California Delegation Staff Briefed on Central Valley Issues -- April 2, 2004 -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 11, Bulletin 11

On April 1, 2004, California congressional staff participated in a luncheon briefing sponsored by the Great Valley Center and the California Institute on the "other California," the Greater Central Valley. Tim Ransdell of the Institute began the by discussing the federal funds share that California and the Valley counties receive. Richard Cummings, Director of Research and Communications for the Center, provided a brief presentation addressing the rapid growth of the Central Valley since 1925, which he noted is largely attributable to "natural increase," rather than migration. Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, Chancellor of the new UC Merced campus, discussed the importance to the Valley of opening the new four-year university and the economic value that it will bring to the Valley. Tomlinson-Keasey stressed the need to address the educational requirements of the growing young population in California, while also enriching the valley by turning it into a land of opportunity. Carol Whiteside, President of the Greater Valley Center, whose organization's goal is to improve the economic, social, and environmental well being of the Central Valley concluded the presentation. She addressed both the promising outlook for and the challenges facing the area. She highlighted poverty levels, air quality, limited employment prospects related to educational attainment, and scarcity of federal spending in the Valley as obstacles.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza (Atwater), who represents Merced and surrounding areas, addressed the attendees at the end of the lunch, stressing the need for the delegation to work in a bipartisan fashion to resolve the problems facing the Valley over the next several years.

To expand communications between Washington and California, the California Institute provides periodic bulletins regarding current activity on Capitol Hill that directly impacts our state. Bulletins are published weekly during sessions of Congress, and occasionally during other periods.

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