ten wrong-way crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver.
• Drivers over age 70: Despite spending less time on the road and driving fewer miles per trip than younger age groups.
• Driving alone: Nearly 87% of wrong-way crashes involved driving without a passenger. 

AAA and the NTSB urge state policymakers to adopt effective driver-based and infrastructure countermeasures that address these leading factors. This includes alcohol ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders, high-visibility enforcement, installing more-visible traffic signs and signals that follow national standards, and changing state laws to help identify medically at-risk drivers.

AAA Northern California reminds drivers to use good judgement before getting behind the wheel. 

• If you are driving, don't drink. If you are drinking, don’t drive.  Make a plan to have a designated driver if you consume alcohol, marijuana or potentially impairing prescription medications.  
• Stay alert. Stop driving if you become drowsy. Fatigue impacts reaction time and judgment, causing people who are very tired to behave in similar ways to those who are drunk.

Methodology: AAA Foundation researchers examined the number of fatal wrong-way crashes and the number of people killed using data from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Characteristics of wrong-way drivers were compared with "right-way" drivers in the same crash to identify factors associated with increased odds of being a wrong-way driver in these types of crashes. 

About  AAA Northern California
AAA has a proud history of serving Members for over 100 years. AAA is on a mission to create Members for life by unleashing the innovative spirit of 4,000 employees representing 6 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. In addition to legendary roadside assistance, AAA offers home, auto and life insurance, travel and home security services. According to Via Magazine's Smart Guide, being a AAA Member can save you more than $1,200 a year. Learn more at AAA.com.
 
 

SACRAMENTO – Once again, California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) has failed unemployed Californians. Media outlets report that the state agency’s website went down at some point over the weekend and is still unable to process claimants’ information today.
 
Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) released the following statement:
 
“EDD’s page ‘isitdownrightnow’ says it all. The agency’s IT is so dysfunctional it had to create a page so Californians can track whether the website is actually down or it is just so pathetically slow a normal person would assume it was. Under the leadership of this current Administration, EDD has continued to fail. Today is no exception," said Wilk. “The IT problems at EDD are legendary, but didn’t even garner a mention in the Governor’s State of the State and sadly millions of Californians are out of luck on getting their benefits.” 

Timeline of Senate Republicans' EDD Actions:
 
-April 2020: Senate Republicans wrote a letter warning Governor Newsom about the failures of the EDD after hundreds of thousands of jobless Californians reached out to legislative offices seeking help with their unemployment claims.
-June 2020: Republicans asked for an independent audit of the EDD through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC). Democratic members of JLAC canceled a crucial hearing in August, which would have been an opportunity to review the EDD audit request.
-Signed by Republican members from both the Assembly and Senate, the letter to JLAC was a bicameral effort to demand answers from EDD.
-July 2020: Members of the Senate Republican Caucus requested that Governor Newsom staff EDD 24/7 to help clear the backlog.
-August 2020: Senate Republicans joined a coalition of legislators delivering another letter to the Governor demanding that he take action to improve EDD operations.
-September 2020: Members of JLAC approved an audit of the EDD that Senate Republicans joined in requesting.
-November 2020: District Attorneys announced a major unemployment fraud scheme operating in and around California’s prisons. In a letter to Governor Newsom, Senator Shannon Grove requested adequate support for DA’s across the state so they can investigate and prosecute the high number of EDD fraud cases.
-December 2020: Senator Shannon Grove introduced SB 39 to mandate crosschecking of prisoner information with unemployment claims and Senator Scott Wilk introduced SB 58 to require EDD to stop including full social security numbers on their mail, which have put tens of millions of citizens at risk or identity theft.
-January 2021: Senate Republicans led an effort to call for an immediate oversight hearing on the EDD following a scathing State Auditor report
-February 2021: Senate Republicans warned governor about victims of identity theft and urged him to promptly help them so that they can avoid tax liabilities for unreceived benefits; Senator Shannon Grove and Senator Jim Nielsen presented solutions to the Senate Budget Subcommittee #5 to reform the state’s failed Employment Development Department (EDD).
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Senator Wilk represents the 21st Senate District, which includes the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Victor valleys. Learn more about Scott by visiting his website and be sure to connect with him on social media.

For Immediate Release – March 22, 2021   Contact: Mark Spannagel – (202) 731-0486
 
 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA.) and Mike Simpson (R-ID), in introducing the Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, to help the U.S. Forest Service restore our National Forests, which will create nearly 49,000 jobs over the next ten years.
 
LaMalfa said, “Wildfires devastated millions of acres in California last year, and the Forest Service is facing an enormous backlog of lands that need to be restored.  The REPLANT Act will assist with getting burned areas replanted in the North State and across the West.  We cannot leave our public lands a virtual moonscape that creates the brush conditions that lead to the next terrible fire.  Replanting our damaged forests protects our watersheds and begins to restore wildlife habitats and recreation. This is one step needed to protect our forests, but we also must improve our active forest management to reduce the risk of these massive forest fires.”
 
“After last year’s deadly and destructive wildfires, we were left with forests that were burnt and barren and an overwhelming backlog of federal reforestation projects,” said Congressman Panetta. “The REPLANT Act would mandate federal funding for the Reforestation Trust Fund so that we can decrease that backlog by significantly increasing the resources needed to plant more trees in burn scarred areas.  That type of reforestation is needed to protect our communities from post wild-fire mudslides, sequester some of our carbon emissions, provide critical wildlife habitats, improve downstream drinking water quality, and restore our nation’s precious public lands for generations to come.”
 
“In Idaho, we are blessed with an abundance of forests,” said Congressman Simpson. “However with forests comes wildfires, and from wildfires you lose precious natural resources such as trees. Through the Reforestation Trust Fund we can replant these trees in our national forests, without using taxpayer funds. This will benefit our environment through carbon sequestration, our economy through job creation in rural communities, and recreation all across the country. This bill has broad bipartisan and bicameral support and from a diverse group of stakeholders who are on the ground replanting our national forests.”
 
“I am pleased to join my colleagues in the Senate and House in introducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address the reforestation needs within our national forests. This legislation provides a wide range of benefits, including improving our environment by sequestering carbon dioxide, reinvigorating ecosystems, and supporting wildlife that depend on healthy forests, while also creating nearly 49,000 jobs and expanding recreation opportunities on national forestland. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this common sense, bipartisan legislation to address the replanting needs across our nation’s forests,” said Senator Portman.
 
“Restoring our national forests will not only support our hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation economies, it’s also part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Senator Stabenow. “Planting trees is a cost-effective way to draw carbon out of the air, restore our public lands, and create jobs.”
 
From destructive wildfires to invasive pests and disease, National Forests across the country are in desperate need of reforestation. The demand for reforestation has vastly outpaced the current funding available, which has contributed to a backlog of nearly 2 million acres in need of restoration. Each year, only 15 percent of the national forest tree planting backlog is addressed.
 
The REPLANT Act removes the current funding cap of $30 million per year in the Reforestation Trust Fund, making an average of $123 million annually available for reforestation in National Forests. The bill only uses funds that are already being collected through tariffs on foreign wood products – it does not change the list of products, increase the tariffs, or use taxpayer funds. 
 
The bill directs the Forest Service to develop a 10-year plan and cost estimate to address the backlog of replanting needs on national forest land by 2031. It also prioritizes land in need of reforestation due to natural disasters that are unlikely to naturally regrow on their own. 
 
The REPLANT Act will help reforest 4.1 million acres by planting 1.2 billion trees over the next 10 years. Reforestation improves soil health and protects wildlife habitats for hunting and fishing. It also strengthens our economy by creating jobs. A report completed by American Forests found that the REPLANT Act would create nearly 49,000 jobs over the next 10 years.  
 
In addition to Sen. Stabenow, Sen. Portman, Rep. Panetta, and Rep. Simpson, the bill is cosponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Roger Marshall, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Kim Schrier, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Salud Carbajal, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Mark Takano, and Rep. Debbie Dingell.
 
This legislation is supported by over 50 organizations and companies including California Forestry Association, Forest Landowners Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of State Foresters, and Society of American Foresters.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
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Mark Spannagel
Chief of Staff
Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01)
Mark.Spannagel@Mail.House.Gov
202-225-3076

Water users urged to reduce and conserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAilene Voisin
March 22, 2021ailene.voisin@waterboards.ca.gov 
SACRAMENTO --  As dry conditions persist throughout California, the State Water Resources Control Board today mailed early warning notices to approximately 40,000 water right holders, urging them to plan for potential shortages by reducing water use and adopting practical conservation measures.
Reservoir and groundwater levels are significantly below average, and despite recent storms, snowpack is only 58% of average as of March 10. After two years of below average precipitation, officials don’t expect the April 1 snow survey to reveal significant improvement in the water supply outlook this year. April 1 is typically the peak of California’s snowpack, which in an average year provides 30% of the state’s water supply.
“Planting crops and other decisions that are dictated by water supply are made early in the year, so early warnings are vital,” said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the Water Board’s Division of Water Rights. “These letters give water users time to prepare and help minimize the impacts of reduced supplies on businesses, farms and homes.”
Agricultural water users can implement practical actions now to improve their drought resilience, including reducing irrigated acreage, managing herd size, using innovative irrigation and diversifying water supply portfolios. Urban water users can conserve by putting in drought-resistant landscape, reducing outdoor irrigation and replacing older house fixtures and appliances with more efficient ones.
Additionally, all diverters are legally required to report their annual water use to the State Water Board. Accurate and timely reporting of information is crucial to managing the state’s water resources.
In preparing for potential droughts, the State Water Board partners with multiple state, local and federal agencies, including California Department of Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Tribal governments and water management organizations. Staff will continue to coordinate as it monitors the situation and engage more frequently with water users if conditions continue or worsen.
Current drought conditions can be found on the National Integrated Drought Information System website.
The State Water Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources and ensure proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.
 

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Sacramento, Calif. – California Assemblymembers James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) announced today that an Appellate Court has scheduled oral argument in their lawsuit challenging Governor Gavin Newsom’s abuse of emergency powers during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

The parties will appear before the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento on April 20 at 9:30 AM.

“California has not been well-served by one-man rule. We are asking the court of appeals to affirm the superior’s court’s decision and protect our representative government from the abuses of this or any future Governor,” said Assemblymembers Gallagher and Kiley.

On November 14th, a California State Superior Court finalized its ruling determining that Governor Gavin Newsom abused his authority by changing state law in violation of the California Constitution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Assemblymembers’ lawsuit challenges the legality of Executive Order N-67-20 which changed several statutory laws overnight. Gallagher and Kiley contend that this was an unconstitutional act because it invaded the powers that are left to the Legislature alone. Newsom argued that a State of Emergency “centralizes the State’s powers in the hands of the Governor.”

Click here to read the final ruling issued in Sutter County Superior Court.
 
Click here to download video and b-roll from the October 7th pre-trial hearing.
 
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 Assemblyman James Gallagher represents the 3rd Assembly District, which encompasses all of Glenn, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties as well as portions of Butte and Colusa counties. 

Assemblyman Kevin Kiley represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes the Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado County communities of Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Orangevale, Penryn, Rocklin, Roseville, and Sheridan.