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President Barack Obama is poised to sign legislation from U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, that would require security assessments of American oil refineries, including Valero Benicia Refinery, and railroad infrastructure, such as Union Pacific that has tracks through Benicia.
Five U.S. Representatives for Northern California, including districts encompassing Martinez, voted Tuesday against H.R. 5781, the "California Emergency Drought Relief Act." Despite their opposition, the bill that would mandate the pumping of Delta water to south of the Delta will move forward to the Senate.
House lawmakers are planning the largest funding increase for background checks on gun purchases.
The trillion-dollar "cromnibus" bill to fund the federal government would set aside $73 million to help states improve their record keeping systems, which aim to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.
Legislation by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to improve security at America's embassies and for rail and refineries passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday and now heads to the president's desk for his signature, the St. Helena Democrat's office announced.
It's a given that recent rains and prospects of a major storm on Wednesday offer hope of relief for California, but they do little to mollify concerns about the state's historic drought conditions.
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, the Napa Democrat who represents Benicia in the House of Representatives, said Tuesday that all five counties within the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region, including Solano, have endorsed permanent protection for the area.
President Obama recently used his executive authority to permanently safeguard two of California's natural treasures. He officially expanded the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands and he designated 346,000 acres of public land in Southern California as the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
No need to look for the WD-40 at Monday morning's turkey and food box distribution at the Vallejo Salvation Army. After five years, it's a well-oiled machine.
"It's running very smoothly," said Capt. Jonathan Harvey after pulling up in the Salvation Army's new 20-foot mobile assistance vehicle.
As the camouflaged military vehicle drove slowly by in the Petaluma Veterans Day parade Tuesday, Meggie Haley ran out to hand deliver a very special message to a veteran on board:
"Thank you very much for making me and everybody else safer," her handmade note read.
Since Americans should respect and honor the nation's veterans and active-duty military every day, every day should be Veterans Day. That was the message delivered by several speakers at this city's Community Center Gym on Tuesday.