May 23, 2025
Advocacy | Air Quality U.S. Senate Votes to Rescind Three California Clean Air Act Waivers, Governor Newsom RespondsOn May 22, the U.S. Senate passed three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to revoke waivers that allow California to adopt tougher vehicle emission standards than the national standard
May 16, 2025
Advocacy | County Operations Visit California Releases 2024 Economic Impact Report and 2025 ForecastEach year, Visit California publishes an in-depth analysis of the tourism industry’s statewide and county-level economic contributions. The 2024 report reflects the sector’s continued resilience and growth – with travel spending reaching a record high
May 16, 2025
Advocacy | Health Care and Social Services DHCS Announces First Round of Prop 1 BHCIP FundingOn May 12th, the Department of Health Care Services announced $3.3 billion in grants from the first round of Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Bond funding. These grants were awarded to counties
May 16, 2025
Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship U.S. House Passes Fire Safe Electrical Corridors ActOn May 13, the House passed the bipartisan Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act (H.R. 2492) by voice vote. This bill would allow the U.S. Forest Service to
May 16, 2025
Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship House Agriculture Committee Advances SRS Reauthorization by way of Reconciliation BillOn May 14, the House Agriculture Committee voted 29-25 along party lines to advance its reconciliation bill. While the measure contains many impactful provisions, perhaps the most notable is the inclusion of reauthorization language for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. Until now, SRS reauthorization has been stalled in the House of Representatives, despite significant bipartisan support in the Senate
May 16, 2025
Advocacy | CEQA/NEPA Governor Newsom Seeks to Include RCRC-Sponsored CEQA Measure in Budget PackageOn May 14, Governor Newsom unveiled the May Revisions to his proposed budget. As part of that presentation, he acknowledged and thanked Assembly Member Wicks and Senator Wiener for their efforts to undertake significant California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform in AB 609 (Wicks) and SB 607 (Wiener)
May 16, 2025
Advocacy RCRC's Rural Rundown of the Governor's May Revision of the 2025-26 State BudgetOn Wednesday, May 14th, Governor Newson released his Administration’s May Revision of the 2025-26 State Budget. This revision is the next step in the State’s budget negotiations with lawmakers, who must pass a budget by June 15 for the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. RCRC’s Rural Rundown captures highlights of the latest proposal as it relates to RCRC member counties
May 08, 2025
Advocacy RCRC Delegation Returns to Washington DCThis week, an RCRC Delegation returned to Washington DC to meet with the Administration about issues of importance to our rural communities
May 08, 2025
Advocacy USDA to Expedite $21 Billion in Previously Approved Disaster AssistanceOn May 7, USDA Secretary Rollins announced plans to expedite the distribution of $21 billion in Congressionally-appropriated disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by recent natural disasters
May 08, 2025
Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship USDA Announces Grants to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire RiskOn May 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $23 million in grants through the Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program to support the transport of low-value wood and dead trees