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Coalitions Are Key, Partnership Told: Valley Group Hears About Luring Business and Winning Over Lawmakers at Forum.

Posted on: Saturday, 20 May 2006, 12:02 CDT

By Robert Rodriguez, The Fresno Bee, Calif.

May 20--A panel of state and Valley leaders working to improve the region's economy heard Friday from more than two dozen speakers about building coalitions, luring new industries and winning over urban legislators.

Members of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley held a public forum at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera County, the sixth it has held in eight counties represented by the organization.

Fresh on the minds of a few speakers was the battle brewing over funding for the partnership and comments over its effectiveness.

A proposed $5 million allocation was whittled down to $1.25 million by a state Senate subcommittee.

And not everyone thinks the governor-sponsored initiative is worthwhile.

Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, referred to the program earlier this week as "$5 million worth of crap."

"This is not a bunch of crap," said Assembly Member David Cogdill, R-Modesto. "But that is the mind-set of some of our urban legislators and we have to work to change that."

Cogdill urged members of the partnership to find areas of common ground and to work as a unified group, especially when it comes to persuading non-Valley legislators to support their efforts.

"Creating coalitions is going to be very important," Cogdill said. "Politics is a numbers game, and the more people we have on our side the better."

Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, echoed Cogdill's comments about creating a united front in the Legislature.

"We fought the same battle over UC Merced, but we won that; we answered every question and concern they had," Denham said. "The Valley is important, and people need to realize that."

Among the partnership's tasks is to hear from representatives of the eight Valley counties about how to deal with the region's most vexing issues, such as unemployment, economic development and growth.

Suggestions included allowing Indian gaming, focusing on vocational education, and making life easier for small-business owners.

Herman Perez, a member of the Madera Chamber of Commerce, said small-business owners are faced with a steady stream of regulations and rising business costs such as health care and insurance.

"We can't continue to pass along the costs to consumers," Perez said. "We need a break."

Madera County Board of Supervisors Chairman Frank Bigelow said the region needs to diversify its economy and Indian gaming could be part of that mix.

"If ag can't drive the opportunities in the area, we have to look at other sources," Bigelow said.

Elaine Bethel-Fink, tribal chairwoman of the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, estimated the $250 million casino proposed in Madera County could provide 1,500 to 1,700 jobs.

Julia Berry, executive director of the Madera County Farm Bureau, reminded the partnership members that the Valley plays a critical role in feeding the nation and the world.

"We need to make sure the Central Valley is heard when the money is being divvied up," Berry said. "We are not pounding loud enough on the table."

Sunne Wright McPeak, secretary of the state's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and head of the partnership, estimated the organization's draft report will be completed by mid-September.

The reporter can be reached at brodriguez@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6327.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Fresno Bee, Calif.

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Source: The Fresno Bee

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