Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/112302
Thursday, February 28, 2013 ��� Daily News CUTS Continued from page 1A considering taking action to give agencies flexibility over what to cut. Meanwhile, some of the biggest drivers of federal spending such as Social Security and Medicaid are exempt from the automatic reductions. ������You always have to assume that nothing will happen for a month, and by then they may have resolved it,������ said Stephen Levy, director and senior economist at the Palo Alto-based Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy. ������Who knows who���s playing chicken?������ Most state economic forecasts already have accounted for some kind of federal budget cuts, meaning that California can expect tepid growth of about 2 percent for this year. The biggest fear economists and state officials have is any long-term impacts on California���s recovery. ������If sequestration results in a broader decline in consumer or business confidence or the stock market, the slowdown could be more pronounced,������ said Jason Sisney of the state���s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst���s Office. Robert A. Kleinhenz, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, said federal cuts eventually could put about 175,000 non-defense jobs in California at stake because of their duration ��� $1.2 trillion over 10 years. He said the fallout from the political impasse is hard to quantify because it creates so much uncertainty for the private sector. Employers may not hire, or they could put off expansion plans. Employees, meanwhile, face lower wages and potential job losses. The cuts come at a time when California���s economy is recovering from the recession and is adding more jobs than any other state. Political leaders are hoping California���s own budget remains balanced. They will mean less funding for science and health research, which would slow innovation on clean energy technology and treatments for diseases. And just like everywhere else, air traffic and safety reductions could trigger longer wait times at security checkpoints, screening at customs and border crossings could take longer, and national parks could reduce operating hours. One notable cut is research funding, because many federal awards go to California���s universities through training grants, fellowships, and research and development contracts. The University of California system receives approximately $3.5 billion a year in federal funding, largely from the National Institutes of Health to research cancer, heart disease and a host of other ailments. Cuts from the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies also would affect clean energy, computing and other new technology. ������It���s not like turning on and off a switch. If you start slowing down this kind of activity, it takes a while to bring it back up,������ said Gary Falle, a lobbyist for the UC system in Washington, D.C. For college students, there also will be less student aid in the form of work-study jobs. The White House estimates that about 9,600 fewer low-income students would receive work-study jobs in California. Between 350,000 and 400,000 Californians could be affected by a 10 percent reduction in extended unemployment benefits, said Loree Levy, a spokeswoman for the state Employment Development Department. ������These are the benefits that long-term unemployed individuals receive once they run out of regular state-provided benefits,������ she said. Levy said it���s not clear yet whether that will mean less money for the unemployed because the state has yet to receive guidance from the Labor Department. While California���s economy relies far less on the military than it did in the past, the military budget reductions would still be felt, especially in the communities around bases. Military officials and defense contractors are advocating against cuts to Marine Corps bases in Miramar and Camp Pendleton, as well as naval bases in Coronado and San Diego. March Air Reserve Base near Riverside, the largest air reserve base in the country, could see training flight hours reduced by almost 20 percent and furloughs to civilian employees. Some Republicans say cuts are necessary to bring the national debt under control, but they don���t want to see a disproportionate cut on defense. The automatic spending cuts were designed to be equally split between defense and domestic discretionary spending. ������I think one of the things we do have to do is cut spending,������ state Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo, said, adding that he saw ������a tremendous amount of waste������ during his time in the military. Court rejects appeal seeking $2B more for schools SACRAMENTO (AP) ��� A state appeals court has rejected a petition from a coalition of school districts and education groups seeking to redirect more than $2 billion to schools. The governor���s administration announced Wednesday that the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco dismissed the appeal, which was led by the California School Boards Association. The coalition argued that lawmakers violated the state constitution by Have a news tip? Call 527-2151, Ext. 112 shortchanging schools and community colleges in the 2011-12 fiscal year budget. It said the state diverted about 1 percentage point of the sales tax for local public safety programs in such a way that it would not count toward school funding. In its opinion, signed Tuesday, the court found the issue moot after voters in November approved a tax increase allowing that portion of the sales tax to be excluded. 7A OFFICERS Continued from page 1A times as Secretary, Vice President and President of the California Rifle and Pistol Association. Mansell is the senior surviving Founding Charter Member of the Tehama Shooters Association, a Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Tehama County Peace Officers Association and a Past Captain of the Tehama County Sheriff���s Mounted Posse. ���Walt���s service to California and this community and for his staunch support of gun rights and the Second Amendment is without equal,��� Cofer said. KHSL anchorwoman Linda Watkins-Bennett, who was honored for her many years of service to the club, was once again Mistress of Ceremonies, co-hosting the event with Corning resident and Exchange Club Member Bucky Bowen. ���This evening we are recognizing and honoring individuals who stood up and took action,��� Bowen said. ���We are acknowledging their bravery, enthusiasm, commitment and their hard work. They may have worked alone, or in groups, but they had the encouragement and support of their families and friends, without which, they could not have accomplished their objectives. Those of us who know the work they do, recognize they are very noble professions.��� In addition to the Corning Exchange Club plaques, honorees received certificates of recognition from Congressman Doug LaMalfa, State Senator Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman Dan Logue. Honorees included California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Mitchell Robert Carlson; CalFire/Tehama County Fire Career Firefighter Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Kevin Oliver, Volunteer Firefighter Los Molinos Volunteer Chief Jeanine Hart, California Highway Patrol Officer Shaun Hoover, Civilian Employee Office Supervisor Coral Ferrin Corning Volunteer Fire Department Fireman Flint Nichols, Dispatcher Frank Rua; Corning Police Officer Ian Anderson, Community Services Officer Ron Robbins; Corning Rural Fire Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Walt Mansell, left, receives a Lifetime Law Enforcement Achievement Award from Corning Exchange Club President Dean Cofer, right, Saturday at the Corning Exchange Club Police and Fire awards dinner. Department Fireman Roy Geer; Red Bluff Fire Engineer Wesley Morgan, Reserve Engineer Dave Griffiths; Red Bluff Police Officer Matt Coker, Civilian Employee Dispatch Supervisor Cindee Spurgeon; Tehama County District Attorney Legal Secretary Debbie Allard; and Tehama County Sheriff Deputy Stephen Hoag, Volunteer Explorer Melissa Hernandez. CHP Red Bluff Area Commander Lt. Todd Garr gave an update on Officer Dave Madrigal, who was injured in a collision while responding to assist another agency Feb. 21, while presenting his agency���s awards. ���He���s having surgery tonight,��� Garr said. ���It���s his third or fourth since the accident. There���s been some progress and a few set backs. He���s a fighter. He was also in the shooting in 2008 and he came back. I have no doubt he���ll do the same this time.��� Garr said he was really thankful for the assistance of all the agencies and their quick responses to see whether CHP needed any help on that may exhibit mortality over time. ���Fire is part of the landContinued from page 1A scape here in the Sierras throughout this plete mortality, the report and region,��� Koontz said. ���It���s said. Another 30 percent was just kind of like the sun listed as moderate, areas comes up and the stars come out. It���s not going FIRE CORNING Continued from page 1A imagination, interculturalism and bilingualism and ethical behavior. ���I believe Common Core State Standards will benefit the students immensely in that the standards are focused on authentic learning and not choosing the correct item on a multiple-choice test question,��� Reimer said. Another move the district has made toward improving things is the Board of Trustees voted to bring back science environmental camp for sixth grade students for the first time in 20 years and to bring in a dance academy, she said. ���I want to continue focusing on student learning and bring as many the night of the collision. He specifically mentioned Tehama County Sheriff���s Sgt. Richard Knox and his crew who played a crucial role in getting Madrigal out of the car, Garr said. ���Dave���s folks were tearing the car apart with their bare hands to get him out,��� Garr said, referring to Sheriff Dave Hencratt. ���He had a torn artery and could have bled out (without their help). We���ll forever be grateful to them and we appreciate all the outreach from others.��� News was passed on to the audience during Corning Rural Fire Department���s award presentation to Geer. Geer, who lives in Richfield, was on loan to Corning Rural after the Richfield station had to close due to a lack of volunteers, Fire Chief Jim Allen said. Geer was able to get enough volunteers that the station should be up sometime in March. ��������� Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @DN_Zeeb. away.��� Supervisor Bob Williams asked whether the agency would still use burning as a fuel management option in the future. Koontz said all federal agencies still wanted it as an option along with other supplemental and extended learning experiences to students as possible,��� Reimer said. ���There is no one most important aspect to educating children. It is a combination of the whole and students need a rigorous education, but also the opportunities to explore the arts and science.��� Children who live in poverty especially need to have extended learning opportunities that they might not otherwise receive, she said. ���Without these other experiences, school can become boring and we see a large number of students drop out at early ages,��� Reimer said. ���I want to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to pursue whatever career path they deem desirable.��� Why schools are facing tough economic times due to budget cuts the last few years, Reimer does not options. She said decisions to let fires continue burning are not made lightly. ���Our first priority always, always is firefighter and public safety,��� she said. see them as hurdles, she said. ���I see opportunities and I am excited for the opportunities we have to continue pursuing excellence for the schools in our district.��� Corning Elementary School District���s Diane Bailey, who was hired for the brand new position of Assistant Superintendent in July, will also be honored. Bailey, who will be Co-Administrator of the Year at the Regional ACSA level, came to the district from the Tehama County Department of Education where she was the assistant director for Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). ��������� Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @DN_Zeeb. Poll: Calif. voters back marijuana legalization SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ��� A poll released Wednesday has promising news for marijuana users who hope California will join the two other states that have voted to legalize recreational use of the drug. A Field Poll found that a solid majority of those surveyed this month ��� 54 percent ��� support allowing weed to be sold and taxed like alcohol. That is four percentage points higher than the last time Field pollsters posed the question to registered voters in July 2010. A few months later, a ballot initiative that would have made The staff at Red Bluff Simple Cremations would like to thank all of the families who trust us with their loved ones needs. Red Bluff Simple Cremations & Burial Service 527-1732 722 Oak Street, Red Bluff, FD Lic. 1931 California the first state to back marijuana legalization received only 46 percent of the ballots cast and lost by fewer than 700,000 votes. Voters in Washington and Colorado last year decided to flout federal drug laws and permit adults 21 and older to have small amounts of pot and to establish state-sanctioned growers and sellers. Opinion polls from those two states ahead of the November election showed less support for legalizing marijuana than participants in the California poll are expressing. Unsurprising to anyone familiar with the state���s regional preferences, the idea received the most backing in the San Francisco Bay area, where nearly 7 in 10 voters endorsed marijuana legalization. A group of marijuana activists already has announced plans to go back to the ballot with a legalization initiative in 2014. The poll also found that support for medical marijuana remains high throughout the California despite a push by federal prosecutors and many local governments to crack down on storefront dispensaries. Of those surveyed, 70 percent said they support California���s 16-year-old law allowing people with a doctor���s recommendation to grow and possess marijuana without fear of state prosecution.