Farm Bureau praises governor's reform efforts

» January 6, 2005 «

Farmers and ranchers support Gov. Schwarzenegger's call for government reform and look forward to helping him advance his agenda. The California Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest farm organization, said today it welcomes the governor's efforts to change the status quo in Sacramento.

"As he made clear in his State of the State address last night, the governor understands that a healthy business climate leads to better times for all Californians," California Farm Bureau President Bill Pauli said. "We will work with Governor Schwarzenegger to achieve the reforms needed to insure a healthy business climate for our state."

Farmers and ranchers operate businesses that play crucial roles in the state's economy and environment, Pauli said. He noted that farms and ranches support more than 1 million California jobs-many of them in urban areas-while generating revenue to sustain public services in the state's rural regions.

"We applaud the governor's continuing commitment to prevent tax increases," Pauli said. "We urge his administration also to be on the lookout for backdoor tax increases, disguised as new or higher fees imposed by state agencies."

He said farmers and ranchers will also urge the Schwarzenegger administration to streamline government regulation.

"Farmers and ranchers want to continue to be part of the solution to our state's problems," Pauli said. "Government agencies should view us as partners in addressing California's environmental and economic issues. We support regulations that provide incentives to nurture those partnerships, in contrast to the punitive measures so often imposed now."

The California Farm Bureau Federation represents nearly 87,000 members in 53 county Farm Bureaus.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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