Farm Bureau at work California Farm Bureau’s government affairs team is at the Capitol, advocating for farmers, ranchers and agriculture’s future. Here are some key issues Farm Bureau is focused on this week.
Budget Gov. Gavin Newsom last week released his May budget revision, which includes an updated deficit of $32 billion. The deficit is reflected in across-the- board cuts, yet the budget included new flood-control investments and agricultural grant funding. The budget language also codifies a policy making it easier to capture floodwater to recharge groundwater. As part of the response to the Tulare Basin floods, the revised budget includes a one-time increase of $25 million to expand the California Small Agriculture Business Drought Relief Grant Program. The governor’s budget maintained $7 billion, about 89% of last year’s total, in clean energy investments such as building decarbonization, transmission develop- ment and long duration energy storage. The revised budget moves $20 million in funding for multi-benefit land repurposing to a proposed climate bond. The budget includes a one-time $1.9 million pesticide regulation fund and $1.4 million in ongoing funding to improve the state Department of Pesticide Regulation’s registration and evaluation processes. The budget maintains $12.8 billion in continuing new transportation infrastruc- ture investments. These funds include $5.65 billion for high-priority transit and rail infrastructure projects, $4.2 billion for the High-Speed Rail Authority, $1.4 billion for active transportation program projects, $1.2 billion for projects that improve the movement of goods, and $350 million for grade separation projects that support critical safety improvements by separating roadways from rail tracks. The revised budget, reflecting the wet win- ter and the budget deficit, reduces spending on water-related programs by $1.1 billion while committing to pursue a future natural resources bond to make up the shortfall. The budget revision maintains $2.7 bil- lion, or 98 % of the state’s investment, to re- store forest and wildland health to reduce the risk of wildfires. Animal Welfare The U.S. Supreme Court last week up- held an animal-welfare law, Proposition 12, which was approved by California vot- ers in 2018. The initiative imposed rules requiring greater space for breeding pigs, calves raised for veal and egg-laying hens. The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council sued to challenge restrictions affecting the U.S. pork industry. Writing for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch said states and their voters have the right to make decisions on products being sold there. California Farm Bureau has expressed concerns about the effects of the law, including submitting comments to the California Department of Food and Agriculture during the rulemaking pro- cess. Farm Bureau comments focused on the consolidation of food sources resulting from small farms being forced out of busi- nesses due to increased husbandry costs.
The bill would require the California Public Utilities Commission to maintain a statewide broadband services provider map. The map would identify the broad- band service providers available for each address in the state. It would also include details on the maximum speed of broad- band services offered by each provider. The bill moves onto the Assembly floor.
These costs will ultimately be borne by farmers and consumers, more than likely those in disadvantaged communities who already have limited access to fresh, nu- tritious food. Farm Bureau supports food equity throughout the state and believes every Californian should have access to healthy food sources. Farm Bureau con- tinues to be concerned that Proposition
12 will create barriers and ultimately limit access to these sources. Rural Broadband Assembly Bill 286, by Assembly Member Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, passed from the Assembly Committee on Appropriations with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans abstaining.
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May 17, 2023 Ag Alert 17
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