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Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) has introduced the “Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2021” (H.R.4315).

This bill would require Social Security to use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate a fairer cost of living adjustment, or COLA, for seniors.

The bill would increase benefits and ensure that cost of living adjustments in Social Security reflect the real rising costs for seniors and disabled Americans.

From 1982 to 2011, CPI-E rose at an annual average rate of 3.1 percent, compared with 2.9 percent for the methods that are currently used.

Original Cosponsors: Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Anthony G. Brown (D-MD), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

“Seniors and disabled citizens rely on Social Security benefits for a large portion of their income, and it’s about time for Social Security benefits to reflect their lifestyles,” said Garamendi. “Using a COLA that actually reflects how retirees spend their money – especially in health care – is a no-brainer that will increase benefits and make Social Security work better for the people it serves.”

The legislation has already earned broad support, with 23 original co-sponsorships and key support from leading advocacy groups and labor organizations.

“Social Security Works applauds Rep. Garamendi for championing Social Security and sponsoring the Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2021,” said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works. “One of the most valuable features of Social Security is its inflation protection. However, the current method of calculating inflation under-measures the cost of living of seniors and people with disabilities who are disproportionately burdened by rising costs of prescription drugs and other essential medical care. By more accurately accounting for the costs faced by Social Security beneficiaries, this legislation better prevents the erosion over time of Social Security’s modest but vital earned benefits.”

The text of the “Fair COLA for Seniors Act” (H.R.4315) is available here.
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NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif.‌‌ ‌‌ — ‌ ‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Caltrans will suspend most work on Northern California highways from Friday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations.
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Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ ‌or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Core drilling 0.48 miles west to 0.32 miles east of Blue Lake Motel will begin Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Swanson Road to Garden Court on Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Highway construction from Spruce Grove Road South to Hofacker Lane will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

— Highway construction from Route 281 to Private Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight weekdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Argonaut Road to Manning Creek Bridge beginning Wednesday, July 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 20

— Slide removal two miles west of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Willits Railroad Crossing to Monica Lane on Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal from Comminsky Station Road to Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Emergency work on Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Emergency work from North Willits Railroad Crossing to Big Trails Drive will begin on Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

— Emergency work from Ten Mile Creek Road to Rattlesnake Summit will begin on Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021. LC#C101TB

Highway 128

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Hutsell Road to Boonville Fire Station on Tuesday, July 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Laytonville Dos Rios to The Middle Way beginning Wednesday, July 7. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
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On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) lauded the $5 million in Federal funding that he requested that will be provided through the FY2022 Appropriations bill by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Subcommittee.

Thompson requested this funding in an April 2021 letter, citing the adverse effects of the recent fires on the wine community, both in California’s Fifth Congressional District and up and down the West Coast.

“As our district continues to recover from the worst fire season on record last year and prepare for an upcoming fire season, it’s crucial we have every federal resource and tool available to rebuild and mitigate the impact of future fires,” said Thompson. “That’s why it’s important that the Appropriations Committee included my request for $5 million in federal funding to study the impact of smoke exposure on wine grapes. This will allow growers and wineries to reduce the economic impact of future fires. It will in turn allow our entire local economy to recover faster after future fires. I will continue working to ensure this funding is included in the final spending bill so we can get this done for our district.”

This $5 million in funding would go to the Mitigating the Adverse Consequences of Wildfire Smoke of Wine Grapes program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It would allow industry representatives to collaborate with land grant university researchers in West Coast states to research what causes the grapes to be damaged by smoke and how to best mitigate this damage.

This research would provide for better testing and prediction of risk, thereby reducing the uncertainty for producers in fire-prone areas.

You can click here to read Thompson’s letter requesting this funding and click here to read the committee report.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.
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July 4 brings the first major holiday since California officials lifted guidelines related to COVID-19, and that means many more residents will celebrate the country’s independence with friends, family, and neighbors.

While Pacific Gas and Electric Co. welcomes the return to holiday gatherings, the company urges its customers to put safety first and stay alert to potential dangers.

Celebrations that involve fireworks, barbecues and swimming can increase the risk of fires, electric hazards, heat-related illnesses, and other perils. PG&E strongly recommends that citizens follow the local rules and regulations regarding fireworks.

PG&E is offering important reminders to help customers stay safe this Independence Day and throughout the summer:

Electric safety

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals.

First and foremost, know what the local regulations allow. Be aware of surroundings — stay clear of power lines, structures, dry grass, or flammable materials when using legally purchased fireworks in areas approved by local regulations.

If a firework strikes electric equipment or causes a power line to come down, stay away, keep others away and immediately call 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Never attempt to retrieve anything that is tangled in or near a power line.

Summer safety

Make sure everyone has proper skills to swim. Keep an eye on young children and check flotation devices for leaks.

Every child under 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a moving vessel that is 26 feet or less in length.

Don't dive or jump into unfamiliar water. Shallow water or submerged trees or rocks could cause serious injury.

Don't swim or play near a dam or powerhouse; these areas can have strong underwater currents, sudden water discharges, slippery surfaces and submerged hazards.

Never use generators, propane heaters, barbecues or charcoal indoors due to carbon monoxide risks.

Heat safety

Limit exposure to direct sunlight. Reapply sunscreen often.

Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine when temperatures are high.

During hot weather, watch for signs of heat stroke — hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; or rapid, shallow breathing. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Use cold towels to help lower their body temperature until help arrives.

PG&E reminds customers to update their contact information at www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts so the company can provide up-to-the-minute safety and service information.
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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Fire-use restrictions will go into effect for the Mendocino National Forest at 12 a.m. on Thursday, July 1.

These restrictions are designed to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildland fires.

Mendocino National Forest Fire Restrictions include:

— Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire is prohibited except in the designated recreation sites listed in Exhibit A of the order (MNF Forest Order No. 08-21-03) and wilderness areas.
— Barbeque grills using briquettes are not allowed outside of designated recreation sites.
— Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or within the designated recreation sites.
— Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within the Designated Recreation Sites is prohibited.
— Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.
— Using an explosive is prohibited.
— Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited.

Exemptions include:

— Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.
— Outside of designated recreation sites, listed in Exhibit A, forest visitors with a valid California campfire permit will still be able to use pressurized liquid or gas devices (stoves, grills or lanterns) with shut-off valves, in an area at least five feet from any flammable materials.
— Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
— Persons with a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service for a recreation residence on the Mendocino National Forest are exempt from Prohibition numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 while they are at their recreation residence.

Fire officials want to remind visitors to leave their fireworks at home this Independence Day. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands, regardless of weather or fire restrictions.

Similar restrictions are also in effect on the neighboring lands. Since restrictions can vary by ownership, visitors should contact the area they plan to visit for specific fire restrictions and conditions.
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The Employment Development Department will begin inviting potentially eligible Californians to apply for the federal Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation, or MEUC, program starting June 30.

The federal program pays an extra $100 per week in supplemental unemployment benefits to those who earned both regular wages and more than $5,000 in self-employment wages.

The MEUC program, created by Congress during the pandemic, is a supplemental payment for eligible claimants. It is intended to further support workers with multiple income streams including self-employment.

Starting June 30, EDD will begin sending text messages and emails with a personalized application link to the claimants who may qualify for the supplemental benefit. Paper applications will be mailed to those who are not online. Claimants will have until September 6, 2021 to apply.

MEUC payments are retroactive to Dec. 27, 2020, and eligible claimants can receive up to a total of 36 weeks of payments.

These benefits are payable for any weeks in which an individual was unemployed and met requirements — even if they have since gone back to work.

To be eligible for benefits under the MEUC program, an individual must meet all MEUC requirements under federal law.

To receive MEUC benefits, a claimant must:

— Be eligible for benefits on a regular Unemployment Insurance claim, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Federal-State Extended Duration extension. People collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Training Extension benefits are not eligible for the MEUC program.

— Be eligible to receive at least $1 in unemployment benefits for each week between December 27, 2020 and September 5, 2021 the individual wishes to collect MEUC benefits.

— Apply for the MEUC program and provide documents proving net income (after all taxes and deductions) from self-employment of at least $5,000. The personalized application links being sent to claimants will include information about how to upload documents to prove net income.

Additional information about this program is available on the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation section of the EDD website.

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