Christopher Egan, Author at Rural County Representatives Of California

As California lawmakers debate reinstating a controversial fire-prevention fee, RCRC’s Staci Heaton was featured in a CBS Sacramento report highlighting concerns from rural residents. She questioned both the fairness of the proposed charge and whether it would deliver clear, tangible benefits to the communities expected to pay it.

See the full video here: California bill would bring back fire prevention fee to high-risk areas – CBS Sacramento

RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton is featured in the San Francisco Chronicle opposing Senate Bill 1404, which would reinstate a statewide fire prevention fee of up to $150 for rural homeowners to fund Cal Fire prevention efforts.

See the full article here: California could make homes in fire-risk areas pay up to $150

RCRC Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor Miles Menetrey joined Valley Public Radio’s Central Valley Daily news podcast to discuss the unique challenges facing California’s rural counties. Menetrey called for stronger rural representation in state policy and highlighted wildfire resiliency, broadband, and healthcare access as top issues for rural California.

Listen to the full podcast here: https://tinyurl.com/y29yedur

Madera County Supervisor Robert Poythress is featured in this CalMatters article highlighting the projected decline in gas tax revenues that fund roads and highways and the need to explore alternative transportation funding sources through AB 1421.

As fuel consumption patterns change, transportation funding tied to the gas tax is expected to decrease, raising concerns for rural counties already facing deferred maintenance. AB 1421 would provide a vital study of long-term alternatives to the gas tax.

“Our rivers, reservoirs and recreation economies deserve a defense as connected as the systems we strive to protect,” writes Calaveras County Supervisor Amanda Folendorf.

In this Sacramento Bee op-ed Calaveras County Supervisor and RCRC Delegate Amanda Folendorf addressing the rapid spread of the invasive golden mussel. Folendorf outlines the serious threats the species poses to California’s water infrastructure, environment, and economy, and calls on state leaders to move beyond a patchwork of local rules toward a unified, statewide strategy to slow its spread.

Read here: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article314409143.html

“Gerrymandering poisons democracy, no matter the party or place. It breeds distrust and buries communities like ours,” said Modoc County Supervisor and RCRC Chair Geri Byrne at a gathering opposing Proposition 50.

Byrne joined Congressman Doug LaMalfa, local farmers, and community representatives in warning that the measure would strip rural areas of fair congressional representation.

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/4935FzC

“Rural County Representatives of California, which represents the state’s 40 rural counties, supports geothermal but opposed the bill because its members have chafed at the state increasingly stripping counties of decision-making authority. The organization lobbied the governor’s office for a veto, but to no avail, said the group’s senior policy advocate, John Kennedy.”

In a Politico Article, RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy demonstrated why RCRC lobbied Governor Newsom to veto AB 531, even though RCRC supports geothermal energy. Kennedy stated that the group, which represents the state’s 40 rural counties, opposed the bill because its members are increasingly concerned by state policy that distance counties of local decision-making authority—a trend RCRC felts the streamlining bill continued.

Read here: https://bit.ly/46H1mbB

“Through meaningful reform and sustained support, we can ensure our volunteer firefighters have the tools, flexibility and recognition they need to continue protecting our communities.”

In a commentary to the Sacramento Bee, Glenn County Supervisor and RCRC Board Delegate Monica Rossman emphasizes the importance of rural volunteer fire districts and the need for policy solutions to ensure their continued operation in the face of escalating challenges.

Read here: https://bit.ly/4nalatk

In this Capitol Weekly article, Tracy Rhine, Senior Policy Advocate for the Rural County Representatives of California, acknowledged the amendments made to AB 470, writing that “we recognize the efforts made to acknowledge our concerns, and we look forward to additional engagement as the bill progresses.” Her statement reflected how stakeholder negotiations shifted RCRC from opposition to neutrality, a pivotal step that allowed the bill to advance further than previous attempts to phase out California’s carrier of last resort policy.

Full Article: https://bit.ly/3HXri9o

In this POLITICO article, John Kennedy, Senior Policy Advocate for the Rural County Representatives of California, warns that without a clear statewide strategy, PSPS could become the “new normal.” He urged the CPUC and utilities—especially PG&E—to lay out a comprehensive roadmap to protect communities, provide electricity reliably, and reduce wildfire risks, rather than forcing residents to endure multiple outages each month.

Full Article: https://bit.ly/4nfYE25