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Mojave leaders laud regulatory reprieve
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
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By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
McQuiston announces Assembly run
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
City evaluates fiscal emergency
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| Mojave Air and Space Port CEO Stuart Witt (left) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy address the press at a recent conference in Mojave. Photo by Laura Austin |
Commercial spaceflight leaders in Mojave are
lauding the passage of a bill that extends
regulatory relief for the prospering industry, and
hailing Rep. Kevin McCarthy for his role in
protecting the interests of an important local
economic engine.
In 2004 Congress passed a bill that waived
certain Federal Aviation Administration authority
over the commercial space industry. McCarthy
said this essentially created an eight-year
“learning period,” previously set to expire in
December 2012, that would gather the data upon
which future regulation would be formed.
Although the last decade has seen significant
commercial spaceflight milestones — many of
which occurred at Mojave Air and Space Port —
licensed private spaceflight is not yet a reality.
The four-year extension on regulation provided in
the bill will serve as a bridge to appropriate
industry regulation.
McCarthy says that this reprieve will also
“promote continued innovation, growth and job
creation in this cutting-edge sector of our
economy.”
lauding the passage of a bill that extends
regulatory relief for the prospering industry, and
hailing Rep. Kevin McCarthy for his role in
protecting the interests of an important local
economic engine.
In 2004 Congress passed a bill that waived
certain Federal Aviation Administration authority
over the commercial space industry. McCarthy
said this essentially created an eight-year
“learning period,” previously set to expire in
December 2012, that would gather the data upon
which future regulation would be formed.
Although the last decade has seen significant
commercial spaceflight milestones — many of
which occurred at Mojave Air and Space Port —
licensed private spaceflight is not yet a reality.
The four-year extension on regulation provided in
the bill will serve as a bridge to appropriate
industry regulation.
McCarthy says that this reprieve will also
“promote continued innovation, growth and job
creation in this cutting-edge sector of our
economy.”
Gov. Jerry Brown’s act to dissolve redevelopment agencies, a
decision that was upheld by a recent California Supreme Court
decision, represents what equates to a midyear budget cut for
Ridgecrest and makes up the lion’s share of an estimated
$900,000 shortfall for the remaining five months of the fiscal year.
City Manager Kurt Wilson said that cities all over the state are
suffering not only because of the loss of a significant funding
stream, but also because the last-minute legislation and surprise
Supreme Court decision left a tiny timeframe — which ended Feb. 1
— in which to act. And with legal experts floundering on interpreting
the muddy legislation, officials have warned that only time and
precedent will reveal all the implications.
decision that was upheld by a recent California Supreme Court
decision, represents what equates to a midyear budget cut for
Ridgecrest and makes up the lion’s share of an estimated
$900,000 shortfall for the remaining five months of the fiscal year.
City Manager Kurt Wilson said that cities all over the state are
suffering not only because of the loss of a significant funding
stream, but also because the last-minute legislation and surprise
Supreme Court decision left a tiny timeframe — which ended Feb. 1
— in which to act. And with legal experts floundering on interpreting
the muddy legislation, officials have warned that only time and
precedent will reveal all the implications.
Back-to-back announcements about a new financial crisis in
California have left local legislators wondering whether the cures
applied by state leaders are contributing to the longterm sickness.
State Controller John Chiang announced last Tuesday that the state
was going to run out of cash in March if the legislators did not take
swift action to find $3.3 billion through payment delays and
borrowing. On Thursday Gov. Jerry Brown approved legislation that
borrows some $865 million from existing accounts — including
those of education earmarked for transporting students. Another
$2.4 billion in payments will be delayed to universities, counties and
Medi-Cal, as well as additional borrowing from outside investors.
California have left local legislators wondering whether the cures
applied by state leaders are contributing to the longterm sickness.
State Controller John Chiang announced last Tuesday that the state
was going to run out of cash in March if the legislators did not take
swift action to find $3.3 billion through payment delays and
borrowing. On Thursday Gov. Jerry Brown approved legislation that
borrows some $865 million from existing accounts — including
those of education earmarked for transporting students. Another
$2.4 billion in payments will be delayed to universities, counties and
Medi-Cal, as well as additional borrowing from outside investors.
Chiang: state could
run out of money in March
run out of money in March
| Pigeons take off following an afternoon perch on the Heritage Village shopping center clock tower. ( click for large photo ) Photo by Laura Austin |
By JAMES SIMMONS, News Review Correspondent
Kern County 1st District Supervisor Jon McQuiston announ-ced his candidacy today for a seat
in the state Assembly representing the new 32nd California Assembly District.
The newly created 32nd District will come into existence on Jan. 1, 2013, McQuiston said, as a
result of the reapportionment process following the 2010 U.S. census.
The district is located in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley and is bisected by Interstate 5
from the Kings and Fresno county line near Avenal in the north to the Highway 99 and I-5 split
in the south.
in the state Assembly representing the new 32nd California Assembly District.
The newly created 32nd District will come into existence on Jan. 1, 2013, McQuiston said, as a
result of the reapportionment process following the 2010 U.S. census.
The district is located in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley and is bisected by Interstate 5
from the Kings and Fresno county line near Avenal in the north to the Highway 99 and I-5 split
in the south.
| Jon McQuiston |
Board approves reduction
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
In an apparent effort to increase efficiency and
reduce expenses, the Sierra Sands Unified
School District Board of Education moved
forward, with a vote of 5-2, to start the process
aimed at reducing the number of board seats
from seven to five.
reduce expenses, the Sierra Sands Unified
School District Board of Education moved
forward, with a vote of 5-2, to start the process
aimed at reducing the number of board seats
from seven to five.