• On Dec. 10, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation co-authored by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.). The Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act (SAFER) allows for the short-term continued analog broadcast of essential information after the Feb. 18, 2009, nationwide transition to digital television, including broadcasts of emergency information. The Senate unanimously approved the SAFER Act last month. The legislation next goes to President George W. Bush, who’s expected to sign the bill. Under the SAFER Act, after Feb. 18, households that might not have prepared their televisions to receive digital signals will see a “slide” on their screens, in both English and Spanish, informing them that the transition to digital has taken place. The slide will provide a phone number for more information on how to adjust their TVs to receive digital signals. They’ll also get emergency weather and public safety information that’s broadcast over digital airwaves. Once signed into law, the SAFER Act will ensure that this information is available for 30 days following the transition to all-digital broadcasting. According to a press release from Capps’ office, digital television will deliver cleaner, crisper pictures, and is more efficient because it takes up much less space than analog signals. The change will also allow the country to move forward with one of the key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission: establishing a nationwide public safety network to respond to regional or national disasters. By Feb. 18, households that rely exclusively on over-the-air analog signals will need to buy a digital converter box, which will allow the television to receive digital signals. Earlier this year, Congress allotted up to $1.5 billion to provide discount coupons for buying such boxes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), broadcasters, and other agencies have been running a multi-million-dollar campaign to inform consumers of the digital switch.
• Also, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps recently released a statement regarding the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act (H.R. 7321), which the House passed on Dec. 11. “Today I somewhat reluctantly voted for the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act, a measure that would provide a critical bridge loan to the U.S. auto industry while additionally requiring much needed changes in its existing business practices,” she said in the release. “This was a difficult vote. Clearly the leaders of the domestic auto companies have done an abysmal job, resisting for years common sense reforms and innovations that would have resulted in stronger, more competitive companies. Furthermore, I was astonished by the arrogance that these same executives displayed in their original request for federal assistance. However, millions of American jobs are at stake if one or more of the three domestic automakers fail. That would also deal another serious blow to our already struggling national economy. I do not believe that we can sit idly by and allow the domestic auto industry to fail.”
• Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) has been appointed by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Fresno) to serve as Assembly Republican Floor Manager for the 2008-10 legislative session. Blakeslee will also continue serving as Chair of E3, the Republican Task Force on Energy, the Environment, and the Economy. “Sam Blakeslee is an influential voice for Assembly Republicans, and a forward-thinking leader who has led the charge in Sacramento to promote more green jobs as a way to grow our economy and promote more opportunity for Californians,” Villines said in a press release. As Assembly Republican Floor Manager, Blakeslee will be the lead Republican negotiating the procedures by which the Assembly operates, the process by which legislation is considered, and amendments to the Assembly’s rules.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.
