Californians pass $7.5 billion water bond [Associated Press]
Californians
struggling through a historic drought overwhelmingly approved a massive plan to
invest in the state's outdated water system to minimize the impact of future
dry years. Proposition 1 passed Tuesday, authorizing $7.5 billion that won't
address today's drought, but can be used to build two new reservoirs and invest
in conservation measures, water recycling and groundwater cleanup. Details need
to be refined to make sure the money is spent equally for benefit throughout
the state, said Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau
Federation. "We're all California," he said. "If we allow
ourselves to be divided by regional differences, there's no hope to come to a
good conclusion."…Wenger said voters sent a clear message that they want
attention to the state's water system. "We're hoping that the legislators
and Congress will take heed and allow for better management of our current
water infrastructure," he said.
San
Benito County's Measure J: Voters back anti-fracking plan [San Jose Mercury
News]
San
Benito County voters on Tuesday approved a groundbreaking ballot measure that
outlaws the controversial oil extraction technique known as fracking. San
Benito County residents heavily supported Measure J, overcoming the oil
industry's well-funded opposition campaign. A similar measure in Santa Barbara
County, backed by environmentalists there, appeared to be heading to
defeat….The issue has pitted farmers, ranchers and others in the usually sleepy
county against each other. Measure J supporters say fracking and an oil boom
would threaten the local environment, notably the water supply, citing problems
in states such as Texas and North Dakota. But critics of the measure argue it
goes too far, banning common oil techniques.
Tax
on sugary drinks approved in Berkeley; S.F. measure falls short [Los Angeles
Times]
In
voting Tuesday, Berkeley voters became the first electorate in the nation to
approve a tax on sodas and other sugary beverages, while a similar measure in
San Francisco fell short. The Berkeley measure levies a penny per ounce for
sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the city, including sodas, sports and energy
drinks, juices with added sugar, and syrups that go into sugary drinks at
cafes, such as Starbucks' Frappuccinos, the measure's backers say. Diet sodas
and alcohol won't be taxed under the law. About 75% of Berkeley voters backed Measure
D….Though 54.5% of San Francisco voters backed the sugary-drink tax, a tally of
66.67% was needed to pass the measure. The two-thirds threshold was required
because the tax revenue would have gone to a special fund for recreation and
nutrition programs in schools and parks. The Berkeley measure needed only a
majority to pass because that revenue went into the city's general fund.
GMO
Labeling: Colorado voters reject food measure; Maui voters approve [National
Public Radio]
In
the latest bids for states to compel companies to label foods that contain
genetically modified ingredients, Colorado voters decided the issue in their
state today. Proposition 105, was defeated by a roughly 2-1 margin Tuesday.
Oregon voters also considered a measure, but it is still too close to call —
the no vote leading the yes vote by two percentage points with more than 80
percent of the vote counted….While more than half of U.S. states have
contemplated similar GMO legislation, the only one that has come close to
requiring a label is Vermont. The state's law, approved this year, still faces
legal challenges, and it's not slated to take effect until 2016. In Hawaii,
Maui County voters considered an initiative that went far beyond labeling. By a
slim margin, voters decided to temporarily ban genetically engineered crops.
Asian
citrus psyllid proposal worries organic farmers [Los Angeles Times]
To
combat pests like the Asian citrus psyllid, exotic fruit fly and glassy-winged
sharpshooter that threaten the state's food supply, the California Department
of Food and Agriculture is weighing a new plan that some organic farmers say
doesn't do enough to prevent their crops from being ruined by pesticides. The
proposal would streamline the state's response to invasive insects by reducing
paperwork and allowing the agency to quickly respond to an outbreak when it
orders quarantines, sets traps or, more controversially, sprays pesticides….The
plan "lacks adequate consideration of organic agriculture and fails to
properly assess the potential impacts on California's organic farmers,"
said Kelly Damewood, policy director for California Certified Organic Farmers,
a certification agency, trade association and foundation representing organic
operations throughout North America, including 2,300 members in California….The
state, which released the plan in August for public comment, said it would
first consider alternatives such as traps or the release of sterile insects. If
an emergency does require spraying, the state would consider weather and wind
patterns to reduce the risk of pesticide drift on organic farms.
Why
farmers aren't cheering this year's monster harvest [National Public Radio]
U.S.
farmers are bringing in what's expected to be a record-breaking harvest for
both corn and soybeans. But for many farmers, that may be too much of a good
thing. Farmers will haul in 4 billion bushels of soybeans and 14.5 billion
bushels of corn, according to USDA estimates. The problem? Demand can't keep up
with that monster harvest. Corn and soybean prices have been falling for
months. A bushel of corn is now worth under $4 — about half what it was two
years ago….Farm machinery companies have noticed. John Deere plans to lay off
1,000 workers at plants in Iowa. Another company, AGCO, says it will cut around
100 jobs in Kansas.
Ag
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