Latest news with #ChadCaldwell
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Sacramento organization fights back against U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project
SACRAMENTO — The Central Valley Flood Protection Board has a big decision to make when it comes to repairing and upgrading levees in the Sacramento region. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on a project to do just that, but in the process, trees and other vegetation will have to be wiped out. One group is pushing back. "The amount of riparian vegetation that's been removed in the last 50 years is amazing. We're down to less than 10 percent of what we had 50 years ago," said Pete Spaulding with American River Trees. American River Trees is a grassroots organization focused on protecting Sacramento's dwindling riparian forest. But in one of the country's most at-risk areas for flooding, the Corps says levee repairs are critical. "We studied it. We wrote up a report. We sent it to Congress, and they've ordered us to do this," said Colonel Chad Caldwell with the Corps. Since we last reported on this project back in January 2024, the Corps has reduced the added protections of the levee from 11 miles to six miles roughly between Howe and Watt avenues. Within that six miles are hundreds of trees, critters and people who live along the river. "I live by the river. I understand I'm at risk for flooding," said concerned resident Jacqueline Delu. "The river itself and the trees and the plants and animals who live there have no voice." A meeting that was expected to last a few hours dragged on for roughly eight hours. "We know that there needs to be work done to prevent erosion along the parkway. We're challenging the designs that have been chosen and construction methods that have been chosen," Spaulding said. American River Trees is calling the Corps' studies outdated. They're asking to use less destructive, nature-based methods that have since become more advanced with bioengineering technology. "It's all using vegetation to control erosion and to stabilize banks," Spaulding said. "The elephant in the room, the final document states there will be between 675 and 715 trees in the footprint total. However, we are going to protect over 1,500 trees," Caldwell said. American River Trees did not agree with the final document presented at Friday's board meeting. They are asking for more thorough studies, citing the few old-growth heritage oak trees on the chopping block. "What we don't want to do is lose the bank, the levees and the people. So, yeah. Unfortunately, we are going to lose some trees, but we are also going to stabilize that part of the river so it can grow back," said Rick Johnson, the executive director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. But American River Trees says taking out the trees now will add to the crisis surrounding our climate. "You don't have the healthy forest for supporting all types of wildlife, for cleaning the air. You don't get that in just five or 10 years. That takes generations to achieve," Spaulding said. A final date for a vote by the board has not been reached yet, but is expected soon. If the project is approved, the work could begin as early as this fall.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma House rejects plan to add extra instructional day for every $25 million in new funding
Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, listens during the governor's State of the State Address in the House chamber of the state Capitol on Feb. 3. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — House lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have required schools to add an extra instructional day for every $25 million more the Legislature appropriates to common education. Supporters of Senate Bill 409 said that having students in the classroom for an extra day would help improve lagging student outcomes by providing additional face-to-face instruction time, and give taxpayers and lawmakers something concrete to show for their extra investment. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers panned the idea, questioning how much benefit an extra instructional day would provide relative to its cost. They also questioned how far a $25 million investment would go amid soaring costs related to maintaining school property, inflation and the growing list of unfunded legislative mandates. Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, said requiring schools to add an additional day solely because they received a level of new funding does 'nothing but make a mockery of the public education system.' He said lawmakers would be wasting taxpayer money on a strategy that has no valid data indicating it will produce benefits. Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, the House author of the measure, said lawmakers in the past four years have put more money into Oklahoma schools than ever before, but outcomes have not kept up. In fact, he said, they've gotten worse. He said he hopes something like this will reverse the trend. 'If our teachers spending more time in front of our students isn't helpful, isn't impactful for the outcomes in their education, then man, we've got to have some other conversations because something must be wrong with the system somewhere,' he said. Caldwell said most data will show that probably the single greatest determining factor in a child's education is a quality teacher. 'So it just stands to my simple brain that if we give that teacher another day or two or five or 10, that's going to be better for the child,' he said. 'And when the senator, (Adam Pugh, R-Edmond), asked me to run this bill, I just never thought that I'm going to have to really fight to say teachers in front of our kids for an additional day that that's actually a good thing. I felt like that was pretty universal.' He said one extra day isn't going to 'drastically change the trajectory' of poor academic outcomes, but maybe it will get the state a step closer. 'We get asked every single year to invest more money in our schools, simply just giving it there and hoping that we get something out of it hasn't seemed to be working,' he said. Caldwell said taxpayers have a right to expect a return on their investment. Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, said the concern is that one extra day isn't going to move the needle and spending legislative time fighting over adding a single day is distracting from bigger priorities. 'We could be spending today on curriculum,' he said. 'We could be spending today on reining in the state superintendent, but we're instead spending it on this one piece of legislation that might add an extra day and cost extra money. Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, said he's concerned about the impact of inflation and the growth of expenses on schools. He said property and casualty insurance is increasing in cost. Student enrollment is growing as are the number of programs and tests lawmakers are asking districts to implement. 'What does this bill do about those kinds of increases in expenses that might eat up to $25 million?' he asked. House lawmakers voted 22-63 to reject the bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Bell to Bell, No Cell' Legislation passes first hurdle
OKLAHOMA CITY — Local legislatures participated in the House's overwhelmingly passage of its first bill prohibiting cell phone use on school campuses. Representatives discuss restricting cell phones in Missouri schools If approved, it will go into effect July 1. Chairman of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee Chad Caldwell authored House Bill 1276 to eliminate distractions in the classroom and improve student academic outcomes. The bill is the first bill of the 60th legislative session Thursday. If passed, the bill would prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day. It would also include personal electronic devices, including smartwatches. Under HB1276, school boards could allow student cell phone use, but the policy must be approved annually. Banning cellphones in schools gains popularity in red and blue states The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also leaves it up to the local district to implement the cell phone ban. 'The research is clear – cell phone use among young students is not only bad for their mental health, but also hurts academic outcomes,' said Caldwell. 'To pass meaningful legislation this early in the session with overwhelming bipartisan support is a testament to how important this issue is. Our kids and teachers deserve a phone-free environment at school, and we are well on our way to making that a reality.' Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones The bill passed the House floor with a vote of 82-9 and will now move to the Senate for further consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School cellphone ban passes Oklahoma House as lawmakers debate library book bans, policies
A bill that would prohibit public school students in Oklahoma from using their cellphones on campus drew bipartisan support as it passed the House Thursday and stirred debate regarding local control. Authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, HB 1276 requires school districts to adopt a policy to prohibit usage of cellphones and personal electronic devices by students on school grounds. However, a section of the bill offers an opt out for districts, allowing them to choose to not adopt a cellphone prohibition policy. If passed, the bill would take effect July 1 and start applying in the 2025-26 school year. Dubbed "Bell to Bell, No Cell" legislation, the bill passed the House Thursday with 82 votes in favor of the bill and nine Republicans voting against it: Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore; Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola; Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon; Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler; Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle; Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby; Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow; Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland; and Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar. The bill prompted debate as to whether it would impede local control. More: Bill to raise pay for starting teachers clears first hurdles in Oklahoma Legislature "Don't you find it curious, though, that we have to tell (school districts) the best practice on the thing that most of us know is best for these kids, yet we're not allowed to weigh in too much on other issues related to library books on shelves or curriculum or so many other policies?" Lepak asked Caldwell. This is why there's an opt out in the bill, Caldwell answered, adding that members of the House have voiced to him that they couldn't vote in favor of the bill if there wasn't. "You should come into a Common Education meeting sometime, and you can hear me rail against the coin flip that we usually do on just about every bill about whether it's a local control day or not a local control day," Caldwell said. "I've even talked about whether we need a decoder ring." Caldwell added that members of the House have voiced to him that unless there was an opt out in the bill, they couldn't vote in favor of it due to local control concerns. "If it was truly up to me, I would rather just say we're going to do this because it's the right thing," Caldwell said. More: Oklahoma City schools implements prevention system to address increasing dropout rates Kevin West, R-Moore, asked Caldwell if he'd agree that whether a school district decides to adopt a cellphone ban or not, the bill would bring more awareness to parents so that they can provide their input to their school boards. Caldwell agreed with West and said districts across the country that have already adopted cellphone bans have the most success when they engage with parents. "I hope there isn't a single district that chooses the opt out," Caldwell said. "I want to encourage every parent, if you're at a district that is talking about an opt out, by all means, you need to get involved in that conversation." The bill protects local control, said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. It simultaneously allows "kids to be kids and teachers to teach when at school," the speaker said in a news release. "I am proud that our caucus identified this as a priority before session and moved quickly to make this happen," Hilbert said. Caldwell agreed with Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, that cellphone pouches are one of the best ways to keep students off of their phones during school hours. Cellphone pouches are small bags that lock when closed and require a magnet to unlock them. The Yondr Pouch is a popular brand that is already utilized by some schools across the country. Dollens asked Caldwell if there's a funding mechanism in HB 1276 or if the author planned to ask for appropriations to help schools cover the cost of pouches. Caldwell said the bill just addresses policy, and there's no funding mechanism in the bil. He said there are ways to prevent cellphone usage for free like placing them in lockers or backpacks. A similar bill, SB 139 authored by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is eligible to be heard in the Senate and would create a grant program through the Oklahoma State Department of Education to provide funds to schools for implementing a cellphone ban. Unlike Caldwell's bill, however, SB 139 does not offer an opt out. Caldwell addressed potential safety concerns from parents and students regarding a cellphone ban amid an emergency or a schoolwide lockdown. He said research shows that it's safer for kids if they can't access their phones in an emergency to avoid distraction from instruction by their teacher. "We want them to have focus on the adult in the room who's delivering clear instruction on what they need to do," Caldwell said. HB 1276 moves to the Senate for further legislative action. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma House passes cellphone ban in schools
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House advances bill mandating Oklahoma school cellphone bans to the Senate
Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, is the author of a bill that passed through the House Thursday requiring public schools to ban students from using cellphones and other devices while on campus. Caldwell is pictured leading a House education appropriations subcommittee budget hearing on Jan. 29 in the House chamber of the state Capitol. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved its first bill of the session, a measure that would require public schools to ban students from using cellphones and smart watches while on campus. House Republicans and Democrats voted 82-9 Thursday to advance House Bill 1276, authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, to the Senate. Passing a cellphone bill is a priority of House leadership and the Governor's Office for this session. The bill would require school districts to implement policies prohibiting the use of cellphones and other devices on campus before the beginning of the next school year. Districts can choose to allow cellphone use, but all adopted policies would be subject to annual renewal. The legislation allows for exceptions to the policy for medical issues documented by a licensed professional where a cellphone would be needed for support. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said in a statement he is 'proud that our caucus identified this as a priority before session and moved quickly to make this happen.' Democratic representatives, including Reps. Andy Fugate of Oklahoma City and Trish Ranson of Stillwater, asked Caldwell if districts can choose to carve out time for device use for educational purposes or at certain times. While Caldwell said he doesn't think districts should, he said they do have the ability to do this. One of nine Republicans voting against the legislation, Rep. Mark Lepak of Claremore said while he agreed with the policy, it was a hard piece of legislation for him to vote for or against. He said school boards already have the power to pass restrictions on cellphone usage, and questioned if this bill was designed 'to take the heat off of them.' He questioned Caldwell on how the purchase of storage spaces for devices would be funded as well as who would be responsible for lost or damaged property. Caldwell said the districts would determine this at the local level in their policies. He said the bill allows for school districts to choose how to enforce and limit cellphone use, whether that be leaving devices in lockers or purchasing pouches for storage. The bill does not require districts to store student devices, there is currently no funding for storing devices in this legislation. He said this legislation will require a 'culture change' from students and parents on how cellphones are used. 'We've all become quite attached to these little supercomputers that we carry around in our pockets. But again, the data is so abundantly clear,' Caldwell said. 'We know it's the right thing, and sometimes doing the right thing isn't always easy. But yeah, I've heard districts that say, 'Hey, would you just tell us, not give us the choice? And that way I can point the blame to you guys.' I get blamed for a lot of stuff out of this building, so I'll go ahead and be glad to take the blame on this one.' A similar bill is being considered in the Senate. It narrowly passed through the Senate Education Committee Tuesday with a 7-5 vote.
