At Universal Studios Hollywood, Governor Newsom Ushers in State’s Full Reopening and Draws $15 Million in Vax for the Win Grand Prizes
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/15/2021 05:11 PM
Universal City, CA...California’s full reopening marks the end of social distancing, capacity restrictions, county tiers and masks in almost all settings. California was one of the only states in the country to achieve a week-over-week increase in the rate of vaccinations, most recently with a 22 percent increase in vaccinations. 10 vaccinated winners selected today will receive $1.5 million each, for a total of $15 million, in final Vax for the Win cash prize drawing; 30 prior winners won a total of $1,500,000
Board of Forestry Fire Safe Regulations Moving Forward
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/15/2021 07:47 PM
San Andreas, CA...At the Board of Forestry meeting this week, staff announced that the June 22, 2021, regulatory hearing on its proposed Fire Safe Regulations would be held before the full board. The formal 45- day comment period on the proposal began when the rulemaking package was noticed with the Office of Administrative Law in April and will conclude at the close of the regulatory hearing on June 22nd. RCRC is urging concerned counties to submit comments to the BOF to amplify local government opposition to the proposed regulations.
EPA Announces Plans to Revise Waters of the U.S. Definition
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/15/2021 07:55 PM
Washington, DC...Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced its intent to revise the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that was put in place by the Navigable Waters Protection Rule during the Trump Administration in 2020. The 2020 definition was itself a revision of policy instituted during the Obama Administration in 2015, which many stakeholders including RCRC opposed as a harmful federal jurisdictional overreach on ditches, vernal pools and other bodies of water with no clear nexus to federal waters.
Consumer Prices Surge .8 Percent in May. Final Demand Index up 6.6 Percent from May to May
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/15/2021 10:27 PM
Washington, DC...The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.8 percent in May, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices rose 0.6 percent in April and 1.0 percent in March. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index advanced 6.6 percent for the 12 months ended in May, the largest increase since 12-month data were first calculated in November 2010.
President Biden's Press Conference from NATO Headquarters
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/14/2021 05:51 PM
Brussels, Belgium....Good evening. Before I turn to today’s meetings, I want to say a short word about our ongoing fight against COVID-19 at home. We’ve made enormous progress in the United States. Much of the country is returning to normal, and our economic growth is leading the world, and the number of cases and deaths are dropping dramatically. But there’s still too many lives being lost.
Governor Newsom on Legislature’s Passage of State Budget Bill
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/14/2021 08:18 PM
Sacramento, CA...Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today after the Legislature’s passage of the 2021-22 state budget bill: “California’s economy is coming roaring back. With the largest surplus in California history, we’re using this once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an economic recovery that will leave nobody behind – with money going directly back to Californians, the nation’s largest small business relief programs, and unprecedented investments to address California’s most persistent challenges such as homelessness, climate change and equity in our education system.
Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of State on Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/13/2021 09:04 AM
Washington, DC...By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1)) (MRAA), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the MRAA, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the MRAA in an amount not to exceed $46 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs, including through contributions to international organizations by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable refugees and migrants in Central America and third countries in the region.
The 2021 Group of Seven Carbis Bay G7 Summit Communique
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/13/2021 11:29 AM
Cornwall, UK...We, the leaders of the Group of Seven, met in Cornwall on 11-13 June 2021 determined to beat COVID-19 and build back better. We remembered everyone who has been lost to the pandemic and paid tribute to those still striving to overcome it. Inspired by their example of collaboration and determination, we gathered united by the principle that brought us together originally, that shared beliefs and shared responsibilities are the bedrock of leadership and prosperity. Guided by this, our enduring ideals as free open societies and democracies, and by our commitment to multilateralism, we have agreed a shared G7 agenda for global action to:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on the New Government of the State of Israel
Posted by: thepinetree on 06/13/2021 10:38 PM
Washington, DC...On behalf of the American people, I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and enduring relationship between our two nations.
