State Legislature
Ag Council Secures Important Change for Members in Food Access Measure
Assembly Speaker John Perez authored AB 2720 to improve access to nutritious food for economically disadvantaged urban and rural residents. The bill is called the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
On Tuesday of this week, the Speaker amended AB 2720 to change the phrase “fresh food” to “healthy food” allowing Ag Council members with canned, dried and processed products---along with fresh—to be included in the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
AB 2720 originally included language encouraging the sale and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables under the program. This language would have excluded canned, dried, and processed products from the program to the detriment of numerous Ag Council members.
Ag Council has been lobbying the Speaker’s staff to remove the phrase “fresh food” from the bill and replace it with either the phrase “nutritious food” or “healthy food.” The change to “healthy food” was made in the Appropriations Committee this week by the Speaker.
The impetus for AB 2720 is to create a state program to implement President Obama’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The initiative is focused on providing grants to improve access to healthier food in corner markets and small convenience stores located in low-income communities in urban and rural areas typically not offering nutritious food options.
AB 2720 already passed the Assembly and was approved in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday of this week. It will then need to be voted upon by the full state Senate by August 31st. If approved in the Senate, it will be sent to the Governor’s desk for approval.
Ag Council will continue to monitor AB 2720 to ensure the new language remains in the bill.
Card Check Measure Passes Assembly
Senator Darrell Steinberg’s card check bill, SB 1474, was approved in the Assembly on Thursday this week. Ag Council testified against this bill during the committee process and sent letters of opposition to the legislature along with a coalition against SB 1474.
SB 1474 was amended last week, and the new language continues to deny ag workers the right to decide union representation by secret ballot.
In addition, the revised bill is more onerous toward employers because it requires the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) to impose a union on the workplace if employer misconduct is found by ALRB. This could be influenced by just one employee’s vote--even if an overwhelming majority of workers voted not to join the union. Current regulations already address employer misconduct and provide for fair elections, so the change is not necessary.
Further, if SB 1474 becomes law, it would infringe on the right to free speech because employers would fear that speaking out against unionization would be deemed employer misconduct, which would lead ALRB to impose a union.
Due to recent Assembly amendments to the measure, it must again be approved in the state Senate. If approved in the Senate, the bill moves to the Governor where Ag Council will urge a veto of the measure. The Governor has vetoed similar legislation on previous occasions, but his view regarding SB 1474 is not yet known.
Changes to Marketing/Promotional Commercials Opposed by Ag Council
Ag Council is actively opposing AB 1778, which would require promotional commercials for the state or a product of the state to be filmed entirely in California if public funds are used. The bill is authored by Assemblyman Ted Lieu.
Ag Council opposes the bill because it stifles the decision-making ability of marketing boards to spend assessments—derived from farmers, ranchers and producers—as they see fit. As a result, it increases cost burdens on marketing boards. AB 1778 also creates a trade barrier, possibly in violation of the Commerce Clause, by preventing services from being conducted in other states and nations.
The bill was approved in the Assembly in May, and it passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thursday this week. AB 1778 is expected to be considered by the full Senate this month where Ag Council will oppose the measure.
Legislature Approves Delay of Water Bond
Both the Assembly and state Senate voted on Monday to delay the $11.1 billion water bond until November 2012. This action formally removes the water bond, also known as Proposition 18, from the November 2010 ballot as desired by Governor Schwarzenegger and other water bond supporters concerned that voters would not approve the bond given the ongoing recession in California.
The bill to delay the bond, AB 1265, passed the Senate on a 27-7 vote--just squeaking out the two-thirds needed. The measure was approved in the Assembly with a vote of 54-22.
The legislative action was necessary to officially remove the bond from the ballot and to meet the Secretary of State’s deadline to begin printing Voter Information Guides and other materials relating to state ballot initiatives.
State Budget
Budget discussions are ongoing between the Governor and the state legislature. The budget is now well beyond the June 15 state constitutional deadline for a budget to be complete. The Governor stated this week that the budget may be two to three weeks away from being finalized.
An analysis of the various budget proposals was recently released by the nonprofit, nonpartisan California Budget Project. The organization developed a table comparing the differences in the budget plans offered by the Governor, Assembly and state Senate, as well as explaining what has been agreed upon by the negotiating parties as of August 6.
Of particular note to Ag Council members are the key tax provisions located on pages three-six of the analysis, regarding treatment of Net Operating Losses and other miscellaneous provisions. The document can be viewed here.
Communications
California Ag Communications Coalition (CACC)
Ag Council is working with the California Ag Communications Coalition (CACC) to develop common messaging points to better connect consumers with California agriculture. Research, funded by members of CACC, revealed that most Californians have positive perceptions about farmers and ranchers. As a result, the CACC campaign created the Know a California Farmer website, which is designed to showcase the people who produce our food and fiber. Through videos, photos and blogs, California’s farmers and ranchers can share their stories directly with consumers.
The official launch of the website is scheduled for late August or early September. However, the website is currently live for all CACC members, including Ag Council members. Please visit the website to view the videos, photos and blogs that have already been posted. The website is still password protected and can be accessed using the following link here. Be sure to use the following login information-Username: cacc and Password: cacc .
Ag Council encourages its members to register for an account by clicking this link. Your account will provide you with access to the members-only Communications Toolbox where you’ll find instructions on how to post content to the website, the coalition’s core messages, and tools and resources to enhance your public outreach efforts.