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Showing posts from January, 2025

Can Seawater Fight Fires in SoCal | Why No Water | Fireboats | Damage From Seawater

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Can Seawater Fight Fires in SoCal | Why No Water | Fireboats | Damage From Seawater - YouTube In this video, Sal Mercogliano —a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) longtime firefighter, and former merchant mariner — discusses the use of seawater and how it can be utilized to fight the wildfires in southern California. I'll provide a summary of this video discussing the use of seawater for fighting fires in Los Angeles. Sal, who has experience as both a Merchant Mariner and a 25-year firefighter, addresses four main concerns about using seawater to fight fires: 1. Water Shortage Context: -           Los Angeles is experiencing water shortages during firefighting due to: Evacuated homes with water lines left on, causing system-wide drainage - when you evacuate your house during a wildfire turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) Water towers being unable to refill fast enough during high demand Insuffi...

Number of Registered Lobbyists Jumps to Record 3,245 in California

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CA lobbyists celebrate banner year The Worst State Government Money Can Buy - California's Lobbying Industry Hits Record Numbers as Spending Approaches $1 Billion In a significant shift that underscores the growing influence of special interests in Sacramento, California has seen its registered lobbyist numbers surge to an unprecedented 3,245 in the 2023-24 legislative session, marking a roughly 10% increase from the previous session. This expansion coincides with lobbying expenditures approaching the $1 billion mark, raising concerns about the balance of power in state policymaking. The dramatic rise in lobbying activity is particularly notable when compared to historical figures. According to data from the Secretary of State's office, the state had just 1,237 registered lobbyists during the 2009-10 session. The current figure represents nearly a tripling of the lobbying workforce in just over a decade. "The fact that the number of registered lobb...