Last week, four U.S. Senators asked the General Accounting Office to review the Forest Service’s efforts to develop an air tanker plan to replenish their air attack fleet. The senators’ questions came on the heels of a recent letter from CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott expressing his concerns about the strategy. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.,…

Partisanship and logjams are the results that the public has come to expect and frequently sees emanating from Washington and Sacramento. But last week, without rancor and name calling, Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislative leaders were able to reach a bipartisan agreement to create the Rainy Day Fund. A preliminary budget proposal (Assembly Constitutional…

Even before regulations implementing the recently enacted state fire fee are implemented, state officials submitted proposed changes to ensure a higher fee. Last week, state officials submitted the changes to the Legislature, which include raising the fee to $175 and setting the minimum fee level at $150. Revenue generated by the law would be eligible…