News Articles
Nearly 20 years since it closed down as a shipyard for the U.S. Navy, Mare Island sits at a critical juncture. Many of its oldest facilities have been cared for by a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving Mare Island's historic military importance to the nation, not to mention its economic significance to Napa and Solano counties.
But the time has come, according to the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation, for the federal government to step in and turn Mare Island into a national park to best ensure the preservation of the former base's irreplaceable landmarks.
A bill introduced this week and co-authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson aims to "cut taxes for Social Security recipients, provide a benefit increase for current and future beneficiaries, and keeps the system strong for generations to come," Thompson's office announced.
Thomspon, who represents Vallejo and American Canyon, joined U.S. Rep. John B. Larson of Connecticut in co-authoring the ‘Social Security 2100 Act', HR 1391, his office said in a release.
An emergency order requiring trains hauling crude oil and other flammable liquids to slow down as they pass through urban areas and a series of other steps to improve the safety were announced Friday by the Department of Transportation.
A second group of federal lawmakers has introduced legislation to regulate the transport of crude oil by rail.
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) yesterday introduced the Crude-By-Rail Safety Act (H.R. 1804), which the congressman said would set new safety and security standards to address growing concerns that current standards fail to address the threat posed by transporting crude oil by rail.
Thompson said the bill would "establish new, common sense federal safety standards for railcars transporting oil across the country.".
An emergency order requiring trains hauling crude oil and other flammable liquids to slow down as they pass through urban areas and a series of other steps to improve the safety were announced Friday by the Department of Transportation.
House Democrats on Thursday vowed to fight any attempt by Republicans to tuck gun provisions into government spending bills.
Another bill concerning the transportation of crude oil by rail was introduced Wednesday, following at least two others in the past month. With a pending Valero Refinery crude-by-rail project in the works, concerned Benicians and activists said though they acknowledge the effort in the bill, they'd like to see more.
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, coauthored the Crude-By-Rail Safety Act, which would "establish new, common sense federal safety standards for railcars transporting oil across the country," according to a release from Thompson's office.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, introduced a bill Wednesday setting new safety standards for transporting crude oil by rail, citing concerns that current regulations do not adequately protect the public from a dramatic rise in oil shipments by railroad tank cars.
Four derailments in the United States and Canada in less than a month earlier this year "underscored the urgency of action to curb the risks of transporting crude oil," Thompson said in a news release.
Members of Progressive Women of Napa Valley set off a spark this week that they hope will inspire a fire in Napa Valley residents who support an increase to the local minimum wage.
Residents and a handful of local elected officials attended a panel discussion Thursday at Napa County Library moderated by Rep. Mike Thompson to learn about how they said a higher minimum wage could not only bring economic benefits to the valley but social gains as well.
After 13 years and $21 million, restoration of 4.5 miles of Napa River banks in the heart of Napa Valley is complete, offering improved habitat and reducing flood damage.
Federal, state and local leaders celebrated the accomplishment Thursday as they prepared to launch phase 2: 9 miles of bank restoration from Oakville to Oak Knoll costing another $21 million.
Almost 100 people turned out for the by-invitation morning event along the rivers bank at the Opus One Winery in Oakville, including Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St Helena.