• Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law authored by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) and state Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) that directs the California Public Utilities Commission to approve an $85 million settlement with PG&E to help offset effects of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant closure. “This is a major step for the future and safety in our communities,” Cunningham wrote in a post to his Facebook page. The bill will help offset losses to Central Coast school districts and offer other economic assistance to communities affected by the plant closure. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) issued a statement on Cunningham and Monning’s new law, saying he was “grateful” to the two for “their tenacity in securing this funding.” “Their resources are critical in preparing our community for this transition by retraining the local skilled workforce and addressing the need for new energy sources on the Central Coast,” Carbajal stated.
• After another accuser of alleged sexual misconduct from Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanuagh came forward, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Sept. 23, calling for the “immediate postponement of any further proceedings related to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh.” “I also ask that the newest allegations of sexual misconduct be referred to the FBI for investigation,” the letter adds, “and that you join our request for the White House to direct the FBI to investigate the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford as well as these new claims.”
• After reports that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein might resign following a New York Times report that he had discussed recording President Donald Trump without his knowledge, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) wrote a post on her Twitter page saying, “The Senate must pass legislation to protect special counsel Robert Mueller TODAY. Republican leaders must allow it to be voted on. We can no longer afford to wait. This is a matter of preserving the rule of law.”
• Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) saw his bill to increase health care access in Lompoc signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 24. The legislation, AB 653, “authorizes nonprofit hospitals in Santa Barbara County to enter into joint powers agreements with a public agency,” according to a release from Cunningham’s office. The bill was authored to allow the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Lompoc Healthcare District to form a partnership to help establish clinics in underserved parts of Lompoc. “Too many Lompoc residents have to travel a long distance to get medical care,” Cunningham stated. “By working with the Lompoc community, we passed a bill that will increase access to health care and improve Lompoc’s quality of life.”
• Third District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann holds office hours on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beatitude House at 267 Compodonico Ave., Guadalupe, and from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vandenberg Village Library, 3755 Constellation Road, Lompoc. Drop-ins welcomed. More info: (805) 568-2192 or countyofsb.org.
• The North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team (NSBMHT) announced endorsements for Santa Maria City Council candidates Gloria Soto in the District 3 race and Councilmember Etta Waterfield for District 4. The endorsements came after candidates for all districts answered a questionnaire and reviewed answers during a political forum event. “NSBMHT encourages manufactured-home owners in Santa Maria to support the endorsed candidate in their respective districts, stated Jamie Rodriguez, president for the organization. “We appreciate the time that each candidate gave in attending our event. As a result, they are all more informed of the issues that mobile-home owners face.”
This article appears in Sep 27 – Oct 4, 2018.
