Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/34834
6A Daily News – Saturday, June 25, 2011 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 Memorial Day Editor: 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. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. 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 Again this year Memorial Day weekend, we had a four star one. Thank you to the Master Chorale and Orches- tra, the Community Baptist Church Choir, each under the direction of Mark Franklin and the Red Bluff Community Band under the direction of Jay Thiel who gave us inspi- ration to last a long time. Thanks to the community for donating monies to our American Legion and Veter- ans of Foreign Wars “Poppy Days.” Many received a copy of what the poppy means and how it was made. The hand- made crepe poppy was assem- bled by hospitalized veterans of the wars and in many cases, it is the only income they have. Again thank you music makers, singers and the public for making this a joyous weekend. And from June, special thanks to Mr. Music. June E. Mott, Red Bluff Letter wrong Editor: The letter dated May 28 regarding the Union was fraught with misunderstand- ing and misconceptions. We are not SEIU. We are CUHW, California United Home Care Workers, Local 4034. We do have national and international associa- tions. We represent more than 20,000 home care workers in 25 counties in California, including Tehama County. We represent all IHSS Home care workers in Tehama County due to a local election over- seen by the State for all providers in Tehama County. The result was overwhelming in support of CUHW. Not all providers pay union dues, under 10 hours per month they pay nothing. Above 10 hours up to 35.9 hours per month they pay $14.33. Above 36 hours per month the provider pays $28.66. A one time adminis- tration fee is charged of $25 to pay for the Hudson notices and Welcome packets required by Califor- nia Labor Laws. The providers are entitled to opt out of Union Member- ship, however, providers electing not to be members of the union still must pay a “fair share agency fee” that is required by State Law to help pay for representation and bargaining, since all providers enjoy wage increas- es and other benefits that are bargained for. not just union members. The law provides for providers to challenge this fee with an independent audit. It was not the union dues but the state imposed budget cuts that decreased providers checks. Thousands of union providers and recipients went Your Turn to the Capitol to rally against the cuts, speak with their rep- resentatives, and testify in front of the Assembly and Senate sub-commit- tees having hearings on the cuts. This action helped save the program and stop more drastic cuts. CUHW is a member driven union — a bottoms up organi- zation. Everyone from the local elected board member up to our state president is a skilled provider. CUHW provides many other benefits: contin- ued training and education, support and assistance to name just a few. We sincerely hope this brings clarification to the misconceptions that the above mentioned letter provided. Proud CUHW 4034. Tehama Chapter, Union Members and Recipients. Diane Crisel, Los Molinos Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, 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. As the Budget Turns Commentary I had been out of town for most of May, and Sam’s sched- ule was complicated, so we couldn’t meet until mid June for coffee. Sam was having trouble adjusting to the long awaited heat and the unwelcome winds of Red Bluff, and he looked a lit- tle wilted. We were both inter- ested in the long running state budget adoption soap opera; we had both hoped that like some of the long running day time soaps, this one would be canceled in 2011 too. As we were talking, Sam’s position shifted as we explored the current fiasco. Sam opened our conversation with a provocative statement: “It looks to me like bipartisanship is not dead, and I guess our state legislature is not as stupid as most of us have thought.” “Why do you say that?” “As you remember, last November we adopted Proposi- tion 25 which allowed for a sim- ple majority of each house in the state legislature to pass a budget. It also said that if the legislature failed to pass a balanced budget by June 15, then the legislators would permanently lose any compensation for any days they are in session until a balanced budget is adopted. Their pay was just recently docked eigh- teen percent by the California Citizens Compensation Com- mission in December of 2009, and I am sure this new conse- quence of Proposition 25 was not to their liking.” “That’s right. The Commis- sion took away their cars and gave them a $300 monthly trans- portation stipend this April, and previously cut their per diem and the State’s portion of their health and other insurance bene- fits. In the past, if they failed to adopt a budget on time their pay would have been withheld until budget adoption, but then they would have received the amount docked shortly after budget adoption.” “Well they adopted a budget on time, thus preserving their continued pay.” “That’s all well and good, but what has that got to do with bipartisanship?” “This was a win-win deal for both parties in the legisla- ture. A budget was adopted on time, so everyone gets paid. The Republicans don’t have to be martyrs by holding up the budget process and making everyone lose their pay. And because a simple majority is needed, the Republicans could still vote no, and they did. Everyone wins. The Democ- rats keep everyone on the pay- roll; the Republicans got to vote no without consequences; and the budget was passed. If that’s not bipartisanship, then what is?” “Surely you jest.” “Okay, don’t snicker. I get your point. Now that I think of it, I just remembered that this is the same clever group of legisla- tors who brought us inventively designed congressional, state senatorial, and state assembly districts after the 2000 Census to protect the incumbents of both parties.” “That’s called self interested bipartisanship. Of course, then we voters took the next logical step and created the California Citizens Redistricting Commis- sion to take that matter out of their hands. This year they will adopt new district lines. But, we just can’t get one step ahead of these legislators. We even have a local legislator who apparently lives such a clean life that he doesn’t need garbage service at his house in Gerber; now that is clever.” “Okay, maybe those legisla- tors aren’t as clever as I first thought; maybe they are just devious. The situation becomes more complicated because the Governor vetoed the budget.” “I don’t remember that ever happening before.” “The Governor claims the adopted bud- get is not truly balanced and that it contains all the smoke and mirror stuff we have come to expect in Sacramento; so he vetoed it.” “So the Governor is claiming the budget is not truly balanced? Do we have any criteria for determining what a balanced budget is?” “I guess not; so maybe the legislature was just punting on fourth and long. Maybe they tried to sneak one over on us and the Governor and got caught. It seems to me a balanced budget would be self balancing, not relying on borrowing, account- ing tricks, and, delayed pay- ments.” “Think about what you are saying. Are you saying that it was a bipartisan effort to manu- facture that deception?” “Well, maybe not, but it was certainly the Democrats who passed the budget, so I guess we should blame them; maybe they could be blamed for frustration, stupidity, deceptions, or avarice…take your pick. On the other hand the Republicans were clearly toeing the current party line, and they refused to break ranks so a balanced budget that included tax extensions was not possible.” “So, what happens next?” “Maybe this was a clever Joe Harrop maneuver after all. Now John Chiang, the State Controller, will have to determine whether or not the budget they passed was truly a balanced budget. If he decides it was balanced, the legislators will get paid; if he decides it wasn’t balanced, then they won’t. Rumor has it Chiang is interested in being governor some day. If he rules the adopt- ed budget is unbal- anced, the Democ- rats will probably disown him and the Governor and he will both be pariahs within the Democra- tic Party; if he rules it is bal- anced, the Republicans will snicker at him. He is in a no win situation.” “So the Republicans elimi- nate a potentially strong guber- natorial candidate, create havoc within the Democratic ranks, and…The plot thickens.” Stay tuned to the next install- ment of “As the Budget Turns” to find out if the Controller will out smart his party and the Republicans, if the Governor means what he says, if the Republicans will continue to toe the current party line, and if Proposition 25 really has any teeth. This soap opera is brought to you by the citizens and taxpay- ers of California who want you to remember to forget they voted for this legislature. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net.