News

Farmer Equity Act recognizes racial discrimination, enables state to identify barriers & provide much-needed support to farmers

Sacramento, California – Earlier today, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that would require California officials to focus on and address the challenges facing farmers of color in the state by making access to state and federal resources more equitable. This comes at a critical moment as the current generation of farmers is retiring and new farmers are increasingly represented by people of color, including immigrants and refugees.

“While historic discrimination won’t be solved overnight, the Farmer Equity Act opens the door requiring that state officials identify and address the ways farmers of color, including black farmers, have largely been ignored,” said Dr. Gail Myers, PhD, co-founder of Oakland-based Farms to Grow, and a leading member of the California Farmer Justice Collaborative.

The Farmer Equity Act, AB 1348, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), directs the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to better provide resources, outreach, technical assistance, and decision-making power to “socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers,” so called because they have been subjected to historic racial discrimination.

Governor signs funding bill for Napa farmworker housing

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s AB 317, providing Napa County with permanent, annual funding to support the three farmworker housing centers totaling 180 beds.

Beginning in the next budget cycle, the Napa County Housing Authority will receive $250,000 in matching dollars each year. The bill had been promoted as private-public model for farmworker housing developed by Napa County.

Governor signs Aguiar-Curry protestion bill

Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s bill, AB 1636, was signed into law by Governor Brown last week.

The consumer protection measure will increase accountability of “Payday Lenders” in California through strengthening the tools Department of Business Oversight (DBO) uses to oversee, regulate, and review lenders’ reports.

Governor signs Aguiar-Curry’s tax liability bill

SACRAMENTO — On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, to extend the state of California’s authority to operate the “Offer in Compromise” program. In the event a business owner can’t afford to pay an unanticipated tax liability, this program allows the taxpayer to pay the maximum amount feasible — a compromised offer — and continue to stay in business.

Aguiar-Curry waste management bill signed by governor

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1572, authored by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Solano.

This bill gives the California Department of Resources and Recycling Recovery (CalRecycle) greater flexibility in ensuring locals comply with sustainable waste management law while reducing burdens associated with oversight for areas that exceed state requirements.

Aguiar-Curry’s first bill signed by governor benefits local growers

A bill authored by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Solano, was signed in to law by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Assembly Bill 768 makes the Direct Marketing Program operated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) permanent. The program empowers the state’s farmers to sell their produce and products directly to customers at Certified Farmers’ Markets without being required to follow the same packing and labeling requirements as products in grocery stores.

Gov. Brown signs Aguiar-Curry bill making Farmers Direct Marketing Program permanent

SACRAMENTO – On Friday Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 768, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), into law.

This bill, Aguiar-Curry’s first, makes the Direct Marketing Program operated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture permanent.

The program empowers our state’s farmers to sell their produce and products directly to customers at Certified Farmers’ Markets without being required to follow the same packing and labeling requirements as products in grocery stores.

Aguiar-Curry supports cap-and-trade extension

Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, voted in favor of landmark legislation Monday to extend California’s cap-and-trade program. The package includes AB 398 by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella; AB 617 by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens; and ACA 1 by Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley.

$2 million for Clear Lake water quality improvement included in state budget

The state’s new $125 billion budget contains a fresh glimmer of hope for restoration efforts at Clear Lake, which suffers from mercury contamination and algae growth that perennially afflicts Lake County’s primary tourist destination.

The budget, signed by the governor late last month, includes $2 million in a separate piece of legislation, which, if approved, would create a “blue ribbon” committee to bring together a coalition of scientists, elected officials, tribal members, environmentalists and others to study the ancient lake’s problems and map out solutions.

Money to repair Yolo County bridge approved

SACRAMENTO >> Money for the reconstruction of Yolo County’s low-water bridge in the Cache Creek Canyon was approved as part of the new state budget.

Bridge repair on County Road 40 was included in the budget by state Senator Bill Dodd and Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Some $800,000 was allocated.