A local energy efficiency program led by Sacramento City Councilman Kevin McCarty is caught in the middle of a giant bureaucratic tug-of-war. McCarty’s program would give residents and businesses a lengthy period of time to pay for energy-efficient upgrades at their homes and workplaces. Assessments on residents’ property taxes would fund the upgrades. The local program garnered $740,000 in federal stimulus funds in November. But McCarty’s planned program — one of many similar energy-saving programs throughout the country — was squashed in July by the federal agency in charge of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Sacramento City Council passed a resolution Thursday that backs a bill in Cong

U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui on Thursday will host a Sacramento workshop to help small business owners learn how to access federal stimulus funds and other resources. Staff from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Technology Center will provide information about American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds and federal grants, and how both can help people who own small businesses or who are considering starting them, according to a press release put out by Matsui's office. “Even in these challenging economic times, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to start a new business here in Sacramento, or for existing business to help make ends meet, build off successful busines