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- Written by: California Controller's Office
California State Controller Betty T. Yee, a member of the CalPERS, CalSTRS and Ceres boards, was invited to participate in the Vatican Dialogue as a member of a group of policy, civil society, finance, academic, and legal experts along with executives from the world’s leading oil and gas producers and global investors.
Participants signed statements on the importance of carbon pricing toward the reduction of emissions, and the necessity for disclosures to provide clear information on strategies and actions regarding climate change.
“Climate change does not recognize human-drawn borders, and neither should our international response,” said Controller Yee. “At the urging of His Holiness Pope Francis who has declared a climate emergency, it is encouraging to see oil and gas company CEOs, investors and climate experts agree that the pressing transition to a low-carbon global economy depends on more robust climate-related disclosure and carbon pricing policies while advancing human and economic prosperity.”
As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Tariffs on U.S. wine sold in China rose to 54 percent this month, up from 14 percent in March 2018.
In Japan, the tariff on U.S. wine is 15 percent. In both countries, foreign competitors face either no or significantly lower tariffs, making it harder for U.S wineries to compete.
“As you conduct trade negotiations with China and Japan, we expect that you will consult closely with Congress on your objectives, requests, and progress,” the members wrote. “We urge you to ensure that any new agreements result in the removal of all tariffs, retaliatory or otherwise, on U.S. wine. The administration must do all it can to support the international competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.”
In addition to Senator Feinstein, the Senate letter was signed by Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
In addition to Representative Thompson, the House letter was signed by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).
Full text of the letter follows.
June 11, 2019
The Honorable Robert Lighthizer
U.S. Trade Representative
600 17th St. NW
Washington D.C. 20508
Dear Ambassador Lighthizer:
As you conduct trade negotiations with China and Japan, we expect that you will consult closely with Congress on your objectives, requests, and progress. We urge you to ensure that any new agreements result in the removal of all tariffs, retaliatory or otherwise, on U.S. wine. The Administration must do all it can to support the international competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.
After years of strong growth, U.S. wine exports to China fell dramatically in 2018 as China implemented retaliatory tariffs. On June 1, tariffs on U.S. wine sold in China rose to 54 percent, up from just 14 percent in March 2018. Recent Chinese free trade agreements with Chile, Australia, and New Zealand have made competition even more difficult for U.S. wine makers. Despite more than a decade of concerted marketing efforts in China, including substantial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. wine will not be able to maintain a long-term Chinese presence in the face of such a wide disparity in trade conditions.
In Japan, U.S. wine producers face a 15 percent tariff while tariffs are being eliminated on wine produced by foreign competitors. For example, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement that went into effect in February grants EU wine duty-free access to the market. Similarly, a Chile-Japan agreement will begin phasing out duties on Chilean wine this year, and an Australia-Japan agreement will eliminate duties on Australian wine by April 2021.
As your negotiations with China and Japan progress, we urge you to ensure that any new agreements include the removal of all tariffs on U.S. wine. The Administration must do all it can to support the international competitiveness of U.S. industries.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. We look forward to your response.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The workshop will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
With the recent devastation in Northern California due to the wildfires it is clear to all that havoc from natural disasters can alter an individual’s life in seconds.
All small business owners impacted by natural disasters, either directly or indirectly, are finding they have many new unanswered questions on a personal and professional level of operating a business.
This free workshop will help guide the entrepreneur to be better prepared when and if the next disaster strikes.
What you can expect to learn:
• Ways to protect your assets.
• What does Insurance really cover?
• Licenses, records and paperwork.
• How to put your documents in the cloud.
• Leading your employees.
• How to get help for your business.
For registered attendees, this two-hour workshop includes a 56 page take-home guidebook with worksheets and resources.
Instructor Rachel Clark has worked as an EMyth business coach for 14 years, helping clients transform their businesses and lives using the tools, methodologies and principles of the EMyth coaching program.
Using her formal education in marketing and economics (coupled with years of experience in executive recruiting), Clark helps clients ready to work on their leadership and business skills.
To register, click here.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
A total of 15 male flies and one female fly were detected.
Following the principles of Integrated Pest Management, CDFA primarily used the “male attractant” technique to eradicate this pest.
Trained workers squirt a small patch of fly attractant mixed with a very small dose of pesticide approximately 8 to 10 feet off the ground on street trees and similar surfaces; male fruit flies are attracted to the mixture and perish after consuming it.
This approach has successfully eliminated dozens of fruit fly infestations in California over the last several decades.
CDFA, the USDA, the Yolo County agricultural commissioner and the Sacramento County agricultural commissioner acknowledge and thank local area residents and businesses for their cooperation in preventing the movement of backyard fruit and allowing property access to perform critical eradication activities.
The Oriental fruit fly is known to target over 230 different fruit, vegetable, and plant commodities. Damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays eggs inside the fruit or vegetable. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit or vegetable, making it unfit for consumption.
The Oriental fruit fly is widespread throughout much of mainland southern Asia and neighboring islands, including Sri Lanka and Taiwan, and it has invaded other areas, including Africa and Hawaii.
While fruit flies and other invasive species that threaten California’s crops and natural environment are sometimes detected in agricultural areas, the vast majority are found in urban and suburban communities.
The most common pathway for these pests to enter the state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers when they return from infested regions of the world.
Help protect California’s agricultural and natural resources; please Don’t Pack a Pest when traveling or mailing packages.