Two large groups representing North Coast grape growers said Friday they are likely to voluntarily comply with rules designed to protect endangered fish in the Russian River, even though a judge has put the controversial regulations on hold. But it’s unclear whether other growers, who farm more than half of the 23,050 acres in the Russian River watershed, would follow their lead.

A state oversight board on Wednesday approved a controversial proposal that could lead to for-profit companies operating in 11 state parks, including six on the North Coast. Critics fear the action could pave the way for these parks to be taken over by commercial interests or undermine nonprofits that are planning to submit their own bids to run the parks. Do you think this is a good idea or not?

Setting aside concerns about long-term costs, Sonoma County supervisors Tuesday took their first steps toward assuming temporary management of Annadel State Park. The board unanimously authorized Regional Parks Director Caryl Hart to open negotiations with the state about taking over operations of the popular 5,000-acre park on Santa Rosa’s eastern flank.

The state is seeking authority to attract bids from concessionaires to potentially operate 11 parks, including six on the North Coast, a move that critics fear is a step toward privatizing these public places. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park east of Kenwood would be bundled with five Central Valley parks to make them more financially attractive to bidders, under a proposal by state parks officials.

The state’s decision to grab local redevelopment funds will have a big impact in Santa Rosa, according to City Manager Kathleen Millison and Economic Development Director David Gouin. They say the city will lose more than 2,800 construction jobs and $84 million it had planned to invest in projects, programs and services. They want residents to contact the Legislature and urge lawmakers to postpone the Feb. 1 deadline.

Daniel A. Drummond, executive director of the Sonoma County Taxpayers’ Association, says Gov. Jerry Brown is presenting voters with a false choice: increase taxes or cut schools. He says the governor and the media are complicit in seeking to create a sense of fear by focusing on threatened cuts to high-profile services such as education and parks, or services to the poor and disabled. Instead, Drummond says, we should confront the real problems before us. What do you think?

Local government officials express horror, warning of ‘carnage’ to budgets, delays for critical community projects and setbacks for economic recovery efforts.
School officials are encouraged, expecting to enjoy a larger slice of the property-tax pie.

It’s the ultimate dilemma for job-seekers: To get a job, some employers require you to have a job. Such hiring policies would be illegal under a bill proposed by Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-San Rafael. His measure, AB 1450, would impose fines on employers or employment agencies that refuse to consider out-of-work applicants for job openings. What do you think of the idea?

The elimination of California redevelopment agencies will create ‘carnage’ on city projects unless the state gives communities more time to respond and adapt to a recent court ruling, Santa Rosa City Manager Kathy Millison said Friday.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s hastily released state budget proposal would slash local health and human services programs while tying the fate of school funding to a proposed tax measure he wants on the November ballot. Whether the measure makes it to the ballot, and whether voters will approve it remains uncertain, leaving Sonoma County school districts again facing the prospect of building two budgets.