Anti-tax
group sues to block California's rural fire fee [Sacramento Bee]
The
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced Thursday that it is suing to end
a $150 annual state fire fee imposed on California's rural residents and obtain
refunds for those who have already paid. The group alleges in Sacramento
Superior Court that the fee, which the state began collecting in August,
amounts to a tax that was illegally approved without the necessary two-thirds
majority of lawmakers….In its class-action lawsuit filed alongside plaintiffs
from nine counties, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association suggests there are
too many differences in Cal Fire services provided across the state to justify
a uniform fee. The suit claims the charge should have been considered a tax
requiring a two-thirds vote.
Farmers,
ranchers, loggers fume over proposal to replace old diesel engines [Redding
Record Searchlight]
Farmers,
ranchers and loggers told California Air Resources Board officials Thursday
that a proposed rule to phase out old diesel engines will hurt their
businesses. Many of those who spoke during an air resources board workshop in
Redding asked state officials to not make a one-size-fits-all policy where
businesses in Shasta County have to follow the same rules as those in areas
with worse air pollution, such as the San Joaquin Valley….Officials with the
air board hosted the workshop at the Shasta County Administration Center to
take comment on a proposed air pollution regulation that would encourage
farmers, ranchers and logging companies to replace older diesel engines with
newer ones that burn cleaner….The new rule will likely take into account the
economic impact on small businesses, officials told the speakers. A draft of
the rule is expected to be completed by October next year.
Delta,
accustomed to water wars, prepares for battle [Los Angeles Times]
As
a child, Brett Baker learned farming fundamentals from his grandfather, who
taught him to drive a tractor and gave him some advice about water. "There
may come a time," his grandfather said, "when you have to grab a
shotgun and sit on the pump."…Now, as if heeding Baker's grandfather, the
delta has become the defiant seat of rebellion against the most ambitious water
supply project proposed in California in decades, a multibillion-dollar plan
that has the backing of the administrations of Gov. Jerry Brown and President
Obama, as well as the state's most powerful irrigation and urban water
districts.…Delta landowners have refused to grant access to state crews doing
preliminary soil testing for the project. They have demonstrated against the
proposal in Sacramento, pitchforks in hand. They have organized a vocal
coalition that has produced a documentary film — airing at public forums around
the state — to drum up support for their cause.
Dairies
vow to keep up pressure for price relief [Fresno Bee]
Frustrated
San Joaquin Valley dairy farmers say they are not letting up in their fight for
higher milk prices. And they will take their case to Sacramento, one more time.
About 200 dairy operators and their supporters met Thursday at the Lucio Hay
Co., where organizers encouraged them to keep up the pressure on state
officials. The dairymen held a rally Sept. 13 on the steps of the state
Capitol, where more than 400 people attended. A second rally is planned for
Oct. 18 in Sacramento.
Bitterness
continues after UFW's loss at Corralitos Farms [Santa Cruz Sentinel]
Workers
at Corralitos Farms are denying union charges of unfair labor practices by
management during a recent election. More than 200 workers signed a statement
sent to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board saying they were neither
bribed nor coerced into voting against representation by the United Farm
Workers. The statement was in response to a UFW challenge to a Sept. 19
election, in which the union lost its bid to represent workers in a 187-154
vote.…But 11 workers who met with the Sentinel on Wednesday said they came to
their own conclusions after listening to union organizers. They voted no, they
said, because they didn't believe the UFW could get them a better deal than
they had and they saw no reason to fork over a portion of their wages to the
union in the form of dues.…The workers also said they were tired of union
organizing tactics that they alleged included false promises, intimidation of
opponents and constant badgering.
Organic
farm sales reached $3.53 billion in 2011, USDA Says [Bloomberg]
Organic-foods
sales to businesses including Dean Foods Co. (DF) totaled more than $3.53
billion last year, about 0.9 percent of total U.S. farm receipts, the
Department of Agriculture said. At least 3.65 million acres were used to raise
certified organic crops and livestock, the USDA said yesterday in a report.
That’s approximately 0.4 percent of the 917 million acres of farm and ranchland
in the U.S….The USDA report was based on a survey of certified organic farms,
operations that comply with government standards that restrict or ban the use
of synthetic chemicals and hormones….According to the latest report, 9,140
farms or ranches reported producing certified organic goods last year, or about
0.4 percent of the nation’s total. In harvested cropland, California led the
nation with 223,644 acres, followed by Wisconsin with 112,215 acres and New
York with 101,141.
Ag
Today is distributed to county Farm Bureaus, CFBF directors and CFBF staff, for
information purposes, by the CFBF Communications/News Division, 916-561-5550; news@cfbf.com.
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