Two hundred and fifty years ago this Saturday‚ the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It is America’s 250th birthday‚ which certainly calls for a party‚ but it is worth remembering what those events really meant.
The Declaration laid down the ideas that still drive America – that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights; that government only has its power with the consent of the governed; and that when the government stops working‚ it is the people’s right to alter or abolish it.
In 1776‚ these ideas weren’t accepted wisdom we learned in grade school. They were revolutionary. They were treason against the king – a hanging offense.
The 56 signers of the declaration – along with the colonies they led – pledged “our Lives‚ our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” in its support. Many lost lives‚ fortunes or both before that independence was finally won. They took an astonishing risk in pursuit of the freedom we take for granted today.
The founders weren’t perfect then and America never has been‚ but we have grown steadily in the perfection of the ideals that birthed our nation 250 years ago‚ and that progress too is worth marking.
Whether you are celebrating with a drone display at Shasta Dam‚ a spark‑free community bubble‑wrap pop in Downieville‚ or one of the many community fireworks shows around the North State‚ please celebrate with joy‚ and a thought for all the work that built the great nation we enjoy today. God bless America.
State Must Invest in Wolf Management
On Wednesday I joined Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick‚ other members of the Legislature‚ ranchers and ag leaders‚ and the sheriffs of Siskiyou and Sierra counties at a press conference to raise attention to the severe challenges that livestock owners are facing as legally protected gray wolves continue to attack and kill livestock at will around ranches in rural Northern California.
The response from the Legislature to this crisis? This year’s budget provides no new funding for conflict prevention or compensation for ranchers’ losses. Not one dollar.
I appreciate the work that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies have done to collar and track wolves‚ haze them to reduce livestock predation‚ and otherwise navigate this difficult situation. But it has not been enough‚ and so long as our laws constrain wolf management and funding is inadequate‚ it is the ranchers of Northern California who will suffer sleepless nights and bloody losses to their herds and their bottom lines. We must act faster to find a balance.
Thank you to all who came to Sacramento to share their powerful stories.
Bill will Help California Kids Hear
Some legislative issues are devilishly complex. Some are simple — which doesn’t make them easy to resolve.
For several years‚ advocates — mostly moms‚ like Michelle Marciniak‚ founder of Let California Kids Hear (pictured at left) — have been pressing the Legislature to require private health insurance plans to cover hearing aids for children who need them.
When young children cannot hear well‚ it slows their language development‚ their progress learning to read‚ and their broader social and educational development. We have the tools to help many children hear better‚ but without insurance coverage many families struggle to pay the thousands of dollars proper hearing aids would cost.
I’m very excited to share the news that Senate Bill 331‚ which I am co authoring with Sen. Caroline Menjivar‚ passed the Assembly Health Committee Wednesday on a 14 0 vote.
Similar measures have passed the Legislature before‚ only to be vetoed as the administration tries different approaches to meet this need. The unfortunate fact is those approaches have failed‚ at great taxpayer cost‚ and we continue to leave children behind.
I am hopeful SB 331 will pass and be signed into law this year. Children with hearing loss have waited too long already for help.
California Conservation Corps Celebrates 50 Years
Team Dahle was thrilled to join a celebration Wednesday at Horseshoe Lake‚ in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico‚ with members of the California Conservation Corps and various state and local leaders marking 50 years since the founding of the CCC on July 7.
With residential centers in Magalia and Auburn‚ and non‑residential work sites in Chico‚ Redding and Yreka‚ the Corps does much‑needed work all around the North State – cutting brush on fuel‑reduction projects‚ maintaining trails‚ responding to disasters. But even as the Corps performs these practical jobs on the ground‚ the mission it accomplishes with its people — helping young adults learn on‑the‑job skills while earning a paycheck — is no less important.
Thousands of young Californians have spent time serving their state in the Corps over the past 50 years. I am grateful for all they have done and that the state is able to carry on this legacy of service.
For more information about the California Conservation Corps including how to apply‚ visit ccc.ca.gov.
Saturday is First Free Fishing Day of 2026
If you need a break from the crowds of July 4‚ it happens the first Saturday of July is also the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s first free fishing day of 2026. (The second is the first Saturday in September.) It’s a great excuse to take a friend who is not normally out on the water out for a day of casting and exploring. You might even catch some dinner to throw on the barbecue.
All normal limits and gear regulations apply. For more details‚ see the CDFW site here‚ and for great tips on locations‚ see the department’s online Fishing Guide.