SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford), today, announced the restoration of funding that will go toward the implementation of a strategic plan for the Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

“The Valley never gets its fair share from the state and the cutting of the initial allocation by seventy-five percent is just another example of this unfair trend,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “I’m glad my colleagues saw the benefit in ensuring the Partnership receives the support it needs to continue functioning as a vehicle for the Valley’s progress.”

In his May Revise, Governor Schwarzenegger allocated $5 million for the Partnership’s strategic plan; however, last week, during a Senate subcommittee hearing, funding was reduced to $1.25 million.

At a hearing of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee Number 4, Assemblywoman Parra, along with Assemblymen Juan Arambula and Michael Villines, voted for restoration of this funding to the original $5 million allocation. The item to restore the funding passed by a vote of 5-0.

This budget item now moves to a joint Senate and Assembly Budget Conference Committee for further consideration.