legislation
New laws taking effect in California January 1, 2021
Submitted by paula on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 11:36amThrough the pandemic, legislative sessions in Sacramento were canceled just as they were across the country, not giving the time needed to add new legislation. As a result, in 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed the lowest number of laws since 1967, just 372. In comparison, in 2019 there were 870 new laws, 1016 in 2018 and 859 in 2017.
Many of the new laws are centered around COVID-19, addressing systemic racism, employee rights and policing. For a full list, select 2020 here.
Kindness and gratitude from that first Thanksgiving in 1621 to today
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/26/2020 - 1:03amIf those who attended the first Thanksgiving in 1621 happened to time travel and visit the 2020 version, what would they think of our version of the holiday?
That first celebration wasn't called Thanksgiving, they didn't have potatoes or pumpkin pie, but they did have a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness over the three-day celebration after a successful harvest.
Thanksgiving is based on the idea that we should all take time to count our blessings at least once a year and to celebrate it with family and friends.
Column: Recognizing the spirit of collaboration
Submitted by paula on Fri, 11/13/2020 - 2:01pmFor more than half a century, collaboration and partnership have been the bedrock of Lake Tahoe’s preservation. I speak often of the epic collaboration needed to restore our environment and lift up our communities. The creation of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) 50 years ago challenged us to bring people together to pull this majestic lake back from the brink. Today, TRPA is the backbone for 80 organizations and thousands of property owners working toward the common goals of clean water, a healthy watershed, and resilient communities
Letter: Candidate Grego weighs in on the issues
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/28/2020 - 11:40amI have read a number of candidate statements and articles about their hopes and aspirations for our community. I applaud each candidate that is running for local office; the challenge is getting their messages to voters.
I must say, however, despite all of the objectives that the candidates seek to achieve while in office, they are missing an important point. It is not only what you want to accomplish, but how to do so.
My history of involvement has spanned decades in our community and the positions that I have taken are of public record.
STPUD candidates respond to questions
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/14/2020 - 9:37pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three open seats on the South Tahoe Public Utility Board of Directors this election season, two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term.
South Tahoe Now reached out to the candidates and below are their answers to a set of questions. For the two four-year terms, incumbent Kelly Sheehan is running for reelection, Duane Wallace is running after being appointed to fill Jim Jones's spot on the board until this election, and they are joined by David Peterson.
SLT Council Candidate Cristi Creegan
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 1:44pmSouth Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.
Today's candidate is Cristi Creegan
Profession: Business Owner
How many years in SLT: 23 years
Historic Great American Outdoors Act passes the House, now to the president's desk
Submitted by paula on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 3:23pmThe U.S. House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act today, a piece of bi-partisan legislation that will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and provide much needed funding for the crippling $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog at national parks.
California Tahoe Conservancy names Jane Freeman as acting executive director
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/17/2020 - 4:04pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the California Tahoe Conservancy Executive Director Patrick Wright was named interim director of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Forest Management Task Force, his temporary replacement needed to be found.
The agency's Board of Directors didn't have to look too far and selected the Deputy Director Jane Freeman and their interim executive director for the next six to nine months.
Experienced California education advocate joins Lake Tahoe Community College
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 7:21pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has selected a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in California state policy and politics to fill a critical role during unprecedented and uncertain times.
TRPA housing committee to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units in Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/08/2020 - 11:43pmEvent Date:
February 12, 2020 - 1:00pm
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Local Government and Housing Committee of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, February 12 to discuss Accessory Dwelling Unit policy in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They will be meeting at 1:00 p.m., at TRPA office, 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.
Facts about California's water legislation and what it means for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 8:05pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, you're not going be fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day. A news story by a Los Angeles area television station and carried through the internet on New Year's Day wrongly stated just that as an effect of upcoming water efficiency laws.
Column: 2019 Highlights from South Tahoe Public Utility District
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 4:15pmEvery day we wash our dishes, fill our water glass, and flush the toilet, likely without thinking much about the systems required to make this all possible. I’d like to think we are doing our job so you don’t have to think too much about it.
Dozens of new California laws go into effect in 2020
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/26/2019 - 4:33pmNew laws will be going into effect in California in the new year, putting into place California legislature action during 2019. There are many changes including road safety and distracted driving penalties, roadkill rules, minimum wage, independent workers and rent caps.
Except where noted, these laws are effective January 1, 2020:
Traffic Safety
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting several new laws passed this year:
Opinion: Putting a price on carbon
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 10:41pmWe participated in the recent climate strike and were moved and inspired by the large crew of South Tahoe High students that hiked the four miles from the High School to Lake View Commons with a clear and unified demand for climate action. It is also encouraging to live in a City that has resolved to transition the City’s entire electrical grid to clean energy by 2032, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below baseline by 2040.
Governor Newsom signs slew of bills including wildfire protection and defensible space
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/14/2019 - 4:06pmThe 2019 legislative year for California has come to an end and Gov. Gavin Newsom wrapped u the session with signing several bills. His first year of office saw 870 new laws and 172 vetoed proposals.
El Dorado County meets with insurance commissioner on homeowner policy concerns
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/17/2019 - 6:29pmEl Dorado County, Calif. - Currently, homeowners in fire-prone areas of California and El Dorado County are starting to see skyrocketing insurance premiums, canceled policies canceled and notices of non-renewal within weeks of a policy's expiration.
Due to the alarming rates at which this is happening, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors reached out to the California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to explain the dire situation in the county.
DA to Gov. Newsom: Science, not partisan politics, should guide our reaction to gun violence
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 5:26pmIn the wake of more senseless violence in our country, we see our politicians taking their now familiar position on their soapboxes to lament their party opponents’ inaction. We need less grandstanding and more real response. While California Governor Gavin Newsom is busy pointing fingers, AB 1722 – an assembly bill based on science and focused on preventing gun violence – languishes in the Appropriations Committee.
NV Energy and Liberty Utilities outline wildfire mitigation plans for Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 1:03pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With electrical transmission lines found to be at fault in recent California fires, agencies responsible for supplying electricity to communities have been creating plans to prevent fires in the future.
Both companies that supply power to Lake Tahoe, NV Energy and Liberty Utilities, have announced new mitigation efforts to reduce the risk of fire.
Voting centers coming to South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County, public input sought
Submitted by paula on Tue, 05/14/2019 - 1:35pmEvent Date:
May 21, 2019 - 6:00pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heading to the polls will soon have a different meaning to the voters of South Lake Tahoe and the rest of California as the one-day voting period ends and initiation of voting centers begin.
With the passage of SB450, the 2016 Voter's Choice Act, 11-day and 4-day voting centers are planned to begin in 2020 after being started in 2018 with pilot centers in five counties: Madera, Nevada, Napa, Sacramento and San Mateo. El Dorado County will start vote centers in the 2020 election pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.
Celebrate Earth Day in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 11:20pmEvent Date:
April 27, 2019 - 10:00am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A full day of earth-friendly events and activities returns to South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park, located at 1201 Al Tahoe Boulevard.
Earth Day recognizes, celebrates and promotes our region’s unique beauty while educating people about its environmental issues. South Lake Tahoe’s free event includes children’s activities, local vendors, environmental booths, nature walks with Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, and live “river rock and mountain blues” by Boot Juice.
Douglas commissioners oppose Nevada gun background check law
Submitted by paula on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 11:30pmDouglas County has made it clear to the State of Nevada they won't stand for any legislation that exceeds federal firearm transfer requirements. Their reaction came after Governor Steve Sisolak signed SB 143, a bill that would require background checks on gun sales, on February 15, 2019.
Progress For Tahoe endorses David, Middlebrook, Wallace, Novasel, Morse and No on T
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/24/2018 - 8:00pmProgress for Tahoe, a grassroots group of concerned local citizens who gathered together to address the most pressing issues in Tahoe, have endorsed the following for South Lake Tahoe City Council, Measure T, El Dorado County Supervisors and U.S. Representative California District 4:
South Lake Tahoe City Council – Wendy David, Devin Middlebrook and Tamara Wallace
LTCC becomes the only college in the country to offer free bi-state tuition program
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 6:56pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Continuing their mission to treat the Lake Tahoe area as one community, and thanks to some key donations, Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is now offering the Lake Tahoe College Promise tuition program around the lake on both sides of the state line.
All first-time college students, including those who earned college units while still in high school, can get their tuition waived. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in and complete 12 or more units each quarter for three academic quarters, and meet one of the following requirements:
Meet the Candidate: Wendy David seeks second term on South Lake Tahoe City Council
Submitted by paula on Sat, 09/29/2018 - 9:38amSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each of the nine candidates for City Council answered the same ten questions that were given to them by South Tahoe Now. For each of the next nine days the candidate's responses will be shared in the order received.
First up is Wendy David, the current mayor of South Lake Tahoe. She is seeking a second term on the Council.
State schools chief visits California's smallest district - Alpine County
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 12:49amCalifornia's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is wrapping up his final term by touring some of the state's schools.
In just a few days he went from visiting a school in Los Angeles with an enrollment of 4,000 to touring Alpine County Schools and the Diamond Valley Elementary School campus, in particular, which has 80 students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
“It is a small school in numbers but mighty in its focus and learning,” said Torlakson in Alpine County on Sept. 20.
Kudos: Drug Store Project successful due to community partnerships
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/05/2018 - 7:18pmIf you had walked onto the LTCC campus on Tuesday, April 3, you would have never guessed that there were 325 6th grade youth and 220 agency and volunteer workers throughout the corridors, all learning information on how and why to keep themselves safe from drugs. “Choices, what are yours?” was the theme of our efforts in keeping our youth drug free. With the country’s attitudes and norms about drug use changing, times are even more difficult for our kids.
Opinion: More fires mean less funds for local USDA Forest Service projects
Submitted by paula on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 10:49pmLast year, more than 1,500 wildfires burned over 640,000 acres on National Forest System lands in California, including the Thomas Fire, the largest fire in California’s recorded history. The surrounding communities are still dealing with damage from debris flows caused by a charred and barren landscape that no longer has the protection of trees, grass and other vegetation. We see and empathize with those affected, and are working to reduce the potential for future loss by performing hazardous fuel reduction treatments which include thinning overstocked forests and prescribed burning.
Opinion: USDA Forest Service doesn’t leave when the fire is out
Submitted by paula on Sat, 01/13/2018 - 2:39pmNatural disasters can occur at any given time and in any given area. The size, duration and damages are usually unpredictable. The devastation, destruction and cost of California wildfires are increasing annually.
Opinion: Who owns the 'All Year Playground?'
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 11:21pmI read with great interest Mayor Sass’s recent editorial of how he and Wendy David have been living, sleeping, and eating the VHR issue for over 2 years. I internalized these words and reflected how we, as responsible vacation home rental managers, have been dealing with inept City Councils and City Management for over 12 years.
LTCC statement regarding White House’s DACA action
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 10:22pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College joins the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley in denouncing the White House’s action on Tuesday to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
PATH asks for help in fight against human trafficking
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 10:12pmChanges to the Communications Decency Act (CDA) are in the works that will change the 21-year-old set of regulations that function as the internet’s liability shield. If approved, those who run websites that allow sex trafficking ads, such as Backpage.com, will be held accountable.
Named the "Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017," the legislation would increase sites’ responsibility for user content, something they were protected from when CDA Section 230 was put in place in 1996.
Choices limited on what to do with California's 102M dead trees
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 2:02pmThere are now an estimated 102 million dead trees in California, creating unhealthy forests that are prone to major and catastrophic wildfires. Even though funds are being allocated to remove many of them, where will that timber go?
For now, there aren’t many options because of what has transpired from the government since 1968.
In that year the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior issued orders restricting the volume of timber that could be harvested from Federal lands in the West. It was updated in 1969 to limit the total harvested to 350-million-board-feet.
Governor, senators and others to speak at 2017 Lake Tahoe Summit
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/18/2017 - 12:44pmEvent Date:
August 22, 2017 - 10:00am
California Senator Diane Feinstein is hosting the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at Vahalla in the Tallac Historic Site from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The theme for the day is "2017- A Pivotal Point for the Future of Lake Tahoe.”
The event will examine successful restoration projects and ways to address new challenges facing the lake. A key focus will be combating the effects of climate change in the Lake Tahoe basin.
NHP and MADD team up to keep Nevada highways safe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/14/2017 - 11:27pmThe Nevada Highway Patrol Association (NHPA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced a new strategic partnership today. The partnership will combine the NHPA's goal of continued safety on Nevada's highways and MADD's goals to end drunk and drugged driving, support victims of drunk driving, and bring an end to underage drinking.
Tahoe Blue Vodka to match donations to Keep Tahoe Blue
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 7:57amSince its inception, Tahoe Blue Vodka (through its parent company Tahoe Spirits) has donated back to the protecting the lake they get their name from.
A portion of all sales goes back to the League to Save Lake Tahoe to "Keep Tahoe Blue" and in a new campaign, Tahoe Blue Vodka will batch all donations to the agency tasked with protecting the lake through education, legislation, volunteer training and other efforts.
Big choices ahead for Tahoe Paradise Park
Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 5:34pmEvent Date:
June 15, 2017 - 6:00pm
The Board of Directors of Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District (TPRID) will hold a special meeting on June 15, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at Paradise Park to hear public comments, and to consider whether to request that the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission convert the district from a “Resort Improvement District” to a “Recreation and Park District.”
Kudos: Organizer thanks community for 14th annual Drug Store Project
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/12/2017 - 1:48pm“Choices, what are yours?” was the theme of our efforts in keeping our youth drug free.
Guest Columnist: Hoping for a bipartisan solution to health care
Submitted by paula on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 6:48pmThe Republican Party’s decision on March 24 to pull the vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was met with disappointment and relief. While backers of the newly proposed legislation were disappointed that they could not find sufficient support, residents who depend on the Affordable Care Act’s medical protections and insurance options felt relief. Hope continues for a broad bipartisan approach to change this complex legislation resulting in improved coverage balanced with affordability for our citizens.
Douglas County is state's first Emergency Fire Dispatch Accredited Center
Submitted by paula on Fri, 03/17/2017 - 9:59pmDouglas County 911 Emergency Services was approved as an approved as an Emergency Fire Dispatch Center of Excellence on March 17, 2017 by the Board of Accreditation of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), the first in the state of the Nevada and the 36th such center in the world.
They are also the first dual accredited Fire and Medical accredited center in Nevada.
Nevada bill would allow marijuana use in public
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 9:05pmIt's not like marijuana has never been smoked at a concert, but a new bill introduced on Tuesday could make puffing in the middle of a Willie Nelson set legal.
Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, introduced legislation that would give local governments the power to permit public marijuana use in businesses such as bars, hotels, restaurants and concert venues.
"The sky is the limit," said Segerblom on Tuesday.
Guest Columnist: Time to ramp up invasive species control projects at Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 5:19pmOver the last two decades, the Lake Tahoe Region has become a national leader in fighting the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that threaten to harm its world-renowned environment and the $5 billion recreation-based economy it supports.
The Lake Tahoe Region is working with other partners throughout the American West to better safeguard waterbodies and improve national invasive species policies. We are also working with the boating industry to help manufacturers design watercraft that are less likely to carry AIS and are easier to inspect and decontaminate.
Guest Columnist: Let’s keep Tahoe’s progress going
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 6:20pmTwenty-five years ago, I finished my graduate work in Oregon and moved to Northern Nevada for a planning position at TRPA. Having spent a large part of my youth hiking and camping at Tahoe and in the Sierra, the move felt like coming home.
First artist announced for South Lake Tahoe's summer concert series
Submitted by paula on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 2:41pmEvent Date:
July 16, 2017 (All day)
Third Eye Blind will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary with Summer Gods Tour at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey's on July 16, 2017. This is the first concert announced for the popular summer concerts.
Their supporting act(s) have not been announced.
Third Eye Blind will, for the first time in their storied history, play their debut album, considered one of the great rock records of all time, in its entirety, as part of a night of music including their latest, We Are Drugs. They are touring 31 cities as part of the the tour.
Opinoin: Passage of Lake Tahoe Restoration Act caps year of progress
Submitted by paula on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 4:50pmFour years ago this month, TRPA approved the 2012 Regional Plan. The landmark plan charts a course to restore Lake Tahoe’s environment and revitalize our communities and it was forged through Herculean work by California, Nevada, local governments, the public, and dozens of other partners.
Many Tahoe Basin stakeholders once questioned if we could work together, but the Regional Plan ushered in an era of collaboration. Today, the answer is how can we work together more efficiently. By building and strengthening partnerships we have made remarkable progress. This year was no different.
Late night vote in Washington brings $415 million to Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sat, 12/10/2016 - 10:28pmLate Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the U.S. Senate in passing the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016, which will bring $415 million in future funding to Lake Tahoe over the next seven years. The decision brought cheers from many local agencies, including the League to Save lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act gets renewed support from Congress
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/05/2016 - 4:47pmThe House and Senate have agreed to include the bipartisan Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the final bicameral Water Resources Development Act, titled the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller announced Monday.
Vail Resorts calls on Congress to approve Lake Tahoe Restoration Act
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/05/2016 - 10:36amVail Resorts has called on the United States Congress to approve the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015. This Act provides $415 million in funding and reauthorizes important Lake Tahoe restoration activities that began in 1997 and refocuses federal, state and local efforts toward reducing wildfire threats, improving water quality and clarity, and combating invasive species. All of these are important to the local economy at one of the most visited lakes in the world.
Why small Placer County town may be exempt from plastic bag ban
Submitted by paula on Sat, 11/26/2016 - 10:37pmAs plastic bags are taken off checkout counters across California, one Placer County suburb says its businesses are protected from the statewide plastic bag ban.
In August 2014, Lincoln passed a resolution intended to allow businesses to choose whether or not to follow a statewide bag ban. Now that voters have upheld the ban by voting in Proposition 67, Lincoln says its businesses are exempt.
Get out and vote - Election Day 2016
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/08/2016 - 9:38amMany are ready for this election to be over the national level with the negativity surrounding the campaigns. On a local level there are several choices before voters.
If you have not already submitted your ballots, find your polling place here:
If you live in the South Lake Tahoe City limits, you are able to vote for two of ten candidates for City Council (in alphabetical order):
Brooke Laine
Dan McLaughlin
Jason Collin
JoAnn Conner
SLT City Council candidate John Shearer
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 11:53amAll candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.
John Shearer, 49 years old, has lived in South Lake Tahoe for over 30 years and own and operate several local businesses.
Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?