Senate District 1 Nonprofit of the Year Brings Special‑Needs and Disabled Children on Guided Trips
Congratulations to Field of Dreams‚ an amazing organization that I was proud to honor this week as the Nonprofit of the Year for the 1st Senate District.
For more than 20 years‚ Field of Dreams‚ based in Colusa County‚ has brought children with special needs or disabilities‚ as well as military service members‚ into the outdoors on guided hunting and fishing trips.
In the North State‚ we are blessed with abundant access to nature‚ including hunting and fishing opportunities‚ but not everyone has the physical ability or means to venture out on their own. Field of Dreams blesses its young participants with adventures they might otherwise literally only dream of enjoying.
I am grateful for the work of the Dermody family — Tom and Aileen Dermody‚ pictured above‚ came to Sacramento Wednesday to accept the award as part of the annual California Nonprofit of the Year Luncheon — and all who have lent a hand to this great cause.
How Are Gas Prices Affecting You?
California drivers have long paid the highest prices in the nation to fuel up their vehicles — and the gap has only grown wider in recent years.
The disruption of the war in Iran‚ which has blocked oil shipments from the Persian Gulf‚ has driven fuel prices higher globally. Everyone is feeling that pain‚ but for California consumers and businesses‚ costs have gone from painfully high to catastrophic. With the combination of reduced shipments from a key oil‑producing region and reduced in‑state refining capacity because of recent closures‚ this summer is forecast to be even tougher.
How is this affecting your family? And what do you think of possible solutions to ease costs in California? Please take this short survey to share your thoughts.
Deficits Continue Despite Rising Revenue
This week the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office released its first take on the governor’s updated budget proposal.
Its analysis is very sobering.
California’s budget depends largely on the fortunes of a fairly small number of the wealthiest residents. Thanks to the artificial‑intelligence boom and roaring stock market‚ they’re doing very well and personal income taxes are up nearly 50 percent over the past three years.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that good years like this are when the state should be setting money aside to top off its reserves for the inevitable down times in the future.
Instead‚ the governor’s May Revision proposes to balance the budget by tapping reserves to the tune of nearly $20 billion‚ plus more borrowing beyond that.
If we’re already draining the state’s bank account during years of fantastic revenue growth‚ what will happen when the market goes south?
By many measures ‑ as a share of the economy‚ as a share of employment ‑ state government is the largest it has ever been in California. The governor and the majority party need a dose of honesty about what we can afford.
Read the whole report if you’d like to see the grim details.
Nevada County Celebrates Armed Forces Day
Team Dahle attended the 2026 Nevada County Armed Forces Day celebration last weekend at the Nevada County Airport in Grass Valley. This longstanding community tradition brought together veterans‚ active‑duty military members‚ families‚ and community partners for a day dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
A family‑friendly community event‚ the celebration featured military and civilian aircraft displays‚ flyovers‚ military vehicles‚ local vendors‚ live entertainment‚ and activities for attendees of all ages. Most importantly‚ Team Dahle was honored to be on hand to witness the enlistment swearing‑in ceremony for two of our nation’s newest military recruits as they took the oath to serve our country.
Events like Nevada County Armed Forces Day 2026 reflect the strong tradition of patriotism and community support for military families throughout the North State. I extend my sincere gratitude to the organizers‚ volunteers‚ service members‚ veterans‚ and families who made this meaningful event possible.
Youth With a Mission Cultivates Service
Team Dahle recently had the opportunity to tour YWAM Chico‚ based at the historic Richardson Springs resort in Butte County‚ and learn more about the organization’s mission‚ operations‚ and current challenges following the impacts of the Park Fire.
YWAM Chico is a Christian nonprofit organization focused on training and equipping individuals to serve communities both locally and internationally. The organization operates entirely through volunteers‚ with approximately 35 volunteers from around the world‚ including Madagascar and Colombia. The ministry does not pay these volunteers and instead relies heavily on donations and fundraising efforts to sustain operations and continue serving community needs.
Overall‚ the tour highlighted both the tremendous service YWAM provides to the broader community and the significant financial and infrastructure challenges they are currently navigating as they work toward long‑term sustainability.