[Source: The Atlantic] A new report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights finds the agency toothless — or even harmful — in addressing environmental justice. Does the Environmental Protection Agency actually protect communities of color from environmental problems? A new report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights suggests it has largely failed that Read More…
Month: September 2016
Economic growth has not “decoupled” from CO2 emissions
[Source: Fox & Hounds] With the enactment of new climate change regulation through 2030, California leaders are closing ranks to make the economic and business case for more mandates. The new requirement will reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40 percent below 2020 emissions. On a per capita basis, that’s a reduction of one-half Read More…
Coastal Commission to gain environmental justice member to represent low-income communities
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday signed legislation aimed at providing a greater voice on the California Coastal Commission to racially diverse, low-income communities. Brown signed a bill by Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke (D-Inglewood) that requires one of the members appointed to the Coastal Commission by the governor to work directly with low-income Read More…
SoCal air quality regulators mulling hike in vehicle registration fees for smog reduction
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Air quality regulators are considering seeking an increase in vehicle registration fees for millions of Southern California drivers to help pay for smog reduction programs. The idea, though still in preliminary stages, would be one component of a funding proposal under development by the South Coast Air Quality Management District as part of a major Read More…
Fading college dream saps U.S. economy of productivity miracle
[Source: Bloomberg News] For decades, a growing pool of college graduates poured into the U.S. labor market, boosting productivity and shaping America’s status as the world’s dominant economic power. That driver of growth is diminishing. Enrollment has declined every year since peaking in 2011, according to the Census Bureau and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Read More…
EEOC issues guidance on retaliation
[Source: California Chamber of Commerce] This week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final Enforcement Guidance on Retaliation and Related Issues. [https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/retaliation-guidance.cfm]. The final guidance was issued after a period of public comment that started in January. Federal and state law both prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees or job applicants who Read More…
Democrats again gunning for legislative supermajorities
[Source: Sacramento Bee] With California’s legislative session finally behind us, attention turns to the fall elections, where Republicans are largely crouched in a defensive position and Democrats are looking to expand the electoral map. The end of session has traditionally marked the time when staff members hit the phones and fan out across the state Read More…
Legislative session ends; Pro Tem’s attempted Air Board power grab flops
[Source: CaliforniaCityNews.org] The 2016 legislative session ended in the early hours of Thursday morning, after a marathon session of farewells to outgoing legislators and last minute scrambling over legislation. Notably, if the “three days in print” rule comes to pass via Proposition 54 this November, it may be the last year of 11th hour proposals Read More…
Legislature declines to add ‘environmental justice’ members to Southern California air quality board
[Source: Los Angeles Times] The state Legislature has rejected a controversial measure that would have shifted the political balance of Southern California’s air-quality board by adding three state-appointed “environmental justice” members to represent low-income communities suffering from pollution. The legislation to expand the South Coast Air Quality Management District board from 13 to 16 members fell 11 votes short of passage in Read More…