It’s an honor to serve; now let’s get to work

It’s an honor to be your new representative in Congress. I was born and raised in the communities of California’s 3rd District, graduating from local public schools. This is my home and I will fight in every way I can to protect our quality of life. My job, simply put, is to serve you. That means working with both sides of the aisle to forge constructive compromises and delivering concrete results for our district. As soon as I was sworn in, this approach was immediately put to the test with the arrival of devastating storms.

I sought out partners in both parties to strengthen California’s response, ensuring the greatest measure of federal assistance was provided. My o ce sent a letter to President Biden requesting a Major Disaster Declaration, a necessary condition for federal aid.

I am grateful that the president fulfilled that request; my o ce is now assisting constituents in applying for the aid that became available as a result.

I also toured storm damage in Folsom, distributed food and emergency kits in Georgetown and met with FEMA to discuss the storm response in Sacramento. After residents alerted my o ce to a deterioration of service at the South Lake Tahoe Post O ce, I drove there to speak with folks a ected by the failure to deliver mail and worked with the USPS to return service to the region.

The following week I was back in Washington, D.C., and met with President Biden at the White House. The topic was another disaster that struck our region: the 2021 Caldor Fire. I reminded the president that his promise to assist those who lost their homes has not been kept. The next day I recounted my conversation with the president in a speech on the House floor. My o ce is working with the White House to finally secure the relief that was promised.

Over the next few months my top priorities are to rein in inflation, promote choice in education, bring accountability to the federal government and assist constituents in any way I can.

As we’ve worked to address these pressing matters, I am also partnering with colleagues to introduce solutions to California’s mounting crises. I joined Rep. Valadao and other California representatives to co-sponsor legislation to increase water storage capacity. We must finally end the absurdity of California simultaneously enduring a severe drought and significant flooding. This bill will go a long way toward a stable, reliable and sustainable water supply.

I also spoke on the House floor to support policies to mitigate the risk and severity of catastrophic wildfires and to reform our education system. As a former high school English teacher and now member of the Education Committee, I will work to protect the rights of parents and ensure every child receives a quality education.

Over the next few months my top priorities are to rein in inflation, promote choice in education, bring accountability to the federal government and assist constituents in any way I can. If you need help with a federal agency, scheduling a D.C. tour or simply aren’t sure where to turn, my o ce is here to assist. You can get in touch with me by calling (202) 225-2523 or visiting Kiley.House.gov.

Congressman Kevin Kiley represents California’s 3rd District in the House of Representatives.

Chambers Continued from A1 arrested on suspicion of DUI and attempting to flee the scene but after more than a month of further examination of evidence California Highway Patrol officers took her into custody Dec. 20, 2022, on heftier accusations connected to the death of Mason Visman, who investigators say was a passenger in the Mercedes-Benz Chambers was driving.

Visman, 34, was found deceased in the bushes alongside Highway 50 at Mosquito Road near the scene of the crash the day after the incident, Nov. 12, but Chambers had claimed she was the sole occupant of the vehicle, according to CHP’s collision report. CHP’s investigation found that Visman, also a Camino resident, had been inside Chambers’ car when it collided with a Toyota Prius and he was ejected from the vehicle.

Chambers is out of jail on $275,000 bail, according to inmate records.

As a condition of Chambers’ release from custody as she awaits trial, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Jamie Pesce ruled that Chambers, who faces an enhancement of charges against her for allegedly having a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit, must abstain from the use of alcohol and be fitted with a GPS monitor and a blood alcohol level monitor. Chambers is also not to leave the county and must attend five Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week.

Chambers is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in county superior court Department 7 at 8 a.m. March 14.

Walters Continued from A4

The dynamics of a three-way Democratic duel for the Senate are complex, involving ideology, gender, geography, congressional records, age and, of course, money. It takes millions of dollars, and perhaps tens of millions, for a credible senatorial campaign in California and at the moment it’s uncertain which of the three is the presumptive frontrunner.

At the very least, having three congressional members running for the Senate means the outcome will be a career-ender for at least two of them.

Meanwhile, the prospect of having three open congressional seats touches off scrambles of their own, particularly among state legislators. Democrats will retain Schiff’s and Lee’s districts, but Porter barely won re-election in her Orange County district last year, so Republicans have a rare opportunity to pad their thin congressional ranks.

Porter has endorsed Democratic state Sen. Dave Min to succeed her in Congress but two other Democrats have also announced: Dom Jones, a contestant on “The Amazing Race” reality TV show, and former Congressman Harley Rouda. Scott Baugh, a former Republican legislator who very nearly defeated Porter last year, will take another shot at the seat in a district that is rated a toss-up due to its voter registration (D-35.6%, R-33.9%) and past voting record.

Schiff’s announcement also generated a wavelet of would-be successors, including Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, termedout state Sen. Anthony Portantino, former Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, Los Angeles school board member Nick Melvoin and actor Ben Savage.

The third tier of political musical games involves those who would succeed the state legislators who will be running for Congress next year.

When state Sen. Dave Min declared for Congress, it was a relief for another Democratic senator, Josh Newman, because redistricting after the 2020 census had put both of them into one new Senate district. They may not be facing each other next year but Newman won’t have an uncontested re-election run because former Republican Assemblyman Steve Choi, who lost his seat in 2022 due redistricting changes, says he will seek the Senate seat.

The music is playing, so let the games begin.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Letters Continued from A4 of guns and ammunition? No. Go back to prison to finish their existing sentence? No. So what happened? They got a 10-day time out in jail and were then released to go right back to what they had been doing, preying on the public. And they’d probably be rearmed as it’s common for a released inmate to be rearmed within a day or two of release.

Mr. Meyer is so right. (Passing) gun laws that only the honest pay any attention to while permitting the wholesale release of violent felons is like enacting gasoline control while permitting the the release of arsonists.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

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AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762 ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Ready for real change?

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to approve Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM), slashing payments for excess solar production sent to the grid by 75%.

CPUC voted to cut the average export rate in California from $0.30 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh, making the cuts effective on April 15, 2023. Customers who have new systems installed and approved for grid interconnection before the effective date in April will be grandfathered in to NEM 2.0 rates. During the vote, the Commission said the balancing of costs and bene ts continue to be “quite generous” under the decision. Currently, average net metering rates range from $0.23 per kWh to $0.35 per kWh, and the new proposed decision cuts those rates to an average of $0.05 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh. This is set to be the largest cut of export rates in U.S. history, in a market that represents roughly 50% of the nation’s residential solar market.

Key takeaways

• The California Public Utility Commission made their fi nal decision on the new NEM 3.0 policy in December 2022.

• The changes to California’s net metering policy will cut the value of solar energy credits by about 75 percent for PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers.

• This is a big one: existing solar customers – and people who go solar before NEM 3.0 goes into effect (through April 14) –will be grandfathered into their original net metering policy.

• Solar shoppers who submit interconnection applications after April 14, 2023 will be under NEM 3.0 and could miss out on 60 percent of solar savings, unless you add battery storage to your solar installation.

• Californians considering solar should go solar as soon as possible (and defi nitely by April 14) to lock in more favorable net metering credits.

Arrest Continued from A3 been any evidence discovered at this point that the contracted aid was selling drugs to students or staff; no students were involved in the incident.”

ORHS Principal Aaron Palm sent a message to parents following the arrest, which reiterated that no students were involved and stressed that the suspect is not an employee of Oak Ridge or the El Dorado Union High School District.

“The first priority of Oak Ridge is always the safety and well-being of our students,” Palm notes in his message. “I apologize for any confusion or concern that has come from this. We will continue to partner with EDCOE and the Sheriff’s Office on this matter.”

The principal also shared the following message released by EDCOE:

“Our top priority is to provide a safe and stable educational environment for all students. When issues arise that jeopardize this stability, it is our responsibility to communicate with you.

“Earlier today, an individual, who is an employee of a contracting agency that the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) utilizes, was taken into the custody of law enforcement on Oak Ridge’s campus while away from the classroom. There are no allegations that any misconduct took place in the classroom and students were not involved in the incident. While we understand the desire to know specifics about this event, many of the details remain confidential as law enforcement continues their investigation. The contracting individual will no longer be utilized or on our campus.

The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority and EDCOE takes all allegations of illegal conduct very seriously. By law, all contractors are required to go through a thorough background check through the Department of Justice.

While this remains a confidential law enforcement matter, and we respect the rights of due process, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to support their investigation in any way we can.” friend. You’ll strive with great enthusiasm and tremendous devotion to get it right.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Listen hard and you might get the words without the meaning. Listen soft and you’ll get another understanding. Let your mind go fuzzy and feel the emotion that’s being expressed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It doesn’t matter if the goods have to do with your personal gifts or what you have to offer in the world of business. The same rules of salesmanship apply. Provide a solution to the other person’s problem and you’re in.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There are aspects of living that make you feel alone in the world, but you also consider solitude to be a natural and tolerable state. To comfortably and independently stand is a key part of being a mature human.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The best relationships grow naturally as you interact in the world together. New relationships are part of your experience now. This will be built through steady gains. Don’t try too hard in the opening stages. Pace yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Love doesn’t envy, nor does it boast. You may feel like you’re competing with another for the attention of your love or potential love, and that’s because you are! What kind of game will you play?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Tonight, someone needs your compassion and your instruction. You’ve just completed the lesson this person is going into. Being a guide will reinforce all you’ve learned.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Who said learning must be difficult? Sometimes it’s one joy after another. Because you’re open-minded and always seeking your own development, you’ll learn a lesson without pain or inconvenience.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Between the emotional weather and the actual weather, you’ll deal with the elements. Energy Saving Tip: Try to see things from the other person’s point of view before you jump to a conclusion.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). This is a day to be proactive. Self-assigned tasks are lucky for your confidence and later for your bank account. Also, discuss the financial end of a deal right up front to avoid wasting time.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Love manifests in thought, word and action, and if it doesn’t, it’s not love. You’ll be inspired to look for and strive for spiritual generosity, which requires special effort to both give and receive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You expect certain things to be lovely and other things to be difficult. You take on difficult things because it’s worth it. You’ll condition yourself for duty. This is the way to avoid resentment and pain, too.