Santa Barbara News-Press: June 26, 2023

Honoring Sally Ride

Statue to be unveiled at Reagan Presidential Library on Fourth of July - A2

‘Classics with the Cardinals’

dancing into summer

isla Vista man to appear on drug charges

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

An Isla Vista man has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax and Ecstasy for sale, and will appear in court next week to set a date for his preliminary hearing, prosecutors said.

Thomas Hung, 21, was arraigned on June 14 and pleaded not guilty to five felony charges filed against him, Senior Deputy District Attorney Anthony Davis told the News-Press.

“He was released from custody on pre-trial supervision with various terms and conditions, and his case was set for preliminary hearing setting on July 5,” the prosecutor said.

Mr. Hung is charged with the possession of Xanax (Farmapram) and psilocybin mushrooms for sale on June 12; the illegal cultivation of mushroom spores or mycelium on the same date; the possession for sale of Xanax on June 6; and the sale and/or transport of MDMA (Ecstasy), also on June 6.

Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies from the Isla Vista Foot Patrol arrested Mr. Hung on June 12 following an investigation into a tip regarding illegal narcotics being sold in Isla Vista.

Hung is charged with the possession of Xanax and psilocybin mushrooms for sale on June 12; the illegal cultivation of mushroom spores or mycelium on the same date; the possession for sale of Xanax on June 6; and the sale and/or transport of MDMA (Ecstasy), also on June 6.

suspicion of transportation of a controlled substance (felony), possession of narcotics for sales (felony), possession of a controlled substance for sales (felony) and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms (felony). The Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked the anonymous reporting party who came forward with their community concerns.

Dancers in colorful costumes lead the Summer Solstice Parade Saturday on Santa Barbara Street.

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Summer Solstice Parade took over Santa Barbara in all its color this Saturday, marking the peak of the three-day-long Solstice Celebrations in Santa Barbara.

The “Roots”-themed parade started at noon on Saturday at the intersection of Santa Barbara and Ortega streets. The sea of different performing acts worked slowly up Santa Barbara Street to Alameda Park. Thousands of people lined either side of the street, and many more waited at the park for its arrival.

“I like performing. Being able to set myself free and participate, it’s a lot of fun,” said Andres Filomia, dressed in the “Roots” theme with a straw hat, green vest and brown pants, meant to represent an Ent – tree creatures from The Lord of the Rings. “I’ve been coming for a long time and this Summer I took time off and said ‘I’m going to participate in this.’”

Please see SOLSTICE on A4

One of several photographers on Santa Barbara Street takes pictures of one of the various dance groups.

Deputies followed up on the June 6 tip, resulting in a warrant being issued for Mr. Hung. They served the warrant on June 12 in the 6600 block of Abrego Road, where they recovered more than 175 Xanax along with MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms.

Mr. Hung was booked at the Main Jail in Santa Barbara on

“This helpful information together with a thorough investigation by deputies has taken serious drugs off the streets of Isla Vista,” the Sheriff’s Office said. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Man pleads guilty in child pornography case

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A former UCSB researcher has pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of child pornography involving illicit images found on his work computer, prosecutors said.

Matthew Ferris Peterson, 41, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty when he appeared in court on June 14 to set a date for his preliminary hearing, Deputy District Attorney Megan Chanda told the News-Press.

Mr. Peterson will return to court on Aug. 15 for sentencing, she said.

“He will be sentenced to two years of felony probation and required to comply with various term including, but not limited to, serve 90 days in County Jail, complete 100 hours of community service, sex offender classes/therapy per the probation department, no contact with minors, and he will be required to register as a sex offender,” the prosecutor said.

In the complaint filed against Ms. Peterson, prosecutors alleged the defendant possessed

Matthew

or controlled child pornograpy between Jan. 1, 2020 and June 29, 2022 that related to images of a person under age 18, “personally engaging in or simulating sexual conduct.”

Mr. Peterson was arrested in June 2022 at a home in Carpinteria following an investigation by university police who found the child pornography images on his university-issued computer.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Ferris Peterson, 41, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty when he appeared in court on June 14 to set a date for his preliminary hearing.

Above, A parade participant sits in a watermelon. At right, floats such as this one were pulled or pushed. Nothing was motorized in a parade celebrating the summer solstice and the earth.

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Santa Barbara welcomes summer with Solstice Parade

New Sally Ride statue planned at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Challenger

Statue to be erected on Fourth of July

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

This Fourth of July a new monument in honor of Sally Ride – the first American woman to go to space – will be erected at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The new monument will be the first of an American female Astronaut and comes just in time for the 40 year anniversary of her first Challenger mission to space. Sally Ride, a

California native, died in 2012.

“Sally is going to be kind of like the gateway into the Reagan defense part of the museum,” said Project Leader Steven Barber. “She’ll be the first person people see at this monument.”

The placement of Sally Ride’s monument at the Reagan Presidential Library is not a random choice. Sally Ride took her first flight to space in 1983, during Mr. Reagan’s first term as president.

“Reagan was the President when she went up, and he was the first person she spoke to

when she came back,” Mr. Barber told the News-Press.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library expects several thousand visitors during Fourth of July celebrations that will include a number of other events and celebrations.

Outdoor activities are free to the public. For more information and to get tickets to other aspects of the event, visit the library’s website at reaganfoundation.org.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Texas pecan farmers on the front lines of border crisis

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) –

Depending on how one says, “pea-can” or “puh-cahn,” it’s easy for natives to tell if the person speaking is a Texan or not. The little nut packed with nutrients and properly pronounced “puhcahn,” as natives will tell you, bears great significance to the Lone Star State.

The pecan tree was first discovered in what is now the southernmost part of El Paso County, Texas. The only tree nut native to the United States, it’s the state tree of Texas. Pecans are also the Texas health nut and pecan pie is the official state pie.

A multi-generational group of families in the El Paso Valley who’ve committed their whole lives to growing the state nut say their lives, livelihood and way of life are in jeopardy because of heavy foot traffic and crime coming from the border since the administration of President Joe Biden began.

“The only reason I sleep at night is the Trump wall and the Second Amendment,” Jennifer Ivey, the wife of a pecan farmer and Republican Party precinct chair, told The Center Square in an exclusive interview during a visit to one of the family groves.

The pecan orchards in the El Paso Valley thrive in one of the

most unique geographic regions of the state. The valley produces over 50% of all pecans grown in Texas. Fifteen states produce pecans; Georgia, New Mexico and Texas produce the most.

Many of the El Paso County pecan orchards are located roughly a mile from where the Trump wall was erected in 2020. The wall was built to replace a 2009-era steel fence built after Congress passed the 2006 Secure Fence Act, which received significant Democratic support. Through it, funds were allocated to construct “two layers of reinforced fencing” and “additional physical barriers” along a 700-mile stretch in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In a 2011 speech in El Paso, then President Barack Obama said construction was “basically complete.” Critics at the time, however, argued only 5% was complete.

And it wasn’t enough to act as a deterrent to drug and human trafficking, which locals say was heavy during the Obama administration and dropped under the Trump administration. Now, under the Biden administration, residents say they’re being overrun.

In January 2021, 131 miles of Mr. Trump’s new border wall was completed, including in southern El Paso County. It’s much taller and thicker than the 2009-era fence and cemented

in concrete below the surface. When completed, former Customs and Border Protection Chief Mark Morgan published photos comparing the two.

In the historic border town of San Elizario, The Center Square observed where farmers’ fields come right up to the wall and a few hundred yards away are residential neighborhoods.

Multigenerational families, descendants of legal immigrants from several countries, began farming this region more than 100 years ago. But as foreign nationals began cutting through the 2009-era fence or used rebar and ladders to climb over it, their way of life was forever altered.

Ms. Ivey described what it was like living in this region prior to the Trump wall being built.

“Imagine feeling like you’re living on the street and people are walking by all night long and you have a bunch of little children to protect,” she said. “Every morning you have to look around your shoulder, around your surroundings to protect your children. Because you never know where illegal aliens will be.”

Now, over a decade later, nearly every night, people are trespassing on private property, walking right up to and past their homes, residents told The Center Square. At a recent meeting at a home in Fabens, one resident said as illegal foreign nationals move

north, they’re “defecating in the fields, leaving their passports on the ground, all night long, it’s like that.”

On one property, farmers found 1,000 pounds of marijuana buried in a ditch in their pecan orchard. They called a sheriff’s deputy who came and arrested the alleged traffickers, who were all in the U.S. illegally.

At another, a farmer found several hundred pounds of drugs and called the sheriff, who confiscated it. The next day, an abandoned vehicle was left in front of the farmer’s house filled with low quality marijuana. On the dashboard was a note that said, “By the time you read this, we’ve already moved 10 times the amount of drugs through your farm. Do not try to stop us.”

Those involved with drug trafficking and smuggling often hide large volumes of drugs on farmland near the border. One group brings and hides the stash; a second group comes to retrieve and deliver it, the farmers explained. They said, they’re “being invaded by people who don’t want to do with our way of life.”

“This is still America,” Ms. Ivey said. “I still want to believe that things will get better. I’m going to keep standing for our constitutional rights and defend our freedoms and not stay afraid.

“If Trump’s wall wasn’t there we would be completely overrun.”

Arizona State University sees scrutiny over conservative event backlash

By

CARLY MORAN

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – An Arizona lawmaker wants the state’s collegiate governing body to investigate why an Arizona State University employee lost her job shortly after organizing an event featuring conservative speaker.

Rep. Austin Smith, R-Surprise, wrote to the Arizona Board of Regents on June 21 following the decision by ASU to terminate the employment of administrator Ann Atkinson.

Ms. Atkinson worked as the executive director of the T.W. Lewis Center for Personal Development at ASU’s Barrett Honors College, where she hosted an event in Feb. 2023 titled “Health, Wealth and Happiness,”

with conservative speakers Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk. By June 30, she will be terminated from ASU.

“ASU claims to value freedom of expression,” Ms. Atkinson said in a Wall St. Journal op-ed. “But in the end, the faculty mob always wins against institutional protections for free speech.”

Ms. Atkinson argued that the move was politically motivated, but ASU argued differently, saying it was due to the Lewis Center’s loss of funding.

“Arizona State University is committed to, in practice, not just rhetoric, all things that support free speech and all of its components,” the university’s news release reads. “ASU employee Ann Atkinson has lost the distinction

between feelings and fact in her recent comments about what prompted her loss of employment at the T.W. Lewis Center at Arizona State University.”

The T.W. Lewis Foundation, led by prominent home developer Tom Lewis, did cancel its funding of the development center. However, Mr. Lewis’ revokement of funds may be a response to Ms. Atkinson’s treatment, and not the cause. Mr. Lewis is known for funding conservative groups, including Prager University and Turning Point USA. He even issued a statement to the Arizona Republic in response to Ms. Atkinson’s job loss.

“The long story short is that conservative viewpoints are not welcome at ASU, or at most

Please see ASU on A3

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PHOTOS COURTESY STEVEN BARBER

Steven Barber, the project leader for the Sally Ride monument at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, stands next to the statue honoring the first American woman to go into space. She took her first flight to space in 1983, during President Ronald Reagan’s first term.

The new monument will be the first of an American female Astronaut and comes just in time for the 40 year anniversary of California native Sally Ride’s first

mission to space.

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

A woman sustained serious injuries when her vehicle plunged 150 feet over the side of

Man arrested for allegedly setting brush fire

LOMPOC – Police arrested a man Sunday on suspicion of arson for allegedly setting a brush fire near the Allan Hancock campus.

Claudio Nava Santiago, 31, was booked into the Lompoc Police Department jail and was being held on a $50,000 bond.

At about 10:44 a.m. Sunday, Lompoc Police Department dispatch received several 91-1 calls regarding a brush fire near Allan Hancock College.

The Lompoc Fire Department and Santa Barbara County Fire responded and began attacking the fire. The Vandenberg Space Force Base Fire Department responded as well to assist.

A helicopter was requested to assist with putting out the blaze.

The southbound lanes leading into Lompoc were temporarily shut down.

At about 11:24 a.m., the Fire Department requested assistance from Lompoc police near the old drive-in theater as they believed they were with the possible suspect who allegedly started the fire.

“Once officers arrived, they determined the subject was in fact related to the fire and placed him under arrest,” police said.

As of 1:17 p.m., the southbound lanes leading into Lompoc were reopened, and traffic resumed its normal path of travel.

Police urge anyone who may have further information regarding the fire to contact the Lompoc Police Department.

The incident remains under investigation.

Lompoc Fire Department Arson Investigator Luis Farah Jr. is the investigating officer.

– Neil Hartstein

Woman seriously injured after vehicle falls from Cold Springs Bridge

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – A woman received massive injuries when her vehicle plunged 150 feet over the side of Cold Springs Bridge on Highway 154, landing on Stagecoach Road below, county fire officials said.

The incident occurred at about 1:55 p.m. Saturday.

Rescue workers inside a county fire

helicopter lowered a fire medic to the patient on a hillside while ground crews installed rope systems to assist in the rescue.

The rescued woman sustained major injuries in the accident and was transported by helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The accident remained under investigation with the CHP.

– Neil Hartstein

Hiker rescued from Nojoqui Falls

BUELLTON – County firefighters rescued an injured hiker Saturday at Nojoqui Falls, county fire officials said.

The incident occurred at about 11:05 a.m.

Firefighters responded to rescue the 50year-old male hiker.

“Our Fire Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) carried Fire medics and EMTs to render care and extract the patient,” fire officials said.

The patient was transported by ground ambulance to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.

Hartstein

– Neil

Critics blast attempt to lower Louisiana high school graduation standards

By VICTOR SKINNER THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is moving ahead with plans to create waivers for high school graduation requirements critics believe will hurt students that need help the most.

BESE will publish a proposed rule in the Louisiana Register next month to allow students not meeting the current graduation standard to complete a project or portfolio that would be graded by their teacher. If the students receive a passing grade on the assignment, they would receive a diploma that would count toward their school’s accountability rating score.

“There are many examples throughout our state of students with unique testing difficulties being tested repeatedly without success, despite having a strong understanding of the content,” said BESE President Holly Boffy, elected to District 7. “The goal

of the policy … is to provide an appeals process for these students in confirming their graduation eligibility and readiness for postsecondary opportunities.”

BESE voted to adopt the policy earlier this month following a presentation by Ms. Boffy and Belinda Davis, an at-large member appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The move followed discussions that date back to last year that was initially aimed at finding a solution to help middle and high school students with limited English proficiency.

“Somehow that has morphed into this universal policy for all kids, who are … proficient in English,” said Erin Bendily, vice president for policy and strategy at the Pelican Institute.

Louisiana’s longstanding academic standard for public school graduation requires students to score at the “approaching basic” level or above on high school end-of-course LEAP tests in English, math, and either biology or U.S. History. The LEAP test consists of five levels,

with approaching basic one level above failing.

Critics argue the relatively low bar for graduation is a significant factor in thousands of graduates who require remediation as freshmen in college and employers struggling to find graduates with basic skills.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rates increased by double-digits when the LEAP requirement was waived for all students during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, compared to prepandemic rates. An emergency waiver issued for seniors last year is expected to have a similar result. Statewide, just over a third of Louisiana public high school students perform on grade level, yet 70% of schools are rated “A” or “B,” a situation that has prompted efforts to reform the system.

Ms. Bendily contends the recent BESE proposal would further distort the school accountability system and ultimately result in less focus on helping students achieve basic proficiency.

“This is going to further inflate

already inflated high school scores in our state,” she said. “I worry if this actually gets implemented there’s going to be even less of a demand to help these kids.”

“I just feel like the focus of the conversation is not recognizing the problem and how schools could do better. We know which kids are not on track. Why aren’t they getting … the interventions necessary to meet this very meager standard?”

Brigitte Nieland, government affairs director for Stand for Children Louisiana, expressed similar concerns.

“I think this is going to lead to … even fewer services to students who have more needs,” she said, adding that the change will “create a false sense of success where there isn’t one.”

“The portfolios are going to be judged by the teachers, who will be pressured to have more graduates,” Ms. Nieland said. “There are so many issues at play that have nothing to do with education of students.”

Faculty members condemned event, but did not call for cancellation

ASU

Continued from Page A2

public universities in America,” Mr. Lewis said. Ms. Atkinson detailed ways she believes the administration sought to censor the event without outright banning it. Nevertheless, the event was successful, with a total turnout of 1,500 attending in person, and 24,000 online. “The university administration’s position on the event was no secret,” Ms. Atkinson said. “All advertising about ‘Health, Wealth, and Happiness’ was scrubbed from campus walls and digital flyers. Behind closed doors, deans pressured me to postpone the event indefinitely.”

The clearest form of opposition was a letter signed by 36 honors college faculty members. Though the letter condemned the event, it did not explicitly call for its cancellation.

“Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk are

purveyors of hate who have publicly attacked women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, as well as the institutions of our democracy, including our public institutions of higher education,” the letter read. “By platforming and legitimating their extreme anti-intellectual and antidemocratic views, Barrett will not be furthering the cause of democratic exchange at ASU, but undermining it in ways that could further marginalize the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The letter cited examples of Mr. Prager and Mr. Kirk’s positions in which they disagreed.

According to some, Ms. Atkinson is not the only to suffer repercussions for expressing conservative beliefs at ASU. In the letter to the Arizona Board of Regents, Rep. Smith cites the previous arrest of student Tim Tizon for handing out pocket constitutions, as well as the firing of ASU Gammage Theater employee Kin Blake for hosting Ms. Atkinson’s event that “did not align with Gammage’s values.”

“Free speech is paramount to the future of our Republic,” Rep. Smith said, “Higher education taxpayer-funded universities must be held to a higher standard regarding the First Amendment. I am disturbed that this trend continues to happen at Arizona State University. I have asked the Regents to do their job and seek answers immediately from Arizona State administrators.”

In addition to Rep. Smith’s investigation, ASU is currently being watched by the campus free speech group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

“FIRE sees no #1A problem with such a closure, provided there are genuine funding concerns,” FIRE tweeted. “But, because schools often point to viewpoint-neutral reasons to justify viewpoint-based censorship, we’ll continue to monitor closely.” FIRE had previously given ASU their “green” rating regarding the freedom of expression and speech on campus.

COURTESY PHOTO

Cold Springs Bridge on Highway 154, landing on Stagecoach Road.

‘The energy is palpable, you can just feel the love’

CANO, Rogelia

On June 15, 2023, Rogelia Cano passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family. She was 84 years old and a longtime resident of Santa Barbara. Rogelia was the youngest of 10 children. Her life was a challenge from adolescence even up to the moment of her death. Her children would often refer to their mother as a “firecracker” because her energy was explosive and entertaining. The light/sparkle generated by her was so unique and inspiring to all who were fortunate enough to witness it. Rogelia was also active in her church and part of the Altar Society for some time. She liked to travel when she could Canada, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Italy, Machu Pichu, Mexico just to name a few.

Rogelia was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Raymond Cano, and by her daughter Cynthia (Cano) Callahan. Rogelia is survived by her sons David Cano and Ray Cano Jr., daughter Ann (Cano) Scollin and her son-in-law Wayne Scollin.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Rogelia. She loved working in the garden, taking walks, spending time with her family and talking with those who would listen.

Rogelia was well-loved and opened her heart to those that knew her and those she did not. She always provided support and love for her family.

Toward the end. She asked her priest “why has God not taken me yet?”

The priest cheerfully responded “Well Rogelia you have your ticket but your train has not arrived.”

The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and caregivers that helped her through the years.

Please join us for Rosary services on Tuesday, June 27th, at 7 p.m., Welch-Ryce-Haider - downtown. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 29. at 10:30 a.m. at San Roque Parish, Santa Barbara. Burial services to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Reception will be at the gathering area San Roque Parish.

Here’s a new twist on a root beer float — as a float in the Summer Solstice Parade. The celebration’s theme was “Roots.”

SOLSTICE

Continued from Page A1

The Summer Solstice Parade had humble beginnings in 1974 when Santa Barbara artist Michael Gonzales and three of his friends danced on the city streets for his birthday. That began the 49-year run of celebrations and parades that lasts today.

“I’ve been doing this parade since 1978,” said John Kelly, dressed as the Sun in a golden suit and Sun-themed bike. Mr. Kelly was a close friend of the late Michael Gonzales and makes sure to come back for the parade every year, despite living in New York.

“I come here to celebrate the longest day of the year and to honor the memory of Michael Gonzales, and a bunch of people I used to do this with who are no longer here,” said Mr. Kelly.

The “Roots” theme could be seen all throughout the parade, from casual viewers wearing green and brown face paint, to the Tree of Life – a massive parade float that featured elaborate twisted branches and elf-eared kids around the trunk.

People took liberties with the theme, dressing in all colors and fashions – lots of tie dye – as they enjoyed the warm sunny afternoon.

Up at the parade’s finish in Alameda Park, food carts and live

Dancers step up to a lively beat.

music made sure people stuck around for the after-party.

Two self-described “supporting cast members” of the parade, Cody Howen and Ryan B., were dressed in long-eared green beanies that

they described as “extraterrestrial Shreks,” and perhaps best summarized the feeling around the Summer Solstice Parade.

“The energy is palpable, you can just feel the love, man,” said

Mr. Howen. “Everyone’s having a good time, just letting people be themselves, enjoying a beautiful Summer day.”

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress. com. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will lay out the obituary using our standard format. A formatted proof of the obituary and the cost will be emailed back for review and approval. The minimum obituary cost to print one time is $150.00 for up to 1.5” in length -- includes 1 photo and up to 12 lines of text, approximately 630 characters; up to approximately 930 characters without a photo. Add $60.00 for each additional inch or partial inch after the first 1.5”; up to approximately 700 characters per additional inch. All Obituaries must be reviewed, approved, and prepaid by deadline. We accept all major credit cards by phone; check or cash payments may be brought into our office located at 725 S. Kellogg Ave., Goleta. Early 4th of July Holiday deadline: Obituaries publishing:Wed., July 5 & Thur., July 6, the deadline isMon., July 3, at 10am. The deadline for Weekend and Monday’s editions is at 10a.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Fridays; Wednesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Mondays; Thursday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Tuesdays; Friday’s edition deadlines ���������������������������������������Free Death Notices must be directly emailed by the mortuary to our newsroom at news@newspress.com. The News-Press cannot accept Death Notices from individuals.

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Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Life theArts

Hot wheels

Classic cars on display at Bishop Diego High School

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

From El Caminos to Thunderbirds, Santa Barbara brought the classic cars out this Saturday to enjoy some summer sun and a shared love of the old automobiles.

Around 100 cars were on display as old-school music played over speakers at Bishop Diego High School. Collectors got a chance to show off their vehicles and talk to curious car enthusiasts during the “Classics with the Cardinals” show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

“I really love the people that come up to me and ask me questions, ‘oh, my grandfather had one of these,’” said Robby Fair, while sitting under an umbrella in his lawn chair, greeting people as they came by.

Mr. Fair – a lifelong Volkswagen owner and enthusiast – brought his koral red original 1958 VW Bug to the show, “It’s really nice to be able to talk to people that experience older cars. Cars are pretty much like time capsules.”

Many other people at the event saw a deeper meaning in classic cars – both as a way to connect with those around them and to

Please see CARS on B2

Collectors got a chance to show off their vehicles and talk to curious car enthusiasts during the “Classics with the Cardinals” show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Free pet adoption event set for July 1

The Santa Barbara County Animal Services and Ventura County Animal Services have teamed up to organize a free pet adoption event across all five of their South Coast shelters on Saturday, July 1. The one-day adoption event is part of a larger goal by the organization to make pet ownership more equitable.

This fee-waived pet adoption event applies to all animals over one year of age. There will be no adoption fee for these animals, but there may be a nominal license fee depending on the city in which the adopter resides, in order to help ensure that each adopted pet receives the appropriate licensing, vaccinations, and identification, in compliance with local regulations.

All interested parties must

Free Fourth of July Celebration

North Avenue Baptist Church is having a celebration on the Fourth of July with a variety of free family-friendly games and a fireworks display.

The event starts at 4 p.m. at 1523 West North Avenue where there will be carnival games,

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@newspress.com.

TODAY 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily: The Sistine Chapel Art Exhibition runs through Sept. 4 at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $18 for children, and $22 for seniors, military and students. Each ticket also includes admission to the mission museum. To purchase, go to santabarbaramission.org/ sistine-chapel-omsb or stop at the museum’s gift shop.

Father Joe Schwab is hosting personal tours that delve into the theological and philosophical perspectives of Michelangelo’s art. Groups of 10 or more can contact Donna Reeves for a private tour at development@ sboldmission.org.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa

participate in the full adoption process to ensure the best possible matches are made. All animals leave the shelter spayed or neutered, vaccinated, fleatreated and microchipped.

For more information about the pet adoption event, including adoption hours, adoption process and shelter locations, visit the websites of Santa Barbara Animal Services (www.sbcanimalservices. org) and Ventura County Animal Services (www.vcas.us).

The locations of the event are:

• 5473 Overpass Rd, Goleta, CA 93111

• 548 W. Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455

• 1501 W. Central Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436

• 600 Aviation Rd, Camarillo, CA 93010

• 670 W. Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93065

-Liam Hibbert

cornhole, pony rides and more.

The “Safe and Sane” fireworks show will start at 8 p.m.

Throughout the celebration there will be food from food trucks for purchase, such as chicken and waffles and BBQ. All are welcome to join, for more information visit nabclompoc.org.

-Liam Hibbert

Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its recurring summer exhibit, “Butterflies Alive!” Featuring a variety of butterflies, this experience allows guests to walk through a garden while nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter freely around them. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 4, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/butterfliesalive.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

Editor’s note: A more extensive calendar will appear in Tuesday’s News-Press.

.— Dave Mason

‘I just love cars, and I’m here for the show’

CARS

Continued from Page B1

honor those that came before.

Steve Kohler sat on a chair in the grass field patiently waiting alongside his yellow 1957 Ford Thunderbird. He had brought a poster with documents indicating the vehicle’s history – a car that his mom bought for his dad back when it first came out, later passed on to him.

“When he gave it to me he said, ‘you have to take it out and show it,’ because he never did. ” said Mr. Kohler. “Every time I take it to a show I say to myself, ‘this is what my dad would want.’”

For many, the show was a chance to get outside and enjoy a nice day with old and new friends,

talking about and showing off their passion.

“I just love cars, and I’m here for the show,” said Curtis Pedroza, who brought along his

navy blue 1956 Willys Jeep CJ5 – with a pirate flag hanging out the top. The car was part of a pandemic-era restoration he undertook.

“I enjoy talking with people, I’ve just been walking around with a couple of my buddies,” he said. email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets. For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/ animal/home.sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org. ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org. BUNS is based at Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook.com/capaoflompoc. CAPA works regularly with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals. org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara

County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare.org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta: countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home.sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb.org/ phd/animal/home.sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter.org.

— Dave Mason

Ojai resident Eddie Escoto’s 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix.

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

People check out Santa Barbara resident Tim Tremblay’s 2016 BMW i8.

At left is Goleta resident Steve Penniman’s 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup.

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Life is too short for long-term grudges.”

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com Monday, June 26, 2023

Aries: Your artistic nature is especially heightened today, Aries. Your heart and brain are working together to create something great. Use your creative abilities to make a bold statement. Have a good time. There may be a tendency toward laziness. If sitting on the couch is all you want to do, that’s fine.

Realize that there’s a great deal of potential energy available to you if you choose to harness it.

Taurus: Nothing will escape your attention today, Taurus.

Your sixth sense is right on target. Your mind is razor sharp and emotions extra sensitive. You will move through this day with your radar fully intact. You’re like a detective cutting through to the core of every issue. You will be able to get quite a bit accomplished with very little effort.

Gemini: You may feel like you’re ready to get the party started today, Gemini, but for some reason, the people around you aren’t exactly following suit. Perhaps you need to slow down and wait for others to catch up. They may end up not coming around at all. If people say they’re doing fine, don’t necessarily believe them.

Cancer: Don’t worry so much about getting things done today, Cancer. Instead, concentrate on your feelings and relationships. A caring, sensitive attitude is needed, as opposed to a harsh, militant way of dealing with things. You will find that by adopting a tender, nurturing tone, people will be much more receptive to you in general.

Leo: Don’t get sad if no one is laughing at your jokes today, Leo. It doesn’t mean you aren’t funny. It just means that people may not be in the mood to laugh. Ridiculous as it seems, today is simply a better day to cry. Let out all your pent-up emotions. Talk things over with others. Your heart communicates well through you today.

Virgo: Don’t be shy today, Virgo. Express how you feel. The more you share with others, the more they will be encouraged to share themselves with you. Today may be filled with a great many tender moments that are worth documenting in your journal tonight. Your thinking is clear

and in line with your deepest and truest emotions.

Libra: Hold your temper today, Libra. No one wants to argue. It may be tough to connect with the people around you, but this isn’t a reason to get upset. Tone things down and speak more softly. Listen to what others have to say. There may be a bit of a disruption in your daily routine. Others may challenge what you’re feeling. Don’t doubt yourself.

Scorpio: Today is an excellent day for you, Scorpio. You will discover many opportunities. You would do well to work with others by tuning into your sensitive nature and chiming in to the energy of the group. Your grounding and stability are exactly what are needed to give order to the fluctuating, indecisive minds you’re working with.

Sagittarius: Today is a good day for you, Sagittarius. New opportunities will abound in your regular routine. Work with a group to accomplish something greater than you could do by yourself. Tune in to the energy of the collective. You have exactly the right qualities that others need today.

Capricorn: Your intuition is more reliable than your mind today, Capricorn. This is a terrific day in which you should enjoy a good mood and clear head. Your emotions are high, so take advantage of this energy and share it with others. Your generous, nurturing spirit is in demand.

Aquarius: You may feel extra dreamy today, Aquarius. Your moods may fluctuate. It may be hard to get other people to share your boisterous good humor. Trying to get people to jump on your bandwagon of excitement may be difficult. Perhaps there’s something going on with them and their emotions that you simply aren’t noticing.

Pisces: Pay close attention to your friends today, Pisces. One of them may be going through a tough time and need a little extra support and attention. If you can, gather several buddies together and organize an impromptu lunch or dinner or any other activity that allows you to laugh, bond, and share.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Monday, June 26, 2023

The Vanderbilt Knockout Teams, the premier event at the Spring NABC, saw a rash of upsets. Many top-seeded teams were KO’d early. In the quarterfinals, four of the teams were originally seeded 30, 34, 35 and 46.

A team of five little-known Chinese-Americans, ZHAO, fought their way to the semifinals where they lost to BERNAL. ZHAO’s stirring run would have ended a match earlier had the result in today’s deal not favored them.

WORTHLESS

North-South for the team led by Sam Dinkin bid too optimistically to six spades; South’s king of clubs was likely to be worthless. (North’s two hearts was a transfer; his four diamonds showed a singleton.)

When West led the jack of hearts, South won with dummy’s king — and the slam became unmakeable. Say instead South wins with the ace, runs the spades, leads a diamond to the queen and takes the ace at Trick 10. Dummy has the K-7 of hearts and two clubs. West, with the 10-9 of hearts and the A-Q of clubs, must yield the 12th trick whatever he discards. DAILY QUESTION

side vulnerable. You deal and open three diamonds. The

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

next player bids three hearts, and your partner doubles. What do you say?

ANSWER: Pass. Don’t bother to look at your hand. Your preempt described your hand, and partner is “captain” and wants to defend. For all you know, he has the contract beaten three tricks in his own hand.

South dealer

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Sunday’s Life section.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

PUZZLE

A. Floyd Quality Control Specialist Santa Barbara County Housing Authority AVISO PÚBLICO PARA COMENTARIOS Plan Anual de la Agencia de Vivienda Pública para el Año Fiscal2024

Programa del Fondo de Capital CA 16-P021-501-24 Declaración Anual/Plan de Acción 5-Año

La Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Bárbara (HASBARCO) está invitando a todas las partes interesadas a comentar sobre el Plan de la Agencia de Vivienda Pública para 2024 y el Programa de Fondos de Capital propuesto CA16-P021-501-24 Declaración Anual / Plan de Acción de 5 años de acuerdo con la Sección 903.17 y 905.300 del Título 24 del Código de Regulaciones Federales.

Este aviso público se publica un mínimo de 45 días calendario antes de la audiencia pública programada para el 17 de agosto de 2023.

El borrador del plan PHA y el borrador del Programa del Fondo de Capital CA16-p021-501-23

Declaración Anual / Plan de Acción Quinquenal ya están disponibles para su revisión en el sitio web de HASBARCO www.hasbarco.org.

Los comentarios por escrito pueden enviarse a la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Bárbara en P.O. Box 397, Lompoc, CA 93438-0397 o por correo electrónico a arthurfloyd@hasbarco. org La fecha límite para enviar comentarios por escrito es el 17 de agosto de 2023.

Una audiencia pública sobre el borrador del plan se llevará a cabo el 17 de agosto de 2023, a las 5:00 PM.

Únase a la reunión de Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84165861754?pwd=VC80USs3N3hSUzFVYm1EYWtQK1liUT09

ID de reunión: 810 6155 6536

Código de acceso: 854419

O por teléfono +1669 900-6833

De conformidad con la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades, si necesita asistencia especial para participar en la audiencia pública, comuníquese con la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Bárbara al (805) 736-3423 Ext. 4002. La notificación al menos 24 horas antes de la reunión permitirá a la Autoridad de Vivienda hacer arreglos razonables.

A. Floyd Especialista en Control de Calidad Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Bárbara

Eckhardt: Paxton impeachment trial rules ‘fall short of fair trial procedures’

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Prior to the Texas Senate approving rules governing the upcoming impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, former Tarrant County judge and state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, DAustin, issued a statement explaining why she voted against them.

The Senate passed the rules on Wednesday by a vote of 28-3. The rules were established by a special committee appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, received bipartisan support, underwent weeks of input and two days of debate that delayed the announcement of them multiple times.

“Faced with this historic moment, the Senate has a constitutional obligation to ensure that Attorney General Warren Kenneth Paxton receives a fair and impartial trial on the twenty articles of impeachment that were proffered by the Texas House of Representatives,” Sen. Eckhardt said. “The stated goal of the Special Committee, indeed the Senate as a whole, has been to follow historic precedent as much as possible, deviating only when necessary to put the rules in a modern context or address circumstances unique to this specific case.

“While I have deep respect for the hard work of the Special Committee and the challenges faced in crafting rules that establish a fair process for these proceedings,” she said she voted no after reviewing the rules on impeachment for six prior trials. She also sent three letters of concern to members of the Special Committee, and the full Senate “received an exhaustive briefing from the Special Committee on their initial draft and the challenges they faced.” Despite all of the “valiant efforts” of her colleagues, she said the rules “fall short of fair trial procedures and deviates significantly from historic precedent.”

“The Rules are unprecedented in their presumption for opacity and closed deliberation,” she said. They are also “unprecedented in creating an intentionally unlevel playing field for the prosecution as compared to the defense,” and “in allowing for the dismissal of an Article of Impeachment by a simple majority vote.”

New York lawmakers approve wrongful conviction bill

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — New York would make it easier for criminal suspects to challenge wrongful convictions under a Democratic-led proposal awaiting action by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The proposal, which was approved by the state Assembly Tuesday on a 91-46 party-line vote, calls for changes in New York’s court system to ease the process for post-conviction challenges, including a provision allowing more people who pleaded guilty to a crime to petition a court to reconsider their conviction.

House Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, said the reforms will help the “wrongfully convicted seek justice,” saying that “far too many New Yorkers are sitting behind bars for crimes they did not commit.”

“This legislation will put into place the mechanisms to review cases of those who have been wrongly convicted and for them to present evidence of their innocence,” he said in a statement.

Backers of the bill say it would put New York law in line with five other states and the District of Columbia that have mechanisms for people to clear old convictions for crimes that have subsequently been decriminalized.

She also said the rules “Vest in the Lt. Governor near total control over the proceedings,” unlike the other impeachment rules she’s read. They also allow the lieutenant governor to have his “own legal counsel on the dais that does not represent or answer to the Senate,” and receive advice from the Special Committee whose recommendations won’t be made part of the public record.

“Individual senators may speak with the Lt. Governor concerning pending rulings but cannot challenge, debate or comment publicly on his decision,” she said. As a result, the senators, she said, “have allowed themselves to be reduced from a tribunal (both judge and jury) to a largely powerless and silent jury in a trial controlled by the Lt. Governor.”

Among other aspects of the rules she took issue with “is the unprecedented ability of the defense to win a dismissal of an Article of Impeachment by a simple majority vote” instead of a two-thirds majority vote.

The rules prohibit senators from making public comments about the proceedings, which is why she included a statement for the record prior to the vote.

The rules require Mr. Paxton to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to each of the 20 articles of impeachment levied against him. However, unlike the House, which voted to pass all articles in one vote, the Senate will vote on each article of impeachment separately, one at a time.

The rules require House managers prosecuting the case to prove each article of impeachment beyond a reasonable doubt and senators are required to dismiss each article by a simple majority vote without “debate or comment.”

Several rules govern witness procedure, including requiring witnesses to appear in person and answer questions, which must not violate the Texas Rules of Evidence. They also govern pretrial motions and procedural questions and establish a timeline for deadlines.

Rule 17 states the Senate “will not tolerate unnecessary delays, outbursts, or sidebar remarks. … Prolonged, repetitive or unnecessary questioning” is prohibited and procedures must “avoid wasting time” and “protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.”

Rule 28 governs the voting process, whereby members submit a written vote. “If no article of impeachment is sustained, a judgment of acquittal is entered.”

Rule 30 states, “If any article of impeachment is sustained,” House managers are “to extend the judgment to include disqualification from holding any office” in Texas. After hearing Paxton’s defense, each senator must stand and vote “yea or nay,” to remove him from office and prevent him from holding office in the future.

The rule states that final judgment of acquittal or conviction for each of the 20 articles of impeachment “shall be adopted only if approved by a majority of the members of the court present.”

Rule 31 specifically addresses Mr. Paxton’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, clarifying that she’s allowed to attend the trial but is prohibited from participating or voting in it. As a spouse to the accused party, she “shall not be eligible to vote on any matter, motion, or question, or participate in closed sessions or deliberations.”

Former Arizona governor announced new CEO of free market PAC

By CARLY MORAN THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced on June 20 his new position as CEO of the Citizens for Free Enterprise political action committee.

The organization, whose earliest records date to the 2020 general election, describes its goal as identifying and activating those disengaged from politics but passionate about fighting for American free markets.

“Often I’ve been asked, ‘So what’s next?’ And in answering that question, I kept coming back to the place I started,” Mr. Ducey said in a Tweet.

Based upon previous spending history, CFFE has only worked with general elections. It is unknown if Mr. Ducey will change the organization’s direction and become involved in the 2024 primaries.

“Fact is, the free enterprise system matters to me. I believe it’s what lifts people out of poverty, provides new generations a shot at the American Dream and paves the way for opportunity for all. Lately though, free enterprise is under

JUN 26 / 2023 -- 59476

The changes, which previously passed the state Senate, would also extend new due process protections to applicants for post-conviction relief, including the right to access prosecution and defense counsel files and request DNA retesting of physical evidence. The bill would also give convicted people the right to a court-appointed attorney for post-conviction challenges.

But the measure faces pushback from state prosecutors who argue that the changes are unnecessary and would clog the state’s court system with duplicative reviews of criminal cases.

“Defendants in our state already have a broad right to challenge wrongful convictions,” Anthony Jordan, president of the District Attorneys Association of New York and Washington County’s DA, said in a statement. “Exponentially expanding the circumstances where convictions and pleas could be challenged would result in a complete lack of finality for victims, who could never be assured that justice was served, because under this bill no conviction or plea would ever be final.”

“Under the bill, every plea agreement would be subject to challenge years later, when witnesses and evidence would be difficult to obtain,” he added. New York State ranks third in the nation in the number of wrongful convictions, according to the bill’s sponsors, who also cite data showing the state also has a high rate of plea bargaining, with 98% of felony cases resolved by plea agreements, not trial.

“No one should have to languish in prison for a crime they did not commit,” said state Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, D-Queens, another bill sponsor. “It is past time that New York implements processes applicants for postconviction relief are able to submit evidence of their innocence and provide a remedy for those convicted under laws that have since been decriminalized or found to be unconstitutional.”

increased attack everywhere we turn,” Mr. Ducey said.

TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts was the organization’s largest donor in 2020, with the majority of funds used in opposition campaigns across the nation, such as nearly $1.5 million against Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-VA. Mr. Ducey seeks to transform the organization, as former chair of the Republican Governors Association, into a 50-state coalition.

“One of my true passions is in promoting the economic foundation that makes America the land of freedom and opportunity,” Mr. Ducey said. “Our free enterprise system has lifted millions of people out of poverty and spurred remarkable innovation. Unfortunately, these principles are under attack and our organization plans to lead an advocacy effort that will motivate more people who care about free enterprise to get involved in elections.”

Under the Ducey administration, the state of Arizona ushered in a 2.5% flat tax rate, expanded school choice vouchers, and added 500,000 private sector jobs to the state economy.

New York City board votes to increase stabilized rents

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — A New York City panel has approved 3% rent increases for hundreds of rent-stabilized properties in the city as landlords press the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the city’s rent control law.

On Wednesday, a divided New York City Rent Guidelines Board voted 5 to 4 to increase rents by 3% for one-year apartment leases and 2.75% the first year and 3.2% the second year for two-year leases.

The move allows landlords to raise rents for an estimated 2 million rent-stabilized tenants in the city beginning in October. Last year, the panel approved a plan to increase one-year leases by 3.25% and 5% for two-year leases.

Approval of the higher rents came over the objection of some New York City Council members community activists, who packed a raucous public meeting ahead of Thursday’s vote, urging the panel to freeze or roll them back.

“These rent increases will only fuel our housing crisis unless the city budget invests in housing solutions that prevent evictions and homelessness, and ensures city agencies are supported to advance them,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement. Landlords, who had pushed for authorization for higher rent increases, also criticized the panel’s decision.

The Rent Stabilization Association, which represents the city’s landlords, criticized

the move, which they said ignored data on rising property costs and “played to the intimidation of radical politicians and activists, depriving the largest providers of affordable housing of the revenue they need to keep up with skyrocketing costs.”

“Tenants in economic distress have government programs to support them, while stabilized building owners – the private providers of a public benefit – are at the mercy of arbitrary politics instead of sound policy.” Joseph Strasburg, the association’s president, said in the statement.

In a statement, Mayor Eric Adams praised the board’s decision, saying it is aimed at “protecting tenants from unsustainable rent increases, while also ensuring small property owners have the necessary resources to maintain their buildings and preserve high-quality, affordable homes for New Yorkers.”

“Finding the right balance is never easy, but I believe the board has done so this year — as evidenced by affirmative votes from both tenant and public representatives,” Mayor Adams said.

The move to approve higher rents as landlords petition the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their legal challenge to overturn the city’s rent control laws.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing the rent control law is unconstitutional because it caps prices and limits their ability to evict tenants. The legal challenge was rejected by a federal judge, whose decision was later upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

The Senate passed the rules on Wednesday by a vote of 28-3. The rules were established by a special committee appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, received bipartisan support, underwent weeks of input and two days of debate that delayed the announcement of them multiple times.