• On Jan. 23 Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) introduced legislation that attempts to address California’s statewide teacher shortage. According to a statement from Cunningham’s office, Assembly Bill 1982 removes “unnecessary” barriers that prevent people from entering the profession. Under this bill, people would no longer have to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test if they earned a B or better in college-level courses that cover the test’s three major topics: reading, writing, and math. “California’s teacher shortage affects school districts of every size, everywhere in the state,” Cunningham said. “Given the shortage, we should be reducing barriers to entry into the profession. The state shouldn’t needlessly force successful college students to take a costly test that serves more as a wall than a gate.” According to the statement from Cunningham’s office, the Assembly Education Committee will discuss the bill in the spring.
• During a National Association of Home Builders conference in Las Vegas on Jan. 23, the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers announced a rule that redefines what are considered “waters of the United States.” Under the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, some water bodies, such as ephemeral streams—where water only flows at certain times of the year because of storms or snowmelt—will lose federal safeguards. California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johnson applauded the decision in a press release that states the previous rule defining “waters of the United States” led to confusion and litigation for farmers. “The new rule promises clear guidelines to help farmers maintain and improve water quality while retaining the flexibility they need to manage their land,” Johnson said. However, environmentalists and other opponents have pushed back on this new rule. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said a large portion of state’s surface water will lose federal protection under this rule. “This irrational, ill-conceived rule is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to dismantle the critical environmental protections upon which we all rely,” Becerra said. “Today’s announcement is an unlawful assault on the Clean Water Act, and we’re prepared to take action.”
• During its Jan. 21 meeting, the Santa Maria City Council issued a proclamation recognizing Jan. 20 to 26 as Respect for Life Week. The proclamation states, “It is imperative that residents of the community defend human life at all ages and conditions of dependency, and protect the disabled, the handicapped, and those defenseless in every way.” According to a staff report from the meeting, the Central Coast Citizens for Family and Life requests the city to issue this proclamation every year. “The organization operates with the mission that human life is sacred, from conception to natural death,” the staff report states. The city’s mayor introduces proclamations, which don’t require a City Council vote or discussion.
• Lompoc City Councilmember Gilda Cordova will serve as Lompoc’s mayor pro tempore throughout 2020. Mayor Jenelle Osborne nominated Cordova during the council’s Jan. 21 meeting. The City Council unanimously approved the nomination. The city’s mayor pro tempore acts on behalf of the mayor when the mayor is absent. This is Cordova’s first time serving in this position after joining City Council in January 2019. The other three council members have served as mayor pro tempore at least once, with Councilmember Dirk Starbuck filling the role last year.
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 6, 2020.
