Dear Readers: Summer agendas are typically light fare allowing elected officials to escape on vacation. We’ll still be covering local policy issues we think you should pay attention to, but when the agendas are light (like this week) we’ll use this space to link to other things we think you should know about.
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Flood Protection and Climate Change
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is looking at the inevitability of climate change with an eye towards protecting residents from some of the harsher local impacts. Climate change will affect the Santa Clara Valley water supply while increasing the potential for floods and wildfires, all while negatively impacting environmental health.
It’s good to see local governments moving to counter the ill effects of climate change while the nation is at a stand still. That’s because, although about 97% of climate scientists believe climate change is real, a stunning 91% of Republican members on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology are climate change deniers. So while Congress figuratively lets Rome burn, the Water District will work to mitigate the disastrous effects of inaction.
When: July 2, 2014
Where: Santa Clara Valley Water District
Agenda: link
Summer Reading list
Just how bad is California’s drought?
Speaking of Climate Change – just how bad is California’s drought? The state is entering the third driest year on record for large parts of the state. The folks over at California Common Sense put together this policy paper that covers economic costs, wildfires and prospects for water. They also have an awesome infographic.
Income Inequality and Youth Unemployment
Economists Mark Esposito and Terence Tse look at income inequality as it affects the employment prospects for youth. The pair argues that financial status too often serves as the key determinant of opportunities for young people, which only exacerbate income inequality.
Article link
Dennis Raj is the Political Director for the South Bay Labor Council.
Do you have a news tip you would like to share? Would you like to contribute to The Left Hook? Email us at LeftHookBlog@gmail.com
No Comments