Capital Press: Election brings change, challenges to CA farmers

November 10, 2006

Agricultural groups are pleased with the re-election of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the fate of several bond measures. They even say the power shift in the 110th Congress that gives Democrats control could be a silver lining for California farmers.

Joel Nelsen, president of Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual, said having Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives means ag groups need to enhance existing relationships with key California Democrats.

"In all honesty, agriculture has an excellent working relationship with Sam Farr and Dennis Cardoza to name two. They have great relationships with the speaker-to-be. Hopefully that works," Nelsen said. "On the House ag side, you've got commodity guys leading committees, not having leadership on resource issues from a California perspective is difficult to accept, so we are going to have to revisit strategies as it relates to the farm bill and our water needs."

Pombo's loss huge for ag

A huge loss for California agriculture is seven-term Republican Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, who chaired the House Resources Committee and represented the 11th Congressional District.

"That is a big loss from a specialty crop perspective, farm bill and water politics, a very big loss," Nelsen said.

Jerry McNerney, an avowed environmentalist and promoter of wind energy, defeated Pombo with the heavy financial backing of the Democratic National Committee and a campaign appearance by former President Bill Clinton.

Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, said losing Pombo leaves a big void for California agriculture.

"When you look at the new congressman from that district, his emphasis is on environmentalism and I would hope that he would follow the lead of the state government in California to look at how you can work with all factions, including the business and agricultural sectors," Bedwell said. "It is going to be major change and I think this individual coming in will reach out in a bipartisan basis and hope that he will work closely with someone like a Dennis Cardoza and give him some needed background on the Central Valley."

Doug Mosebar, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation, also expressed disappointment with Pombo's defeat.

"Richard Pombo's loss is a loss for all California farmers and ranchers," Mosebar said in a written statement. "We will long remember his contributions and are grateful for his hard work. ... We will work to educate members of the new Congress about the great things family farmers and ranchers do to benefit the environment and the economy."

Bedwell said California agriculture will depend to a greater extent on Cardoza and other Democrats from the Central Valley to champion agricultural issues.

"Absolutely, I think when you look at Dennis Cardoza, Jim Costa, particularly from the San Joaquin Valley, are going to play a much more visible role," Bedwell said. "I don't think their enthusiasm for agriculture has changed one bit, but clearly they are going to be put in the forefront as their party now has a majority."

Democrat majority for House

Nelsen and Bedwell believe the Democratic tilt in the House could break the logjam in passing immigration reform that includes a guestworker program, which is important to California farmers.

Agricultural groups supported an AgJobs bill passed by the Senate earlier this year, but the leadership in the House focused their efforts on border enforcement and a punitive approach to controlling illegal immigration.

"There were many intense discussions with the Republican leadership by agriculture across the country regarding the House's unwillingness or inability to accomplish immigration reform with an AgJobs bill," Nelsen said. "I think there is an opportunity now and I would expect the president to focus on that."

Nelsen will meet next week with members of the California congressional delegation to focus on four issues - immigration reform, trade, the 2007 Farm Bill and water issues, particularly those relating to the San Joaquin River restoration settlement.

Schwarzenegger re-elected

The California agricultural leaders found positive news in the re-election of Gov. Schwarzenegger, who cruised easily to victory against Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides.

The California Farm Bureau's Mosebar said he was "thrilled" with Schwarzenegger's re-election.

"We know Gov. Schwarzenegger will do a great job in his second term," Mosebar said. "He's willing to work with both parties to tackle the state's challenges, just as we are. He knows that Californians will continue to enjoy affordable and quality farm products as long as farmers have access to reliable water, expanding markets and a healthy business climate."

Nelsen and Bedwell were disappointed in several down-ticket state races.

Republican Tom McClintock was defeated in his bid for lieutenant governor by Democrat Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. Despite strong agricultural support, Republican Chuck Poochigian was buried by former-Gov. Jerry Brown in the race for attorney general. Democratic state Sen. Debra Bowen defeated appointed GOP incumbent Bruce McPherson in the race for secretary of state.

"The lieutenant governor's spot, secretary of state's spot, those all went to others. Losing Chuck is big. He is a good man," Nelsen said.

Schwarzenegger mounted a stunning turnaround. Last year, he suffered an embarrassing defeat in promoting several failed reforms in the special election. But he championed a number of key legislative victories this year, including passage of a landmark greenhouse gas emissions bill, an increase in the state's minimum wage and he shepherded several infrastructure bonds to victory on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

Bedwell said the takeaway from the election is Schwarzenegger's accurate reading of the electorate.

"I think it really says that California wants to govern from the middle and I think this is a governor who learned pretty quickly that instead of starting out talking about blowing up the boxes, he read the pulse of the electorate very well and now it is a matter of trying to use that moderation so that we can all move forward, including agriculture," Bedwell said. "He has made a commitment to be pro-environmental, but also pro-business and I think that bodes well for agriculture."

The make-up of the California Legislature is mostly unchanged after the election. Democrats maintain firm control of the Assembly and the Senate.

"Once again, if you look at the fact that nothing much changed in the state Assembly or the state Senate, it really shows you the power of those districts that were drawn and basically, agriculture will once again be looking particularly at a bipartisan effort from the Central Valley," Bedwell said.

Several state races were closely watched by farm leaders. Nelsen was pleased with the re-election of Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, over her Republican challenger Danny Gilmore.

"We think that it is extremely positive that she won election," Nelsen said. "Cathleen Galgiani, up north, is a positive victory as well."

Newcomer Galgiani, a former staffer for outgoing Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews, defeated Republican Gerry Machado in the 17th Assembly seat.

Voters backed infrastructure bonds to rebuild schools, levees and highways, and to improve affordable housing opportunities, but they defeated Proposition 87, a proposed $4 billion tax scheme on in-state oil production and Proposition 90, a far-reaching measure that would have prohibited governments to use the power of eminent domain to take land for use by a private developer.

Election brings change, challenges to farmers