Democratic lawmakers are not taking any chances. There is a renewed threat to jeopardize its future with short-sighted oil exploration. This is a timely measure that will provide us with added protections. The legislation, introduced with six other California members of Congress, will be sent to the Resources Committee for consideration. One thousand fewer people had jobs in January than in December.
Energy prices have a lot to do with the problem.
The timber industry, still a cornerstone of the Humboldt County economy, has been hit hard by the energy crisis. In addition, waning consumer confidence nationwide has led to a slowdown in new home construction. That has hurt timber concerns already weakened by the energy crunch. Statistics collected from all of 2000 show that the manufacturing sector in Humboldt County is beginning to diversify. Although 100 jobs were lost in the timber industry last year, other manufacturing businesses created 170 jobs to pick up the slack.