Legislative Update: California State Senator Roy Ashburn
There are always dozens of issues, at any given time, brought before our California Legislatures. I had an opportunity to discuss just a few with Senator Ashburn and also solicited some of his thoughts.
The Senator, who has a genuine understanding of what it is to work for a living, introduced a Bill that would have eliminated the high commercial fees paid for registering pick-up trucks. So many of our valley ranches and farmers who are the back bone of the ag industry, utilize many of these types of vehicles and could have benefited greatly by this Bill. Unfortunately, the Bill just recently died in the Transportation Committee. Expect to see this one again.
Senator Ashburn also feels strongly about some issues; for example, schools, roads and water are all on his radar screen. He was pleased that so many of the infrastructure bonds, recently passed, will help fund these areas but also expressed concern that, monies collected will be spent appropriately. He believes strongly that our California schools should place a stronger emphasis on math, reading and science. He would also like to see more funds allocated for vocational programs for those individuals not yet bound for college, but would be prepared for the work force through specific training.
Senator Ashburn also commented on the recent approval of 7.4 billion dollars to build an additional 40,000 prison beds, to alleviate the states prison overcrowding. This is above and beyond the prison systems existing operating budget of 10 billion dollars.
Another area of concern and an issue that needs prompt attention is water storage for California. The Senator is an avid supporter of building additional dams, so we can store and provide an adequate water supply to a rapidly growing state, where agriculture is still a driving force to our economy.
The Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Senator Ashburn for taking time to share his thought and views on issues affecting California and specifically the valley.
John Zapalac
Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Committee Chairperson