Mayor Kevin Johnson spoke at his weekly press conference on Sacramento’s commitment to the Cool California Challenge and the 30,000 Trees in 30 Days campaign. Both of these commitments, he said, go toward his vision of turning Sacramento into "Emerald Valley," the greenest region in the country. The Cool California Challenge is a competition between cities in California. Residents of participating cities sign up online to track their carbon footprints. Signing up earns 100 points, and every energy-saving activity tracked earns additional points. Johnson said that Sacramento needs 1,000 residents to pledge because he wants to win the challenge. The mayor of Davis, Joe Krovoza, and the ma

Mayor Kevin Johnson and NBA Commissioner David Stern released a joint statement today outlining an updated timeline for finalizing terms of a new arena deal for Sacramento. According to the release, the city of Sacramento and the NBA are continuing “constructive discussions” on the details of a financing plan for a new entertainment and sports complex. Johnson said at his weekly press conference Tuesday that details of a completed financing term sheet were expected to be available to the public by Thursday, in advance of a Feb. 28 City Council discussion and vote on the plan. Wednesday’s press release, however, offers an adjusted timeline in an effort to “ensure adequate time for public

Mayor Kevin Johnson introduced Ben Burton, the first executive director of Sacramento Steps Forward, Tuesday at the weekly press conference held at City Hall. Burton and Johnson spoke about future plans for Sacramento Steps Forward, which is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to ending homelessness and building a supportive community. According to Johnson, Sacramento Steps Forward was launched in 2009 as a response to the Oprah Winfrey show that highlighted issues in Sacramento. “We wanted to lay out 2,400 permanent housing units in a three-year period, and we are well on our way to achieve that goal,” Johnson said. According to Johnson, Sacramento Steps Forward was officially c

Despite reports of the city’s proposals to lay off more than 350 jobs, including 80 sworn police officers, during Tuesday’s press conference, Mayor Kevin Johnson said that avoiding such layoffs will be a priority. Throughout the conference, Johnson said he wanted Sacramento to remain a full-service city and that he hopes to alleviate any distrust between police officers and the city by playing a more active role in addressing the interests of both parties. “We’re trying to preserve as many jobs as we can and keep public safety at the top of our priorities,” he added. “We’re about to pass and adopt a budget in about three weeks or so, and we do not want to be in a position where our comm

A group of Sacramento-area faith community leaders came out to be recognized on Tuesday for their participation in the Winter Sanctuary program to house the homeless in the winter. “From December to March, (the) Winter Sanctuary program sheltered 550 homeless men and women,” County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan said. It also served to aid the homeless with resources, employment and treatment of health issues, MacGlashan noted. “(In addition), they were provided with sleeping bags and transportation each evening by bus to a safe congregation, and there the volunteers from each congregation (served) them with dinner, breakfast, social and spiritual fellowship,” MacGlashan said. Under the

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced the launch of a third grade reading campaign for the greater Sacramento area Tuesday at his press conference. According to Johnson, the three areas that the campaign will focus on are school readiness, school attendance and summer learning. The 10-year campaign will combat low literacy levels and make sure that all Sacramento students will be reading at grade level by the time they graduate third grade, Johnson said. “Third grade is a pivotal point for young people. It’s where kids transition from learning to read and reading to learn,” he said. “In terms of a city, it impacts our crime rate, impacts our employment rate, impacts our competitive environment

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced a care package will be sent to American troops stationed in Afghanistan Tuesday at his press conference. The care package was put together by the mayor’s office, public safety organizations and the community. The contents include American flags, letters from Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Gov. Jerry Brown, and various snacks, candy, and sporting equipment. U.S. Marine Sgt. Anthony Silva, currently deployed in Afghanistan, sent Johnson an e-mail requesting a care package. “(Silva) said, ‘We are out here fighting for our country, and if the mayor’s office could help facilitate a few things for us troops out here, it would be very meaningful,” Johnson said. Th

Mayor Kevin Johnson on Thursday sounded resigned to the idea Sacramento may soon lose its professional basketball team. A day after his first conversation with the Sacramento Kings' owners in more than a month, Johnson said Anaheim and its city-owned arena, the Honda Center, have this city beaten on too many fronts. Anaheim has a lucrative TV market and the Walt Disney Company’s Disneyland and other Fortune 500 companies that can buy sponsorships and luxury boxes and suites – critical revenue streams for basketball teams, in addition to ticket sales. Sacramento's economy is struggling and its arena is outdated, he said. "It's a business decision and the economics of Anaheim are better t

Wednesday, Aug. 25 12-4 p.m. The California Legislative Black Caucus will have health fair with medical screenings on the North Steps. Around 100 people are expected to attend. Thursday, Aug. 26 3-6 p.m. The California Nurses Association will have a march and rally on the West Steps of the Capitol in honor of the 90th anniversary of women’s suffrage and also in protest of gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Before the march and rally, there will be a photo shoot on the North Steps at 9 a.m. 10-11:30 a.m. The California Women’s State Appointment Project will have a press conference on the South Steps of the Capitol. Around 50 people are expected to attend.

 Wednesday, July 28 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The California Latino Capitol Association Foundation will hold a morning press conference, followed by a reception for its students on the North Steps of the Capitol. Around 200 people are expected to attend.

 Wednesday, June 29 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will have a rally with the theme of, "We Are California" on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 5,000 state workers and supporters are expected for the event. 12 - 1:15 p.m. The Service Employees International Union - United Service Workers West will have a press conference on the South Steps of the Capitol. Around 50 people are expected to attend.

  I'm officially pumped for the UFL. To be exact, I'm pumped for your Sacramento Mountain Lions.    The Mountain Lions introduced their most recent signee, Daunte Culpepper, at a press conference at the Hilton Hotel Wednesday morning.    They also unveiled the team's new logo, a ferocious-looking saber-toothed fellow forming a sleek and dynamic "S". The logo is solid, and will look good on UFL-licensed merchandise. The Mountain Lions will have sweet hats.   Of course, it doesn't matter how cool the logo is. If the team and the league aren't a success, the merchandise won't sell.   On that front, both the team and the league took a major step in the right direction by bringing in th

 Mayor Kevin Johnson criticized City Councilman Kevin McCarty Tuesday morning for holding a Friday press conference on the tax situation of the developers of the downtown railyards. McCarty held a press conference Friday morning outside the Amtrak station on I Street. He announced that if Thomas Enterprises did not pay its taxes, the city should try to block as much as $47 million in state funding to the railyards. The company paid the property taxes that day, according to Suheil Totah, vice president of Thomas Enterprises. Cynthia Gibbs, acting assistant tax collector, confirmed that the county received the payment from the company Tuesday. "I don't feel that (holding the press confere

 Mayor Kevin Johnson and regional leaders held a press conference at City Hall Tuesday afternoon to discuss a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., to request more federal funding for Sacramento. The trip is scheduled April 17-21 and is part of an annual event sponsored by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (Metro Chamber). It brings the regional priorities of California's capital to the attention of the nation's capital, called "Cap-to-Cap." Johnson was joined at the conference by West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Metro Chamber CEO Matt Mahood and Mike McKeever, executive director of Sacramento Area Council of Governments. "Cap-to-Cap is one time you can lobby people