More good news...Executive Order 13490

This isn't local news but I was recently sent an email about it. That is that back in September the White House implemented a new policy barring lobbyists from sitting on influential boards and commissions. I hadn't heard anything about it before.

Here's a quote from the White House Blog.

"The White House has informed executive agencies and departments that it is our aspiration that federally-registered lobbyists not be appointed to agency advisory boards and commissions. These appointees to boards and commissions, which are made by agencies and not the President, advise the federal government on a variety of policy areas. Keeping these advisory boards free of individuals who currently are registered federal lobbyists represents a dramatic change in the way business is done in Washington."

This is a significant policy change aimed to stop revolving door politics and corporate interests from controlling the dialogue on issues..

FEMA Update

By now I hope that most of you are aware of FEMA's decision to postpone adoption of the new floodplain maps until 2012 (estimated). This is really good news for those of us in the new Zone A (100 yr flood) designation. I hope you did not rush out and buy flood insurance yet.

Here is a link to the press release.

Efforts made by Oxnard and Fillmore citizens and staff members, Watershed Protection, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and Congressman Elton Gallegly were instrumental in getting the reprieve.