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August 3, 2012
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Downtown Vallejo got a shot in the arm Thursday with news the city has received a $1.15 million federal grant to pay for new sidewalks, landscaping, crosswalks and street pavement.

The money will pay for the third phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project designed to revitalize the area and also improve access to the Vallejo Baylink Ferry terminal.

"This is great news that we've been awarded more money. With this money we'll work on finishing up the design" for downtown improvements, City Engineer Jill Mercurio said.

July 30, 2012
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The Hopland Fire Department added a new fire engine to its fleet this week thanks in large part to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D - St. Helena), who wrote a letter in support of the HFD receiving the money, came to Hopland Friday afternoon to congratulate the department on its purchase.

"We didn't have a reliable engine," HFD Chief John Bartlett said, describing the new Wildland Type 2 fire engine as "much-needed" equipment that will hold more firefighters and has a larger pump.

July 30, 2012
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I am pleased that Sen. Barbara Boxer has introduced a companion Senate bill to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area following Rep. Mike Thompson's introduction of a House bill. This designation will be important to Lake Berryessa.

Until now, those who enjoy Lake Berryessa have primarily come for the boating. With new facilities and campgrounds (once we finally get them) and with plans for various trails at the lake and on adjacent public land, there is an opportunity to diversify the recreational activities and the market for the lake.

July 27, 2012

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means today, with other Ways and Means Democrats announced the introduction of H.R. 6182, the American Advanced Energy Manufacturing Jobs Act of 2012. The legislation provides a 30 percent investment tax credit to businesses that purchase equipment that is used to manufacture components of clean energy projects such as solar panels and wind turbines in the U.S.


July 26, 2012
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"In this case, Northern Californians are the losers," Jackie Speier said.

Gov. Jerry Brown and federal officials announced Wednesday plans for a future water delivery system that includes the construction of a $14 billion pair of tunnels that would divert water from the Sacramento River.

Gov. Jerry Brown and federal officials announced Wednesday plans for a future water delivery system that includes the construction of a $14 billion pair of tunnels that would divert water from the Sacramento River.

July 26, 2012
News Articles
The Department of Defense will buy only American-made American flags from now on, at the urging of Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena, his office announced.

This week, Thompson "secured a bipartisan agreement to require that every American flag purchased by the DOD to be 100 percent manufactured in the United States," according to the announcement. These flags should be made "from articles, materials, or supplies that are 100 percent of grown, produced or manufactured in the United States," it notes.

Currently the DOD is not required to buy American-made flags.

July 26, 2012
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The unveiling of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan resulted in several groups and California members of Congress expressing their opposition to the plan.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that they intend to move forward with construction of a massive tunnel system underneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, ultimately shipping water south and economically and environmentally devastating the region.

July 25, 2012
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Northern California members of Congress are firing back at Governor Jerry Brown's plan for a pair of tunnels to move water south from the Sacramento River.

A group of congressional representatives, including Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez), and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo), spoke out Wednesday at a Capitol Hill news conference to urge the governor to delay the project until its full impact can be determined.

July 25, 2012
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For his work to protect the America's public lands, including the Berryessa Snow Mountain area in his district, Congressman Mike Thompson was honored by The Wilderness Society and other organizations as one of America's Great Outdoors Congressional Champions.

Rep. Thompson introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act (H.R. 5545) that would protect more than 300,000 acres of oak savannah, pine and fir forests, and rivers in California. This area is a haven for plants and animals and is a popular recreation destination for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

July 25, 2012
Today, several U.S. Representatives from northern California responded to the unveiling of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). The representatives have been vocal in their opposition to any BDCP agreement that is not based on sound science and will likely cause economic and environmental harm to the Bay-Delta and northern California.