Last week CCM partnered with members of the Agriculture President’s Council and Western Growers Association to host a group of California Senators for a tour of Central Valley agriculture. Senator Glazer, a wonderful supporter of the industry, organized the tour as part of his personal effort to build a stronger moderate, independent thinking body of [...]
Governor Newsom has announced new appointments for his fledgling administration with surprises at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). Serena McIlwain of Sacramento has been appointed Undersecretary of the Agency and Val Dolcini has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, a new position. When CalEPA was formed, under the direction of Pete Wilson the #2 [...]
Every March, the Department of Food and Agriculture hosts Ag Day on the steps of the State Capitol. It is a widely attended event by legislators and their staff and celebrates the bounty and diversity of California commodities. Citrus was well represented at this year’s event by both CCM and the Citrus Pest and Disease [...]
California citrus representatives from CCM, Sunkist, and Wonderful Citrus rendezvoused in Washington, D.C. a week ago with allies from Texas Citrus Mutual and Florida Citrus Mutual to thank staff and Congressional representatives for their efforts to increase operational assistance and research implementation specific to HLB and ACP programs. A budget increase for both items was [...]
The headlines are all about hearing testimony on a variety of subjects but the pace is picking up on California citrus related priorities as well. The changeover in staff, let alone members, in the House necessitated U.S. citrus industry leaders coordinating on staff briefings in the House and Senate this past week. CEO’s from Florida [...]
Bill Lyons was officially appointed Wednesday to the newly created position of Agriculture Liaison in the Office of the Governor. Governor Newsom announced the appointment last week following his State of the State address during which he appointed Joaquin Esquivel as Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. Bill Lyons is a farmer and [...]
CCM staff and members of the Board met with Representatives Devin Nunes and TJ Cox this week to discuss a number of Federal policy concerns from water, to immigration, to trade, and more. Congress was on recess this week, providing an opportunity for CCM representatives to have two productive discussions with two members of Congress. [...]
Governor Newsom names Esquivel SWRCB Chair, appoints Lauren Firestone Former CDFA Secretary Bill Lyons appointed Agriculture Liaison in the Office of the Governor In his first two months of office, Governor Newsom has made several appointments to his cabinet and various agencies that have a direct impact on the agricultural industry. On February 12, 2019, [...]
Sunkist, Wonderful Citrus, and CCM made the rounds in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday outlining priorities in several Congressional offices. House and Senate Ag Committees and key Congressional offices, including newcomer T J Cox were all given a briefing on priority concerns for the new Congress. “Lots of offices still under renovation,” notes CCM’s Joel Nelsen, [...]
Trying to identify “who is on first” at the federal level has been a challenge because of Republican increases in the Senate and Democratic victories in the House. But this is what we know so far as it relates to our priorities: The Senate Finance Committee holds responsibility on trade matters. A new chair from [...]
