“Gowan really values our long-standing membership in Western Growers. Western Growers is so effective in California, Arizona, and Washington DC, by advocating on key industry policy for members. We really appreciate and benefit from the tremendous work done by Western Growers’ staff in all those locations.” – Cindy Smith Agricultural Relations Director, Gowan USA
CALIFORNIA SUPPORT.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Securing Key Wins in Sacramento.
This once-in-a-lifetime year may have shifted priorities, but Western Growers, along with its industry allies, was able to make headway with important policy priorities at the state level. Here is a look at how Western Growers helped achieve significant victories for the California agriculture industry.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Although California experienced a considerable budget deficit this past year, Western Growers was able to secure funding for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund.
Western Growers requested that the administration extend the comment periods by 6-12 months. The administration granted these requests, providing the agricultural industry with additional time to hire experts and present viable alternatives to each of the draft orders issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Selected Legislation AB 398 (Chu-D)
REGULATORY / RULE MAKING PAUSE
The Central Coast and the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control boards had scheduled comment periods for the adoption of new irrigated lands’ regulatory requirements for early 2020. Due to COVID-19,
Western Growers successfully opposed a bill that would have imposed a $275 per employee tax on any large business defined as a for-profit private entity with more than 500 employees who per formed any part of their duties within the state.
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