Supervisors Preparing Several Letters To State And Federal Leaders

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will vote whether to send seven different letters on Tuesday on topics ranging from federal budget cuts to biomass to improved statewide internet access.

The letters are each individually on the agenda for this week’s board meeting. The Board is planning to send a letter of support for California Assembly Bill 1665, which is named the “Internet For All Now Act.” It would continue funding for the California Advanced Services Fund, which has a goal of allowing for high speed internet access for 98% of California households by the year 2023. A similar bill failed to gain support last legislative session.

The Board is also planning to send a letter to California’s US Senators, Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris, and Congressman Tom McClintock, detailing the importance of the Community Development Block Grant Program, which funding is proposed to be cut from 2018 federal budget. The money has traditionally gone towards local small business loans, safe water drinking programs, Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank, etc.

The Board also plans to send letters opposing two separate pieces of state legislation, AB 1066 and AB 199, that would require prevailing wage be paid for tree removal projects and private residential construction.

Another letter is geared towards encouraging the California Energy Commission to allocate funding for forest biomass projects.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 9am in the supervisors meeting room in downtown Sonora.