The Rural Recap is prepared for the RCRC Board of Directors to highlight significant actions taken on issues impacting California’s rural counties. It outlines key advocacy efforts engaged in by RCRC staff on behalf of...
The California State Legislature met in Sacramento on December 2nd to swear in new members, and to hold a Special Session called by Governor Newsom in early November. The Special Session was focused on providing...
On Wednesday December 4th, the U.S. Senate passed, by unanimous consent, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863), which will provide tax relief for individuals impacted by natural disasters. In May, the bill was...
In November, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Marina) announced his intention to bid for the role of Ranking Member on the House Natural Resources Committee. Amid health concerns, current Ranking Member, Raúl Grijalva, will no longer...
Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Shannon Clark, of Plymouth, has been appointed to the Amador County Fair Board. Clark has been a Teacher for Amador County Unified School District since 2001. She is a member of the Amador County Teachers Union and the California Agriculture Teachers Association. Clark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Management from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Clark is registered without party preference.
Alonso Escobar, of Mammoth Lakes, has been appointed to the Eastern Sierra Tri County Fair Board. Escobar has been the Arts Advocacy and Policy Director at Mono Arts Council since 2023. He is a member of the Mammoth Unified School District Board of Trustees, California for the Arts Board of Trustees, and California Arts Advocates Board of Trustees. Escobar earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from American University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International and Area Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Escobar is a Democrat.
Elicia Goldsworthy, of Arcata, has been appointed to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Goldsworthy has been the Policy and Communications Manager at Green Diamond Resource Company since 2021. She has held two other positions at Green Diamond Resource Company since 2016, including Silviculture Investments Manager from 2019 to 2021, and Senior Botanist from 2016 to 2019. Goldsworthy was a Forest Ecologist at James L. Able Forestry Consultants, Inc. from 2015 to 2016. She was an Operations Supervisor at Cal Poly Humboldt University Center from 2014 to 2015. Goldsworthy was a Natural Resource Specialist I at Ocean Associates, Inc. in 2012. She was a Staff Research Associate I at University of California Cooperative Extension, Humboldt & Del Norte in 2011. Goldsworthy was a Registered Professional Forester at Mendocino Redwood Company, LLC from 2004 to 2009. She is a member of the California Licensed Foresters Association, and the Forest Stewardship Council – FSC North American Inclusion Council. Goldsworthy received her Master of Science degree in Forestry Sciences, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Goldsworthy is a Democrat.
Ryan Hilburn, of Redding, has been appointed to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Hilburn has been Chief Forester at W.M. Beaty & Associates, Inc. since 2020. He was a District Supervisor at W.M. Beaty & Associates, Inc. from 2015 to 2020. Hilburn was a Natural Resources Manager at Swanton Pacific Ranch, Cal Poly Foundation from 2000 to 2005. He is a member of the California Licensed Foresters Association. Hilburn earned his Master of Science degree in Forestry Sciences, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hilburn is registered without party preference.
Amber Hoiska, of Ione, has been appointed to the 26th District Agricultural Association Amador County Fair Board. Hoiska has been Vice President at PAC Shield Roof Services, Inc. since 2020. She was the Director of Business Development at Platinum Roofing, Waterproofing and Energy from 2019 to 2020. She was a Marketing, Sales and Service Manager at Cool Roofing Systems from 2016 to 2018. She was a Credit Manager at Roofing Supply Group from 2004 to 2016. Hoiska is a member of the National Women in Roofing and Chair of the City of Ione, Planning Commission. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Hoiska is a Democrat.
Joyce Kaufman, of June Lake, has been appointed to the Eastern Sierra Tri County Fair Board. Kaufman was a Professor at Whittier College from 1985 to 2019. She is the Chair of the Mono County Democratic Central Committee, member of the International Studies Association and the American Political Science Association. Kaufman earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Relations from the University of Maryland, Master of Arts degree in Political Science from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from New York University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Kaufman is a Democrat.
Mark Krausse, of Clarksburg, has been reappointed to the Public Employment Relations Board, where he has served since 2024. Krausse was Director of State Agency Relations for Pacific Gas and Electric from 2007 to 2024. He was Executive Director of the Fair Political Practices Commission from 2000 to 2007. Krausse was Director of Government Relations for the Doctors Company from 1996 to 1997. He was Senior Consultant in the California State Senate from 1994 to 1996. Krausse was Senior Consultant in the California State Assembly from 1991 to 1994. He was Associate Consultant in the California State Senate from 1988 to 1990. Krausse earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $180,840. Krausse is a Democrat.
Bethany Renfree, of Sutter Creek, has been appointed to the 26th District Agricultural Association Amador County Fair Board. Renfree has been a Legislative Director for the Office of California State Senator María Elena Durazo since 2020. She was a Policy, Research and Legislative Manager at the California Workforce Development Board from 2018 to 2019. She was a Policy Analyst for the California State Senate from 2017 to 2018. She was the Policy Director for the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls from 2016 to 2017. Renfree earned a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Renfree is a Democrat.
Stephen Smith, of Gasquet, has been appointed Warden at Pelican Bay State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2022. Smith held several positions at Substance Abuse Training Facility from 1997 to 2022, including Chief Deputy Warden, Correctional Administrator, Captain, Correctional Counselor II Specialist, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant, and Correctional Officer. He was Acting Chief Deputy Warden at Kern Valley State Prison in 2021. Smith was a Correctional Officer at Pelican Bay State Prison in 1997. He served as an E-4 in the United States Army from 1992 to 1996. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $187,884. Smith is a Republican.
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.
The forest service plans to cut staffing, and the losses will weigh heavy on California’s 18 national forests. From the snowy peaks in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in the state’s far north to the chaparral canyons of the Cleveland National Forest near Mexico, the cutbacks mean trails will see fewer maintenance workers, visitor centers will go without rangers, bathrooms will lose custodians, campgrounds won’t have as many attendants and overgrown forests will see fewer crews doing fire prevention work. The cuts were ordered in September, but only recently have regional forest managers detailed their extent.
Most Rural Hospitals Have Closed Their Maternity Wards, Study Finds
– New York Times
Over 500 hospitals have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2010, according to a large new study, leaving most rural hospitals and more than a third of urban hospitals without obstetric care. Those closures, the study found, were slightly offset by the opening of new units in about 130 hospitals. The struggle of a hospital in Plumas County to maintain their maternity ward is noted in this article from the New York Times.
The price of electricity has ignited debate about how much California families should bear for the cost of wildfire prevention, whether utilities are balancing risk and affordability and whether the money is being spent wisely.