Out of an abundance of caution, this year the Sierraville Fire and Rescue Department will forgo the traditional Tour de Manure, a supported metric century ride through Sierra Valley, Calif. originally scheduled for June 19.
 
The annual supported bicycle ride is a fundraising event for the all-volunteer department, which provides medical and fire emergency services to locals and visitors of the Sierra Valley.
 
“We have a free alternative that will be fun for folks, though” says Tour Boss Mike Blide. “Please come out to our spectacular high alpine valley, and ride any of the beautiful roads that are part of the Tour de Manure route, then upload and post a photo of your experience on our Tour de Manure Facebook Page so we can keep the momentum going.” Find a route map on the Tour’s website, TourdeManure.org.
 
Fire and Rescue volunteer Tami McCollum, who was Tour Boss for the event’s first 11 years, asks participants who want to support to the fire department, to instead consider donating to someone in need, or a favorite cause or a charity.
 
“Meanwhile, please rest assured that we will forge ahead with BIG plans for June 18, 2022,” Blide says. “Expect one amazing ride, a scrumptious BBQ meal, and a foot-tapping hootenanny that will put this damn COVID far into the rear-view mirror. We appreciate your support and patience.”
 
You can learn more about the Tour de Manure at tourdemanure.org or on Facebook
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Washington D.C. – U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the non-partisan national movement to limit terms for elected officials, praises 2022 U.S. house candidate for California, Lily Zhou, for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress.

U.S. Term Limits has the support of more than 90 pledge signers in Congress. USTL President Philip Blumel commented on Zhou's  pledge saying, “Lily's strong support of term limits shows that there are individuals who are willing to put self-interest aside to follow the will of the people. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians.”
The U.S. Term Limits amendment pledge is provided to every announced candidate for federal office. It reads, “I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit.” The U.S. Term Limits constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues (SJR3) and the U.S. House by Representative Ralph Norman (HJR12).
Blumel noted, “We have seen a dramatic increase in supporters wanting term limits on Congress. More than 79% of Americans have rejected the career politician model and want to replace it with citizen leadership. The way to achieve that goal is through congressional term limits.”
According to a 2019 nationwide poll on term limits conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, term limits enjoy wide bipartisan support. McLaughlin’s analysis states, “Support for term limits is broad and strong across all political, geographic and demographic groups. An overwhelming 79% of voters approve of a constitutional amendment that will place term limits on members of Congress.”
Blumel concluded, “America is in trouble. Our career politicians have let the people down. It is time to return control of our nation to the people. It is time for a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms.”
The term limits amendment resolutions would require a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, and ratification by 38 states, in order to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
View Zhou's signed pledge here.

Low Elevation Snow and Chain Controls Anticipated
 
MARYSVILLE – Following a weak weekend weather system, a stronger storm system is anticipated today through Thursday, delivering periods of valley rain and mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service.
 
Beginning tonight, snow levels in the Sierra are expected to drop to 2,000-3,000 feet with 1-5 inches possible overnight. Between Tuesday and Thursday morning, another 5-10 inches of snow is anticpated with low snow levels between 2,000-3,500 feet. Current forecasts indicate heavier snow and travel impacts Tuesday. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in the Sierra.
 
In the valley and foothill areas, periods of moderate rain and afternoon thunderstorms are expected with 0.5-1 inch possible in Chico and Grass Valley, and 0.25-0.5 inch anticipated in the Sacramento area. Motorists are advised to be alert for slick roads and roadway ponding throughout the week.
 
Caltrans reminds drivers to winterize vehicles by ensuring tires are properly inflated and have good tread, and to stock up with water, blankets, snacks, a flashlight and a full tank of gas before mountain travel. Further tips for safe winter driving and information about chain controls can be found at dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips.
 
Motorists also are reminded to carry traction-control devices in their vehicles as permitted highway chain installers do not sell traction devices. Periods of chain control are anticipated during both storms with posted speed limits of 30 mph on Interstate 80 and 25 mph on U.S. Highway 50 during chain-enforcement periods.
 
Check out Caltrans' “QuickMap” for current road conditions and chain requirements at quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the free QuickMap app on the App Store or Google Play. Motorists also can call the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
 

Dr. Glenn Mollette 

One problem with all Americans making a minimum of $15 an hour is that some business owners don’t make $15 an hour. 

Hundreds of thousands of small business owners struggle every day to keep the lights on and the doors of their business open. The only way they can afford help is with people who are willing to work for a low wage. This is tough for all. In most cases the business owner would like to pay more and the employee needs to make more. 

You can’t economically survive on $290 a week. Apartment rent can easily be $500 to $3000 a month depending on where you live. Add utilities, cell phone, transportation and you can forget eating much if any. The reality is that minimum wage workers can barely survive. They end up applying for public assistance, standing in food bank lines and eventually face deteriorating health and often homelessness. You cannot care for yourself on $7.25 an hour. Living out of your car or in a tent is not the American dream. 

It is time for a federal minimum wage increase. Eleven to $12 an hour would be a push for many small business owners but we all need to push and try to get there together. Eventually everything goes up in price but it’s some relief for millions of Americans in the short-term. Even $12 an hour is only $480 a week, but if you are surviving on $290 per week it would have to seem like winning the lottery. However, consider the impact this will have on a mom and pop business that has five employees and suddenly the payroll has just jumped by almost $1000 more per month. It will be tough. A $15 minimum wage means $600 a week or more than doubling everyone’s pay. How many businesses in America can just flip the switch and double everyone’s pay? 

If you are the employee you are desperate for higher wages. If you are the employer you worry about how you will pay the higher wage.

The Congressional budget office reported the higher $15 minimum wage would lift 900,000 out of poverty. On the other hand, the same CBO reported 1.4 million would lose their jobs by 2025. 

The only place in America who currently has a $15 minimum wage is Washington, D.C. If you have ever gone out to eat in D.C. then you know $15 an hour is not enough in that town. Washington state is $13.69. California is $14. New York is $12.50. West Virginia is $8.75. Kentucky is $7.25. Indiana is $7.25. Texas is $7.25. Florida will be $10 soon. Utah is 7.25. 

The bottom line for us all is do not settle for any minimum wage forever.  Work hard for a promotion or move to a better paying job. Minimum means a starting job rate. It doesn’t have to mean your maximum pay rate forever. 
​

 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement in opposition to H.R. 1280, the Democrats’ bill to defund and overregulate police:
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “The consequences of this partisan bill to defund our police departments, on the heels of cities burning and rapidly decreasing police personnel, will be even fewer cops on our streets with weakened or eliminated tools to do their jobs. It’s ironic that just weeks ago the House was praising the work and professionalism of law enforcement that protects the Capitol, yet now it attacks all law enforcement across the country. It’s also frustrating that instead of supporting our police and moving forward where both parties agree, like improving training, enhancing transparency, and reinforcing accountability, Democrat leadership rushed this radical bill forward with no meaningful debates or committee processes. The objective should be to craft a bill that can actually become law. Instead, the majority uses the House floor to generate talking points for the next campaign. Congress should actually move the ball and seek real results on issues the Americans care about.”
 
Despite bipartisan opposition, the Democrats’ bill slipped through Wednesday night by a vote of 220-212. Among some of its worse provisions, this bill:

• Puts millions of dollars of unfunded mandates on law enforcement agencies
• Eliminates qualified immunity protections for all law enforcement officers, which protects officers who make reasonable mistakes
• Lowers the standard for federal civil rights lawsuits to allow officer convictions even if the officer had no specific intent to deprive a person of a federal right
• Creates an overly broad registry of police misconduct, that includes complaints that are not final
• Limits access to surplus equipment through the Department of Defense’s 1033 program that law enforcement agencies use to protect officers and serve communities in life threatening situations such as natural disasters
• Bans no-knock warrants in drug cases without consideration of exceptions that provide for the safety of law enforcement and the community.

 
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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​EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS met for its regular meeting on Thursday, February 25th and began with the Oath of Office given to new Director Augustine Corcoran of Sierra Brooks.
During staff reports, CEO Doug McCoy appreciated the donation from the Auxiliary that will assist EPHC in replacing its Dexa bone density scanner, which is a critical part of radiology services. McCoy also reported for infection control and Chief of Nursing Officer as both Michelle Romero and Penny Holland were administering vaccines on this date. McCoy stated they were dispensing 240 vaccine doses that day, which should finish up the 75 + age group. He said they were starting to have a good flow of vaccines coming through and hoped to start 65+ the first week in March. McCoy reported the UK variant was up 4% and seemed to be the most prevalent one in California. CDPH is monitoring two other variants that are specific to California.  
Skilled Nursing Facilities were reported on with McCoy stating an abbreviated standard SNF survey was conducted on January 29th. No deficiencies were identified. He said CMS/CDPH continue to hold all annual surveys due to COVID restrictions. Telemed units were installed at both SNF campuses for behavioral health therapy as well as patient/visitor interaction. McCoy reported they are reestablishing visitation guidelines since the County is in the Red tier, adding it should be a true benefit for families who have been sequestered for a long time.  He talked about a marketing initiative for a respite program, which is designed for a 7-14 day stay for people caring for loved ones at home that may need a break. McCoy stated the services would allow patients to get used to SNF, and if the need arises for full-time care, families will be comfortable in using EPHC. Director Theresa Whitfield felt it was a nice bridge.  
Financial report was by CFO, Katherine Pairish, who stated the Total Patient Revenue for the month of January was under budget by $360,276. Total Operating Expenses for the month of January were over budget by $23,452. Year-to-date Net Loss was $496,681. She said EPHC budgeted for a Net Loss of $2,108,153. The Public Hospital Redesign and Incentives in Medi-Cal (PRIME) IGT came back $1,262,250 greater than what was budgeted and Contractual Adjustments were less than budget by $523,245. Both of these had a positive impact on the bottom line for the seven months ended January 31, 2021.  
Pairish stated EPHC’s cash position is good. Days cash on hand at January 31, 2021 was 257. Without the Medicare Advance, HHS Stimulus and PPP funds, days cash on hand would be 111. On January 31, 2020 days cash on hand was 63. She concluded by reporting they would continue to work on the strategic/operating plan to determine the return on investment for some of the larger projects such as a new Rehab building, EPHC-owned MRI and Loyalton clinic relocation.
McCoy reported a change in Clinic leadership with Rhonda Grandi retiring after five years of service to EPHC. He said Rhonda has made significant operational and financial improvements to the clinics over her tenure and appreciated her dedicated service to the organization. In the interim McCoy will be overseeing clinic operations and working directly with Dr. Stoll and Christina Potter until a new director has been hired.

WATER SYSTEMS in Sierra City were discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, March 2nd through WebEx. Planning Director Tim Beals said there are rumors about water consolidation in Sierra City, as a number of water systems are for sale. He stated there are about 15 water systems in Sierra City and felt there probably has never been a better time to consider consolidation and was concerned with water quality, and infrastructure issues. Beals said this would be a special district that would be formed or reactivated and could be a LAFCo issue. Board Chair Lee Adams asked if this item should be agendized to see if residents want to form a special district, to hear the pros and cons and how to move forward. He said Downieville went through this in the 1960’s. Beals stated a lot of effort is being put forth by five water systems looking at consolidating and felt this was sufficient interest to talk to the State about options for funding. Adams didn’t want to see the County get into the water business. Beals stated they would just be assisting the community with a critical service of potable water.

SIERRA COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE FISHER reported on the Sheriff’s office radio system during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, March 2nd. He told the Board they have been having major issues with the dispatch console as it is running on old XP computers. He has started looking at some quotes to up grade equipment to Windows 10 and stated it will cost about $12,000-$15,000 to upgrade to Windows 10 boxes and the department is looking at $20,000-$23,000 for an updated radio console. Fisher said they are also looking at doing a study of the whole radio system top to bottom by hiring an engineer who will give a physical list of what they have and what condition it’s in. They would prioritize what immediately needs to be replaced and/or repaired. Fisher stated the engineer they would use just did this for Modoc County, who was happy with the work. Fisher stated the Sheriff’s Office contracts with OES for radio repairs, but the contract doesn’t include engineers. Fisher is hoping to use money through the Homeland Security Grant and COVID funding. He said they are also looking at possibly adding a repeater and clearing some trees to improve radio communication.  
Planning Director Tim Beals stated they have been notified that they received 2020-2021 Homeland Security Grants, which can be used for law enforcement purposes. He felt it would be a prudent move for the Board to establish a reserve for one or two years of these grants to cover what might be costs for radio improvements.  
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Educators disappointed with Administration’s last-minute move to relax red tier standard; Safety remains concern
SACRAMENTO — California Teachers Association President E. Toby Boyd issued the following statement on the passage of Assembly Bill 86 today by the California Legislature:
“CTA’s priority is the safety of our students, their families, educators and school staff. We recognize the efforts of state lawmakers in designating vaccine supply for educators who have been in schools and for those heading back. Getting educators and school staff the vaccine is key to safely reopening for in-person instruction and protecting students and their families. The $4.6 billion to support student learning is also essential and allows school districts to dedicate the time and resources to equitably support the social and emotional needs of students and target a whole-child recovery.
“We’re disappointed the Administration, once again, moved the community case rate goalpost by relaxing the red tier standard from seven daily cases to 10 per 100,000 residents. This is the second major change to California Department of Public Health guidance within the past eight weeks. Educators are painfully aware of the impact these eleventh-hour changes have on our school communities – whether it’s the waivers, inconsistent safety standards or shifting guidance earlier in the pandemic. Changing guidance directly tied to this legislation will impact districts already working on their plans and will likely trigger confusion, fear and anxiety when our communities are already worried about the safety of their families.
“We are also concerned that this legislation does not include regular and ongoing asymptomatic testing, outside the purple tier, as recommended by California Department of Public Health guidance. We continue to have equity concerns regarding the $2 billion to support safety measures for schools that are opening and have already opened. The incentive plan penalizes schools in communities with higher transmission rates that can’t open immediately and school districts that have announced plans to open after April 1. Implementation and enforcement of these regulations and safety guidelines at the local level and statewide will be the next step and all of our responsibilities.”
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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.

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(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement in opposition to H.R. 1, the Democratic leadership’s top priority bill for the 117th Congress that would enable federal funding of political campaigns.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “The new fines created by the ‘For the Politicians’ Act don’t go towards improving infrastructure or our economy or to North State priorities but instead use federal dollars to flood political campaign spending on ads, robocalls, and Washington consultants. Like every partisan bill Democrats have advanced this year, this bill received a noble-sounding name to distract from its contents—a long list of Democratic fantasies like enabling felons to vote and weakening election integrity. Before my Republican colleagues and I exposed them, the federal dollars this bill siphoned towards campaigns came directly from taxpayers, but Democrats responded to backlash by creating an illusory system of ‘fines’ to hide the funding source. Democrats then provided cover with an amendment which banned public funding for political campaigns in a huge package of other poison pill amendments.
 
“It’s appalling to me that despite the many issues facing our country the Democrats have prioritized a bill to supplement political campaigns with federal dollars and further erode public trust in our elections. They hid its intent, but that is the state of the Democratic House under Speaker Pelosi. This might be the most dangerous and hypocritical bill introduced in the House of Representatives in a long time, and I strongly oppose it.”
 
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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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Kicks Off $1 Million Competition to Spur Innovation that Closes the Digital Divide for California Students, Educators, and Families

​SACRAMENTO—This week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the kickoff for the “California Digital Divide Innovation Challenge,” a global competition that will award up to $1 million to the boldest, most revolutionary proposals to eliminate the digital divide and expand high-speed internet access to all Californians.
Despite many efforts and generous donations through the Bridging the Digital Divide Fund, as many as one million students in California still lack internet connectivity.  Superintendent Thurmond is launching this challenge to inspire the public and private sector’s most ambitious innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and creative problem-solvers to develop technology and strategic partnerships that will have an immediate and direct impact on students today and remove barriers to success long after the pandemic is over.
“As you know, the digital divide has existed for decades, but with the onset of the pandemic, a glaring spotlight once again highlighted the inequities on who is connected and who is not,” Thurmond said. “Over the past year, we have been able to get devices in the hands of most of our students, yet we continue to have hundreds of thousands of students who still have no connectivity or connectivity that is insufficient for them to successfully continue their education from home. We have entire communities unable to participate in tele-health, e-commerce, email, and the daily activities we take for granted. We believe access to the internet has become as essential as water and electricity, and we won’t stop until it flows just as easily.”
Thanks to a partnership with Genentech and the Genentech Foundation; the General Motors Foundation; and Gary K. Michelson, founder and co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies and the Michelson 20MM Foundation, this competition will allow the innovative spirit to play a significant role in helping California end the digital divide once and for all.
Although many efforts have been made to help students gain internet connectivity and computing devices while in distance learning, the harsh reality is that almost one-fifth of California’s students still cannot participate in distance learning. Whether caused by lack of rural and frontier infrastructure or lack of urban affordability, one thing is clear: Every student deserves the opportunity to learn with equitable access to computing devices and connectivity.
The digital divide impacts our students of color and low-income students at disproportionate rates:

• 25 percent of African American students and their families do not have access to the internet, and 13 percent do not have access to computers.
• 21 percent of Hispanic or Latino students do not have access to the internet, and 9 percent do not have access to computers.
• 30 percent of American Indian students do not have access to the internet, and 16 percent do not have access to computers.
• 14 percent of White students do not have access to the internet, and 7 percent do not have access to computers.

Before the pandemic, the lack of access to internet and computing devices for these students disproportionately affected their ability to continue their education from home, hampering their ability to complete homework, research, and prepare for future career opportunities. The pandemic has only amplified the need to solve this problem once and for all so that all students have an equitable opportunity to be successful in their K–12 education. 
Requests for information (RFI) are being accepted until the end of this week, with the challenge officially running from March–August 2021. If you are interested in participating in the challenge as an innovator, you must submit an RFI by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021. You can access the RFI form here: https://forms.gle/JNkEZkk52a2ocnsU7. For complete details about the contest, please visit the CA Digital Divide Innovation Challenge web page. Interested parties may also emailinnovationchallenge@cde.ca.gov with any questions. 
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The California Department of Education is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education’s website. You may also follow Superintendent Thurmond on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
 

by Melinda Myers

 
We love watching the bunnies hopping across the lawn or ground squirrels scurrying away with a cheek full of seeds. That is, until they dine on our favorite shrub or take just one bite out of each red ripe tomato in the garden. Finding a way to coexist is critical for wildlife struggling to survive and our enjoyment of nature and our landscapes.
 
As gardeners, we know that digging in the soil and tending a garden is good for our mind, body, and spirit. Researchers discovered the same is true when we take time to observe wildlife. Our need for a relationship with nature is also important to our wellbeing. It helps us feel more content and function more effectively.
 
But we love our gardens too. Implementing some design and management strategies can help us support and enjoy wildlife, care for our landscapes, and improve our quality of life.
 
By reducing the amount of edge habitat, where one type of habitat meets another, can allow us to support wildlife while reducing the risk of damage. Create circular or square garden beds that have more interior space and less border space. Long linear beds with more edges and less interior space allows easier access for animals to dine.
 
Work with neighbors and your community to create large blocks and corridors of habitat. Providing them spaces, other than your gardens, with needed food and shelter can help you and the wildlife to coexist.
 
Protect key gardens and plants. Fencing is an option.  Make sure your fence is high enough, tight to the ground, and the gates secure.
 
Repellents are a less obtrusive option. Select a product labeled for the animals and rodents you are trying to manage. For best results, apply repellents before the animals start feeding. Then reapply as recommended on the label. Look for one, like organic, bird- and pollinator-friendly Plantskydd (plantskydd.com), that is rain and snow resistant, requiring fewer repeat applications.
 
Work with nature to maintain a balance in your landscape. Invite hawks, owls, and fox to your backyard.  Grow tall grasses and plants that provide cover for foxes. Include trees with good perches or install perch poles to attract and support raptors. 
 
And like any landscape endeavor, start with a plan. Make a sketch of your existing landscape. Identify existing plants and wildlife-friendly habitats. Make note of both the natural habitats and any supplemental food, water, and shelter you provide. Review and note various features in your landscape throughout the year.
 
Now decide what you want to accomplish in your landscape. What wildlife do you want to attract and have the space to support? Perhaps you want to attract more songbirds to your gardens or animals, like toads, that help manage pests in the garden.
 
Make sure your landscape provides the habitat features needed to attract and sustain these welcome residents. You will find lots of helpful resources on National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Department of Natural Resources, and University Extension websites.
 
Be patient and wait for a year to evaluate the results of your efforts. Then begin making any needed changes to meet your goals.
 
Developing a landscape for you to enjoy and one that supports wildlife takes time, but as a gardener this is not only part of the process but an exciting adventure.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything”DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. Myers' website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

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by Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D.

H.R. 1 is the first bill proposed by the newly installed Majority to disenfranchise all who would oppose their radical programs, so that they can retain power forever, no matter how many ordinary Americans are destroyed.
H.R.1 would not be a threat, nor would it even be conceivable that it would be proposed, were it not for the 17th Amendment. The 17th Amendment should never have been passed, and should be revoked. The 17th Amendment destabilized these United States, which is why Democrats love it, and it was deceptively promoted by “progressives.” To his credit, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) has called for it to be revoked.
Article 1, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution reads “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years;...” [Italics mine.] The 17th Amendment changed it to; “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years;...” [Italics mine. The 17th Amendment was ratified on April 8, 1913—another one of the horrible things that happened under Woodrow Wilson, the Socialist racist Democrat.
Wilson’s other mortal sins include getting these United States into World War 1, re-segregating the United States Civil Service, imposition of the Income Tax (which is now a tax on labor as well), and creation of the Federal Reserve. (The Federal Reserve is a group of private bankers in charge of the United States money supply. That is against our US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, clause 5 , one of the Enumerated Powers, giving Congress the power, and responsibility, “To coin money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures.”)
H.R. 1 provides for automatic registration of voters from state databases, which could lead to multiple or duplicate registrations, and registrations of illegal aliens. H.R.1 provides for online voter registration, not tied to any existing state record, such as a driving license. The potential for fraud and chaos is clear there. H.R. 1 would allow people to vote with no voter ID or verification. H.R. 1 would restrict states from using the U.S. Postal Service’s national change-of-address system to verify the addresses of registered voters, and erase the power of states to remove registrants from voter rolls due to a failure to vote, no matter how much time has passed. H.R. 1 mandates early voting, same-day registration, and no-reason absentee voting, among many other monstrosities in the nearly 800 pages. It would federalize elections, taking them out of the control of the states, and putting nationwide elections in the control of the people in Washington.
The 17th Amendment diluted the power of the States, by the fraction represented by the number of legislators in the state divided by the number of people voting in that state. Since that fraction is very small, the power of the States over the Federal government was greatly diluted.
For example, the state with the largest population, California, has a legislature composed of 120 legislators, and a population of more than 39 million. The state with the smallest population, Wyoming, has a legislature composed of 90 legislators, and a population of somewhat more than 579,000. Without analyzing each state, it is obvious that answering to 120 people, who appointed you to the Senate, who probably meet with you, and to whom you answer directly, makes you much more accountable than answering to 579,000, or 39 million, even if only 10 percent of them vote. The legislature’s very job is to supervise you, and to make certain that you are keeping the interests of their State at heart. The voters’ supervision cannot be nearly so direct.
At the Constitutional Convention, the sovereign States came together in the Convention in order to form the Federal government, as their agent, to carry out certain functions, as per the Enumerated Powers. Senators were sent to Washington to uphold, defend, represent, and guard the retained rights, jurisdiction and interests of the individual states.
H.R. 1 relies on Article 1 Section 4, Clause 1, which reads; “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.
Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1 makes sense within the context of the original Constitution, but it makes no sense with the 17th Amendment. The two clauses are now diametrically opposed. The Constitution should not have been so bastardized.
The 17th Amendment fundamentally changed these United States. Has the Supreme Court been totally intimidated, except for Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and maybe Neil Gorsuch? The Supreme Court should take note of the analysis above in striking down H.R. 1, should it, God forbid, be enacted; otherwise, there should be State nullification by disobedience to H.R. 1.
We may need “Sanctuary States” where the Constitution is followed as intended by the Founders.
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Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser earned her MD from Washington University in St. Louis after putting herself through medical school. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and also Dermatology, and has practiced Emergency Medicine as well.  Dr. Rosenwasser served as President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) in 2007 and 2008. Dr. Rosenwasser has written numerous articles and opinion editorials, and has been a guest on many media broadcast shows. She is currently writing a book on medical practice. She also serves as a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Newfoundland Club of America. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Association of the American Physicians and Surgeons. As a life-long dog lover and trainer, she realizes that her dogs have better access to medical care and more medical privacy than she has, and her veterinarians are paid more than physicians in the United States for exactly the same types of surgery. For interview requests only, she can be reached directly at 941-492-6996 or email AngelPublicity@aol.com and we will get your requests to her, as well.

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SACRAMENTO –Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) joined 17 of his Senate Budget Committee colleagues Tuesday in supporting Assembly Bill 86, which aims to get all California students and teachers back in the classrooms.
 
California has the unenviable designation as 49th out of 50 states in terms of students' in-person instruction. After nearly a year, many of our rural and minority school children still lack the necessary equipment and Internet access for distance learning. And even when they have them, many children are left on their own as parents, unable to work from home, go to their jobs.
 
On February 17, Senator Brian Dahle and Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) hosted a virtual meeting with dozens of school superintendents from throughout their districts. The meeting was prompted by letters the Dahle’s received from educators that expressed concern over the Governor’s recent school re-opening guidelines that threatened to shut them down. Subsequently, 20 school superintendents joined the Dahle’s in sending a letter to the Governor to restate those concerns.
 
While most California students have been learning remotely this school year, roughly half of school districts are open, according to data recently released by the California Department of Public Health. In the northeastern California counties of the 1st Senate District, a majority of schools have consistently been open, many operating on full-time schedules and doing so successfully since August.
 
“Many of the schools in our districts have been open, educating students successfully since August, and should be commended for working with their county health officials, parents, students and teachers to provide a safe place at school,” said Senator Dahle. “Generally, our message to Sacramento has been to let us continue to safely provide in-person education to our students.”
 
Senator Dahle drafted amendments to ensure that schools that were already open would be protected from new burdensome requirements to access necessary funding to keep children and teachers safe. The Senator was pleased to see that AB 86 incorporated those amendments and the sentiment that schools that have been open safely for months can continue in-person education for students.
 
“We know from experience that schools can run safely despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am disappointed that negotiations took this long.  But I am encouraged that now the remainder of California students will be back in the classroom, sooner rather than later,” Dahle continued. “Let me be clear - politicizing our children’s future is never OK.”
 
As part of the $6.6 billion in incentives included in AB 86, $4.6 billion is programmed for student learning loss, which can include mental health counselors, an idea that Senator Dahle put forward in his Senate Bill 229.
 
AB 86 unanimously passed the Senate Budget Committee (18-0) and is expected to be on the Senate Floor for a final vote this Thursday.
 
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Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the third manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 56 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 21 inches, which is 86percent of average for this location. The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast.

“As California closes out the fifth consecutive dry month of our water year, absent a series of strong storms in March or April we are going to end with a critically dry year on the heels of last year’s dry conditions,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “With back-to-back dry years, water efficiency and drought preparedness are more important than ever for communities, agriculture and the environment.”

Dry conditions require coordination among state, federal and local entities. State water leaders are preparing to address the current dry conditions adaptively, guided by lessons learned during previous droughts.
 
With below-average precipitation across the state, California’s reservoirs are showing the impacts of a second consecutive dry year. Lake Oroville is currently at 55 percent of average and Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, is currently at 68 percent of average for this date.

Statewide snow survey measurements continue to reflect the overall dry conditions. Measurements from DWR’s electronic snow survey stations indicate that statewide the snowpack’s SWE is 15 inches, or 61 percent of the March 2 average, and 54 percent of the April 1 average. April 1 is typically when California’s snowpack is the deepest and has the highest SWE.

The current State Water Project (SWP)­­ allocation of 10 ­­­­percent amounts to 422,848 acre-feet of water, distributed among the 29 long-term SWP contractors who serve more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. Last year the initial allocation was also 10 percent, with a final allocation of 20 percent set in May 2020.

Precipitation in the form of rain – and snowfall at higher elevations – is critical because it refills reservoirs, packs away snow for spring runoff and helps stem the risk of wildfires. As dry conditions continue to persist, Californians should look at ways to reduce water use at home. Each individual act of increasing water efficiency can make a difference. Visit SaveOurWater.com to learn easy ways to save water every day.
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