• Santa Barbara County officials recently released a statement reminding the public that county employees are taking a 64-hour pay cut as part of a furlough program approved by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in October. The furlough is meant to help balance the county’s budget and preserve key programs and services during the rest of the fiscal year. As a result, most business offices and non-emergency services provided by the county closed on Dec. 22 and are scheduled to re-open on Jan. 5. “The public’s safety was first in our minds as we developed the furlough program,” County Executive Officer Michael F. Brown said in the release. “Law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services will not be impacted. Our Sheriff’s deputies will be on patrol. Firefighters will be there to put out fires and paramedics will be responding to medical emergencies.” The county’s Public Health Department and the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services Department will operate on modified schedules, as will the county’s animal shelters. However, the Public Works Department’s recycling and refuse stations will remain open to serve the public. For a complete list of closure information by department, visit the county’s website at countyofsb.org. About 80 percent of the county’s 4,200 employees are participating in the pay cut and furlough program, according to Assistant County Executive Officer Susan Paul. Brown and Paul, as well as all of the county’s executives and managers, are also participating in the furlough.
• On Dec. 17, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) discussed with more than 100 local entrepreneurs the economic crisis and how it’s affecting the Central Coast. While speaking at a luncheon at the South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande, Capps addressed the economy, health care, unemployment, home foreclosures, and clean energy options. She then opened the floor to her constituents, some of whom expressed their frustration over unemployment rates and the lack of funding for schools. Others questioned legislation she supported, specifically the automobile industry and Wall Street economic bailouts. Capps responded by assuring attendees that she would advocate for their concerns, but reminded them that fixing the economy would take time.
• Capps also recently held a press conference drawing attention to dangerous toys. According to a press release from her office, more than 45 million unsafe toys and other children’s items were recalled last year because of lead paint and other hazards. Capps said at the press conference that parents and grandparents should be able to buy kids’ toys without worrying if they’re safe, but are unable to do so because of formerly lax safety regulations. Lead—sometimes found in paint on toys—is especially dangerous because it can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, and even death. Earlier this year, Congress passed a major reorganization of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Act to remedy the problem. Many of the new protections, however, won’t take effect until February 2009. Capps wanted the public to be aware that toys that don’t conform to the new safety rules can still be sold this year. For more information about toy safety, visit the United States Public Interests Research Group at uspirg.org/issues/toy-safety. ∆
This article appears in Dec 25, 2008 – Jan 1, 2009.
