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4A – Daily News – Monday, June 28, 2010 Opinion D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 The California Jobs Initiative - a great step backwards Last week Secretary of State Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. 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How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Debra Bowen announced that a measure to delay Assembly Bill 32, the 2006 law mandating the state reduce green- house gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, has qualified for the November ballot. Proponents, who needed to sub- mit at least 435,000 valid voter signa- tures to make the cut, reached the threshold for quali- fying through the random sample process. Richard AB 32 is Califor- nia's landmark bill that establishes a first-in-the-world comprehensive pro- gram of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost- effective reductions of green- house gases. Using market-based incentives, we will reduce car- bon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. That's a 25 per- cent reduction. And by 2050, we will reduce emissions to 80 per- cent below 1990 levels. We sim- ply must do everything in our power to slow down global warming before it's too late. AB 32 requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop regulations and market Mazzucchi Positive Point mechanisms that will ultimately reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. Mandatory caps will begin in 2012 for significant sources and ratchet down to meet the 2020 goals. In the interim, CARB will begin to measure the greenhouse gas emis- sions of the industries it determines as significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The bill also provides the Gover- nor the ability to invoke a safety valve and suspend the emissions caps for up to one year in the case of an emergency or signifi- cant economic harm. The California Jobs Initiative, calls for delay- ing implementation of AB 32 until the state unemployment rate — which currently hovers at about 12 per- cent — drops to 5.5 percent for four consecutive quarters. In my mind this requirement, much like the 2/3 vote stipulated in the failed Proposition 16, is decep- tive because only three times in the last 30 years has the state had 5.5 percent unemployment for 4 consecutive quarters. While the initiative's backers deride AB 32 as a "job killer" and say that complying with the law's mandates will hurt busi- nesses on the brink of recovery in reality it is an effort on behalf of corporations and energy com- panies seeking to avoid regula- tion and roll back the state's envi- ronmental protection policies, including oil companies that contributed millions of dollars to the campaign to qualify for the ballot. If passed the initiative will hamper growth of the green jobs sector and increase dependence on oil, with all its adverse conse- quences such as the ongoing destruction of marine habitats and fouling of our coastlines. The Jobs Initiative rests upon statements by the Legislative Analyst's Office that AB 32 could result in job losses in the short term but that it was unclear what the long-term impact would be. Conservatives go on to assert that AB 32 will impose billions of dollars in higher utili- ty rates and fuel prices on Cali- fornia families when they can least afford it, and suggest that the bill will let voters — not politicians and unelected bureau- crats - decide whether or not now is the right time to act. The facts are that it takes sac- rifices and effort to wean our- selves from our bad habits, and there is no better time than the present to conscientiously begin this long overdue process. Wait- ing for better days will only make the transition to clean ener- gy more difficult and costly. Jobs in California generated by clean-tech ventures are growing and, since these products have global applications, the prospect for important growth in clean- tech jobs should not be damp- ened. Furthermore, our depen- dence on oil is one of the great- est threats to national security, air quality, and marine environ- ments that this proposition would seriously jeopardize if passed. As responsible Californians and citizens of this great nation we should heed the warning of our outgoing Republican gover- nor who states: "This initiative sponsored by greedy Texas oil companies would cripple Cali- fornia's fastest growing econom- ic sector, reverse our renewable energy policy and decimate our environmental progress for the benefit of these oil companies' profit margins." Please don’t be swayed by oil industry lackeys by taking a great step backwards as we address one of the most, if not the most, important chal- lenges of our time. Richard Mazzucchi is a retired research engineer specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has travelled extensively and now makes his home in Los Molinos, where he is striving to manifest a sustainable and spiritual lifestyle. He can be reached at living-green@att.net. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Summertime, summertime, sum-sum summertime Commentary This week’s column is a grab bag of stuff: It seems like it was only last week when the Memorial Day holiday marked the unofficial beginning of summer. The com- fortably warm temps have made it easy to wash and polish the motorhome without risk of heat stroke. Full lakes beckon; wed- dings come and go. July 4th is around the corner and, if you get too relaxed about it, will all too quickly lead to Labor Day and summer’s end. Regarding those full lakes, we found a way to explore the nooks and crannies of, for example, Shas- ta Lake, with our inflatable boat and a 2 horsepower motor. We can get to a lot of places at 5 knots if time allows. More importantly, while the lake is full, those inlets go for quite a ways and often have lit- tle waterfalls at the end. House- or ski-boats won’t make it, jet ski rid- ers aren’t interested, and it’s usual- ly too far to paddle so, no crowds. The Pitt River arm has a few such inlets; the McCloud arm has little creeks with names like Nosani, or Dekkas, each with their own waterfall, at least for now. As the lake level falls, and the heat rises, you can find full, cool Britton Lake at McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, or Lewiston Lake below Trinity Lake, to be very small-craft friendly. About the weddings, last sum- mer’s vacation revolved around the marriages of two of my brother’s kids in Colorado, two weeks apart. There’s something almost relaxing about just showing up and not being part of the entourage. The period between weddings was devoted to exploring the ski resorts around Frisco, namely Brecken- ridge, Aspen, Vail and a host of others. That made for day trips with idyllic temperatures and unforget- table sightseeing. I recall with fondness the crisp air and bold col- ors of lakes, 14,000 foot-tall moun- tains and cobalt-blue skies shower- ing on us at a moments notice. This year? Well, riding herd for hours over grilled chicken and tri tip for a wedding in Richfield was — hot. About the July 4th events, you can never go wrong by making that short trip to Los Molinos for their always-unforgettable parade. Among many entries, the Tehama County Tea Party Patriots will be present with classic vehicles and flag-waving Patriots riding Gary’s Auto Body tow truck. I believe the fairgrounds will be the place to see and be seen after the parade; we’ll be there, come say hi. Speaking of the Tea Party Patri- ots (meetings listed in the Tuesday Local Calendar) did I mention that the air conditioning is most excel- lent at the Trinity Landmark Mis- sionary Church? In addition to other projects and issues, there is a focus on America’s Constitution in the breakout group that normally deals with the Second Amendment and Emergency Preparedness. It’s not a scholarly presentation but an informative reading and discussion nonetheless. I’m reminded that, as I wrote this last Friday, the 25th, it was the date that North Korea invaded South Korea 60 years ago, which started the Korean War. The 100,000- plus dead and wound- ed Americans were, for many years, referred to as having sacrificed in “the for- gotten war.” That is no longer the case, and a veteran asked me to take the occasion to encourage all vets to contact the veterans organizations and get informed of the well- deserved benefits our government makes available to all who have served their country in uni- form. Don Polson The way I see it I found, in the Commentary piece by Tina Dupuy “Exploiting this tragedy”, more hypocrisy, disingenuousness and fallacious arguments than could possibly be refuted in the space I have avail- able. Let it suffice to point out that we are all shocked, shocked I say, to find that political parties and offi- cials seek to gain some advantage from tragic events. I would remind Ms. Dupuy, who seems to aspire to be a parti- san, word-smithing, Republican- bashing hack in the mold of Mau- reen Dowd, that it was not one, not two, but three members of the Obama bunch that gushed about how any crisis was an opportunity to do things they couldn’t otherwise accomplish. And it was President Obama himself who has shame- lessly used the Gulf oil spill to make the ridiculous case that America can or should somehow go from 5 percent energy from renewable sources, to — what exactly, we don’t know. It is ill advised, and unachievable in the foreseeable future, but will, in Obama’s own words, make energy prices “necessarily skyrocket.” I couldn’t help but note the headline in the June 4 World Briefing section, “Obama to Brewer: Be my partner to overhaul immi- gration” and whimsically thought of new words to the “Mr. Rogers‚ Neighborhood” song: It’s a beautiful day in the border zone, a borderly day for a partner — won’t you mine, won’t you be mine, won’t you be my partner? It’s a borderly day in the beauti- ful, a beautiful day for a partner — won’t you be mine, won’t you be mine, won’t you be my partner? Or I’ll kick your (bleep)! Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.