Trailer bills — a sneaky way to make a big change in California law

California’s governors and legislators have, as often noted in this space, developed a bad habit of using the state budget to make sweeping changes in state law while minimizing or ignoring traditional legislative procedures.

They do it with so-called “budget trailer bills” that are often passed in batches coincident with the budget each June after minimal hearings and debate. Like the budget, they take e ect immediately and are shielded from being challenged via referendum.

It can take weeks or even months for those outside the Capitol to figure out the real-life impacts and decipher the dense legalese of trailer bills, which often run hundreds of pages.

The Legislature is once again plowing through the latest budget, this one proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom for the 2023-24 fiscal year, prior to the last frantic — and largely secret — negotiations on a final version.

Dozens of would-be trailer bills are kicking around, some of them legitimately attached to the budget and some just using the process to minimize scrutiny.

One of the most complex, potentially important trailer bills, not yet formally introduced, would overhaul how electrical energy is procured. It would make the state Department of Water Resources the state’s central purchaser of power, citing the need to construct or acquire enough non-polluting generation to meet the state’s selfproclaimed goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2045.

What could possibly go wrong?

California’s track record on managing the state power supply is, to say the least, spotty.

A quarter-century ago California experimented with what was termed “deregulation,” but really wasn’t, of electricity and it quickly became one of the worst human-caused disasters in state history. It allowed power suppliers to game the system, pushed costs through the ceiling, drove one utility (Pacific Gas & Electric) into bankruptcy, almost did the same to another (Southern California Edison) and was a major

■ See WALTERS, page A5

Letters to the Editor

God bless America

EDITOR:

Ilove this country. My wife dreamt about immigrating here and was lucky enough to come here when she was 15 years old. I love this country because I believe this is the only place in the world where two people like us could become two people like us.

I can live any place in the world and I chose El Dorado County because I love it here. I love the people who run our county government. I love our country and our state because of the lifestyle and culture we have. I do not love our state and federal government. In our system government is by the people and for the people. I fear a totalitarian government.

Our forefathers, by design, ask us to swear an oath to our Constitution, not our government. The Constitution was written to limit government. I appreciate that because, for now, I can love our country and sing “God Bless America” and hate this government at the same time.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Good investment

EDITOR:

Now we know that we were tracking the Chinese spy balloon basically from the moment it left China. And we let it cruise over our most sensitive military installations gathering low-level electronic intelligence as our examination of it has confirmed, transmitting it to China in real time.

Were it not for private citizens spotting it in Montana we never wold have known about it. Finally, public pressure forced Biden to shoot it down o the East Coast after it completed its mission. When the Chinese bought Biden it was probably the best investment they ever made. Those millions of Chinese dollars in the bank accounts of the Bidens are really paying o .

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

A major disappointment

EDITOR:

Iam writing in regards to the proposed Frontier Project, or what is actually the proposed construction of a 4.8 million-square-foot Amazon distribution center in the El Dorado Hills business district, which I understand circumvents the EDC General Plan.

As a longtime proponent for economic development that o ers job opportunities and sales tax dollars so needed for our local economy, I wanted to learn more about this project. My curiosity quickly rose to mixed feelings of anger and disappointment when I learned that the Board of Supervisors had no intentions of holding a public hearing about this project — a huge facility with 24 hour operations, with approximately 2,200 employees, moving goods transported by large commercial trucks.

El Dorado County is a special place and one of the state’s most diverse counties. Many came here for the “rural quality of life.” But as growth continued, we now have areas that are considered urban or suburbs of the greater Sacramento area.

On Aug. 31, 1989, the BOS held a public hearing to hear a presentation by paid consultants to discuss the scope, timeline and cost to update the county general plan, which the state mandated must include a percentage of a ordable housing.

The BOS voted to have one plan for the entire county, as opposed to the previous 26 area plans. Some felt that five area plans would be a better way to go, due to the diversity of the county, where almost 50% of its land is owned by the federal government.

The consultants estimated it would take two of three years to finalize the general plan, at a cost of around $6 million.

What followed was the BOS taking the show on the road, along with planners, holding meetings in every county district with hundreds of residents showing up to o er their input, addressing and suggesting what they saw as the long-term needs and wants for their communities.

This turned out to be a 14-year process, debated and massaged to death, that resulted in lawsuits and special meetings, finally resulting in an adopted general plan in 2004, by a ballot vote of the people, at an estimated cost of $40 million to $50 million. The plan I deem “The People’s Plan.”

Now I say to all supervisors, shame on you for ignoring the people you represent. What are you hiding? Local governments are suppose to be accessible to the people.

I also ask the BOS and those who have moved here since 2004 to appreciate and respect the time and e ort by hundreds of residents who participated and supported this general plan, giving

■ See LETTERS, page A5

Guest Column 4/20 celebrations and the influence on young people

Much of the idea of 4/20 has moved past being a counterculture protest to more of a consumer-interest story within the media. Legal marijuana is a big business in California.

The 4/20 festivities, like Hippie Hill, are another opportunity to promote the industry and its products, much like alcohol companies during the holiday season or St. Patrick’s Day.

Ignoring its influence on young people is hard when celebrities and social media influencers push brands and products. This is genuinely something that parents should be aware of and make an e ort to have constructive conversations with their kids about marijuana.

“There are risks for teens and age does matter the first time someone uses cannabis. We are not saying that every first-time pot user becomes a hard-core addict. We want parents to know that THC has strong addictive properties, which young developing brains are more susceptible to,” said Marcel Gemme of Addicted.org.

In California, 10% of 12- to 17-year-olds report using drugs in the last month.

Among those teens, 85% reported using marijuana in the previous month, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.

The teen brain is actively developing and continues to develop until around age 25. Marijuana harms the developing brain.

The short and frequent conversations parents have with their kids about marijuana and the risks have a real tangible impact on their choices to use the drug. Small prevention e orts go a long way. Consider some of the following pointers:

• Parents should talk often and build an open and trusting relationship. Lots of little talks are more e ective than one big talk.

• Parents should also make their views and rules about marijuana clear. Discuss beliefs and opinions. Be honest and express a clear message, yet do not lecture or make threats.

• Ask them questions about what they know about marijuana, listen to their opinions and answer their questions. The conversation goes both ways.

• Lead by example. What parents do is just as important as what they say.

• Provide factual information about the risks and dangers and be prepared to share personal experiences.

The conversation changes as they age, but the principles remain the same. Prevention and education help anyone make informed decisions and understand consequences.

The reality is there are adverse e ects when teens begin using marijuana. This can include di culty thinking and problem-solving, issues with memory and learning, reduced coordination, di culty maintaining attention and problems with school and social life. In addition, there is an increased risk of mental health issues and addiction.

The cannabis industry has become directly involved in 4/20 events, and like any other product, it will always need new customers. Parents’ conversations with their kids now make a big di erence in the end. Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Addicted. org to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.