Short Takes

Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler has announced the appointment of eight new members to the Agency's Science Advisory Board. Among the new members is John Christy, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Alabama and a prominent critic of mainstream climate science. Christy has previously advocated for a "red team-blue team" debate on climate science. Other new members include mainstream academicians and consultants. House lawmakers have passed legislation that would raise salaries for federal civilian employees by 2.6 percent for 2019. The pay hike is intended to match a raise approved by the President for the military in 2019 and end a pay freeze implemented by him for civilian employees. An equivalent bill has also been introduced in the Senate. Last year, the Senate passed similar legislation providing a 1.9 percent salary hike to the federal workforce, but the bill failed to pass in the House. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) has announced who will helm the panels subcommittees during the 116th Congress. Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM), a freshman, will head the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee, Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) will chair the Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) will chair the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. In an explanatory statement accompanying the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Agricu...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news