to

Congress not to undercut the important protections that have been established through efforts by the states. Any federal law should set the floor, not the ceiling for privacy law,” Mr. Bonta said.

The California Protection Agency’s Deputy Director of Policy and Legislation, Maureen Mahoney, in a July 2022 memorandum stated “The American Data Privacy Protection Act … seeks to preempt nearly all provisions of the CCPA, as amended by Proposition 24, the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020. California’s private right of action for a negligent data breach, in Cal. Civ. Code Sec. 1798.150, is explicitly carved out..” She recommended opposition to the bill.

In response to the proposed ADPPA, a letter signed by the governor, attorney general and executive director of the CPPA was issued to congressional leaders on Feb 28, states in part

“The American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) seeks to extend to every American the privacy rights that they deserve. However, by prohibiting states from adopting, maintaining, enforcing, or continuing in effect any law covered by the legislation, it would eliminate existing protections for residents in California and sister states. Undermining existing state protections is unnecessary to secure passage of the ADPPA.”

The signatories proposed the following changes to the ADPPA:

• Allow states to respond to changes in technology and data collection practices to allow rigorous enforcement in those areas most affecting residents; and

• Ensure that the ADPPA is passed without a preemption clause in order to protect critical data privacy protections in state law and preserve California’s authority to establish and enforce those protections. The offending line in the ADPPA says “the bill preempts state laws that are covered by the provisions of the bill except for certain categories of state laws and specified laws in Illinois and California.”

Bipartisan train safety legislation introduced in Congress

By J.D. DAVIDSON THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –Republicans and Democrats in Congress want to tighten railroad regulations and spend more than $20 million to develop rail safety nearly a month after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed near the OhioPennsylvania border.

New legislation proposed by three Democrats and three Republicans addresses instruments that monitor high temperatures and help prevent wheel bearing failures, which the National Transportation Safety Board said caused the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

“It shouldn’t take a massive railroad disaster for elected officials to put partisanship aside and work together for the people we serve – not corporations like Norfolk Southern,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. “These commonsense bipartisan safety measures will finally hold big railroad companies accountable, make our railroads and the towns along them safer, and prevent future tragedies, so no community has to suffer like East Palestine again.”

The Railway Safety Act of 2023 focuses on five areas, including stronger safety procedures and notifications for trains carrying hazardous materials, wheel bearing failure, crews, future improvements and support for communities impacted by rail disasters.

“What happened in East Palestine was a horrific tragedy,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri.

Please see TRAINS on B4

‘Will the media and Big Tech be apologizing to us?’

WUHAN

Continued from Page A2

In 2020, the Associated Press called the idea a “myth.” The same year, The New York Times called it a “conspiracy theory,” and The Washington Post called it a “fringe theory.”

In 2021, social media companies like Facebook were taking down posts that claimed COVID-19 was man-made.

“FBI Director Wray confirmed on national TV that the FBI has thought COVID came from the Wuhan lab for a long time,” said House Majority Leader Steve

Scalise, R-La. “Republicans were right all along. But got called conspiracy theorists. Will the media and Big Tech be apologizing to us?”

Republican lawmakers blasted those tech companies and the media for “covering up” for China.

“The media originally labeled anyone who questioned China’s official COVID narrative as xenophobic, a conspiracy theorist, and more,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who was among the first to push the lab-leak theory. “They never did apologize for covering up for China. Worse, they’re still doing it.”

Green garlic

Also referred to as spring garlic, green garlic resembles green onions. However, it has a larger white portion at the base, where the bulb is forming.

Aromatic and flavorful, green garlic is an exceptional flavoring agent for most meals calling for either green onions or garlic. This week I prepared some green garlic mussels as the Fix of the Week, page B2. Green garlic can be enjoyed in both raw and cooked preparations. It’s also excellent over steamed rice, in pasta dishes and over homemade pizza. The individual shoots can also be tossed in olive oil, seasoned and grilled, paring quite well over a grilled steak.

Green garlic can be found at the Saturday Santa Barbara, Sunday Camino Real, and Tuesday Santa Barbara farmers’’ markets from several local farmers. Price averages $3 per bunch.

Pixie tangerines

Sweet, seedless, juicy yet firm, pixie tangerines are one of the most desirable eat-out-ofhand tangerines to emerge all year.

Brought into the forefront thanks to a group of Ojai-based farmers, including Friends Ranches who participates at our Saturday Santa Barbara farmers’ markets weekly, this easy-to-peel variety is a huge hit with the kids.

You can add pixie tangerines to mixed green salads, or pair them with seafood dishes. These pixie tangerines are a real treat, and they’re the hybrid result of crossing Dancy and King mandarins.

You can find pixie tangerines for the month to come at many weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets. Price averages $3 per pound.