Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed Executive Order S-22-06 to reauthorize the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley – a collaborative effort between state agencies that has helped coordinate state and regional efforts to revitalize the Central Valley.

 

“I want to applaud all of the state and local representatives for working so diligently together to develop a partnership,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “The Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world and we must continue to work hard to protect its economic well-being. This partnership will continue to assist the San Joaquin Valley region in improving the conditions of transportation, education, environmental and health care in the area.”  

 

The Partnership, originally launched in June 2005, brought state agency secretaries and Central Valley representatives together to make recommendations to the Governor regarding changes that would improve the economic well-being and quality of life for San JoaquinValley residents. Specifically, the partnership improves the economic vitality of the Central Valley, creates new jobs, provides educational guidance and advancements, endorses the development of healthcare programs, enhances the transportation system that plays a critical role in interstate commerce and improves environmental quality.

 

The 26-member Partnership, led by the Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, is composed of eight state government members, eight local government members and eight private sector members.

 

The increased attention to the San Joaquin Valley by the Governor and the efforts directed by the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley have already produced positive results including:

 

• The California Transportation Commission accelerated funding to begin construction of Highway 205 in San Joaquin County and construction of the Mission Avenue Interchange at Highway 99 in Merced County to provide improved access to UC Merced.
• The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) accelerated completion of the Business Plan for improving Highway 99 (274 miles between Bakersfield and Stockton) which calls for $6 billion to be invested over the next decade.  The Plan sets forth an economic development strategy for Highway 99 to continue as a “main street” of the San JoaquinValley and as a backbone of the State’s transportation system, as well as become a gateway for tourism in the San JoaquinValley using state-of-the-art information technology at rest stops.
• The Governor and the Legislature earmarked $1 billion from the Strategic Growth Plan submitted to the voters in November 2006 to jumpstart Highway 99 improvements.

Housing:

• The Housing and Community Development Department awarded one of three new Enterprise Zones for Modesto and Stanislaus County.

Healthcare:

• The Partnership and the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California developed the Central Valley Nursing Education Consortium to increase the number of annual registered nurse graduates by at least 250 individuals beginning in 2008.
• The Partnership studied and endorsed the establishment of a Medical Education Program at UC Merced and the development of an innovative healthcare network through the San Joaquin Valley.
• The Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance awarded $5 million to UC Merced for the development of a Medical Education Program.

Economic Development:

• The Partnership facilitated agreements among the Economic Development Organizations and Workforce Investment Boards in the region to target key industries to promote investment and develop the area’s workforce.
• The Governor and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency have directed up to $1.5 million in additional funding to help train a skilled workforce, including:  (a) up to $1 million in Governor’s discretionary funds to support a collaborative partnership to address workforce needs for a targeted industry sector or a prevalent workforce-related problem; and (b) $500,000 from Workforce Investment Act discretionary funds to begin implementation of the proposal developed by the Partnership (for submission to the U.S. Department of Labor WIRED grant program) to advance collaboration among workforce development, economic development, education and employer stakeholders.
• The eight counties and their Councils of Government joined forces to develop an integrated Regional Blueprint Plan and were awarded $2 million for the first year and will be eligible for similar funding in the second year.

Environment:

• The San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Management District has agreed to fund the design phase of the San Joaquin Valley Regional Clean Energy Office as recommended by the Partnership to facilitate air quality improvement by reducing pollution related to energy production and use.
• The Great Valley Center and Caltrans cooperated on an international competition to invite innovative proposals for design of “GreenStops” (environmentally-friendly, resource-conserving, high-tech rest stops).  This will become a signature design feature for Highway 99 as the “main street” of the San Joaquin Valley.
• The Resources Agency and Department of State Parks announced plans to significantly enhance, recreate, and celebrate the region’s natural and cultural heritage through new State Parks in the San Joaquin Valley.

Budget:

• The Governor and Legislature approved $5 million in the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 to jumpstart implementation of the Strategic Action Plan—a significant commitment to continuing to work together for the future of the San Joaquin Valley.

 

Additionally, in continuing his efforts to create jobs and a positive business environment, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced earlier this month the designation of three enterprise zones for Fresno and MercedCounty. The California Enterprise Zone Program targets economically distressed areas using special state and local incentives to promote business investment and job creation. By encouraging entrepreneurship and job growth, the program strives to create and sustain economic expansion in California communities. 

 

The full text of the executive order is below.

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER S-22-06

 

 

            WHEREAS the San JoaquinValley is remarkably rich and diverse in its people, agriculture, industry, and natural wonders.  Within the expanses of the Valley is located a region rich in resources and important to California's heritage, economy, environment, and identity.  It is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world - home to farmlands that feed the nation and the world.  It encompasses three world-class national parks that preserve the natural beauty of the Valley and the mountains that bound it.  The San JoaquinValley is intersected by a transportation corridor that is critical to the state's interstate commerce.  Its people are hardworking and representative of many cultures, races, and nationalities; and

 

            WHEREAS despite all these many assets, the San JoaquinValley faces many unique challenges as it works for a prosperous and healthy future.  Compared to the rest of our great state, the Valley lags behind in several important quality of life measures.  The per capita income for Valley residents is a third lower than for the average Californian.  Young adults attend college at one-half of the average rate.  Access to healthcare is nearly a third lower for the Valley’s citizens.  The region is also put at risk with its air quality which is among the lowest in the nation; and

 

            WHEREAS the California Partnership for the San JoaquinValley ("Partnership") was created by Executive Order S-05-05 to focus attention on one of the most vital, yet challenged regions of the state and recommend changes that would improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its residents.  The Partnership has crafted a Strategic Action Proposal that will achieve those goals; and

 

            WHEREAS the Partnership has developed a vision to build a cohesive community supported by a vibrant economy built on competitive strengths and sufficient resources to provide a high quality of life for all Valley residents in order to achieve the “3Es” of sustainable growth, a Prosperous Economy, Quality Environment, and Social Equity; and

 

            WHERAS the Partnership has already achieved many valuable accomplishments and identified six initiatives to achieve its vision.  The Legislature has recognized the accomplishments and promise of the Partnership by appropriating $5 million for the implementation of the Strategic Action Proposal.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, I ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of California, do hereby issue this Executive Order to become effective immediately:

 

1.  The California Partnership for the San JoaquinValley is hereby established.  The Partnership is composed of eight state government members, eight elected local government officials, eight civic leader members, one representative each from the Federal Interagency Task Force for the Economic Development of the San Joaquin Valley, Economic Strategy Panel, California Transportation Commission, California Air Resources Board, and California Workforce Investment Board, up to twelve representatives of regional consortia of existing organizations recognized by the Partnership, and up to three individuals with specialized expertise and knowledge of Valley issues all appointed by the Governor.  The Secretary of the

Business, Transportation and Housing Agency; Secretary for Education; Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency; Secretary of the Health and Human Services

Agency; Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency; Secretary of the Resources Agency; Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency; and Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture shall serve as the state members.  The local government members shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of mayors, members of county boards of supervisors or city councils submitted by each of the eight Councils of Government from the following counties:  San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern with one appointment from each county.  The regional consortia representatives will be nominated by the Partnership for consideration of appointment by the Governor.  All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and without compensation.

 

2.  All state legislators from the San Joaquin Valley Delegation and all members of the United States Congressional San Joaquin Valley Delegation will be non-voting members of the Partnership.

3.  The Governor will appoint one local elected official, one civic leader, and one Cabinet Member from among the above Partnership members to be the chair and two deputy chairs.

 

4.  The Partnership shall perform the following duties:

 

            (a)  Facilitate the implementation of the San Joaquin Valley Strategic Action Proposal        approved by the Governor.

 

            (b)  Utilize the $5 million appropriation for Fiscal Year 2006 -2007 to fund implementation of the Strategic Action Proposal.

 

(c)  Convene a region wide Annual Summit to engage government officials, civic leaders, and the public to evaluate and adjust the Strategic Action Proposal.  Identify projects and programs that will best utilize public dollars and most quickly improve the economic vitality of the Valley, especially those that leverage federal, state, local, and private sector resources in a coordinated effort to address critical needs in the Valley. 

 

            (d)  Prepare an annual progress report.

 

5.  The Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency shall provide administrative support to the Partnership out of the budget augmentation for the Strategic Action Proposal and existing resources.  The Director of Finance may accept monetary gifts for the support of the activities of the Partnership.

 

6.  Unless extended by another executive order, the Partnership shall terminate its business and cease to exist on December 31, 2008.

 

7.  This Order does not alter the existing authorities or roles of the executive branch departments, agencies, or offices.  Nothing in this Order shall supersede any requirement made by or under law.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of November 2006.

 

 

 

__________________________________

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

 

 

                                                                                                ATTEST:

          

 

 

__________________________________

BRUCE McPHERSON

Secretary of State