McCarthy field rep in town May 14
A field representative for Rep. Kevin McCarthy will be in our valley on Tuesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce. “Mobile office hours are a great way for members of our communities to meet with my staff and talk about . . . Read Full Story >>
Merit Awards announced for East Kern, LA counties
Rep. Kevin McCarthy has announced the recipients of the 23rd Congressional District of California 2013 Merit Award for students in East Kern and Los Angeles counties. Among the eight recipients is Sherman E. Burroughs High School’s Aaron McCain. “This award is not only about outstanding . . . Read Full Story >>
Republican women to hear from Marlene Tracy
Ridgecrest Republican Women, Federated will meet Friday, May 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the banquet room of Victoria’s at the Heritage. The guest speaker will be Marlene Tracy, who will discuss the history of the California Federation of Republican Women. “This is an interesting . . . Read Full Story >>
McCarthy works on veteran issues
House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy meets April 16 with Veterans’ Affairs Committee members and Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan to discuss veteran-related priorities and Congress’ continued efforts to fight disability backlogs at the Department of Veteran Affairs. McCarthy joined representatives from nearly 30 veterans’ service . . . Read Full Story >>
State legislator spends Saturday in Ridgecrest
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (right) presents young volunteers of the RidgeProject with state recognition for their efforts. According to Ryan Charlon, more than 100 residents turned out Saturday for a China Lake cleanup. Grove also spoke at the Boys and Girls State luncheon and Patriot’s Day . . . Read Full Story >>
Grove measure to expand military voting rights
SACRAMENTO – A measure that expands voting rights to overseas military personnel, authored by Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), was approved by the Assembly Elections Committee on April 9 with unanimous bipartisan support. Assembly Bill 269 would allow the ballots of military servicemembers and other Californians . . . Read Full Story >>
Patriots Day forum set for April 20
The public is invited to a Patriots’ Day Forum on April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, 235 N. China Lake Blvd. Guest speakers are Shannon Grove (California 34th Assembly District representative) and Jim Sanders (Ridgecrest City Council member), along . . . Read Full Story >>
Republicans to host Overfield
Ridgecrest Republican Women, Federated will hold its monthly luncheon on Friday, April 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in the banquet room of Victoria’s at the Heritage. Guest speaker will be Marti Overfield, elected member of the California Senior Legislature. “I have had a wonderful life . . . Read Full Story >>
Elected leaders endorse CalUAS Portal
Rebecca Neipp
A salvo of support for the Cal UAS Portal from our elected officials was the cherry on top of the sundae in an already-positive week of developments for the Inyokern Airport-based effort to become one of the six FAA test sites to integrated unmanned aerial . . . Read Full Story >>
Internships offered in Groves’ office
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove is accepting applications for summer interns in her Sacramento and Bakersfield offices. Those interested in broadening their knowledge of state government and exploring a career in public service should apply. Primary responsibilities include legislative research, constituent services, administrative tasks and assisting with . . . Read Full Story >>
Gleason adds support to CAL UAS Portal
Rebecca Neipp
A letter of “unequivocal support” for the Cal UAS Portal effort to establish Inyokern Airport as a test site for incorporating unmanned aerial systems into federal airspace makes Kern County 1st District Supervisor Mick Gleason the latest elected leader to express enthusiasm for the local . . . Read Full Story >>
KernCOG honors Morgan for lifetime achievement
Linda Saholt
“It’s very humbling to be recognized by the other community leaders throughout Kern County,” said Steve Morgan, former city councilman, former mayor and recipient of the Kern Council of Governments’ Ronald E. Brummett Lifetime Achievement Award for an elected official. “Their recognition of my efforts . . . Read Full Story >>
Grove named to aerospace committee
Rebecca Neipp
The interests of the Indian Wells Valley gained an opportunity for better advocacy with the recent appointment of Assemblywoman Shannon Grove to the Assembly Select Committee on Aerospace. “I am so proud to have this opportunity to evaluate issues that are critical to the success . . . Read Full Story >>
Rubio resigns; senate loses supermajority
Rebecca Neipp
Political analysts are still calculating the implications of the loss of the Democrats’ supermajority in the state Senate when Michael Rubio announced his resignation on Friday. The Democratic legislator from Shafter, described as a rising star in his party, released a statement that his resignation . . . Read Full Story >>
Gov.Brown talks budget in State of the State
Rebecca Neipp
California Gov. Jerry Brown focused on the budget deficit in last week’s State of the State address, calling on the deeply politically divided state legislature to work together toward a solution. Brown also called Republicans to task for failing to fall in line with initiatives . . . Read Full Story >>
Fiscal cliff deal passes -- crisis averted?
Rebecca Neipp
Congress called a rare New Year’s Day session to vote on the American Taxpayer Relief Act — a plan aimed at averting the financial crisis when massive spending cuts and tax increases were scheduled to hit an already depressed economy. Although the act passed the . . . Read Full Story >>
Gleason takes oath in IWV ceremony
Rebecca Neipp
Following Mick Gleason’s official inauguration as Kern County 1st District Supervisor in a Jan. 3 ceremony in Bakersfield, where he was sworn in by state Sen. Jean Fuller, Gleason retook the oath of office in front of a standing-room-only crowd of community leaders and other . . . Read Full Story >>
Grove begins second term, vows to keep fighting for taxpayers
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove took her oath of office last week to officially began her second term in the California State Assembly. Grove will continue to focus on economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and government reform as her top priorities. “I am honored to continue to serve . . . Read Full Story >>
House passes two bills relating to aerospace
Rebecca Neipp
While fiscal cliff solutions commanded the limelight last week, those in the aerospace corridor watched as two others passed through Congress. The death of Neil Armstrong last fall sent waves of grief and reflection through leaders in the local aerospace and technical communities — virtually . . . Read Full Story >>
Fuller addresses Republican women, installs officers
Rebecca Neipp
“I know you feel that you are small and remote, but believe me — the actions from this valley are felt around the world,” state Sen. Jean Fuller told the members and guests of Ridgecrest Republican Women, Federated, for whom she installed the new officers last . . . Read Full Story >>