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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
“Like many of you, I’m not a gambler but I see how important this is for the well-being of California,” Sen. Dodd said. “Even if you don’t bet there is good reason to support this bill. Revenue from sports wagering will help us avoid teacher layoffs and painful cuts. At the same time, it will allow us to regulate a practice that happens anyway.”
"Gambling is the last thing on the minds of many hardworking families during this time of crisis,” Assemblymember Gary said. “However, the legalization of sports wagering will create much-needed revenue for programs in education and public safety at a time when the state is facing down a $50 billion deficit. We can put an end to this black market and restore critical public funding – that's a win-win."
Last June, Assemblymember Gray and Sen. Dodd introduced their initial measures and have been working with stakeholders over the last year.
Significant new language was added including an increase in the tax rate from 10 percent to 15 percent as well as revised revenue estimates.
Tribal casinos and the state’s major racetracks would be authorized to operate sports wagering at their facilities and via mobile devices, with strict third-party age and identity verification.
The inclusion of mobile wagering is essential to convert a substantial percentage of the illegal market and ensure the state realizes meaningful revenue increases.
Experts say the California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act would generate $500 million to $700 million in a mature market with at least $200 million expected in the first year.
The bill will be heard Tuesday in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting. The decision did not automatically legalize sports wagering nationwide but permitted the activity to be regulated on a state-by-state basis. 22 states have legalized sports wagering, and a majority of the remaining states are considering legislation.
Estimates put illegal sports wagering in the United States at $150 billion a year. Revenue generated from legalization could support public education, infrastructure and other needs at a time when COVID-19 has caused a drastic reduction in revenue to state and local governments.
The constitutional amendment introduced by Sen. Dodd and Assemblymember Gray would require any legalization effort in California to be placed on the statewide ballot for voter approval.
The authors are aiming to put the measure to voters in the November 2020 election.
Sen. Dodd and Assemblymember Gray chair their chambers’ respective Governmental Organization committees, which oversee gaming regulation, among other things.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Blue Wing restaurant in Upper Lake has completed its COVID-19 reopening plan and is prepared to welcome customers back to a limited number of well-spaced tables in its sycamore-shaded garden.
As per county guidelines, service will be confined to the outdoor spaces for the time being.
At the outset, service will be limited to the hours of 1 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Mondays, with the first day of service being Friday, May 29.
The popular take-out service will continue during those hours with pickup at the front door of the restaurant.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into how we can reorient our procedures to provide the same quality of food and service in a relaxing atmosphere while protecting the health of customers and staff alike,” said Blue Wing owner Bernie Butcher. “We’re starting with just a few tables and we’ll be wearing masks and taking extra time to disinfect all surfaces. But all of us at the Blue Wing are excited to be taking this first step back into business.”
As an added incentive for people to venture out again, local musicians will be playing background music on the hotel veranda each night from 5 to 7 p.m.
First up on Friday, May 29, will be jazz standards from Paul Kemp and the Majide Trio. Pianist David Neft will entertain on Saturday, songstress Saran Tichava on Sunday and an acoustic blues trio headed by guitarist Jim Williams on Monday.
“Our local musicians are getting a bit rusty from all the inactivity,” said Butcher, “so it will be good to see them out again doing what they love to do.”
The revised layout of the Blue Wing garden can seat a maximum of 30 people, so it will be important to make advance reservations by calling 707-275-2233.
If the restaurant is not open, please leave a message and manager Allie Schell will get right back to confirm a time.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
The Department of Insurance will review all premium adjustments to ensure they are fair and adequate and reflect policyholders’ reduced risk.
The bulletin now includes the month of May, having already included the months of March and April, covering at least six different insurance lines: private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, workers’ compensation, commercial multi-peril, commercial liability, medical malpractice and any other insurance line where the risk of loss has fallen substantially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commissioner’s Bulletin 2020-4 requires insurance companies to provide an adjustment to the premium in the form of a premium credit, reduction, return of premium, or other appropriate adjustment as soon as possible, and no later than Aug. 11, 2020.
For most if not all consumers, this will be a percentage of the premium — not 100 percent — and the Department of Insurance will validate each insurance company’s plan so that refunds are adequate and reflect the reduced risk.
“With the vast majority of Californians still under ‘stay at home’ orders, the risk of accident and loss remains low for many lines of insurance and their premiums should reflect that,” said Commissioner Lara. “While I appreciate companies that have already taken action to return premiums, the Department of Insurance will be checking that the reductions are adequate and consumers and businesses are not shortchanged.”
On March 18, Commissioner Lara issued a notice, calling on all admitted and non-admitted insurance companies to provide their policyholders with a 60-day grace period to pay their premiums.
With the deadline for this grace period fast approaching, Commissioner Lara on Friday issued a second notice requesting insurance companies to work with their policyholders who may be struggling financially to allow them an additional 60-days, effectively extending the grace period until July 14, 2020.
After July 14, 2020, insurers are encouraged to work with their individual policyholders who have been acutely impacted by COVID-19 and are still unable to timely pay their premiums.
“Consumers who have lost their jobs or businesses due to this crisis deserve flexibility in paying their premiums, just like any other,” said Commissioner Lara. “I am asking insurance companies to be mindful of the revenue stream Californians have consistently provided to insurers over the years, stand with their customers in this crisis and extend grace periods an additional 60 days.”
Commissioner Lara is also requesting that all insurance agents, brokers, and other licensees who accept premium payments on behalf of insurers take steps to ensure that customers have the ability to make prompt insurance payments, if and where possible.
This includes alternate methods of payment, such as online payments, to eliminate the need for in-person payment methods in order to protect the health and safety of both workers and customers.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
If you are preparing to reopen a business where there’s been little to no water use, Cal Water asks that you thoroughly flush water from the taps before using it.
Cal Water said this precaution is necessary because prolonged stagnation of water in building pipes can impair water quality.
To flush properly, start from the faucet closest to the water meter and move outward toward the farthest faucet.
If your faucet has both cold and hot water handles, run the cold water first, then the hot water.
For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html or https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/covid-19.html .