Governor Newsom succeeded in his mission to accomplish the largest broadband infrastructure project in our era with the vital passage of the Communications Broadband Bill SB-156 through both Houses of our California State Legislature. This provides the dynamic guidance for implementing the actions needed on the "five-pack" of broadband bills currently running through the State legislative process at this moment.

Governor Newsom's signature on July 20, 2021 was the final step in enacting the many actions this bill will accomplish in providing internet service equally throughout the State of California's rural and urban communities, giving them high speed quality service when accessing educational opportunities, health related services, government programs, and small business expansion opportunities.

A message to Placer DEMS from JAN BELL, Former Placer County Candidate Services Chair

For years, we have debated how much time to spend on national politics vs. local politics. After nearly 10 years as a political activist, I believe the answer to that question is we must do BOTH. So, I'd advise everyone to quit the debate and develop a “Top-Down Strategy” and a “Bottom-Up Strategy” for Placer County.

We all know our lives in America are impacted by national, state and local politicians, but to get people elected at all these levels we have to work at all levels - otherwise we can't impact the national level.

One of my favorite social media moments of all time was June 25, 2013. Wendy Davis, a Texas state senator representing District 10, single-handedly held a thirteen-hour-long filibuster to block restrictive abortion regulations in Texas. Public seating was full, crowds were gathered outside, food trains were created to help feed the people there. The outpouring of support was across district lines, as Texas women from all over the state showed up in support. She was successful, and an instant icon.

But here’s the thing:
NO ONE WAS REPORTING ON IT.

Why do I know about it? Someone live-streamed it on Twitter.

How did the Women’s March organize 5 million marchers across the globe? As the National External Communications Manager for the Women’s March, I can tell you. Facebook and Twitter, with a side of Slack.

How did Obama win the 2008 election, when he was an unknown a few years earlier? He didn’t leave his social media to chance. He had a defined platform that he strategized when and how to drip out on socials.

The Biden administration has unveiled a new $2.2 Trillion infrastructure plan that would be used to upgrade existing bridges, tunnels, and highways. With infrastructure crumbling all over the country, it is something that is greatly needed. One would think that funding this would be a no brainer, but in 2021 the definition of “infrastructure” is more complicated and broader than it has ever been before. It includes expanding broadband internet to more rural communities and funneling $25 billion to build new and upgrade existing child care facilities and public schools with the creation of a new Child Care Growth and Innovation Fund.

Dear Beloved Friends,

It is such a great honor to be writing to you at the start of Pride Month. For any of you who do not know me my name is Pastor Casey Martinez-Tinnin, and I am the Pastor of Loomis Basin Congregational Church UCC, and the founder of The Landing Spot, which is a support group for LGBTQ+ teens and their adult caregivers here in Placer County. When I was asked to write this article, I was invited to speak with “authority” about the experience of being a queer person in this community and to elevate the hopes, aspirations, and needs of the Placer County queer community. For the opportunity to speak I am humbled and thankful, and for the responsibility to speak for such a large umbrella of communities and identities, I am overwhelmed.

Setting The Standard

As in the wise words of the ancient Chinese “curse” – May You Live in Interesting Times - Tomas Vera manages to keep his enthusiasm for electing Democrats despite nightly news that comes at us with the confusion and force of a fire hose. He’s a realist and knows the hills to be climbed and battles to be fought, but always keeps his enthusiasm and firm beliefs that we can do it – we can ultimately turn red to blue.

As Chair of the Placer County Democratic Central Committee, Tomas focuses his goals and drive on our Placer team. He wants to identify how to make our team better to achieve more wins. He identifies with the maxim, “If it has to be someone, let it be me.” There was no “aha!” moment for Tomas, but when Obama ran, it was a seminal moment for him. He volunteered by making phone calls for the Fresno Dems Women’s Auxiliary, the primary political drivers where he lived at the time. When they realized they needed someone who could do wonders on a computer (IT work), Tomas found his niche’ - and the rest is history…

President Biden on Wednesday announced a $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs package that looks to reshape the American economy. If you haven’t heard, our country’s infrastructure is in poor shape. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently upgraded our country’s grade on infrastructure from a D+ to a C-. Not exactly Stanford material for the US of A on infrastructure (think roads, bridges, tunnels, water pipes, water treatment, electric grid, power (renewable and others) and much, much more).

Already, Minority Leader Mitch McConnel has announced Republican opposition to the bill. There will be a litany of reasons, but without reading any press releases as to why, I can tell you the talking points likely to be made and the actual reason why they will oppose the bill.

Part IV. What Can You Do

This is where activism on the part of California citizens can have an active role in utilizing the "art of the possible" in attempting to achieve the aforementioned results. Dave Spencer, City of Auburn Fire Chief, is at the forefront to educate the community of Auburn to take responsibility to fire safe their homes and property. He hypothesized that if homeowners follow-through with enacting the measures of home hardening and defensible space, some of which is required by law, this might motivate some insurance carriers to stop the price escalation or cancellation of homeowner protection policies. This is called the "Empowerment of the people." Empowering Placer County Rural citizens to act on advice put out by the wildfire protection community provided on hand-outs, websites, and other media to follow their instructions in hardening their homes, create required defensible space, and establish approved emergency plans that meet varying wildfire situations.

Part II discussed how disastrous wildfire events negatively affect the California State Budget, and ultimately tax-paying California citizens' pocketbooks. But what about the toll it takes on individual rural homeowner's lives, and what can Joe & Jane Doe Rural California citizen do about it.

Part II: The Consequences

In September, we examined the atmosphere of wildfire threats faced by the people of California as a way of life in our rural areas. Part II explores how the destructive forces of wildfires financially impacts the state government, its residents, and the insurance industry.

As citizens of California, we are all subjected to the costs incurred in enforcing wildfire laws, paying for defense against potential wildfire events, and the cost of living within wildfire prone areas of the state. We must work proactively through our State government institutions to support legislation that provides for wildfire defense, plus work with the wildfire defense community to alleviate the financial economic impact.

As California's rural areas transition through their year they, and environmentally similar communities, are unfortunately unique in having an additional season commonly known as the “Wildfire Season.” Rural California communities, most of which are labeled as the "wildland-urban interface (WUI)," are confronted with the reality that, like any other season, preparation is a must to reduce the possibility of wildfires. When these cataclysmic events do erupt its’ inhabitants, and State government fire defense agencies, must prepare to defend these properties. In the aftermath of such wildfire events, many within these rural communities are forced into the recovery process to salvage what's left of their living environment, filing insurance claims to rebuild their homes and businesses, and re-establishing a way of life that has been destroyed or severely damaged.