CA: Governor creates task force to study San Joaquin Valley problems

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday created a task force charged with improving the economy and quality of life in California's San Joaquin Valley, a quickly developing region beleaguered by high unemployment, suburban sprawl and some of the nation's dirtiest air.

The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley establishes a 26-member panel that includes government representatives and those from the private sector.

"I want to make this task force a model for how state governments can work together more effectively with local governments and the regional economy," the governor said. "The valley is home to the richest agricultural region in the world, a pathway for interstate commerce and one of the fastest-growing regions in our state."

Schwarzenegger was in Fresno to address the Central California Mayors Conference.

The San Joaquin Valley partnership could begin meeting by next week and is expected to focus on jobs, education, air quality and health care. It will have no state funding.

"I'm just very glad to be on someone's radar," Tulare County Supervisor Connie Conway said. "It's important that we are on the governor's map, that he's paying attention to us."

The region has an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, compared with 5.3 percent statewide, according to the governor's office. While the median household income is about $12,000 lower than the statewide median, the valley receives substantially less funding per capita than both the U.S. and state averages, the governor's office said.

State Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, said she wants to see the group make job-growth its top priority.

"We have a huge unemployment rate," she said. "But we don't have the job training programs."

During his speech, Schwarzenegger did not address the voter dissatisfaction with his November special election or the sinking job-approval ratings that were indicated in a Field Poll released earlier this week. Afterward, he said he remained optimistic.

"The important thing is that we are doing what is best for the state," he said. "And we don't ever again spend one-time money on ongoing programs."

His administration is negotiating next year's state budget with Democrats, and sources on both sides said they were hopeful a deal could be struck before the start of the new fiscal year, July 1. The two sides also could compromise later this summer on the initiatives he placed before voters in the special election, although prospects for a wide-ranging accord are uncertain.

Eight initiatives have qualified for the Nov. 8 special election ballot, including three proposed by Schwarzenegger: a spending cap, redrawing legislative district boundaries and making teachers work five years instead of two to gain tenure.

Also Friday, Schwarzenegger was scheduled to make an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

governor.ca.gov

Update from the Governor's Office
June 24, 2005

Governor Launches California Partnership for San Joaquin Valley

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed Executive Order S-5-05 creating the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. The partnership brings state agency secretaries and Central Valley representatives together to make recommendations to the Governor regarding changes that would improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its residents.

“I am working to build an effective partnership between state and local government in California. I want to make this task force a model for how state governments can work together more effectively with local governments and the regional economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The Valley is home to the richest agricultural region in the world, a pathway for interstate commerce, and one of the fastest growing regions in our state. But this region also faces some tremendous challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment, some of the lowest air quality in the nation and limited access to health care. The partnership we have begun today will bring state and local representatives together to develop a strategic plan to address these issues.”

The San Joaquin Valley is currently facing many challenges unique to the region including:

A population growth rate higher than the state average. Over the course of the past 13 years, the Central Valley region has experienced a very high population growth rate.
An 8.2 percent unemployment rate, far above the most recent statewide rate of 5.3 percent.
High poverty rates with more than one in five San Joaquin Valley residents living in poverty. In addition, the region’s median household income is approximately $12,000 lower than the statewide median. However, the Valley receives substantially less per capita funding than both the U.S. and State averages.
Air quality levels among the worst in the nation. The Valley is one of only two regions in the nation to be identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an “extreme non-attainment” zone for repeatedly failing to meet air quality standards. The 26-member Partnership, led by the Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, is composed of eight state government members, eight local government members and eight private sector members, along with two deputy chairs. The executive order signed by the Governor today tasks the Partnership with:
Identifying projects and programs to best utilize public dollars and most quickly improve the economic vitality of the Valley.
Working with members of the state’s Congressional delegation and federal officials, including the federal Task Force for the Economic Recovery of the San Joaquin Valley, to gain federal support for projects identified as critical to the region.
Partnering with the University of California, California State University, community colleges, and the state’s other research and educational institutions, as well as private foundations, to provide guidance, advice and encouragement in support of studies of particular interest and importance to the Valley.
Reviewing state policies and regulations to ensure they are fair and appropriate for the state’s diverse geographic regions, including the San Joaquin Valley, and determine whether alternative approaches can accomplish goals in less costly ways.

The executive order requires the Partnership to develop a San Joaquin Valley Strategic Action Proposal to be forwarded to the Governor, Board of Supervisors in each county and city council in each county by October 31, 2006, providing recommendations to improve the economic conditions of the San Joaquin Valley.

The full text of Executive Order S-5-05 is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER S-05-05

WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Valley is a region rich in resources and important to California’s heritage, economy, environment and identity. It is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world – home to farmlands that feed the nation and the world. It encompasses three world-class national parks that preserve the natural beauty of the Valley and the mountains that bound it. The San Joaquin Valley is intersected by a transportation corridor that is critical to the state’s interstate commerce. Its people are hardworking and representative of many cultures, races and nationalities; and

WHEREAS, the eight counties and many communities that form the San Joaquin Valley enjoy assets that set the region apart from the rest of the state. But the Valley’s unique geography, climate, and economy also pose specific challenges for the region that demand the attention of government leaders at the state, local and federal levels; and

WHEREAS, the region’s population is growing much faster than the state average. By nearly every indicator, the economic well-being of the residents of the Valley lags behind state and national averages. More than one in five San Joaquin Valley residents lives in poverty. The region’s median household income is approximately $12,000 lower than the statewide median. Yet, because of past neglect, the San Joaquin Valley receives substantially less per capita funding than both the U.S. and state averages; and

WHEREAS, the region is also one of only two regions in the nation to be identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an “extreme non-attainment” zone for repeatedly failing to meet air quality standards; and

WHEREAS, the strength of California is tied to the economic success of the San Joaquin Valley. Improving the economy and the well-being of the people of the San Joaquin Valley requires a concerted, coordinated and creative response from leaders at all levels of government and from community members.

NOW, THEREFORE, I ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of California, do hereby issue this Executive Order to become effective immediately:

The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley (“Partnership”) is hereby established. The Partnership is composed of eight state government members, eight local government members and eight private sector members, in addition to two deputy chairs as provided in section 2. The Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency; Secretary for Education; Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency; Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency; Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency; Secretary of the Resources Agency; Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency; and Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture shall serve ex officio as the state members. The local government members shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three elected officials submitted by each of the eight Councils of Government from the following counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern. Eight private sector members shall also be appointed by the Governor. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and without compensation.
The Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency is the chair of the Partnership; the Governor will appoint two additional members, one local government representative and one private sector representative, to be deputy chairs.
The Partnership shall meet at least once quarterly for the conduct of its business. It may also host town hall meetings in the Valley in addition to or in conjunction with its quarterly meetings.
The Partnership shall perform the following duties:
1. Identify projects and programs that will best utilize public dollars and most quickly improve the economic vitality of the Valley, especially those that leverage federal, state, local and private sector resources in a coordinated effort to address critical needs in the Valley.
2. Work with members of the state’s Congressional delegation and federal officials, including the federal Task Force for the Economic Recovery of the San Joaquin Valley, to gain federal support for projects identified by the Partnership as critical to the region.
3. Partner with the University of California, California State University, community colleges, and the state’s other research and educational institutions, as well as private foundations, to provide guidance, advice and encouragement in support of studies of particular interest and importance to the Valley.
4. Review state policies and regulations to ensure they are fair and appropriate for the state’s diverse geographic regions, including the San Joaquin Valley, and determine whether alternative approaches can accomplish goals in less costly ways.
5. Recommend to the Governor changes that would improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its residents.
6. Develop by October 31, 2006, a San Joaquin Valley Strategic Action Proposal that provides recommendations to improve the economic conditions of the San Joaquin Valley. The proposal shall be in the form of a report to the Governor, to the Board of Supervisors of the counties identified in section 1, and to the City Council of each city within those counties. The Partnership shall also send progress reports after each meeting. The reports shall focus on recommended strategies at each level of state government for sustainable economic growth that will create jobs and improve environmental quality in the region, while empowering local communities and encouraging entrepreneurialism.
The Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency shall provide administrative support to the Partnership out of existing resources. The Director of Finance may accept monetary gifts for the support of the activities of the Partnership.
Unless extended by another executive order, the Partnership shall terminate its business and cease to exist on November 1, 2006.
This order does not alter the existing authorities or roles of the executive branch departments, agencies, or offices. Nothing in this order shall supersede any requirement made by or under law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 24th day of June, 2005.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California

governor.ca.gov

Governor's Address on the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
Friday, 06/24/2005 12:01 pm

Thank you Alan [Mayor Autry].

I’m happy to be here for your 4th Mayors conference in the Central Valley.

The Valley is the heart of California home of the richest agricultural region in the world a pathway for interstate commerce and one of the fastest growing regions in our state.

But as you know this region faces some tremendous challenges as well, including High levels of poverty and unemployment Poor air quality Low access to health care And a history of neglect by the State and Federal government.

When I came into office I knew we needed to restore the partnership between the state and local governments.

That is why we have worked together on many critical issues. We restored $2.7 Billion in VLF funding to local government after we repealed the car tax. And then we worked together to pass Proposition 1A and stop the raid on local funding once and for all. We also reformed workers compensation which was the poison of our economy, and which had a tremendous impact on your budgets.

And this year we are continuing the partnership. My budget will repay $600 Million out of the $1.2 Billion the state owes to the cities and counties.

And we will fully fund Proposition 42 to get important road projects built again in your communities.

I know that you are doing a terrific job because you are committed to bringing a better future to the Valley. And I want you to know that my administration is standing beside you in that effort. And this is what today is all about. In a moment I am going to sign my Executive Order creating the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

By this executive order, my agency secretaries and Central Valley appointees are going to work more aggressively with you, other local officials and the private sector to find real solutions to your biggest problems.

I want to make this task force a model for how state government can work more effectively with local governments and a regional economy.

I've asked the Partnership to deliver goals and strategies by the end of this year and a long-term economic strategy by the end of next year.

This will be a time of action and that is why I will continue to fight for more jobs and more businesses here to strengthen California’s commitment to clean air and clean water to make sure that you get your fair share from Washington and Sacramento and much, much more.

So this partnership is part of the new friendship between state and local governments that I am working to build.

I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen and especially my friend Mayor Autry. I thank you, Alan, for your tremendous leadership on this issue.

It wasn’t long after we passed Proposition 1A that Alan began talking to me about this. He said to me "we need some help in the Valley, we have some big challenges, and the state and federal governments haven’t always been there. We have to find a new way to work together more effectively." And all along the way Alan was lobbying me on this idea, and dealing with all of the other players, and keeping the ball moving down the field.

And as you know, working with Alan is always a memorable experience.

The easy part is getting along with Alan, and respecting his drive and his passion. The hard part is understanding him.

But that’s okay because not everyone can speak as clearly as I can.

In one meeting we had Alan tells me "There is hay in the barn." And I’m thinking okay, that sounds good. But then he says, "The hay is wet." So now I’m beginning to worry I’m not quite sure what to make of it. So I have to think about it for awhile to figure it all out.

And after other meetings with Alan I find myself asking, what did it mean when he said "That’s like being a mosquito in a nudist colony" or "I feel so great I could bear-hug good news."

But it’s all good because Alan just wants to get results.

And as Alan might say himself when he's passionate about something, he’s like an Alabama Tick he just doesn&rswuo;t let go.

So thank you again Alan for your leadership and I must say with all you do "You’re the shiniest chrome on the bumper."

And I thank all of you for the incredible work you do for the people of the San Joaquin Valley. Because right here in the cities and counties this is where it all happens. This is where people live, where they work, where they raise their families.

And that is why nothing is more important than working together to meet the challenges facing the people who call this magnificent valley "Home."

So now I will sign the executive order.

Thank you very much.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.