Headline Humboldt
Headline Humboldt: August 26, 2022
Season 2 Episode 47 | 28m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Congressman Jared Huffman is on to talk about the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Congressman Jared Huffman is on to talk about the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and how it represents a momentous step forward in the fight against climate change. Huffman has long been a proponent of strong climate action, and he describes what the legislation can do to address this mounting issue.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Headline Humboldt is a local public television program presented by KEET
Headline Humboldt
Headline Humboldt: August 26, 2022
Season 2 Episode 47 | 28m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Congressman Jared Huffman is on to talk about the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and how it represents a momentous step forward in the fight against climate change. Huffman has long been a proponent of strong climate action, and he describes what the legislation can do to address this mounting issue.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Headline Humboldt
Headline Humboldt is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> COMING UP ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT", NORTH COAST CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN TOUTS THE RECENT PASSENGER OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ABOUT A BILL HE SAYS UNDERLINES THE ENORMOUS SUCCESS DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD.
WE REPORT ON THE ARCATA GATEWAY PROJECT AND DIFFICULTIES FACED IN PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".
LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM >> THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".
I'M JAMES FAULK.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
WE SAT DOWN WITH JARED HUFFMAN TO TALK ABOUT THE RECENT PASSENGER OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HOW IT MAKES THE UNITED STATES A LEADER ONCE AGAIN.
THE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ANGLING TO PUT THEIR BEST ARGUMENTS FORWARD.
AS HUFFMAN NOTICED ADDING PASSENGER OF THE I.R.A.
TO THE LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS COULD HELP DEMOCRATS BREAK THE HISTORIC TREND FOR MIDTERM COLLAPSE FOR THE PARTY IN POWER.
>> FIRST, TO THE PROCESS.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, JAMES, THIS CONGRESS PROBABLY DOESN'T WIN ANY STYLE POINTS FOR THE WAY WE HAVE DELIVERED, BUT WE HAVE DELIVERED.
IN MANY CASES REALLY BIG AND HISTORIC AND TRANSFORMATIVE THINGS.
THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.
LAST NOVEMBER I AND MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE WORKED TO PASS THIS REALLY GREAT AND AMBITIOUS BILL CALLED THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT AND THE CLIMATE PROVISIONS OF THAT HAVE BEEN VERY THOROUGHLY VETTED WITH SENATOR MANCHIAN IN THE SENATE.
HE HAS BEEN HARD TO WORK WITH.
HE DOESN'T KEEP HIS PROMISES AND GIVEN HIS FAMILY BUSINESS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.
YOU KNOW HOW IT PLAYED OUT.
HE PULLED THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER THE WHOLE DEAL.
WE SPENT MANY MONTHS BASICALLY COURTING HIS SUPPORT ONLY TO HAVE HIM, A FEW MONTHS AGO SAY, IT'S OVER.
I'M NOT GOING DO ANYTHING ON CLIMATE.
THAT WAS PRETTY DISCOURAGING.
SO WE TURNED UP THE HEAT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE TURNED UP THE HEAT INCLUDING PEOPLE LIKE BILL GATES WHO LOBBIED MANCHIAN.
ON BALANCE, IT IS THE BIGGEST WE HAVE MADE AND IT IS GREAT FROM EVERYTHING TO OFFSHORE WIND, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND OTHER RENEWABLES AND GOOD FOR US AS THE CONSUMER LEVELS, THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO DECARBONIZE OUR LIVES, ELECTRIFY OUR HOMES, MAKING THEM MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT, BUYING ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
THIS BILL INCLUDES REALLY POWERFUL NEW INCENTIVES AND TAX CREDITS TO HELP EVERY ONE OF US BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
>> YOU MENTION THERE ARE SOME PIECES THAT AREN'T EXACTLY WHAT YOU WOULD WANT.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS WITHOUT GETTING TOO FAR IN THE WEEDS?
YEAH.
MANCHIN CREATED A HOSTAGE SITUATION, IF YOU WANT TO DO OFFSHORE WIND OR RENEWABLES ON PUBLIC LANDS YOU HAVE TO OFFER REALLY LARGE FOSSIL FUEL LEASE SALES EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
THAT IS TERRIBLE POLICY AND SOMETHING I WOULD NEVER SUPPORT.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS THERE IS THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO WORK AROUND THAT AND PREVENT IT FROM BEING THIS HUGE RUSH TO MORE FOSSIL FUEL DEVELOPMENT.
AND IN THE CASE OF HUMBOLDT'S OFFSHORE WIND LEASE, THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TO PUSH THAT LEASE OUT BEFORE THE MANCHIN BILL PROVISIONS TAKE EFFECT.
IF WE CAN DO IT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THAT WOULD MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE TO OFFER THESE FOSSIL FUEL LEASES.
BUT I'M ALSO GOING BE WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE WHILE THEY MIGHT TECHNICALLY COMPLY WITH FOSSIL FUEL LEASINGS, THEY CAN DO IT IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T LEAD TO OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.
>> OKAY >> THAT IS MY GOAL.
WE HAVE TO START LEAVING THOSE FOSSIL FUEL RESERVES IN THE GROUND.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU HAVE BEEN VOCAL ON THIS FOR YEARS AND TRAVELS INTERNATIONALLY TO ATTEND EVENTS WHERE THIS IS THE CENTERPIECE.
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL AFFECT THE UNITED STATES' ABILITY TO PUSH OTHER COUNTRIES TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE?
DOES THIS GIVE US MORE MORAL AUTHORITY, SO TO SPEAK?
>> YEAH.
IT PUTS US IN THE GAME.
AND WHEN I WAS IN GLASGOW FOR THE LAST CLIMATE CONFERENCE, WE WERE ASSURING THE WORLD WE WERE BACK.
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD DONE POSITIVE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND SENT POLICY BILLS AND THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT.
WE WERE ASKING THE REST OF THE WORLD TO TRUST THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING DO OUR PART AND STEP INTO A LOUIS: ROLE.
WHEN MANCHIN JUST KIND OF KILLED IT ALL A FEW MONTHS AGO, I WAS VERY WORRIED THAT FOLKS THAT WERE PART OF OUR DELEGATION TO THE CAIRO CLIMATE SUMMIT THIS FALL WERE GOING HAVE TO WEAR PAPER BAGS OVER OUR HEAD.
I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW AND OUR CREDIBILITY WOULD BE TRASHED.
POOR SECRETARY JOHN KERRY, OUR SPECIAL ENVOY HAS BEEN RUNNING AROUND THE WORLD ASKING PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN U.S.
LEADERSHIP AND IT WAS GOING BE A VERY TOUGH SELL FOR HIM, TOO.
THIS LEGISLATION ABSOLUTELY PUTS US BACK IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE GLOBALLY.
AND THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF INTERESTING FAULT LINES RIGHT NOW ON THE WORLD STAGE.
YOU HAVE SEEN THAT CHINA IS SO FURIOUS WITH US OVER TAIWAN THEY ANNOUNCED THEY ARE SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES ON CLIMATE.
I THINK THAT IS BLUSTER.
I THINK THE REST OF THE WORLD IS WITH US ON THIS AND CHINA ABSOLUTELY CANNOT AFFORD TO GO IT ALONE ON SOME FOSSIL FUEL PARADIGM WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD MOVES TOWARDS A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.
THEY HAVE TO TRY TO COMPETE WITH US.
I BELIEVE THAT RIVALRY AND SOME OF THE FRICTION THAT IS FEED INTO IT RIGHT NOW CAN BE KIND OF PRODUCTIVE ON THIS CLIMATE ISSUE.
>> SURE.
>> IT CAN LEAD TO A RIGHTEOUS COMPETITION BETWEEN US AND CHINA TO SEE WHO CAN DO IT THE BEST AND THE MOST.
>> YEAH.
SORT OF THE CLASSIC COLD WAR SCENARIO, BUT HOPEFULLY IN THIS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT SPACE.
WE HAVE VISITS TO THE MOON.
MAYBE THIS WILL HELP US GET OUR CLIMATE MOON SHOT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
LET THE CLIMATE COLD WAR BEGIN >> ABSOLUTELY.
ONE THING I HAVE NOTICE WITH THE CLIMATE THING AND I SAW A POLL RECENTLY THAT SHOWS MORE AMERICANS SUPPORT EFFORTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE THAN WE HAVE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE.
THERE HAS BEEN THIS IDEA BETWEEN CLIMATE DENIERS AND CLIMATE, THE SKY IS FALLING KIND OF FOLKS.
MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE CLIMATE IS GOING THROUGH SOME PRETTY DRAMATIC CHANGES AND MOST OF IT IS HUMAN CAUSED.
MY QUESTION IS HOW DO WE CONVERT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO A DEMAND FOR ACTION?
IT SEEMS LIKE WITH ALL THE OTHER ISSUES GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE AREN'T EN MASSE DEMANDING ACTIONS.
HOW DO WE MAKE IT MORE SALIENT FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM DEMAND ACTION?
>> WELL, I THINK THE PLANET IS MAKING THAT CASE -- >> RIGHT.
>> FOR URGENCY EVERY DAY.
WE HAVE HAD JUST IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE HAVE HAD I THINK FIVE 1,000-YEAR FLOODS.
WE KNOW ALL ABOUT WILDFIRES.
THANKSFULLY THE SIX RIVERS FIRE IS COMING UNDER CONTROL AND HASN'T BEEN THE DISASTER THAT WE FEARED IT MIGHT BE.
BUT IT IS CONSTANT.
AND I THINK THAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO, NOT JUST THE GROWING CLIMATE AWARENESS THAT YOU REFERRED TO, BUT A SENSE OF URGENCY AND FRANKLY, A FEELING AMONG MOST AMERICANS THAT WE ARE GOING HAVE TO DEMAND ACTION.
WE ARE GOING HAVE TO CALL OUT INACTION AND THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS, JAMES, THAT I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IS WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR FAKE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS.
>> MM-HMM.
>> SO WHEN YOU SEE THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND OTHERS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE INDUSTRY FAVORITES LIKE CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE, THESE ARE ABSOLUTE CHARADES.
THESE ARE WAYS THAT THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY CAN DELAY REAL TRANSFORMATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION AND IT IS A HUGE WASTE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS AND OUR TIME.
SO I SPEND A LOT OF MY TIME JUST CALLING BS ON FAKE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS OFFERED UP BY THE FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY AND IN SOME CASES BY MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.
>> YEAH.
CLEAN COAL.
SOMEONE UPSTAIRS WHISPERED TO ME IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THAT.
>> AND NATURAL GAS, YOU KNOW, IS A BIG ONE.
WHEN YOU DIG A LITTLE DEEPER, THE FEW REPUBLICANS THAT WILL TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND SAY THAT IT IS REAL AND SAY THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WHEN YOU DIG DEEPER INTO WHAT THEIR AGENDA IS, IT IS JUST PUSHING NATURAL GAS AND THAT IS NOT A CLIMATE SOLUTION THAT IS GOING TAKE US BACKWARD.
>> YEAH.
IT IS STILL THE SAME ROOT, YOU KNOW, SOURCE.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER ASPECTS OF THIS LEGISLATION, OBVIOUSLY.
A LOT OF IT IS PAID FOR THROUGH TAX REFORM.
IT DOES, HOWEVER, LEAVE A LOT OF TRUMP'S TAX CUTS IN PLACE, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER MANEUVERING AROUND THE EDGES TO GET THIS FUNDED.
DO YOU FEEL THAT IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS, SOMETHING YOU LOOK TO ADDRESS IN THE FUTURE OR OKAY WRIT IS?
>> IT IS NOT OKAY.
WI GAVE A HUGE WINDFALL TO CORPORATIONS AND TO THE WEALTHIEST BILLIONAIRES ON THE PLANET WITH THAT 2017 TAX GIVEAWAY.
SO WHEN WE CAN GET THE POLITICAL CAPACITY IN THE CONGRESS TO CHANGE THOSE THINGS, I WILL SUPPORT THAT.
I HOPE WE CAN DO IT, BUT THIS IS PROGRESS WHAT WE SEE IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.
THE FACT THAT WE WILL HAVE A MINIMUM CORPORATE TAX WHEN YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE MULTIBILLION DOLLAR CORPORATE PROFIT STATEMENTS WHERE THEY END UP PAYING ZERO FEDERAL INCOME TAX.
>> AND THEY ARE BRINGING HOME RECORD PROFITS A LOT OF THE TIME.
>> YEAH.
IT IS INSANE.
REQUIRING AT LEAST A MINIMUM 15% TAX.
WE HAVE TO LOOK A THE GLOBAL MINIMUM CORPORATE TAX AS WELL.
THAT IS A PIECE OF IT.
ALSO THIS TAX ON CORPORATE STOCK BUYBACKS.
THESE ARE BASE HITS.
THEY ARE NOT HOME RUNS ON TAX REFORM BUT I THINK THEY ARE MEANINGFUL AND WILL HELP.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ONE THING I SAW MENTIONED IN ONE OF THE WRITEUPS IS IT INVESTS IN WESTERN DROUGHT RESILL YEN SI.
IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE DEALING WITH OUT HERE, NOT SO MUCH IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, BUT IN THE WEST.
THE DROUGHT SITUATION IS DIRE.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW THAT MIGHT SHAPE UP?
>> YEAH.
IN THIS PARTICULAR BILL THE ROUGHLY 4 BILLION IN DROUGHT PROVISIONS ARE MEANT TO ADDRESS THE DROUGHT SITUATION IN THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN.
SOMETHING THAT SENATOR KIRSTEN SINEMA BROUGHT FORWARD.
WE MADE SURE THESE PROVISIONS WERE NOT BAD WATER PROJECTS.
WE ARE COMFORTABLE IT WILL BRING RELIEF.
CALIFORNIA WILL GET A LITTLE BIT BENEFIT, BUT IT IS MOSTLY THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN, PARTS OF OUR STATE AND ARIZONA.
IT IS BAD.
IT IS TERRIBLE IN THE CLIMATE BASIN AND MANY PARTS OF CALIFORNIA.
CONGRESS ALREADY PUT RECORD HISTORIC AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON THE TABLE IN A BILL CALLED THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS ACT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I PLAYED A LEADING ROLE WRITING THE DROUGHT PROVISIONS FOR THAT.
WE ARE MAKING AVAILABLE HISTORIC AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR DROUGHT RESILL YEN SI IT IS PUSHING OUT THE DOOR AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS WITH THE ONGOING CLIMATE SITUATIONS IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHERE THE CLIMATE IS GOING GO OR END UP IN ANY GIVEN YEAR OR SET OF YEARS CH IT IS HARD TO PREPARE THE COUNTRY WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PATTERNS ULTIMATELY ARE GOING BE.
>> IT DOES, BUT TO ME, THAT UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF SMART INVESTMENTS AND THAT IS WHAT WE PUT INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT.
I HAVE BEEN AROUND WATER LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRADITIONALLY DEFINED CALIFORNIA WATER AS A FIGHT OVER A FEW LARGE CONTROVERSIAL DAMS.
IN THE END IF YOU FIND THE MONEY TO BUILD THEM WILL ONLY BENEFIT A FEW POWERFUL SPECIAL INTERESTS IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY OR LOS ANGELES.
WE HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE LIMITED DOLLARS WE HAVE PRODUCE WET WATER FOR AS MANY COMMUNITIES AS POSSIBLE AND THEY ARE RESILIENT WATER STRATEGIES.
THAT IS WHY YOU SEE US PUSHING THINGS LIKE REALLY LARGE SCALE WATER RECYCLING.
THERE IS SO MUCH UNTAPPED, ADVANCE WATER TREATMENT, GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND STORAGE, STORMWATER CAPTURE, WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION, DESAL NATION.
THESE TOOLS WILL MAKE US RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF ALL THE CLIMATE CURVE BALLS COMING OUR WAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR MEASURES IN THE BILL THAT I'VE SEEN IS THE ALLOWING MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES >> YEAH.
>> CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT BENEFIT AND ALSO DO YOU THINK THAT WILL HAVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ON MEDICARE?
WHO NEED A MONTHLY MEDICATION, BUT STILL AREN'T OLD ENOUGH?
>> YES.
THE ANSWER IS YES TO THAT.
THERE IS ALSO A CAP ON INSULIN COSTS FOR SENIORS.
I WISH WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO EXTEND THAT CAP TO EVERYONE, EVEN IF THEY HAVEN'T AGED INTO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
FOR SOME REASON REPUBLICANS WANT THE REST OF US TO PAY SKY HIGH INSULIN COSTS.
IT IS JUST INDEFENSIBLE SO THEY HAD AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL THAT GOT ENOUGH VOTES TO STOP IT.
>> IT WAS A POINTED MOVE THEY MADE.
IT WASN'T A BY PRODUCT.
THEY ACCOMPLISHED THAT.
IT WAS THEIR GOAL?
>> IT WAS A NAKED SHILLING FOR PHARMA.
LOOK, FOR THE REST OF US IT IS A BIG DEAL AFTER MANY YEARS OF NOT LETTING MEDICARE EVEN NEGOTIATE WITH PHARMA FOR DRUG COSTS, WE NOW WILL HAVE THEM NEGOTIATING.
THAT IS JUST GOING SAVE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER TIME.
AND THE BENEFITS OF THAT WILL BE BEYOND JUST THE MEDICARE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MEDICARE PRICES TYPICALLY ARE THE BENCHMARKS THAT OTHER HEALTH PLANS AND PROVIDERS USE TO SET WHAT THEY WILL PAY NOR DRUGS.
SO THOSE SAVINGS ARE GOING GO THROUGHOUT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND IT IS GOING BE VERY MEANINGFUL.
>> YOU KNOW, JUST TO REASSURE PEOPLE.
THAT IS NOT GOING CRASH THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, RIGHT?
>> HA!
>> THERE ARE NOT GOING BE SUDDENLY HOMELESS DRUG COMPANY EMPLOYEES?
>> DON'T SHED ANY TEARS FOR BIG PHARMA.
THEY ARE DOING JUST FINE AND THE FACT THAT LIKE EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, WE WILL NOW BE NEGOTIATING WITH THEM FOR OUR DRUG PRICES, THEY MANAGED TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON ALL OVER THE REST OF THE WORLD.
I THINK WE CAN DO THAT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ON THE POLITICS OF ALL OF THIS, BRIEFLY.
THIS BILL FOLLOWS A BUNCH OF OTHER LEGISLATION, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND IT'S NOT THE BUILD BACK BETTER PACKAGE.
IT WAS WINNOWED DOWN AND THE INTRICACIES WITH MANCHIN AND SINEMA.
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS HELPS DEMOCRATS MOVING INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTION?
IS IT WHAT YOU HOPED TO HAVE IN TERMS OF MOMENTUM?
HOW IS THAT WORKING OUT, DO YOU THINK?
>> IT IS.
AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR DISCUSSION, JAMES, I SAID WE PROBABLY DON'T GET ANY STYLE POINTS FOR HOW WE GOT HERE.
THE TRUTH IS DEMOCRATS ARE ON ONE HECK OF A ROLL.
IF YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THAT ROLLED OUT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM IN HISTORY, THAT HELPED GET THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL, GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL, EMERGENCY RELIEF TO FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE WORST DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC SO WE WOULDN'T CRASH INTO A DEPRESSION.
LIFTED THE ECONOMY OUT OF A DITCH.
IT HAS BEEN ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL.
THEN YOU MOVE TO HISTORIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISIONS.
I MEAN WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SOMETHING BIG AND BOLD ON INFRASTRUCTURE IN DECADES AND WE GOT IT DONE, WITHOUT REPUBLICAN SUPPORT, UNFORTUNATELY.
THERE WERE A FEW REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORTED US LIKE MY LATE COLLEAGUE DON YOUNG FROM ALASKA.
MOST DIDN'T SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT HAD BECOME TOO RADICALIZED FOR MAGGA REPUBLICANS.
NOW WE MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON CLIMATE ACTION, GETTING MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE LOWER DRUG PRICES, FIXING SOME PROVISIONS THAT WILL HELP KEEP AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PREMIUMS LOW.
THAT WERE SET TO GO UP DRAMATICALLY.
WE ARE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE.
WE PASSED THE CHIPS PLUS ACT THAT IS AIMED AT THE RECLAIMING OUR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ROLE ON SCIENCE AND DOMESTIC SEM CONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING THAT WILL FIX THE SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS PREVENTING FROM HAVING NEW CARS IN SHOW ROOMS AMONG OTHER THINGS.
IT IS A REMARKABLE SERIES OF ACHIEVEMENTS.
HELPING VETERANS.
FINALLY GETTING VETERANS THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THESE TOXIC BURN PITS AND HAVE HORRIBLE DISEASES YEARS AFTER THEIR SERVICE.
IT IS A GOOD STORY TO TELL AND I THINK WHAT YOU SEE IN A GROWING NUMBER OF ELECTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY IS THAT DEMOCRATS ARE REBOUNDING.
THE SUPREME COURT IS HELPING US, JAMES, WITH THESE CRAZY RADICAL DECISIONS THEY HAVE BEEN ISSUING ON CHOICE AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS.
PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THIS REPUBLICAN AGENDA IS RADICAL AND DANGEROUS.
THESE FOLKS ARE UNFIT TO GOVERN AND THAT IS WHY DEMOCRATS ARE GOING WIN ELECTIONS THIS FALL.
>> THE CITY OF RIO DELL CELEBRATED THE FINISHING TOUCHES OF ITS NEW MURAL BY ARTIST JULIA FORDYCE.
THE MURAL "OUR TOWN" FEATURES THE FACES OF THOSE LIVING AND PAST.
JIM BRICKLEY AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THEY PLANT TO ADD MORE MURALS THROUGHOUT THE CITY INCLUDING THE POLICE STATION AND THE POST OFFICE.
>> THIS IS A PROGRESS ABOUT THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING.
THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS THE HISTORY OF THE RIO DELL AND THE RIVER VALLEY.
IT MORPHED INTO A COMMUNITY-TYPE COMPOSITION.
>> THE DESIGN FOR THIS PIECE GREW ORGANICALLY THROUGH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, DECIDING ON WHAT WE ARE PAINTING IN THIS TOWN.
IT GREW THROUGH THE SUBJECT MATTER ITSELF.
WE CALLED FOR FACES OF LOVED ONES LIVING OR PAST TO REPRESENT JUST A CROSS SECTION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY AND HOW IT'S CHANGED.
AND AS WE WORKED ON IT, IT DOUBLED FROM SIZE TO THE ORIGINAL 50 FACES TO 101, BY THE TIME WE ARE FINISHED WITH THE FRONT.
SO, YEAH, IT HAS BASICALLY BEEN A WAY TO TELL STORIES, PEOPLE'S CAREERS, LOVE STORIES, FAMILIES AND HISTORIES.
>> THE MURAL WAS ESTABLISHED AS PART OF A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT FOR THE CITY.
JULIA OFFERED TO GO AHEAD AND PAINT THE MURAL.
JIM BRICKLEY AND JULIA, BETWEEN THEM, DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY WITH ANCESTORS AND CONTEMPORARY PEOPLE'S FACES PAINTED ON THE MURAL.
THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE AND THE DEPTH OF TIME THAT THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT TRULY REPRESENTS OUR TOWN IN RIO DELL.
>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MURAL AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE MY FACE ON IT.
I HOPE EVERYONE COMES AND SEES IT.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.
>> ACROSS THE STREET IS A MURAL COMPLETED BY BLAKE REAGAN, FROM KEET'S STUDIO SPACE SERIES.
SUZANNE MAESE EXPLAINS HOW THE MURAL ON HR BUILDING HELPS PROTECT WILD LIFE THROUGH CANNABIS COMPANY.
>> WE ARRIVED IN HUMBOLDT BECAUSE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED IN 2013 TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS.
WE CAME HERE TO HELP FARMERS TO BECOME COMPLIANT FARMS IN A VERY HIGHLY REGULATED SYSTEM.
PART OF THAT PROCESS HAPPENED WITH US DISCOVERING THE YELLOW LEGGED FROG, THE NORTH SPOTTED OWL AND -- SO WE ARE FORTUNATE THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW THESE PROTECTED ANIMALS AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM HERE ON THE PLANET FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY.
IN THE MEANTIME, COME TO RIO DELL TO TAKE A LOOK.
>> ARCATA, TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH THE CITY IS ASKING WHAT SIZE APARTMENT BUILDINGS THE CITY SHOULD PERMIT.
AS ERIC BLACK REPORTS CRITICS SAY THEY NEED THE INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS BEFORE THEY CAN ARTICULATE A VISION FOR BUILDING HEIGHTS.
>> THE MAJORITY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE TERRIFIED THIS PROJECT IS GOING RUIN THE CITY THEY LOVE SO MUCH.
>> THE PROJECT, OR MORE ACCURATELY, THE GATEWAY PLAN WOULD REZONE 138 DOWNTOWN ACRES WEST OF THE PLAZA.
PRIVATE DEVELOPERS CAN BUILD UP TO FIVE STORIES ON 10th AND O, SEVEN STORIES AND EIGHT STORIES SOUTH OF THE CREAMERY BUILDING IN THE SO-CALLED BARREL DISTRICT.
>> IS IT A SAFE LOCATION TO BUILD?
>> AS FAR AS THE GRAND JURY REPORT ON THE SEA RISES, IT SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT THE BAY IS SINKING.
AND IT ALSO HAD PARTICULAR ISSUE WITH LARGE BUILDINGS BEING BUILT ON WETLAND AREAS, WHICH THE BARREL DISTRICT IS A FORMAL WETLAND AREA.
>> GOING TO EIGHT STORIES HIGH, WE ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE IT.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE PUT IN CRISIS AND JEOPARDY FROM BEING ABLE TO SERVE THE EMERGENCY NEEDS.
IT SEEMS INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME THAT A RECOMMENDATION ON BUILDING HEIGHT COULD COME OUT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR THE CITY COUNCIL UNTIL WE HAVE A FULL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WHAT IT'S GOING COST THE CITY OF ARCATA CITIZENS AND THE FIRE DISTRICT TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION THERE.
>> WE HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS FROM ARCATA FIRE STAFF FROM THE BEGINNING.
WE ARE JUST GETTING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EIR AND WORK THROUGH THE STUDIES.
THERE MAY BE A POINT THOSE BUILDINGS ARE COST FEASIBLE AND BEING BUILT AND IT IS ALSO COST FEASIBLE TO HAVE A MITIGATION MEASURE WHEN YOU BUILD A BUILDING OVER X STORIES TALL YOU HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND.
THAT FUND GOES TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR SERVICES THAT CAN'T CURRENTLY BE PROVIDED.
>> IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME FOR DEVELOPMENT.
IF YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING IN PLACE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO START TO FIND OUT WHO CAN DO WHAT OR WHEN OR HOW MANY YEARS IT IS GOING TAKE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT THE SOILS FIGURED OUT.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
EVERY SOIL IS DIFFERENT.
WHEN YOU START BUILDING OR THINKING ABOUT IT, THAT IS WHEN YOU START YOUR PROCESS.
CHANGE IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE IN OUR LIFE.
IF WE ARE GOING CONTINUE TO BE A COMMUNITY PEOPLE LIKE, WE HAVE TO CHANGE.
>> ON AUGUST 23, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ULTIMATE DECISION MAKERS REVEALED HOW MUCH CHANGE THEY ENVISION.
ASSUMING SETBACKS ON THE TOP STORIES, SIX OF 10 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PLANNING COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTED EIGHT-STORY BUILDINGS SOUTH OF THE CREAMERY.
ELSEWHERE, AT LEAST HALF OF THE DECISION MAKERS SUPPORTED BUILDING TO THAT DISTRICT'S PROPOSED MAXIMUM OF FIVE, SIX, OR SEMPB STORIES.
THREE -- SEVEN STORIES.
THERE WILL BE ALLEVIATION OF HOUSING SHORTAGE, SAVE PARKS AND WILL EMPOWER RESIDENTS TO WALK, BIKE AND TAKE THE BUS.
THEY NOTE IN EXCHANGE FOR BEING ALLOWED TO BUILD HIGH RISES, THE PLAN WOULD OFFER COMMUNITY AMENITIES LIKE POTENTIALLY WIDER SIDEWALKS, BIKE STORAGE AND PLAYGROUNDS.
CRITICS SAY HIGH RISE GENTRIFICATION WILL PUSH POPULATION TO THE CITY'S OUTSKIRTS AND POPULATION OVERRUN COULD -- DARK TUNNELS AND SPOIL SIGHT LINES AND CREATE PARKING TROUBLE.
>> HOPEFULLY THAT DISILLUSIONED PERSON WILL BE ABLE TO SAY, AGAIN, THIS IS THE ARCATA I KNOW AND LOVE.
THANK YOU.
>> ERIC BLACK, "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".
>> THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THANKS TO ERIC FOR HIS GREAT REPORTING.
AND ALSO THANKS TO DAVID THOMPSON OUR PRODUCER AT KEET.
HE PUT TOGETHER THE VSOT ON RIO DELL MURAL.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF POD CASTS YOU CAN CHECK OUT ON ANY OF THE MAJOR PLATFORMS.
CROSSING THE BAR AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH HUMBOLDT AND HOW CAN WE FIX IT?
PLEASE WRAP IT UP AND CHECK IT OUT.
STAY TUNED.
STAY INFORMED.
LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM

- News and Public Affairs

Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.

- News and Public Affairs

FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.












Support for PBS provided by:
Headline Humboldt is a local public television program presented by KEET