Salmon:
Democrats bash feds over salmon collapse -- West Coast Democrats amassed Thursday at a House hearing on the collapse of salmon stocks. Brimming with anger, they pointed fingers at federal fishery officials for writing scientific reports that let it happen. Common to three river systems are NMFS biological opinions rejected by federal courts for failing to use the best available science or otherwise failing to look broadly at the health of the fish in deciding the impacts of diverting river water for farming. Sacramento Bee 5/16/08
Health:
Budget protesters surround Capitol -- Students protested Thursday on one side of the Capitol against $3 billion in public school funding cuts, while demonstrators on the other side attacked broader, deeper slashes in health and human services programs. Part of the controversy, which sparked the second rally Thursday, stems from the governor's proposal to trim another $627 million from health and human service programs, which he'd already slashed by $2.9 billion in his January spending plan. CC Times 5/16/08
Kaiser, Health Net to reinstate some policies -- Two health insurers - Kaiser Permanente and Health Net - agreed Thursday to reinstate policies for members who were stripped of their coverage after they incurred medical expenses. Thursday's actions were part of an investigation by state regulators into the controversial insurance practice of retroactively canceling, or rescinding, health coverage.
State senate bill would ban suspect plastic -- California's Senate passed a bill Thursday that would prevent the sale of plastic baby bottles, training cups and formula cans if they contain detectable levels of an estrogen-like chemical suspected of disrupting normal human growth. If the measure becomes law, California would be the first state in the nation to ban the plastics ingredient bisphenol A in any consumer product. SF Chronicle 5/16/08
Food:
*Shoppers feeling squeeze buy a little at a time – Shoppers are feeling so pinched by the sagging economy that they are embracing a new behavior: buying a little at a time. From meat to mustard, consumers are trying to control their food bills by buying smaller-size items as they grapple with soaring prices. Companies have taken note, experimenting with different measures like 3/4 gallon milk jugs and pies that have shrunk to 6 inches. AP 5/15/08
Farm Bill:
*Western farm leaders high-five Congressional farm bill passage with specialty crop funding -- The Western Growers Association (WGA) based in Irvine, Calif. praised Congressional approval of the farm bill including the highly sought specialty crop language. WGA members grow, pack, and ship 90 percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California. The Fresno, Calif.-based California Grape and Tree Fruit League is also pleased with Congress’ approval of the farm legislation. Western Farm Press 5/16/08
Veto-proof farm spending bill passes Senate -- The Senate passed the $290 billion, five-year farm bill by a strong veto-proof margin Thursday, ensuring that the measure becomes law despite President Bush's threatened veto, which would be the first presidential veto of a farm bill since Dwight Eisenhower's in 1956. Feinstein said she does not support the $2.5 million annual income limit the bill sets for cutting off crop subsidies to farm couples but that the bill was supported by all agriculture groups in California. SF Chronicle 5/16/08
Forests and parks:
State parks saved from closure in newest state budget -- An unpopular proposal to close 48 state parks is now off the table after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger restored $13.3 million in funding to California State Parks in his revised budget proposal released Wednesday. The governor's proposal calls for an $11.8 million infusion to California State Parks from the state's general fund in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. It also requires the parks department to raise $1.5 million in annual visitor and concessionaire fees. Inside Bay Area 5/16/08
Parks officials are scrambling to ensure funding -- From imposing parking fees at Carlsbad State Beach to promoting a bed and breakfast hotel in Old Town San Diego, California parks officials are moving aggressively to raise revenues and avoid the threat of closures and lifeguard layoffs. With lawmakers sharply critical of the governor's broader plan to close a staggering deficit, there is no guarantee that the parks budget will escape further cuts this summer. San Diego Union Tribune 5/16/08
Bio-fuels:
Airbus, Honeywell team up on biofuel for commercial jets -- Planemaker Airbus and diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. on Thursday said they are developing a biofuel that by 2030 could satisfy nearly a third of the worldwide demand from commercial aircraft, without affecting food supplies. Along with JetBlue Airways Corp. and International Aero Engines, they plan to produce fuel from vegetation- and algae-based oils that do not compete with existing food production or land and water resources. SF Chronicle 5/16/08
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