Happy New Year! Volume 36 • Issue 53 Serving Carmichael and Sacramento County since 1981 January 1, 2016 CAT SHOW COMES Obama Plans TO SACRAMENTO Check the License First REGION 2224 New Before Making Storm Repairs Regulations SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The storms that have rolled through the region recently on US Citizens have brought the region much needed rainfall, AMAC SPECIAL RELEASE (MPG)- but homeowners could suffer if they use unli- Most American were too busy censed contractors for storm damage repairs. preparing for the Thanksgiving The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) (and Christmas) holiday to reminds state residents that the cheapest price have noticed the White House may not be the best solution when it comes to announcement that the president repairing flood damage, removing a fallen tree, seeks to impose 2,224 new regula- fixing a downed fence, or patching a leaky roof. tions on us in the coming months, "Anyone who needs to make repairs from according to Dan Weber, presi- storm damage should be looking for a legiti- dent of the Association of Mature mate, qualified tradesperson, especially in an American Citizens. Page 3 urgent situation," said CSLB Registrar Steve The new rules include 144 Sands. "Licensed contractors are skilled in their regulations that are officially specific trade, insured and bonded, and not considered to be “economically likely to leave you in the lurch when it comes to significant” because they come properly completing the job at a fair price." with a price tag of $100 million or Consumers can use CSLB's online more each. resources, available at www.cslb.ca.gov or “Mr. Obama, in fact, broke his CheckTheLicenseFirst.com, to review the own record set last spring when he license status of contractors they plan to hire announced 136 mega-buck rules, and to get tips about the best approach for mak- the most ever in history until then. ing home repairs. Any construction job valued That news came out just before CHP REPORTS: at $500 or more in combined labor and mate- Memorial Day weekend. This rial costs must be performed by a state-licensed time around he told us about the TWO ACCIDENTS contractor. California Business and Professions new rules only a few days before (B&P) Code requires licensees to carry work- Thanksgiving. It appears the pres- TWO DEATHS ers' compensation insurance coverage for their ident chooses to make these kinds Page 8 employees and to be bonded. of announcements at some of the For tree trimming and removal jobs where the busiest times of the year, hoping tree is 15 feet or higher and the job is more than that few of us will pay attention to $500, the contractor must be state-licensed. B&P the fact that he plans to spend bil- Code allows a gardener who does not have a lions of taxpayer dollars,” Weber state license to work on incidental tree pruning if said. RILEY REVIEWS: the tree is less than 15 feet tall and the job costs The newest regulatory plan has a less than $500. total price tag of more than $92 bil- THE FORCE IS ALIVE State law requires all C-39 Roofing contrac- lion, according to some estimates. tors to carry workers' compensation insurance, But that's just the tip of the ice- AND WELL IN even if they do not have employees, to ensure berg. The Competitive Enterprise THRILLING STAR WARS that consumers are protected in the event of an Institute says that in 2014 regula- accident or injury on the homeowner's property. tions cost American consumers and Consumers should follow these tips when businesses a staggering $1.88 tril- soliciting bids from home improvement contrac- lion in lost economic productivity tors: Only hire licensed contractors, and ask to and higher prices. CEI says the see their license and photo identification; Don't price tag for the average American rush into repairs, no matter how badly they're CSLB Tips Help Prevent Storm Repairs From Becoming Costly Headaches household was $14,976 needed; Be careful when using online bulletin “If that is not enough to war- boards such as craigslist.org, because unlicensed work; Get at least three bids, check references, ca.gov or calling its toll-free automated line at rant Congressional scrutiny, I operators may try to mislead you into thinking and get a written contract; and Contact CSLB if 1-800-321-CSLB (2757). Also, visit CSLB’s don't know what is. Government they are licensed; Only make a down payment of you have a complaint against a contractor. website for tips about how to hire a contractor spending, deficits and the national 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less; Don't pay CSLB encourages consumers to always and to sign up for CSLB email alerts. debt are out of control and we all in cash, and don't let payments get ahead of the “Check the License First” by visiting www.cslb. Source: Contractors State License Board H know it, but the cost of regula- Page 9 tions and the impact these rules have on our daily lives gets little notice. Perhaps it is because the rules are imposed without benefit of debate. It is about time, there- fore, that we encourage those who Foundation Announces Responsive Grants Recipients we elected to be our eyes and ears inside the beltway to do what they Awards Nearly $80,000 To Local Nonprofits To Conclude Giving Season were sent there to do-to protect our interests.” SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) a variety of immediate commu- its Responsive Grants Program been the trusted steward of The Federal Research Division - At the conclusion of the giv- nity needs in Sacramento, Yolo, this year. charitable assets, a commu- of the Library of Congress pub- ing season, Sacramento Region Placer, and El Dorado counties. As with all of its efforts, the nity catalyst for meaningful lished a study noting that liberals Scan our QR Code for a Community Foundation (the Among the Responsive Grants Responsive Grants Program change and the advocate for favor government intervention that direct link to our online edition! Foundation) awarded six local awarded is one that will help furthers the Foundation's work shaping vital impact through promotes social, non-economic nonprofit organizations substan- adults in the probation system to foster a thriving community philanthropy since 1983. As objectives, while conservatives tial holiday gifts, granting nearly develop the real-world skills exemplified by opportunities for the center of philanthropy in see government intervention as $80,000 to support vital commu- necessary for successful reentry all to live in a vibrant economy, the Sacramento Region, the an intrusion that makes us less nity needs region-wide. into the workforce, another that benefit from a strong nonprofit Foundation's mission is to trans- competitive. “Awarding these grants is the will provide underserved youth sector, live with a sense of dig- form our community through “The issue of government reg- perfect way to close another year transportation to afterschool pro- nity, and flourish through the focused leadership and advo- ulatory authority run-amok is not PAID of generous philanthropy in the gramming, and another that will strength of regional diversity. cacy that inspire partnerships a political issue. It's an American PERMIT 350 PERMIT US POSTAGE Carmichael, CA Sacramento region,” said Linda ensure children with hearing loss To learn more, please con- and expand giving. Learn more issue that requires bi-partisan PRESORTED STD. PRESORTED Beech Cutler, the Foundation's are offered vital support services tact Shirlee Tully at shirlee@ at www.sacregcf.org attention because we simply can't Change Service Requested chief executive. in local school districts. sacregcf.org or (916) 765-9000. Source: Sacramento Region afford the nearly $2 trillion dol- The six recipient organiza- Altogether, the Foundation Sacramento Region Community Foundation H lar price tag,” Weber concluded. tions were selected from over granted $78,930 to support a Community Foundation has Source: www.amac.us H 104 proposals submitted to wide assortment of necessary the Foundation's highly com- projects across the four-county petitive Responsive Grants region at the following Program, a granting opportu- organizations: DINNER FOR 2 nity designed to respond flexibly B Street Theatre; Boys & Girls YOUR CHOICE OF TWO ENTREES to immediate needs throughout Club of Greater Sacramento; Choose FINE MEXICAN FOOD From DINE IN the Sacramento region, sup- Children's Choice for Hearing ONLY #7-24 +TAX plementing the Foundation's and Talking Center Sacramento; TAKE OUT & CATERING AVAILABLE donor-advised granting and its Short Term Emergency Aid ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. EXPIRES 12/31/2015 sustained grantmaking aligned Committee; The Gathering Inn; 5825 MANZANITA AVE with its four Strategic Initiatives. TLCS, Inc. @ AUBURN BLVD., CARMICHAEL, 95608 The nonprofit awardees serve Combined with the grants FULL BAR (916) 334-7122 FULL BAR a range of sectors – including made during the inaugural round YOUR DINE IN CHOICE ONLY arts, health, homelessness and of the program in September, the 855 TWELVE BRIDGES DR +TAX human services, and youth -- Foundation awarded $218,224 in FajitasCarnitasCarneAsadaChimichangas BEER & WINE LINCOLN, 95648 BEER & WINE and will use the funds to meet grants to 17 nonprofits as part of AVAILABLE (916) 409-9370 AVAILABLE ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. EXPIRES 12/31/2015 2 • Carmichael Times January 1, 2016 “Now Accepting New Patients!” Citizenship Hopefuls Quality Get Free Workshop Compassion SACRAMENTO REGION, CA citizenship. There’s even going Date: Jan. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (MPG) - U.S. Citizenship and to be a demonstration natural- Where: Sacramento Respect Immigration Services officers ization interview, acted out by Central Library, 828 I Street, will host a free workshop on USCIS officers.