Forest Update
 
 
Nevada City, Calif. – The Tahoe National Forest has closed all developed recreation sites excluding trails, trailheads and specific picnic areas, boat launches, and staging areas that function as trailheads for dispersed recreation activities.  All toilet facilities have been closed and all trash removal has been suspended, even if the trailhead remains open. While these specific areas remain open for use, the Tahoe National Forest recommends exercising close to your home and complying with local and state guidance for not traveling for your recreation needs.  Please see the Background information below for specific information on this Closure.
If you do plan on recreating locally on the Tahoe National Forest please be aware that:

• No trash removal is currently offered –please pack out all trash and waste.
• All toilet facilities are currently closed –please plan accordingly.
• Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited. High-risk activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.
• If an area is crowded, please search for a less occupied location.

 
Please keep health, safety and the environment in mind if visiting the Tahoe National Forest. Your personal responsibility is critical to ensuring public safety and preventing further restrictions.
 
Background: The Tahoe National Forest is part of the Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service which includes most National Forests within California. On March 25, 2020, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore issued a Closure Order for all developed recreation sites, excluding trailheads, across all National Forests within the Pacific Southwest Region including the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective through April 30, 2020. The Closure Order was implemented to limit the congregation of groups of people and to promote physical distancing, while balancing the benefits of outdoor recreation.
 
We appreciate your cooperation. For specific details on recreation closures and current conditions, as well as our transition to providing virtual service and updated firewood cutting information, please see below.
 
Campgrounds
The opening of Tahoe National Forest campgrounds will be postponed until further notice for the 2020 summer season. This postponement is based on several factors including:

• The aforementioned Regional Closure Order which applies to all Tahoe National Forest campgrounds.
• Even without the Regional Closure, late winter snow would delay the opening of most high elevation campgrounds including:
  • Carr Lake
  • Grouse Ridge
  • Packsaddle Campground
  • Chapman Creek
  • The Jackson Meadows Area Campgrounds
  • Robinson flat
  • Jackson Meadows area campgrounds
  • French Meadows area campgrounds
  • North Fork
  • Onion Valley
  • Tunnel Mills
  • Lake of the Woods Campground
  • Little Lasier Horse Camp
  • Meadow Lake Campground
  • Meadow Knolls Campground
• Please check back for updates on the status of campground openings. The Tahoe National Forest will provide weekly updates on campground status.

 
Motorized Routes and Trails
Most motorized routes and trails remain closed through April 30, 2020. The Tahoe National Forest has issued a Forest System Road Closure Order postponing the opening of most motorized roads and trails that have a seasonal closure date, due to a considerable amount of rain and snow that occurred during the month of March across the Tahoe National Forest.
 
The Tahoe National Forest will provide an update next week with the conditions of all routes and trails before they OPEN on May 1, 2020. As of now, soil moisture conditions on the Sugar Pine OHV system is trending toward favorable and allowable riding conditions. The westside of the Burlington Motorcycle Trail system is also trending to toward favorable and allowable riding conditions. The Downieville multiple use trail system will still have moderate to heavy snow in higher elevations (much like every year) and connection routes to higher elevations will be impassable. The Boca/Stampede area OHV system soil conditions are also trending toward favorable and allowable riding conditions.
For those motorized trail systems that look to have favorable and allowable riding conditions by May 1, 2020, the Tahoe National Forest is working in the field to clear down trees and inspect all trails.
 
Specific roads/trails closed by this Order through April 30 include:
 
Westside of the Tahoe National Forest

• Diamond Creek
• Gold Valley  -  Closed at Gold Lake HWY
• Excelsior
• Chalk Bluff
• Omega
• Alpha
• Burlington

Eastside of the Tahoe National Forest

• Fiberboard
• Yuba Weber 
• Carmen Valley 
• Nicholas Mill (from mile post 2.375 until its termination)
• Verdi Peak
• Haskel Peak
• Babbit
• Sawtooth

 
The following roads do not have a seasonal closure date and are NOT subject to the Closure Order and are legally OPEN. Local conditions may apply:

• Bowman  – Accessible to mile post 4.25, then snow
• Bear Valley 
• Nicholas Mill –from milepost 0.0-2.375 (CLOSED after that)
• Cal-Ida – Although not accessible from the 25 road
• Fiddle Creek  -Although not accessible from the 25 road
• Texas Hill –From mile post 1.378-9.187 (CLOSED after that)
• Eureka  – Accessible to mile post 2.5
• Long Point Access
• Jouberts  – Tree limbs in road
• Madrone Spring
• Washington Ridge

 
The Tahoe National Forest has also received reports that Foresthill Road is now clear to Humbug. Snow on the road around 5,500’-6,000’. The road to French Meadow has been plowed to the dam.
 
Developed Recreations Facilities
All developed recreation facilities are closed. This includes:

• All toilet facilities and trash removal
• Oregon Creek
• Dark Day
• Glenshire Bridge Day Use Area
• Manzanita Day Use, Swim Area & Picnic Site
• French Meadows Picnic Site
• Calpine Lookout
• Sardine Lookout Rental
• Golden Quartz

 
Trailheads, boat launches, and staging areas.
Generally, trailheads, boat launches, and staging areas are open but may be inaccessible due to late season snow and other factors. Again, all restrooms are closed and trash removal has been suspended. Please pack out all trash and human waste.

• Castle Valley – Inaccessible due to snow
• Big Trees Nature Trail – Inaccessible due to snow
• Sierra Buttes Trailhead – Gates locked at Gold Lake Highway
• Lindsey Lake Trailhead – Inaccessible due to snow
• Prosser Boat Ramp –Accessible
• Boca Boat Ramp –Accessible
• Stampede Boat Ramp –Patchy snow on road
• French Meadows – Plowed to the dam
• Pass Creek & Woodcamp Boat Ramp – Inaccessible due to snow

 
Non-motorized Trails
Generally non-motorized trails are open, but may be inaccessible due to late season snow and other factors. Snow has now melted out below 5,000’.
Below 5000’: Trails have not been cleared. Expect down trees and muddy conditions on trails below in this elevation. This applies to:

• Pioneer Trail
• Bullards Bar Trail Complex
• Joshua M. Hardt Memorial Trail
• North and South Yuba Trail
• Dascombe Trail Complex
• Western States Trail

5,000’ -6,000’: Trails have not been cleared. Expect down trees, muddy conditions, and patches of moderate to heavy snow on trails in this elevation. This applies to:

• Blue Lake Trail
• Spaulding Lake Trail
• Forest City Trail Complex

6,000’ to 7,000’: Trails have not been cleared. Expect down trees and moderate to heavy snow on trails in this elevation. This applies to:

• Hole in the Ground Trail
• Loch Leven Trail
• Castle Valley Loop Trail
• Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail
• Loyalton/Boca Railroad Trail
• Deer Creek Trail

Above 7,000’: Trails have not been cleared. Expect down trees and heavy snow in this elevation. This applies to:

• Mt. Lola Trail
• Mount Judah Loop
• Granite Chief Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail
• French Lake Trail

 
Tahoe National Forest and Virtual Services
The Tahoe National Forest has closed all offices to in-person visits and is implementing virtual services to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities.  
 
Many services traditionally offered in our public offices are available online. To access these virtual services, please visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/.  We will continue to update our website with current virtual service information as conditions change. To email the Tahoe National Forest, please use the ‘Contact Us’ function on our website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/contactus/tahoe/about-forest/contactus.
 
Firewood Cutting Permits
The Tahoe National Forest Firewood Cutting permit process has changed. Please refer to our ‘permits’ page for more information:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tahoe/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5212195   
 
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For more information about the Tahoe National Forest, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Join the conversation by following us on Twitter at twitter.com/Tahoe_NF and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TahoeNF.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Joe Flannery
Public Affairs Officer

 
(Washington, DC) — Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Currently, the Paycheck Protection Program is supporting 1.6 million small businesses and 30 million American jobs. H.R. 266 provides nearly $500 billion for small businesses, health care providers, and expanded testing, including: 
 

• $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program
• $60 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and grants, including
  • $50 billion for EIDL
  • $10 billion for grants up to $10,000 per business
• $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers
• $25 billion to expand testing

Congressman LaMalfa also voted against H. Res. 935, which would have established a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. The subcommittee’s 12 Members would have been made up of 7 Democrats and 5 Republicans at the sole discretion of the Speaker of the House. 
 
LaMalfa said: “Since the beginning of April, the Administration has been telling Congress it needed more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. While I’m glad the House could finally support our small businesses, the two weeks of partisan spectacle from this Democrat Majority have caused irreversible damage to local restaurants, hairdressers, and bookstores. Rather than simply support the President’s bipartisan request, Democrats have used their Majority in the House to spend irresponsibly. In addition, Democrats attempted to use this national pandemic to form their own Select Oversight Subcommittee, whose Members would be chosen by the Speaker with a required Democrat supermajority. The House currently has committees in place that conduct oversight. This new subcommittee will be duplicative and likely biased towards the Majority’s political interests.
 
Congress has a duty to come back to regular order and do our job. With today’s passage, it is time for the country to begin following the guidance laid out by the Trump Administration to safely reopen the economy. This government-mandated closure of our country is not ‘the new normal.’”
 
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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All the best,

 
BIEBER, CA - Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) reacted to Governor Gavin Newsom’s “six steps road map to recovery” by asking the state to adopt the National Standards for re-opening the economy in Northern California counties that have few to no cases of COVID-19.

“I support the federal government’s plan to get the economy up and running again,” said Senator Dahle. “The Governor’s plan needs to be accelerated for rural communities where the impact is not proportional to the number of reported infections.”

“The White House strategy outlined a three-phase approach to gradually bring back schools, restaurants, and theaters in certain areas based on scientific evidence, the virus is waning. I want to emphasize what Vice President Mike Pence said - the guidelines can be implemented statewide or by county. I support local Boards of Supervisors, County Directors of Health, and elected Sheriffs having the authority to lift restrictions on commerce when communities meet the criteria, like having few to no COVID-19 infections,” Dahle continued. “This economic shutdown also has dangerous health consequences in its own right by denying people regular medical exams like mammograms and elective surgeries that could have long-term if not deadly effects. Not to mention, denying people their freedoms and the ability to provide for their families, which makes ending this lockdown as soon as possible imperative. The timeline for Los Angeles is not our timeline.”

The Federal guidelines can be found at https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
Guidelines for Opening Up America Again are:
Based on Up-To-Date Data
Mitigate Risk of Resurgence
Protect The Most Vulnerable
Implementable Statewide Or County-By-County Basis at Governors' Discretion

“Governor Newsom should ensure the state framework for reopening parts of the economy reflect the very different situations in Sacramento County and Modoc County, which are both in my Senate district. I represent 11 counties; they should be allowed to consider re-opening based on the Federal Guidelines and local jurisdictional control. The state government needs every small business that can safely open to boost the economy; we cannot base our government finances going forward on federal ‘stimulus.’ Independent businesses will have to be the foundation of a sound and sustainable economic policy,” Dahle concluded.

Alpine, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, and Siskiyou have each had less than five confirmed cases of COVID-19. Sacramento has had 924, Nevada 34, Placer 132, Shasta 26, and El Dorado 36 as of April 20th.
 
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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, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta.

 

By Dr. Anne Docimo, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to mount, many Californians may be considering where to go for care if they develop potential symptoms. One important – yet potentially overlooked – resource is telehealth, which may enable people to connect 24/7 with a health care provider via a digital device and avoid potential exposure risks associated with in-person trips to health care facilities.
 
Telehealth may be especially helpful as an initial option for medical advice related to COVID-19 and to help evaluate other possible health issues, as well as to assist the 20% of the U.S. population that lives in rural areas.[1] To help people more effectively take advantage of this technology during the evolving COVID-19 situation, here are three tips to consider: 
  
Identify Available Resources: To find telehealth resources, check with your care provider group, health benefit plan or employer. Nearly nine out of 10 employers offer telehealth visits to their employees,[2] as do many Medicare and Medicaid health plans (in some cases by telephone), and 76% of hospitals connect patients and care providers[3] using video or other technology. In some cases, people can access telehealth visits without cost sharing. Since the outbreak emerged, some health plans are now encouraging patients to use telephone or live videoconferencing (if available) to connect people with local network medical providers, waiving all cost sharing for COVID-19 related visits. This is especially important for people with certain complex conditions, such as diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, as it may enable them to “see” their own physician for acute or follow-up care related to their condition and help avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus during an in-person visit.    
 
Understand Likely Next Steps: During a telehealth visit, care providers can give general medical advice to evaluate possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing[4]). While diagnostic testing services are not available through a telehealth visit to help confirm a diagnosis for COVID-19 (if needed), care providers can help guide patients to a local care provider or public health authority for testing and follow-up care. Making these connections may help people take the appropriate steps in advance of an in-person test, which may help reduce the risk of your exposure and possible exposure to other patients and health care providers. For other illnesses (not COVID-19 related) that are treatable with medications, telehealth care providers can write prescriptions and discuss how to obtain them safely, such as using medication home delivery or drive-thru pickup at a local pharmacy. Due to the COVID-19 situation, it is important to note that people may anticipate potential wait times, as some care providers offering telehealth may be currently experiencing a surge in appointments.    
 
Access Other Health Services: While elective health care procedures may be delayed to help enable care providers to focus on COVID-19 cases, telehealth may help people more effectively manage other health issues without the need to go out and risk potential exposure to the virus. Telehealth can help address myriad medical issues, including allergies, pinkeye, fevers, rashes and the regular flu. In addition, so much time at home can also contribute to behavioral health issues, so people should consider telehealth as a resource to connect with a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist. Importantly, people who experience a significant or serious medical issue should go to the emergency room (ER).  
 
By considering these tips, people in California may be able to more effectively use telehealth resources to help stay safe during these challenging times.
 
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[1] U.S. Census Bureau https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2017/08/rural-america.html

[2] Mercer, 2019, https://www.mercer.com/newsroom/mercer-survey-finds-us-employers-shifting-to-innovative-strategies-to-make-healthcare-more-affordable-for-more-employees.html

[3] American Hospital Association, 2019, https://www.aha.org/system/files/2019-02/fact-sheet-telehealth-2-4-19.pdf

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Nevada City, Calif. – Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day originated during a period of environmental awareness and grassroots activism in this country that resulted in sweeping, bipartisan legislation and the passage of many historic environmental Acts. From the Wilderness Act (1964) and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968) to the Environmental Policy Act (1969), Endangered Species Conservation Act (1973), and the Federal Land Policy and Act (1976), the many laws and regulations of this era continue to guide modern land management within the Tahoe National Forest.
 
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we have has created a list of our 50 favorite unique habitats, species, and special areas that exemplify the beautiful diversity of this treasured landscape we call the Tahoe National Forest. To see our complete list, open the attached PDF!
 

 
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today the release of 2019–2020 enrollment data for California’s kindergarten through grade twelve public schools. The data breaks down enrollment by ethnicity and grade, along with English Language Acquisition Status, and can be sorted by county, district, or school.
“In these unprecedented times, these data can provide a clear look at all California students,” Thurmond said. “It’s especially helpful in showing where students are struggling and additional resources are needed as we work to close the digital divide and provide assistance for schools having to utilize distance-learning models.”
One important category is school-level data for Free or Reduced-Price Meals, which is an effective indicator of student poverty. All data is utilized for state and federal reporting purposes, including determinations for supplemental grant funding through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Important findings include:
●            Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (Multi-Year): Overall enrollment is down from 6,235,520 in 2014–15 to 6,163,001 in 2019–2020, a decrease of 1.2 percent. Also during that time, the percentage of white students decreased from 24.6 percent to 22.4 percent and the percentage of African American students decreased from 6.0 percent to 5.3 percent. However, between 2014–15 and 2019–2020, the percentage of Hispanic/Latino students increased from 53.6 percent to 54.9 percent.
●            English Language Acquisition Status (Multi-Year): Between 2014–15 and 2019–2020, the percentage of Hispanic/Latino students classified as English Learners decreased from 83.2 percent to 81.2 percent. Overall, between 2014–15 and 2019–2020, the percentage of students who are English learners decreased from 22.3 percent to 18.6 percent, while the percentage of students who are Reclassified Fluent English Proficient increased from 15.6 percent to 18.4 percent during that same time period. These data show a continuing trend of a decreasing proportion of students being identified as English learners and an increasing proportion of students being reclassified fluent English proficient.
●            Enrollment for Charter and Non-Charter Schools (Multi-Year): While overall enrollment in non-charter schools decreased between 2014–15 and 2019–2020, enrollment in charter schools has increased from 8.7 percent to 11.0 percent of the public school population statewide.
●            Charter and Non-Charter Student Group Enrollment (2019–2020): Charter schools tend to have a smaller percentage of their enrollment who belong to disadvantaged student groups, such as English learners, foster youth, homeless youth, migrant students, students with disabilities, and socio-economically disadvantaged. The difference is most pronounced for the English learner student group. In 2019–2020, 16.7 percent of charter school students are identified as English learners, while 22.9 percent of non-charter school students are similarly identified.
The data is compiled by the California Department of Education from data submitted by local educational agencies to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). The updated enrollment data is available on the CDE’s Data Quest website.
Additional resources:
Downloadable files to support the Data Quest reports.
Downloadable files containing school-level data for Free or Reduced-Price Meals.
 
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(Washington, DC) — Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) applauded the Trump Administration for publishing the final Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule would clear-up the definition of “waters of the United States” and deliver on President Trump’s commitment to protecting the nation’s navigable waters while also removing undue Federal government overreach.
 
LaMalfa said: “The Obama Administration’s ill-advised attempt to expand the WOTUS definition created a major burden on farmers, ranchers, and rural-land owners. It inserted Washington into decisions that should be made at the local level and made puddles a federally regulated water that required a permit to disturb. I commend the Trump Administration for re-empowering state and local governments to protect their own water resources by publishing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This is a common-sense change that gives landowners the flexibility to maintain their own land without overreaching federal input. The President has kept his promise to cut red tape and return freedom to rural America.”
 
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.
 

On behalf of the California Tobacco Control Program, we wanted to get this important information out to all Californians. Health officials are now including smokers who already have lung disease as those at higher risk of more severe COVID-19 illness. 
 
New this week, the California Smokers’ Helpline, a free quit resource that is ready to help our residents quit smoking or vaping, is offering a two-week supply of nicotine patches. More information is available at nobutts.org or by calling 1-800-NO–BUTTS (1-800-662-8887).
 
Below are some key points from the research:

• A published study from Wuhan showed that, compared to nonsmokers, twice as many smokers with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit, needed mechanical ventilation, or died.
• We know that smoking and vaping are associated with an inflammatory process in the lining of the lungs, the very place that COVID-19 causes its most serious damage.

 
Attached is a contributed article written by Dr. Elisa Tong, a leading cessation expert and clinical physician at UC Davis, that you are welcome to post. 
 

Colchester, Vt. (AgPR) April 21, 2020 — American Agri-Women (AAW) recognizes that each day, everyone needs agriculture; now more than ever during these trying times.

To a farmer and a rancher, Earth Day is every day. From sun up to sunset, sometimes through the night, we take care of the land and the animals we raise. Countless amounts of crops and animals line the nation creating a food web and the life cycle. Plants and animals working together with the sun, rain, wind, and anything Mother Nature has in store. From a small seed to the field of green lush grasses and forbs, it provides nourishment for grazing animals and wildlife we share the land with. In turn, these animals provide us with not only food, but a supply of by-products such as milk, medicine, fertilizer, textiles, and many things in between. Animals’ grazing keeps the land in continuous growth; all the while the green plants are removing CO2 from the atmosphere and converting it to Oxygen to which in turn the animals are fertilizing the plants to keep them healthy and growing. As our crops grow, they take solar energy and convert a tiny seed into a product that can feed millions of people and provide limitless meal options for all kinds of people, all over the globe.

Crops and livestock are not the only things in agriculture making a positive impact on the environment. Technology in the equipment operated on the farms has grown exponentially, making the earth a better place. Emissions on tractors are putting cleaner air back into the environment than what they are taking in. The precision application of our fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicides is making for safer waterways and less waste of product. Seed placement and harvesting technology are allowing fewer trips over the fields reducing fuel use, time, and costs.

Farmers are also about family. Increasing our efficiency and productivity allows more time with family and engaging with those we feed and those who write our laws. Farming isn’t just about what is done on the farm, but about investing in the future. The future of our land, our animals, our families, and our humanity.

About American Agri-Women
American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media at: Facebook.com/AgriWomen/, Twitter.com/Women4Ag/ (@Women4Ag) and Instagram.com/americanagriwomen/ (@americanagriwomen).

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            SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and state leaders heard from cross-sector partners about ways they are working together to strengthen distance learning efforts and close technology gaps for millions of students during Monday’s first hearing of the newly created Closing the Digital Divide Task Force.
            During the 90-minute hearing co-chaired by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), executives from internet service providers AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, and Verizon updated task force members on their efforts to support the technology needs of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, ways they are reducing barriers to low-income families, and plans to expand service to rural communities.
            Executives from each internet service provider vowed to remain members of the task force and to work collaboratively to design long-term solutions that support students’ success.
A full video archive of the hearing can be found on CDE’s Facebook page at http://facebook.com/CAEducation.
            “Partnerships with the private and public sectors are critical to overcoming the technological barriers facing our students, and we are grateful for how quickly needs are being addressed through donations of devices and hotspots,” said Thurmond. “But there is still a tremendous amount of need among our state’s most vulnerable students. We must continue working together to close the digital divide, not just as a band-aid during this public health crisis, but once and for all.”       
            “Now that we have completed our first meeting of the Closing the Digital Divide Task Force, it is clear that meeting the technological needs of students across California must remain a top priority,” said Leyva. “I look forward to working with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, internet service provider companies, school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and other stakeholders to address the digital divide in our state. By closing the technology gap, we will ultimately be able to improve the success and achievement of all California students.”
                  During Monday’s hearing, task force members received an update on the CDE’s partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to distribute a total of $30 million to support internet connectivity, as well as updates from Google and Amazon about their donations of thousands of devices and hotspots for students.
            Additionally, educational leaders from two California school districts—Dr. Edgar Lampkin, Superintendent of the Williams Unified School District, and Dr. Bernadette Lucas, Chief Academic Officer of the Inglewood Unified School District—spoke about their experiences and challenges regarding student internet access. In a rural area like Williams, for example, families have difficulty accessing strong internet signals, whereas in more urban areas, families living in poverty may not be able to afford high-speed internet.
            Thurmond and task force members will continue to meet and use the information and feedback gathered to create a formal plan for closing the digital divide, including timelines, budgetary considerations, and necessary legislative action steps.
            Additional task force members include:
●           Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg)
●           Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters)
●           Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood)
●           Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella)
●           Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles)
●           Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa)

By Hon. J. Richard Couzens, Judge of the Placer County Superior Court (Ret.)
 
In celebration of Law Day on May 1, particularly considering the multiple stressors our society is currently facing, I want to share with you the vital importance of promoting strong civic engagement in our younger generations.
 
Respect for the law, rooted in the freedoms, rights and responsibilities written into the U.S. Constitution, needs revitalization – sort of a legal checkup and citizenship tune-up for our youth.
 
One great opportunity to give young people a positive view of our legal system is through youth court programs, currently operating in over 80 communities in California and in over 1,400 communities nationally.
 
The California Association of Youth Courts (CAYC) serves as a central point of contact for youth court programs across the state, delivering training and technical assistance, and developing resource materials to foster the creation of new courts and expand the operations of existing youth courts in California. 
 
These innovative programs nurture in youth a respect for the rule of law, help develop positive citizenship attitudes, encourage civic engagement, and promote educational success through a diversity of service-learning opportunities, strategies, and activities.  Youth courts are structured to provide swift interventions for low-level offenses, allowing young people to take responsibility for their own actions, to be held appropriately accountable, and to make amends to the community, in a positive and empowering environment.
 
In addition to imposing constructive sanctions for juvenile offenders, youth courts offer valuable civic opportunities for youth in the community.  The peer-driven sentencing mechanism fosters positive peer pressure, where teens influence the behavior of other adolescents.
 
Youth volunteers actively learn the roles and responsibilities of the various parts of the judicial system.  They act as law enforcement professionals, prosecuting and defense attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, jurors and even judges, to gain experiential knowledge of the criminal justice system.
 
Youth respondents and volunteers acquire valuable understanding about police and probation officers, youth services workers, and court administration, offering a path for academic and career-building opportunities.
 
Youth courts’ alternative sentencing results in reduced costs per case compared to the traditional justice system and in lower recidivism rates.  Expanding youth courts is a cost-effective strategy for reducing juvenile delinquency while cultivating community engagement.
 
CAYC is affiliated with youth courts throughout California and with the National Association of Youth Courts (NAYC) at the national level.  These government and community-based programs offer diversion from the traditional juvenile court system for problematic youth behaviors such as chronic truancy, delinquent actions, and other minor offenses.  Youth courts are predicated on their sensitivity to the unique needs and diversity of the people they serve – the youth, their families and community partners.  Relationships with existing civic, educational, law enforcement, courts and faith sector organizations currently provide the prime outreach strategies for recruitment of youth court participants and community volunteers.
 
CAYC seeks to develop strategic partnerships to expand existing youth courts and improve their sustainability.  As a result of these partnerships, the state’s youth courts will bolster the educational and economic futures of young people, promote respect for our justice system, and foster life-long civic involvement.
 
Youth courts are truly “Justice For Youth By Youth.”
 
 
 
 

LOTTERY NOW LAUNCHES MIDO LOTTO APP TO HELP CALIFORNIANS ORDER LOTTERY TICKETS FROM THEIR PHONES
(SAN FRANCISCO) - With millions of Californians complying with stay-at-home orders and social distancing protocols limiting “non-essential” in-person commerce, San Francisco-based Lottery Now has launched its Mido Lotto app to expand the Lottery experience to enable Californians to play from their phones. Mido Lotto allows users to securely order Powerball, Mega Millions and Super Lotto Plus draw-game tickets, either as a single-player or with a community of friends, anytime from anywhere in the state. Mido Lotto is secure, easy-to-use and designed for all consumers who use apps on their phones daily to conduct business, order groceries, complete financial transactions, read news and engage in social media.
Mido Lotto was designed to complement the California Lottery’s retail channel and support their important mission of funding education by offering improved convenience for ticket purchases and to reach and retain new customers. Mido Lotto was developed to be simple to use from any smartphone and invites new audiences that previously would not have been inclined to participate in the California Lottery.
As an added benefit, Mido Lotto allows Californians to continue playing the Lottery while adhering to social distancing guidelines. With the COVID-19 outbreak, purchasing a Lottery ticket in retail has become an arduous task and is negatively impacting California Lottery sales. It has been reported that the current trend could potentially result in a loss of more than $2 Billion in annual sales and an estimated $500 to $600 million decrease in school funding.
“We are proud to offer Mido Lotto as a legitimate resource for Californians interested in playing the Lottery from their homes and ease of their phones,” said Lottery Now CEO Kevin Kramer. “The Lottery Now team is invested in our community and supports the California Lottery’s goal of funding education. We view playing the Lottery as a social endeavor, and facilitate gifting and group play within the app to help players maintain social connections during this difficult time.”
As part of their commitment to help Californians through the COVID-19 crisis, Lottery Now is pledging to donate 50 percent of their service fees earned from Mido Lotto orders for the first 30 days following today’s launch to Feeding America.  
“Mobile apps like Mido Lotto have the potential to revolutionize the Lottery industry and help further fund education in our state,” said former California Lottery Director Joan Borucki. “Mido Lotto is an important option that allows Californians to continue participating in the Lottery while social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders are in place.”
Mido Lotto works with official state-licensed Lottery retailers and acts as a digital courier service to bring official state Lottery draw-games to people’s mobile phones. The app utilizes a simple and secure process:

• Users fund their Mido Lotto account and place orders for the purchase of tickets on their behalf through the app
  
• Tickets can be gifted or played as part of a group within the app; enabling friends, family and co-workers to play collaboratively in a simple and interactive way
  
• Mido Lotto fulfills user orders with official state-licensed Lottery retailers
  
• ​Winning prizes up to $600 can be immediately claimed into the user’s Mido Lotto account.  For larger prize amounts, physical winning tickets are delivered safely and securely to the player so they can collect their winnings at a claim center in accordance with California Lottery regulations.
  

The Mido Lotto app was designed with users’ security in mind, with tracking of all orders both in the app and via email. Ordering, tracking, checking results, and claiming winnings are all done in the app, saving users from making two trips to a store and risking losing their ticket in the interim or forgetting to claim their winnings. Mido Lotto follows strict compliance protocols in accordance with all federal and state regulations including age verification and geofencing, as well as responsible gaming measures which include strictly enforced daily, weekly and monthly order limits.
For more information, please visit www.lottery-now.com.
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DOWNLOAD MIDO LOTTOAbout Lottery Now and Mido Lotto
Lottery Now increases good cause contributions by bringing Lottery into the mobile, social, physical distancing age. Our app, Mido Lotto, is an accessible, trusted and exciting new way for Californians to conveniently and safely play the Lottery. We partner with official state-licensed Lottery retailers to offer a digital “courier service” for the purchase and management of Lottery tickets bringing official California Lottery draw-games to residents across the state without a trip to the store. Lottery Now opens the Lottery for everyone to play, win and make an impact for the people and causes they care about.

 

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Over 150 Ph.D. Economists and Political Scientists Call for
Governor to Suspend AB 5
 

SACRAMENTO – As Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that “SCIENCE -- not politics -- must be California’s guide” in its economic recovery, over 150 California economists and professors sent the Governor an open letter calling on him to suspend AB 5. 
 
Using their training in economic and political science, these experts, including Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith, concluded AB 5 is causing “substantial, and avoidable, harm to the very people who now have the fewest resources and the worst alternatives available to them.” The letter explains:
 
Employment decisions hinge on the costs of distributing risk. While employers are not hiring, gig workers could shoulder myriad tasks that are needed to flatten out the effects of the temporary emergency. It doesn’t really matter how great the pay is, how predictable are the hours, nor how generous the benefits may be, if the law prevents a job from existing in the first place...Blocking work that is needed and impoverishing workers laid-off from other jobs are not the intentions of AB-5, but the law is having these unintended consequences and needs to be suspended.
 
Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) has introduced legislation to suspend AB 5 and has urged the Governor to use his emergency powers to do so.
 
“If Governor Newsom believes in putting science before politics, he should listen to our state’s leading economists rather than special interests and political allies,” Kiley said. “Keeping AB 5 in place while Californians remain at home defies expert opinion, common sense, and basic decency.”
 
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.
 
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CAPITOL UPDATE - APRIL 16, 2020

SUBMITTED BY: CANDICE BURROUGHS l CFRW RESOLUTIONS CHAIR
California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) is a new law that significantly redefines what constitutes an “independent contractor.” Legislative Democrats passed the Bill and Governor Newsom signed it into law in 2019.

Effective January 1, 2020, hiring entities are required to classify workers as employees unless they meet all conditions of the ABC test:

• A. The person is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact.
• B. The person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.
• C. The person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work perform

The defenders of AB5 argue they had to pass the law to codify the Court’s decision. However, the Legislature could have chosen a different path than AB5. It did not need to pass a one-size-fits-all law that contained numerous exemptions for various professionals. The arbitrary nature of who received exemptions and who did not reveals the unfairness of AB5.

Who are these independent workers affected by AB5? They are engineers, software developers, designers, therapists, insurance agents, accountants, financial advisers, fitness and yoga instructors, student assistants, consultants, writers, hair stylists, editors, youth sports referees and umpires, drivers, theater companies, singers and artists and nearly 70% are WOMEN!

Recognizing the significant problems with AB5, Senate Republicans offered more than a dozen amendments in 2019 to fix its flaws. Democrats voted down every single one without any discussion.

In 2020, Senate Republicans have introduced 11 bills as part of our legislative package to fix AB5, including the main legislation, Senate Bill 806, which would repeal and replace AB5. In addition, members have introduced bills that would protect many of the industries severely harmed by the anti-worker law and that were left out of AB5. Click here for additional information of Senate Republicans’ legislation. 

Our Republican Caucus agrees that AB5 needs to be repealed.  We need to help get this story out to EVERYONE — voters, independent contractors, business owners, etc. What Newsom is doing right now with AB5 has the potential to hurt millions of Californians.

To help facilitate the repeal of AB5, Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California, has started a petition campaign to gather thousands of signatures online to demand Govenor Newsom act NOW and suspend AB5.

Please go to DefendFreedomtoWork.org and sign the petition today.
Now is the time to help those who have lost work — and the way we do that is to hold California politicians accountable for any unnecessary burdens they are imposing on small businesses or workers.
Forbes, October 31, 2019 - Data are pre-COVID-19 figures.
 

 
As farmers, ranchers, their employees and other people in the food supply chain continue to cope with the impact of market shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Farm Bureau Federation welcomed today’s announcement of aid to farms and food banks from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
“The entire rural economy has been affected by the sudden, severe shift in demand we’ve seen since the stay-at-home orders went into place,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “Farmers, ranchers, food processors and others along the food chain are working as rapidly as we can to be sure the food we produce can be redirected from restaurants, schools and other food service outlets to retail stores, where the demand has moved.”
 
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program announced by USDA will include $16 billion in direct assistance to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses related to the pandemic and another $3 billion in purchases of food for distribution to food banks and other nonprofits.
 
“Aid to farmers and ranchers will benefit the entire rural economy, allowing farmers to continue hiring employees, purchasing essential supplies and keeping food and farm products flowing to the marketplace,” Johansson said, “and it’s important at the same time to be sure food reaches people who need it.”
 
USDA said it has yet to establish how farmers and ranchers can qualify for the program.
 
“The assistance for farmers and ranchers must be distributed quickly and fairly, with enough safeguards to assure it reaches the appropriate people,” Johansson said. “We understand that can be a difficult balance, and we will continue to offer USDA our best advice on how to make this aid package as effective as possible for farmers, ranchers and all the people who depend on them.”
 
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 34,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.

On Wednesday, the members of the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) considered and unanimously approved an emergency proposal by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to allow the CDFW Director to approve targeted delays of recreational fishing seasons in response to requests from four RCRC-member counties. The emergency meeting was rescheduled from last week, when the Commission’s teleconference meeting was overwhelmed by members of the public, many who misunderstood the proposal as a statewide ban on fishing during the current pandemic.
RCRC testified in support of the requests by Alpine, Inyo, Mono and Sierra Counties, who expressed concerns that they will be overwhelmed by non-resident visitors if the trout fishing season is allowed to open on April 25, 2020 as scheduled. RCRC also sent a letter to the Commission last week to express that seasons should only be postponed if a county authority requests. The potential volume of visitors could easily overload the available amenities (health care system, grocery stores, etc.) in those areas, as well as exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 during the statewide Stay-At-Home Order. RCRC also reiterated in its testimony that the delays should only be at the request of local governments, ensuring that those areas wishing to continue with recreational fishing seasons will be able to do so.
The authority adopted by the Commission is temporary, and will expire on May 31, 2020. For more information, visit the California Fish and Game Commission’s website here.

On April 16, 2020, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center (ENTAC) received a call from the Rupert Police Department (RPD) in Idaho who related that at approximately 1900 hours (PDT) they received a call regarding a 14-year-old girl, Nayeli Ford (victim), who was taken by Sergio Alcantar (suspect #1) and Carmelo Galarza (suspect #2) driving a 2011 Gray Chevrolet Malibu (ID-2M77260). The investigation led RPD to believe the suspects were driving to California. RPD related that one of the suspects had a felony warrant in Idaho for sexual assault of a twelve-year-old. RPD believed the victim had been kidnapped and was in danger of being sexually assaulted or forced into human trafficking. They requested assistance with activating an AMBER Alert. ENTAC activated an AMBER Alert at 1938 hours, on behalf of Rupert PD along the Interstate 80 corridor. Cellphone tracking information showed the involved parties were possibly around the Truckee, CA area. At approximately 0004 hours, a CHP officer located the vehicle and one suspect near the Donner Summit Rest Area. Galarza was contacted in the driver seat of the vehicle.  After further investigation and the continued use of cell phone tracking information it was believed the victim and the second suspect were on foot and hiding in the area. Officers conducted a search of the area and located two sets of fresh footprints in the snow that led north into the forest. Alcantar and the victim were located 200 yards north of the rest area hiding behind a large tree in the snow. Galarza and Alcantar were placed in custody and transported to Nevada County Jail on kidnapping charges. Ford is in protective custody with CPS.

On April 16, 2020, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center (ENTAC) received a call from the Rupert Police Department (RPD) in Idaho who related that at approximately 1900 hours (PDT) they received a call regarding a 14-year-old girl, Nayeli Ford (victim), who was taken by Sergio Alcantar (suspect #1) and Carmelo Galarza (suspect #2) driving a 2011 Gray Chevrolet Malibu (ID-2M77260). The investigation led RPD to believe the suspects were driving to California. RPD related that one of the suspects had a felony warrant in Idaho for sexual assault of a twelve-year-old. RPD believed the victim had been kidnapped and was in danger of being sexually assaulted or forced into human trafficking. They requested assistance with activating an AMBER Alert. ENTAC activated an AMBER Alert at 1938 hours, on behalf of Rupert PD along the Interstate 80 corridor. Cellphone tracking information showed the involved parties were possibly around the Truckee, CA area. At approximately 0004 hours, a CHP officer located the vehicle and one suspect near the Donner Summit Rest Area. Galarza was contacted in the driver seat of the vehicle.  After further investigation and the continued use of cell phone tracking information it was believed the victim and the second suspect were on foot and hiding in the area. Officers conducted a search of the area and located two sets of fresh footprints in the snow that led north into the forest. Alcantar and the victim were located 200 yards north of the rest area hiding behind a large tree in the snow. Galarza and Alcantar were placed in custody and transported to Nevada County Jail on kidnapping charges. Ford is in protective custody with CPS.

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