State Assemblywoman Anna Caballero spoke to a group of local
leaders Wednesday on issues in Sacramento such as budget problems
caused by the economic downturn and her attempt to float a $11.7
billion water bond.
Caballero spoke at the monthly Lunch with Leaders, put on by the
San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, at San Juan Oaks Golf
Club.
State Assemblywoman Anna Caballero spoke to a group of local leaders Wednesday on issues in Sacramento such as budget problems caused by the economic downturn and her attempt to float a $11.7 billion water bond.
Caballero spoke at the monthly Lunch with Leaders, put on by the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, at San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
Caballero started her speech by reflecting on what she called “one of the worst economic downturns in the economy since the Great Depression.”
“I believe that over the next year, you will see a number of reform efforts that will drive us in the direction where we can help make change,” Caballero said. “If there’s one thing that I’ve learned … all of the interests that are there are infringed in making sure we don’t do that because the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.”
The Salinas Democrat addressed local businesspeople and officials during the luncheon gathering, which was sponsored by local law firm Lombardo and Gilles.
She moved on to address two state issues she said could have a major impact across the state. The first is the prison system, which is being required to reduce the number of prisoners. The second is water, of which the federal government has limited distribution from the delta because of a threatened fish. She said it has led to small businesses shutting down and people being out of jobs.
Along with the looming prison issue, and drought and waters issues, the state is losing out on manufacturing jobs due to a tax system that is doubly taxing companies, she told the crowd.
“So those are the type of issues we’re facing,” she said.
However, one possible solution to the loss of manufacturing jobs is to use private funds to finance public infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment facilities. Caballero said in other areas of the world where this practice is common and successful, infrastructure is usually installed more “economically and ahead of schedule.” Once the private firm or investor has completed the project, it would be rented to the government, she said.
“I’m telling you about this because I think this is an area where we can do more with the very, very limited public funds,” she said.
Caballero then addressed the water issue in more detail because San Benito County gets its outside supply from the federal blue-valve program. She used the example of the City of Mendota, which had its water shut off. A potential fix for this problem, she said, could be using recycled water – much like the supply that is recycled at the new Hollister wastewater treatment plant – to use for agriculture or to pump back into the ground, which would pump it into the aquifer.
Another item the Legislature passed was $100 million in tax credits – $10,000 per person over three years – for people to move into new homes. In doing so, this allowed contractors to hire crews again and begin working again. Another benefit from this, Caballero said, is that new homeowners buy new furniture and other home-related goods, which would put more money back into the economy.
The assemblywoman also fielded questions from the crowd. San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chairman Anthony Botelho asked her stance on state park closures.
“My understanding is that they’re still working on the list,” Caballero said, adding that the parks that have less traffic will more than likely be closed, which could potentially mean the closure of Fremont Peak State Park.
She concluded her speech by saying: “We’re a very resilient people and part of what I like about living in a rural community is there is a work ethic … We’re going to have to work a bit harder at providing for the safety net for the poorest and the most challenged among us. We’re just going to have to figure out a way to do that because the resources are not there.
“We’re just going to have to figure out how to do more with less.”
