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This was originally printed as an opinion piece in the Bakersfield Californian.

The recent confirmation that legally prescribed opioids caused the death of the iconic musician Prince has become an all too familiar tale for families across the nation. From the penthouse to the pavement, from the superstar to our children, this addiction can be deadly. Every 19 minutes we lose an American to opioid overdose. We must respond aggressively to this epidemic.

You may have read recently that California counties are reportedly not doing enough to promote gender equality when it comes to compensating employees. As a Solano County Supervisor and one of the co-chairs for CSAC’s Women’s Leadership Forum, I take this very seriously. And I speak for CSAC when I say that we will work with our counties and the Legislature to address issues identified recently in a report by the California State Auditor. However, I think it’s also important to put the report in context and acknowledge the progress that women have made in the county workforce.

Watch a video about tree mortality at this link.

Seeing is believing as the old saying goes. Maybe that’s why tree mortality isn’t a bigger issue for more people. If you haven’t seen it for yourself, it’s hard to believe that 29 million trees have already died in our foothill and mountain counties, and many more will probably die. So, I urge you to watch the video that’s linked to this blog posting. In stark footage, it shows how drought and bark beetles are having a disastrous impact on our forests—especially Ponderosa Pines.

To watch a video about this program, please click here.

Imagine going into the kitchen to make coffee in the morning, turning on the faucet and nothing comes out? The shower? Dry. Outside spigots? Nothing. For many people in Tuolumne County, that is their reality. “It’s scary,” said Sue Hackett. She and her husband Chris live on a small ranch outside of Sonora.  The well on their property ran dry several months ago. “It’s like, what are we going to do with this house? Where are we going to live? With no district water close by, it’s hard to know what to do.” 

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”
― Abraham Lincoln

To watch a short video about the program, click here.

Maybe it’s patriotism or pride. Maybe it’s the shared experiences of being in the military but it seems like veterans — even those who never served together — share a common bond.  There is a depth of understanding and camaraderie.  Maybe that’s one reason why in an ordinary government building in Orange County, something very special is happening.

Please watch a short video about this program here.

As the defendant steps up for his court hearing, Judge Denine Guy comments how he is wearing a different Star Wars T-shirt from his last appearance. She asks him how many he has and he replies, “Six or seven.” In a legal system where misdemeanors are often looked at in terms of specific case numbers rather than the individuals behind them, Judge Guy’s comments stand out. She remembers this defendant; she knows his story and what it will take to help him turn his life around.

Please watch a short video of the program here.

Despite being surrounded by a dozen people talking and moving around, Humu – a 2-year-old butterscotch labradoodle – lies motionless on the floor. It’s not that Humu doesn’t have a care in the world; he’s just been trained as a service dog – and that training began at the Southwest Juvenile Hall in Riverside County. Near him a young, small black and white dog named PJ scampers around, anxious to see everyone in the room and oblivious to any commands cast his way. PJ is awaiting training that will soon begin at the hands of the one of juveniles housed at the facility.

Please watch a video about the six-county collaboration on marijuana policy here.

There are some issues that transcend local government boundaries. Air pollution, traffic congestion, crime — these issues ignore lines on a map. The same is true for medical marijuana, which is legal in California. However, growing, selling and using it, even for medicinal purposes, can cause all kinds of problems that do not stay within local jurisdictional boundaries.

Please watch a video about this program here.
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Rural counties often face unique challenges. For example, they might find it more difficult to educate and train a qualified workforce. That has been true in Amador County which has been struggling with two different but related issues. Amador does not have a Community College Campus and it is no coincidence that the County Behavioral Health Department could not find enough people with the right certification to work as mental health technicians.