Filed under: Environment
Agriculture, one of the largest industries in the state, needs immediate action from the State Government, so that farmers do not go out of business. However, the state legislature, is fiddling in Sacramento with radical environmentalism, tax increases, illegal alien coddling, and preserving unionized government jobs.
“The legislature is at a historic cross road” stated Ken Mettler, President of the California Republican Assembly (CRA). He continued “It can continue to drive the State into fiscal collapse while one of its most important industries perishes or it can pass real meaningful cuts in the state budget and prioritize the needs of the farmers in the Central Valley.”
“However,” warned Mettler, “the State is in no position to issue bonds to finance the infrastructure improvements. Its bonds are now at or near junk status and past bond debt is simply too high to tolerate any more such programs.”
What the State needs to do is old fashioned responsible budgeting of funds to begin and finish improvements to the water delivery system. “The best system for any government infrastructure program is a pay as you go method.” stated Mettler. “In this recession the State is able to command a better price for its construction dollar."
Further Metter stated, “The Governor needs to declare a state of emergency so the State can suspend the normal rules for pubic construction projects similar to what happened after the Northridge Earthquake in getting the highway bridges built in record time and under budget.” To save the Central Valley farmers, the State needs to act now.
