California's Economy - Agriculture, Water & Job Creation

By Anna M Caballero

Agriculture is one of the greatest economic engines in the State of California. But there are a great number of issues pressing our agriculture industry today, and they play a central role in the lives of many of our citizens - our farmers, consumers, labor unions, farmworkers and their children. I look forward to continuing to be a stong voice for agriculture and a leader on these issues.

In my time in the State Legislature, I have worked to educate the legislature on the importance of agriculture, and to bring them up to speed on ag issues and the critical role it plays in our State's economy. I have participated in agriculture tours for years, broadening my own understanding of all facets of the industry, and I recently sponsored a tour where I brought legislators and growers together to share first-hand knowledge of the issues. As a member of the Assembly, and in response to the spinach crisis in 2006, I wrote legislation to create and fund a research project at the Western Institute for Food Safety to support best practices for food safety. The Governor liked the idea so well that the administration, by executive order adopted the plan. More recently, I successfully authored legislation to protect organic farmers from contaminated fertilizer products, by requiring that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) conduct inspections to ensure that manufacturers of organic fertilizers abide by the rules.

As California faced its third year of drought, farmers in San Benito County contacted my office, devastated by the lack of water in the San Luis Reservoir. Farmers and farm workers from the Central Valley made the same plea. In response to this critical issue, I became one of the chief negotiators for the Assembly on the recent water package. I authored a water bond bill and was a co-author of the water bond that successfully passed the legislature that not only funds important water infrastructure, but will provide much-needed jobs in California. I authored several key water bills to safeguard both the environment and the economy. These include: The Safe Drinking Water and Water Supply Reliability Act of 2010 which protects supplies of safe, clean drinking water to our homes, farms and businesses; The Groundwater Reliability Taskforce Act, which protects and enhances the State's critically important groundwater resources; and AB 300, which promotes greater water-use efficiencies in new homes.

Having been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for over 25 years, I was honored to be recognized with the Chamber's highest award + the Athena Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. In addition as an Assembly member I received awards from: The Coalition for Adequate School Housing, which advocates for school infrastructure; the coveted Legislator of the Year Award from the California League of Cities for my support for local government; Awards from both the American Society of Civil Engineers and The California Water Agencies for my efforts on the water bond; and the Legislative Leadership Award from the California Building Industry Association for my work to help create jobs and get the industry back on its feet.