El Chicano 02 09 2017

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e e k l y W EL CHICANo Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!

Vol 54, NO. 8

THIS WEEK Health leaders discuss successes, Gloria’s Corner challenges of Medi-Cal coverage and Words To Think About

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From left to right: SAC Health Systems President Nancy Young, Executive Director of Behavioral

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Assemblymember Reyes Health Maryellen Westerberg, and Clinical Therapist Sara Saenz-Pavon. sworn in by community, hailed by labor and The expected dismantlement of ed,” Gallegos, an immigrant rights environmental leaders By Anthony Victoria the Affordable Care Act by advocate with the TODEC Legal

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roviding medical treatment for low income and immigrant children is a scarcity that often leads to negative impacts, Perris resident Luz Gallegos argues.

Federal Republican legislators has Center, said about the lack of Gallegos and thousands of others health care access . “This will conin the Inland region distressed tinue to happen.” over their health. Several health professionals and “As a mother it breaks my heart that children are the most impactMedi-Cal cont. on next page

So-Cal air board postpones vote on long term plan

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By Anthony Victoria

Dignity Health hospitals reach 62 local schools during kindness challenge A12

INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES

Gloria’s Corner Words To think About Legal Notices Opinion

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HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Fax: (909) 384-0406 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com

PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA

Earthjustice Attorney Adrian Martinez speaking to members of the media outside the South Coast Air Quality Management District headquarters in Diamond Bar on Feb. 3, 2017. Members of the Sierra Club, along with hundreds of other community members attended the air regulator agency's monthly meeting to urge them to pass a air quality plan that mandates industry to significantly reduce emission

outhern California air regulators on Friday postponed their vote to approve a 15-year plan that has caused contentious debates among environmentalists and industry representatives. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which represents Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, voted 9-3 in favor of pushing back the decision to March. First introduced in June 2016, the Air Quality Management Plan intended to focus on providing approximately $1 billion in incentives in hopes of encouraging industry to switch onto cleaner technology. Air quality officials were originally aiming to work with cargo hauling and logistics companies to formulate voluntary emission reductions. Instead, the SCAQMD now goes back to the drawing board--hoping to come up with a plan that takes into account past shortcomings with regulations and emission reduction goals. AQMP cont. on next page

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.com February 9, 2017

Leyva Bill Helps Small Businesses, Communities Apply for Green Funds

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n response to growing needs by low income and disadvantaged communities seeking funds for climate mitigation and adaptation, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today introduced legislation that will help to continue California’s local leadership on climate and substantially improve the ability of local cities, non-profits and small businesses to compete for climate investment funds. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, SB 263 will provide capacity-building support to small communities and businesses to develop projects, partnerships, leadership, resources, and applications to compete for state funding. California is home to some of the worst air quality in the nation, particularly communities in the Inland Empire that serve as a primary route for transporting goods from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to other parts of the nation. Many of California’s most polluted areas are small disadvantaged communities— regions with higher rates of poverty and elevated incidences of asthma and cancer. These smaller communities, non-profits and businesses oftentimes do not have the infrastructure, technical expertise or marketing capabilities to develop and pursue state financing options, leaving them at a clear disadvantage. “SB 263 will help to connect small communities and businesses with critical funding to help lessen the negative impacts of poor air quality,” Senator Leyva said. “There is currently no single place for these communities and groups to turn to for assistance, so I am pleased that SB 263 will help to increase use of these funds in disadvantaged areas across California. This legislation will also help to lower the cost of doing business and decrease the burden on taxpayers as these small communities and businesses access available funds. The Building Local Climate Leadership Program addresses a real gap between the resources currently available for small communities, non-profits and businesses and their ability to access them.”


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