Chairman Mica Releases Draft Transportation Reauthorization

On Thursday, July 6, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee John Mica (R-FL) released an outline of principles for the surface transportation authorization.  As was feared, the proposal falls far short of the goals of a sustainable, forward-looking transportation system.   The proposed $230 billion, 6-year transportation bill represents a 35 percent reduction in funding for critical transportation programs compared to FY 2009 levels.  The outline calls for the nation to "live within our means", and indicates that programs will only be funded with money that comes into the Highway Trust Fund, which has been hit hard by the spike in gas prices. 

According to Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and CEO of PolicyLink, "Our transportation system has failed not because we have spent too much, but because we have spent unwisely and without a clear focus on connecting people to jobs, schools, housing, health care, grocery stores, and other vital services they need to thrive."  She adds, "We cannot continue to slash our way to prosperity and greater opportunity.  Without a robust, bold reauthorization that is focused on smart, equitable investments, many Americans will continue to be left behind." 

Among the other provisions of the outline:

·         The outline indicates that the bill will consolidate and eliminate nearly 70 of the existing 100 transportation programs.

·         In terms of funding for public transit, the Mica proposal says there were will be more emphasis on rural and suburban transit.  While it does not say where that funding will come from, it suggests the troubling possibility that it will come from urban transit systems.

·         Dedicated funding for bicycling and walking - Safe Routes to School, recreational trails - is eliminated. Projects will still be eligible for funding, but will have to compete with other transportation modes.

·         Amtrak operating funds will be cut by 25 percent in the first two years

The full House bill is expected to be introduced in the next few weeks.  The Senate has not yet produced a bill, and the Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to also introduce one in the next few weeks.  However, EPW Chairperson Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has indicated that her committee's bill will be a 2-year, rather than a 6-year reauthorization.

Renewables Outpace Nuclear in U.S. Energy Production

A recent report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) found renewable energy production in the United States has increased by a little over 15 percent since the first quarter of 2010, and has increased by more than 25 percent when compared to the first quarter of 2009, which puts it ahead of nuclear energy production and closer to surpassing domestic oil production.

The EIA Monthly Energy Review reported in the first three months of 2011, the country's biomass/biofuel, hydropower, wind, geothermal, and solar energy generation plants produced a combined nearly 12 percent of U.S. energy production, while nuclear produced about 2 percent. The Monthly Energy Review reported that "energy produced from renewables is 77.15 percent of that from domestic crude oil production." Nuclear power experienced a minimal increase, but has mainly stayed steady.

 In California, just a few months ago, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a directive requiring that 33% of the state's electricity must come from renewable energy sources by 2020. While this law, known as the renewable portfolio standard (or RPS), is the most ambitious in the country, many are left with concerns of how and where the renewable energy is to be produced (centralized, industrial-scale facilities or localized distributed generation) and the feeling that the percentage should be higher. Governor Brown has stated, "While reaching a 33 percent renewable portfolio standard will be an important milestone, it is really just a starting point - a floor, not a ceiling... Our state has enormous renewable resource potential." Governor Brown's statement reinforces the trend the EIA Monthly Energy Reviews are tracking on the national level - renewable energy continues to be the most equitable energy source of the future.

Tell the FTC to Implement Food Marketing Principles

Every year, our kids are exposed to billions of dollars worth of marketing. The fast-food industry alone spent $4.2 billion in 2009 on their marketing efforts; in 2008, the Coca-Cola Company spent $752 million on advertising. Not to be outdone, PepsiCo spent $1.3 billion.

This is especially troubling, as more than 23 million children and teenagers in the United States are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for major and even life-threatening diseases and conditions.

But recently, a coalition of federal agencies led by the Federal Trade Commission took a stand against aggressive marketing tactics by issuing guidelines to limit the products companies can hawk to our kids. The voluntary principles would prevent companies from marketing unhealthy goods to children through a variety of media.

Many food marketers have promised to fight the new regulations. Will you ask the FTC to finalize these important guidelines to protect our children?

Please click here to learn more AND to submit comments to the FTC via our partner, PreventObesity.net.  Take action by July 14, the deadline for submission of comments. 

Green Corps Job Program

Soil Born Farms is hiring youth interested in learning about food, farming, health, and the environment.  We seek youth leaders who wish to make a difference in their community and build job skills in sustainable farming, health education, and cooking.  You will receive work experience, job training, and mentorship.  Following are the requirements for the program:

·         Youth must be 16-18 years old. 

·         Youth must be in their senior year of high school working towards their diploma.

·         Youth must live in Sacramento County.

·         Youth must meet federal low income requirements in WIA Eligibility Guidelines.

In addition, on Thursday, July 14 from 4-5 pm, we are hosting an INFORMATION SESSION held at the Sacramento Works One-Stop Career Center, 10381 Old Placerville Rd. in Rancho Cordova.

 Submit your applications today, spaces fill up quickly!  Applications are available at www.soilborn.org.   For more information, contact Jennifer Whelan at (916) 363-9685.

Green Corps team members

Announcements

7/13-4 pm to 6 pm - Summer Youth Access Lounge, Broadway Career Center, 915 Broadway, Sacramento.  Asian Resources and the Broadway Career Center are excited to announce the Summer Youth Access Lounge. We'll be open every Wednesday from 4-6PM at the Broadway Career Center on 915 Broadway to provide enrichment workshops with a range of topics. We also provide one on one job/ college counseling.  Contact:  Fong Tran at (916) 324-6216 or fong@asianresources.org.

7/13 - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Let Them Eat Cake, Sierra 2 Community Center, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento.  Join Sacramento Self Help Housing in the fight for a "revolution" in the availability of affordable housing.  Compete for prizes for the best tasting and best looking cake. Or simply enjoy the evening, friends, and of course, lots of cake! Cast your vote for who should be crowned "Takes the Cake"!Live music by Hill Country and The Friendship Housing Band.  Sacramento Self Help Housing assists individuals and families who have insufficient resources. We help people who are homeless, in crisis, or have special needs to find and rent safe, affordable housing.  Contact: John Foley at Sacselfhelp@calweb.com or (916) 341-0593.  Also visit www.sacselfhelp.org.

7/14 2 pm to 4 pm - Law as a Social Determinant:  Black Health, Food Insecurity and the Law (Webinar).  African Americans experience food insecurity at a higher rate than Whites. Food insecurity means having inadequate access to nutritious things to eat. For Americans that can be both not getting enough food; and not getting the right food. Ironically, high-calorie food is cheap and plentiful in poor urban communities (due to the low cost of corporate food production heavily subsidized by tax dollars), while low-calorie, nutrient-rich food is harder to come by. This leads to a counterintuitive situation in which poverty tends to foster obesity rather than starvation.  This webinar is hosted by Vernellia R. Randall, Professor of Law at the University of Dayton School of Law.  For more information, or to register,  visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/566747954.   

7/16 - 9 am to 1 pm - Oak Park Farmer's Market, McClatchy Park, 35^th Street and 5^th Avenue, Sacramento.  Our award-winning market features a diverse group of vendors selling locally produced and delicious fruits and vegetables, specialty plants and sprouts, breads, cheese, tamales, fresh flowers and more! EBT and WIC benefits are gladly accepted-ask us about our EBT incentive!  For more information, visit http://www.nwsac.org/oakparkfarmersmarket/

8/6 - 5:30 pm to 10 pm - Women's Civic Improvement Club 75^th Anniversary Gala, 3555 3^rd Avenue, Sacramento.  75 years ago a few courageous and dedicated African American women decided to confront the desperate need for housing for young women in the City of Sacramento.  The evening includes a wine tasting, dinner, keynote speaker, a special tribute to our founding mothers and much more.  Tickets are $25 or $250 for a table of 10.   For more information, contact Ms. Davis at (916) 451-8870.