Bargaining Team Working For You. Your CAPS Bargaining Team met last week to strategize and create guiding documents for the next Bargaining Team. Bargaining for the next CAPS MOU will begin with the “Sunshine” Process in January 2020. Other topics discussed included two side letters that if added to the current MOU will clarify some confusion regarding implementation of change in work week group and overtime meal allowances; how to properly transition the incoming Bargaining Team; and any issues that have arisen from the current MOU language. The Team will host a meet-and-greet with Bargaining Unit 10’s new Interim Labor Relations Officer from CalHR, Jacquelyn Sanders, this week. This meeting will serve as an opportunity to educate and inform the new Administration of State Scientists’ history and goals at the Bargaining Table.
CAPS Endorses Member Running for State Assembly. The CAPS Board of Directors has voted to endorse Democrat Elizabeth Betancourt, a CAPS member, in the special election to fill Assembly District 1 (AD 1), which covers large parts of the north east part of California from Modoc County to Placer County. The AD 1 special primary election will be August 27 with a general election on November 5, should it be necessary.
This special election became necessary due to the recent special election of former AD 1 Assembly Member Brian Dahle to the State Senate.
Betancourt is currently the Chief of the Cannabis Permitting and Compliance Unit at the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. She is also a farmer, small business owner, and rural advocate who resides in Shasta County. She studied environmental biology and management at UC Davis for her Bachelor’s degree, and has a Master’s of Science in watershed science from Colorado State University.
She has seen the challenges faced by rural communities, such as a changing economy, neglected landscapes, and limited rural infrastructure funding, and wants to be a voice in Sacramento to help these communities thrive.
This is what CAPS President Patty Velez said in Betancourt’s press release announcing CAPS’ endorsement: “California is facing the existential threat of climate change, including air and water quality degradation and increasing dangers to public health. On behalf of CAPS’ 3,000 members, we are proud to endorse a scientist for California State Assembly District 1, and know she will serve our state and her constituents with distinction.”
If you are interested in volunteering for Elizabeth’s campaign, or would like more information, you may visit BetancourtForAssembly.com or call (530) 289-8571.
CalHR Releases Open Enrollment Toolkit. Open Enrollment begins September 9, 2019 and ends October 4, 2019. During this period, eligible employees may enroll in, cancel, or change health, dental, and vision plans; add or delete dependents; enroll (or re-enroll) in a FlexElect program; and or enroll in a cash option in lieu of health and/or dental coverage if you have other qualifying health coverage. The CalHR Toolkit can be found here: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/benefits/Pages/open-enrollment-toolkit.aspx
Board of Directors’ Meeting Scheduled for August 24. The next Board of Directors’ meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown Arena (300 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814), commencing at 9 a.m. All members are welcome to attend; parking will be validated. The Agenda and Proposed Motions can be found on the CAPS website in the Members Only section.
News Briefs
Bird owners take precaution to avoid deadly chicken disease spreading through California — People who own chickens are taking extra precautions to protect their flocks, as a deadly bird disease creeps closer to San Diego County. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a quarantine for birds in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties after reports of the disease. With all three counties surrounding San Diego, officials here have issued warnings to chicken owners to look out for symptoms.
California Cuts Carbon Emissions Even as Economy Hums — California’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped again in 2017, air quality regulators reported Monday, and the dive occurred without hurting the Golden State’s raging economy. An annual report released by the California Air Resources Board says the state’s economy grew by 3.6% even as its emissions fell well below a target set by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. This means California remains on track to meet its goal of cutting emissions to 431 million metric tons by 2020, and has a good shot at reducing emissions to less than 300 million metric tons by 2030.