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September 7, 2006
Garberville: Redwood TimesCongressman Mike Thompson held an early morning meeting with selected local residents at the Benbow Inn on Thursday, August 31, accompanied by his field representative Liz Murguia. The meeting was arranged and hosted by John Porter, owner of the Benbow Inn, and the Garberville/Redway Chamber of Commerce to allow the Congressman to touch base with his constituents during the August Congressional recess.
August 17, 2006
Today, President Bush signed a measure into law that will aid in the protection of thousands of acres of the nation's shrinking agricultural lands. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), who serves on the Ways and Means Committee, spearheaded efforts to create the new tax provision. It will increase deductions available to farmers, ranchers and other landowners who donate their property for conservation purposes. These land donations, called conservation easements, allow farmers and ranchers to continue using the land, while protecting the property from future development.
Issues:Jobs & Economy
August 11, 2006
Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to the House resolution introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) recognizing the significance of the Napa Valley victory at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting. House Concurrent Resolution 399 recognizes both the outstanding accomplishments of those responsible for the winning wines and also the many successes of the California wine industry in the thirty years since this event. In 1976, the world of wine was astounded when two Napa Valley wines won a blind taste test held by leading French wine experts in Paris, France.
Issues:Wine & Agriculture
August 10, 2006
Statement made today by North Coast Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) in response to U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez's announcement that the Klamath River has been named a commercial fisheries failure:
Issues:Energy & Environment
August 5, 2006
Last night, the U.S. Senate gave final approval to legislation that is intended to help protect thousands of acres of agricultural lands and open space throughout California and the nation. The measure is an important tax provision that will expand deductions available to landowners who donate their land for conservation purposes. As a member of the Way and Means Committee, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) championed the provision, securing its approval in the House of Representatives last month. The bill now goes to the President for his signature into law.
Issues:Energy & Environment
July 26, 2006
Santa Rosa: Press DemocratFive years of hard work and persistence finally paid off for Rep. Mike Thompson this week. The House on Monday approved a compromise plan to designate 273,000 acres of California lands as wilderness area, much of it on the North Coast. The centerpiece of this deal is preservation of 42,585 acres of the majestic King Range National Conservation Area south of Eureka. Much of the remaining lands are in the Mendocino and Six Rivers national forests and includes 27,000 acres in the Cache Creek area in Lake County. Sen.
Issues:Energy & Environment
July 25, 2006
San Francisco ChronicleThe House approved the largest new wilderness area for California in more than a decade, offering permanent protection for more than 273,000 acres of coastal mountains, scenic rivers and forests stretching from Napa to the Oregon border. The newly designated wilderness covers five Northern California counties and would include parts of the King Range -- which has the longest stretch of undeveloped coast in the lower 48 states -- and Cedar Roughs, the world's largest grove of rare Sargent cypress trees.
Issues:Energy & Environment
July 19, 2006
Today, the U.S. House Resources Committee passed by voice vote the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Act (H.R. 233). This bill has unanimously passed the Senate twice and would designate more than 275,000 acres of northern California as wilderness and approximately 79,000 acres as a Recreation Management Area for off-highway vehicles and mountain bikes, all of which is already public land.
Issues:Energy & Environment
July 2, 2006
Santa Rosa Press DemocratThe smoke and the smell of charcoal wafted through the air Saturday as hundreds of salmon steaks sizzled on giant grills at Fort Bragg's Noyo Harbor for the 35th annual salmon barbecue. It appeared to be a typical Fourth of July barbecue, but just below the surface lurked a more serious tone. The irony of so much grilled salmon and so little opportunity for commercial fishermen to catch them was lost on few of those from the local fishing community. "It does bother me not to be able to make a living," said Jerry Wall, who fishes commercially part time.
Issues:Energy & Environment
June 17, 2006
Earlier this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 10 Northern California counties affected by the federal government's decision to severely restrict ocean salmon fishing. In doing so, he made commercial fishermen in Del Norte and nine other counties eligible for state-guaranteed loans totaling $9.2 million.
Issues:Energy & Environment