In September, the California Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 542, which was promptly signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. SB 542 contains a presumption for first responders who have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), also known as post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), as a result of their jobs. Read More
It’s a Blue Christmas
When most people think of Christmas, they think of family, gifts, religion, lights, candy canes, cookies, more lights and finally Santa. The people of Butte County, more specifically Chico, are no different. The only thing that might be a little different is that when Santa comes to Chico, he’s blue. That’s right — Blue Santa. So what is Blue Santa? Blue Santa is the Chico Police Departments, Santa Claus. He wears a blue police uniform, complete with Chico P.D. patches and his very own department badge with his name on it. Read More
Capitol Beat – Looking Ahead in 2020
This January marks the second year of a two-year legislative session. This means that we will see many of our 2019 priority bills moving through committee and floor hearings once again. Last year, there were over 3,000 bills introduced in the state Assembly and state Senate. On average, each bill is amended three or four times, so that means PORAC leadership, along with Aaron Read & Associates, reviewed over 10,000 bills, looking for those that have an impact on our members. Read More
Federal Legislation – Happy New Year: Buckle Up for 2020
2019 is behind us. Whether it felt more like a decade or more like a week is up for debate. Yet, 2019 may end up being just the warm-up for 2020, which is set to be just as chaotic, if not more so. At the time this issue went to print, Congress was in the process of reaching a funding agreement with only six days to go before a shutdown, and an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate for President Donald Trump appeared destined to be the first order of business once Congress returns for the new year.
In addition to an impeachment trial and the inevitable chaos of a presidential election year, Congress will have to find time to address the many priority issues facing Americans — not the least among them are issues facing law enforcement officers across the country.
By any measurement, 2020 promises to be a wild ride. Buckle up: Here’s Steptoe’s 2020 PORAC federal preview. Read More