Farm leader: Governor's actions show commitment to agriculture
» October 1, 2010 «
With his actions on legislation, Gov. Schwarzenegger demonstrated his continuing commitment to maintaining family farms and ranches in California, according to the leader of the state’s largest farm organization. California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger praised the governor today for signing farm-friendly legislation and vetoing bills that would have harmed farmers and ranchers.
“Governor Schwarzenegger has been a friend to family farmers and ranchers throughout his term in office,” Wenger said, “and he reinforced his reputation through his actions on bills before the deadline yesterday. During the legislative session, he has signed legislation to protect our vital agricultural land and water resources, and allow farmers and ranchers to compete while operating under some of the most stringent regulations in the world.”
Wenger said the governor had signed several pieces of Farm Bureau-sponsored legislation—including bills to provide a funding alternative for the Williamson Act farmland-conservation program, to encourage farmers to provide wildlife habitat and to streamline the registration process for organic farms—among a variety of farm-friendly bills that earned his signature.
“The governor also vetoed bills that would have challenged the ability of California farmers and ranchers to compete nationally and internationally,” Wenger said. For example, he said, Schwarzenegger vetoed Senate Bill 1474, which would have undermined secret-ballot union elections, and a bill that would have increased taxes on farm supplies.
“Ever since he took office in 2003, Governor Schwarzenegger has shown he recognizes farms and ranches as a vital resource for California, as a source of affordable food and farm products and also as a source of jobs. His successful effort to bring fairness to California workers’ compensation insurance law, and his tenacity and hard work in putting together a comprehensive water package last year that includes new surface storage, are just two examples of his commitment to business and agriculture,” Wenger said. “Our general economy may have slipped, but agriculture remains an important economic stimulus for our state and nation. We appreciate the governor’s efforts to protect California family farms and ranches.”
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of 81,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.
Contact:
Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.
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