Why California’s Prop. 4 is essential for the Central Valley’s long-term vitality | Opinion
Having lived and served in this agriculturally-rich region for nearly 25 years, I know how important strategic investment is to our community. The fertile Central Valley is the agricultural epicenter of our nation, producing over 400 different agricultural commodities — more than any other place in the U.S. To preserve the strength of our beloved land and community, we must invest in stronger measures to promote climate resiliency. That means backing Proposition 4.
As CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation and a former mayor of Fresno, I’ve been deeply committed to improving the quality of life and protecting the long-term economic viability of the region for years to come. Our region is not only essential to our state’s economic dynamism as the world’s fifth largest economy, but we also nourish our entire nation. Yet we must do more to meet the needs of our local residents.
The Central Valley Community Foundation has been instrumental in advancing the Farms Food Future (F3) initiative, aimed at building an inclusive, vibrant and sustainable economy. I am proud that our foundation is the lead agency and convener to create a thriving agriculture center in the Central Valley, especially in ensuring that small farmers and ranchers actively participate in our economy.
As a part of the F3 planning process, I have engaged with farmers and ranchers and have personally heard their concerns around the future of their livelihoods and families. While the Central Valley is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world, it also faces many threats, such as a lack of clean water, overdrawn aquifers and extreme weather events.
Prop. 4 is a groundbreaking, bipartisan, $10 billion bond measure that protects California’s communities, secures our water resources, and supports small and under-resourced farms, which boosts local economies and job creation. This California Climate Bond is good for business and health and addresses these issues head-on by supporting clean water infrastructure and helping producers become more resilient against floods, drought and extreme heat.
Prop 4’s key investments include $3.8 billion in projects that will provide more safe, reliable drinking water in communities throughout the state, including the Central Valley; $150 million to improve levees and protect San Joaquin Delta farmland from flooding, in addition to $400 million for broader flood control projects throughout the state; and $105 million in voluntary grant funding for programs to improve farmer and rancher resilience.
Prop. 4 also invests in the success of our small to midsize farming community by allocating $25 million for better transportation for farm workers, and upgrades to farm worker housing; $40 million to support farmers’ markets in order to improve agricultural marketplaces for smaller producers and to increase access to more fresh, healthy and locally grown farm products for Californians; and $30 million to improve new and beginning farmer land access (including tribal producers).
There is already strong bi-partisan support for this measure, including endorsements from the Bay Area Council, CAL FIRE Firefighters, California State Association of Counties, California Teachers Association, City of Sacramento, League of California Cities, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, The Nature Conservancy and the Union of Concerned Scientists. To see diverse voices coalesce in support of Prop. 4 is a testament of our shared commitment to ensure the health of our communities in the Valley and the sustainability of fertile lands.
Where the Central Valley goes, so goes the rest of California. Our voices must be heard on Prop. 4 in order to secure the investments we need to preserve the longevity of our region’s health and economic vibrancy.