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APRIL 25, 2013 - MAY 1, 2013 | 17
Holden’s bill to boost California agriculture passes second committee on unanimous vote The Assembly Agriculture Committee today heard testimony on Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation to ensure that California fruit, nuts, livestock and vegetables are given priority when it comes to state purchasing. Under Holden’s AB 199 Choose California Act, state agencies would be required to give California agriculture producers priority when purchasing food products if the price is within 5% of the lowest outof-state competitor. School districts would have to purchase California grown products as
long as they aren’t more expensive than out-of-state products. “AB 199 uses the state’s purchasing power to bolster California’s Agri-business and that means more jobs and more revenue and that’s good for California’s bottom line,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This bill is a win-win for everyone. The public institutions get a locally-grown product, we’re helping create opportunities for our farmers and a new appreciation for local food helps stimulate the economy.” “California Citrus Mutual
Spring San Gabriel Valley Special Olympics events at San Marino High
is excited to support this legislation as it puts before our young people and population the wonderful bounty we produce in California. To have this focus is a win for agriculture and a win for our state.” Joel Nelsen, President, California Citrus Mutual The Agriculture Committee voted unanimously (7 to 0) in favor of AB 199. Earlier in the session the measure was approved by the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee. It now moves to Assembly Appropriations for fiscal consideration.
San Gabriel Teachers' Association Continued from page 1
hope.” District Superintendent Steven Yoshihara said the district is in a better financial position than it has been in the past few years. “I think it’s certainly a better feeling than giving reductions,” Yoshihara said. “It’s more positive.” Yoshihara also said under the newest budget proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown, the district will receive more funding be-
cause it is in a lower socioeconomic category. This should help the teachers come contract negotiations, he added. “What you’ll notice is a greater variation in proposals between bargaining units and districts because of the way this formula will allocate funding to schools,” Yoshihara said. “Some schools will receive more money than others based on their socioeconomic status. The early indicators are that
we’ll be better off than under the current funding mechanism.” He added that it will greater a discrepancy between local districts in the way they receive money and how much. “That will create a lot of differences in money,” he said. “Some districts will be able to give more salary increases. Some will not. We’ll certainly see that unfold as the fiscal year progresses.”
The 2013 Spring San Gabriel Valley Special Olympics were held on Friday, April 12 at San Marino HIgh School. Monrovia Unified School District was represented by Mrs. Amy Bender’s 4th and 5th Grade class from Plymouth Elementary School. Her students participated in the tennis ball throw, several heats and the relay race. -Photo by Peggy Stern