News Briefs

News Briefs

CLEARLAKE

Home repair applications being accepted now

If you are a qualifying low-income homeowner, owning both the home and the property on which it sits, you may be eligible for critical health and safety repairs to your home or handicap and accessibility modifications and upgrades. Whether your home requires electrical work, plumbing repairs, roofing repairs, a wheelchair ramp or lift, deck repairs, and more, Habitat for Humanity Lake County may be able to assist you. Applications are being accepted now. Applications are available at the office on 15312 Lakeshore Dr. Clearlake, behind Foods Etc. You may also call 707-994-1100 to have one mailed to you, or download one from the website at http://lakehabitat.org/brush-of-kindness-home-repair-program/. Funding is limited; apply today.

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SACRAMENTO

Senator McGuire again named Assistant Majority Leader, third highest ranking in the State Senate

This week, Senator Mike McGuire was again named Assistant Majority Leader of the California State Senate by Senate President Toni Atkins. McGuire has held the post for the last two years.

“I am deeply honored to work with President Atkins and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help lead the Senate during what has been one of the most difficult times for our state and nation. Tackling this pandemic, expediting vaccine distribution and economic recovery will remain our top priorities here in 2021. And, we must be relentless in our continued pursuit to build more affordable housing, tackle our homelessness crisis and invest more in resources that will keep our communities safe from the growing threat of wildland fires,” McGuire said.

Sen. McGuire will continue to serve as Chair of the Senate’s Governance & Finance Committee, which is responsible for hearing legislation related to tax and revenue, most housing and housing financing bills, all land use and development policy, proposed new local government laws and district revenue legislation. McGuire will also continue to serve as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus.

Additionally, McGuire sits on the following committees: Budget & Fiscal Review, Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection & Energy, Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response, Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, Energy, Utilities & Commerce, Transportation, Housing, Education, Joint Rules and he Chairs the Joint Committee on Fisheries & Aquaculture.

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SACRAMENTO

Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry bill will require California olives in “California” olive oil

This week, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) introduced AB 535, which establishes clear guidelines on when the olive oil industry can use the term “California” on its product labeling and marketing. This bill protects Californian olive growers and manufacturers from being undercut in the market by oils that benefit from using the “California” name to mislead consumers about what they are buying.

AB 535 is a reintroduction bill of last year’s AB 2074. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bills were limited to prioritize COVID-19 and emergency-related legislation. However, Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry is determined to protect farmers and consumers.

“We demand the highest environmental, labor and consumer protection standards in the world of our farmers,” said Aguiar-Curry. “And, people worldwide recognize ‘California’ products come with that quality, based on those standards.  Our State’s name should not be used as a cynical marketing ploy to give the impression you’re buying something you’re not.”

Currently, the state produces approximately 4% of the world’s olive oil from over 75 varieties of olives. Due to California’s well-established reputation for producing high-quality goods, the demand for Californian olive oil is increasing.  Because of this high demand, there has been branding of olive oil with the term “California” or with a Californian regional designation even when the products blend oils from other places, including Spain, North Africa, Chile and Argentina. Some of these products, per those companies, have included as little as 14% California olive oil in such blends.

Existing law prohibits the labeling of olive oil as “California Olive Oil” unless 100% of the oil is derived from olives grown in the state. However, through a loophole in current law, a bottle of olive oil may be advertised as a “California” brand or a “California” company, but the fine print will specify that the oil inside the bottle is not derived entirely from California olives.  AB 535 strengthens existing law by making it illegal to make any false representation that an olive oil is produced entirely from olives grown within California. Similarly, the bill applies a prohibition on false representations that an olive oil was produced from olives grown in a specific region of California, unless at least 85% of the olive oil was produced from olives grown in that region.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture requires California Olive Oil to meet strict quality standards, such as mandatory testing and sampling. California farmers compete around the world with farmers whose states or countries demand less stringent regulatory and testing standards.

“This bill will ensure that consumers know exactly what they are buying, and it will help to support our local farmers who are producing world class oils from olives grown here in our State. If we’re going to demand the best, we owe it to California farmers to at least support truth in the marketplace. It’s time we stop people from profiting off our name, by giving the impression consumers are getting something they’re not,” said Aguiar-Curry.

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Published at Sat, 13 Feb 2021 14:45:31 +0000